Following on from the installation of batteries on Urbos3 18 the remainder of the Midland Metro tram fleet is now to be so fitted, although unlike 18 it won’t be necessary for them to be returned to Spain with the work instead taking place at Wednesbury Depot. With the apparent end of successful testing for 18 – although that tram still awaits a return to service – work has now commenced on fitting the batteries to 31.
On Tuesday 17th April 31 was dragged out of the main workshops at the depot rather fittingly by 18 with it apparent work is well underway on the installation of its batteries. 31 is now back in the workshops where it is joined by 26 which is currently being put back together following its repair work and return – in two parts – from Wolverton Works last month.
With 18, 26 and 31 all out of action it means that a maximum of 18 trams are currently available to cover the daily diagrams with 15 required at peak times. This leaves three spare and it is also thought that one further tram is also out of service at the moment.