I Visited the West Midlands Metro!

[@duckduckandduck]

I’m somewhat disappointed you didn’t go to Bradley Lane and unilaterally rename it Badley Lane.

[@NickBadley]

Really should have done! Annoyed I didn't!

[@reissomari]

You wouldn't want to walk around Handsworth and Soho at night 😂 Did you notice the difference between the newer and the older trams?

[@peterwilliamallen1063]

All these trams are new, the original trams were scrapped when these Spanish CAF built trams were purchased.

[@hailhail91]

Man was lucky to get back on the tram without getting his gear nicked 😂

[@VascoRoblox-yp5rw]

​@@peterwilliamallen1063you're right but there are 2 different CAF variants. The green & purple interior are CAF Urbos 3 and the blue interior are CAF Urbos 100. The urbos 3 were built between 2012 and 2015 and the urbos 100 have been built since 2019.

[@ellrbrown]

Welcome to Birmingham. That's Centenary Square. The Library of Birmingham, The REP (Birmingham Repertory Theatre), The ICC (International Convention Centre) and Symphony Hall. I think the West Bromwich Parkway stretches all the way from The Hawthorns to Black Lake, although not walked many sections of it. The Wolverhampton extension was built from 2017 to now. Two new stops at Pipers Row and Wolverhampton Station.

[@tylerdavidson1387]

Love these rides and wanders Nick! 'Pathage' added to my personal lexicon. 😇

[@Sim0nTrains]

Big Dixons! 😂 Brilliant Video, most of the West Midlands Metro is part of the former GWR Mainline which saw trains from London Paddington to Birkenhead Woodside

[@EdgyNumber1]

*Did you know?:* It took about 7 years to build the one mile extension between Snow Hill (now St. Chads) to New Street Station (Grand Central.)

[@Zoe-dr5ps]

Why so long?

[@alexwright4930]

God knows. Then for several months the trams weren't running at all because of cracks on the doors.

[@MichaelSebastianTodd]

awesome video i visited Birmingham back in September to have a go on the Trams and the West Midlands Metro is a great network and i look forward to its future extentions in the future Birmingham is a great city keep up the awesome work

[@streetrambler134]

Great video, The Royal is named after the The Royal Hospital which was opposite the Dixons building. You picked a great day to walk along the Metro. The stops for Pipers Row and Wolverhampton station have been built, just waiting for the extension to open.

[@peterwilliamallen1063]

The Fancy building you mentioned at 1:31mins is the Library of Birmingham, the largest Public Library in Europe and has a fantastic roof Garden from which you can see for miles

[@joshua.910]

Keep meaning to go up on the roof, how do you get to it?

[@peterwilliamallen1063]

@@joshua.910 To get to the roof Garden in the Library you just go in the library which is free of charge and either take the lift or go up the escalators, when you come out onto the roof Garden and it is a Garden full of plants you get an amazing view of Birmingham and on a good day 10 to 15 miles all around.

[@alexwright4930]

I think the signs call it the Secret Garden. Definitely worth visiting.

[@lorddarlo6194]

​@@peterwilliamallen1063Which Means you can probably see Wolverhampton and Possibly Further and The Airport

[@teecefamilykent]

Love the face on the route map for stops you visit lol. Worcester sauce!

[@JustGeary]

Well done you’ve said something I’ve never head before “let’s explore handsworth”

[@improperrunner]

i live in Birmingham. it's a great place. For future reference, you can get a daytripper for £7.20, which covers you for Trains, Trams and Buses from Coventry to Wolverhampton and all in between. Another pointless journey would be Birmingham New Street to Birmingham Moor Street, or Five Ways to Bordesley. would all be included under the Daytripper.

[@Dazzily]

VERY ENJOYABLE Nick. I am a West Bromwich lad. used the Metro MANY times. It can get full but is very good really. Thank you Nick

[@paultidd9332]

Worcester Sauce! Great video though your random stops didn’t look the most savoury of places to visit and I’m glad you made it home to post this video!! I was in Birmingham this last Monday thinking should I scratch the new extension but there wasn’t time after visiting the magnificent Town Hall.

