We were obviously being unfair earlier this week when we bemoaned the lack of Urbos3 trams out on the West Midlands Metro as yet another has now broken cover from the confines of the depot. This time its 37 which was seen in service on Thursday 16th June.
The situation with 37 is an interesting one as it was the only Urbos3 which had bene used on tests/driver familiarisation during April and early May but then disappeared – until now! You’ll notice in the below photo that 37 does not have the white sections around the doors where repairs have been completed and we think that it has not had to have the bodyside cracks repairs at this time. 37 was in Spain from October 2020-June 2021 undergoing repairs and it looks as if this may have included major repairs to its bodywork, hence why it is now showing signs of further work.
This does make it a bit of a mystery as to where 37 has been in recent weeks bit its not back and out in service once more.
37’s return means there are now 11 trams which have run in service since the resumption of services on 9th June: 21, 22, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45.
* Friday 17th June saw trams running at reduced speed across the network due to the high temperatures and then around 1920 21 suffered a problem close to The Royal tramstop leading to a service suspension from Priestfield to Wolverhampton St George’s. The crew of 21 were seen attempting to change the points at The Royal with part of the tram blocking the carriageway.
Welcome back 37! Jewellery Quarter is the location here. (Photograph by Andy Walters, 16th June 2022)