THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE

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JANUARY 2015 No. 925 THE FUTURE IS HERE: NEXT-GENERATION LRT

New Tube creator on the importance of transport design Zhuhai begin test running United Streetcar enters “hibernation” Nottingham opens multi-modal hub ISSN 1460-8324 £4.25 Calgary Hydrogen power 01 Recovery and A more sustainable expansion in Alberta future for light rail? 9 771460 832043 2015 INTEGRATION AND GLOBALISATION

Topics and panel debates include: Funding models and financial considerations for LRT projects • Improving light rail's appeal and visibility • Low Impact Light Rail • Harnessing local suppliers • Making light rail procurement more economical • Utilities replacement and renewal • EMC approvals and standards • Off-wire and energy recovery systems • How can regional devolution benefit UK LRT? • Light rail safety and security • Optimising light rail and traffic interfaces • Track replacement & renewal – Issues and lessons learned • Removing obsolescence: Modernising the UK's second-generation systems • Revenue protection strategies • Cross-ticketing initiatives • Big data: Opportunities for transport operators • Marketing strategies for ridership and maximising revenue • LRT solutions for mid-size towns

Do you have a topic you’d like to share with a forum of 300 senior decision-makers? We are still welcoming abstracts for consideration until 12 January 2015.

June 17-18, 2015: Nottingham, UK Book now via www.tautonline.com

SUPPORTED BY 22 CONTENTS The official journal of the Light Rail Transit Association JANUARY 2015 Vol. 78 No. 925 www.tramnews.net EDITORIAL 4 EDITOR Simon Johnston Tel: +44 (0)1733 367601 E-mail: [email protected] 13 Orton Enterprise Centre, Bakewell Road, Peterborough PE2 6XU, UK ASSOCIATE EDITOR 24 Tony Streeter E-mail: [email protected] WORLDWIDE EDITOR Michael Taplin Flat 1, 10 Hope Road, Shanklin, Isle of Wight PO37 6EA, UK. E-mail: [email protected] NEWS EDITOR John Symons 17 Whitmore Avenue, Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs ST9 0LW, UK. E-mail: [email protected] NEWS 4 THE NEW TUBE FOR LONDON 24 SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR Neil Pulling Zhuhai begins test tunning; Hitachi bids for The unique challenges of designing a WORLDWIDE CONTRIBUTORS Finmeccannica rail assets; UK -train new Tube for London are discussed by its Tony Bailey, James Chuang, Paul Nicholson, Richard project faces further delays; Bombardier designer, Paul Priestman. Felski, Ed Havens, Bill Vigrass, Andrew Moglestue, wins 156 tram order for Vienna; United Mike Russell, Nikolai Semyonov, Vic Simons, Streetcar enters ‘hibernation’ phase. HYDROGEN OPERATION 27 Alain Senut, Thomas Wagner. TIG/m is pioneering a new generation of PRODUCTION Lanna Blyth

CALGARY: SUCCESS AND AMBITION 9 ultra-sustainable vehicles; Julia Wahnsiedler Tel: +44 (0)1733 367604 E-mail: [email protected] One of the world’s busiest tramways has not looks at the future for hydrogen power. DESIGN only recovered after the 2013 floods, but has Debbie Nolan also expanded yet further. SYSTEMS FACTFILE: HELSINKI 31 ADVERTISING The tramway in Finland’s capital is its COMMERCIAL MANAGER TRAM DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS 15 primary mode of ; Neil Geoff Butler Scott McIntosh looks at tramcar evolution, Pulling reports from the elegant city. Tel: +44 (0)1733 367610 E-mail: [email protected] and asks if there is a ‘perfect’ low-floor car. PUBLISHER WORLDWIDE REVIEW 37 Howard Johnston MULTI-SENSORY TRANSPORT 18 Manchester’s relocation works nears Tramways & Urban Transit is jointly published by the RCP Design Global’s Régine Charvet- Pello completion; Maryland Governor threatens LRTA and LRTA Publishing on the third Friday of each month preceding the cover date. considers the emotional impact of transport. new LRT lines; Budapest line 17 contracts LRTA WEBSITE AND DIARY awarded; tenders invited for Luxembourg. Brian Lomas LRT'S TECHNICAL FUTURE 20 E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Mott MacDonald’s LRT rolling stock team MAILBOX 42 LRTA MEMBERSHIP (with TAUT subscription) looks at what the future may hold in Comments on Pyongyang; Are the Chinese Tramways & Urban Transit is sent free to all paid-up operational and technical considerations. manufacturers set to gain further ground in members of the Light Rail Transit Association. the US?; Dubai’s technical masterpiece. SUBSCRIPTIONS AND MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES INSIDE THE BAT-TRAM 22 LRTA Membership Secretary (Dept T06), 38 Wolseley Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK. It shook up the design world in 2014, now CLASSICS: GOTHA 44 Tel: +44 (0)117 9517785 the designer of the Uraltransmash R1, talks A weekend of nostalgia celebrated a double BACK ISSUES to TAUT about his very different approach. anniversary – Mike Russell reports. Tel: +44 (0)1406 373070 PRINT AND DISTRIBUTION Warners (Midlands) plc, The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1778 391000. The art and the science of moving people LRTA REGISTERED OFFICE What is it about great design that moves people? Whether it is the clothes c/o 138 Radnor Avenue, Welling, Kent DA16 2BY, UK. Private company limited by guarantee, No. 5072319 on your back, the furniture in your house, or even the mobile phone in your in England and Wales. pocket or bag, the art of good design crosses boundaries and can unite whole LRTA CHAIRMAN cities, even nations, under a single cultural identity. Andrew Braddock It is certainly true in the western world that the shape, style and features E-mail: [email protected] of the vehicle that transports us to work and back and also in our leisure time is a wider LRTA DEPUTY CHAIRMAN symbol of our attitudes to the world in general. A wise man once told me that great Paul Rowen public transport should be both a highly visible statement about the identity of the area LRTA PUBLISHING REGISTERED OFFICE: it serves, and at the same time the invisible backbone that props it up. c/o 8 Berwick Place, Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL7 4TU, UK. Private Limited Company, No. 06169422 In recent years we’ve seen cities really expressing themselves with sleek and stylish in England and Wales. vehicles incorporating the latest passenger comforts and technologies, that really have © LRTA Publishing 2015. the ‘X’ factor that makes passengers proud of their choice to use public transport. Articles are submitted on the understanding they may also This all helps to encourage greater uptake and civic pride. In some cities I’ve seen later be used on our websites or other media. A contribution vandals taken to task by members of the public outraged that they dare deface tramtops, is accepted on the basis that its author is responsible for the opinions expressed in it, and such opinions are not those of stations and vehicles. Scratching windows? Not on your life. Feet on seats? No way, LRTA Publishing or the LRTA. All rights reserved. not in my town. In this sense, I think there’s a transport enthusiast in all of us. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in This month we’ve spent a lot of time talking to the industry’s leading designers, any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and asking them what good light rail design looks like, where they draw their inspiration retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from from, and what the future holds. But now it’s over to you. the copyright owner. Multiple copying of the contents of the What is your favourite vehicle design – and why? What is it that inspires you and what magazine without prior written approval is not permitted. features and innovations would you like to see in the future? I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please let us know and we’ll publish them in the coming months. Simon Johnston, Editor COVER: This progressive design for the Riyadh metro project is courtesy of RCP Design Global. RCP

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JANUARY 2015 / 3 News

Suriname LRT plan for 2016 Zhuhai begins trial running The Government of Suriname VIPs given first test rides on China’s latest modern tramway system has selected Strukton Systems as preferred bidder for a EUR130m hina’s latest tramway remaining eight will be supply system, supplied by a joint contract to build a 29km opening took place assembled from basic structures venture of CNR Dalian subsidiary (18-mile) diesel-operated light in mid-November shipped from Italy at CNR CNR Equipment Engineering rail line linking the capital in Zhuhai, on the Dalian’s facility located in the and Taiwanese company GRC, Paramaribo with the suburb of southernC coast of Guangdong Doumen district to the west to permit operation without an Onverwacht within 18 months. province in the Pearl River Delta, of Zhuhai under the terms overhead wire. The contract includes the near Macau. Trial operation on of a technology licensing It is understood that major construction of a double-track 1.7km (1.1 miles) of the first line agreement. The RMB10bn infrastructure construction line, eight stops, 16 level crossings began on 7 November when (approx USD1.55bn) facility was is largely complete with road and a rail bridge and includes the VIPs were taken for a ride as the established under an agreement reconstruction and landscaping supply of five diesel LRVs, each city prepared to host the 10th signed in 2012 and is due to be still to finish before passenger accommodating 250 passengers China International Aviation finished early in 2015 when two services begin. to operate a 15-minute headway. and Aerospace Exhibition on further trams will be constructed Preliminary engineering for Strukton has already 11-16 November. entirely locally. lines two and three are reported undertaken feasibility studies The first phase of the The five-section standard- to be underway. Line two will be and detailed engineering design, double-track line 1 to serve this gauge trams are bi-directional, 6km (3.7 miles) long, running allowing major construction city of 1.5 million inhabitants with two powered bogies and along Jiuzhou Avenue East before works to begin as soon as the runs for 8.9km (5.5 miles) from one trailer bogie, and can arriving at Jiuzhou Port. Line last land acquistion deals are Haitian Park to Zhongda Wuyan accommodate 279 passengers three will run along Phoenix complete. The project is being along Meihua Road with 14 stops in total with 66 seats. The blue Road, Beach Road and Hill Road financed by Dutch bank ING. and is to offer revenue service and white vehicle livery features before joining Jiuzhou Avenue In the longer term there is a from May. Bougainvillea, the city flower and connecting with line 2, plan to extend the line a further The first two low-floor trams of Zhuhai. the total length of 4.8km 16km (approx. 10 miles) south to have been delivered from The system features the (three miles). The initial ring Johan Adolf Pengel international AnsaldoBreda’s manufacturing Ansaldo STS-developed network will then be complete, airport in the district of Zanderij. facility in Pistoia, Italy. The TramWave ground-level power opening in 2016.

On 1 December the Executive finishing at the 2000-space Utrecht Uithof extension Board of Regio Utrecht (BRU) park-and-ride side in De Uithof announced Royal BAM Group that opened in 2013. A stabling as preferred bidder for the 8km yard will be created with four suppliers confirmed (five miles) Uithof extension of sidings for two coupled trams, the city’s sneltram network. a total of 16 vehicles. An artist’s The EUR440m project will Route substructure is almost impression of the Uithof extension connect Utrecht Centraal complete, with civil works to the Utrecht station with the university and having started in 2011, and tramway. BRU hospital at De Uithof and is following preparatory works expected to open in mid-2018, and initial engineering, main offering a 17-minute end-to- construction is expected to end running time. begin in late 2015 or early 2016. The contract calls for the It has been announced that CAF supply of infrastructure – will supply a fleet of 27 32m including track construction, 2.65m-wide low-floor trams. electrification and nine Once contracts are signed, stops – and rolling stock. The the first tram is expected to new line is a mix of on-street be delivered to the existing and segregated alignment, Nieuwegein depot in early 2017.

Northern line extension approved NEWS IN PICTURES The London Underground Northern line extension from BART to OAK service opens Kennington to Battersea via Nine Saturday 22 November saw the Elms has been approved. Two new inauguration of San Francisco’s elevated stations will be built - one on the automated peoplemover linking Coliseum former Battersea Power Station BART station and Oakland Airport, site and the other at Nine Elms, operated by BART. The cable-operated serving new developments as well system was supplied by DDC Doppelmayr as existing communities. More and features four three-section trains so a than 5km (three miles) of new four-minute headway can be operated. tunnels will be built. Construction is to start in 2015, with the GBP1bn (EUR1.26bn) cost The new peoplemover uses a pinched to be funded through developer loop configuration with double tracks that contributions. TfL has awarded a come down to one track at each terminus. design-build contract to Ferrovial A USD6 base fare applies, but the line is Agroman Laing O’Rourke. integrated with BART’s fare system. BART

4 / JANUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Hitachi to buy Finmeccanica rail assets? Japanese manufacturer bids to purchase AnsaldoBreda and 40% stake in Ansaldo STS for EUR1.4bn

statement released aviation contracts. Japanese news included in any sale proposal to On 27 November, the board of by Italian industrial agency Nikkei reports that the make the deal more attractive. directors approved a motion for conglomerate offer is worth close to EUR1.4bn. In July Moretti told Italian Moretti to continue negotiations Finmeccanica on 18 Finmeccannica Chief media that his remit was to with a view to disposal of ANovember announced that Executive Mauro Moretti, “reposition and revitalize” the Finmeccanica’s rail assets. Japanese manufacturer Hitachi appointed by Italian Prime 32% state-owned conglomerate Hitachi is close to completion had submitted a bid to purchase Minister Matteo Renzi in May, and during a parliamentary of a EUR103m production facility its AnsaldoBreda rolling stock is the latest in a line of CEOs hearing in October, he confirmed at Newton Aycliffe in the UK business in addition to its 40% who have sought to dispose of plans to concentrate on “a few that will serve as its European stake in signalling supplier the loss-making AnsaldoBreda core sectors and be able to exit design and construction base. Ansaldo STS. The proposed sale business, which consolidated others,” adding that part of any A purchase of AnsaldoBreda is part of a restructuring plan as EUR542m in operating losses deal would include caveats to would give additional capacity, as Finmeccanica seeks to balance over the last three years. It is invest in rail technology and well as existing contracts in LRT debt and refocus on defence and understood that STS has been construction in Italy. and metro markets worldwide.

UK’s Nottingham hub SANDAG confirms San Diego extension The San Diego Association of is formally complete Governments (SANDAG) has approved the final environmental Transformation of Nottingham was restoration of historic impact report for the 17.7km station (UK) into a transport features and modernisation of (11-mile) Mid-Coast Corridor hub was marked by the formal station facilities. Transit Project, which will extend unveiling of the revamped Opening of the two NET the city’s LRT network north along the Interstate 5 corridor to facilities by Railway Heritage extensions, originally proposed La Jolla and University City. Trust chairman Sir William for December, will not now take The nine-station line will follow McAlpine and the Lord place until the middle of 2015, the alignment of the existing Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire according to statements by lead Coaster commuter rail line from Sir John Peace, on 26 November. contractor Taylor Woodrow Old Town to serve Linda Vista, The station offers new . Delays are said to be Pacific Beach, and the University facilities for interchange with caused by utilities problems and of California San Diego campus Nottingham Express Transit, the need to minimise noise and before reaching a park-and-ride which now runs directly over vibrations along the route. 27 November marked the completion terminus at Westfield UTC. Preliminary works can now the station on a new structure, Alstom delivered the last of of tracklaying along the new NET line to Beeston and Chilwell. A ‘golden railclip’ begin on the USD1.7bn project with the Karlsruhe Friendship the 22 Citadis trams on order construction scheduled to begin in Bridge. NET trams will stop at in October. Five of these are was tightened by Cllr Steve Barber, Chair of the Greater Nottingham Joint Planning late 2015 for an opening in 2019. platforms by the station’s new currently in service on Line 1; Advisory Board. From left: Paul Harris, southern concourse, rather the other 17 are presently being Delhi tram study returned Programme Director for TWA, Cllr Barber, The results of a tramway study than as previously on a tested or held in reserve and Phil Hewitt, Chief Executive of Tramlink were presented by Delhi Metro viaduct outside the station. Also will enter service on the Nottingham and Didier Marcillou, Rail Corporation (DMRC) on 10 included in the redevelopment expanded network. Director of Alstom. Ian MacArthur November. A 4.5km (2.8-mile) loop in the Chandni Chowk area would serve the railway station, with headways of two minutes for two-section trams carrying Bombardier beats Siemens to Vienna tram order approximately 200 passengers. Predicted ridership is around Viennese public transport 100 000 passengers/day. operator Wiener Linien announced on 1 December that Edinburgh inquiry gains it has selected Bombardier as statutory powers preferred bidder for a contract The inquiry into the problems to supply up to 156 low-floor surrounding construction of the LRVs in a deal worth up to Edinburgh tramway has been granted ‘statutory’ status following EUR562m. concerns raised by the chairman, The Flexity vehicles will Lord Hardie that individuals be assembled in Vienna were declining to give evidence. at Bombardier’s plant in In November the inquiry was at a Donaustadt and the fleet is preliminary stage. due to be delivered between The first newFlexity trams SYSTRA expands in India 2018 and 2026, enabling the for WL will be delivered in 2018. WL On 14 November, SYSTRA withdrawal of high-floor E1 and announced the takeover of Indian E2 trams which date from the an option for additional Ultra- Linien from 1997 onwards, and engineering consultancy SAI. 1970s. Each 34m five-section Low Floor (ULF) LRVs from is currently delivering a second Founded in 1983 in Ahmedabad, vehicle will accommodate up Siemens, which has become tranche of 150 vehicles, the SAI employs more than 600 to 211 passengers. the city’s standard tram design last of which will roll off the staff and generated revenues of WL announced last year that over the last 15 years. assembly line at the company’s EUR11m in 2013, including 30% in overseas business. it would launch a new tender Siemens supplied an initial Simmering plant in Vienna for LRVs instead of exercising batch of 150 ULFs to Wiener in 2015.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JANUARY 2015 / 5 News

Oran metro ready to tender in 2015 United Streetcar facility Following design completion by Spanish firm Sener, Algeria’s Enterprise Metro d’Alger (EMA) is planning to tender contracts for goes into “hibernation” the Metro in early 2015. Sener has defined a 19km (12-mile) route with 20 stations, A slow market and lack of orders forces manufacturer to close its doors running from Bouakeul in the west via the Great Market, Palais des fter delivering 18 trams Sports, the main station, Wilaya, Hai Essabah, and the Olympic from its Oregon factory, Stadium to the University. There but with no further would also be a branch from Wilaya orders, the United into the city centre. Estimates put AStreetcar plant in Clackamas the costs at around EUR1.2bn. was put into “hibernation” on The first line would feature 5 December with workers and stations with platform screen facilities transferred to the parent doors and require a fleet of 74m Oregon Iron Works, now itself a four-car trains. It is hoped to open this line in 2020. The metro would division of Vigor Industrial. interchange with Oran’s tramway Formed in 2005, United at the main station. The city plans Streetcar was held up as a a second tramline to serve the model of the “Buy American” north-eastern districts. initiative championed by Birmingham’s 20-year plan the Obama Administration, The UK’s Birmingham City Council but has struggled to win and its partners have developed orders, encountered setbacks a new 20-year transport strategy, in deliveries and faced stiff Birmingham Connected. It shows competition from both domestic a switch of emphasis from the and overseas manufacturers. private car to public transport and The firm had hoped to build One of three United Streetcar-built trams supplied to the Washington Streetcar other sustainable travel modes. ten to 15 vehicles per year and on H St near Union Station on 30 November 2014. M. R. Taplin The GBP4bn (EUR5bn) package even tackle the export market has not yet been funded, but includes three tram extensions – to with a facility and dedicated test The company’s only design supply two Liberty low-floor cars Edgbaston (Five Ways) and Digbeth track that has the capacity to turn was a variant of the Skoda/ with onboard energy storage for via a new High Speed 2 station – out 24 streetcars per year. But Inekon four-axle low-floor the Dallas Oak Cliff streetcar line. both already announced, plus the supply chain issues have resulted articulated car, but Inekon is still Yet United Streetcar executives extension of the latter to Castle in late deliveries to all three cities bidding for orders in competition are keen to point out that this Vale and Birmingham Airport. that have purchased the firm’s with its licensee. is not the end for the business, Also proposed is a network of low-floor vehicles – Portland, The news leaves one US-owned with orders still being taken for nine ‘Sprint’ BRT routes. The first, Tucson and Washington – and and managed modern light rail cars based on the designs they’ve on Hagley Road, is to open in 2016. slower than expected demand rolling stock manufacturer, already invested in and streetcar Funding has been secured for a route to the airport via the A45, to has resulted in the decision to Brookville Equipment, which has warranties still being honoured. open in 2021, which could later be mothball the operation. The final maintained steady business in President Kevin W. Clarke, replaced thereafter by a tramline. car for Portland was shipped on refurbishing historic streetcars and who took over in early 2013, left 21 November. in 2013 was awarded a contract to the business on the same day.

