Midland Metro Rolling Stock

[MetroDriver]

Back on topic, you mentioned that pink is part of the Network West Midlands colour coding scheme. However, orange appears to be the bus colour yet I can't think of any operators who paint their buses that colour. A real shame that those in power think pink is a suitable colour

Yes that didn't happen that I'm aware of either. Central Trains (as they were at the time) did have a train liveried up in another odd scheme too, including a green lower area which was 'their' colour code - despite the green WAS Central Trains colour anyway? I have no idea how that one was dreamt up...lol

 

[Rich McLean]

Yes that didn't happen that I'm aware of either. Central Trains (as they were at the time) did have a train liveried up in another odd scheme too, including a green lower area which was 'their' colour code - despite the green WAS Central Trains colour anyway? I have no idea how that one was dreamt up...lol

Thats the old Centro Colour scheme

 

[MetroDriver]

Not wishing to be pedantic but actually this special livery was the "Network West Midlands" one which appeared when all this colour coding scheme was launched. And yes I am fully aware that NWM is part of Centro, but they are not one and the same thing!

To quote from the NWM website:

Network West Midlands is a partnership between Centro and bus, rail and tram operating companies within the West Midlands County to promote increased public transport use.

 

[Class172]

For a good comparison of the class 150 liveries that they bore whilst in the West Mids, see these pages: 150/1; 150/2.

 

[GazUk]

I went on a little visit to wolverhampton today on the tram from snow hill, my 1st time and i've got to say it was well noisy the one i was on when going at full pelt!

 

[66736WW]

I wonder if anybody can help. I know Tram 1 and 2 are out of service and probably for good, but what others are out of services at present. ?

 

[66736WW]

Thanks mate. Just that I haven't seen 7 (Billy Wright) or 9 (Jeff Astle) for the past week, or maybe Ive been unlucky and its past when Ive been looking for them.

I've been after 11 and was out all day on Monday and it was left in the depot. Can I ask why it was left out of service ?

 

[sprinterguy]

Yes that didn't happen that I'm aware of either. Central Trains (as they were at the time) did have a train liveried up in another odd scheme too, including a green lower area which was 'their' colour code - despite the green WAS Central Trains colour anyway? I have no idea how that one was dreamt up...lol

No, the Network West Midlands colour for rail is the light blue that covers most of the body side of the 150. Three 3-car “hybrid” 150s (150003/010/018) received the Network West Midlands light blue livery.

This created a couple of “piebald” 150/2 units when the hybrids were split, where one carriage carried the Central/Centro green livery and the other carried the Network West Midlands light blue, due to the two halves having been formed in different hybrid sets.

 

[atsf_fT]

Thanks mate. Just that I haven't seen 7 (Billy Wright) or 9 (Jeff Astle) for the past week, or maybe Ive been unlucky and its past when Ive been looking for them.

I've been after 11 and was out all day on Monday and it was left in the depot. Can I ask why it was left out of service ?

i think the metro run an 8min service using a total of 11 trams and at peak times run a 6min service using about 12 trams ? that always leaves 2 or 3 trams inside or outside the depot for standby or light Maintenance . it normally takes about 1 hr 10 mins staying in the same spot for the whole of the days working tram fleet out to pass bye .

tram 09 and 11 were out running today

 

[66736WW]

Thanks mate. Ill look out for them next week weather permitting.

Again thank you.

 

[MetroDriver]

No, the Network West Midlands colour for rail is the light blue that covers most of the body side of the 150. Three 3-car “hybrid” 150s (150003/010/018) received the Network West Midlands light blue livery.
This created a couple of “piebald” 150/2 units when the hybrids were split, where one carriage carried the Central/Centro green livery and the other carried the Network West Midlands light blue, due to the two halves having been formed in different hybrid sets.

Could you tell me where this blue appears on the company website then please?
The identity colours for each transport mode are clearly displayed on there:
http://www.networkwestmidlands.com/ and rail is definitely green not blue - which is where our tram's new pink colour came from as part of the rebranding and subsequent publicity campaign.

Happy to be proved wrong - but I've been working here long enough to know the transport mode branding colours chosen when they launched Network West Midlands?

 

[Class172]

Interesting to see that on the NWM website they use a 165/166 in their picture, which rarely/never visit the West Mids:

 

[AlexS]

They visit the West Midlands multiple times per day, on Marylebone to Brum services and working the Moor Street to Leamington Spa stopper.

 

[Class172]

They visit the West Midlands multiple times per day, on Marylebone to Brum services and working the Moor Street to Leamington Spa stopper.

Compared to every other MU (that visit much more often), it hardly seems the best representation though.

 

[starrymarkb]

only 01 & 02 are in the dead line :cry: the rest 03-16 are in use all the time , mon-sat there are 11/12 trams in use daily . the availability of the trams are outstanding and a HUGE credit to the maintainance crew who keep them going and also another HUGE credit to the drivers and conductors who have work on them ,and not forgetting the backroom guys and gals too

all of the trams have been fitted with new L.E.D light cluster sets towards the end of 2012 /beginning 2013 (including tram 16 ) and when tram 16 failed around the end of feb this winter and did not return until around a month .
ive noticed it has another set of new light clusters fitted .

