Trams (past, present & future) in Birmingham & West Midlands

Birmingham and West Midlands Trams - a great addition to the region. View our gallery and collection of posts looking at the past, present & future of the region's trams. 


This is a community owned project with wonderful contributions from our People with Passion. 

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21 Jan 2018 - On-going

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Transport
27 Dec 2019 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

West Midlands Metro tram in and out of Town Hall Tram Stop on the last weekend of the Birmingham FCM (December 2019)

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The all blue West Midlands Metro trams are now running every day between Library and Wolverhampton St George's. Monday's to Saturday's every 6 minutes, and every 15 minutes on Sunday's. Heading up Pinfold Street as a tram heads down from Victoria Square. Also a pair of trams stopping at the new Town Hall Tram Stop. On the last weekend of the Frankfurt Christmas Market.

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West Midlands Metro tram in and out of Town Hall Tram Stop on the last weekend of the Birmingham FCM (December 2019)





The all blue West Midlands Metro trams are now running every day between Library and Wolverhampton St George's. Monday's to Saturday's every 6 minutes, and every 15 minutes on Sunday's. Heading up Pinfold Street as a tram heads down from Victoria Square. Also a pair of trams stopping at the new Town Hall Tram Stop. On the last weekend of the Frankfurt Christmas Market.


Starting with West Midlands Metro tram 19 at Grand Central Tram Stop, on the early evening of Wednesday 18th December 2019. The tram with the 20 Years livery (1999 - 2019). Passing here again on Saturday 21st December 2019, it was a bit too crowded for me. Noisy football fans coming out of the Burlington Arcade, and protesters walking past with placards on the opposite platform.

dndimg alt="Tram 19" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 19 Grand Central Tram Stop after dark (Dec 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Heading up Pinfold Street nad I have finally managed to get some photos of a tram heading down the hill. West Midlands Metro tram 21 in Just Eat livery, now all blue, but still with the red adverts.

dndimg alt="Tram 21" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Just Eat tram 21 Pinfold St (Dec 2019) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The last weekend of the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market, it closes on Monday 23rd December 2019.

dndimg alt="Tram 21" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Just Eat tram 21 Pinfold St (Dec 2019) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

You can see the Big Brum clocktower from down here which is behind the Council House. It is completely pedestrianised up here.

dndimg alt="Tram 21" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Just Eat tram 21 Pinfold St (Dec 2019) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Tram 21 turns left from Pinfold Street onto Stephenson Street, passing La Galleria and Yorks Cafe in the Guildhall Buildings.

dndimg alt="Tram 21" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Just Eat tram 21 Pinfold St (Dec 2019) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Heading to the end of Paradise Street, as far as pedestrians are supposed to go, saw tram 29 with the reindeer name Cupid coming round Paradise Circus. With Centenary Square behind. Including the Birmingham Big Wheel and ice rink at Ice Skate Birmingham. The REP, Library of Birmingham, Hall of Memory and Baskerville House. HSBC UK at Arena Central on the left, while the site of One Centenary Way to the right.

dndimg alt="Tram 29" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Town Hall Tram Stop trams 29 22 (Dec 2019) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Pedestrians are not supposed to walk beyond here, but some have ignoring the signs (can they not read?). Tram 29 continues to go round the corner with HSBC UK and the Birmingham Big Wheel seen behind.

dndimg alt="Tram 29" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Town Hall Tram Stop trams 29 22 (Dec 2019) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Tram 29 Cupid heads onto Paradise Street. As a man with shopping walks beyond the point of no return for pedestrians. Behind you can still see the Big Wheel, Library, Hall of Memory and Baskerville House. Only trams are allowed to enter Paradise Street here. Not cars.

dndimg alt="Tram 29" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Town Hall Tram Stop trams 29 22 (Dec 2019) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Heading past the Town Hall as tram 29 arrives at Town Hall Tram Stop. The Christmas tree at the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market is visible to the right.

dndimg alt="Tram 29" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Town Hall Tram Stop trams 29 22 (Dec 2019) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Tram 22 Dasher arrives at platform 1 for Birmingham (Library) while tram 29 Cupid comes into platform 2, bound for Wolverhampton (St George's).

dndimg alt="Tram 29 and 22" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Town Hall Tram Stop trams 29 22 (Dec 2019) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A view not possible a few years ago. Big Brum at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery with the Birmingham Town Hall. Seen from Paradise Street while the pair of trams were at Town Hall Tram Stop. And as a bonus, the core of 103 Colmore Row. Paradise Birmingham is to the left. That was where Fletchers Walk and the old Birmingham Conservatoire used to be until a few years ago. And there used to be a road that was part of Paradise Circus that is now long gone.