China to consolidate NEWS IN PICTURES Madrid wins European tram driver competition rolling stock After events in Budapest and Dresden, the 2014 European Tram Driver of the Year contest was held in Barcelona at the end of November, with teams from , Germany, Hungary, Romania, Spain, Switzerland and the Netherlands. manufacturing? The event marked ten years of tram operation in the Catalan capital and took place at the Wellington terminus of line 4, closed from the Glories stop, Chinese state media has reported with metro cars for Ankara with a replacement service. The winners were the Madrid team, who were that the country’s two largest and LRVs for Izmir. However, well used to driving the Alstom Citadis trams used in the tests of driving skill. rolling stock manufacturers, criticism has been levelled at China CNR and CSR Corp, could the aggressive tactics that the be merged. firms employ against each other China Business News quoted when bidding for lucrative CNR board secretary Xie Jilong non-domestic orders. as saying that the merger “is The two companies were not up to us, it has become formed in 2000 as offshoots a national strategy, to be of the China National Railway determined by the government. Locomotive and Rolling Stock [Mergers] are the trend, and we Industry Corp to promote are all waiting, currently there competition and raise the quality are no specific plans.” of product development. The two companies have often A merged CNR-CSR would competed in overseas tenders, have combined annual revenue Barcelona Alstom Citadis with some success seen recently of about RNB200bn (USD32bn) 16 during the tram driving by CNR in North America (TAUT based on 2013 company data, skills contest. S. J. Brown 924) and CSR Zhuzhou in Turkey and over 118 000 employees.

6 / JANUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Vossloh to divest rolling stock unit? New corporate strategy, announced in December, focuses on infrastructure divisions from 2015

n 3 December the Vossloh acquired an interest board of Vossloh in trams and LRVs relatively announced a new recently when it took over the corporate strategy to Alstom rolling stock factory in Otake the company to 2017 that Spain, which built tram-trains involves a greater focus on its for Alacant, and won orders from track products and infrastructure Chemnitz and Sheffield. It then activities and divesting rolling started winning German tram stock and LRV interests. orders; deliveries to Karlsruhe From 2015, the infrastructure and Rostock are in progress. division will form three new The company is restructuring units: Core Components, for growth in four defined Customised Modules and markets, Western Europe, China, Lifecycle Solutions, which USA and Russia, with “additional will be strengthened through attractive markets defined for acquisitions where appropriate. intensive development.” According to an earlier As part of the statement, statement, the Transportation Vossloh Rail Vehicles is currently supplying 13 energy-efficient RN2 low-floor Vossloh confirmed its forecast division – which produces diesel trams to the German City of Rostock. Vossloh of a negative EBIT of between locomotives, trams and tram- EUR150-180m on revenues trains – is forecast to generate The Core Components sector Depending upon the results of EUR1.34bn for the current around EUR500m in revenues will largely be formed through of the restructuring, the financial year. After adjustment in 2014, but while “these three Vossloh’s rail fasteners group, the Transportation division will be for one-off effects, the company new infrastructure units form the Customised Modules division either sold in its entirety or in forecasts a positive EBIT of future core business of the group... will comprise individualised parts by 2017. Alternatively, the EUR30m for the period, equating the Transportation division is no components including the firm’s company is willing to consider to a margin of 2%. Predicting longer defined as core business switch business, while Lifecycle entering into a partnership for steady growth, following the but will nevertheless initially Solutions will concentrate on the division, with Vossloh taking restructuring Vossloh anticipates remain as a fourth division.” track services and maintenance. a minority shareholding. this is to increase to 5-6%.

Portland Congressman UK tram-train pilot delayed… again calls for ‘new PCC’ Oregon Congressman Earl Further delays have been programmed. This is due to “Good progress is being made Blumenauer has called on the confirmed for the UK’s delays in the design of the works on other aspects of the project, US Government to support the GBP60m (EUR76m) tram-train required to adapt the heavy rail with vehicles being manufactured domestic streetcar industry by pilot between Sheffield and network to accommodate the and works to the tramway and backing the purchase of a large Rotherham, with the Spring 2016 Tram Train service. depot to accommodate Tram tranche of streetcars to support the wealth of projects currently opening now being put back and “Network Rail, who is Trains well underway.” under development in the US. no revised timetable as yet agreed. responsible for these works, is The scheme is the 2009 Speaking to The Washington A statement from South presently undertaking a detailed successor to a previously Post in late November, the pro-LRT Yorkshire Passenger Transport assessment of its delivery planned trial announced in congressman said that the US Executive and Network Rail programme, and the project 2008. Final approval for the Government is making the same claims design works for the partners are committed...to contract was agreed in June 2013, mistake as it made in the middle interface for the heavy rail mitigate the delay as far as possible. with initial hopes the scheme of the 20th Century in effectively system and the Sheffield “Some of the delay arises from would be running by 2015. gifting the market to large foreign Supertram network are behind the project’s relationship with Seven dual-voltage tram- manufacturers. “We would have two or three American light rail the delays, adding: “Tram other heavy rail investment trains are being delivered for the manufacturers in the United Train passenger services will programmes in order to project by Vossloh Rail Vehicles, States, rather than just Siemens commence later than the maximise efficiencies, such as capable of operating from both and Bombardier,” he said, referring Spring 2016 date originally signalling re-control. 25kV ac and 750V dc catenary. to the German and Canadian rail conglomerates. His proposal is for a giant order of 500 or 1000 streetcars of a been circulating over the future more standardised design, to give Nordhausen ‘Duo’ contract agreed localised US manufacturers the of Nordhausen’s tramway – chance to produce 50 or 100 each, A decade after the launch the operation began in 2004. For operated by Verkehrsbetriebe adding that cities would only get to of Germany’s ‘Nordhaüser the service, the Combino Duos Nordhausen (VBN) – against a choose the “colour and carpet.” Modell’, the contract for use a connecting line between background of difficult local The statements come at a operation of hybrid trams over the tracks of Nordhausen’s finances. The VBN network has time of political frustration in the non-electrified metals of tramway and the HSB, in the a length of 18km (11 miles). Congress’s delay in announcing the Harzer Schmalspurbahnen area of the latter’s Nordhausen Day-to-day services on the multi-year transportation bills, has been renewed. Nord station. While on the tramway are now handled with short-term extension after The new agreement for HSB, the Combino Duos use a completely by Combino short-term extension. “You don’t build world-class the metre-gauge Siemens diesel motor rather than power vehicles, the first of which infrastructure six months at a Combino Duo vehicles to run from overhead lines. arrived in the town in 2000. time,” Blumenauer said. “It drives between Nordhausen and Ilfeld Signing of the contract will > For more on the ‘Nordhausen me crazy.” Neanderklinik lasts until 2020; come as a relief as fears had Model’, see TAUT 908.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JANUARY 2015 / 7 News

Mott MacDonald strengthens LRT team Russian trams on display Mott MacDonald has strengthened its light rail team with the Bumper crop of new vehicles shown at Moscow’s ExpoCityTrans appointment of Clive Pennington as Principal Light Rail Engineer at its Altrincham office. ussian transport Pennington has over a decade’s exhibition experience in the UK light rail ExpoCityTrans was industry, previously holding the held at Moscow’s role of Head of Engineering at VDNKhR exhibition centre from Manchester Metrolink. Joining 29 October to 1 November, and British Rail in 1976, he moved to the light rail sector in 2002 was noteworthy for the number when he joined the operating of transit vehicles on display. company of Nottingham Tram as One tram that had already seen Engineering Manager. Following service on the streets of the five years in Nottingham, he joined capital was PESA-built Fokstrot Metrolink in 2007. 3505, the three-section 26.5m Keolis names new North 100% low-floor car with 120 American LRT Director being delivered, some to be The PKTS 71-931 prototype on display at the exhibition. I. Varmalov Multinational transport operator assembled by Uralvagonzavod Keolis has named Robert subsidiary Uraltransmash at car that has been on trial in recently delivered cars of this Hinchcliffe as Light Rail Transit Yekaterinburg as type 71-414. Moskva under fleet number type to Daugavpils in Latvia. Director for its North American From the same builder was the 0202 (TAUT 920). From the Ust Katav was noticeable by its operations, holding responsibility 71-410 (for an interview with the same company, but yet to turn absence, as was Alstom, which for developing and managing designer see page 22). UZTM also a wheel on tram rail was the might have brought its 71-801 LRT systems across the region, showed a virtual presentation of 71-931 prototype named Vityaz. Citadis demonstrator in off the including the GrandLinq in Ontario, as well as business its 71-405 high-floor 15.9m bogie This three-section 27m low-floor capital’s streets. development opportunities. tram, and 71-407, the same car tram on three bogies claims a There were no metro cars Hinchcliffe brings more than 24 but with a 39% low-floor centre minimum curve radius of 16m. on display, but Kryukovskiy years of experience in engineering section. Both are capable of It is due to be demonstrated on Zavod of Kremenchug, Ukraine, design, manufacture, project multiple-unit operation. the city tramway in Chelyabinsk. had a virtual presentation of management and business PK Transportnye Systemy It is a direct competitor for the modernised 81-7000 Soviet-era development for complex projects showed two trams: the 71-911 Ust Katav 71-631 from Russia’s cars with asynchronous motors around the world, previously Citystar, a low-floor 16.5m bogie most prolific tram builder, which in modern bogies. spending 18 years with rolling stock manufacturer CAF managing projects in Europe, Hong Kong and the US. Murcia consultation New study for San Francisco Central Subway A 2km (1.2-mile) tramway branch of Spain’s Murcia tramway is to Map courtesy of SFMTA be built from Plaza Circular south Caltrans has awarded nearly through the old city and across the USD82m towards the Muni river to the railway station. Central Subway LRT line in San Francisco. The 2.7km (1.7-mile) addition to Muni’s T Third Public support line will run from the Caltrain commuter rail depot at 4th and for Trafford line King Streets to Chinatown, and Public consultation for the 5.5km is anticipated to cater for 42 400 (3.4-mile) Trafford Park line passengers/day by 2030. (Manchester Metrolink, UK) saw Voters authorised the funding an 89% approval rate. Transport through Proposition 1B, a 2006 for Greater Manchester was to bond measure that ringfenced submit a Transport and Works USD19.9bn for over 1000 transit Act Order application before the projects across California. end of November; construction Meanwhile, a study released could start in 2016 with the line by the San Francisco Municipal open for passengers by 2020. Transportation Agency and the Plans are being formulated for San Francisco Transportation further extensions, particularly Authority has suggested that in view of the prospective extending the Central Subway devolution of transport powers to the north-eastern waterfront to a local mayor (TAUT 924). A could attract an extra 40 000 possibility appears to be a western passengers per day – and compete loop off the new Airport line to well for federal funding on initial serve Wythenshawe Hospital, a cost/benefit analyses. project that was dropped on cost The study suggests the project grounds in 2005. The possibility could cost anywhere between of a high-speed rail station in USD367m and USD1.4bn, the vicinity would increase the depending on how much sub- viability of a tram connection, surface alignment is required, to but the most recent HS2 report construct a North Beach station has indicated that a station to and extend the tracks from serve Manchester Airport may the new Chinatown station to be dropped from the proposals. Fisherman’s Wharf.

8 / JANUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Calgary

A C Train multiple-car service at the newest terminus of the Calgary LRT system’s Red line in August 2014. Calgary Transit

CALGARY: SUCCESS BREEDS AMBITION An early adopter of modern LRT, Calgary has created a system that has met every objective with near-constant expansion to become one of the world’s busiest – but it hasn’t rested on its laurels and has ambitious plans for the future. Vic Simons reports.

ordered by the Rocky Mountains for public transport. Light rail planning with a further extension to Brentwood three to the west and the mid-Canadian started in the middle of the decade, with years later. This was extended again in 2009, wheat state of Saskatchewan to construction of the first line beginning a further 2.2km (1.4 miles) to Crowfoot. the east, Alberta is Canada’s oil in 1978. The system was based on that in August 2014 saw the latest 2.5km powerhouse and has a population Frankfurt am Main in Germany and used (1.6-mile) extension opening to Tuscany; ofB 3.6 million. As the largest city in the similar Duewag U2 two-car units more a CAD123m (EUR87.5m) project constructed province, Calgary has a modern skyscraper- akin to metro rolling stock but with street- entirely on the highway median. The one dominated central core, albeit covering quite running, albeit segregated from other traffic. new station is the Tuscany terminus, reached a small area, and a population of around Calgary, along with Edmonton and the by a bridge across the highway and linked 1.1 million. Due to its location, the harsh US city of San Diego, working with Duewag to the station platform by lifts and stairs. It climate can mean very cold snowy winters (later absorbed into Siemens) adapted the is suggested that Calgary Transit took the and warm summers. Public transport is U2 for North American conditions although decision not to install escalators to save undertaken by the City of Calgary through its in effect it was the same vehicle modified to energy and operating cost. Otherwise the operating division, Calgary Transit. comply with local legislation. The city’s first station is up to the usual North American Streetcars first came to the city in 1909, second-generation LRT line, known as LRT standards with timetables, ticket the network growing gradually into an C Train, opened to the public in May machines and a heated waiting area to cater extensive and well-used system that reached 1981. The 10.9km (6.8-mile) line ran from for the extreme winter climate. Local bus its peak during the 1930s. Whilst motor Anderson Road in the south to 7th Avenue routes were recast to feed into light rail. appeared in 1932, their operation was South West in downtown Calgary. Between 2001 and 2004 the south line limited to areas where there was no streetcar Following five years of steadily growing was extended a further 5.4km (3.4 miles) and it wasn’t until the 1940s that both the patronage, the system began a regular yet to the present terminus at Somerset – trolleybus and motor bus began to take over. sustained programme of major expansion Bridlewood. The north-east branch line had By 1950 the transition was complete and the that has lasted almost three decades. not been ignored however, with extensions streetcars disappeared from the city’s streets, In 1986 the 9.8km (6.1-mile) north-eastern through McKnight (2.9km/1.8 miles in 2007) the last one running that year. branch opened, running from 7th Avenue to Saddletowne (2012), 2.9km north east. Trolleybuses held on until the early 1970s to Whitehorn and taking light rail across The 8.2km (5.3-mile) western leg was when the fleet became 100% motor bus, the Bow River. The north-western leg was inaugurated in 2012 and takes the system however it was quickly realised that these inaugurated two years later, linking out to 69th Street; the CND1.4bn (EUR1bn) could not cope alone with the rising demand 7th Avenue with the University of Calgary, project adding six new stations. The high

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JANUARY 2015 / 9 Calgary

cost of this western leg was due to major 8th Street and City Hall stations with this part with Calgary Transit every few hours as the infrastructure works that include a large of 7th Avenue becoming a transit mall for use floodwaters wreaked havoc across the city. overbridge and an underground section. by light rail, buses and emergency vehicles. The seemingly relentless waters caused The 69th Street terminal is in a cutting with The long-term vision is for the Red line to massive damage, flooding parts of the escalator and lift connections at both ends be operated through the proposed 8th Street 7th Avenue Mall as well as two tunnels on the of the island platform to exit and link with subway as described below. southern leg of the Red line near the Calgary recast bus services. There are plans in place Passenger volumes on the C Train have Stampede fairgrounds. Significant damage to extend the line further west to 84th Street. increased by 50% in the last decade alone, was caused to both the track and signalling, This extension, whilst being on the drawing making it one of the busiest LRT systems in and with the imminent onset of the annual board, is considered to be beyond the current the world and carrying more than 300 000 Stampede – one of the biggest events in the 30-year planning horizon, although the right passengers each day. city each year, drawing an attendance of of way is being preserved. around a million visitors – a race against time The system now has two distinct lines 2013 floods was on to repair the system for the massive totalling an impressive 53km (33 miles). The devastating floods of June 2013 – the influx of visitors. The Blue line runs from 69th Street to worst in Alberta’s history with estimated In addition to the track damage, power Saddletowne (Route 202), and the Red line clean-up costs of CAD3-5bn (EUR2.1-3.5bn) supplies were cut and signalling badly from Tuscany to Somerset Bridlewood across the province – had a major impact affected. The Victoria Park bus facility was (Route 201). Both lines share track on on the system. TAUT reported extensively also underwater, with vehicles moved to 2.5km (1.5 miles) of 7th Avenue between on the floods at the time, having contact temporary storage. Other buses were jacked up to levels above the floodwater to minimise damage. Although people were advised not to travel, light rail operations were admirably maintained to an extent with services split into four sections, each finishing outside the city centre. Due to the power outage LRT vehicles were towed or pushed along 7th Street as required, with buses almost continuously re-routed during the emergency. Within two weeks the tracks had been repaired and light rail services resumed; a terrific achievement as it required the pumping of 25 million litres of water from the tunnels and the complete replacement of 100m of track after the track buckled and the trackbed was washed away when the River Elbow burst its banks. The cost of the “The seemingly relentless waters caused massive damage… and with the imminent onset of the annual Stampede, a race against time was on to repair the system.”

C Train 2230 – part of the original order of Siemens SD160 cars – at 69th Street, the western terminus of the Blue line that opened in 2012.

The Downtown Transit Mall on a quiet Sunday afternoon; the central city area is a fare-free zone with services every five minutes during peak hours.

All images by Vic Simons unless otherwise stated.

10 / JANUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Alberta saw some of the heaviest rainfall in its history throughout late June and early July 2013; this is the city’s 7th Avenue swamped by ever-rising floodwaters on 21 June. Stranded LRVs would later have to be towed with road-rail vehicles. City of Calgary damage to the C Train was estimated then at CAD11.7m (EUR8.3m). When talking to TAUT, Doug Morgan, Calgary Transit’s Director, was full of praise and pride for the team effort to restore services in time for the start of the Stampede; LRT is a key component for moving visitors with many extra trains provided.

Calgary today Running largely at grade, but separated from other traffic, there are regular street crossings in the downtown area. Once out of the city centre there is greater segregation with extensive use being made of under and overbridges, thus avoiding traffic conflicts. Where there are crossings outside the city centre, LRT vehicles have full signal pre-emption that reduces running times significantly. The Downtown Mall is a fare-free zone, and apart from City Hall all the remaining stations in the mall serve services in one direction only, alternating between Floodwater filled the 25th Avenue – Cemetery Hill tunnel in June 2013; around five million litres of water had directions. With such short distances to be drained before the tunnel could reopen. J. Tworrow Courtesy of Calgary Transit Calgary of Courtesy

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JANUARY 2015 / 11 Calgary

between stations, usually one city block, interchange to trains going in the opposite Saddletowne bus/rail interchange at the eastern end of the Blue line direction is simple as most stations take up showing the system’s original almost the whole length of a single city U2 rolling stock, due for block. There are crossings at each end of replacement before 2020. the platform. As one of the original North American second-generation networks, C Train is a high-platform system with ramps at all stations to allow disabled boarding and offering end-to-end running times (off-peak) of 55 minutes for Route 201 and 44 minutes for route 202, with a ten-minute off-peak service provided on Mondays to Fridays. This is doubled during peak times and extended to 15 minutes on weekends and holidays. Where platform lengths allow, four-car trains are operated during the peaks. There is a platform lengthening programme underway to allow four-car trains to operate to all stations to cope with passenger growth, although the current norm is still three-car trains at peak times and two-car trains at other times. There is an enhanced service provided for special events. “Calgary Transit’s goal is to create a strong choice for the public, with the aim of running four-car trains and operating a ten-minute headway on all routes 16 hours a day, seven days a week.”

In common with most North American systems, the honour system of fare collection is used with tickets purchased in advance from machines on all station platforms. The machines only accept the exact fare and do not give change, although tickets can also be purchased online, printed at home and validated at the station before boarding. There are regular ticket checks with vigorously enforced spot fines of CAD250 (EUR180) for fare evaders; taking such a strong approach Calgary Transit estimates that fare evasion is around 2%. As of November 2014 the base fare was CAD3 (EUR2) with reduced fares for riders aged 17 and under; children under five travel free. There is a CAD9 (EUR6) day pass. Senior residents of Calgary are eligible for an annual discounted pass, but there are no such discounts on single tickets or day passes. City visitors aged 18 and over pay the full fare, regardless of age. Doug Morgan explained that Calgary Transit’s goal is to create a strong choice for the public, with the aim of running four-car trains and operating a ten-minute headway ABOVE and RIGHT: C Train 2338, of the latest on all routes 16 hours a day, seven days Siemens SD160NG delivery a week. He believes that up to 50% of all at Crowfoot on 22 June 2014, commuters to downtown Calgary use transit. and with the redesigned This is borne out by recent action taken by interior. the City of Calgary to limit the amount of car parking in the city centre, thus making such parking prohibitively expensive. His second aim was to take advantage of the 80% take-up of monthly passes by putting in place a fully electronic fare payment system that accepts credit cards; this, he says, could be achieved within five to seven years.

