Hemisphere

Hemisphere's rebranding of Metrolink, Manchester's light rail system, originally started with a new look for the new M5000 trams that has been purchased to add to the existing old-style fleet. Eventually, all the old T68 trams will be replaced, but in the meantime, the system has been running with a mixture of new livery and old livery vehicles.

Hemisphere was asked to investigate the options for reliverying the old trams to match the new trams, whilst investigating the commercial possibilities of selling advertising wraps on the centre section of the tram body. This way the appearance of the old trams can be improved for their remaining useful life, without there being a costs for Metrolink's owner, Transport for Greater Manchester.

As a trial, we worked with Marketing Manchester and Metrolink to create a sepcial Christmas tram, promoting all the festive events and attractions taking part in the city centre. With the help of our friends at Astra Signs, we managed to work out how to turn a T68 into an M5000 — at least from the outside!