THE INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

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MAY 2018 No. 965 ’ STEPS TO STREETCAR EXPANSION

Bringing light rail maintenance into the 21st Century Quebec City’s LRT-led masterplan New tramways for Izmir and Ouragla ‘Congestion Deal’ to benefit

Tallinn 05> £4.60 Estonian lessons for The growth of a great free public metre-gauge tramway 9 771460 832067 “The presentations, “The 12th Annual Light Rail networking, logistics Conference quite clearly and atmosphere were marked a coming of age Manchester excellent. There was a as the leader on light rail common agreement worldwide, as evidenced among the participants by the depth of analysis 17-18 July 2018 that the UK Light Rail from quality speakers and Conference is one of the active participation of the best in the industry.” key industry players and Simcha Ohrenstein – suppliers in the discussions.” CTO, Jerusalem LRT Ian Brown CBE – The UK Light Rail Conference and exhibition is the Transit Masterplan Director, UKTram premier knowledge-exchange event in the industry.

With a wide range of presentations, panel debates “An excellent conference and unrivalled networking opportunities, it is as always. Well done for Voices well-known as THE place to do business and build such a well-organised and V from the valuable and long-lasting relationships. highly-informative event.” David Hand – Global industry… Lead for LRT & Divisional There is no better place to gain true insight into Director, Mott MacDonald the workings of the sector and help shape its future. “I had a great time in Manchester. Thank you for everything, the conference T o discuss how you can be part of it, ORGANISED BY was a great success.” Ana M. Moreno – visit us online at www.mainspring.co.uk General Manager, or telephone +44 (0) 1733 367600 Tranvía de Zaragoza

SUPPORTED BY CONTENTS 170 T he official journal of the Light Rail Transit Association MAY 2018 Vol. 81 No. 965 www.tautonline.com EDITORIAL Editor – Simon Johnston [email protected] Associate Editor – Tony Streeter [email protected] Worldwide Editor – Michael Taplin 180 [email protected] News Editor – John Symons [email protected] Senior Contributor – Neil Pulling Worldwide Contributors T ony Bailey, Richard Felski, Ed Havens, Andrew Moglestue, Paul Nicholson, Herbert Pence, Mike Russell, Nikolai Semyonov, Alain Senut, Vic Simons, Witold Urbanowicz, Bill Vigrass, Thomas Wagner, Rick Wilson 173 Production – Lanna Blyth ideas for the 21st century depot 182 T el: +44 (0)1733 367604 News 164 Adam Collins of SNC-Lavalin looks at how [email protected] Quebec City masterplan focuses on LRT; technology will shape the way depots will DESIGN – Debbie Nolan Italian government funds six light rail be built and operated in the future. Advertising projects; Sankt Peterburg opens first PPP COMMERCIAL Manager – Geoff Butler tramline; Manchester plans major new OPINION: taking back our cities 184 Tel: +44 (0)1733 367610 [email protected] order; Metro work divides Kolkata tramway. Bernard Tabary explains Keolis’ part in shaping the future of shared mobility. Publisher – Matt Johnston : FREE TRANSPORT FOR ALL? 170 Tramways & Urban Transit Allan Alaküla explains how offering free SYSTEM FACTFILE: Darmstadt 185 13 Orton Enterprise Centre, Bakewell Road, Peterborough PE2 6XU, UK rides to residents in Estonia has incentivised Neil Pulling explores Darmstadt’s network, people to use again. a merger of old steam rail lines and 19th Tramways & Urban Transit is published by Mainspring on behalf of the LRTA on the third Friday of each Century electric tram routes. month preceding the cover date. ex pansiON in new orleans 173 Vic Simons reports from Louisiana’s largest W ORLDWIDE REVIEW 190 city, which is keen to expand its streetcar Caen tracklaying begins; Dublin reveals links after a period of reconstruction. preferred ‘MetroLink’ route; Electricity debts PRINT AND DISTRIBUTION curtail service in Oskemen and Taganrog; Warners (Midlands) plc, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH, UK HOCHBAHN gets even greeener 178 Approval for Bern Ostermundigen tram LRTA MEMBERSHIP (with TAUT subscription) Green initiatives take Hamburg Hochbahn’s project; Portland places new Liberty order. Tramways & Urban Transit is sent free to all paid-up new Billstedt depot to the next level. members of the Light Rail Transit Association. mailbox 195 LRTA WEBSITE AND DIARY ENHANCING CAPACITY ON THE DLR 180 Brian Lomas A 99% railway doesn’t come easy – Simon CLASSIC : FRANKFURT 196 [email protected] [email protected] Johnston finds out what it takes to maintain Mike Russell visits the city’s museum and Subscriptions, MEMBERSHIP and back issues such a record... and where to go next. describes the annual TdV ‘transport days’. LRT A Membership Secretary (Dept T06), 38 Wolseley Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK. Tel: +44 (0)117 951 7785 Cost-free sustainable urban transport for all [email protected] Website: www.lrta.info for CORPORATE Subscriptions VISIT Why shouldn’t public transport be free? This is the question posed in this www.mainspring.co.uk issue by Allan Alaküla of Tallinn’s EU Office. There are many challenges in delivering it, but if you weigh up the pros and cons – as they have done in LRTA REGISTERED OFFICE 138 Radnor Avenue, Welling DA16 2BY, UK. Allan’s home city – the decision was a clear one. Increased mobility options Private company limited by guarantee, No. 5072319 are stimulating the local economy, opening up employment opportunites in England and Wales. and creating time and efficiency savings from reduced congestion – all these benefits LRTA Chairman – Paul Rowen have been delivered to Estonia’s . The best bit is that the policy is also [email protected] generating a profit that is helping to fund service improvements. What’s not to like? © LRTA 2018 This kind of seismic shift is much easier where local and regional governments have Articles are submitted on the understanding they may also control of public transport and can initiate the change. Elsewhere it may be more later be used on our websites or other media. A contribution institutionally challenging, but as a model for future cities it has to be admired. is accepted on the basis that its author is responsible for the This brings us to another question: should mobility be considered the ‘fifth utility’? opinions expressed in it, and such opinions are not those of A lot is being made of digital connectivity as the crucial driver of the 21st Century, but the LRTA or Mainspring. All rights reserved. what about physical movement? If we are to maintain healthy economies, then the need No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including for efficient transportation is a necessity – and car-based policies simply won’t cut it. photocopying, recording or by any information storage and With more and more people being priced out of car ownership, it is up to cities to offer retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from a suitable alternative – if you can make that alternative free then all the better. the copyright owner. Multiple copying of the contents of the Elsewhere, Vic Simons returns to New Orleans to discover the progress in developing magazine without prior written approval is not permitted. the city’s ‘heritage’ streetcar service and its plans for the future, and we celebrate the work of the humble depot and the technicians who deliver our fleets into service every COVER: New Orleans RTA car 2014 at Canal Street day. How will technology affect this in the future? Find out on pages 180 and 182. and Baronne Street on 3 March 2018. Andrew Grahl There’s a lot to get your teeth into again – I hope you enjoy it. Simon Johnston, Editor Tallinn image courtesy of Lampros Rousodimos