The C Train fleet There are three vehicle types operating in 2014. The oldest are the original 82 high-floor

12 / JANUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Courtesy of Calgary Transit Calgary of Courtesy

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JANUARY 2015 / 13 Calgary

DC units based on the Frankfurt U2 model, two of which have been converted to AC operation. These double-ended articulated LRVs are 24.4m long and 2.65m wide with four double doors on each side and were delivered for the 1981 opening. Each unit seats 64 with a further 136 standing. As these cars are due for replacement in the next five years or so, they have not undergone a complete refurbishment programme. A further 72 Siemens high-floor SD160 vehicles were delivered between 2001 and 2007. Slightly longer at 24.8m, these double-ended articulated cars are an evolution of the U2 with a slightly larger driver’s cab and other modern refinements, although keeping the configuration of four doors on each side. Seating is slightly less at 60 with up to 140 standing. The latest vehicles delivered between 2010 and 2012 are 38 modified SD160s known as SD160NG. Similar in size to the first batch ofSD160 cars, they feature a ABOVE: Calgary’s S200 LRVs will start arriving in 2015, and feature energy-saving innovations such as lighter more streamlined cab end design. Capacity weight propulsion systems and LED lighting that uses up to 40% less energy than fluorescent tubes. Siemens has been increased to 226 in total but with provision for only 56 seats in longitudinal BELOW: Three-unit U2 train leaving Saddletowne for 69th Street with car 2067 bringing up the rear. configuration. Power is supplied to all trains at 600V dc using overhead current collection by means of pantographs. An order for 60 new vehicles was placed in late 2013 with Siemens at a total contract value of more than CAD190m (EUR135m). A further evolution of the well-proven technology in service in Calgary for over three decades, the new cars will be built at the manufacturer’s facility in Sacramento, California, and are planned for delivery starting in 2015 with completion the following year. Innovations include more efficient climate- adjusted systems such as coupler heaters to more effectively deal with the ice and snow seen in Albertan winters, electrically-heated cab windows, and triple-pane side windows with low solar transmittance and improved insulation. Placed together these are claimed The North Central route is rather more to cut thermal losses by more than 20%, nebulous. The final alignment is yet to be resulting in reduced power consumption. agreed and there are no costs or timescales, Passenger capacity is back up to 245, with only aspirations. The current plan is for LRT 60 seated. to leave Downtown via Centre Street and route from north central Calgary to the run to North Pointe where there may be an Expansion plans south-east. At the same time the Red line airport link. Calgary Transit is planning the There are various expansion ambitions will also be put into the subway. project to be convertible from BRT to LRT if for the C Train service, altough a lack of As the northern alignment is not yet BRT needs to be built in the interim. confirmed funding makes such plans finalised, Calgary Transit is concentrating on The other planned extensions are those to unlikely to come to fruition in the near an interim solution for the 26km (16-mile) 84th Street on the West line, and a two-station future. Calgary Transit is now planning to south-eastern portion; the first segment will extension of the South line to 210 Avenue proceed with the proposed extensions as be a busway from 4th Street to Douglas Glen. South; there are no costs or timescales for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), but designed in a Estimated to cost CAD667m (EUR473m), latter. The final extension on the drawing manner to enable easy conversion to LRT the plan is for a dedicated alignment beyond board is for a north-eastern extension as finance becomes available. the downtown area which can easily be from Saddletowne a further 7.5km Known as the Green line, some of converted to LRT. The second stage will (4.7 miles) to Stoney. these plans are ambitious with brand be conversion to LRT, and will include the new alignments to the north and to the tunnel under 8th Street as far as the proposed Grateful acknowledgement is given to Doug south-east. In addition, as part of the planned Eau Claire station. In the other direction Morgan and Ron Collins of Calgary Transit for extension of the northern portion of the it will take LRT south-east to Quarry Park, their assistance in the preparation of this article. Green line, there would be a link to Calgary costing an estimated CAD1.05bn (EUR745m). International Airport. The Green line is The final stage will be the south-eastern being planned to use low platforms and extension to Seton at an estimated cost RESOURCES low-floor LRVs; as such it will require a of CAD940m (EUR667m). In total 15 new completely new fleet. stations are planned south of the 8th Street www.calgarytransit.com is very The long-term goal for the Green line is tunnel, the outer ten from South Hill to comprehensive, including plentiful to run through the city centre by means of Seton having large park-and-ride facilities. background information. www.visitcalgary. th com is the main tourist information site, a subway under 8 Avenue before turning Although there are no formal timescales, alternatively, www.travelalberta.com covers onto the north central alignment to the a start on initial utility relocation has the whole province. International Airport, forming a through been made.

14 / JANUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Tramcar development TRAM DESIGN: ISSUES AND CONSTRAINTS All images by Neil Pulling Neil by All images

ABOVE: Lisbon’s tramway is effectively two systems: extreme slopes, curves and clearances where only the Scott McIntosh considers four-wheelers can go (seen here near the castle on Rua de São Tomé), and the low-level riverside line. the technical evolution of the modern tramcar, and “The ‘German Concept’ has been followed in many asks: Is the perfect 100% countries, to the extent that the articulated tram has low-floor vehicle even become the default option for most tramways.” technically possible for hearted experiments, additional passenger operators in Germany and abroad to an acceptable cost? accommodation was loaded on the roof to replace old pre-war models. A number of produce the typical British double-deck car. other designs were produced, including he electric tramcar has been Some remarkably sophisticated cars were the Esslingen GT4 and the Hansawagen for with us for about 125 years now, produced in the 1930s, but again economic Bremen, nor should the Tatra KT4 – developed and in most areas of tramway and political developments effectively killed mainly for the East German market – be operation development has the tramway industry around the time of the forgotten, but these other variations sold in proceeded with a number of Second World War. smaller numbers than the classic Düwag car. significantT step-changes in fundamental ‘Low floor’ trams were developed to design over those years. The German Concept provide easier access for passengers, Starting with the simple four-wheel car, It is only in the nations of Mitteleuropa, particularly those with disabilities or often coupled in trains with trailers, the next particularly Germany, that all stages of encumbered with baby carriages or luggage. generation saw development of the bogie car, tram development can be followed. The four- Initial schemes had cars with low-floor followed by the articulated car and culminating wheel motorcar and trailer had a remarkably sections, but in the 1990s the German firm (so far) with the ‘low-floor’ car. The US followed long career here, stretching from the dawn MAN produced what was claimed to be the the first part of the pattern, going from Frank of the industry to the KSW and Verbandstyp first ‘100% low-floor tram’. Since that Sprague’s ‘infant sparkers’ to the sophistication cars of the 1940s and early 1950s. The date all car builders have sought to produce of the PCC car in around 50 years before development of the Grossraumwagen allowed low-floor cars, with many amazing economic and political developments killed Germany to move on to the more economic engineering contrivances introduced the US street railway industry. and comfortable bogie car, and this was in an attempt to meet the marketing brief. In the UK things followed a typically followed in 1956 by the production by the The ‘German Concept’ has been followed idiosyncratic pattern. The trailer was not Düsseldorfer Waggonfabrik (Düwag) of large in many countries, to the extent that the favoured, and after some initial rather half- numbers of articulated tramcars for articulated tram has become the default

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JANUARY 2015 / 15 Tramcar development

ABOVE LEFT: Lille 09 at Buisson on 21 February 2011, showing the section behind the driver’s cab that accommodates much of the equipment usually found on the roof of a low-floor car.

BELOW LEFT: Removable panels not only make for a stylish addition to the Strasbourg Eurotram design, but also have a practical application in protecting sensitive roof-mounted equipment from the elements and everyday dirt and grime.

The savings in car and track wear, energy consumption and environmental impact should go a long way towards generation of a positive benefit. What is required is a carefully conducted and monitored research exercise to quantify costs and benefits.

Low floors = Level boarding If the adoption of large articulated cars caused problems then the adoption of low floors has arguably created even bigger ones. There can be no doubt that level boarding is a huge benefit to all users of public transport; accidents whilst boarding and alighting vehicles with steps have always been a significant element in public transport risks – eliminate the steps and the risk diminishes significantly. Level boarding can reduce stop dwell time, thus improving commercial speeds without raising vehicle speed limits, and level boarding benefits a significant proportion of passengers, not simply those perceived as disabled. However these benefits bring with them a number of problems that need to be considered. A high-floor tramcar has significant space below the floor for the location of equipment boxes; reducing the space and equipment that has to be relocated either in cabinets within the car or on the roof. Cabinets within the car will reduce space for fare-paying passengers, although there can be significant advantages in weatherproofing and maintenance access if complex machinery option for most tramways and is adopted of the day are running only part-full. is located within the clean environment unthinkingly by the promoters and advisors This last issue can make the tram less offered by the car’s weather enclosure. If the for most new tramway projects. But is it environmentally-friendly and lead to equipment enclosures are well thought out, the best option? Some examination of the risks of onboard anti-social behaviour. as is the case of the AnsaldoBreda cars used economic situation in Germany in the Indeed, some cities have provided internal in Lille, then the benefits can mitigate the 1950s and 1960s can explain why it seemed gates in their articulated cars allowing them theoretical disadvantages. appropriate there and at that time, but can to lock off unrequired parts of the car at Locating equipment on the roof brings raise questions as to its validity in other night and concentrating the passengers many problems; the car’s structure has to be places and at other times. closer to the operator. made stronger to support the weight, adding German regulations required that coupled It is arguable that these problems could be to the overall mass. The raised centre of trains of trams should have a Schaffner avoided by the use of coupled sets of simpler gravity will also increase the car’s tendency (conductor) on each individual car; thus a bogie cars; modern technology can provide a to roll – if the car is to be kept within a tight three-car set would have a crew of one driver data-bus linked through all cars in the train, kinematic envelope this will mean that the and three conductors. In a period of rapid allowing the operator to monitor CCTV in suspension has to be stiffened, resulting in a economic growth and manpower shortages it all parts of the train and to operate two-way harsher ride for the passengers. Maintaining became difficult and uneconomic to recruit communication with passengers. Objections equipment located on the roof is no less staff. Replacing a three-car train with a single might be raised that passengers cannot move convenient and requires elaborate gantries articulated car reduced staff to two – driver throughout the train, thus evening out and increased headroom in depots – all adding and conductor; later only the operator who loads, but there seems to be little statistical significantly to the cost of the infrastructure. combined driving with limited conducting. evidence to show that passengers move any There is also the problem of accumulated Only in this constant improvement in the distance from the door at which they board dirt on the roof. Maintainers are often faced staff/passenger ratio did the tram continue a vehicle to spread themselves about. In fact, with an unsavoury mix of traffic dirt, blown to demonstrate superior economics to observation seems to show that passengers litter, drink cans, dead birds, bird droppings the bus, while the modernised fleets and seek to embark at the door thought most and moisture on the roof – making difficult infrastructure encouraged patronage despite convenient for them and are very reluctant maintenance more unpleasant than it needs an increase in car ownership. to ‘move right down the car’. to be. Attempting to recruit and retain 21st System operators will tell stories of the Century technicians in these conditions Challenges and issues complexities of making and breaking trains can become a problem. The problem can be The downsides of large articulated cars throughout the day, but modern automatic mitigated by the use of roof cover panels as were overlooked in this development; couplers and sensible scheduling to ensure used in the Eurotram class cars in Strasbourg, they are more complex to build, can make that trains pass depots or parking sidings but these can be cumbersome and bring infrastructure more complex and for much should ensure that this can be managed. maintenance problems of their own.

16 / JANUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org This Cottbus Tatra KT4D dates from 1981 and shows the later low-floor centre Nürnberg 1007 is a 1995 GT6N variant of the original low-floor tram design, section additions – nearly 2000 such cars were delivered to East Germany, Russia initially developed by MAN – still providing reliable service on Wodanstrasse and the former Yugoslavia over a 20-year period beginning in 1977. on 17 April 2013.

Going round the bend the effect of halving the jolt transmitted ride have been made by manufacturers, The sharpness of tramway curves has a major by railhead misalignments and the bolster but the inevitable problem is that stresses effect on design, by limiting the maximum mitigates horizontal jerks – allowing the car are consequently passed to the track – wheelbase achievable for both four-wheeled to feel as though it is floating. The bogies can leading to increased wear – or are passed and bogie tramcars. The longer the also swivel to a large extent, allowing the to the body sections, leading to the well- wheelbase, the more likely a tram is to derail car to negotiate tight bends – indeed some publicised structural failures experienced when rounding a sharp curve. However, the of the older systems have bends as tight as with first-generationCombinos . shorter the wheelbase, the more likely that 11m. Whilst such bends bring noise and Inevitably, low floor trams with fixed the tram is to ‘hunt’ or yaw from side to side – wear problems and should be limited in the bogies experience increased track wear sometimes this oscillation mode can be quite planning of new tramways, the modern and tear, while decreasing the speed at violent on four-wheeled tramcars. convention that bends should be no tighter which a tram can drive through a curve It is notable that the history of tramcar than 25m can bring huge problems when (usually 4-15km/h in 20m radius curve).1 development is littered with attempts to attempting to insert commercially attractive Some public transport authorities report overcome this problem with the radial axle tramway routeings into established cities. that low-floor trams have 15% higher truck and individual, self-steering wheels Lowering the bodies around the wheelsets maintenance costs for the rolling stock, being tried. These experiments have means that a conventional bogie is often and 20% higher maintenance costs for always ended in failure and it is interesting impossible to achieve. In some respects the the infrastructure on average.2 to see that the idea reappears about every advent of modern low-floor trams is a step It would appear that the current attempts 20-30 years – presumably when the previous back to four-wheeled tramcar designs, due to to achieve a 100% low-floor car lead to generation of engineers and operators scarred the design constraining the isolation of the numerous problems, resulting in a service by the experience have retired. body from the movement of the wheelsets. offering to the public that is less comfortable Attempting to achieve a low floor usually The leading body unit of both of these to ride and an operating regime that is less means that conventional bogies cannot be tramcar designs has a marked tendency to economically attractive than the previous used. The conventional bogie, particularly hunt at higher speeds, and the ride quality generation of cars. Finding solutions to one with a floating bolster, can significantly is quite harsh in comparison to older bogie these problems will be the challenge of improve ride characteristics. The bogie has tramcar designs. Attempts to dampen the the next decade.

LEFT: Tight curves – such as this extreme example in Gent’s Groentenmarkt – are the enemy of modern tramway design, placing additional stresses on vehicle design and infrastructure alike.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Scott McIntosh first saw trams when he was four years old, starting a lifetime’s interest – for the last 30 years tramways have formed his career. Starting on Docklands Light Railway he later took London Tramlink from inception to tendering, later leading the CrossRiver Tram project. He has just completed 12 years’ employment with international consultants Mott MacDonald, working on most UK tramway projects and on overseas schemes from Ontario to St Petersburg and Perth. He has also worked on advisory committees of PTEG, UITP and APTA.

1 vide Capek and Kollar, Optimal Design Of Low-Floor Tram – www.railway2007.fd.cvut.cz/ proceedings/Capek+Kolar.pdf

2 Vide Siefer (March 2010). Abschlussbericht - Entwicklung des Stadtbahnnetzes Hannover - Studie zum Einsatz von Niederflurfahrzeugen – www.gruene-hannover.de/uploads/abschlussbericht_ stadtbahn_hannover_2010_03_04.pdf

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JANUARY 2015 / 17 RCP Design Global MULTI-SENSORY TRANSPORT

The futuristic design for has a mirror-finish outer skin to reflect the outside world and the different districts as it passes through the city. Léonard de Serres

RCP Design Global founder Régine Charvet Pello shares her views on how good public transport should move the maximum amount of people possible – both physically and emotionally.

What are the key trends you are In the French approach, the tram is not Q seeing in the design briefs from “Even the most radical A just a means of transportation, but also a clients in terms of vehicle design tool to develop and enhance the city; it serves – what particular functions and designs are possible if the city’s urban planning requirements, innovations are you being asked to they are in-line with the economic development, and even its incorporate into your designs? international influence. The design briefs we are seeing are identity of the city they A currently focused on vehicles capable Where do you draw inspiration of very high passenger capacity and offering wish to convey.” Q from and how closely do you look an optimised maintenance cost. The main at design in other industries – and innovations we are seeing are mainly how does this inform your design? related to the integration of new How collaborative a process For each project we conduct detailed information systems. Q is it working with both engineers A research on the contexts where the and passenger groups – and what are tram will run, the identity of the place, the Are the cities and manufacturers some of the more challenging culture, and we observe the ridership Q you work with fairly open to constraints that these place patterns. This information (identity, more radical designs – how flexible a upon design? ethnographic and iconographic material) design brief are you given? It is important to make engineers specifically nourishes our design. The design is a vector of differentiation; A collaborate with groups of passengers In parallel with this, our team is constantly A even the most radical designs are to enable them to better understand and developing a creative watch in all kinds of possible if they are in-line with the identity identify the real needs of users, particularly sectors, including fashion and art. This is an of the city they wish to convey. for people with reduced mobility. essential approach to identify the key societal Providing an appropriate management changes and provide responses that are in What areas of innovation of the collaborative process, the solutions phase with the passenger. Q excite you? developed are the most relevant ones. For our agency, the forthcoming With your celebrated design A innovations that are most interesting Much has been made of the ‘école Q of the tramway in Tours, are those that focus on the passenger Q française du tram’ – what do you you cleverly used lighting, sound experience. This requires a multi-sensory think makes France unique in its and more tactile finishes – is this approach and the analysis and understanding approach to integrating trams with something you think will be of passenger use. the ‘soul of a city’? incorporated more into rail

18 / JANUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org vehicle design? And how far can this be taken? The trend is to provide a positive A experience to passengers. As long as the multi-sensory approach also provides solutions to energy-saving issues and the ease of vehicle maintenance – without incurring any major cost escalation – we believe that it will be increasingly taken into account as passengers are more demanding of their transport. The design of a railway vehicle is neither an art nor a science, but rather the result of a collaboration between the contracting authority and qualified persons, open to other viewpoints and possible options.

If you had a clean sheet of Q paper to design a tram or metro car for London or , what would it look like and what features would it incorporate? While transporting the maximum A number of people, it should provide a smooth and relaxed journey, and one that is ABOVE AND BELOW: The interior of the Tours Citadis shows the unusual seating arrangement that daily renewed to provide passengers with the encourages passengers to interact. reinvented pleasure of public transport. The ideal is an ‘invisible’ rolling stock to leave room for the very essence of mobility and passengers.

Which other industrial Q designers and designs do you admire, and why? When you are working in the area of A mobility, you cannot miss out on the heritage of the great French designer of the high-speed train (TGV), Roger Tallon. I admire him.

“In the French approach, the tram is not just a means of transportation, but also a tool to develop and enhance the city.”

RCP Design Global was one of a select group of agencies invited RCP DESIGN GLOBAL to come up with a concept for the Riyadh Metro, as this radical design Régine Charvet Pello is shows – very much reflecting the the founder of RCP Design culture and aesthetic of the region. Global, one of France’s leading independent design agencies – and a pioneer of the multi-sensory design school. Born in Algeris, following the completion of her studies at École Boulle in Paris, Charvet Pello founded RCP Design Global in the French city of Tours in 1986. Over the last 28 years the agency has created some of the most iconic tramway designs, both in France and internationally. These include trams for Paris T3, , Angers, Algiers, Oran, Constantine and her home city of Tours, the Paris Metro and the Rhônexpress – Saint-Exupéry Airport shuttle. Recently RCP Design Global teamed up with SYSTRA to design the new metro of Greater Paris, while other transport design commissions include work for French national rail operator SNCF and major bus companies.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JANUARY 2015 / 19 The technical view

Mott MacDonald’s LRT rolling stock TECHNOLOGY, experts look at some of the technical and operational RELIABILITY constraints facing promoters, operators, suppliers and the AND RESILIENCE industry at large.