dndimg alt="Tram 29 and 22" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Town Hall Tram Stop trams 29 22 (Dec 2019) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Another new view from the tram stop is of Colmore Gate and the dome of Birmingham Cathedral. Never expected to get those with a pair of West Midlands Metro blue trams.

dndimg alt="Tram 29 and 22" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Town Hall Tram Stop trams 29 22 (Dec 2019) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Tram 22 Dasher continues it's journey towards Centenary Square. You can see it's destination in the background, the Library of Birmingham. The Alpha Tower is usually visible from the end of Paradise Street.

dndimg alt="Tram 22" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Town Hall Tram Stop trams 29 22 (Dec 2019) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Tram 29 seen leaving Town Hall Tram Stop. Going through Victoria Square, then down Pinfold Street. As visitors to the Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market pass in and out of the square.

dndimg alt="Tram 29" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Town Hall Tram Stop trams 29 22 (Dec 2019) (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I will add to this post as it was not published on the 23rd December 2019.

The Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market was dismantled between the 24th and 25th December 2019, and trams were running apart from on Christmas Day of course.

On Boxing Day, the 26th December 2019, at least two trams were broken down meaning no trams could go beyond Bull Street until they were removed.

On a miserable wet Boxing Day, tram 30 had broken down at Corporation Street. It was on the platform bound for Wolverhampton, but couldn't go anywhere.

dndimg alt="Tram 30" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM Boxing Day (Dec 2019) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Heading round to Bull Street Tram Stop, saw tram 28 Jasper Carrott with no destination on the board. This one on the Wolverhampton bound platform. Was it broken down to / not in service?

dndimg alt="Tram 28" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM Boxing Day (Dec 2019) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Then tram 22 arrived heading to Birmingham. But I'm not sure if it headed down to Corporation Street, or if all the passengers got off here, and it returned in the other direction.

dndimg alt="Tram 28 and 22" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM Boxing Day (Dec 2019) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Back to normal on the 27th December 2019. Saw at least one tram from Victoria Square.

After popping through the concourse at Birmingham New Street Station, I saw tram 18 in the Just Eat livery arriving. I saw the pantograph rising up and connecting to the overhead wires when it got to the tram stop from the newly opened extension.

dndimg alt="Tram 18" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 18 Grand Central Tram Stop (Dec 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Saw tram 34 arriving at Grand Central Tram Stop, but tram 18 had started to depart before I was able to get two trams in one shot, so I took this one instead. Looks like the pantograph had been lowered, before it started the journey up to Town Hall and Library.

dndimg alt="Tram 34" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 34 Grand Central Tram Stop (Dec 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Merry Christmas 2019 and a Happy New Year 2020. Oh and Happy Hanukkah as well! (Will all be over when this gets published). More tram posts and photos in 2020. I'm hoping to ride the tram again perhaps all the way to Wolverhampton.

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

 

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17 Dec 2019 - Elliott Brown
News & Updates

The Westside Metro extension now open to Centenary Square and some trams with reindeer names

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With no announcement, the Westside Metro extension to Centenary Square was open to the public on Wednesday 11th December 2019. I wasn't able to get down to ride the newly opened extension until Saturday 14th December 2019. For the Christmas season, West Midlands Metro has name some of their trams with Christmas reindeer names such as Rudolph, Comet and Dasher.

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The Westside Metro extension now open to Centenary Square and some trams with reindeer names





With no announcement, the Westside Metro extension to Centenary Square was open to the public on Wednesday 11th December 2019. I wasn't able to get down to ride the newly opened extension until Saturday 14th December 2019. For the Christmas season, West Midlands Metro has name some of their trams with Christmas reindeer names such as Rudolph, Comet and Dasher.


Tram 22 Dasher

Sunday 8th December 2019, and on this day we did not know when the extension to Centenary Square would open. I walked along Arena Central, passing HSBC UK at 1 Centenary Square and the Municipal Bank redevelopment. Fencing was still up, while a rainbow was behind the Library of Birmingham and the Birmingham Big Wheel.

dndimg alt="Tram 22" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM tram 22 Dasher Bham Library Tram Stop Cent Sq (Dec 2019) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Before services started, from the 1st December 2019 onwards, trams were leaving Grand Central and heading to Library Tram Stop without passengers. Close up of tram 22 Dasher

dndimg alt="Tram 22" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM tram 22 Dasher Bham Library Tram Stop Cent Sq (Dec 2019) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Dasher name is temporary. Will probably be removed in January 2020.

