The first of the Urbos3 trams which departed the West Midlands Metro depot at Wednesbury for repairs in Dudley has returned – and its already been commissioned for use again with it being noted out on driver training! The tram in question is the first of the class, 17, which had had been absent from Metro metals since October 2022.
As we’ve covered on countless occasions, the entire Urbos3 fleet was stopped in March 2022 after the discovery of bodyside cracks (the second time this had happened). Repairs – which involve the replacement of the affected panels – had started at Wednesbury Depot but with limited capacity it was decided that some of the work would be outsourced. 28 went to Wolverton Works in May 2022 but it wasn’t until October 2022 that further trams would leave.
The location for the next departures was Dudley and the Very Light Rail Innovation Centre. 17 was the first to leave on 25th October 2022 and was swiftly followed by 26 which made the trip on 28th October 2022.
Although its not known exactly when 17 returned to Wednesbury (access to the depot for large vehicles is currently limited due to Brierley Hill extension works) it seems to have returned earlier this month. Its believed that Friday 20th January was its first time out of the depot when it was being used for driver training with engineers also on board to monitor performance.
17 at Corporation Street with a driver training run towards Grand Central. Note that unlike the tram originally repaired its first appearance out already has the full vinyls reapplied.
A view of 17 on the grassed track between Bull Street and St Chads.
17 rounds the curve as it travels from Town Hall into Pinfold Street and then onto Grand Central. It was still in use on driver training. (All Photographs by Andy Walters, 20th January 2023)
So hopefully it won’t be long for a 6/8 minute service returns.
We know 28 took about six-eight weeks to repair at Wolverton works.
If this was the case for tram 17 been repaired in Dudley could this tram been returned around the time 27 departed Wednesbury.
In other words did they use two wagons or was it a drop and collect at Dudley and back to Wednesbury.
Hmm Not returned with the replaced panels still white I see.
There’s enough trams serviceable to
do to that now & even before 17 came back
It’s driver’s there short of not trams .
Many of them have left to go else were
Not sure if this is the right thread
https://mobile.twitter.com/WMmetro not sure if it’s 26 coming back from Dudley or tram 49 been delivered