On the key trends for modern LRT vehicle design… Clive Pennington: “Each promoter will MARK TERRY CLIVE PENNINGTON wish to distinguish their vehicles from Technical Director, Principal LRT Engineer, similar fleets by either livery or cab front Mott MacDonald Mott MacDonald styling, and manufacturers have become Mark is a Chartered Clive is experienced adept at addressing this need. Undoubtedly Engineer with over in rolling stock and this will continue, but it is becoming more 35 years’ experience infrastructure maintenance. cost-effective with the use of vinyl finishes, in both the light and Prior to joining Mott heavy rail industries, MacDonald he was Head of regardless of fleet size. and is recognised for Engineering at Manchester “Communications and the provision of his overall knowledge Metrolink for seven years, passenger information are key, particularly and understanding preceded by five years as when you consider that even humble bus of technical, management, maintenance, Engineering Manager of Nottingham Tram. He stops are now equipped with passenger procurement and operational aspects of is a Chartered Electrical Engineer and Associate information displays (PIDs), providing up- rolling stock. Member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. to-the-minute data. Not so long ago the bus stop was a sign with possibly a shelter. During a recent visit to Brighton I noticed that the Mark Terry: “Promoters and operators are successful system. This is particularly local bus service was offering free wi-fi. Many becoming more aware of the issues relating important as tram systems develop into bus companies and tram systems are doing to the performance and maintenance true networks of interconnecting lines the same, such as in Edinburgh, or starting costs associated with low-floor bogie/ where the impact of any failure, be it tram or to install it, such as Manchester Metrolink. wheel technologies. Experience is proving infrastructure, is felt much sooner and It is not too much of a step to see trams being that there is now a preference to lean by more people. delivered with this as standard. towards conventional axle wheelsets over “The tram is a key component of the “Similarly, live information utilising tram independent wheels; especially for older system and having ever more reliable management systems may also be an option, systems that have track that is less forgiving trams, and infrastructure, is an essential particularly where networks containing to some low-floor tram designs. requirement on which to offer a good service. modal interchanges are considered. To this “This pressure, along with the need for new Anything less and the alternative is the can be added the use of live media and the opportunities in the supply of vehicles, has employment of a customer services team advertising opportunities that this presents. resulted in them looking at existing/older busily occupied apologising! “The tram must be considered, and rightly systems. Consequently, several manufacturers “The trams are an expensive component so in my view, as an integral part of the LRT now offer revised designs that include of any scheme and operators will wish system, particularly where interfaces are conventional axles, whilst still providing the to maximise the utilisation of this asset. concerned – which is particularly important popular step-less low-floor experience.” Currently tram maintenance is carried out at for ongoing maintenance. With 100% low- around 20 000km (12 000-mile) intervals; a floor trams and their bogie/wheel design, track On maintenance… challenge for manufacturers is the practicality maintenance will take on a greater significance CP: “Reliability is a key operator deliverable to increase this periodicity, possibly resulting if ride quality is to be maintained.” and a key customer requirement of any in fewer trams being required.

ABOVE: Simulators and part-task trainers such as Tram-Pro offer benefits for system planners, modellers, operators and drivers. Tram-Pro

LEFT: Edinburgh’s low-floor CAF trams are pioneers of free wi-fi provision in the UK, but more operators are recognising that passenger wi-fi and 3G are a necessity and not a luxury. D. Stirling

20 / JANUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Trams that run without overhead power supply are definitely the vogue for new-build European systems, such as the stylishCitadis supplied to the French city of Reims. However wider adoption depends on initial cost-reduction and ease of maintenance. Neil Pulling “Given the progress in technology, “Whilst currently expensive and more “Whilst there has been much talk about electronic systems will likely become difficult to implement on existing schemes, reducing the cost of construction of street obsolete before the predicted 25-30 year energy-saving technologies will increasingly track – justified on the grounds that it lifespan of the vehicle; often owing to be incorporated into system design as the should be a level playing field when reasons beyond the manufacturers’ control. cost and weight of the technology reduces, comparing a tram to other road vehicles Having systems that can be readily upgraded and energy costs continue to increase. i.e. the requirements for the tram should to avoid costly and early replacement is These will be need to be considered as part be no greater than a 45-tonne truck – important to system owners if the predicted of the whole-life costs and not just as an there has been relatively little movement. life is to be realised. Not unreasonably, they add-on to an existing scheme. This, together with utilities diversions, will want vehicles that will last. “Wire-free operation is now effectively keep tram construction costs “Yet even with a typically 30-year vehicle proven and must be a serious consideration, disproportionately high. life, manufacturers must offer a flexible particularly in areas where low impact is “Whilst not directly part of the vehicle, platform by which an operator can refresh required and to ease issues such as EMC.” the application of computer-based driver the vehicle at half-life to allow not just a training such as the system used in replacement of worn finishes but one that MT: “Promoters are under considerable Manchester dramatically cuts driver training delivers a vehicle with a refreshed and pressure to be seen to be more time for both new drivers and existing, updated look.” environmentally-conscious, which includes be it for minor changes or extensions. looking at catenary-free solutions, noting This can bring additional benefits such as On the 100% low-floor debate… that one of the key benefits is the reduction/ system modelling and the demonstration of CP: “Manufacturers appear polarised on removal of Overhead Line Equipment. schemes, and the analysis of alignment to 100% high or 100% low-floor vehicles. One of the challenges for the industry is to give just a few examples. These simulations Does this mean that the 30/70% split is look at ways of making OCS-free systems can be efficiently produced owing to the now no longer an option for future builds? cost-effective, as lifecycle costs are still increased use of computer modelling at the “However, vehicle width is very much considered too high to get these systems design stage and early involvement.” driven by the geography of the system, up and going. with width being determined by factors “The automotive industry is under On inspiration from other industries… such as the urban infrastructure, and pressure to provide and increase the number MT: “The automotive industry is one area that manufacturers will need to continue to of hybrid technology vehicles, so hopefully crosses over with LRT, the best example being provide varying width options, despite the cost benefits for energy storage will ‘hybrid’ technology. Development here will 2.65m being seen as standard.” ultimately be felt by the LRT industry as hopefully bring the costs down for this type economies of scale will swing the balance of technology, resulting in promoters being On technical innovation… in favour of this technology.” able to justify the costs for its introduction.” CP: “Energy-saving technologies such as supercapacitors have been much lauded but CP: “Cities, for example in the UK, keen to On changing demands and have yet to make a real impact. The same is develop a tram system all too often look ‘over constraints… true for infrastructure-based options. the fence’ to see systems such as Nottingham CP: “Some constraints it could be argued will The adoption of such technology is or Manchester, and like what they see but are not change, such as the available alignment not currently incentivised by existing concerned they can’t afford or justify the cost. dictating vehicle dimensions, while some franchise models where you have a private “If more systems are to be developed, may get more challenging – in some cases sector operator, owing to a separation of particularly in smaller conurbations, a ‘lighter’ this is entirely justified, for example vehicle construction and operating (energy) costs alternative is needed, perhaps following the accessibility. It’s no doubt that the demands between a promoter and a private sector Portland Streetcar example, to reduce the cost for improved energy efficiency, aided by operator. This will become increasingly of the vehicles, infrastructure and the overall reduced weight and new technologies, will important as energy costs and sustainability scheme. Manufacturers have an important continue if tramways are to become even take on an ever-increasing focus. part to play to make this a reality. more sustainable.”

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JANUARY 2015 / 21 Uraltransmash R1 INSIDE THE ‘BAT-TRAM’ The Uraltransmash R1 caused a stir upon its unveiling in mid-2014, with radical design and technological cues that have raised the profile of Russian tram manufacture. Lead designer Alexey Maslov talks exclusively to TAUT.

It’s easy to see why the radical R1 design took the internet by storm back in July 2014.

s soon as the Uraltransmash develop the project was made in autumn, and and a part of the architectural shape of the R1 was revealed at the the project was prepared for a specific date: city at the same time, changing stereotypes Innoprom-2014 technical 9 July, 2014 – the opening of Innoprom. and attitudes.” exhibition in the Russian city “In the last two months we had to work And unlike many concept vehicles shown of Yekaterinburg in July, the for 16 hours a day, seven days a week, at trade fairs each year that never make TAUTA phone lines starting ringing. Within encountering various difficulties. However, production, or end up as watered down days it was covered by the railway media and with considerable effort we’ve managed to versions, Maslov is confident that theR1 is more mainstream websites, with plaudits complete the project in the appointed time.” close to the vehicles that it is anticipated will from some of the world’s leading industrial Explaining the R1’s dramatic styling, be supplied to Yekaterinburg in 2015: “Work designers claiming it sets a ‘new standard for Maslov continued: “This is a new class of a on the prototype has already started… we are Russian design’. vehicle. One of the main objectives was to supervising all stages to minimise differences While some focused on the high levels of change attitudes towards public transport; between the prototype and serial production passenger comfort – luxurious seating, USB we wanted to turn the tram into a recreation vehicles – changes will be minimal and no 3.0 charging points – and some praised the area to make every resident’s journey from more than 20%. operator innovation – HD CCTV cameras, home to work and back as comfortable as “Due to the standardised modules you can antibacterial handrails and lithium ion possible. We analysed the most current reach in any cabin configuration, this version batteries that claimed journeys of 50km (30 developments and market leaders and is designed for 28 seats but between 190-270 miles) of operation away from the overhead, realised that in terms of design and quality of passengers. The modular design of the body most comments were on the radical design. engineering, we should be at the top. allows you to change the configuration Called an ‘iPhone on Rails’ by some, and “Comparison with the iPhone is purely depending on the requirements of a the ‘Bat-Tram’ by others, designer Alexey surface-deep – both have a flat black glassy particular city or characteristics of a route. Maslov sees the R1 as heralding a new, design. Inspiration was drawn from a “One of the main features is a cabin international future for Russian rolling metal-framed black gem from the Urals with with a reverse angle of the windshield and stock manufacturers. He gave TAUT the a mirror surface that reflected the city, and it headlights. We paid attention to every detail background to its development and plans to became an integral part of the style. in the interior that draws the passenger’s have serial production in place in 2015. “The idea of placing the tram in the attention, for example, we developed “We worked on the concept for seven urban landscape is at the core of the R1 comfortable ergonomic chairs. Since the tram months,” Maslov explained. “The decision to design. It is a mode of public transport will be observable not only by pedestrians

22 / JANUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org LEFT AND BELOW: Early design sketches show the R1 taking shape – the mock-up shown in Yekaterinburg is a remarkably faithful reproduction of these early drawings.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev (centre) “Work on the prototype has heaped praise upon the design at the Innoprom already started… changes to the exhibition, later signing a co-operation agreement serial production trams will be for Russian rolling stock manufacturers. ITAR/TASS minimal and no more than 20%.”

RIGHT: R1 designer The passenger Alexey Maslov cabin offers high quality materials and a “business class” feel, while the driver’s cockpit is modern and offers superior visibility due to its forward rake. and cars, but also from the top, we’ve of development of the infrastructure and stock builders, with more and more Western developed a number of solutions to hide architecture of cities. manufacturers moving into the Russian technical details located on the roof. “It is a new experience and brings new market, the R1 offers a new direction for “The basic materials of the cabin are emotions. It is a new level of exterior and an industry that is seeking to move in the wood, metal and cloth, which underline interior aesthetic, which shows our approach opposite direction. This was key to the Russian originality. The application of a as a producer towards the consumer – development of the new model and has copper coating to antibacterial handrails is a whether that is the passenger or the driver. brought praise from across the transport functional solution, and the unique driver’s For example, a rechargeable lithium battery is industry. Maslov concludes: “Adapting the cabin, control system and driver’s seat placed in our tram that allows it to travel up tram is done by setting bogies that fit the recreate the hi-tech feel of an aircraft or to 50km without an external power source. infrastructure. The interior configuration is space shuttle cockpit.” There are also two free Wi-Fi spots on board, adaptable to the tasks of a particular route This concept of the ‘feel’ of the R1 is GLONASS, GPS and air conditioning systems. and the specifics of any urban environment. key to Maslov’s ethic, in everything “Even the music selection is updated “The R1 can be stipulated in two versions: from the choice of materials and layout, weekly with soundtracks mixed in relation with Russian bogies from Uraltransmash, down to ambient lighting and music, but to weather conditions and time of day – light or with European ones. This should make it crucially without additional complexity for but energetic music in the morning and more competitive in foreign markets. For example, maintainance or adding unnecessary cost for vigorous in the afternoon. In the evening it all infographics and the entire branding of the client. “Despite the fact that the design becomes more relaxed and it turns to lounge the tram are in the English language. It is our and engineering of the tram is “business at night, complementing the experience of objective to enter the global market. class”, the selected materials are certified for being inside the R1 at particular times of day. “We have received extremely positive railway transport which allows the tram to “The R1 does not require special features feedback from famous industrial designers compete with other leading manufacturers for maintenance. The modular construction (Chris Bangle, Murat Gunak, Karim Rashid on price – this new tram is twice as cheap makes it possible to easily install a unique and Ross Lovegrove). Ross wrote: “Guys, you as some others on the market. The body cabin for each city, and the ergonomics may not realise it yet, but you have raised is made of lightweight materials, but the of access to all the cable channels and respect to Russia with only one tram.” most important concern is the form of the equipment was a key consideration.” vehicle as in technical terms it needs to be Looking beyond just the domestic orders All images courtesy of Uraltransmash unless relevant for 10-15 years at the highest rate that have traditionally served local rolling otherwise stated.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JANUARY 2015 / 23 The New Tube ‘CREATING A SENSE OF PLACE IS CRITICAL’ Paul Priestman of PriestmanGoode talks to TAUT about the challenges of creating a new London Underground train – and why now is an exciting time for public transport design across the globe.

The ‘New Tube for London’ is a striking design, and draws cues from the rich heritage of both London Underground and the city itself.

t’s known around the world: the PriestmanGoode Director Paul Priestman at “Creating and maintaining a ‘London-ness’ London ‘Tube’. Yet the UK capital’s the company’s Great Portland Street HQ in was critical – you can see that through things Underground system is hardly just an London to find out. like Portland Stone, painted black cast iron iconic image for tourists, or something Unsuprisingly, perhaps the offices are railings, the Oxblood tiles on the Northern loved by historians and train classy and modern, with great attention to line and the ‘Metro’ faceted tiles that are enthusiastsI – it’s one of the most important detail paid to even the smallest details – a facet so cleverly designed to pick up light in the metro systems on the planet. Without it, reflected in the firm’s design ethos. Examples tunnels. Then you have the patina’d roofs London would grind to a halt... and the Tube of the company’s work are dotted around on Wren’s churches. It’s great having a client is getting busier all the time. – there’s a model of the Pendolino trains as like TfL that is willing to invest in that kind So designing a new train that has to help running on the UK’s West Coast Main Line, of time and put effort into the detail. keep well over a billion passengers each year and pictures of aircraft interiors and the “That is all contrasted with the modernity happy is no easy job. Especially when the capsule for the new World View Experience of London, with iconic buildings like the need is for something able to take a pounding passenger flights to the edge of space. Shard – glass and stainless steel.” day-after-day and mile-after-mile for the next When Paul Priestman speaks, it quickly The ‘New Tube’, he says, is “definitely not 40 years, and to be more efficient than ever… becomes clear that as well as good design, retro, as a lot of the retro designs you see make All the more impressive then, that the new he’s passionate about London, and about the compromises in some way. Number one: design unveiled in October by Transport for electric railways that for over a century have this design had to be practical. Capacity and London (TfL) and leading design consultancy acted as unseen arteries beneath the city’s cooling were two key drivers, as well as eking PriestmanGoode, after two years of working streets. How much of that passion and history out every millimetre for the passenger.” together on the project (TAUT 923), seems to has filtered through into the new design? It is of course easy to get wrapped up in the have had such a positive reception. “I absolutely love the heritage of the Tube, aesthetics of any new design, but the things The idea is that 250 of the new trains you know, Frank Pick and the great designers that will arguably make more of a difference will enter service from 2022, for use on the – the stations, the 1938 Stock; I like to to passengers lie in other innovations. Bakerloo, Central, Piccadilly, and Waterloo think we’ve interpreted all that into a 21st Out are the restrictive single-leaf doors & City routes. Together with upgrades of the Century version. traditionally sited at each end of vehicles; in lines themselves, the ‘New Tube’ will herald “This is a joint project with London are articulated sets and walk-through trains greater capacity (60% more on the Piccadilly Underground and TfL, and as a team we have – which means it’s goodbye to the traditional line). It’s expected that an invitation to tender developed in effect what… we felt were the interconnecting doors that are for emergency for building the new trains will be issued in best bits of the designs up to now”. use only. Such practical changes are set 2015, with a contract awarded the year after. Examples of that, says Priestman, are against a backdrop of the Underground facing “things like… materials which get better up to squeezing ever more people into First principles with wear and patina well. As designers we what is a largely fixed infrastructure. So what are the principles behind the ‘New know that everything could change, but our “The ideas of making a shorter car with Tube’, which could become the image of role going forward is to ensure that what was a shared bogie and bigger, uniform doors, the world’s most famous metro network presented, or as close as possible, is what will creates more openness and shortens dwell for the next few decades? TAUT spoke to be delivered. times,” says Priestman.

24 / JANUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org “The only real way to get more passengers in trains of a similar length is to reduce dwell times – technology will help that, but ultimately it’s about getting people on and off the trains. “Another key concern was putting less energy into the system because energy creates heat. So reducing the weight of the vehicles – shared bogies, lighter weight construction – is all going to help to reduce the amount of residual heat generated in the stations. It’s warm down there and it won’t get any cooler with more passengers, particularly as we move to 24-hour use.” Of course, the Underground is a particularly constrained environment: tunnels, platforms, and other physical restrictions were created by the original designers. Even so, there might be a little less ‘Mind The Gap’ in future – something caused where platforms are on curves. “The tunnels are set, the curves are set, station lengths are set, the platform heights etc – shorter cars are sensible to remove as much as possible of the gap. If you analyse any Tube design, you’ll see it is essentially an offset of the tunnel with some bits in it that has to be as minimal as possible, but then there’s a lot of kit to go under the seats etc. The PriestmanGoode design creates an instantly familiar interior space, but one that encompasses the latest “The doors become set as you have to technology, materials and passenger-focused conveniences. keep them regular; there are no big doors and then single doors on the new design. Then you have to include air cooling units “With any train it’s the ‘face’ that people instantly bond and all the equipment to go under the seats so you can’t have cantilever seats. We kept with. You design lots of litte details that solve all the the curved top [of the ceiling] as we wanted to give the symbol of tunnel right the way individual problems... collectively they come together through. Once you add all those up, you come down to the conclusions of what you and that’s what gives people the emotional reaction.” can do in the space you have.” Despite all that practicality, the look of On another practicality, there’s been to a high standard, and then manufacturers the ‘New Tube’ is striking. What, if any, political debate recently about whether the are asked to meet this as closely as possible aspect of the design is Priestman particularly new trains for the Underground would be within their tender,” Priestman says. pleased with? driverless; as presented, the design does have “More and more cities are taking this “With any train it’s the ‘face’, that’s cabs for manual driving. approach, which will save time and money in what people instantly bond with. You “It was part of the brief to consider all the long run. Everybody from the client side, design lots of little details that solve all the eventualities and that includes driverless from the Mayor down, has bought into this individual problems and collectively they operation. We’ve designed driverless vehicles design and taken it forward as their own. come together... that’s what gives people the in other parts of the world before; it’s not This is very much a TfL product, and a sign emotional reaction. That’s the collective work. new technology, but how that’s played out in of a strong client who doesn’t want just “The angled grab rails are a detail that London is for us to wait and see.” another ‘Euroblob’. many people don’t notice,” Priestman says Is there another element of ‘wait “A sense of place to me is very, very – referring to the fact that rather than being and see’ inevitable within this process? important. You go to some cities around the vertical, the handrails are further apart at For what’s been prepared and launched by world and see another piece of architectural the ceiling than where they meet the floor. PriestmanGoode and TfL is a design – how glass and stainless steel and you think, ‘what’s “That’s because people’s shoulders stick out close might the trains as actually built by a that got to do with this city?’” more than their feet. The angles around the supplier be to this concept? He also describes the Tube as “definitely concertinas also give more vital space, it’s all “The design is an aspiration that we’re a symbol of London, and one of the most about creating as much space as possible.” confident any manufacturer could produce important. I remember thinking when we

