Wednesday 24th June 2026 is a day to go into history (and not just because it’s the hottest June day on record!) as the first tram reached Dudley as part of the initial stages of testing and commissioning of the Black Country Line. Its been a long time coming but we can finally say a tram has run for the complete length of the first phase extension which is due to open at some point in 2026. Andy Walters was out with his camera to see those first moves on the whole line.
The first phase of the Black Country Line (to give its official name) runs from Tipton Junction at Wednesbury to Flood Street in Dudley. Whilst a lot of the route is on an old railway alignment when it reaches Dudley it runs on street and passes the entrance to Dudley Zoo and also provides direct access to the Black Country Living Museum. Flood Street is just a temporary terminus with phase two already under construction which will go to the Merry Hill Shopping Centre. An unfunded third phase to Brierley Hill is also on the cards.
The extension has been much delayed. Part of the blame has been put on Covid which saw construction work delayed whilst more recently there were funding challenges which has seen the line split into phases.
The last announced date (although never officially announced by Transport for West Midlands) for its opening was 28th August 2026 but this has since been confirmed as not happening with issues experienced with the signalling during initial testing.
With much complaint in the media from local leaders in Dudley going on, quietly in the background there has been initial testing taking place on the extension. In fact its been over two months since the first moves took place onto the extension.
That saw trams trying out Tipton Junction in late April 2026 with all parts of the junction tested. These were only slow speed moves and trams only made it as far as the bottom of the slope but it proved to be the start of testing.
Then 19th June 2026 saw Urbos100 47 used on the first significant moves as it ran at slow speed as far as Tipton Road tramstop. As is usual with these first moves it ran at walking pace and was accompanied by Midland Metro Alliance staff to make sure that everything was working as it should. These initial moves took place during daylight hours rather than the nighttime tests we have become used to across the country over the years.
Testing then continued before on 23rd June 2026 two trams were out on the extension for the first time as 44 joined 47. This allowed gauging checks to be made of the first section of the extension as far as Tipton Road.
And then onto Wednesday 24th June 2026 which would turn out to be the day that a tram would run all the way to Flood Street. The tram chosen for the honour was 44 and it made its first slow speed runs as far as Dudley at 1123 and then onto Flood Street by 1132. Further runs then took place with Midland Metro Alliance and West Midlands Combined Authority staff also coming along for the ride. This second trip arrived at Flood Street at 1341.
Now with the first test runs along the complete length of phase one we can expect to see further testing take place ahead of driver training. This will by no means mean that we can expect to see services start in the immediate future as it will be important to make sure everything is all ready before this happens. But it is a significant step forward for what will be the biggest extension yet of the West Midlands Metro.
The moves of 44 to Dudley today is believed to be the first tram to move under its own power on the streets of the town since 1st March 1930. Obviously tram have run in Dudley since though with the line at the Black Country Living Museum having run up until around 2020 and of course the Coventry Very Light Rail vehicle ran some demo trips at the Very Light Rail Innovation Centre in 2025.
First day of test runs on the extension as 47 makes a slow speed run along the old railway alignment.
Looking down on 47 as it continues its gentle progress on 19th June.
An iconic bridge on Birmingham New Road now has a new icon heading over it! 47 makes its way over the refurbished bridge.
What’s better than one tram on the extension? Two! 44 and 47 used for gauging tests as they pass on 23rd June.
And onto the big day itself – 24th June 2026 – and 44 has Flood Street on its destination screen as it makes its way towards Dudley.
44 waits to come up alongside the side of the Very Light Rail Innovation Centre.
Dudley Zoo has long been a major attraction in the town and now its being joined by the trams.
44 continues its test run.
Dudley Castle overlooks things as 44 is at Dudley Interchange.
And this is as far as trams will go – at least for now – Flood Street with 44 taking a rest. (All Photographs by Andy Walters)
With big thanks to Andy Walters for providing the photos and information contained in this article.