If we are to believe the Leader of Dudley Council passenger services on the West Midlands Metro Black Country Line extension are less than a month away, with his announcement in the summer that he had been told it would be opening on 1st November (2026 in case you were wondering). We will only know if that date can be achieved in due course (and in the history books) but what is known is that testing has been continuing on the line as we see in these latest photos from Andy Walters.
The Black Country Line (the much delayed extension as it is normally prefaced with) will see trams leave the current Birmingham to Wolverhampton line at Tipton Junction to the Birmingham side of Wednesbury Great Western Street, with the infrastructure provided to allow trams to come from both directions. It then travels on the alignment of the former South Staffordshire railway line and then runs on the street past Dudley Zoo, passing the new Dudley Bus Station and onto a temporary terminus at Flood Street.
Construction of the new Dudley Interchange building (with the somewhat older Dudley Castle seen above) is continuing. Here 44 passes with its destination display stating Flood Street.
Another look at 44 as testing continues.
44 curves round to Flood Street.
18 has also been used for testing as we see here alongside 44.
44 with the Very Light Rail Innovation Centre. (All Photographs by Andy Walters, 29th September 2026)