1007 was one of a batch of 26 trams originally constructed for the Manchester Metrolink in 1991. Known as T68’s these were the first, second generation trams for the UK and entered service when Metrolink opened on April 6th 1992. Less than a month later on April 27, 1007 made history when it became the first tram to carry passengers through the streets of Manchester since 1949, chosen as the last tram in 1949 was number 1007. In June of the same year it was displayed at Bury Bolton Street station on the East Lancashire Railway.
In December 2002 it became the first T68 to recieve aquamarine doors and in March 2003 the interior was refitted with a different style of seats that had previously been fitted to 1022. October of the same year saw 1007 become the first T68 to be fitted with automatic passenger announcements and a year later became the first to be fitted with internal CCTV.
Following a collision 1007 was sent to Crewe works for repairs, arriving there in January 2005 and returning to Metrolink in March of the same year.
March 2008 saw 1007 leave Metrolink again, this time for Wolverton works for refurbishment works that saw the vehicles floor replaced throughout. Returning in August it then underwent “T68X” conversion, allowing it to be used on the street running Eccles Line. 1007 finally returned to service in Late December of 2008.
May 2009 saw 1007 named “East Lancashire Railway” by Pete Waterman at Bury Interchange and 6 months later its destination roller blinds were replaced with LED dot matrix displays.
In March 2010 1007 became the first tram to be tested on the new MediaCityUK spur.
February 4th 2014 saw 1007, along with 1016 used for the T68 Farewell Tour, the last time T68s would carry passengers after 22 years service. The tour visited the T68’s regular routes, Piccadilly, Altrincham, Bury and Eccles before returning to Queens Road Depot. A short pause at Heaton Park saw 1007’s key ceremoniously handed to representatives of the Heaton Park Tramway, becoming the first second generation tram to be preserved in the UK.
Shortly after the tour 1007 was transfered to Trafford depot where it currently remains in undercover storage, awaiting funds to extend Lakeside depot, allowing it to transfer to Heaton Park.