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MAY 2018 / 163 News

n 16 March Quebec served. It is hoped that when City (Canada) completed the project will Light rail to lead unveiled its plans for remove 12 600 car journeys from a new transit network the region’s roads each day. forO the city region, designed to The proposal has the support increase passenger transit usage of the Provincial Government, Quebec City’s by 29% by 2026. The CAD3.3bn with Quebec Premier (EUR2.1 bn) project includes Philippe Couillard making a 23km (14.3-mile) east-west an initial pledge of CAD215m masterplan tramline, a 17km (10.6-mile) (EUR136.6m). The Federal “trambus” and 16km (9.9 miles) Government is expected to meet of dedicated lanes. the majority of the project’s CAD2.9bn in transit enhancements designed to The tramway would run pricetag. Quebec City is to invest boost patronage by 29% by 2026 from Le Gendre via Sainte-Foy CAD300m (EUR190.6m) for and Laval University to Louis urban development, including XIV, with two subway sections, landscaping and road widening. totalling 3.5km (2.2 miles), Annual operational costs have Sainte-Foy- Terminus Sillery-Cap- Charlesbourg and at least three new been estimated at CAD155m Rouge L’ANCIENNE underground stations. (EUR98.5m). LORETTE M SSIPPIISSI According to the plan, By 2019, Quebec City wants Terminus construction could take eight to sign financing agreements Terminus Galeries de years, with partial operation and finalise the business case les Saules la Capitale Terminus beginning in 2025. and design studies for the Le Gendre Featuring conventional infrastructure and rolling

ST CHARLES overhead electrification, double- stock. Detailed design will be Terminus RIVER Expo-Cité ended LRVs (with capacity for completed in 2020-21 along SAINTE- 973 FOY 260 passengers) are envisaged to with environmental approvals. Saint- LA CITÉ- run at three-minute headways Construction of the tramline is Terminus 138 Roch LIMOILOU Marly Université 440 during peak periods. Services are expected to start in 2022. Laval Terminus Belvedére planned to operate 05.00-01.00. The project is part of a three- OLD The objective is that 65% of pronged plan to link the capital Terminus QUEBEC Sainte-Foy Grand- the population will be within region’s south and north sectors, Ouest (West) Théàtre 800m of one of the new public with Couillard saying: “We are

73 ST LAWRENCE RIVER transport components, with at finally coming back to a new era least 80% of neighbourhoods of major projects for Quebec.” Siemens chosen to supply the OC Streetcar project ’s Orange County vehicles. Assembly will take place at Siemens’ Sacramento factory. (OCTA) has awarded Siemens a Six double-ended S70 units contract for eight S70 low-floor will be required to provide a LRVs for the OC Streetcar project 10-15-minute service, with two between Santa Ana Regional spares. The line is due to open Transportation Center and in 2020 and is forecast to carry Garden Grove. Construction of 7300 passengers/day in the first the 6.6km (4.1-mile) line, which year of operation. uses part of a former Pacific The USD299m OC Streetcar is Electric Railway alignment, funded through Measure M, is to begin later this year. Orange County’s half-cent Each 26.8m three-section LRV sales tax, and a mixture of state will accommodate 180 passengers, and federal funding. OCTA is 70 seated, and the USD51.5m working with the FTA on a agreement includes support and Full Funding Grant Agreement driver training, as well as an to cover around half of the option for up to ten additional project’s cost. A computer-generated image of a Siemens S70 in OC Streetcar livery. OCTA

Midland Metro municipalisation of operations to begin in June A date has been set for Expansion of the system Birmingham Eastside and Birmingham’s hosting of the the municipal takeover (currently 21km/13 miles) is Solihull, and from Wednesbury Commonwealth Games, to of operations on the UK’s expected to see ridership to Brierley Hill. An upgraded take place in Birmingham in Midland Metro: 24 June. The grow from 8m annually to depot and control room, and a July-August 2022. system is also to be renamed as 30m, and turnover from fleet expanded by up to 50 new West Midlands Metro (WMM). GBP12m (EUR14m) to trams are also planned. For more on Midland Metro, The municipal company, GBP50m (EUR57m) by 2030. The WMCA and WMM see Worldwide Review as well as Midland Metro Ltd, is wholly- Staff numbers are expected describe the plans for the TAUT 955, 957 and 963. owned by the West Midlands to more than double from the network as “an ambitious, Combined Authority and will current 200. game-changing programme.” assume the running of trams Planned extensions are to see Elements of the network from existing operator, Altram trams run to expansion programme are (a National Express subsidiary), station, Birmingham’s expected to be fast-tracked under a 15-year contract. Centenary Square, Edgbaston, to play a key role during

164 / may 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org approves EUR191m for transit Projects in six cities to benefit from 2018 state transportation budget

n 7 March the Italian The capital, Roma, will receive Government’s EUR36.4m to buy four trainsets Ministry of for metro line C. An extension Infrastructure & from Lodi to Colosseo is currently OTransport approved a budget under construction. allocation of EUR191m for urban Napoli will receive EUR38m to transit projects in six cities, with build a new depot for light metro an emphasis on light rail. at Mostra. This is required The largest sum, EUR40m, will to accommodate the fleet that go towards the reconstruction will be used on the 3.3km (two- of the Milano – Limbiate mile) extension from Mergellina tramway which did to Municipio, under construction not run for a period in 2017 for completion in April 2019. due to poor infrastructure Finally, Catania will receive conditions. The city has already EUR9.9m for refurbishment of its agreed its EUR103m contribution metro trains, delivered in 1998. towards this project and is now seeking tenders for 50 new On 29 March Brescia Mobilità double-ended trams to replace and state railway FS Italiane the three-car ‘block trains’ Two bloccata tram sets in Limbiate on the interurban service to and from Milano signed an agreement for the dating from the 1950s. during one of the relatively rare periods of snow. T. Oget construction of two tramlines The Torino automated light in Brescia: Pendolina to the new metro will receive EUR14.3m The two additional trainsets will The government has allocated Pala Eib sports centre in the for the purchase of two more bring the number on order to six. EUR29.9m to the city of Firenze south-west, mostly following trainsets and EUR7.4m for the EUR15m will secure three extra (Florence) for the extension of the line of current bus creation of extra capacity at trainsets for the Genova metro, tramline T2 from the to route 2, and to connect Via Collegno depot. A two-station which is being extended at each Sesto Fiorentino-Polo Scientifico. Vallecamonica in the west and extension of the line from end, to Canepari in the north- The first section of line T2 is Viale Bornata in the east. Lingotto to Bengasi is under west and Martinez in the east. under construction between The municipality is to request construction, while a further An existing EUR137.8m order for Piazza dell’Unita d’Italia and funding from the Ministry of extension from Fermi to Cascine 11 new trainsets will be boosted Aeroporto, and is due for Infrastructure & Transport by Vica is at the planning stage. by the three now budgeted. completion in October. the end of the year.

