Another “Old(er) and New” comes from the West Midlands Metro as we see a T69 and a CAF Urbos tram at the same location.
That location for this edition is St Paul’s and the Old(er) image is dated 8th June 2007. We see 06 at the stop having just arrived from the direction of Wolverhampton. The tram – which had exactly another eight years before it would be withdrawn – is in the original Midland Metro livery which featured five colours and it also has roller blinds in place still. The tram hasn’t gone that far to go as Birmingham Snow Hill is the next stop – this included a single line section to the terminus which often meant trams had to wait a bit here for the outbound tram to arrive.
On 11th September 2020 we then see 34 at the same stop, although it will be not be going to Snow Hill for its onward journey with the city centre line and first phase of the Westside extension to Library having now opened. We saw this same tram in this series last week and so already know that its currently out of service and receiving attention at the Very Light Rail Innovation Centre in Dudley. A big change seen in this photo as well is the building on the right which has gone from derelict to hotel – with excellent views for trams and trains! (Both Photographs by Gareth Prior)