There are now 20 Urbos 3 trams on Midland Metro metals following the delivery of 36 to the Wednesbury depot early on Friday 13th March. The tram was once again delivered in two sections and was unloaded in the rain before being moved into the workshops for commissioning.
As we reported Thursday 12th March saw the first full weekday core service in the hands of Urbos 3s with only a T69 coming out for the extra peak time services. However this situation was a one day only offer as Friday 13th March saw a 7-3 split with T69s 08, 09 and 16 all being used in service. It is likely that there will be T69s in service for a little while yet but now that it has been proved the Urbos 3s can operate the service without too much problem do not surprised to see the new trams dominating the service from now on.
21 Urbos 3s are on order (the original contract that CAF were awarded was for between 19 and 25 trams) but the last of the trams – 37 – is not expected in the West Midlands for a while yet. In the meantime efforts look set to be concentrated on clearing more of the Spanish constructed trams for service as although 20 have been delivered only 10 are available for service with an additional one having also been used in service.
With one half of 36 already unloaded we take a look at the other still sitting on the low loader on Friday 13th March. (Photo by Andy Walters)