As we’ve recently reported the last weekend of June and first weekend of July are seeing maintenance works take place on the West Midlands Metro which will hopefully eradicate some temporary speed restrictions which have been in place. Services are continuing to operate whilst the work takes place but at a reduced frequency.
The two main areas of work are due to be at the Dartmouth Street and Dudley Street stops with the first weekend (24th/25th June) seeing work on one side of the tracks and the second (1st/2nd July) the other track. To allow this to happen single-line working is in operation between Black Lake and West Bromwich Central – although most passengers probably won’t care for some it will give the chance for some rare track with crossovers used in service!
57 demonstrates the use of the crossover at West Bromwich Central as it gains the correct track to continue its journey to Edgbaston Village. (Photograph by Mark Cufflin, 24th June 2023)
Dudley Street where the orange army are in attendance working on the south track. The work here is being undertaken on the pedestrian crossing.
At track level where we take a closer look at the work underway.
Moving on to Dartmouth where 56 approaches the stop heading for Edgbaston Village on the wrong line. With work taking place on the trackbed on the opposite track it looks as if the track has been skewed to make a new alignment onto the platform!
Looking down where the contractors are working on the track.
Checks made on the track gauge.
23 performs the manoeuvre over the crossover at Black Lake to regain the correct track for its onward journey.
The unusual sight of 53 travelling over the road crossing at Black Lake on the wrong track. (Photographs x7 by Andy Walters)