Earlier concept artwork shows the gradual evolution of the ‘New Tube’ and the painstaking attention to detail in creating a stylish and hard-wearing package that would not only meet the needs of the Londoners in 2020, but also in 2060 – and perhaps even beyond.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JANUARY 2015 / 25 The New Tube launched the ‘New Tube’ at King’s Cross, and ‘Exciting times’ all the press were there, ‘there wouldn’t be PAUL PRIESTMAN Priestman describes the current era as many cities in the world that would do this for “a really exciting time, with the amount of a train’. I think that’s a tribute to TfL and the Paul Priestman is a investment we’re seeing in mass transit. fact that design is high on its agenda. Co-founding Director The growth of cities and the growth of the “We’ve worked on metros around the world of global transport car is incredible around the world and cities where you get plastic or stainless steel seats, design consultancy are struggling to cope. creating that indestructible environment, PriestmanGoode, which “From travelling around the world I have almost like a prison. Look at the Tube… he formed in 1989 seen cities that are dying, people are leaving they insist on soft fabric seats – talk to Paris with Nigel Goode and as they don’t want to bring up their children which is known for its or New York and they would argue that they in pollution hotspots or can’t get to work. In innovative thinking. wouldn’t last five minutes.” Streeter. Tony He is also Global some cities I find myself only setting up one However he also thinks that with a system Creative Director of Chinese train builder CSR meeting a day, in case I can’t make the next with such a rich heritage as the Underground, Sifang, and has been voted among London’s one if it’s across the city. It’s so wasteful. there’s “a real danger with looking back too 1000 most influential people by the newspaper “On the launch day [for the ‘New Tube’], much; you have to just recognise that and the London Evening Standard. I spent most of the day there and it was really take the good bits without it restricting you “I still design and very much get involved in interesting to see that in the morning you moving forward. We’ve taken what works the process,” Priestman told TAUT. get all these people rushing past with small well, made it better and built upon all that “I’m certainly not someone who sits and briefcases, in a hurry, and coming up to nine good work. I think we’ve got back to team designs over someone’s shoulder, but I do o’clock it all starts to calm down and people working in that way. The other thing is cost: offer opinions as the design evolves.” with big suitcases start to come past. delivering something that works well, looks People are wandering around the stations Images courtesy of PriestmanGoode. great, but doesn’t add great cost.” more, stopping for coffee and it’s a much slower process. Then it speeds up again “We’re building these incredibly sophisticated around lunchtime – that’s all really interesting. All these people have to use high-speed trains but on a system that was built 180 the same vehicle and will do for the next 40 years – and at greater capacity. years ago, much of which is still in use. We’ve invented “There’s a lot of talk about driverless automobiles, but they have the potential the car, learnt to fly, yet it’s still the same railway.” to make things worse, not better. It’s really interesting how some people think that they are going to solve everything. But what are they going to solve? I can’t think what they’re going to solve, except that people are going to use them more.” It’s against that background – and with thoughts on how transport could be ‘re-imagined’, that a few years ago PriestmanGoode launched perhaps one of its most radical ideas yet: ‘Moving Platforms’. The idea is for fixed stations to be replaced by places where high-speed trains and more local transport such as trams would run alongside and ‘dock’ with each other, allowing passengers to move between the two without the high-speed service having to stop. The concept could also be used for mixed passenger and freight services. “We’re building these incredibly sophisticated high-speed trains but on a system that was built 180 years ago, much of which is still in use. We’ve invented the car, A more radical future for rail-borne transport is shown by the Moving Platforms concept that links high-speed and light rail services through ‘docking’ carriages, removing the bottlenecks of intermediate learnt to fly, yet it’s still the same railway,” stations. Paul Priestman believes the concept can work for both passengers and freight. Priestman laughs. “The idea wasn’t centred on the UK, we were certainly thinking about North America and the big lines being built, such as the one between China and Europe. We worked with structural engineers and operators and did some analysis – it’s all possible. Given the distances, and the ambition of competing with air travel, then if that high-speed train has to stop six or eight times then it will add an hour to the journey.” He adds that “combining high-speed passenger rail and freight is really interesting, in a system where you can slot things on and off it just seems like a missed opportunity when it works so well on the roads.” Priestman also has a more general warning for the future: “I think that demographics of an ageing population are something that a lot of people are ignoring at the moment, so in the future there will be more and more people who are less mobile using public transport. I don’t think we’re really tackling that.”

26 / JANUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Hybrid/hydrogen operation IS HYDROGEN THE HOLY GRAIL FOR OFF WIRE OPERATION? Julia Wahnsiedler describes how TIG/m is incorporating hybrid hydrogen/battery systems to reduce capital costs and deliver more sustainable, less intrusive, tramway systems.

magine how a streetcar-traversed corridor could look without a mass of overhead wires strung between support structures and tethered to historic buildings. Imagine sidewalks Iwithout clumsy substations and feeder systems. Imagine a self-powered streetcar that can run a continuous, 16-hour-plus revenue cycle without recharging. The designers and engineers at TIG/m Modern Street Railways, in Chatsworth, California, aren’t just imagining, they’re designing, building, and delivering. The company manufactures custom, hybrid, self-powered heritage-style trolleys and modern low-floor streetcars that require no overhead catenary wires, no wayside power stations, and generate zero pollutants. The TIG/m self-powered streetcar system requires four essential energy components to operate under municipal conditions: l Onboard energy storage l Regenerative braking l Onboard power generation l Fuelling station for the onboard generators. The Downtown Oranjestad Streetcar The system can be tailored to suit a in Aruba is one of the world’s first light client’s preference and the requirements rail systems to utilise a hybrid battery/ of the alignment and surrounding hydrogen fuel cell traction power system. infrastructure, using onboard battery and regenerative braking systems along with and consumed with zero impact on the The TIG/m hydrogen/hybrid streetcar generators powered by CNG (compressed environment while it reduces the dependence utilises a high-capacity lithium-iron natural gas), bio-diesel, or even petroleum, on ‘traditional’ fuels, and its use is as safe phosphate battery system that is should this match the requirements. – and in many cases safer – than the use of charged overnight by an onboard system. Yet Brad Read, President and Principal gasoline or natural gas. Battery banks are located below the chassis Designer at TIG/m, is more than just a little Fuel cell power has been well proven in to keep the centre of gravity low, and are enthusiastic about integrating hydrogen buses in the US and Europe, but TIG/m will be configured as cassettes that can slide fuel cells with its associated propulsion the first to hybridise this technology into the easily in and out on a rack system. system: “At TIG/m we have, for over ten years, rail-based transit systems it is designing and This charger receives its energy from the been waiting for a client bold enough to building for the Downtown Dubai Trolley electric power grid. During daily operations, incorporate hydrogen into its infrastructure System in UAE, and for the Downtown energy stored in the batteries is augmented planning, now we have two – one in the Oranjestad Streetcar System in Aruba. The while the vehicle is in service by regenerative Middle East and one in the Caribbean – only other instance of a fuel cell-powered braking and a fuel cell that produces 11kW with several more in the conceptual stages.” streetcar, the first of its kind, was launched of power for a total of eight hours. as a prototype in Spain in 2011. However, The fuel cell is programmed to operate Why hydrogen? the Spanish project, not a battery/hybrid whenever the PLC requires energy to keep Hydrogen is the most abundant element in concept, relies solely on the fuel cell for the batteries at a programmed charge the universe and, like batteries, is classed primary traction power. TIG/m’s propulsion state. The fuel cell generator consumes as an energy carrier. It can be produced system is substantially more efficient. approximately 2kg of hydrogen during

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JANUARY 2015 / 27 Hybrid/hydrogen operation

Electric hydrogen this eight-hour period. This hydrogen is compression system 6kg hydrogen stored in a cylinder at 350 bar (5075 psi) storage within the self-contained fuel cell generator. A fleet of three vehicles, for example, would therefore require a daily fuelling capacity of approximately 6kg of hydrogen. Regardless of the type of fuel used to power an onboard generator, a system to store and dispense the fuel to vehicles is required. This is essentially a fuel storage container (a tank or cylinder), which must be replenished by a fuel supplier, and a pumping station to dispense the fuel to the vehicles trackside at the entrance to the depot, once per day, before the start of revenue operations. However, with the use of hydrogen gas as the fuel, rather than CNG, or liquid fuels that must be transported from distant production facilities, another option is available: the fuel can be produced right at the pump with the proper equipment. After researching all available suppliers Hydrogen generator and comparing the options of purchasing from a hydrogen producer – and transporting the gas great distances in pressurised Hydrogen cylinders – with onsite production, TIG/m purification has concluded that clearly the most system cost-effective means of supplying hydrogen to its current projects is onsite production. The solution has been found through the ABOVE: The MRE hydrogen generation plant for the downtown Oranjestad streetcar system. electrolysis of water using Millennium Reign Energy (MRE) equipment, cutting the cost BELOW: Sustainable energy sources support the TIG/m hybrid streetcar propulsion system. per kg by about half.

WHENEVER AVAILABLE

AT PEAK HOURS

WHEN NECESSARY Renewable energy source

THE GRID Hydrogen generation AT OFF-PEAK HOURS

ONCE DAILY CONTINUAL

TIG/m STREETCAR ADVANCED HYDROGEN PROPULSION BATTERIES FUEL CELL SYSTEM Hydrogen fuel REGENERATIVE storage and BRAKING dispensing

28 / JANUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org All images and graphics courtesy of TIG/m MRE, based in Englewood, Ohio, has designed and developed a fully-automated hydrogen generator, the AutoARK, for residential, small business or farm applications, which is ideal for producing hydrogen for use as an energy supply to the TIG/m hybrid self-power propulsion system. Passing current through water, the AutoARK generator splits water via electrolysis into its constituent gases: hydrogen and oxygen. A membrane in the generation tank isolates the hydrogen, and captured hydrogen is transferred into a larger tank for storage and pressurisation, while the oxygen is purged into the environment, actually improving the air quality surrounding the unit. For dispensing hydrogen into the streetcars’ onboard fuel tanks, TIG/m will use, in both Dubai and Aruba, MRE’s SHFA (Scalable Fuelling Appliance), a renewable hydrogen fuelling station providing three required functions for high-pressure hydrogen delivery: l Transfer of hydrogen from the generating unit at 90psi (6.2 bar) up to 375psi (26 bar). l Compression of gas to 5000 psi (345 bar). The hydrogen fuel cell system takes up remarkably little space onboard one of the heritage-style streetcars. l Storage of pressurised hydrogen in steel vessels within the cabinet with capacity up to 6kg (additional storage “The hybrid self-power propulsion system is an elegant is provided in adjoining sheds). The entire hydrogen production/ alternative to less efficient and more costly methods compression/storage/dispensing system can be procured and installed for considerably of moving rail vehicles.” less than the cost of 1km (0.6 miles) of overhead line and, being a single point and extensions that cross areas of visual or handle the loads of starting and stopping the ‘return-to-base’ system of getting energy architectural significance – thus proving vehicles. This would require relinquishing a on-board the vehicles, it is far more cost the valuable political capital in avoiding lot of passenger space. If the vehicles were to effective to maintain than a far-flung wayside such ‘visual pollution’. carry less hydrogen and a smaller fuel cell electrical distribution system. With self-power, the costs – and not just onboard, frequent refuelling stops would So, by sizing the fuel cell generator to monetary costs – of installing, maintaining, interrupt continuous revenue service. Most provide the additional energy required and replacing those unsightly wires, as well are serviceable methods, but far from ideal. for a specific duty cycle, the system can be as their requisite wayside power stations, TIG/m has developed its hybrid customised to maintain a nominal 25% are entirely eliminated. self-power propulsion system as an elegant surplus usable energy in the battery banks. Removing the need for the track system to alternative to less efficient and more costly This eliminates deep cycling and hot act as part of an enormous electrical circuit methods of moving rail vehicles, with an charging of the banks. The comprehensive has other, major, benefits. The trackform integrated system that can power, seamlessly, EMS (Energy Management System) ensures itself can be less intrusive because the streetcars at least 16 hours without a the battery systems are always maintained technology required to isolate and ground refuelling or recharging break. at an optimal state of charge and balance, the system is no longer needed, and the long- For Aruba, which is committed to a allowing them to double the battery term maintenance and remediation caused fossil fuel-free future, the streetcar system manufacturer’s warranty for service-life. by stray current is eliminated. will be a ground-breaking example of Also, there is an answer to the by-product More recently, with the trend to move zero-carbon rail transit. Wind farms will question: the only emission from this away from overhead catenary-dependent supply power to the grid, which will then vehicle propulsion system is a small volume power transmittal systems, designers have supply power to the batteries used onboard of pure water, which can be collected for employed a variety of methods to get energy TIG/m streetcars, as well as the current reintroduction into the electrolysis cycle or onboard vehicles. However, in-track systems used to electrolyse the water for hydrogen simply expelled along the route. – contactless induction, for example – are isolation, pressurisation, storage, and very expensive and inefficient. Other delivery: a genuinely sustainable system. The move to off-wire operation in-track systems – contact type – can be “Self-powered streetcars, coupled with As to the evolution of fossil fuel-free rail equally expensive to install and are subject to fleet-fuelling using onsite hydrogen transit, early last century, OLE/OCS wires damage and environmental degradation. production, can cut the capital cost of eliminated the need in many instances Supercaps – onboard supercapacitors – streetcar infrastructure by as much as for noisy, smelly, and sooty onboard can handle very large loads very quickly 50%,” asserts Read. Who would believe engines. However an often complex spider without overheating, but they hold energy that a smaller capital investment could web of overhead wires criss-crossing only for a short period of time, and produce a cleaner, more efficient, and thoroughfares and attached to historically would require frequent recharging if used more attractive streetcar? TIG/m does, or architecturally significant buildings as a primary energy storage system. and is demonstrably proving it. can easily be considered another and As stated earlier, hydrogen fuel cell The ‘next arrival’ of the TIG/m sustainable not insubstantial form of pollution. technology has been around for some streetcar system will be in Downtown Dubai Indeed, in many European cities, time. But a traction system on a streetcar in early 2015. off-wire capability has formed part of depending only on the fuel cell would need the key specification for sections of to carry about 15kg of hydrogen on board AutoARK is a registered trademark of new-build streetcar and tramway systems and a very large, 40kW fuel cell in order to Millenium Reign Energy, Ohio, USA.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JANUARY 2015 / 29 THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE Helsinki

Combining modern systems and traditional features, Finland’s only tramway continues to be developed www.lrta.org as the primary public www.tautonline.com fA ctfile transport for the centre SUBSCRIBE NOW! No. Helsinki, of its elegant capital. FINLAND JANUARY 2015 N O. 925 Finland 88 Helsinki THE FUTURE IS HERE: NEXT GENERATION LRT Now entering its 78th year, Tramways & Urban Transit is the world’s leading monthly publication dedicated

prominent feature of Trams pass between eastern suburbs across Baltic central Helsinki, the many Helsinki vehicles generally show two names for inlets; an expanding metropolitan tramway (raitiotie) attractions such one destination, even if identical in area that by the end of 2013 had originated in 1890, as Senate Square both languages, as with tram line 3’s solely to light and urban rail developments. 1 402 394 residents, 25.7% of the although by the with the Lutheran Eira – the Finnish versions are used in 1950sA was much reduced from its ‘White Cathedral’ Finnish total. Far from experiencing this article. Numbers 1-10 (missing 5) and its nearby suburban flight though, Helsinki peak length and was considered for are used for normal tramlines, Russian Orthodox city is growing with a population of complete closure. However, the system increased with added letters to denote counterpart. around 600 000. Public transport nevertheless remained substantial, timing or route variations. and today is again growing. Active use is also rising, with HSL reporting a 3% increase in 2013 over the There are significant sections of since January 2010, regional transport non-revenue track in addition to previous year. New Tube creator on the importance of transport design authority Helsingin seudun liikenne approximately 96km (60 miles) in (HSL), states that it is “the main means A bubble of double passenger use, with over 260 stops. Zhuhai trams begin test running of public transport in the inner city.” About 60km (37 miles) is in dedicated When travelling in Finland, be The tramway was joined in 1982 by space, most of this on roadways and prepared to see double. The principal a less-visible metro line crossing the with 6km (3.7 miles) of grassed track. United Streetcar enters “hibernation” language for a declining 5% of the southern end of the peninsular that There are however some old-era population, Swedish retains official contains Helsinki city centre. With formations on narrow and curving status with the Finns. Helsinki is relatively minor central coverage and streets, the main areas of conflict Nottingham opens multi-modal hub thus the Swedish Helsingfors, with ISSN 1460-8324 generally meeting different transit with other road traffic. Most of £4.25 Words and pictures city-owned tram and metro operator needs, the metro connects within and the uni-directional metre-gauge 01 by Neil Pulling HKL also being HST. Public transport Calgary Hydrogen power system’s lines pass through the Recovery and A more sustainable 9 771460 832043 future for light rail? www.tautonline.com. expansion in Alberta www.lrta.org jA nuAry 2015 / 31 We deliver comprehensive news and analysis,

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Combining modern and traditional features, SYSTEMS Finland’s only tramway continues to be developed as the primary public FACTFILE transport for the centre No. Helsinki, of its elegant capital. FINLAND 88 Finland Helsinki

prominent feature of Trams pass between eastern suburbs across Baltic vehicles generally show two names for central Helsinki, the many Helsinki inlets; an expanding metropolitan one destination, even if identical in tramway (raitiotie) attractions such area that by the end of 2013 had both languages, as with tram line 3’s originated in 1890, as Senate Square 1 402 394 residents, 25.7% of the Eira – the Finnish versions are used in with the Lutheran although by the Finnish total. Far from experiencing this article. Numbers 1-10 (missing 5) ‘White Cathedral’ A1950s was much reduced from its suburban flight though, Helsinki are used for normal tramlines, and its nearby peak length and was considered for Russian Orthodox city is growing with a population of increased with added letters to denote complete closure. However, the system counterpart. around 600 000. Public transport timing or route variations. nevertheless remained substantial, use is also rising, with HSL reporting There are significant sections of and today is again growing. Active a 3% increase in 2013 over the non-revenue track in addition to since January 2010, regional transport previous year. approximately 96km (60 miles) in authority Helsingin seudun liikenne passenger use, with over 260 stops. (HSL), states that it is “the main means A bubble of double About 60km (37 miles) is in dedicated of public transport in the inner city.” When travelling in Finland, be space, most of this on roadways and The tramway was joined in 1982 by prepared to see double. The principal with 6km (3.7 miles) of grassed track. a less-visible metro line crossing the language for a declining 5% of the There are however some old-era southern end of the peninsular that population, Swedish retains official formations on narrow and curving contains Helsinki city centre. With status with the Finns. Helsinki is streets, the main areas of conflict relatively minor central coverage and thus the Swedish Helsingfors, with with other road traffic. Most of generally meeting different transit Words and pictures city-owned tram and metro operator the uni-directional metre-gauge needs, the metro connects within and by Neil Pulling HKL also being HST. Public transport system’s lines pass through the

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JANUARY 2015 / 31 Helsinki

THE FLEET

Around two-thirds of the fleet are articulated high-floor trams produced domestically by Valmet and Strömberg, 82 made 1973-87 and since modernised. Some original 20-metre long type NRV I 31-70 recently gained centre sections by VIS of Halberstadt, Germany, being reclassifiedMLNRV I and renumbered from 113. The later of the two original types had similar Finnish-built sections added from 2006, now the 26.5-metre long MLNRV II 71-112. The maintenance programme agreed with Bombardier – including at its own facility near line 9’s Pasilan konepaja stop – ensured the continuity of Variobahns on Helsinki’s challenging infrastructure. Two orders, 201-220 and 221-240, are 24.4m long with five sections, with a seating capacity of 45, with 80 standing. Keen to associate with the qualities of durability and reliability in local conditions, Transtech represents its new eight-axle pivoting bogie Artic with Voith traction equipment as the 100% low-floor successor to Valmet trams (Valmet rolling stock merged with Transtech in 1991). Helsinki's Artic contract with options came in December 2010; three sections over 27.6m with a capacity of 74 seated and 125 standing. Pre-series 401 and 402 (the latter re-liveried for exhibition at InnoTrans 2014) entered Helsinki passenger traffic in summer 2013. Service experiences will inform the series production of 38 more Artics in 2015-2018.

ABOVE: North-east of the centre, the spacious Hakaniemi tramway and metro interchange.

ABOVE LEFT: With buses and trams above, a Helsinki commuter service Stadler FLIRT Sm5 heads south from Pasila, the second busiest interchange.

LEFT: A tramway concentration, Helsinki's main thoroughfare Mannerheimintie as viewed from Ylioppilastalo stop.

