layout. The trial seats were retained and in March 2003 were fitted to vehicle 1007. The final three T-68s 1007, 1016 & 1022 were withdrawn on 10 February 2014. T-68A Ahead of the opening of the Phase 2 line to Eccles Line six new LRV's were ordered and constructed in 1999. Bodyshells were again built by Firema, this time at the plant in Stanga, Italy. Traction equipment was built by Ansaldo at the Padova facility where assembly of the vehicles was completed. The six T-68As entered service on the Eccles Line at its opening in 1999, numbered 2001–2006. They were similar to the original fleet, but built with modifications to allow for a high proportion of street running on the Eccles Line with other traffic. These included retractable couplers and covered bogies, as well as electronic destination displays instead of destination blinds. Three of the original fleet (1005, 1010 and 1015) also received the same modifications to allow them to run alongside the new T-68As. Later all bar 1018 - 1020 were similarly modified. Originally the T-68A's were only authorised to run between Eccles, Piccadilly and the Queens Road depot, but from 2009 they were modified to allow running on all lines. The T-68A trams only ever operated as single units. After developing a fault with the emergency brakes applying regularly without instruction to do so, 2001 was stored for several years from 2006. It was completely rewired and returned to service in June 2011. The final two T-68As 2001 and 2003 were withdrawn on 30 April 2014. Livery The trams were originally liveried in white, with a grey skirt, and a turquoise strip running along the skirt. Later modifications of this livery included the doors also being painted turquoise, and a turquoise strip painted along the top of the body, with thin orange or yellow lines separating the turquoise stripes and the white body. Only 1003 received the yellow and grey Metrolink livery introduced when the first M5000s entered service. Names All Thirty-two of the T68 and T68a’s at some point had name plates, named after famous Mancunian people, achievements, Retired Workers, places or company sponsorship. 1000 The Larry Sullivan (Prototype) 1001 System One, Childrens Hospital Appeal I 1002 Manchester Arndale Voyager, Da vinci, Manchester Arndale Voyager, The Mary Sumner, Virgin Megastores 1003 Once Upon a Wartime - Imperial War Museum North, Vans. The Original since 1966, Childrens Hospital