The West Midlands Metro is a passenger light rail line in the West Midlands conurbation in England, which opened in 1999. Its rolling stock consists of 21 CAF Urbos 3 trams which came into service in 2014/15, replacing the older T-69 trams which had operated the line since 1999.

Urbos 3 & Urbos 100

Urbos 3/Urbos 100
Urbos 3 No.31 on Corporation Street
In service5 September 2014 – present
ManufacturerCAF
Built atZaragoza, Spain
ReplacedAll remaining T69
Constructed
  • 2012–2015 (Urbos 3)
  • 2019–present (Urbos 100)
Number built29
Formation5 sections with 4 articulations.[1]
Fleet numbers
  • 17–37 (Urbos 3)
  • 38–58 (Urbos 100)
Capacity210 (54 seats, 156 standing)[1]
OperatorsWest Midlands Metro
Lines servedWolverhampton - Birmingham
Specifications
Car length32,966 mm (108 ft 1+7⁄8 in)[2]
Width2.65 m (8 ft 8+3⁄8 in)[1]
Height3.4 m (11 ft 1+7⁄8 in)
Wheel diameter590–510 mm (23–20 in) (new–worn)[3]
Maximum speed70 km/h (43 mph)[1]
Weight56 tonnes (55 long tons; 62 short tons)
Traction motors8 × Traktionssysteme Austria TMR 36-18-4 70 kW (90 hp)[4]
Power output560 kW (750 hp)
Transmission5.44 : 1 (49 / 9) gear ratio[3]
Electric system(s)750 V DC from overhead catenary
Current collector(s)Pantograph
UIC classificationBo′+2′+Bo′
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

A new fleet of 21 CAF Urbos 3 trams began to enter service in September 2014, they replaced the old T-69 fleet in 2015.[5] In February 2012 Centro named CAF the preferred bidder for a contract to supply 19 to 25 Urbos 3 trams.[6] A £40 million firm order for 20 was subsequently signed, with options for five more.[7] The first of the new trams was unveiled at the Wednesbury depot in October 2013,[8] with the first four entering service on 5 September 2014.[5]

The new fleet provided an increased service of 10 trams per hour in each direction, with an increased capacity of 210 passengers per tram, compared with the 156 passengers on the former T69 trams. The Urbos 3 trams are 33 m (108 ft 3 in) long; 9 m (29 ft 6 in) longer than the former T69 stock, and have a maximum operating speed of 70 km/h (43 mph). They are low floor throughout, and consist of five sections with four articulations. Three of the modules are mounted on bogies and the other two modules are suspended.[1]

At 2.65 m (8 ft 8+3⁄8 in) wide, The Urbos 3 trams are slightly wider than the 2.48 m (8 ft 1+5⁄8 in) wide T69s. The line was closed for two weeks during March and April 2013, in order for the platforms on each of the stops to be narrowed by 15 cm (5.9 in) to accommodate the new trams. The T69s were modified with wider steps to be compatible with the narrower platforms.[9]

In 2016, it was announced that the Urbos 3 fleet would be fitted with rechargeable batteries to allow them to operate along various extensions of the Midland Metro network intended to be constructed without overhead lines.[10] Tram 18 was the first to be fitted with batteries in 2017,[11] with the final tram, number 26, being fitted by April 2020.[12] Tram 31 was the first to receive the new blue livery and was relaunched on 16 July 2018.[13] In May 2019, tram 19 was given a silver and blue livery with special logos to mark the 20th anniversary of the West Midlands Metro on 30 May 2019.[14] It was given the full blue livery in February 2021.[15] All trams now carry this livery.[16]

In October 2019, an order was signed for 21 new Urbos 100 trams, with the option of a further 29. Eight of these were delivered in 2021, with the remaining 12 to be delivered in 2023.[17]

Unfortunately cracks have been detected in the older Urbos 3 trams resulting in suspension of services, the most recent in March 2022. The newer Urbos 100 vehicles are not affected by these bodywork defects.

Fleet number Tram name Notes
17 Stored out of service as of 9 August 2023.[18]
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26 Out of use between June 2017 and June 2019 following a derailment in the depot.[19] Stored out of service as of 17 August 2023.[20]
27
28 Jasper Carrott[21] Named after the Birmingham born comedian Jasper Carrott on 13 November 2019 at the new Town Hall Tram Stop.[22]
29 Stored out of service as of 21 August 2023.[23]
30
31 Cyrille Regis[24]
32
33
34
35 Previously named Angus Adams by Elizabeth II on the 19 November 2015.[25][26]
36
37 Ozzy Osbourne Named by Osbourne on 26 May 2016.[27]
38
39 Don & Roy Richardson Named by Roy on 2 March 2023[28]
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58

