Today we take a look at the West Midlands Metro again for the latest “Lockdown Walk”.
The entire fleet of 21 Urbos3 trams were fitted with batteries between 2018 and 2020 to allow sections of the network to be constructed without overhead wires. This has enabled those historically sensitive areas to not have the sometimes intrusive overhead equipment installed whilst also reducing costs in construction. The Birmingham Westside extension was the first to open without overhead (the section between Grand Central and Library) but this will be followed by more sections.
The tram in this photo at Wolverhampton St George’s shows 33 standing at the stop having just arrived with a service from Library in Birmingham City Centre. As we’re on the subject of batteries this tram entered service with batteries on 1st October 2019, some four and a bit years after it originally started running on the line. (Photograph by Dan Noon, 15th July 2020)