What we would do for content if its wasn’t for the West Midlands Metro and their never ending tram deliveries?! Monday 22nd May saw the system welcome the latest Urbos100 from Spain with 56 being delivered – the 15th of this class to now have arrived at Wednesbury Depot.
56 had been spotted on the motorways in Spain at the end of last week so it was known it was on its way and it duly made the trip by ferry before the final part of the journey was made via road within the UK. It arrived in Bristol on Saturday morning and then waited there until early on Monday 22nd May. Originally expected to arrive at Wednesbury around lunchtime it was delayed by custom checks and so didn’t arrive at the depot until 1520.
The arrival of 56 comes just 12 days after 57 arrived and as with that delivery, 56 was unloaded at the depot instead of the recent arrangement of being delivered on Bilston Road and then towed back to Wednesbury by another tram.
So far, 13 of the Urbos100 have entered service. This started with 38, 39 and 40 on 15th December 2021 with the most recent entry into service being that of 41 on 11th May 2023. Although there have been some suggestions that 49 has also been delivered there has been no definite sighting of this tram as yet and its believed that 56 and 57 are the only two currently awaiting commissioning.
If our belief is true then that leaves 49, 50, 52, 54, 55 and 58 of the original order for 21 to come plus the extra tram – 59 – being offered free of charge to West Midlands Metro.
With works taking place around the depot it’s a tight squeeze for deliveries (which is why they had been using Bilston Road instead).
56 is welcomed to the West Midlands.
56 makes the tight turn into depot. (All Photographs by Andy Walters, 22nd May 2023)