It doesn’t seem to take long between a successful test and a tram entering service on the West Midlands Metro as 31 – named Cyrille Regis MBE 1958-2018 – is now once again part of the operating fleet.
31 was first used in passenger service again on Thursday 5th March when it was allocated to PM peak service – just one day after it was seen on the line undergoing tests following the conclusion of accident repairs. Of course, 31 had been out of service since 19th August 2019 when it was involved in a collision with a car in Wolverhampton which caused significant damage which was repaired “in house” at Wednesbury Depot.
With 31 back in service it now means only one tram is out of service. That tram is 26 which is continuing to receive workshop attention to fit the batteries allowing it to be used on section of the network without overhead wires (currently from Library to Grand Central).
31 comes into West Bromwich Central heading for Birmingham and eventually Library.
Another image of 31 showing the Cyrille Regis silhouette still in pride of place on the tram. (Both Photographs by Andy Walters, 7th March 2020)