Former fleet

T-69

T-69
Tram 05 in original livery at West Bromwich Central
In service30 May 1999 – 14 August 2015
ManufacturerAnsaldoBreda
Built atNaples, Italy
Constructed1996–1999
Refurbished2013
Scrapped2018
Number built16
Number scrapped13
Formation2 sections per tram, articulated intersection
Fleet numbers01–16
Capacity156 (56 seats, 100 standing)[29]
OperatorsNational Express Midland Metro
Lines servedWolverhampton - Birmingham Snow Hill
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium
Car length24.36 m (79 ft 11 in)[29]
Width2.48 m (8 ft 1+5⁄8 in)[9]
Height3.7 m (12 ft 1+5⁄8 in)
Wheel diameter680–620 mm (27–24 in) (new–worn)[30]
Maximum speed43.5 mph (70 km/h)
Weight38 tonnes (37 long tons; 42 short tons) per tram [29]
Traction motors2 × 210 kW (282 hp) separately-excited DC motor[30]
Power output420 kW (563 hp)
Electric system(s)750 V DC from overhead catenary
Current collector(s)Brecknell Willis high reach pantograph
UIC classificationB′+2′+B′
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)

Sixteen T-69 trams were the original fleet, introduced into service in 1999, These were withdrawn from service gradually during 2014/15 as the new Urbos 3 fleet was introduced. The last, no. 16, was withdrawn from service in August 2015.[31]

The T69s were used only on the Midland Metro, and were built by the Italian company AnsaldoBreda. Their closest "brothers" were the SL95 running in Oslo, Norway, as well as the mechanically similar Manchester Metrolink T-68A trams. At 24.36 m (79 ft 11 in) long, the T-69s were the shortest modern tramcars in Britain. The vehicles were articulated, resting on three bogies, and had low floors over about 60% of the length. The central section of the trams was low floor, with inwards facing seating at the sides, while at each end was a raised seating area, accessible by steps. Each tram had 56 seats, with space for another 100 standing. They were accessible from three 1.25 m (4 ft 1 in) wide entrances on each side, with twin plug doors.[29]

When delivered, all trams carried a livery of a purple body, red fronts, grey skirt and yellow doors, but several were refurbished and repainted in Network West Midlands' silver and magenta livery. From their entry into service, each tram had a roller-blind style destination board; in 2013, these were replaced with new LED Destination boards on all trams.[32]

Most trams were named after local celebrities or people of note.[16] After withdrawal 1-15 were placed in storage at Long Marston. In February 2016 proposals were unveiled to convert the Isle of Wight Island Line into a tram line. It was reported that the remaining T-69s could be purchased second hand and re-used for this scheme.[33] However, this proposal never came to fruition, and in 2018 tram 11 was donated for preservation. Tram 16 was originally planned to be retained as an engineering tram, but has now also been stored at Long Marston. The remaining 12 were sold for scrap. In July 2022 Transport for West Midlands scrapped "preserved" tram 11. Trams 07 and 10 remain in storage at Long Marston. In June 2022 tram 10 was repainted into a advert for British Transport Police for use during a demonstration at the annual Rail Live event.[34] On 24 November 2023, Tram 16 was moved to the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre in Dudley, where it is expected to become a test tram.[35]

Key: Stored Scrapped
Fleet Number Tram Name Livery Notes[36]
01 Original (blue, red, grey, yellow) Scrapped
02 Original Scrapped
03 Ray Lewis[37] Original Scrapped
04 Sir Frank Whittle[38] Original Scrapped
05 Sister Dora Silver and Magenta Scrapped
06 Alan Garner Original Scrapped; was involved in 2006 collision
07 Billy Wright[39] Silver and Magenta Stored at Long Marston
08 Joseph Chamberlain Original Scrapped
09 Jeff Astle Silver and Magenta Scrapped
10 John Stanley Webb British Transport Police advert Stored at Long Marston[40]
11 Theresa Stewart Birmingham Corporation Was expected to be preserved by Birmingham City Council[41] Scrapped July 2022[42]
12 Original Scrapped
13 Anthony Nolan Original Scrapped
14 Jim Eames Original Scrapped
15 Agenoria Original Scrapped
16 Gerwyn John[43] Original Stored at the Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre in Dudley, expected to become a test tram.[35]