Sankt Peterburg express tram opens NEWS IN PICTURES Wednesday 7 March saw the of Lider Group and LSR Group. the Eurasian Siskin bird). The launch of the express tramway It does not come under the three-section 33.45m trams each serving the Krasnogvardeyskiy operation of the municipal accommodate 256 passengers district in Russia’s Sankt tramway company. (66 seated). Eight were available Peterburg. The initial 4.2km The scheme sees investment for the initial service, working (2.6-mile) service 8 runs from of RUR33.7bn (EUR477m), with from a temporary depot in near Ladozhskaya metro, a 150m a city contribution of RUR1.3bn Khasanskaya Ulitsa until the new walk, and Ulitsa Khasanskaya via (EUR18.4m), for new routes and facility on Industryalny Prospect Prospect Koslina. the upgrading of 14km (8.7 miles) is completed. No were to be The line is the result of used by lines 7, 8, 10, 30 and 64. charged until the start of April. An Alstom/CITAL Citadis 402 a 30-year Public Private TKK has purchased 23 double- A further 1.8km (1.1 miles) is due tram on the world’s newest Partnership between the city and ended Metelitsa B85600M trams to open this summer. tramway in Ouargla. Tardiz67 Transportnaya Koncessionnaya from Stadler Minsk, branded The city government Kompanya (TKK), a consortium Chizhik (the Russian name for began the process of tramway Ouragla: Algeria’s upgrades through the injection latest tramway of private capital in late 2007, Passenger service on the new and announced the Nadzemny 9.7km (six-mile) tramway from El Ksar to Hai Nasr, linking the Express, a 30km (18.6-mile) light old and new city centres via Blvd rail network serving the southern du 1er Novembre, , suburbs. At that stage an opening university and SNTF rail station date of 2010 was predicted, but in the Algerian city of Ouargla it was not until 31 May 2016 that was inaugurated on 20 March TKK was awarded the concession. by Minister of Public Works Work started in August 2016. & Transport Abdelghani Zaâlane. The city has a number of light A fleet of 23 seven-section, rail projects in the pipeline, double-ended, 43.9m Citadis 402 trams supplied by Alstom including Kupchino metro and assembled in Annaba station to Pulkovo Airport and by its CITAL joint venture are Kirovskiy Zavod to Peterhof, in use and operations and but these are not covered by the maintenance are in the hands of TKK concession, and seem to be RATP Dev subsidiary SETRAM. Two Stadler Chizhik trams on Prospect Kosygin in early March. Miracle largely elevated new-build lines.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org may 2018 / 165 News Manchester launches ‘Congestion Deal’ with more Metrolink funding New investment plan could see 27 new trams ordered this year, as well as depot enlargement

he Mayor of Greater Manchester services and increase the proportion of (UK), Andy Burnham, has launched double units operating on the East Didsbury a ‘Congestion Deal’ which includes – Shaw service as well as providing for significant investment in the region’s future capacity. sustainableT transportation options with The preferred approach is to further vary public bodies and operators challenged to the existing agreement with Bombardier/ offer more choice. Employers, residents Vossloh Kiepe signed in 2007 to maintain and commuters will be incentivised to change fleet uniformity and allow the trams to be their travel behaviour, with Mr Burnham procured within the timescales required. saying: “Congestion is a serious problem The network currently carries 40m which affects people’s health and well-being. passengers/year, but TfGM’s forecasts show There’s no quick fix or single solution... and it that, subject to capacity provision, this could requires a long-term approach, but there are reach 60m journeys by 2040. things we could be doing better.” A major new Metrolink interchange could Light rail and cycling measures will be paid be built in Collyhurst as part of plans to for from a GBP243m (EUR278m) allocation expand the city centre northwards. The from the UK’s Transforming Cities Fund GBP1bn (EUR1.15bn) Northern Gateway is to (TCF, see TAUT 961). Over the next four create eight new neighbourhoods providing years this will fund the delivery of enhanced 15 000 houses at Sandhills and include walking and cycling infrastructure a transport interchange as part of a joint (GBP160m/ EUR183m) and the provision of venture between Manchester City Council GBP83m (EUR95m) for up to 27 additional and developers Far East Consortium. trams and an expanded depot. Public consultation on the plans for the The TCF was announced at the 2017 UK ten-year project is expected to start in June. Autumn Budget, allocating a national fund that totals GBP1.7bn (EUR1.95bn). Greater Manchester Councillor Andrew A recommendation has been made to Fender, dubbed Manchester’s ‘Mr Transport’ approve an initial order for 24 additional and a key figure behind the development M5000 trams by 30 June 2018, with the Councillor Andrew Fender (in front) and former of Metrolink, is to retire after nearly four option for three more pending approval of the Metrolink Director Peter Cushing with Metrolink’s decades as the region’s transport leader. business case for the Metrolink (Airport line) T2 120th M5000 tram in October 2016. TfGM Councillor Fender has overseen every extension. A further GBP17m (EUR19.5m) in major transport development in the region incremental borrowing would be required for implementation of a new timetable on since he was first elected in 1977, serving the extra trams and associated infrastructure 28 January, 108 vehicles are required to as Chair of the region’s transportation enhancements that include power upgrades operate a standard weekday peak service. authority since 1981. and further stabling at Trafford Park. Although the report identifies two options From 1982 he campaigned vigorously Metrolink currently has 120 Bombardier for tram procurement (either 15 trams or 27 for the re-introduction of trams to the city, M5000 trams, delivered 2007-16, including trams), the latter is recommended to allow playing an active part in every stage of its ten purchased in advance of the Trafford Park an incremental 12 trams to double all the development into two-thirds of that initially line opening in winter 2020. Following the Bury – Piccadilly and Altrincham – Piccadilly planned by the group he led.