dndimg alt="Tram 22" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM tram 22 Dasher Bham Library Tram Stop Cent Sq (Dec 2019) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The end of the line (for now) was looking like a mess. The extension to Hagley Road will open in 2 years time in 2021, only they have to build it first along Broad Street.

dndimg alt="Tram 22" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM tram 22 Dasher Bham Library Tram Stop Cent Sq (Dec 2019) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Tram 36 Rudolph

On Saturday 14th December 2019, it was my first day back in Birmingham City Centre for several days. And when I got to Birmingham New Street Station, I purchased an Adult off peak day ticket in the My Metro app. And rode tram 36 from Grand Central to the newly opened Library Tram Stop in Centenary Square.

dndimg alt="Tram 36" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 36 Rudolph Library Tram Stop (Dec 2019) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

For the Christmas period tram 36 is called Rudolph. Seen behind was the Library of Birmingham, Star Flyer and Birmingham Big Wheel.

dndimg alt="Tram 36" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 36 Rudolph Library Tram Stop (Dec 2019) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Zoom in of the temporary Rudolph name.

dndimg alt="Tram 36" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 36 Rudolph Library Tram Stop (Dec 2019) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The trams for now can use both platforms, and there is crossing tracks just in front of the tram stop. Beyond here is hoardings as they still need to build the second Westside extension which will take another two years to complete. Reflection of HSBC UK at 1 Centenary Square in the Hyatt Regency Birmingham hotel.

dndimg alt="Tram 36" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 36 Rudolph Library Tram Stop (Dec 2019) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Tram 36 seem heading back to Wolverhampton, as I made the short walk into the Library of Birmingham for views of the trams from above. Not too long to wait this time around as only every 6 minutes Monday's to Saturday's (every 15 minutes on Sunday's but the Library is closed on that day).

dndimg alt="Tram 36" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 36 Rudolph Library Tram Stop (Dec 2019) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Tram 25

First up views from the Discovery Terrace at the Library of Birmingham. Tram 25 seen at platform 2 at Library Tram Stop. The Birmingham Big Wheel was in the way of this view.

dndimg alt="Tram 25" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 25 leaving Library Tram Stop (Dec 2019) (1) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

One of the trams with lime green OLA adverts. It now has batteries on top. But currently in white not yet blue outside.

dndimg alt="Tram 25" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 25 leaving Library Tram Stop (Dec 2019) (2) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

No temporary reindeer name on this tram.

dndimg alt="Tram 25" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 25 leaving Library Tram Stop (Dec 2019) (3) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Tram 25 is now seen leaving platform 2 at Library Tram Stop on it's way to Wolverhampton. It is passing the Municipal Bank site for the University of Birmingham. On the right is 5 Centenary Square (formerly 1 Arena Central). But that hasn't started yet. Was the site of the Register Office. The tram shelter on platform 1 is close to the site of where the Boulton, Watt & Murdoch statue was from 1956 to 2017.

dndimg alt="Tram 25" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 25 leaving Library Tram Stop (Dec 2019) (4) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Tram 25 seen heading round Paradise Circus. Cones on the road. Only the southbound lanes are open at the moment.

dndimg alt="Tram 25" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 25 leaving Library Tram Stop (Dec 2019) (5) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A taxi waits at the traffic light as tram 25 heads to Paradise Street and Town Hall Tram Stop.

dndimg alt="Tram 25" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 25 leaving Library Tram Stop (Dec 2019) (6) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Tram 23 Comet

Last saw this tram here on a test in November 2019. I headed up to the Secret Garden at the Library of Birmingham when I saw this tram again. In this view heading up Paradise Street towards Paradise Circus.

dndimg alt="Tram 23" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 23 Comet to Library Tram Stop (Dec 2019) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Heading around Paradise Circus. Easy Row Subway below is still closed to pedestrians, but the bridge has been reinforced and rebuilt before they even laid tracks here.

dndimg alt="Tram 23" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 23 Comet to Library Tram Stop (Dec 2019) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Coming into Centenary Square, in what until a few years ago was part of Broad Street.

dndimg alt="Tram 23" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 23 Comet to Library Tram Stop (Dec 2019) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Crossing tracks and heading to platform 2 at Library Tram Stop. Behind is HSBC UK at 1 Centenary Square. They have also built new roads which in future will be used by buses.

dndimg alt="Tram 23" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 23 Comet to Library Tram Stop (Dec 2019) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

As it headed into the tram stop, passing the Municipal Bank, some scaffolding on the left appears to have been removed.

