A tram which has been out of use on the West Midlands Metro for approaching two years has returned to action, marking its full first day back out on Monday 16th March 2026. That tram is 46 – one of the 21-strong class of Urbos100 trams built between 2021 and 2023 for the network.
Although we have been used to trams on the West Midlands Metro having to head away from the network to be repaired (and how!), 46 was not one of those as it remained in situ at Wednesbury Depot throughout its time out of service. It was stored in various places around the depot complex waiting for spare parts to come from CAF and with these having finally arrived it was able to work on bringing the tram back into service once again.
It had actually been handed over to the operations team on 1st February 2026 and did manage a brief period in service the following day before being removed from use again. It then remained sidelined at the depot again until it was seen out in service again on 16th March 2026.
46 on its first full day of service for almost two years is captured on camera at Town Hall on its way to Wolverhampton Station. (Photograph by John Binch, 16th March 2026)
Here we see 46 departing from West Bromwich Central heading to Edgbaston Village. (Photograph by Andy Walters, 16th March 2026)
Another view of 46. This time its calling at Wednesbury Parkway with a service to Wolverhampton Station. (Photograph by Shiv Patel, 16th March 2026)