Siemens Alstom merger NEWS IN PICTURES moves a step closer On 23 March the Business with Yann Delabriere moving Opening Combination Agreement for from Alstom to be Vice- festivities the planned merger of Siemens’ Chairman and an independent at the Mobility division with Alstom member of the board. University of North Transport was signed by both The new group will have a Carolina at parties, setting out the terms headquarters at Saint-Ouen Charlotte and conditions agreed by the (Paris) and be listed on the Paris station on companies since last September’s Bourse. Siemens AG will receive 16 March. Memorandum of Understanding. newly-issued shares in the A. Grahl The future board of directors combined company, representing of Siemens Alstom will have 50% of the share capital of LYNX Blue line reaches UNCC 11 members: six, including the Alstom (on a diluted basis). The 14.9km (9.3-mile) north-western extension of Charlotte’s LYNX Blue light Chairman, are to be appointed by The board nominations rail line opened on 16 March, from 7th St to a new terminus at the University of North Carolina Charlotte-Main. The line, first opened in November 2007, is Siemens with four independent are subject to the approval of now 31.1km (19.3 miles) long, with 11 park-and-ride sites. It is operated by a fleet members and the CEO (Henri Alstom shareholders as well as of 42 Siemens S70 LRVs (22 of which were delivered in 2017-18). Poupart-Lafarge) from Alstom. completion of the deal itself The four-year USD1.13bn project received USD580m in grants from the Siemens is nominating Roland following the approval by Federal Transit Administration, and will add 18 000 daily passenger trips to Busch as Chairman, in addition various authorities, but should the existing 15 000/day using the line. to his duties with Siemens AG, be achieved by the end of 2018.

166 / may 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org London, 3 October 2018 Recognising excellence and innovation in the global light and urban rail sectors Entri es OPEN NOW!

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www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org may 2018 / 167 News

Catenary-free solution for ‘Golden Horn’ line Kolkata divides tramway Alstom’s APS surface contact power supply system has been selected for the 10km (6.2-mile) Metro works split ‘Golden Horn’ tram line under construction between Eminönü India’s only tramway and Alibeyköy in . into northern and A fleet of 30 LRVs are on order from Bursa-based Durmazlar, southern sections under a separate contract signed on 19 January. This marks the first time APS has been used with vehicles ndia’s only tramway system, from another manufacturer. in the West Bengal city Line T5 will feature 14 stops with of Kolkata (Calcutta) is 60m-long platforms and cater for currently operating as two 120 000 passengers/day. Work systemsI due to metro works began on 20 March 2017 and is cutting the great Esplanade being undertaken by Doğuş İnşaat terminus in two. The southern under a EUR153m contract. Esplanade terminus is physically LRT project separated from that for the to begin ‘in two years’ northern section, with a new Kolkata 227 is one of the trams rebuilt at Nonapukur works since 2008 with a New Zealand Transport Minister turning circle laid through the Phil Twyford has said that he polycarbonate body; it is seen on fractional line 36/24 on the junction between the relocated bus station, crossing Tollygunge and Ballygunge routes south of Kalighat on 27 February. M. J. Russell wants to begin work on the light the disused former tracks about rail connection between the 200m south of the northern service is mainly operated by appear regularly; 630A has been waterfront area, near Westhaven to the CBD via Queen St and routes’ terminus. Burns Standard cars, with some demoted to service work on Dominion Rd, before continuing to Depots are at Belgatchia and Jessop cars, all in medium 5, while 645A operates from the airport, to start in 2020. Rajabazar on the northern and white livery. In addition a Kidderpore on line 36. Pre-war Bombardier restructuring section, and at Kidderpore and number of rebodied cars with tram 498 (in ivory livery) and Agreement has been reached Tollygunge on the southern locally-built polycarbonate Jessop car 705 are retained for between Bombardier and German section. With the much-reduced bodies are in service (but not as private hire duties. unions over the restructuring of route network and general many as were built). Most journeys attract a INR5 manufacturing activities, with no frequency reductions, far fewer Sightseeing bogie trams (EUR0.05), but longer trips factory closures planned. trams are in operation. Normal 630A, 630B and 645A do not cost INR6 (EUR0.06). The company announced plans in 2017 to reduce its 8500-strong German workforce by 2200; no jobs will be lost before December 2019. The firm has already cut Bolivian light rail to use Stadler LRVs numbers by 1430, largely by not renewing temporary contracts and In an Andean valley, at an (Green line, 27.1km/16.8 miles), Infrastructure equipment and restructuring management. elevation of 2500m, is the El Castillo (Yellow line, 9.8km/ rolling stock is to be supplied Bombardier has confirmed fourth largest city in Bolivia, 6.1 miles) and San Simon from Switzerland, with Stadler investment to make sites more Cochabamba, with a population University (Red line, 5.2km/ confirming on 26 February that specialised. Hennigsdorf is of 630 600. It is famous for its 3.2 miles); 71 200 passengers/day it is to supply 12 partly low-floor to become a global metro ‘eternal spring’ climate and are expected. Swiss and German LRVs with delivery from August development centre; some work agricultural produce, and has banks are backing the USD504m 2019, including a further three will transfer to Bautzen, which will benefit from EUR30m investment. extensive public transport, with project, and in 2016 a contract years of maintenance. The 70 bus and minibus lines, plus was signed with a consortium three-section cars will carry 208 McLaren F1 tech for SMRT ‘trufi’ shared taxi lines. formed by Spanish construction passengers and run at speeds of Singapore Mass Now a 45.5km (28.3-mile) company JOCA and the Swiss up to 80km/h (50mph). (SMRT) has signed an agreement interurban light rail network Molinari Rail to build the line The design could be similar to wot work with the McLaren Formula 1 racing team on the with 43 stops has been approved, by 2020. Construction began in the Citylink tram-trains supplied development of condition- linking the city with Suticollo January 2018. to FGV in Alacant and Valencia, monitoring and predictive train , or to the Metelitsa tram The maintenance systems. It is planned design. At the moment Stadler is Cochabamba LRVs to equip the first train by late 2018. could be similar to six tram-trains for the those that Stadler Benidorm – Dénia service at its Konak line opens is building for Albuixech factory. Benidorm–Dénia. Cochabamba had a first- The latest tramline in İzmir , Stadler generation electric tramway Turkey, opened on 24 March, from 1911-48, which used with 45 days of free travel. German rolling stock. The 12.8km (eight-mile) line links Fahrettin Altay in the west to Halkapınar metro and İzban station in the World Metro Rail Congress moves to Bilbao for 2018 east via Konak metro station and This year’s World Metro & advances in control systems, association, as well as the Alsancak railway station. Grassed Light Rail Congress moves to improvements in mobility and SPRI Group, ETS, Euskotren, track is used along Mustafa Kemal the Bilbao Exhibition Centre, associated services, as well as Metro Bilbao, Adif and Renfe Coastal Boulevard, and 19 stops Spain, on 18-19 April. evolution of the Internet of under the banner ‘Innovation, are served every 15 minutes, The two-day congress brings Things in transport. Technology, Action’. using 21 Eurotem low-floor trams. together speakers from around This year’s event (the 14th) The official opening takes The five-section 32m low- the world to share case studies includes Live Rail, a trade fair place on 17 April with Basque floor trams were assembled at on key aspects for the future for representatives from around President, Iñigo Urkullu.For Eurotem’s factory in Adapazarı of public transport, including 100 countries, supported by details, visit www.terrapinn.com/ and contain 85% local content. sustainability strategies, Mafex, the Spanish railway conference/metrorail