32 / JANUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org

city centre, many using the broad Due for rebuilding, Pasila gains by the state railway VR. Due to join the avenue Mannerheimintie and its patronage through those avoiding city commuter framework by June 2015, multiple tramway junctions. centre travel. It is also next to railway the 18km (11 miles) of new line in The focal point of this north-south land now under redevelopment that the Ring Rail Line project will bring spine is the Simonkatu intersection will further stimulate local demand. better connections within the next to Lasipalatsi (Glass Palace) stop. Helsinki Central and Pasila both developing Vantaa area and with In a prime retailing area, it is also host long-distance and what are Helsinki. Using Stadler SM5 low-floor near the main railway station, represented locally in English as trains, the new line’s northern arc Helsingin päärautatieasema/Helsinki ‘Commuter Train’, Helsinki’s 14 letter- includes the airport. Central and bus terminus on the designated outer suburban lines. large Rautatientori (Railway Square). The HSL network has around 1370 Looking to the future The first station north of Central buses and 314 routes. Unlike the For the tramway to become a key terminus is Pasila, the other HKL tram and metro, private sector mode in the 21st Century, significant rail/tram/bus interchange operators feature on the bus network modernisation along with greater and Finland’s second busiest station. and the rail commuter service is run capacity was needed. This plan,

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JANUARY 2015 / 33 Helsinki though, was disrupted by serious problems with the incoming 40-strong Variobahn fleet. Helsinki’s first low-floor vehicles were ordered in 1996 from ADtranz (later Bombardier, before Variobahn became a Stadler product). They were assembled in Finland by what was then Talgo- Transtech, with the first entering service in 1999. To offset low Variobahn availability, HSL acquired mainly ex-Mannheim Düwag trams; these are no longer in normal service. By May 2007 a ten-year agreement saw Bombardier create a separate facility for the Variobahn work near line 9’s Pasilan konepaja stop. A reversion to Helsinki’s traditional tram colours followed a 1970s/80s flirtation with orange and grey on new Valmet-Strömberg vehicles. The green and rich yellow is more prominent on the re-liveried Valmets and forthcoming Artics than on Variobahns, where green dominates. Bringing older stock to the system are museum and hire services, which include the Spårakoff pub tram (www.koff.net/sporakoff), a bright red converted Karia-built HM V, formerly (201-224) trains. The first section With no through mode less appealing here for very local tram 15 of a type in normal Helsinki opened in August 1982 between service due to travel, another factor for bolstering service from 1959-93. From May to Rautatientori and Itäkeskus, near the infrastructure work, tramway capability. HSL currently August this rarity of tram – in having system’s Roihupelto depot. Extension Valmet Nr I 32 turns designates two metro lines, these a toilet – takes a 40-minute sightseeing west to the important Kamppi at Kauppatori. sharing the same tracks as far east circuit starting near Central Station. interchange came in 1983, with others Variobahn as Itäkeskus, the junction for short Helsinki metro has the same taking it to the present 21km (13 230 crosses branches to Mellunmäki and Vuosaari. 1524mm gauge as the national railway, miles) with 17 stations. Rautatientori, with From either station to the present and is plied by Valmet-Strömberg Moving from street level to the deep Central Station in city terminus at Ruoholahti takes M100 (101-184) and Bombardier M200 stations in central Helsinki makes the the background. 23 minutes. The normal ten-minute

34 / JANUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org

“The West Terminal [is] one of several recent short extensions where passengers often share space with imported beer cartons.”

LEFT: Joining the system in 2012, the Crusell Bridge carrying the southern end of line 8 underpins the Jätkäsaari redevelopment.

BELOW LEFT: Loadings surge at Länsiterminaali after ferry arrivals from Tallinn.

BELOW: Delivered in the shortlived grey and orange livery in 1985, Valmet Nr II 86 is outside Vallilan depot.

NETWORK FACTS Opened: 1890 (electrification from 1900) Lines: 12 (Metro: 1) Distance: 96km (60 miles); Metro 21.1km (13.2 miles) Trams: 132 (2013) Depots: 3 (Metro 1) Gauge: 1000mm (Metro: 1524mm) Approx. weekday hours: 05.30-23.30 Power: 600V dc overhead supply (Metro 750V dc third-rail) Fleet: 132 (Metro 54) Regional transport authority: HSL/HRT City operator: HKL/HST

INFORMATION Network: www.hsl.fi Journey planner: www.reittiopas.fi Civic information: www.hel.fi Tourist information: www.visithelsinki.fi City-bound Variobahn 222 at Sörnäinen, the most easterly tram/metro interchange on the main peninsula.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JANUARY 2015 / 35 Helsinki service on each branch gives a core five-minute interval, four during peaks. In October 2012 CAF was selected as the supplier of M300 stock for metro expansion. Länsimetro, the metro’s western extension from Ruoholahti, is Finland’s largest infrastructure project. Construction of the first phase to add about 14km (nine miles) and eight new stations started in late 2009. Delays indicate that opening is unlikely before late 2016. Projected for retro-fitting on the original line, automatic operation is a design feature of the extension, although recent reports suggest manual control is persisting for longer than envisaged. Capable of sudden effects upon public transport capacity, Baltic ferries use berths on both sides of the main peninsula. Price differences in Tallinn partly explain the intensity of ferry services between Helsinki and the Estonian capital. This translates to queues for tickets and trams at lines 6T/9 Länsiterminaali, the West Terminal, one of several recent short extensions where passengers often share space with imported beer cartons. The most recent (January 2012) addition to the system is another at its south-western edge where line 8 has been extended over the new Crusell Bridge for the Jätkäsaari harbour redevelopment. The three HKL tram depots are all north of the city centre. Near the main 1952 Olympic Games site and alongside Mannerheimintie, the smallest is Töölö. An adjoining 1900-built tram hall now houses the ABOVE: TOP: In a tramway museum. Vallila (workshops) Tramburger; in a redevelopment and Koskela are both to the north- striking promotional area, Arabianranta east, with the latter handling about scheme, Valmet terminus on a short two-thirds of the fleet. It is however Nr I 41 emerges 2004 extension with somewhat remote, on a long from beneath the a rudimentary ramp non-revenue spur beyond the lines approaches to for level boarding. 6/8 Arabia branch. Helsinki Central at Linnanmäki. ABOVE: Helsinki's Maps and service information on museum service includes a tram www.hsl.fi with an extensive English collection in an old section. hall of still-active Töölö depot. ESSENTIAL FACTS LEFT: Rebuilt from Karia HM V Local travel: With complexities of different municipal zones, from 1959, Spårakoff advance research is recommended, online or at 'Service Point (the beer tram) is Rautatientori' – underground at Central Station. The tramway at its Rautatientori and current metro are, however, wholly within Helsinki city starting point. boundaries, EUR8 for a one-day ticket (significant pro-rata reductions for longer durations) from machines or ticketing outlets like the widespread R-Kioski shops. It is cheaper to buy the Helsinki plus Vantaa (two zones) ticket if arriving/leaving via the airport in conjunction with city travel.

What is there to see? Long summer days are best for appreciating the beauty of Helsinki's green spaces, such as those around the Olympic stadium, or the maritime setting. Near the picturesque East Harbour, a cluster of tram-served attractions include the Lutheran and Russian cathedrals, Senate Square and Kauppatori market. Views from boat tours or HSL ferries are impressive. If combining visits to the two tram-served capitals, see www.portofhelsinki.fi for Helsinki-Tallinn ferries: these are much cheaper if pre-booked and day trips are feasible.

36 / JANUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Worldwide Review

AUSTRALIA CANADA MAROOCHYDORE – TORONTO. Bombardier low- CALOUNDRA. Route options floor articulated tram 4404 finally for the proposed light rail line arrived in the city on 11 November, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast the first to be completed since the were released on 5 November for strike at Thunder Bay. TTC consultation. J. Chuang VANCOUVER. The federal SYDNEY. The CAF Urbos 2 trams agency overseeing public-private that were leased from Spain (2108- infrastructure projects has 11) have all been withdrawn and received preliminary approval for shipped back to Europe. A. Bailey Surrey’s application for funding assistance for a 27km (16.8-mile) AUSTRIA light rail line. Regional transit WIEN (Vienna). Delivery of agency TransLink will put the A class trams had reached 112 by plans to a referendum this spring, the end of October. Withdrawn are preferring the Skytrain automated, E1 4777, 4835/45/53/6, 4501 and elevated light metro already in use c4 trailers 1322/4/30/3. BS in Vancouver. E. B. Havens

BELARUS CHINA INDUSTRY. President Alexander HONG KONG. As the Occupy Lukashenko attended the opening protests continued to block of Stadler’s factory in Fanipol, near through tramway operation at Minsk, on 20 November. Causeway Bay, free transfer tickets The facility will produce Kiss and between western and eastern For the Hong Kong Tramway one result of the long-running Occupy Central Flirt trains and trams for the CIS segments were introduced from demonstration was the need to run Victoria Park – Shaukeiwan trams backwards, market. The cost of the factory was 30 October. On the Victoria Park as shown by this view of 116 at Tai Koo on 6 November. D. Tringham EUR73m, with the European Bank – Shau Kei Wan service trams for Reconstruction & Development were reversing at a crossover at tramway to replace the TVR GERMANY providing loans worth EUR26m. the former, and driven backwards from 2019. BERLIN. In early November eastbound. HKT, D. Tringham Initially EUR230m will be spent furious attempts were being BELGIUM on building 1.5km (0.9 miles) of made to complete work on the Hbf ANTWERPEN. After standing CYPRUS new tramway to Presqu’Ile, plus tramway extension so that line M5 out of service for 19 months, NICOSIA. The results of a tram the replacement of 15.4km (9.6 could use it from 14 December. PCC is back in use with a modified feasibility study are expected miles) of TVR line 1. Twenty- A temporary tram stop was also livery featuring a yellow skirt and in March. In Cyprus four trams will be purchased, being built at Hbf. roof boards. but it is not yet clear if the joint Discussions have started with BRUXELLES (Brussels). The CZECH REPUBLIC order with Amiens for 50 Alstom suppliers about a new 55m tram first part of the new Marconi tram BRNO. Joining the fleet in the Citadis placed in February 2014 that would be ordered when the depot, the open-air tracks, will be second half of 2015 were Inekon still stands (Amiens has not yet delivery of Flexity Berlin trams brought into use towards the end Vario LFR.E 1541/74/86/92 and clarified its plans). from Bombardier is completed. of February. Vario LF2R.E 1072/84/8/94. Line 2 (13.5km/8.4 miles) The busiest section of tramway GENT. The Bombardier Flexity 2 In each case they incorporate parts is to follow in 2024. A bid has in Germany, at Hackesche Markt displayed at InnoTrans was the first from withdrawn Tatra T3 or K2 been made for EUR36.3m in (1408 trips daily), was closed 43m seven-section double-ended trams carrying these numbers. BS government funding. R. Viennet from 18 October – 3 November tram for Gent, 6351. It arrived in MOST. The tramway re-opened PARIS. The last of 20 Alstom to renew tracks and pointwork, the city in early December and will throughout on 1 October Citadis 302 for line T8 was with extensive diversions. be followed by nine more, all for following completion of delivered to Villetaneuse depot The 25th anniversary of the use on line 1. There is an option infrastructure renewal. BS on 30 October, with trial running fall of the Berlin Wall was marked for a further 16. OSTR AVA. Built in Martinov beginning on 18 November. on 7-10 November by the issue workshops under the Inekon Cars 801-20 were due to enter of a three-day unlimited travel BRAZIL brand are Vario LF 1370-3. BS service from 16 December. ticket for BVG and S-Bahn services CUIABÁ. The first tests on the new T8 runs north from Saint-Denis priced at EUR15. Fares were to be tramway took place on 2 October FINLAND Porte de Paris (linking to metro increased from 1 January with an with one of the 40 seven-section TAMPERE. A Tram Industry line 13) to Delaunay-Belleville, AB day ticket costing EUR6.90 and CAF trams. Passenger service will Day was held on 17 November to where it splits into two branches, an ABC EUR7.40. A seven-day AB not start until 2016. BS inform potential bidders for the terminating at Villetaneuse- ticket is available for EUR29.50. tramway project. The procurement Université and Epinay-Orgemont The north-south S -Bahn BULGARIA model is due to be decided shortly, respectively. Interchange will be tunnels will be closed from 15 SOFIA. New PESA trams 2301-20 and work could start in 2016 for provided with tram route T1 at January to 4 May for renewal of are in service on line 7 to Borolo completion in 2019. The 23.5km Saint-Denis and RER Line C at the infrastructure. A replacement from Krishna Pollyanna depot; (14.6-mile) line is expected to Épinay-sur-Seine. bus service will run between T6 2001-20 has been renumbered cost EUR333m, with 30% Finnish Opening the day before Yorckstrasse and Bornholmer 3001-20 and is used on line 18 government finance, including is Translohr rubber-tyred Strasse. from Banisher depot. 26 trams. RGI tramway T6. Reconstruction at Ostkreuz is Sofia-100 six-axle trams 40-467 The 4.3km (2.7-mile) extension running behind schedule and will have been withdrawn, and a start FRANCE of line T3b from Porte de la not be completed until summer made on withdrawing eight-axle CAEN. The new city council, Chapelle to Port d’Asnieres has 2017. BS cars 301-26. Seven T8M have been which seemed to have a majority been approved. A. Senut BIELEFELD. Work has modernised and painted orange against the previous council’s VALENCIENNES. RATP Dev started on the EUR15m 1.2km/ and blue (909/16/28/32-4/6). plan to replace the rubber-tyred has won a seven-year EUR350m 0.7-mile extension of line 2 Double-ended T8M 504-11 are TVR with a steel-wheel tramway, management contract to operate from Milse to Altenhagen, with ex-902/1/8/10/05/11/00/14, used announced on 5 November that bus and tram services from passenger service planned for on line 8. BS it would go ahead with a new 1 January, replacing Veolia. December 2015. BS

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JANUARY 2015 / 37 Worldwide Review

The first Skoda30T in the Slovakian capital of Bratislava on 8 November. Dopravopat The Polish city of Bydgoszcz launched its first PESA Swing on 30 October. R. Piech

BRAUNSCHWEIG. During its original Pt specification and heritage operation will be financed HUNGARY an open day at Neuewiek depot repainted in ivory and orange until at least 2027. BUDAPEST. Contracts have been on 28 September, new Solaris livery as a museum tram. BS The city council then decided awarded for the reconstruction of Tramino low-floor cars 1451-3 GERA. The insolvency to spend EUR100 000 on tramline 17, the re-instatement of were named Sophia Jagiellonica, administrator made 31 members renewing 400m of line closed the link between lines 4/6 and 17, Wilhelmine Reichard and Anna- of staff (including the Director) since 1991 to permit an extended and a new link between line 19 at Dräger Mühlenpfordt respectively. redundant from 6 October. operation from 2017. A ‘start of Batthyány tér and the Margithid They were to enter passenger A new timetable reduced work’ ceremony took place on terminus of line 17. This should all service in December, together with services and KT4D 305/5/56 have 11 November. BS be completed by the end of 2015. 1454, delivered from InnoTrans. been withdrawn. POTSDAM. The city council is The 240 Tatra T5 trams that were Düwag tram 0051, the only one All tram restoration activity in releasing EUR50m over the next not modernised in 2002-04 are to of its type fitted with a low-floor the workshop has ceased and the five years for major projects, be modernised by VJSZ at the BKV centre section, has been inspected owners of 11 trams being worked including the new tramway workshops, with the first batch by a delegation from Schöneiche on have been told to remove them to Jungfernsee, tramway track available by the end of November. with a view to purchase. BS from the premises. Private hires renewal, the refurbishment of BKK has awarded Scheidt & BREMEN. Plans have been booked on Gera museum trams 12 Tatra KT4D trams, and the Bachmann a EUR91m five-year published for the new 1.3km have been cancelled. BS purchase of additional centre contract to supply and manage a (0.8-mile) tramway link along HAMBURG. The existing sections for eight Siemens multi-modal fare system, using Julius-Brecht-Allee, branching contract for DT5 U-Bahn sets will Combino. The Tatras will probably the Hong Kong Octopus system as from existing lines 2 and 10 at be limited to 47, and a tender be in service until the 2020s. BS its basis. TR, RGI Benningsenstr, and joining line issued for 40-80 sets to a new RHEIN-RUHR. F r o m 14 1 at Steubenstrasse. Work on the design, DT6. BS December 28 new Alstom Coradia INDIA EUR31.5m project should start in HANNOVER. S u n d a y 14 Continental S-Bahn trains of series KOLKATA (Calcutta). Bogie 2016 for completion in 2018-19. December saw the opening of the 1440/3 were to take over operation tram 630 has been fitted out It will be used by line 2. BS extension of line 7 to Misburg. Track of lines S5 and S8 between with memorabilia displays CHEMNITZ. 1960 Gotha T57 scrubber 808 (Schörling 1937) has Dortmund and Mönchengladbach that show the history of CTC, two-axle tram 813, one of the been sent to Nürnberg (as A17), via Wuppertal. BS and christened Smaranika. It is first standard-gauge trams for the where similar tram A16 is out of ROSTOCK. At the end of October usually open to visitors at rebuilt system, was to be unveiled service for six months. BS the remaining Tatra T6 trams were Esplanade city terminus. CTC on 13 December after restoration KARLSRUHE. It now seems 701/3/5/8/10 and 805/6; four were to original condition in the Gera that the classic DWM articulated in normal traffic on line 1 with IRELAND tramway workshop. BS trams will remain in service on low-floor trailers. BS DUBLIN. The new Luas depot DORTMUND. Tenders have the western section of line 5 until SCHWERIN. After being held for at Broombridge is to be named been invited for 20 high-floor March 2015, with five or six in use eight years, fares were increased by Broombridge-Hamilton in Stadtbahn cars, with an option for Monday-Friday only. The eastern 20% on 1 December. A day ticket recognition of 19th Century six more. BS section of line 5 will re-open and now costs EUR5.50, compared Dubliner William Rowan DÜSSELDORF. Following the be served by seven low-floor cars with the single fare of EUR1.80. BS Hamilton’s application of algebra, formation of an SPD/Green/ from 14 December. BS STRAUSBERG. With the return which had a significant impact on FDP coalition in favour of public KASSEL. The museum trams of modernised Tatra KT8D5R science. The depot is likely to be transport, it has been decided were unveiled at Technik-Museum 22 from Praha (Prague) on completed by 2017 and brought that when the Wehrhahn tram Kassel on 8 November, comprising 4 November, the other two trams into use with the cross-city line. subway opens next year, surface cars 110, 144, 214, 228/9, 273, of this type, 21 and 23, have been It will include commemorative art tram route 708 will be retained on 316 and 355; trailers 521, 569, sold to the Praha undertaking and to illustrate Hamilton’s story. a 20-minute frequency for at least 575 and 655, and six works trailers taken to the Czech Republic. BS a year. Extensions to line 708 will or trucks. BS STUTTGART. Stadler Tango LRVs ISLE OF MAN also be examined. MÜNCHEN (Munich). 3501-40 are now all in service (20 DOUGLAS. Plans to relocate the Work should start next autumn Although the Siemens Avenio are two-car sets); 20 more are on order horse tram tracks on Douglas on the extension of line 701. BS now in service on line 19, the for delivery from 2016. R T Promenade are likely to cost around ERFURT. Further to last issue’s remaining P class sets can still be WUPPERTAL. Schwebebahn GBP4m (EUR5m), according to note about the withdrawal of the seen in service, now on route 28 car 24 has been given all-over Manx infrastructure minister last Tatra KT4D, the line voltage Monday-Saturday. BS advertising in a livery matching Phil Gawne. He revealed the cost was raised from 600 to 750V dc in NAUMBURG. The 120th DB ICE high-speed trains. to the Island’s House of Keys in the early hours of 19 October. BS anniversary of the circular Unfortunately when it was November following closure of the FRANKFURT AM MAIN. Ptb tramline in September was used as launched on 7 November, DB was public consultation on the matter, car 748 has been rebuilt back to an occasion to announce that the on strike. DS which had to be extended due to

