The deliveries of Midland Metro’s new CAF built Urbos 3’s continues to be picked up with number 28 the latest to be delivered to the depot at Wednesbury on Tuesday 29th July. This is the 12th of the trams to arrive in the UK and the early deliveries continue to be used on a regular basis for testing and driver training ahead of an expected entry into service this summer (possibly at the end of this month).
Testing/training/mileage accumulation running has recently been extended away from just the evening period with afternoon runs now being undertaken during the week. Before the trams can be cleared for service they need to run 1800km fault free and so far it is believed that very few of the Urbos3’s have achieved this yet although 18 is thought to have done so and is currently stabled on the depot alongside withdrawn T69s 01 and 02.
18 sits at the depot alongside T69s 01 & 02 with further Urbos3s visible on the left.
24 runs along Bilston Road during a driver training/mileage accumulation run on 28th July.
Another view of 24 during training on a sunny 28th July.
24 at Lodge Road on 29th July during further testing.
24 arrives at Priestfield.
The newest arrival, 28, is seen during a shunting exercise on 29th July.
28 is moved by the Unmiog around the depot.
The Unimog seen coupled to 28. (Photos by and on behalf of Andy Walters. Published with permission)
the delivery seems to be picking up 3 trams arriving in one month