168 / may 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Alstom unveils new Citadis XO5 Latest-generation Alstom tram and surface contact system formally launched

ifteen years ago, the French Larger windows and doors enhance city of Bordeaux unveiled its the passenger experience. Alstom Citadis trams fitted with The SRS system involves automatic the APS surface contact current static charging through ground collectionF system, a technology that contact with vehicles fitted with has since been used in other French Ecopack batteries that are recharged cities and exported as far as Dubai, at each stop. This solution is cheaper and . to install than APS, but the latter is Although Alstom is set to merge its still available for both existing and rail activities with Siemens (see page new customers if required. 166), the firm chose mid-March to Nice is taking delivery of 25 seven- formally unveil the latest version of section 44m X05 SRS-equipped the Citadis, designated X05, as well 300-passenger trams for line T2, due to as the new surface power collection open later this year, the first real-world system SRS. The X05 has a top speed application of SRS. The trams are being of 80km/h (50mph) and claims to use built at the Aytré factory, in the suburbs 25% less energy than its predecessors of La Rochelle. The bogies come from as well as offering a reduction in Le Creusot, motors from Ornans and maintenance costs of up to 18%. traction systems from Tarbes. Work to begin on South Shields training centre Construction of the GBP8.4m Combined Authority, plus a GBP1.4m (EUR9.6m) railway skills centre for (EUR1.6m) contribution from Nexus. the UK’s Tyne and Wear Metro is to The centre will have a mocked-up begin in May. The project is funded station, four training rooms, through a GBP7m (EUR8m) grant conference facilities and a driver from the UK Government’s Local simulator. It will also be capable of Growth Fund Deal, administered undertaking light train maintenance. by the North East Local Enterprise The site is within the existing Metro Partnership and the North East sidings between Mile End Road and Salem Street on the site of South Shields’ original station, which closed when the line was built in the 1980s. The centre should open in 2019.

Nexus is trialling card-only payments at three of the eight ticket machines at Newcastle’s Central Station. Over half of current transactions on the A visualisation of the new training Metro are cashless, either via ‘Pop’ centre, to open in 2019. Nexus smartcards or contactless payment.

NEWS IN PICTURES Milwaukee streetcar milestones The first 20.4m double-endedLiberty streetcar for the 3.4km (2.2-mile) ‘’ urban circulator in Milwaukee, WI, was delivered from Brookville Equipment Corporation on 26 March, unveiling the system’s branding and livery for the first time. Rides will be free for the first year following a USD10m 12-year naming rights and sponsorship deal with Potawatomi Hotel and Casino, the deal Corp. Equipment Brookville also helping to cover operating costs for the first three years. Testing was due to begin in late April, with full route testing on the first phase in June ahead of an opening later in 2018. Final design work and utility relocation on the lakefront extension is complete and trackwork is to begin this year, opening in 2019. The bid for USD20m in FTA TIGER funding to cover half of the projected costs of the Arena extension was rejected for a second time by the FTA in early March.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org may 2018 / 169 Tallinn

H ead of Tallinn EU Office Allan Alaküla explains how Free public Estonia is expanding its public transport system and curbing road traffic with the transport? ultimate incentive – free rides. Why not?

CAF Urbos AXL 520 on towards Tondi on 6 October 2016. Andrzej Otrebski.

he concept of a ride on a tram or since January 2013 we have offered free In Tallinn, we took the radical decision to bus without having to buy a ticket travel to residents for all trams, , and introduce free travel for all residents of the is not something that may be (managed by municipal operator city, and the effects have been profound. easily understood by many, but Tallinna Linnatrasnpordi Aktsiaselts TLT), It has stimulated the consumption of local it’s by no means impossible. and also rail services (managed by state- goods and services, people go out more in the TRemarkably, running a public transport owned Elron AS) within the city boundaries. evenings and weekends and this is obviously system where people can hop on and off The main reason for this quantum policy transforming the local economy. It has also with freedom of the city can also be done shift is what we describe as ‘social urgency’. enhanced the labour market, widening the at a profit. We have proved this in Tallinn. After the world financial crisis of 2008-09, area where people can look for and take jobs To many European Union members, Estonia needed to survive economically and beyond just walking and cycling distances. particularly in the Baltic region, the United there was the serious threat of a population Kingdom’s rigid policy of charging relatively exodus to other countries. In a country of Congestion, not pollution high fares appears puzzling. I cannot see any just 1.3 million, only the capital region is There are no serious environmental or fundamental reason why there cannot be prospering and we expect to lose around 15% pollution issues to address as Tallinn is some form of concession in certain areas, at of our people over the next 30 years. situated on low ground on the Baltic coast, particular times of day, or for special groups The results of a 2010-11 municipal so air quality is not a major or urgent of people. satisfaction survey clearly indicated that the concern, and nor is noise and vibration. The largest city in Estonia, Tallinn’s urban ticket price for public transport was a major What is important however is congestion population is currently 450 000 (a third issue. This is not unique to Tallinn, because in the city centre, which is where everyone of the national total) and is growing at an Europe-wide research in 2014 revealed a wants to travel into. annual rate of around 5000. Yet while Tallinn similar opinion. It is equally a problem in the Before changing our transport policy, we still retains a ticketing system for visitors, UK, , the and . held a public referendum, and three-quarters

