We take a trip to Wolverhampton for our latest archive image as part of Picture in Time as we feature an image of one of the T69s in action in the year 2000.
The tram we see in this image is 04 as it departs from Wolverhampton St George’s with a service for Birmingham Snow Hill on 30th May 2000. Of note is that the tram is departing from the outer platform which has since had its track removed and a new coach stop constructed.
04 had been delivered to Wednesbury Depot on 30th June 1998 and after the lengthy wait for the line to open entered service on the first day of operations – 30th May 1999. Like many of its fellow T69s 04 went about its business on a near daily basis retaining the original livery throughout its career. It received the name Sir Frank Whittle following 01’s early withdrawal and itself remained in service until February 2015 when the axe fell. After a period of storage it departed Wednesbury on 23rd March 2016 and is now stored at Long Marston.
Photograph by Tony Sullivan
With tram 16 been an engineering tram, will tram 16 also have batteries fitted to run on wireless sections of the line.
That is a sight never to be seen again. the right hand track into the platform and crossover has gone. If the trams get diverted into the bus station then the Left hand track will also disappear. I am informed that the original route through the town has been changed to turn right to the bus station and onto the railway station.
I think the intention is that the new route to the Transport Interchange will diverge to run down Pipers Row to the station and that the existing terminus is to be retained and services will run to both. More information on the extension can be found via this link http://www.metroalliance.co.uk/wolverhampton/