The great West Midlands Metro tram swap has continued with 30 coming back from Dudley with it being replaced by another with the repairs on the Urbos3 trams ongoing at the Very Light Rail Innovation Centre.
30 was on its second trip to Dudley having previously been there in 2023 for the major bodyside cracking repairs as many of its fellow Urbos3 trams underwent. This time around it was transported there by lorry on 10th April 2025 and returned to Wednesbury Depot during the week of 19th May 2025 (it was still there during the BCIMO Family Fun Day on 17th May).
18 remains in situ at Dudley still undergoing work whilst another tram is now believed to have joined it, although its not clear which tram that is at the moment. Further examples are expected to follow in the coming months.
Meanwhile, 21, 28 and 36 have all recently returned to service after lengthy periods out of use.
During the Family Fun Day there was a chance to see the workshop where the repairs are being completed. This image shows 18 closest to the camera and 30 on the far side at various stages of work. (Photograph by Andy Walters, 17th May 2025)
This may be a question that has previously been asked. When the extension from Wednesbury to Flood Street is open will trams be able to use the Very Light Rail facilities without the need for road transport.
Hasn’t been asked before as far as I know. I would be surprised if a link was put in as once all trams have been repaired not sure there will be much call.
Will the Dudley trams go to b,hdam oor wolves ?
They haven’t given details of the service pattern yet but the junction will allow trams to go in either direction so presumably there will be some servce to both. It should be remembered that the Birmingham Eastside extension as far as Clayton Hotel is also due to open later this year. Plus we should at some point see trams running to Wolverhampton St George’s. The services on WMM once all that opens will, one would hope, be significantly increased from what we see today.