Those look like standard Artic Trailer lights, Hence the reflective triangle in the middle.

 

[sprinterguy]

Could you tell me where this blue appears on the company website then please?
The identity colours for each transport mode are clearly displayed on there:
http://www.networkwestmidlands.com/ and rail is definitely green not blue - which is where our tram's new pink colour came from as part of the rebranding and subsequent publicity campaign.

Happy to be proved wrong - but I've been working here long enough to know the transport mode branding colours chosen when they launched Network West Midlands?

Oh, so it is. I can honestly say that I'd never noticed the green. The light blue "Network West Midlands" base shade around the outside washes it out for me, and it is that colour that was carried by the NWM 150s. Apologies.

Returning to my original point, it makes sense to have liveried them in the light blue to differentiate them from the normal light green Central/Centro 150s.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Compared to every other MU (that visit much more often), it hardly seems the best representation though.

I thought it was a little peculiar too. Add a light blue stripe on the lower bodyside though and you'd have a Network Turbo in the old Centro/Regional Railways livery.

 

[edwin_m]

Those look like standard Artic Trailer lights, Hence the reflective triangle in the middle.

Hmm. Doesn't the RSPG suggest amber reflectors for bi-directional trams?

 

[66736WW]

Is there anybody on the Midland Metro on here in the know. Ive been emailing a couple of times to see If I can get permission to try and get 1 and 2 because I never got them whilst in service as I only got back into railways and that last October. What is the likelihood of me getting permission for a two minute visit to get a shot of them ?

 

[MetroDriver]

Hi 66736WW,
Yes I'm an employee...

Sadly I can confirm that due to the ongoing construction works within the depot we have not been able to accept visitors for visits such as you suggest for some time now. There are too many risks being basically a building site under the control of Morgan Sindall the contractors.
It has had a profound effect on our own access around the depot too, as you can hopefully imagine.
Andy's photos shown above show the closest public access possible from the far side of the depot I'm afraid.

The situation might change once the works are complete but that's not due to happen for a long while yet I'm afraid.

 

[MetroDriver]

CAF's website has been updated to show the first of our new fleet "Tram 17" all completed and working within their factory - watch the photo slideshow at the top of the page

http://www.caf.es/en/productos-servicios/proyectos/proyecto-detalle.php?p=41

 

[anthony263]

Excellent photos. CAF cant spell Birmingham correct however : )

 

[Class172]

Never seen Birmincham before!

 

[MetroDriver]

Well yesterday (16th) saw the much-anticipated launch ceremony of our new tram which had been secretly delivered last Friday. Sworn to secrecy prior to official launch, it was a really nice privilege to be involved in the ceremony, and have the chance to get my first close-up look at the new vehicle! Hugely impressed with it at first sight, and the more I saw, the more I liked it! I hadn't taken my proper camera with me due to the heavy rain forecast etc, so my own contributions are phone grabbed cab details for now, but there are many online sources of photos already published which I will list below....
The new tram is a technological leap forward for us, and visually has a stunning presence which is sure to be a head-turner when seen out on the system! I spent a very long time sitting in the cab getting familiar with everything - much to the obvious bemusement of my managers who wondered if I was ever going to be prised out...lol
The quality is there, the equipment is first-class, and it's a well-proven vehicle already in use abroad, so we really do have a top-class tram at long last.

Here's the various online sources:

http://www.expressandstar.com/news/transport-news/2013/10/17/tickled-pink-at-new-midland-metro-trams-arrival/metro-2-ts-16/

http://www.globalrailnews.com/2013/10/16/new-birmingham-tram-unveiled/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-24540370

http://www.itv.com/news/central/update/2013-10-16/sir-albert-bore-unveiling-new-midland-metro-tram/

http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/midland-metro-unveils-first-caf-tram.html

http://www.centro.org.uk/newsroom/PressReleases/PressRelease71394.aspx

 

[MetroDriver]

Centro have released a Youtube slideshow showing the build and journey of Tram 17, the first in the ordered fleet - including it's delivery into our Wednesbury depot:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUTF3-gHHuU

 

[bb21]

Is Tram 16 still grounded or is it able to get out and about again?

Every time I go past the depot it is in there.

 

[MetroDriver]

In use....

 

[atsf_fT]

Tram 17 arrived from spain at The midland metro depot in wednesbury on friday morning 11th october at around 10.30am.


Photos of the second half reversing in to the depot

After unloading ,which didnt go with out some fuss ! tram 17 was then pushed in to the new commissioing depot at 16.50pm and was not seen or spoken about till the unveiling on the 16th .



Tram 17 being pushed in to the new depot for the first time

Wednesday 23 october

Tram 17 came out the new depot under its own power for the first time .
For a several hours it the ran up and down the new depot sidings whilst tests were carried out .

 

[anthony263]

I look forward to seeing that new tram out in service as well as the new extension to the network.

 

[atsf_fT]

Friday 15th saw Tram 18 arrive at the Mildand metro depot at wednesbury, This is the second of 21 trams on order from Spanish manufacturer CAF.

 

[bb21]

Is it just me or is the new rolling stock actually longer? Do they require platform extensions?