Midland Metro: New Trams

[Badger]

The new trams don't come for at least another two years I think.

 

[dvboy]

Two years... lights I can understand if they require less maintenance but they are replacing the blinds with digital displays that 95% of the time will the same two things. The existing blinds are fine, why replace them?

 

[WatcherZero]

Either they had already ordered them, or they are planning to transfer them to the new trams.

 

[MetroDriver]

The new LED destination signs are a bit of a mystery for us too - the first one only arrived the other night and is fitted to Tram 09 for trials, and that tram is now available to run out on the system - it's a Hanover Systems Eric+ for those interested.... Whether the intention is to have the same system in the new trams is unknown at this stage. What we do know is that the existing fleet of T69's will be soldiering on for a while yet - the new fleet of CAF Urbos 3's will be fed into service one by one so we will operate a mixed fleet as they arrive and are commissioned. That causes it's own issues with platforms which will have to be overcome too. The existing platform edges are going to be cut back to accommodate the wider Urbos 3's so while we run a mixed fleet something will have to be done to the T69's to ensure the gap is not too wide for wheelchair access (something like 25mm each side difference).
We still don't have any positive news on the plans for the existing fleet once the Urbos 3's are all in use - as soon as I do know I'll post it, but no point guessing for now?

Regarding these new digital blinds - they are a distinct improvement over the existing roller blinds which are unreliable and spares not available now. They have a bar code reader which picks up the destinations as they scroll past the sensor - that is proving very unreliable now with the age of the blinds and dirt etc - we have lots of problems trying to get the correct destination showing which passengers sometimes aren't aware of....

The fleet as a whole has been subject to various stages of refurbishment as and when funds are made available, so this could be seen as yet another stage - there are all sorts of rumours circulating at work over what next, but until something concrete is known it's just rumour

 

[the sniper]

Thanks for your insight MetroDriver.

 

[Waddon]

I can't see clearly in the picture on the first page, but what are the door configurations on the new trams? I only ask because the new Stadler trams in Croydon have, in my opinion, very badly spaced doors, leading to longer loading and unloading times at peak periods, plus that single tiny door by the cab which is annoying if it's busy... anyway just my opinion. Plus, they strangely sound like diesels, or is that just me?

 

[bluegoblin7]

I can't see clearly in the picture on the first page, but what are the door configurations on the new trams? I only ask because the new Stadler trams in Croydon have, in my opinion, very badly spaced doors, leading to longer loading and unloading times at peak periods, plus that single tiny door by the cab which is annoying if it's busy... anyway just my opinion. Plus, they strangely sound like diesels, or is that just me?

Because there aren't any! The photo shows a tram in single-ended configuration, with doors on just one side. The ones for the Metro will, AIUI, be double-ended, and therefore have doors on both sides.

 

[atsf_fT]

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
the new LED destination

 

[dvboy]

Could you not have put them on a photo site and linked to it?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
The new digital blind on Tram 9 is a big improvement.

I still think the silliest thing on the Metro is the platform displays that show "Wolv'hampton" because they weren't built long enough.

How long has the lift at Snow Hill been out of order - at least a week.

 

[150001]

Excellent set of pics! The new CAFs are going to be excellent although I'll miss the old sounds of the T69s.

 

[atsf_fT]

ive done many a mile on the midland metro but today i was really impressed , my ride home on tram 15 from snowhill was so smooth both starting and stopping at every tram stop ,not a single jolt at all on all at the half dozern stops home .
i know the trams have a tendency to be a little bumpy but this guy had his driving down to perfection very Impressive (im not say any of the tram drivers are bad ) but this driver was perfect . i dont recall seeing him before either

nice one mr driver

 

[MetroDriver]

Thanks for the positive feedback regarding the driver of Tram 15 It wasn't me, that much I do know, but if you want to PM me with the time of your journey I would happily pass on your comment to the driver himself! It's always nice to receive praise after all

Bit of a minor update on the works going on at our depot in Wednesbury...
There has been a lot of groundworks happening where the new sidings and tram commissioning shed will be located, but to the casual passing observer it just looks like huge piles of mud at the moment :roll:
The new staff car park comes into use shortly, as the existing one will be ripped up to make way for new sidings in 2 stages. The depot is one big building site as you can imagine, with longer walks for all to access anywhere for now....

One suprise bit of news - we've all been looking over the first components of our new tram fleet!!!
No, they're not shipping them from Spain in kit form We have a pair of bogies on loan from Edinburgh at the moment (remember they also have CAF trams of a different model), as both tram models share common components such as these bogies. Our engineers have them for appraisal and various tests to be carried out within the workshop, so sadly they are NOT visible to the public. They do look much better constructed and interestingly share the same bogie frame for both powered and un-powered bogies - unlike our current fleet.
There is of course the running joke going around staff having seen these bogies, that CAF really are posting parts out slowly and we should see the first pot of glue arrive within weeks....lol

 

[atsf_fT]

thanks for the update do you know when they will make a start on extending the tram stops ?

 

[MetroDriver]

I'm afraid I don't - but rest assured that when there is any news on progress like that, I will endeavor to post it here as long as it's public information of course

 

[atsf_fT]

midland metro trams 08-12-16 have had there fronts painted

back of tram depot