Tram derailment at Piccadilly (5 April 2026)
At around 13:39 BST on Sunday, 5 April 2026, tram number 3046 derailed at Piccadilly on the approach to Platform A. The service was a double (two coupled trams, 3046/3060). Each individual tram has three bogies, and the rear bogie on the front tram (3046), the bogie nearest to the coupler, left the track. There were no reported injuries.
This incident happened during improvement works over the Easter Holidays (from 3-6 April), where several service changes were in place. The works were happening between Deansgate-Castlefield and Trafford Bar, moving equipment into place for track renewals to happen later this year between July and August 2026. Additional track renewal works happened on the Altrincham Line at locations including Dane Road and Brooklands-Timperley. Services from Ashton-under-Lyne were diverted via Piccadilly and Victoria to Bury.
Tram 3046 leading 3060 reached the track crossing for pedestrians leading to the Fairfield Street entrance to Platform B. It was at approximately this point that the third bogie from the front of 3046 left the track. However, the tram continued around the bend into Piccadilly Platform A, with the back of tram 3046 swinging whilst slightly off the tracks. A loud bang (likely the sound of the tram hitting the platform edge) was heard when the double tram was about halfway up the platform. There were staff members present on the platform at the time.
Tram 3046 pressed up against the platform edge at Piccadilly. There would normally be a small gap. (Credit: @trueriver)
The tram was travelling at 8mph and was decelerating when the collision with the platform edge happened.
The driver was still able to open the doors but did not depart, and passengers were evacuated off the tram. There was minimal damage to the platform edge and surrounding infrastructure. Apparently, the third bogie on tram 3046 was twisted: only one of the two axles were on the track. The wheel flange may have ended up on top of the tracks somehow.
The RAIB (Rail Accident Investigation Branch) began an investigation into this incident and how it happened and announced this on 20 April 2026, however later on 27 July 2026 it was discontinued. Instead, a vehicle dynamics study will be carried out by a university to further understand why the derailment happened beyond just operating trams at low speeds around tight bends, like on the approach to Piccadilly Platform A. RAIB can decide to reopen the investigation if necessary.
Information retrieved from www.gov.uk. Further credit to @trueriver for additional details.
