Category Archives: Very Light Rail

BCIMO goes into administration

Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO), the operators of Dudley’s Very Light Rail Innovation Centre, have gone into administration it has been confirmed. A not for profit organisation, the appointed administrators, RSM UK, said that the company had been hit … Continue reading

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What’s New on British Trams Online? 6th July 2025

We return with another main site update and photos come from Coventry Very Light Rail:

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VIPs visiting Coventry Very Light Rail

The testing of the Coventry Very Light Rail demonstration line has now come to a close but before it ended various VIPs visited to see the new technology in action. This included the UK government’s Minister for Local Transport, Simon … Continue reading

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Riding the Coventry Very Light Rail

Ken Jones had originally been due to be on one of the first test runs of the Coventry Very Light Rail demonstration but unfortunately extra pre-passenger testing was needed and so those trips were cancelled. However, some extra space was … Continue reading

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Coventry Very Light Rail in the news

The Very Light Rail pilot project which is currently under test in Coventry has had a fair bit of news coverage over the past few months, with the BBC picking up on the plans and exploring what it could mean … Continue reading

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In Pictures: Very Light Rail starts running in Coventry – but without passengers

Wednesday 28th May 2025 should have been an important day for the development of Very Light Rail (VLR) as it was due to have been the first time that the Coventry demonstration line would welcome passengers. Unfortunately, slight delays in … Continue reading

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In Pictures: Very Light Rail Vehicle arrives in Coventry

Having only played a starring role in Dudley a few days ago, the Very Light Rail Vehicle has been on the move again – this time on the road as its been transported to Coventry ahead of the test/demonstration runs … Continue reading

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In Pictures: Coventry Very Light Rail Vehicle welcomes its public at Dudley

One of the highlights of the Black Country Innovative Manufacturing Organisation (BCIMO) Family Fun Day at the Very Light Rail Innovation Centre in Dudley was the chance for the public to get their first rides on the Coventry Very Light … Continue reading

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Coventry Very Light Rail demonstration tracks put down

Rail vehicle in its home city, its been confirmed that the 220 metre test track has now been fully laid. The track is on Greyfriars Road and Queen Victoria Road and is the first time that the innovative modular track … Continue reading

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Booking now open for Coventry Very Light Rail demonstration runs

Now is your chance to grab the chance to be one of the first to experience the Coventry Very Light Rail demonstration line this May and June with free tickets now available online. There are only 11 dates available (or … Continue reading

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Coventry City Council sign-up as event partner for BCIMO Family Day

We recently ran a report on the forthcoming Family Day set to take place at the Very Light Rail Innovation Centre in Dudley on Saturday 17th May and now it has been confirmed that Coventry City Council will be a … Continue reading

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See behind the scenes at the Very Light Rail Innovation Centre this May

Dudley’s Very Light Rail Innovation Centre (VLRIC) is set to open its doors for the first time to the public on Saturday 17th May 2025. The Family Fun Day is billed as part of the national Railway 200 celebrations and … Continue reading

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RailAdventure UK to drive Coventry Very Light Rail demonstration line

Coventry City Council have confirmed that they have contracted RailAdventure UK to drive the Very Light Rail vehicle on the city centre demonstration line when it starts operating this summer. The tests are set to get underway during May and … Continue reading

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In Pictures: Coventry Very Light Rail vehicle under test

We recently brought the news that construction work is now underway on track in Coventry City Centre for a demonstration line for the Very Light Rail project. Aimed to start running this summer, having the track is one thing but … Continue reading

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Work starts on Coventry Very Light Rail test track

A project which those cynics amongst us may have thought would never happen looks as if it could be operational by the summer with work starting on installing a short test track for Coventry Very Light Rail. Colas Rail have … Continue reading

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Coventry Very Light Rail trial to run in 2025

The first Coventry Very Light Rail vehicle looks set to operate in the city centre this year with plans to construct a 220 metre track along Greyfriars Road and Queen Victoria Road due to be approved by the Council’s Cabinet.

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It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when? BCIMO launch new Hydrogen Trams Working Group

The BCIMO have set up a new working group which aims to look at the use of clean hydrogen as a source of power for very light rail. It comes as the imperative for cleaner and greener transport continues apace.

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Coventry Very Light Rail scheme has bid for funding rejected

Hopes that passengers may be carried on Coventry’s Very Light Rail (VLR) scheme in 2025 seem to have been dashed after reports that the Department for Transport rejected a bid for funding. The news of the funding rejection comes following … Continue reading

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Transport Minister visits Very Light Rail Innovation Centre

Huw Merriman, Minister of State for Rail and HS2, recently visited the Very Light Rail Innovation Centre in Dudley as he got a taste of what the future of light rail transport looks like.

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Three Battery-only Revolution Very Light Rail Vehicles to be built

Three new battery-only Revolution Very Light Rail Vehicles (RVLR) are to be built as part of the continued look at companies across the UK at ways of making rail travel cleaner. Eversholt Rail are providing the funding of the vehicles … Continue reading

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