We’re pretty sure that if you wanted to illustrate trams being moved by lorry you would use something of the West Midlands Metro – mainly because there have been so many of them to choose from! And we now have another couple of entries as there has been a swap of trams at the Black Country Very Light Rail Innovation Centre in Dudley.
Last time on the great tram moves of the West Midlands Metro we reported that both 34 and 36 had gone to Dudley with unknown repair works seemingly being completed on them. Both moved in mid-January and for a brief period of around a day they were joined by a third tram, 21, which made the relatively short trip from Wednesbury on Tuesday 4th March 2025.
But it wasn’t going to be long that there were three Urbos3 trams at Dudley as the following day saw 36 make the move back to Wednesbury. The tram still has some scars from when it was involved in a collision just after leaving the Library but is now back with the majority of its sisters at the West Midlands Metro Depot.
36 has been a well travelled tram having spent a period from February 2024 for storage at Worksop before the move in mid-January 2025 to Dudley, and now back to Wednesbury.
As for 21, its move to Dudley is actually the first time it has been on the back of a lorry since it was originally delivered from Spain in March 2014. Once again it is presumed that it will enjoy some attention at Dudley before also making its move back to Wednesbury.
This leaves 21 and 34 at Dudley, and of course they are also joined by surviving T69 16 which is on site as part of a test tram project.
36 is readied to depart from Dudley on the back of a low loader – not that it would be a smooth departure!
36 makes the tight turn as it departs.
A close-up of the tight clearances for the tram.
We don’t often see photos of 16 nowadays but it was being shunted around the site on the day of 34’s departure as we see here.
21 was also being shunted around the site. Both trams are seen here.
16 reflected in the windows of the workshop where the Urbos3 trams are dealt with. (All Photographs by Andy Walters, 5th March 2025)
Hopefully when the line is complete a spur could be incorporated so trams can move up the line to Dudley for repairs instead of a wagon.
Now, that would be a good idea. Hope it’s on someone’s ‘to do’ list
16’s looking very smart in it’s new colours 🙂