170 / maY 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org T atra KT4 119 and the first newCA F Urbos 501 at Metodisti Kirik Narva in February 2015. P. Mahhonin / CC – BY 2.0

of those taking part voted for change. balance, and that this has actually been a surrounding areas some increase. The latter is We already knew the outcome, but it was fiscally profitable course of action. evidently linked to the cost of parking a car, important to secure endorsement for the These simple maths reveal how it has but drivers probably do drive further cruising plan and ensure that the city’s government become possible to invest substantially around looking for a place. and other public organisations were given a more in , and improve mandate for change. its quality. Of course, not all additional tax First free public transport nation To prepare the shift to free public transport, money is going towards public transport, but Tallinn did not invent free public transport. a big step forward was taken to increase some of it is and this is part of the answer as It has been introduced in many places in vehicle speeds and reduce journey times. to how our system has been upgraded. Europe since the 1970s – but significantly, While we already had an extensive network of We have achieved a 10% increase in usage, to abandoned in some and lasting in others. exclusive bus lanes around the city centre, it about 140 million trips per year, but this is not Newcomers Dunkerque in France was now politically possible to get them into as much as we had hoped. There has been free (population 200 000) and the town of Avesta the very heart where they were most needed. travel for over-65s for some time, and discounts in Sweden (23 000) are keen supporters of The next step was a sharp increase in car for students, so we had a large new audience to the concept. A number of Polish conurbations parking tariffs, which was carried out in two convince that the change was a positive one. have also made a success of it. in stages using a zoned pricing system. Now, we The good news is that we have seen a sharp (population over ten million) began charge EUR6/hour 24/7 to leave a vehicle on fall in private car ownership in Tallinn in recent a partial transfer to free public transport at the street in the historic centre, and up to years, against the national trend. We don’t have the same time as Tallinn, as a trial during EUR4.8/hour in surrounding areas. strong enough evidence yet to link this directly construction of a second ring road to ease But our message is: You have a free to the introduction of free public transport, traffic levels. alternative. It is difficult to justify a but they do coincide timewise, and it’s The changes in Tallinn have not been complaint about parking prices if you have evidently a pleasing and desired development. dictated by politics. Free fares have now been a free public service that is more efficient. With regard to traffic in the city centre, in operation for six years, and have stirred up That mind shift has been implemented there has been a slight decrease, but in the interest across the rest of Estonia. If Tallinn relatively smoothly, and we haven’t detected a high level of public dissatisfaction. Tram track construction on line 4 in June 2017. Dmitry G Can this policy be replicated? Free travel is not something that can be copied everywhere, but in Poland, which has a similar tax regime, it has been implemented in some cities with the same techniques. In Estonia, the municipal budget is mostly generated from personal income tax, which is directly linked to where people live and not from the location of employment. This new funding system began in 2001 and the more recent introduction of free public transport for Tallinn residents has not surprisingly helped increase its population by over 30 000. Our conservative estimate is that every 1000 residents contribute about EUR1m, so we can reasonably calculate that the additional income so far is well in excess of EUR20m. And if the pricetag – that the money the city lost from the farebox revenue was EUR12m – you can see that the books more than

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org may 2018 / 171 Tallinn

can do it and afford it, why can’t the national Car 153, a Tatra government organise it elsewhere? KT4 (ex-Erfurt The answer is, it can, and from 1 July 481) at Linnahall. 2018 this will happen with county bus This line closed services. The sums indicate that it will cost an for reconstruction estimated EUR20m (EUR10m in lost revenue on 26 June 2017. and another EUR10m in additional national Carl Isgar subsidy). It is not the most expensive policy to implement, but the money still has to be found from somewhere. So, Estonia is going to be the first country in the world to offer free public transport nationally, with the reservation that this phrase has not yet been universally defined. There is definitely strong pressure for Tallinn to redefine its limit of no-cost public transport for residents, and it may be that in time it will be free for all. Now that’s something to think about.

Teh city and its trams A wide spectrum of influence is evident in Tallinn’s development – Estonia’s capital reflects not only traditional Estonian, but also Russian, German, and Swedish impact. The city sits at the Baltic’s eastern end and boasts around a third of the country’s population. Its tramway opened in 1888, and was electrified in 1925. Since 2012 it has been operated by Tallinna Linnatranspordi Aktsiaselts (TLT), which also operates bus and services. The current public transport system comprises four tramlines (1067mm gauge, 600V dc power supply) as well as four trolleybus and 60 bus routes. Its basic tramway configuration is one of three arms meeting at a delta junction sited between Hobujaama, Mere puiestee and Viru – the first being closest to Tallinn’s modern high- rise retailing and office-dominated CBD. West of CAF Urbos AXL 514, the junction, the other stops provide access to introduced in 2015, the Old Town spread around Toompea Hill. at Vabaduse väljak In recent years, Tallinn has extensively (Freedom Square). upgraded its tramway infrastructure with Carl Isgar the help of EU funds. was the subject of modernisation during 2017, with significant reconstruction between June and September. Both lines 1 and 2 re-opened in September with 14 Tatra KT4 and KT6T trams modernised by Ekova Electric/Cegelec in Ostrava, . This programme involved the insertion of low-floor centre sections into theKT4 cars and uprated traction equipment. Viru, on the southern arm, is designated ‘Line 4’ (Tondi – Ulemiste) and in 2014 this was the subject of a EUR26m project to redesign and renovate a 6km (3.8-mile) section. In September 2017 a 1.5km (0.9-mile) extension opened, continuing to the future Rail Baltica station at Ülemiste and a terminus at Tallinn Lennart Meri Airport. The new route features two stops, a 150m tunnel under the railway and a four-lane road on the approach to the Ülemiste station. Also in 2017, RB Rail – responsible for the Rail Baltica project to build an 870km (540-mile) standard-gauge high-speed mixed-traffic railway linking the Baltic capitals with Poland and the broader European network – invited bids for feasibility and technical studies for a tram connection from the Old City Harbour/Vanasadam to Ülemiste. The full cost of the ambitious Rail Baltica project is estimated at EUR5.79bn. Track renewal and stop enhancements across the system were an important prerequisite of the introduction of new rolling stock. A fleet of 20 CAF Urbos 2 low-floor trams was introduced about the author in March 2015 and tenders for further purchases were released in January 2018. These will be A llan Alaküla has been Head of Tallinn European Union Office in since 2007. He has studied required for a new line to the in 2021. history at Tartu University, Birmingham University and the Indian Institute of Mass Communication.