dndimg alt="Tram 23" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 23 Comet to Library Tram Stop (Dec 2019) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Pavements on both sides of the road are now free of temporary barriers. Apart from in front of 1 Centenary Square and the Municipal Bank to the left.

dndimg alt="Tram 23" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 23 Comet to Library Tram Stop (Dec 2019) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Had to wait for some passengers to get off before I could get this zoom in of th Comet name.

dndimg alt="Tram 23" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 23 Comet to Library Tram Stop (Dec 2019) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Doors open, passengers heading into Centenary Square. They have also installed new bus stops.

dndimg alt="Tram 23" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 23 Comet to Library Tram Stop (Dec 2019) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Tram 30

It was getting dark as early as between 3pm and 3:30pm and it was time to get my next tram towards Jewellery Quarter. Tram 30 seen coming from Paradise Circus into Centenary Square.

dndimg alt="Tram 30" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 30 Library Tram Stop (Dec 2019) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It was about to cross tracks and head towards platform 2. Behind is a new view of Two Chamberlain Square and the Library of Birmingham.

dndimg alt="Tram 30" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 30 Library Tram Stop (Dec 2019) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Tram 30 now at platform 2 at Library Tram Stop. On the right is the Arena Central development with HSBC UK at 1 Centenary Square and 3 Arena Central (for HMRC I think).

dndimg alt="Tram 30" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 30 Library Tram Stop (Dec 2019) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Between Library and Grand Central the tram was nice and quiet. One of the monitors on board showing Library Centenary Square.

dndimg alt="Tram 30" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 30 Library Tram Stop (Dec 2019) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The view from my seat. The tram was about to depart. After Grand Central the tram got quite full, of Christmas shoppers etc, and I got off at Jewellery Quarter to check out the Banksy and see what all the fuss was about.

dndimg alt="Tram 30" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 30 Library Tram Stop (Dec 2019) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Jewellery Quarter

After riding the tram all the way from Library Tram Stop I got off the busy tram 30 at Jewellery Quarter Tram Stop. On the opposite platform was tram 34.

dndimg alt="Tram 30 and 34" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 30 and 34 at JQ Tram Stop (Dec 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

St Paul's

After checking out the Banksy on Vyse Street, I walked down Great Hampton Street and Constitution Hill. I saw the bridge down on Livery Street to popped there first which is actually on Northwood Street. Tram 28 was leaving St Chad's Tram Stop.

dndimg alt="St Paul's" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 28 JC St Pauls (Dec 2019) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Birmingham Snow Hill Station behind, tram 28 Jasper Carrott slowly head's to St Paul's from St Chad's, while West Midlands Railway 172 342 heads towards Jewellery Quarter after leaving platform 1.

dndimg alt="St Paul's" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 28 JC St Pauls (Dec 2019) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A Chiltern Railways Class 168 was in it's usual spot at platform 2, as the tortoise vs hare race was clearly being won by West Midlands Railway!

dndimg alt="St Paul's" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 28 JC St Pauls (Dec 2019) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Tram 28 about to arrive at St Paul's Tram Stop as the train headed into the Jewellery Quarter tunnels towards Jewellery Quarter Station. A Matter of Opinion on the right as well as a train not in service.

dndimg alt="St Paul's" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 28 JC St Pauls (Dec 2019) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Jasper Carrot tram 28 coming to a stop to pick up passengers towards Wolverhampton. It was time to walk down to St Paul's Tram Stop with the entrance to the left on Constitution Hill.

dndimg alt="St Paul's" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 28 JC St Pauls (Dec 2019) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I only just got to the tram stop when I saw the tram arriving. Tram 32 is one of those lime green OLA advert trams now with batteries. Seen coming through the Jewellery Quarter tunnels.

dndimg alt="Tram 32" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 32 St Pauls Tram Stop (Dec 2019) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I got tram 32 towards Bull Street. Standing room only. All stops after this one on the extensions. St Paul's is the last tram stop to open in 1999 that is closest to the City Centre after the original Snow Hill Tram Stop closed in 2015.

dndimg alt="Tram 32" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 32 St Pauls Tram Stop (Dec 2019) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Bull Street

Standing room only on tram 32, I got off at Bull Street Tram Stop instead of Corporation Street. Although both are in walking distance of my usual bus stop on Carrs Lane. The Lewis Building to the right.

dndimg alt="Bull Street" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 32 Bull St (Dec 2019) (1) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

As Tram 32 was about to turn onto Corporation Street, I saw tram 17 about to turn onto Bull Street. It was getting dark now, so was time to head to my bus home.

dndimg alt="Bull Street" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM 32 Bull St (Dec 2019) (2) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

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Transport
02 Jun 2019 - Elliott Brown
Inspiration

West Midlands Metro tram 19: celebrating 20 years of the Midland Metro (1999 - 2019)

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On the 30th May 1999 Midland Metro line 1 opened from Wolverhampton St Georges' to Birmingham Snow Hill. On the 30th May 2019, West Midlands Metro celebrated their 20 birthday by unveiling a new livery for tram 19. I finally saw it at Grand Central Tram Stop on Sunday 2nd June 2019 (was hoping to see it a few days earlier but kept missing it).

