In this latest edition of “Old(er) and New” we stay on the West Midlands Metro to take a look at an original tram in service and then a newer tram in action at the same location on the network.
We’re firstly at Black Lake on 22nd September 2014 when we see T69 10 in Network West Midlands Metro livery on the final approach to Black Lake with a service from Birmingham Snow Hill to Wolverhampton St George’s. 10 was one of the trams which lost the original fleet livery in favour of this scheme which was also initially adopted by the Urbos3 trams when they first entered service. 10 would have less than a year left in service after this photo with withdrawal coming in July 2015.
Urbos3 20 is seen in this later photo as it too approaches Black Lake on its way to Wolverhampton Station. We’re a little further back from the small bridge as it crosses the Ridgacre Branch Canal but the surrounds are still as they were some 11 years earlier. Of note is the addition of a small barrier between footpath and tramway. This view is from 21st March 2025. (Both Photographs by Gareth Prior)