[@dat581]

I went for a ride on the West Midlands Metro last month. I was very impressed with the quality of the ride and the track was perfect. I'm from Sydney in Oz which has the same trams on the system there. I hate to say it, but the track was better in Birmingham!

[@torchwood2020]

The other side of the black lake stop would have been the original train station call Swan Village. Likewise Handsworh tram stop as a hidden feature.

[@alexwright4930]

Skipped West Bromwich Central and Bilston Central - which have shops and pubs nearby rather than mostly houses - completely then I see thanks to the random number generator. There's a museum (Soho House) and pub (the Black Eagle) in the vicinity of Soho Benson Rd. And a desi pub serving curry - popular on matchdays - close to Kenrick Park, the stop after The Hawthorns - The Vine.

[@tramcrazy]

This was really fun! I'm hoping to try all the metros/light rail in the UK eventually... until then it'll just have to be a continuation of my London visits as that's within a couple of hours by train!

[@RedHillian]

Nah, it's Worcestershire Sauce for me. Or Hendersons. Did you notice that a section of the Metro (where you started) doesn't have overhead power cables? It runs on battery for a few stops!

[@NickBadley]

I actually only noticed that while I was watching the footage back for editing! It's really neat!

[@peterpowis4145]

I'm hoping to go on the metro line next time I come to Birmingham. Thanks for the video!! 👍

[@jacobporrett]

Looks like you had fun.

[@tomdg13]

You should do Wolverhampton St Georges to Wolverhampton Station before the latter opens on the metro.

[@pb4rton]

Nice video. it is a shame that you didn't get to see the Jewellery Quarter!

[@ReubenAshwell]

Brilliant video Nick, the west midlands metro is a cracking tram system. There appeared to be quite a bit of snow on the ground in this one as well. Also I guess I'll have to say Worcester Sauce since I wateched this all the way to end lol.

[@Roblilley999]

Was rhe meteo built on old railway lines? Black lake looks like its an abandoned railway cutting

[@lorddarlo6194]

Because the Train was closed years ago the Tram was built in the 1990's opened 1999 the train had been gone for 30 to 40 years used to run from Wolverhampton Low Level to Birkenhead and London Paddington as part of the GWR I believe Low Level was kept open until the 70's I believe some local trains served it and Snow Hill was rebuilt and Reopened the line between The Hawthorns and St Chad's is National Rail on the Stratford to Worcester Via Birmingham line part of that I believe was part of the former line from Wolverhampton Low Level. The Current Wolverhampton Station on the WCML was Wolverhampton High Level. The bits from St Chads well even St Chads itself which replaced Snow Hill where it used to terminate to Edgbaston was new and I'm not sure on the street level section from Priestfeild to Wolverhampton St George's that joins the A41 I assume it joined the WCML Lines nearby before splitting to Low Level. I can't picture the Train running along the busy A41

[@paulwheeler4283]

I'm so happy that you visited Birmingham and the West Midlands metro although you didn't visit my local stop at the very beautiful jewellery quarter I will let you off how did you find the difference between the old trams (purple and green seats) and the new ones(blue seats) and you're a very brave man visiting handsworth I do hope you had your inoculations before hand

[@lorddarlo6194]

