Birmingham's new trams to enter service on 5th Sep

[northwichcat]

Centro have confirmed that the first four Urbo trams will enter service on the 5th September with another 16 to follow over the coming months. The first four will provide additional capacity while the remaining 16 will be like for like replacements for the T69s. The new trams are also 9m longer than the existing trams.

 

[WatcherZero]

Hopefully will work out better than the Croydon new fleet where the new trams couldnt keep the old fleets timings and they had to reduce cornering speed limits, though if you buy something originally intended for service elsewhere its kinda to be expected.

 

[starrymarkb]

Yep, the Stadlers were built to Bergen's spec, but were diverted to Croydon (possibly because Bergen wasn't ready) - It meant TfL got trams quicker then waiting for a new build. It seems TfL like them has I'm sure they've ordered a couple more

It does seem that 100% Low floor trams do have issues when running on systems designed for bogied vehicles (as 100% Low floor trams have fixed 'axles')

 

[SS4]

Might get a daytripper and give them a go depending what time I can get away from work. Anyone know what times they'll be on?

 

[dvboy]

They will only run as far as Priestfield initially, as the track replacement on the street section is due to start on 5 September also.

 

[MetroDriver]

Actually the service will run to Wolverhampton on the 5th.... the schedule is that the street section closes at the end of service that day.

And now officlally announced:
http://networkwestmidlands.com/wolverhampton/WolverhamptonChangesMetro.aspx

 

[windnoise69]

Did any of the new trains run in service today?

 

[MetroDriver]

Yes the new Urbos 3 entered passenger service this morning shortly after 10am. A couple of official ceremonies and then we ran 4 of the new fleet interspersed between 6 of the T69's.... A VERY busy day with a lot of public and enthusiasts riding the Urbos 3's and many photos and Videos taken I assume judging by those I spotted along the line all afternoon.

At the end of service tonight the street section closes for a major upgrade project so it may have been the final trips up to Wolverhampton for the T69's as they are scheduled for withdrawal before the street section reopens in approx 12 weeks time?

 

[theshillito]

After forgetting that the Wolverhampton section is closed, I went to Wolverhampton and walked to Priestfield to travel on one of the Urbos 3s (after I went to get cash since the conductors don't accept cards for some reason).

Very pleasant ride and it was great hearing genuine excitement from the general public at the sight of the new trams. Heard one lady describe it as "beautiful" to the conductor before going on one of the older ones (this was while the new one was waiting to reverse at Priestfield).

Best part of these new trams though: a non-tinted window separating where the passengers are and the driver. Means there's sights like this!

(click for the full extra large photo)

The driver's outside, this is just before leaving Priestfield.

A few things I noticed.
1) The screens currently showing the Metro logo don't do anything else. I presume they will show stop information and/or adverts eventually.
2) There are "stop" buttons similar to buses. Not sure if this was just part of the standard design or whether Centro is planning to make stops request-only. Not-pictured are dot-matrix displays showing next stops, which then say "STOPPING" when the driver starts to slow for a stop. Again, indicates that stops might become request-only in future, though presumably this will only happen when all trams are the Urbos.
3) Unlike the old trams which open all doors at every stop, doors open upon pressing a button now. There are signs up at stations about this, but some, particularly the elderly community, don't realise and have to be assisted. I overheard a couple of people in Network West Midlands uniforms talking about adding an automated announcement telling people to press the button, so expect to hear that soon.
4) It seems the new trams have a speaker that I heard make a bell sound (upon approach to stations or crossings) and a very loud horn (when someone started crossing in front of the approaching tram). It definitely sounded like a speaker over an actual bell/horn though. Bit odd.

EDIT: My photo is HUGE! Probably not the best idea to embed it. It's now a link with small preview.

 

[Chris125]

IIRC the 'stop' buttons come as standard, with no plans at the moment to use them.

Chris

 

[theshillito]

I believe the 'stop' buttons come as standard, with no plans at the moment to use them.

Chris

Thanks Chris. I had a feeling that might be the case.

 

[Kite159]

I will probably head up to try out the new trams when the extension to new street is open.

