The second of the first eight of 21 new third generation Urbos trams for the West Midlands Metro has now arrived at Wednesbury Depot after being transported from Spain on the back of a single low loader. It is believed that this second delivery is no. 40 and joins the previous arrival 39 (which begs the question where is 38!) at the depot.
40 was delivered on Wednesday 26th May and was transported by road from Bristol where it had landed after travelling across the sea from Spain. As with the first of this new batch of trams it was delivered in one piece on one low loader whereas the previous 21 had all arrived in two sections. This does make some of the access to the depot a bit tighter and saw it arrive from the other direction but despite this the tram was safely delivered and then unloaded.
It has now been confirmed by Transport for West Midlands that of the new order of 21 trams from CAF, eight will be delivered in 2021 with the remainder coming in 2023. It is planned that the first five will enter service this year in time for the opening of extensions to Hagley Road, Edgbaston and in Wolverhampton City Centre to the Railway Centre.
The trams are all being built by CAF at their Zaragova facility and will have batteries fitted as new (as opposed to the first batch of 21 trams which had these retro fitted). They retain pantographs with the batteries being used for those sections of line being built without overhead wires.
The overall deal for the 21 trams was for £83.5 million and also includes technical support and battery management services over 30 years along with an option to purchase an additional 29 trams in the future.
40 joins 39 in the West Midlands although that tram is currently stabled in the depot yard awaiting further testing and commissioning. It remains unnumbered (as is 40) and has its wheel cover sides removed although is thought to have made at least one appearance out on the mainline.
40 arrives at the depot on the back of the 40 foot long low loader.
A closer view of 40 as the lorry is manoeuvred into the depot complex.
An even closer look at the tram on the low loader showing the elongated trailer and chains keeping 40 secure.
40 through the tunnel. (All Photographs by Andy Walters, 26th May 2021)