Maintenance vehicles

National Express Midland Metro, the former operator of the tramway until 2018, acquired a number of vehicles for maintaining the line. These included a Unimog,[44] and road-rail lifting platform.[45] These vehicles have been transferred to the new operator, Transport for West Midlands, and are still in use today.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "CAF trams for Midland Metro Expansion Project". The Rail Engineer. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  2. ↑ "Birmingham Tram". CAF. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  3. 1 2 "cat tecnico GEARBOXES 2-7" (PDF). CAF MiiRA. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  4. ↑ "CAF Urbos streetcar platform". Traktionssysteme Austria. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  5. 1 2 "New Midland Metro trams launched into service". Centro. 5 September 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  6. ↑ "CAF named preferred bidder to supply new Midland Metro trams". Railway Gazette International. 2 February 2012.
  7. ↑ "Work begins on £128m Midland Metro expansion project". Railway Gazette International. London. 22 March 2012.
  8. ↑ "Midland Metro unveils first CAF tram". Railway Gazette International. London. 16 October 2013.
  9. 1 2 "Essential Engineering Works". Network West Midlands. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  10. ↑ "Midland Metro trams to be converted for catenary-free operation". Railway Gazette. 12 February 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  11. ↑ "In Pictures: Urbos3 18 returns - with batteries now included!". British Trams Online. 26 September 2017. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  12. ↑ "In Pictures: All batteries now included on West Midlands Metro". British Trams Online. 11 April 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  13. ↑ "In Pictures: Blue is the colour as West Midlands Metro new livery unveiled". British Trams Online News. 16 July 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  14. ↑ "In Pictures: 19 receives West Midlands Metro 20th anniversary livery". British Trams Online News. 30 May 2019. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
  15. ↑ "Livery changes in Manchester and West Midlands Metro". British Trams Online News. 27 February 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
  16. 1 2 "West Midlands Metro fleet list". British Trams Online. 17 February 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2019.
  17. ↑ "21 more Urbos trams for West Midlands Metro". British Trams Online News. 8 October 2019. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
  18. ↑ "West Midlands Metro trams on the move again – to Worksop". 20 August 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  19. ↑ "In Pictures: 26 gets ready for a return to service on West Midlands Metro". British Trams Online. 6 June 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  20. ↑ "In Pictures: West Midlands Metro 26 heads off to Worksop". 17 August 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  21. ↑ "Birmingham comic Jasper Carrott has tram named after him". BBC News Online. 13 November 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  22. ↑ "Comedian Jasper Carrott unveils tram named in his honour in Birmingham". Birmingham Mail. 13 November 2019. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  23. ↑ "In Pictures: 29 the latest tram to head to Worksop". 23 August 2023. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
  24. ↑ "Cyrille Regis: Metro tram in memory of footballer". BBC News. 18 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  25. ↑ "In Pictures: Another blue tram on West Midlands Metro". British Trams Online News. 17 August 2019. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
  26. ↑ "Royal seal of approval for Midland Metro". Centro. 19 November 2015. Archived from the original on 21 March 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  27. ↑ "Ozzy Osbourne has Birmingham tram named after him". BBC News Online. 26 May 2016. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  28. ↑ "West Midlands tram named in honour of Roy & Don Richardson". Richardson. 2 March 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  29. 1 2 3 4 Boynton 2001, pp. 80.
  30. 1 2 "A survey of UK tram and light railway systems relating to the wheel/rail interface" (PDF). Office of Rail and Road. p. 207, 208. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  31. ↑ "End of the line for original Metro trams". Express & Star. 12 August 2015. Retrieved 5 November 2015.
  32. ↑ "Midland Metro : Trams". The Trams.co.uk. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  33. ↑ "IS THE FUTURE TRAMS AND STEAM TRAINS INTO RYDE?". islandecho.co.uk. Island Echo. Retrieved 18 February 2016.
  34. ↑ "In Pictures: A new look for an old Midland Metro T69 | British Trams Online News".
  35. 1 2 "In Pictures: Another tram arrives at Dudley". British Trams Online News. 26 November 2023. Retrieved 28 November 2023.
  36. ↑ "Fleet list: Midland Metro T69". British Trams Online. 26 November 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  37. ↑ "Picture in Time: Midland Metro 03". British Trams Online. 2 September 2017. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  38. ↑ "Picture in Time: Midland Metro 04". British Trams Online. 3 December 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  39. ↑ "Midland Metro : Trams : 07". TheTrams.co.uk. Retrieved 27 August 2010.
  40. ↑ "In Pictures: Midland Metro 10 still at Long Marston". British Trams Online News. 30 June 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
  41. ↑ Original Midland Metro tram to go on display Birmingham Mail 26 February 2018
  42. ↑ "Disposal of tram donated for display - a Freedom of Information request to Transport for West Midlands". Whatdotheyknow. 30 July 2022.
  43. ↑ "16 'Gerwyn John'". TheTrams.co.uk. Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  44. ↑ "Ancillary vehicle at Wednesbury depot". Thetrams.co.uk.
  45. ↑ "Ancillary vehicle at Wednesbury depot". Thetrams.co.uk.

Bibliography

Wikimedia Commons has media related to T-69 tram.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Urbos 3 trams in the West Midlands.
  • Boynton, John (2001). Main Line to Metro: Train and tram on the Great Western route: Birmingham Snow Hill – Wolverhampton. Kidderminster: Mid England Books. ISBN 978-0-9522248-9-1.
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