20 of the 21 Urbos 3 trams for Midland Metro have now carried passengers with the latest to enter service being 37 – the last of the trams to have been delivered back on 7th July 2015. 37 had been undergoing commissioning and mileage accumulation over the past few months and after the rectification of a small fault was passed over to traffic with its first passenger use believed to have been on Tuesday 12th April (unless anyone knows differently?)
The entry into service of 37 means that only 17 has not yet carried passengers with this tram – which was the very first of the class arrive in the West Midlands on 11th October 2013 – continuing to be consigned to depot with no start apparent in its own commissioning process.
37 at Soho Benson Road on 13th April.
Another view taken on 13th April of 37 this time at Dudley Street. (Both Photographs by Andy Walters)
Tram 17 will be the last Tram to be likley to come into service- i have heard the t69 Tram 16 is being kept for future use i knew for ages that testing due to take place april 23rd to new street overnight.
Centro announced it weeks ago the the overnight testing would be 23rd April. Although from what I’ve been told, it’s going to be a close call to get the necessary works finished in time!
Looking at the works this Wednesday 13th April, do not think the works will be finished on time.
The inbound stops on Corporation St and New St still to be built and outbound at Snow Hill still to be completed. Can see line opening September 2016 rather than April or May 2016
won’t happen,
According to Centro the Snow Hill stop isn’t priority. Corporation Street and Grand Central (New Street) will be opened first with Snow Hill opening later in the year October maybe November as new entrance nor rail station connection completed.