A couple of weeks ago KFC came back with a new advert on the West Midlands Metro and now we have another returning advertiser from 2024 as 57 has received a new wrap for the National Trust’s Blossom Watch campaign. The vinyls were affixed during Friday 21st March 2025 and the tram was used for the first time in this condition the following day.
This new advert – which is 57’s second after it had vinyls for Paypal in December 2024 and January 2025 – once again keeps the end of the trams free of advert but the rest is completely wrapped. The bulk of the tram is now pink but the extreme ends of the advertising vinyls are a white/grey colour. To show how quickly vinyls can be applied to a tram – 57 was in service as the morning peak extra on 21st March and by late afternoon it had been fully wrapped!
The advert encourages us that brighter days are on their way and how you can “take a breather with blossom”. Its promoting the Blossom Watch campaign which is designed to raise awareness of the first signs of spring.
Last year 44 carried adverts for a similar campaign with those vinyls being in place between March and August 2024.
There are now four advertising liveries on the West Midlands Metro: 45 (City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra), 53 (KFC), 57 (National Trust) and 58 (Birmingham City University).
Following the application of the vinyls 57 is seen in the depot yard at Wednesbury. This image was taken during a look behind the scenes at the depot. (Photograph by Bob Hodges, 21st March 2025)
A day later and 57 was in service for the first time with its new look. (Photograph by Andy Walters, 22nd March 2025)