38 / JANUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org SLOVAKIA UKRAINE BRATISLAVA. The tramway to DONETSK. Tram traffic ceased for Hlavná Stanica (the main railway three days in October due to the station) was re-opened on 10 effect of local conflicts on power November, served by routes 1 and supply, but resumed at 16.00 2: this is a temporary re-opening on 21 October. transphoto.ru as work to rebuild this section HORLIVKA. Tram service of line will start in the Spring. on two routes resumed from The first 32.5m Skoda ForCity 26 September. transphoto.ru 30T five-section double-ended LVIV. The second Electron tram, 7501, was delivered on OmniTram 100% low-floor 2 November and displayed four car has entered trial service. days later. Thirty trams will arrive This is a three-section 19.5m 100% by the end of 2015, followed by 30 low-floor single-ended tram, as 29T single-ended trams in 2016; exhibited at InnoTrans. RGI 80% of the cost is being financed by EU funding. DS, A. Prescott UNITED KINGDOM BLACKPOOL. Tram services SPAIN reverted to winter schedules The Romanian city of Arad showcases its first metre-gauge Astra Imperio tram. Astra VÉLEZ-MÁLAGA. With the following the close of the return of the CAF trams from ‘Illuminations’ on 10 November, the amount of public interest. Alstom will supply 18 Metropolis Sydney, the Mayor of Vélez-Málaga with a 15-minute headway A decision on the location of the trains, the communication is hoping to have the suspended daily until 19.15 followed by a tracks has yet to be taken. systems, the high-voltage and tramway running again in 2015, 30-minute headway until 23.15 MANX ELECTRIC RAILWAY. traction substations, plus Urbalis subject to a successful adjudication from Starr Gate – an hour later As part of the reconstruction of 400 traffic control systems based from Fleetwood. Service begins the Ramsey terminus to include upon Alstom’s CBTC system. SWITZERLAND at 05.00 on weekdays, 06.00 on modern facilities and a bus BASEL. Opening of the Saturdays and 07.00 on Sundays, terminal, the storage shed and NEW ZEALAND international tramway to Weil-am- with all scheduled workings depot was vacated after the service AUCKLAND. The suspended Rhein was to be marked by a festival operating over the full route. ceased for winter on 2 November. heritage tramway service on the on 12 December. The first day of LONDON (TRAMLINK). Public Various historic items of rolling 1.5km waterfront loop reopened regular service on 14 December consultation has been carried out stock were removed by road for on 22 November, following saw all rides free on route 8. BS on the proposed Dingwall Road storage mainly in the Laxey shed, completion of road works around BERN – WORB (RBS). Sixteen loop extension in East Croydon. including Ratchet cars 14 and 30 Wynard Quarter. new LRVs are to be purchased to Three proposals have been put plus trailer 50 and the ‘preserved’ The tram service began in 2011 replace the 14 Be4/12 used on the forward in order to accommodate freight car 26. The Ramsey shed is and was the first of its kind to run Worb service (43/7, 50-61). BS the Croydon Partnership to be demolished. in central Auckland since the last INTERLAKEN – LUZERN (ZB). (Westfield) development on the tram left the city’s tracks in 1956. Five more ABeh FINK sets have old Whitgift Centre site, which is ISRAEL Rides were free on 22 November been ordered from Stadler for due to open in 2018. JERUSALEM. After two ‘ram raid’ and a reduced adult fare of NZD2 CHF53 (EUR44m). They will be Tramlink currently operates in a attacks on people waiting at stops has been announced. delivered in autumn 2016. A E one-way loop along George Street, on the tramway in November, CHRISTCHURCH. Heritage LA CHAUX-DE-FONDS – Church Street, Tamworth Road and concrete blocks have been placed at tram service on the full city GLOVELIER (CJ). Five new Wellesley Road. The three options platform ends to prevent vehicles loop resumed on 11 November low-floor power cars (be4/4 651-5) involve use of Dingwall Road and accessing the waiting areas. following completion of sewer with a low-floor section have been Lansdowne Road for either a work in Armagh Street. It is hoped ordered from Stadler and will be clockwise or anti-clockwise loop, ITALY the Oxford Terrace/City Mall/ paired with five modernised or an anti-clockwise loop using ROMA. Further to the news in High Street extension will open in driving trailers from 1985-86 plus Dingwall Road and Sydenham our November issue, the official February. Radio New Zealand three intermediate trailers. R T Road. A new stop would be built inauguration of Metro line C LAUSANNE. The new Be4/6 in Lansdowne Road or Sydenham from Parco di Centocelle to POLAND 218-222 are all now in service on Road (depending on option taken). Monte Compatri/Pantano was on BYDGOSZCZ. The first of 12 five- line m1. BS Transport for London has 9 November. urbanrail.net section 30.1m PESA Swing metre- ZÜRICH. The announcement indicated that the anti-clockwise gauge low-floor trams (366-377) of an order for 70 new trams loop using Lansdowne Road LUXEMBOURG was handed over for trials on has been postponed to Spring would be its preferred choice. LUXEMBOURG. Tenders have 30 October. RGI 2015 to permit an independent Consultation closed in December been invited for 32 45m low-floor GDANSK. The first of five audit of the tenders received by and a report is expected in January. trams for the proposed line, with Jazz Duo double-ended 100% Molinari Rail. tram The loop has an estimated delivery starting in 2017. wort.lu low-floor trams delivered by PESA cost of GBP23.8m (EUR29.9m), on 12 November is numbered TAIWAN of which Westfield will provide MEXICO 1051. IRJ KAOHSIUNG. Testing of the GBP15m (EUR18.9m) and TfL the GUADALAJARA. A l stom, first CAF-built trams began on remaining GBP8.8m (EUR11.1m). in association with CPVM, ROMANIA 8 November with attention A 15-year strategy for Tramlink a subsidiary of the Obrascon ARAD. The first metre-gauge focusing on the Freedrive wireless has proposed a fare premium to Huarte Lain (OHL) Group, has Astra Imperio 100% low-floor charging system. IRJ allow investment in the network been awarded a contract to tram started trials in late October, TAIPEI. The metro Green line was to accommodate increased supply a full system for line 3 of and should enter service by the extended from Ximen to Songshan demand and to allow revenue to Guadalajara metro. Alstom’s share New Year. Four more are on order on 15 November. urbanrail.net be generated for upfront funding. of the EUR380m contract is worth for delivery in 2015. Transport for London sees a need for around EUR240m. TURKEY further network capacity, chiefly on The line is to be 20km (12 miles) RUSSIA ISTANBUL. Further to our the Wimbledon branch in addition long and will run through Zapopan, MOSKVA. Alstom Cit a d i s December news, the official to the existing enhancement, Guadalajara and Tlaquepaque in prototype 71-801 low-floor inauguration of light rail line M1 but also the eastern branches. the State of Jalisco and will cater articulated tram 0201 has been from Aksaray to Yenikapi was on It envisages doubling frequencies for 233 000 passengers/day. renumbered 2201. transphoto.ru 9 November. urbanrail.net on the New Addington branch

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JANUARY 2015 / 39 Worldwide Review

from six to 12 trams an hour by report from operator Pre Metro 2020, and building a spur to South Operations Ltd registered over Wimbledon by 2022. A branch 51 500 passenger journeys, the to Sutton could connect to the highest number carried on the Wimbledon branch, with services line in the last 50 years. This is said terminating at South Wimbledon. to be due to the popularity of the Also in the strategy is the ten-minute headway shuttle procurement of longer trams service, which achieved 99.7% or doubling-up of trams, but reliability over the period. either option would require WEST MIDLANDS. A new longer platforms and additional GBP1.4m (EUR1.8m) plaza stabling facilities. These changes has opened for Midland Metro are unlikely to be implemented passengers arriving at West prior to the replacement of the Bromwich. The Metro Plaza existing tram fleet, expected in scheme improves walking the mid-2020s. connections between the town LONDON (UNDERGROUND). centre, Sandwell College Central The number of journeys on Campus and the bus and Metro London’s transport network is stations. The project involved continuing to break records with reducing the width of the Ringway The Deansgate – Castlefield tram stop looking east on 3 November, showing work 76.1m passenger journeys on road and filling in of a subway. on the provision of an additional in-bound track and platform. Mike Haddon London Underground and London The embankment between the Buses combined during the week tram stop and the town centre has to join MARTA, reversing a 1971 northern end. The USD7.5m cost of 22 September – the highest ever been dug out and re-landscaped to rejection of the agency. E. B. Havens will be funded locally. E. B. Havens level. Due to population growth improve access and visibility. AUSTIN, TX. The ballot to HOUSTON, TX. The opening of demand for public transport is Work to replace track in provide USD600m in bonds to the USD1.3bn Purple and Green predicted to increase by 60% on Wolverhampton has suffered a finance an urban tramway resulted light rail lines has been put back the Underground and 80% on setback. It had been hoped that in a 57% ‘No’ vote. E. B. Havens to 4 April 2015 due to construction the national rail network by 2050, replacement would be completed BALTIMORE, MD. The Governor and rolling stock delays. compared to current levels. before the main Christmas of Maryland who will take office KANSAS CITY, MO. T he MANCHESTER. Following shopping period – but contractors on 21 June has threatened to 4 November ballot threw out the seven-month trial period, uncovered a deep mine shaft cancel the planned USD2.9bn Red two light rail-related measures Metrolink has now agreed to underneath the line near The light rail line. E. B. Havens promoted by former resident Clay allow mobility scooter users on Royal stop on the A41 Bilston Road. BETHESDA – NEW Chastain, who wants a USD2.5bn its services if passengers have a The discovery is the latest in CARROLLTON, MD. T he multi-modal transportation permit. More than 80 permits had a number of complications that election of Republican Larry project. He has now said he wants been issued since the trial started have had a cumulative impact on Hogan as Governor has threatened to run for mayor. E. B. Havens at the end of March 2014. the scheme’s timetable since work the planned Purple LRT line. NEW YORK, NY. The new Work on relocation of platforms began in September. The strength Hogan has said that the line is too opening date for the Flushing and tracks at Deansgate-Castlefield of the foundations beneath the expensive (USD2.45bn), but the Line subway extension west to was expected to be complete existing track was worse than project has reached the stage of 34th Street/11th Avenue is by the end of December, when anticipated and the discovery of inviting bids (they were due to be 24 February 2015. construction was to switch to the unmarked public utility pipes and submitted by 9 January), with four On 10 November the Fulton revamping of St. Peter’s Square. a culvert also caused delays. consortia selected to submit prices. Interchange between John and The 134-year-old old footbridge It is possible that the line could The unsuccessful bidders will Fulton streets was inaugurated, at Altrincham Interchange was be re-opened from Priestfield to be recompensed USD2m each. linking subway lines 3, 4, 5, A, C, removed by a 750-tonne mobile The Royal during early December, USD169m has already been J, Z with Cortlandt Street on line R. crane in October by contractors but opening of the extension on spent on planning and design The USD1.4bn project was largely Laing O’Rourke. The removal to St. George’s will depend on since 2006, and USD3.7m on funded by Lower Manhattan is part of the reconstruction of resolution of the shaft problem. property purchases. E. B. Havens recovery grants. ERA Bulletin the Interchange. WIRRAL. Five former Blackpool BOSTON, MA. The completion PORTLAND, OR. The opening Selfridge’s retail establishment trams acquired by Merseytravel of the Green line extension north of the Orange line linking Union in Exchange Square has teamed for possible operation on an to Somerville has been put back to Station and Milwaukie via the up with Metrolink to ‘wrap’ an extended Wirral Tramway have December 2017, while the cost has new Tilikum Crossing is to be on M5000 tram. This is the first time been put up for sale. Three of the risen to USD1.6bn. ERA Bulletin 15 September 2015. ERA Bulletin Metrolink has run commercial trams are Brush Railcoaches and CHAPEL HILL – DURHAM, NC. ST PETERSBURG, FL. In the advertising sponsorship of one of two are trailer cars. Four of these Voters in Raleigh have approved 4 November ballot the one-cent its new fleet. It will also recognise (625/637/681/687) have been a half-cent sales tax increase for sales tax plan to provide funding the start of work on the Second stored in the open at Knowsley; transit improvements. This could for the proposed St Petersburg – City Crossing, which is to see its 626 has been stored in the Pacific lead to the planned Chapel Hill Clearwater LRT line was rejected first phase from Victoria Station to Road shed in Birkenhead. – Durham light rail line being by 62% of voters. E. B. Havens Exchange Square opened in 2016. extended to Raleigh. E. B. Havens SAN FRANCISCO (BART). PRESTON. Proposals for a USA CHARLOTTE, NC. The first of On 4 November Alameda County Trampower line in the city took a ATLANTA, GA. A new study has 22 new S70 LRVs arrived from voters approved a tax increase step backwards when the council started to evaluate light rail in Siemens on 28 October. They are that will help extend BART rapid refused a planning application the Clifton corridor between the needed for the Uptown extension, transit to Livermore with a 70% for the first phase of the project Lindbergh Center and the suburb due to open in 2017. E. B. Havens ‘Yes’ vote. F. M. Cain to reopen a former railway line in of Avondale. Two years ago voters DALLAS, TX. The extension of SAN FRANCISCO, CA (Muni). the Deepdale area. A further larger defeated a transportation sales the McKinney Avenue Streetcar During Muni Heritage Weekend planning application remains tax initiative. Public meetings line to Olive St is scheduled to on 1 November public rides undetermined. were arranged for December. open on 1 March. E. B. Havens along the Embarcadero were STOURBRIDGE. The two Class The FTA has approved preliminary FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. offered using trams 1 (1912), 130 139 Parry People Mover railcars planning by MARTA on the Clifton The city commission has approved (1914), 228 (ex-Blackpool, 1934), on the Stourbridge Town branch corridor light rail line. plans for an on-street loop that 578 (1896) and 1040 (1952). have entered their sixth year of On 4 November voters in would extend the tramline Double-ended cable car 42 was operation. A recent four-weekly Clayton county voted by 74% through Flagler Village at its used on the California St line,

40 / JANUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org has been retrieved from a garden WEHMINGEN (DE). O n in Görlitz. The 1928 MAN car 4 October ex-Düsseldorf 389 was was delivered as 33, and ran in used to test the new northern Görlitz as tram 42. The restored turning circle for the first time. tram will be displayed in the It will be used for passenger service Bergbaumuseum Oelsnitz. BS in the 2015 season. Two-axle LEICESTER (UK). The Leicester k3 trailer 1606 has arrived from Transport Heritage Trust has Wien (Vienna). BS leased the former Edwardian Tram Depot in London Road Stoneygate CONTRIBUTORS from the City Council and will UK and Ireland items are welcomed be applying for funding to the by the Home News Editor, John Heritage Lottery Fund to conserve Symons, 17 Whitmore Avenue, the building and transform it Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent, ST9 into a Local Transport Heritage & 0LW, UK. E-mail [email protected] Research Centre. Worldwide items should be sent The depot was built in 1904 to Worldwide Editor Michael but it was used as a tram depot for Taplin at Flat 1, 10 Hope Road, a relatively short period, being Shanklin, Isle of Wight PO37 6EA, San Francisco demonstrates that it is now possible to see two Blackpool Boats decommissioned in 1922 when UK – Fax: +44 (0)1983 862810 or together, as 233 and 228 appeared on the Embarcadero on 2 November. P. Ehrlich the Central Depot in Humberstone e-mail: [email protected]. Gate was expanded. From 1968 it Contributors this month include while five historic buses were used The tram was one of 20 built was used by the city’s Museums Mike Ballinger, Mike Haddon and on a downtown loop. SFGate in Loughborough in 1906 for the Department as a railway museum Eric Pounder.Acknowledgements SEATTLE, WA. On 4 November Midland Railway and ran between until 1975, and since then has are also due to Birmingham Mail, Seattle voters approved a car Burton, Newhall, Swadlincote, been leased to different businesses Burton Mail, Edinburgh Evening registration and sales tax levy Castle Gresley, Woodville and for the storage of vehicles. News, ERA Bulletin, HKT, In Cyprus, to provide USD45m in annual Ashby until closure in 1927, after NEUCHÂTEL (CH). 2015 International Rail Journal, funding for transit plans. Most will which it was sold for use as a opening dates for the tram museum Lancashire Evening Post, Manchester go towards improved bus services, garden shed before being rescued at Areuse are 19 April, 10 May, Evening News, Nottingham Evening but the money could be used for for restoration in Swadlincote 7 June, 16 August, 6 September Post, NTA (Ireland), TMS, the city extension of the First and sale to Detroit. and 4 October, 14.00-17.00. tram, transphoto.ru, Railway Gazette Hill Streetcar. E. B. Havens CRICH (UK). Two trams used by A service with historic trams is International, SFGate, urbanrail.net, the National Tramway Museum as provided between Neuchâtel and Wolverhampton Express & Star MUSEUM NEWS part of its ‘Electric 50’ celebrations Boudry on these dates. BS and wort.lu. BEAMISH (UK). The Fleetwood moved to Blackpool on 29 October. Heritage Leisure Trust has sold Former Blackpool & Fleetwood its Blackpool Brush Railcoach 40 will be on loan for a five-year 621 (originally 284) to a party of period. Blackpool 711, which individuals who have reached had been on loan to Crich since Rail Holidays of the World agreement with Beamish to accept April, returned home where it will the tram as part of the collection. form part of the reserve fleet. The vehicle had recently been The museum closed for the stored at Kirkham near Blackpool, winter on 2 November. Work but this site had to be vacated by immediately started on extensive the end of 2014. The tram moved track renewal, which should be to Beamish in November, and completed in time for re-opening after further restoration work will on 28 March. Major 2015 events complement a future development will include ‘Easter 1940s’ (5-6 to create a 1950s themed area April); ‘Beside the Seaside’ (23- within the museum complex. 31 May); ‘Classic London’ (13- It will return to its original number 14 June); and ‘TMS 60’ (19-20 284 when it becomes available for September) – the latter being a The Tram Networks of Austria service, probably not before 2017 celebration of 60 years of the are a Great Way to Explore this Country due to the museum’s existing Tramway Museum Society. Grand Austrian Tramways ~ 11 June to 25 June 2015 tramcar overhaul programme. DUNDEE (UK). The group 15 Days from £2,030pp BURTON-UPON-TRENT (UK). running Dundee’s Museum of This comprehensive escorted tour takes in all the major tram networks in Austria, Former Burton & Ashby Light Transport – which opened in together with some of the best scenic mainlines and narrow gauge lines. There is plenty Railway tram 14 that was restored Market Street in April 2014 – has of time to enjoy some of the most beautiful cities in Europe too. This is a holiday which will indulge your passion for tram travel whilst you also enjoy the culture, scenery and and sold to Detroit, Michigan, in taken over the former Maryfield sights Austria has to offer. 1980 for operation on the heritage Tram Depot from Scottish Water. Holiday highlights at a glance: line, was in a municipal surplus A funding drive to renovate the  Unlimited travel on tram networks in Innsbruck, Graz, Vienna, Linz & Frankfurt auction in November along with listed building and convert it  Private tour of Vienna in a historic tram & Museum visit other trams that operated on for museum use has begun and  NostalgieBahn, Murtalbahn, Tiroler Museumbahn, Traunseebahn, Gmundner Strassenbahn the Washington Boulevard line the group hopes that it will be  Steam hauled train on the Zillertalbahn; Mariazell Tramway Museum; Scenic which closed in 2003. It was sold available by the end of 2017. tram ride to Igls to a consortium of enthusiasts The structure was built in 1901 and  Rail journey through Semmering Pass; Rail via the classic route from Germany based in Staffordshire for was on the market having been to Austria along the Rhine River USD34 500. Although originally declared surplus to requirements For more information about this tour or to order our 2015 brochure a 3ft 6in (0.91m) gauge tram it in 2005. Call: 01766 772030 or Email: [email protected] Visit: www.ffestiniogtravel.com is not on its original bogies and The museum’s collection operated in Detroit on a 3ft includes the surviving Dundee Years of Unforgettable Rail Journeys (914mm) gauge line. The tram is to horse-tram. Accredited Agent 5050 be returned to the UK with a view HOHENSTEIN – ERNSTTHAL IATA No: 5220 to operating it on an existing line (DE). A trailer from this former Ffestiniog Travel is owned by a charitable trust and profi ts go to support the world famous Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways. in a theme park. rural tramway (closed in 1960)

Tramways and Urban Transit 03 www.tautonline.com12.indd 1 . www.lrta.org JANUARY02/12/2014 2015 /13:32:32 41 Letters

MAILBOX Get your views into print Letters should be clearly typed and preferably not handwritten. [email protected] +44 (0)1733 367615 We reserve the right to shorten contributions for publication.