172 / may 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org New Orleans NEW ORLEANS DESIRES STREETCAR EXPANSION Following a turbulent period of reconstruction and expansion, Louisiana’s biggest city is keen to build on the success of its heritage streetcar operations. Vic Simons reports.

n a city with such a rich streetcar heritage, strong public and political support and the recent introduction of new routes, the only constraint on major expansion in New Orelans isI financial, explains Transdev Vice-President Justin T Augustine. Transdev is the operator of all public transport in the city under a contract with the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (NORTA) that is due to expire in August 2019. Although a Transdev employee, Augustine reports directly to the elected members of NORTA. February 2018 marked the third visit to the city by TAUT in recent years, and on this occasion we found a thriving undertaking that is finally realising much of the ambition that has been held back by a turbulent decade of rebuilding. Reconstruction following the devastation of 2005’s Hurricane Katrina has cost the city and the state billions of dollars, bringing with it some major challenges. At the time of our 2010 visit, Transdev had just been appointed to day-to-day control over the city’s public transit operations, New Orleans RTA opened the new Cemeteries Transit Center, a short extension of the Canal Street line, on administration and financing. 7 January 2018. Cars 2003 and 2006 are seen on 3 March; they are replicas of a 900 series Perley Thomas car Even five years after Katrina, the region was that were built by the RTA at the Carrollton Shops in New Orleans. Andrew Grahl still on the road to recovery. Its population had fallen 30% and public transit service made compliant with the Americans with window configuration. Although high-floor, had been greatly reduced due to the sheer Disabilities Act (ADA), as they were declared they are ADA compliant by means of a driver- number of vehicles taken out of service by the an ‘historical landmark’ in 1973 and thus operated hoist through the centre doors, and flooding caused by the storm; over 200 buses could not be modified. feature more modern underpinnings and and 30 streetcars stored in the Canal Street Thirty-five cars, numbered in the 900 electrical equipment. The line is connected carbarn were damaged. series, remain from a much larger fleet and to the rest of the system by a spur at the foot provide a ten-minute at peak times of Canal Street. Part of the city’s fabric with an end-to-end running time of just Canal Street saw the return of streetcars New Orleans, although not the capital, is under an hour. At the eastern end of the route after a 40-year gap in 2004. Whilst visually the largest city in the southern US State of at the Canal Street/St Charles junction there similar to those on the Riverfront line, these Louisiana. Located on a delta of the Mississippi is a link to the rest of the system, enabling a upgraded cars are considered to be a ‘Mark 2’ River which flows into the Gulf of Mexico, connection to the workshops on Carrolton version and have been numbered in the 2000 it has a current population of around Avenue whilst also allowing the Perley series. Services were withdrawn on this line 370 000 (down from 450 000 in 2000), yet it is Thomas cars to reach the other workshops after less than a year as a result of Katrina’s also the centre of a larger conurbation with a behind NORTA HQ further up Canal Street. devastation, returning almost a year later population in excess of 1.2 million. following a major rebuild paid for in part by Streetcars first came to the city in 1835 Reinstating the service the Federal Emergency Management Agency. with the opening of the steam-powered In 1988 the standard-gauge 2.4km (1.5 miles) For over three years cars were borrowed interurban railway linking the Riverfront line was opened, becoming the from the St Charles line to operate along then-separate city of Carrolton, running first new line in the city in over 60 years. Canal Street; it took until December 2008 for 10.6km (6.6 miles) along St Charles and Originally using three former all the red cars to return. The restoration effort Carrolton Avenues using the 1588mm W2 cars and two Perley Thomas cars, the was handled by RTA staff, with assistance (5ft 2½in) ‘Pennsylvania trolley gauge’. Australian imports were replaced in 1997 (and from Pennsylvania-based Brookville Emissions from the railway were soon seen sold to the Tennessee city of Memphis) with Equipment Corporation which replaced the as a nuisance to the wealthy residents along replica cars built in NORTA’s own workshops. trucks, electrical and propulsion systems. the route, resulting in replacement by a At this time the alignment was doubled and These cars also feature enhanced onboard horse-drawn tramway. Electric operation widened to the New Orleans gauge to allow audio visual information systems. was introduced along the St Charles route the isolated alignment through running The 24 cars in the Mark 2 fleet operate the in 1893, forming what is now the longest when the Canal Street line opened. remaining services, two of which start at the continuously running streetcar line Seven streetcars now operate the service. Mississippi riverfront along Canal Street to anywhere in the world. These red replica cars have the same the recently-opened Cemeteries terminus In 1923 the current stock of Perley Thomas general appearance as the Perley Thomas and bus interchange on City Park Boulevard. dark green-liveried cars were brought originals that operate on the St Charles line The other service branches eastwards along into service. These cars have not been with cabs at each end using the same three- Carrolton to the Museum terminus.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org may 2018 / 173 New Orleans

Whilst the recent Cemeteries extension LEGEND Museum of Art SEVENTH may be tiny in terms of its overall length, its Canal at WARD Canal – Cemeteries Cemeteries impact is major. The new link has eliminated Canal – City Park Esplanade a 200m walk and the crossing of two very Riverfront busy streets to a two-track terminal loop, S. CarrolltonN. Carrollton at ST.E CLAUD St. Charles Bienville (ln) Faubourg with a separate island for each track Rampart – St. Claude Canal at Canal at Marigny St. Claude including shelters, seating and timetable Carrollton White N. Broad at Elysian Double-track line information. The streetcar terminal provides MID Fields Stop CITY Canal at easy interchange to NORTA bus services and Canal Broad French BYWATER to the Jefferson Transit service from the west at Jeff Louis Market S. Carrollton Davis Armstrong Station of the conurbation, although there is no fare Monroe Park integration with the latter. The extension cost Xavier M SSIPPIISSI University FRENCH USD9.5m, primarily using leftover Federal Canal at S. QUARTER Rampart grant funding from the Canal Street line. S. Carrollton at Mark 2 vehicles also operate the service Leonidas S. Claiborne S. Broad Canal Street Canal at Station NEW ORLEANS Carondelet from the terminal along Loyola Street Harrah’s that has recently been extended 2.6km Casino S. Carrollton (1.6 miles) eastwards across Canal Street, at Willow UPT CBD Streetcar along North Rampart Street to Elysian Fields. Bay 1 Julia ALGIERS Tulane Station This USD67m eastern expansion serves a University S. Claiborne high-density population area and provides SSIPPI M St Charles at