The Royal is named after the Royal Hospital which opposite the Dixons is some new build houses next to them being converted to flats was the old Hospital I have no idea when it closed. I remember this area as a kid passing through on the 79 but only ever seen the Hospital now when I caught the 79 to Wolverhampton to get to College. Fun fact the 79 used to follow the Tram and was Cheaper. The A41 which you would have first ran alongside at The Crescent was how the 79 ran to Birmingham Snow Hill area now St Chads the Tram Leaves the 79 around Bilston it is still walking distance from Loxdale to the 79 and Bradley Lane the Tram then goes near the new A41 Alignment the Black Country New Road to Carters Green just after Black Lake and then becomes the Expressway to J1 of the M5 Motorway the nearest stop being The Hawthorns named after the Home Ground of West Bromwich Albion Football Club the Tram can you take from it to Wolverhampton and then a walk to Molienux home of rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers or Wolves as for the 79 it leaves the A41 before it's new alignment in Moxley and continues to Darlaston merging close with it in the Back Streets and then heading through Wednesbury and passing Black Lake Tram Stop before joining Carters Green onto West Brom High Street, the 79 merging with the Tram at West Bromwich Central or West Bromwich Bus Station however the 79 continued up the Birmingham Road to rejoin the A41 at J1 of the M5 passing the Albion Ground and then heading along the A41 passing through Handsworth and I need Soho Benson Road Soho is the Birmingham/Holyhead Road A41 through Hockley the tram then goes through Winson green meeting the Longest or was the Longest Circular Bus Route in Europe the Outer Circle 11A/11C called as it runs along the A4040 Birmingham's Outer Ring Road it does also meet the Inner Circle the 8A/8C Birmingham Inner Ring Road and then like the 79 which went a bit further terminated in Birmingham City Centre at Snow Hill. The 79 was cut from Birmingham due to congestion especially the A41 from The Hawthorns to Birmingham and the Tram was quicker more frequent and became cheaper the Tram was every 8 minutes on the whole the 79 was every 8 between Wolverhampton and West Bromwich then becoming every 5 where it merged with the 74 which is the only route that follows the Tram from West Bromwich to Birmingham leaving the Tram at Guns Village to gun to Dudley. But now the Tram is every 10 minutes, and when it was down due to Cracking guess what picked up the slack yep the good old 79 and that was absolutely rammed as most people would catch it from Wednesday to Wolverhampton it gained more Tram Passengers at Bilston and Priestfeild and sometimes was even busier before I got on at Darlaston.

[@craiglogistics2092]

Did you find any Worcester Sauce while you were exploring this metro network? 😎

[@alexwright4930]

I think the Royal is named after an old hospital.

[@thebritishrailroader]

Nice video Nick, can't decide if you prefer trains or paths 😆. Quick question, what camera do you use these days?

[@NickBadley]

Sony ZV1!

[@thebritishrailroader]

@@NickBadley cheers mate

[@BobGilbey]

Was the tram running on battery power through the city? I didn’t see any overheads

[@peterwilliamallen1063]

They only run on Battery power from Edgebaston Village to a short way down Broad Street, then from the Library stop to Grand Central and from St Georges to Wolverhampton Stations, the rest of the route through Birmingham City Center and onwards to Wolverhampton they run from overhead wires

[@patrickmontgomery9764]

These look like the same (or similar) Alstom rollingstock used in Sydney and Canberra!

[@lorddarlo6194]

CAF Urbos 2 and 3's the 2's are the ones I believe in Australia failed for Cracking just like ours

[@danielboulton98]

eyyyy looking forward to these pronunciations ;)

[@NickBadley]

At least I'm not having to pronounce "Kirkby" heh

[@danielboulton98]

@@NickBadley hahaha had a go at Marylebone yet?

[@AndreasGamer.]

8:04 DACIA LOGO AT THE DEALERSHIP

[@kkrispy2009P]

Love a west mids tram

[@caramelldansen2204]

When will Liverpool get the trams it deserves? 😭😭😭

[@caramelldansen2204]

@Richard Liverpool has an underground metro _for people who live along the river._ The suburbs are heavily neglected, especially in the east and south.

[@caramelldansen2204]

@60s Man 60s Guitars 100% agreement. Since making this comment, I've learned that Birkenhead was one of the first places in the country to get trams. Given the abysmal state of it today and how little is left, you wouldn't think so. Perhaps we're too poor to deserve such things... at least, in the minds of those in parliament.

[@MasonTheTransportEthusiast]

Will you visit the wton station extension when it opens

[@owenduckers4213]

Love your videos bro

[@owenduckers4213]

And I’m not even a big fan of trains haha

[@MrTransportAddict]

This guy is great, extremely talented and has a ton of KNOWLEDGE’ about trains, such as myself. Get this man to beat Geoff Marshall #NickVsGeoff

[@ilikemetros5202]

Ooh, i haven't even heard about this!

[@dan_aviation]

I really want to use the tram but I don’t know how or where to get a ticket, is it like a bus or a train where you buy a ticket ? Thanks

[@NickBadley]

There is a staff member on board all trams where you just ask them for a ticket 🙂

[@OmerLovesLife]

@@NickBadleyHaving ridden the WM metro several times, I can confirm that there is a conductor onboard with a machine who can print off a ticket for you.