They look rather nice

 

[edwin_m]

On some trams in Germany you can press one of the internal door opening buttons when the tram is moving and it counts as a stop request, as well as requesting that door to open when the driver releases the doors (assuming you've got the correct side!). Although Metrolink doesn't have stop buttons it does have the pre-request feature.

 

[Domh245]

The CR4000s have a similar function to the one edwin_m has described

 

[MetroDriver]

Best part of these new trams though: a non-tinted window separating where the passengers are and the driver.

A few things I noticed.
1) The screens currently showing the Metro logo don't do anything else. I presume they will show stop information and/or adverts eventually.
2) There are "stop" buttons similar to buses. Not sure if this was just part of the standard design or whether Centro is planning to make stops request-only. Not-pictured are dot-matrix displays showing next stops, which then say "STOPPING" when the driver starts to slow for a stop. Again, indicates that stops might become request-only in future, though presumably this will only happen when all trams are the Urbos.
3) Unlike the old trams which open all doors at every stop, doors open upon pressing a button now. There are signs up at stations about this, but some, particularly the elderly community, don't realise and have to be assisted. I overheard a couple of people in Network West Midlands uniforms talking about adding an automated announcement telling people to press the button, so expect to hear that soon.
4) It seems the new trams have a speaker that I heard make a bell sound (upon approach to stations or crossings) and a very loud horn (when someone started crossing in front of the approaching tram). It definitely sounded like a speaker over an actual bell/horn though. Bit odd.

Some responses from me to your points above:

Firstly, that glass between our cabs and the passengers is tinted, not so obvious from the saloon but very dark looking back for us in the cab

1) Those screens will indeed have a multitude of uses given time! I've seen various test versions being run and they do include route information and adverts...

2) When passengers press the "stop request" buttons, it warns us in the cab that someone wants to alight at the next stop, as it can be difficult to see down the entire length of the saloon area when busy! The "stopping" sign only illuminates on the roof mounted displays when this button has been pressed. We have to stop at each and every tram stop on our line, so the feature of the request buttons is 'future proof'....

3) Within the multitude of pre-recorded announcements we as drivers can shose from to display, there is one to remind passengers how to board and exit the trams, but when we're busy it's not always possible to select this in time. This is something that will become more familiar as time goes on - it's a big learning curve for ALL of us!

4) CAF use MP3 files for all the various horns and bells fitted to any of their projects around the world. We have the specific bell as close to the T69's as possible, and the horn is loud for on-street warnings to road vehicles. Nothing odd about the use of Mp3 files these days - saves reliability issues with more mechanical methods

All in all, it has been quite pleasurable to see and hear the reactions since last Friday as people were finally able to sample something we have been training and testing on for months now. The testing continues as more Urbos 3 vehicles are released by CAF for their endurance testing and subsequent passenger use, so expect to see a gradual reduction in T69's as more CAF trams are used each day. Currently we're tending to use 4 out there with several as 'spares' available at short notice. The T69's seem to be reluctant to go now though - they're running remarkably well lately :roll:

 

[317 forever]

I will probably head up to try out the new trams when the extension to new street is open.

They look rather nice

I likewise intend to wait until the New Street extension is open. I even prefer to wait until Grand Central (formerly the Pallasades) has been refurbished, which may take until later next year.

 

[sonic2009]

Does anyone know if they run on Sundays?

 

[dvboy]

There are five of the new trams running now, bit not sure if that's all if the time. They've not come without teething problems, some have broken down with door faults.

 

[MetroDriver]

Our fleet is currently (today) running 6 Urbos 3's in service out of 8 available for use.... they are gradually being introduced into service rather than a total replacement during weekdays - Sunday service only requires 6 trams in total so there are times when we have a full service on Sundays of Urbos 3 trams now!

The teething problems are slowly but surely being addressed, and more of the new fleet are going through their obligatory mileage testing phase before being released for service use....

We're getting there

 

[windnoise69]

How many Urbo 3's are in service each day now? Hoping to go up in the week to get a few pics

 

[dvboy]

There were 6 yesterday according to @MidlandMetro