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West Midlands Metro tram 19: celebrating 20 years of the Midland Metro (1999 - 2019)





On the 30th May 1999 Midland Metro line 1 opened from Wolverhampton St Georges' to Birmingham Snow Hill. On the 30th May 2019, West Midlands Metro celebrated their 20 birthday by unveiling a new livery for tram 19. I finally saw it at Grand Central Tram Stop on Sunday 2nd June 2019 (was hoping to see it a few days earlier but kept missing it).


It has been 20 years since the original Midland Metro line from Wolverhampton St George's to Birmingham Snow Hill first opened to the public on the 30th May 1999. Although the first extension to Birmingham New Street Station only opened by 2016, and other proposed lines have yet to be built (hopefully the line to Dudley will get built soon). The next extension to Centenary Square is well under way, and hopefully that will open at the end of 2019? (with the next extension to the Hagley Road proposed to open by about 2021).

To celebrate the 20th birthday of the Midland Metro (now the West Midlands Metro), Urbos 3 tram 19 has been given a new livery with blue ends, and sections at the top celebrating the 20 years of the Metro!

I first spotted it as I was passing through Birmingham New Street Station. I quickly headed out onto Stephenson Street to get my photos of it before it departed for Wolverhampton!

dndimg alt="West Midlands Metro tram 19: 20 Years 1999 - 2019 at Grand Central Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM tram 19 20 Years 1999 2019 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The standard shot from the current end of the line. A taxi is seen waiting for a barrier to be lifted (to let it through).

dndimg alt="West Midlands Metro tram 19: 20 Years 1999 - 2019 at Grand Central Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM tram 19 20 Years 1999 2019 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

1999 - 2019 - 20 Years.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Metro tram 19: 20 Years 1999 - 2019 at Grand Central Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM tram 19 20 Years 1999 2019 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

West Midlands Metro's trams are scheduled to travel nearly 2 million km per year, which is enough to go around the Earth 48 times!

dndimg alt="West Midlands Metro tram 19: 20 Years 1999 - 2019 at Grand Central Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM tram 19 20 Years 1999 2019 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Celebrating 20 years. More detail of the fact above.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Metro tram 19: 20 Years 1999 - 2019 at Grand Central Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM tram 19 20 Years 1999 2019 (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

They have photos of tram 31 on the side. That was the first tram to get the blue livery treatment! Also a more bigger 1999 - 2019 - 20 Years sign. This near the section where the tram bends round the corner.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Metro tram 19: 20 Years 1999 - 2019 at Grand Central Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM tram 19 20 Years 1999 2019 (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The first 23 tram stops opened between Birmingham Snow Hill and Wolverhampton St George's on the 30th May 1999. The first extension opened between 2015 and 2016. So at least 17 years later. There is also a new loop being built at the Wolverhampton end now, which will link Wolverhampton Station to the tram network!

dndimg alt="West Midlands Metro tram 19: 20 Years 1999 - 2019 at Grand Central Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM tram 19 20 Years 1999 2019 (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Tram 19 near the front of the tram. A few minutes after arriving, I would see it depart by moving onto the left tracks bound for Wolverhampton! The colours kind of remind me of West Bromwich Albion. Also the livery was done at the depot in Wednesbury.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Metro tram 19: 20 Years 1999 - 2019 at Grand Central Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM tram 19 20 Years 1999 2019 (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The other standard Urbos 3 tram view at Grand Central Tram Stop near Birmingham New Street Station. Tram 19 on it's short wait at Grand Central before departing for Wolverhampton and the Black Country. Hopefully by the time the next extension opens, the other platform will be brought back into use. Also one of the platforms at Corporation Street Tram Stop is still yet to get shelters installed (which would be on the side to catch a tram to Centenary Square in the future).

dndimg alt="West Midlands Metro tram 19: 20 Years 1999 - 2019 at Grand Central Tram Stop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WMM tram 19 20 Years 1999 2019 (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown (over 1000 followers!).

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