[@RobertJones-xq1si]

As someone else mentioned, Soho, Handsworth and Black Lake aren't particularly safe areas, even during the day! Love the innocence of it all though. Nice to see some flagrant disregard for pessimism. ❤👍

[@lorddarlo6194]

Black Lake ay to bad just a bit dead Handsworth, Soho which is only small and Hockley Winson Green and basically anywhere after The Hawthorns is Rough. Bilston used to be but ay to bad, Wednesbury ay bad Loxdale is Bilston Bradley Lane Moxley Darlaston again not bad. I think ASB and Congestion and the Tram is part the reason the 79 doesn't go to Brum anymore. During the Day Handsworth, Soho and Hockley are usually Ok mostly congested and on Saturday's if West Brom or Villa are at home then really busy same for Black Lake mostly Albion. At Night Not sure about Black Lake but Handsworth, Hockley and Soho and Winson Green avoid

[@mattevans4377]

Have you, or are you going to, been on the new Merseyrail class 777s?

[@NickBadley]

Not yet! But I will at the first opportunity!

[@davidt-rex2062]

"thanks 172" - no idea why but made me snigger

[@ManicXD]

Wooster Source! :)

[@adavies311]

Worcester sauce, Blackpool Tramway

[@joegee6434]

"A big dixons" 😅

[@Patrickair4444]

The metro opened in 1999

[@elizabethgibson5116]

Lol Handsworth, not the best place to walk around on your own with your camera out, your lucky it wasnt snatched by some druggie desperate for his fix 😂

[@Ducks-are-cool1]

The royal got it name after the hospital that used to be close by

[@Floortile]

Lea & Perrins!

[@harrytrains37]

Wooster Source XD

[@Storfordcountyrailway]

tram sounds like a class 465 or a 395

[@lorddarlo6194]

CAF Urbos 2 older Green and Purple Seats or Urbos 3 newer Seats

[@alexstrains903]

Worcester Sauce :D

[@paulmason6474]

This is a lot cheaper than the Trams in Manchester.

[@david_rocky_road]

worcester(shire) sauce 😂

[@rdstedall]

Worcestershire Sauce ... as requested

[@MattyBenton]

Worcester suace

[@harrierjames7727]

Worcester Sauce

[@MasonTheTransportEthusiast]

You could of gone to the depot

[@NxtTxherOfficial]

can you reply please your my favourite train/metro yt id appreciate if you do!!

[@louiseandwizz]

#worcestersauce so true

[@tonygrinney7115]

Worcester sauce!

[@Gregdotgreg]

Worcester sauce

[@torspedia]

Wash your sister sauce. 😂

[@Sim2500]

god Birmingham is a dump. I can say that, I live there now. Handsoworth has a great prison that keeps all the class B and C offenders

[@peterwilliamallen1063]

Sorry I live in Birmingham as well and sorry it isn't a dump and the prison is not in Handsworth it is in Winston Green and different district of Birmingham.

[@lorddarlo6194]

Prison in Winson Green where the Tram Serves only that side of Birmingham is a dump

[@peterwilliamallen1063]

@@lorddarlo6194 Have you ever visited Birmingham, I dought it.

[@lorddarlo6194]

@@peterwilliamallen1063 Yes the City several times it is nice. My Dad worked down the road from Handsworth and as a West Brom Fan I know not to walk to Handsworth not saying it is bad all the time but come on mate it has issues. My Dad used to work in Securicor down the road from Handsworth but he had to walk through their at night to get the bus or Tram home or had cameras on the Area and saw many things. Birmingham is a decent place but mate every town and city in the UK has it's bad areas Manchester has Mosside Liverpool Toxeth London Croydon, Tottenham plus more Birmingham has Hockley, Handsworth, Smethwick and Winson Green. Walsall has Caldmore and Blakenall, Wolverhampton has Whitmore Reins the actually City of Birmingham is nice it is safe at night compared to Walsall down the road from me

[@class387productions3]

Go to Karen's diner

[@LouisOnAir]

wuss to source

[@matzk0840]

Worcester Sauce