Pyongyang: A fascinating peek into a less-visited tramway

Thank you for the interesting piece on Pyongyang trams in TAUT 924. The article mentions a desire to start building trams in North Korea, but that this hasn't happened to date. In fact one tram and trailer set was built in North Korea, back in 1991. This seems to have been planned as a prototype for the new lines, then under construction. Why it didn’t go into production, Tatras being bought instead, isn’t known. I don’t know whether it ever entered service. There was a photograph of this tram and trailer set in Headlights magazine in 2000. By then it had been relegated to a display item at the Three Revolutions Exhibition in northern Pyongyang. Interestingly, the same tram appears on a North Korean postage stamp of 1992, as part of a transportation set. Given the secretive nature of the North Korean authorities I suspect that we may never know the full story behind this mysterious tram. Andrew Beech, South Croydon (UK)

A very interesting article on the tramway in Pyongyang. Tatra T4 motor car 2046 and B4 trailer 246 on Pyongyang line 2, Hopefully we will see a few more on less-visited tramways. passing the Party Founding Memorial Tower. Mike Russell I would add one correction though, to the line which says that Western visitors are not allowed to ride on the My congratulations on your excellent article on the tramway Mausoleum tramway. That may be the case now, but in Pyongyang – I imagine that compiling the information Westerners have certainly travelled on it in the past. and images to produce such a well-rounded overview was I know this as I was one of an enthusiast group who did indeed difficult. just that in 2007. With so much light rail development in Asia, is there any As befits the line’s status, I can confirm that theSwiss chance we could see some more coverage from this interesting Standard trams used are immaculate inside and out. continent in TAUT please? We were also allowed to travel on both lines of the Certainly an article on the latest modern tramway openings metro (also fascinating and which uses ex-Berlin D stock) that in China wouldn’t go amiss as it is otherwise quite difficult to features lots of murals and chandeliers, as seen in Moscow. amass any form of reliable information! One thing not mentioned (and this also applies to the L. Lefarne, by email railways, which also have lot of second-hand Eastern European and Swiss locomotives and rolling stock) is that all As the majority of Chinese cities with a population above a million are trace of anything such as works plates, manufacturer’s logos embarking upon either tramway or metro projects (sometimes both) etc, which might suggest that the vehicles are second-hand or to cope with unprecedented urban growth, rest assured that TAUT have originated from anywhere except North Korea, has been is always looking to cover the latest developments as they happen. completely removed. Upcoming issues will include detailed reports on the latest new systems Colin Brazier, by e-mail in Shenyang and Zhuhai - Ed.

China enters the US transit market America regulations, but few, if any, of the It is interesting to see that the award jobs created by the order would have stayed of a near USD570m contract for Boston in the state. Of course local production metro cars is already causing outrage in is a long-standing ambition of many rail Massachusetts, with human rights activists contracts, to reward the people of the state pointing to restrictive labour rules and in any significant order, but it seems only the health and safety record of Chinese the very large orders can guarantee this. rail manufacturers. Bear in mind that we have recently Reports suggest that the CNR bid came seen disputes between local labour unions in at hundreds of millions of dollars and Kinkisharyo over plans to build the below any other, and almost half that of new cars for Metro outside of the state the Bombardier bid, and this cost factor of California, and that dispute required surely played a part as the MBTA is a Mayoral intervention. Now the well-publicised train wreck in terms of its Japanese-headquartered manufacturer financial position. But is there more to the has agreed to expand its Palmdale facility story than this? to create 250 new jobs in building the One may argue that politics has played a new LRVs that will serve the Crenshaw, significant part in the contract award, with Exposition and Gold lines. October saw CNR Changchun's first success in CNR offering to complete final assembly of For smaller orders, transit agencies winning a US urban rail vehicle order – 248 cars for the new vehicles in Massachusetts. All of hardly have the power to command that Boston's Red and Orange line modernisation, to be the other bidders ceratinly meet the Buy manufacturers build locally – and this of delivered over the next nine years. CNR Changchun

42 / JANUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org course is correct, but will the people of Unirii, terminating at three inconspicuous Boston really get the best deal with the terminals, two to the north and one to the CNR order, or will they be sold short? south of this large square. This seems to Chinese manufacturers have long be a trend in Europe where tramlines have sought to win orders in the United States been removed from city centres, yet buses for their products and commit their seem to bellow out fumes everywhere. tenders aggressively on this basis. Some The V3A trams seem to be well worn, commentators have even suggested that unlike the modern trams that are now seen Chinese authority subsidies are supporting in western Europe. Another negative was their rock-bottom bids in order to secure the absence of any route maps and the poor valuable contracts. Whether this is true quality of information in general. or not is uncertain, but it could well be a I am led to believe that the system is possibility given the known ambitions of being modernised and some lines are China in seeking greater trade links. to be converted to light rail standards. With other recent news suggesting Hopefully this will be the case as Bucharest that the two largest Chinese rolling stock is a pleasant city, with impressive manufacturers could be on the verge architecture and wide boulevards that of merging, creating a rail giant with would be ideal for light rail. revenues of over USD32bn and around Peter Vannucci, by e-mail 118 000 employees , it will be very interesting to see if any more contracts in A V3A tram waiting in one of the approach lines Exciting times for trams? Look at Dubai to enter the terminus platform at Piata Sf. Gheorghe. the US are awarded eastwards. This is set just off the main boulevard that runs to the Is this an exciting time for light rail, P. Mackeson, by e-mail north of Piata Unirii. The terminal loop surrounds the despite worldwide financial problems? grounds of the Basilica Sf. Gheorghe. P. Vannucci I believe the answer is ‘yes’ - and to see Magdeburg on the mend why, we need look no further than Dubai’s Given the devastation caused by the new tramway (TAUT 924). European floods of June 2013, it was “The uninitiated would Even before the opening, Dubai’s heartening to read that ‘Magdeburg is on hardly believe that monorail and metro had been grabbing the mend’ (TAUT 924). I have read reports the headlines, complementing so well this elsewhere that the severity of the damage, Bucharest has a tramway, modern city. Now the new tramway shows and the costs to reinstate services, could once again how a state that relied on oil for well have spelled the end of tramway now confined to back its rapid economic growth is spending its services altogether. Do you know if this money on projects that reduce reliance on debate is really happening locally? streets as buses bellow out the private car. M. McLean, Glasgow (UK) Indeed, the tramway, delivered by Alstom fumes in the city centre.” together with partners, once again puts this We are not aware of any current debate on the Middle East state at the forefront of rail- tramway’s future, and indeed MVB has explained route maps. A group of three of us took based urban transit. That’s not only due to us how it is progressing through the process of a trip northwards on line 2 and could to the line’s styling and comfortable well- rehabilitating the network – Ed. only find one ticket machine – maybe we appointed trams, but also due to its many were in the wrong part of the station. The ground-breaking features. Most obviously, Impressions of Bucharest machine itself took a long time to issue a the whole of the roughly 11km (seven- Having just returned from a short visit to ticket and seemed to reset after every sale. mile) tramway is run without overhead Bucharest, Romania, I thought I would It took us about five minutes to buy three wires using APS (and this in the harsh record some of my impressions of the tickets, which was far too long. A return sandy environment of Dubai), but there rail-based urban transport in the city. trip cost RON4, which is less than GBP0.80. are systems to assist the drivers and the Our group was based in a hotel on the The metro train was comprised of what sophisticated stops are more like stations, edge of the ‘Old City’ (Lipscani) tourist appeared to be relatively new, modern CAF with platform doors to help combat the area, at the north side of the main Piata sets with wide gangways. Stations seemed heat and keep customers comfortable. Unirii. This square is an intersection of quite far apart and overall it was a pleasant Of course, Dubai has the budgets to metro lines 1, 2 and 3 and crosses the main experience, although, in my opinion, more support ambitious projects, but this is boulevard that runs up to the Parliament should be done to brighten up the stations. the kind of ambition others should look buildings, and is considered by tourists to As for the tramway, I had read that it to emulate. Cut-price, stripped-down be the centre of the city. was a system but for the uninitiated, like public transport is all very well – but if The underground station is basic with my companions, you would have hardly our citizens are to be excited by public few escalators, many steps and several noticed that it existed, especially in the transport, this is just the kind of stylish market-style private shops. Signage is centre of the city. It seems confined to back and convenient transport we need. poor and there do not appear to be many streets and none of the lines cross Piata Name and address supplied

The full list of the year’s meetings and meeting places MEETINGS & EVENTS can also be found at www.lrta.org

DECEMBER 2014 JANUARY 2015 Saturday 10. Birmingham 14.00. Wednesday 21. Bristol 19.30. Italy – Part 2. (LRTA/TLRS/ERS) Area AGM then Brian Lomas: Monday 15. Wickham 19.30. Tuesday 6. Southampton 19.30. Monday 12. Thames Valley 19.30. Italy 2013 Pt 1. Christmas bash. (TLRS) Martin Petch: Budapest and its John Laker: Italian tramways Thursday 29. Manchester 19.00. Tuesday 16. London 19.00 trams in 1998. (LRTA/SEG) 2013-14 (TLRS) Bob Hill: Heaton Park Tramway. David Cockle: Crossing Rivers. Thursday 8. Members Evening Saturday 17. Taunton 14.00 AGM / Friday 30. Edinburgh 19.30. What might still come to run? CANCELLED; 29 January meeting Members' presentations. (TLRS) Ian Craig: Integration of Edinburgh Saturday 20. Beeston 14.00. is unchanged. Monday 19. Liverpool 19.30. transport. Roger Benton: Tramway films from Friday 9. Glasgow 19.30. Sholto Rob Jones: The story of the Saturday 31. Beeston 14.00. AGM the TMS Archive. (TLRS) Thomas. USA: Off the beaten tracks. Merseyside Tramway Preservation plus 2015 Infrastructure Challenge (STTS) Society. (TLRS) and photo competition. (TLRS)

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JANUARY 2015 / 43 Classic Trams GOTHA’S DOUBLE ANNIVERSARY In September a weekend of nostalgic festivities commemorated the anniversary of the tramway in Gotha and the opening of the Thüringerwaldbahn, both in Germany’s Thuringia province. Mike Russell reports. 1

lectric tramway development The Thüringerwaldbahn is something which the last seven were equipped with a proceeded at a much giddier pace special, connecting a string of small higher seating capacity for operation on the in Germany than in Great Britain. settlements in the attractive Thüringer Wald Thüringerwaldbahn, to replace the original By the time the first British electric (Thuringian Forest), a recreation area popular 1929 cars. This is now the only local survivor tramways opened, many German with tourists and hikers. Although the basic and appears regularly on special occasions. towns,E large and small, already had fully service has traditionally been modest, in the Standing on the depot track fan was car functioning networks. warm seasons numerous extra cars would be 43, the prototype Gotha T57 of 1956 rebuilt Several of those small-town tramways provided to cater for the throngs of visitors to single-ended form in 1973. With its close have passed into history but some have arriving by train at Gotha. This traffic is proximity to the local car works, originally survived, including that at Gotha. The town’s still important today, but the operation of Waggon und Maschinenfabrik Fritz original electric route, opened on 2 May bigger cars in coupled formation, allied with Bothmann (later VEB Waggonbau Gotha), 1894 between Hauptbahnhof and Bürgeraue, a general reduction in rail passengers, has the Gotha tramway was a regular recipient remains the core of urban route 1 between reduced the volume of extra journeys. of prototype trams. the railway station and Waltershäuser Strasse; The fact that the 85th anniversary of the Operation of these cars, access to which extended first in 1896 to Dorotheenstrasse and opening of the line also fell in 2014 provided was restricted to those possessing a special in 1914 to Ernst Strasse. the excuse for a double celebration over the day ticket, was interposed with members Originally single-track with three passing weekend of 20-21 September. of the regular fleet. These were Tatra KT4D loops, it was reconstructed as double-track Gotha may be a relatively small tramway two-section articulated cars, including some in 1914. The original town centre routing undertaking but it has a very active and acquired from Erfurt, and ex-Mannheim through Neumarkt was retained for inward enthusiastic supporters club, whose members Düwag articulated cars, two of which have journeys only and a new single-track line organise some of the best-run tramway low-floor centre sections and are normally for outward journeys laid in Gartenstrasse. events in the country. rostered to work on the TWB. Further reconstruction led to that line being relaid as double-track, resulting in the Urban… …and rural Neumarkt line being given up in 1968, with Saturday 20 September was devoted to a Sunday 21 September was devoted to services revised to travel via new centrally- celebration of the urban network. A depot the TWB and a special all-day tour had reserved sleeper track in Gartenstrasse. open day, with sales stalls, model layouts, been arranged by the enthusiasts’ group, The original line was also extended from and tram driving opportunities, was attendance to which was limited to 35 Dorotheenstrasse as a Ringlinie back to complemented by the operation of a frequent people. No detail was left to chance, and Hauptbahnhof in May 1902 via Seminar and supplementary service of heritage tramcars. timings to the minute permitted photographs Parkstrasse, although passenger services were The undertaking has a good collection and run-pasts of the historic rolling stock on withdrawn in 1916-17 and part of the track of historic cars, mainly dating from the all sections of the line, together with crossing was kept only for goods transport. A second GDR era, but with one of the original shots of regular service cars. It is a measure of line to Friedhof (cemetery), connecting with locally-built sets for the 1929 opening of the respect in which this group is held that, the initial route at Arnoldiplatz, was opened the Thüringerwaldbahn. No rolling stock not only was the party permitted free access on 21 June 1911; slightly truncated to a new survives from the earliest days of the urban to all of the TWB, but arrangements were terminal stub at Huttenstrasse/Gartenstrasse tramway, so Zwickau loaned its car 7 for the made with Deutsche Bahn for photographs in 1968, it survived as a connecting shuttle weekend. This is a 1912 product of the MAN to be made with the railbus set operating service (3) until replaced by motor buses from works and, in common with several metre- the 9.9km (6.2-mile) branch line between 1 July 1985. A third line to the eastern station gauge historic cars to be found on former Fröttstädt and Friedrichroda on the parallel was opened on 16 July 1928, surviving today GDR tramways, is a former member of the track section near Reinhardsbrunn. as route 2 (Hauptbahnhof – Ostbahnhof). Plauen fleet (in this case 44), whose long-lived Time was when Thuringia was peppered rolling stock composition allowed many East with a series of delightful small metre-gauge Thüringerwaldbahn German undertakings to recreate a tramcar tramways. Fortunately, those at Gotha, The biggest transformation came in 1929 similar to those of earlier generations. Nordhausen, Jena and Gera survive, along with the opening of the Thüringerwaldbahn Along with the regular Gotha heritage with the big system in the regional capital, (TWB) between Gotha Hauptbahnhof and fleet, Zwickau 7 operated several public Erfurt. This is a most attractive region and Tabarz, a distance of 21.7km (13.5 miles), passenger-carrying journeys, principally can be recommended for a visit. Gotha itself and a 2.4km (1.5-mile) branch to between the depot and Hauptbahnhof via boasts the attractive Orangerie and Schloss Waltershausen that left the main line much of the original 1894 route, but also Friedenstein built in the mid-17th Century at a junction delightfully named occasional sorties to Ostbahnhof on route 2, by Duke Ernst I, founder of the House of Gleisdreieck (Track Triangle). with its steeply-graded and now restricted Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, whose descendants now Plans for this project were developed as single-track climb of Nelkenberg. form the British Royal Family. early as 1911 and work started in June 1914, The other heritage cars in operation For the observant, a walk through the but was suspended due to World War One. included 39, one of fiveET55 cars built attractive old town will reveal the line of the Not until June 1928 did work recommence. locally in 1955, which now appears in the original tram route through the continued The Thüringerwaldbahn has always blue/ivory livery applied for a period in presence of wall rosettes. This peaceful oasis been operated as an integral part of the the latter GDR years, and ‘two rooms and a is living proof that the small tram systems Gotha tramway, initially by the Thüringer bath’ articulated car 215 of 1967. Gotha took of former East Germany continue to have a Elektrizitäts-Lieferungs-Gesellschaft. delivery of 16 such vehicles in 1965-67, of place in the modern world.

44 / JANUARY 2014 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org 1. Gotha G4-65 ‘two rooms and a bath’ articulated car 215 crests the single-track of Nelkenberg on its way to Ostbahnhof, whilst a heritage Wartburg is strategically posed nearby.

2. Whilst operating a journey on the special Saturday service between the depot and railway station, Zwickau 7, on loan for the anniversary weekend, passes Gotha G4-65 articulated car as Tatra KT4D 311 proceeds on a regular service journey towards the route 1 terminus.

3. Parallel working near Reinhardsbrunn. On this section of the TWB, the metre- gauge tracks share a trackbed with the parallel single-track DB branch line between Fröttstädt and Friedrichroda. Gotha G4-65 articulated car is seen alongside the DB railbus.

4. The Sunday tour of the TWB featured up to four items of historic rolling stock, here on the reserved track section between Sundhausen and 2 Boxberg. In the lead is Gotha G4-65 articulated car 215; next comes the heritage set of original Thüringerwaldbahn rolling stock, comprising motor car 56, trailer 82 and closed wagon 101. Behind is Zwickau MAN unvestibuled motor car 7 of 1912, visiting for the weekend, whilst ex-Mannheim Düwag 442 brings up the rear.

5. Traversing the reserved tracks of the Thüringerwaldbahn on its way to Boxberg as part of the Sunday tour of the TWB 3 4 is Zwickau 7. The misty open countryside is typical of the first section of the TWB between Gotha and Gleisdreieck.

6. The heritage set of original Thüringerwaldbahn rolling stock comprises locally-built motor car 56, trailer 82 and closed wagon 101, the latter originally built as an open baggage trailer. It is shown here near Reinhardsbrunn.

7. Two museum cars on the 5 6 TWB terminal turning-circle at Tabarz, with unvestibuled Zwickau 7 and locally-built ET55 car 39 alongside.

8. Gotha has acquired two Düwag articulated carsfrom Mannheim that were equipped with low-floor central sections by their previous owner. Intended for mainly use on the TWB, 508 has been repainted in the current Gotha/yellow livery and is shown here at Tabarz terminus ready for the hour-long return journey to Gotha Hauptbahnhof. 7 8 All photography by Mike Russell.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JANUARY 2014 / 45 BOOKSHOP Order online from lrta.info/shop – or by post from: LRTA Publications, 31 Ashton Road, Wokingham RG41 1HL Postage & packing – Any UK address: Add 10% (minimum £2.00, maximum £7.50) All addresses outside UK: Add 20% (minimum £4.00, maximum £15.00)

Trams in Amsterdam From horse car to Combino Trams in Amsterdam From horse car to Combino By Ray Deacon From the author of Innsbruck’s Alpine Tramways, this book tells the story of the Amsterdam network right up to the present day. It covers a wide range of topics in depth, from the electrification of the horse tramways through the transfer to municipal ownership and the closely-fought battles to retain trams in the 1950s and ’60s to the ‘Lijnen voor Morgen’ report that transformed the system into a model for other cities to follow. A detailed description of all the tram routes and the wide variety of rolling stock used, Ray Deacon along with numerous maps and previously-unpublished pictures, makes this a ‘must have’. A4 softback; 264 pages, fully illustrated – mostly in colour. £28.50 – plus postage & packing as shown above.

Tramways of Metropolitan Middlesex and North London

By George Atkins The author brings together personal memories of riding on north London trams before the late-1930s trolleybus conversions, with a comprehensive history of the Metropolitan Electric Tramways and its predecessors. Evocatively illustrated in black & white with numerous maps and depot layout drawings, the days of horse, steam and electric traction are brought to life. The iconic Feltham cars are described, including their subsequent disposal in 1952. A4 softback; 196 pages, fully-illustrated in black & white. £28.50 – plus postage & packing as shown above.

PCCs of Western Europe 1950-2010 The tram that Belgium made By Geoffrey Skelsey & Yves-Laurent Hansart These authors are well-known for their previous work on the Brussels and Belgian Coastal tramways. Here they vividly describe the development of the PCC car in post-war Western Europe right through to the demise of this iconic type in recent years. Softback, A4 size, 84 pages, with over 150 black & white and colour photographs. £14.50 – plus postage & packing as shown above.

These books are available at trade rates to bookshops, libraries and museums. Contact [email protected] for details.

Already recognised as the world’s premier magazine devoted to trolleybuses Next issue includes Trolleybus Magazine is now bigger, better and brighter! an exclusive look at Bigger Four extra pages each issue, an increase of over 14%! the trolleybuses of Better More articles, features, news, reviews and pictures Pyongyang! Journal of the National Trolleybus Association Brighter A refreshing new look inside and out Trolleybus Magazine From January 2015, enlarged to six 32 page issues per year, Trolleybus Magazine provides all you need to know about world-wide trolleybus news, current events and developments, includes well researched articles and features, carries informed reviews of the latest publications, is packed with high-quality colour pictures and comes free with an annual subscription to the National Trolleybus Association.

Full membership of the NTA costs just £24.50 in the UK, £30 in Europe and £35 for the rest of the world. It is easy to join, just log on to our website www.trolleybus.co.uk/nta

For more information and a free sample copy, please email the Editor at [email protected]

Vol. 51 No. 319 January-February 2015 or write to him at 24 Heath Farm Road, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 8JW

TM 319c For NTA Poster.indd 5 9/4/2014 3:14:28 PM

NTA LRTA Ad 04.indd 1 9/5/2014 11:24:53 AM IN YOUR NEXT ISSUE OF June-Rong Chen/KMRT June-Rong Courtesy of DART of Courtesy Junta de Andalucía de Junta NEW TRAMWAYS FOR 2015 Mike Taplin takes his annual look at the cities due to open new tramways during 2015; a total of 12 new systems are to be inaugurated, with Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Zhuhai (China), Granada (Spain) and Palermo (Italy) as some of the highlights.

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