ISSI St Charles at AIN St Charles at Melpomene PONTCHARTR a link to downtown commercial sites. Napoleon Jackson AY Broadway Freset EXPRESS W Lafayette Services run every 20 minutes throughout the Loyola Cemetery University day, taking around ten minutes from Canal New St Charles at Street to Elysian Fields, and on TAUT’s visit Broadway Orleans Louisiana A UDUBON in February the line showed good passenger St Charles at Jefferson St Charles at loadings. As only three cars are needed for St Charles at Napoleon this service, no new vehicles were required. Bordeaux The original proposal called for the North Rampart service to split at the BELOW: New Orleans RTA 2006 is photographed switching off the Rampart - St. Claude Streetcar line at Elk Place at Canal Street, Friday, March 2, 2018. The car has completed the first half of its run from the Union current terminus, with one route turning Passenger Terminal to Canal Street and will continue toward Elysian Fields Avenue. Andrew Grahl south along Elysian Fields to link with the Riverfront line near the eastern French Quarter terminal. This remains the plan, although the projection further along North Rampart where it becomes St Claud is not in the current planning schedule. If built, this extension would have a southern branch along Poland Street to the Waterfront. What is also still in the plan is a link from the Amtrak station directly down to the Riverfront at its western terminus, creating a city centre loop. Additionally, NORTA would like to extend the tracks further along Carrolton to link the St Charles line with the Museum branch forming an uptown loop with Canal Street as the eastern side. A further alignment along Poydras Street and Claiborne Avenue to Xx link to Elysian Fields southwards is proposed. In the more distant future, a key ambition is a western rail connection to the international airport – whether light or heavy rail is under discussion. No costs or timescales are yet available for these projects.

Public engagement Under its contract with the RTA, Transdev also operates two passenger across the Mississippi River, the Lower Algiers –

LEFT: The Rampart – St. Claude terminal at Elysian Fields Avenue. Andrew Grahl

RIGHT: New Orleans RTA 968 poses with a scale model at the S. Claiborne Avenue terminal of the St. Charles Streetcar on 3 March. Andrew Grahl

174 / may 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org ABOVE: A disabled hoist in use at the Cemeteries terminus; the driver leaves his cab to operate it. V. Simons

LEFT: Short-turned cars on Canal Street at Baronne Street due to the Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Marathon along Peters Street on 3 March. Andrew Grahl

Chalmette crossing also carrying motor vehicles. Running half-hourly, fares are integrated with bus and streetcar services with a basic single trip costing USD1.25 for bus and streetcar and USD2 for the as at March 2018. There are reduced fares for the disabled, senior citizens and students, and premium fares apply for express buses, the service and the Kenner Loop, outside the RTA’s operating area. For frequent riders, ‘Jazzy’ passes are available for bus and streetcar riders in one-, three-, five- and 31-day increments, costing from USD3 to USD55. Separate passes are available for the ferries. The GoMobile smartphone app was launched in 2015 across all RTA services other than . Whilst it does not offer significant price savings, it has had the effect of increasing ridership and speeding up boarding. RTA operates an exact fare system for cash transactions using fareboxes with no change given. Paper passes are swiped through the farebox. An enhanced version of GoMobile is due imminently, which will allow tickets to be purchased further in advance and stored for up to a year. The new Car 2016 departing Cemeteries terminal for downtown and the Waterfront; the former terminus is just app will also allow riders to receive real-time beyond the white wall in the background. Vic Simons schedule updates and view the exact location of bus or streetcar services. sought on a four-month complete closure In the longer-term, he outlined an aspiration Augustine explained how passionate New or an extended part closure around the for 24-hour streetcar operation to better cater Orleanians are in regard to their streetcars, construction; NORTA accepted the public’s for the vibrant nightlife that is so crucial to the stating that it was his aim to ensure that all preference and undertook the project in four city’s tourist appeal. This customer focus is the bus routes are linked to the system. This is months. The result was completion on time, driver behind his management style, summed now largely the case, he told TAUT, citing to budget and with reduced disruption. up well by consistently asking the question: the success of the Cemeteries extension and Another particular source of pride is the “How can we best serve the population given explaining that the farebox now covers 23% integration of the platform shelters and the financial constraints?”. Although clearly of the RTA’s operating costs. lighting on the North Rampart extension. an evangelist for the benefits of sensible and He expects that around 90m passengers Blending seamlessly with other street incremental light rail growth, Augustine is also will be carried in 2018 and is rightly proud of architecture, they do not feel ‘new’, he looking at interim express bus solutions which the level of Transit Orientated Development explained, even to the extent of using can be transformed into streetcar routes when around the new lines. As an example, the refurbished donated light fittings. demand justifies and funding is available. Loyola extension has spawned development Given the city’s location and history of valued at approximately USD2.7bn within a An uncertain future climate-related events, any moves towards quarter of a mile (400m) of the alignment. Like other senior transport executives across emissions-free transport with a move away The result of a year-long outreach the US, Augustine remains concerned about from fossil fuels are seen as vital. “We can programme to test reaction to planned transit future funding uncertainties. At the time of only spend cash once and we have to get it development, one initiatve under investigation our discussion it was still unclear whether right first time,” Augustine adds. “Listening is is High Occupancy Vehicle lanes on the I-10 the Federal government would continue to the most important mode as NORTA have to and I-610 freeways. If such lanes could be provide direct grants or whether new project do what the public wants”. Possible solutions established and used by express buses then funding would need to come from the State to fund growth are extra sales or property transit use would be transformed, Augustine of Louisiana as part of its block Federal grant. taxes raised specifically to cover major believes, as well as easing some of the chronic The latter would cause significant expansion projects – a methodology used rush hour congestion on the ten-lane I-10. challenges, he said, as at present Louisiana successfully elsewhere in the US. The Cemeteries extension project had seen does not fund new transit schemes. Day-to-day a very practical use of this outreach work, operational funding comes from an ongoing Grateful thanks are expressed to Justin T explained Augustine. Public opinion was 1% local sales tax set up with NORTA in 1985. Augustine for his assistance with this article.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org may 2018 / 175 Advertorial moveable oCS systems

Furrer+Frey has been creating iconic OCS solutions for almost 100 years. Here, the company explains its moveable overhead conductor-rail system (MOCS), which offers safety and accessibility improvements alongside the capability to provide bespoke solutions for challenging scenarios.

urrer+Frey have always believed for staff who need to access the vehicles’ In depot and workshop use, the vehicle is that there is more to great roofs, with associated safety hazards similar to moved inside via a conventional catenary customer service than just those associated with electrified lines above system OLE. Once inside the depot, the technical expertise. Successful operational tracks. power is supplied by the Furrer+Frey MOCS. design involves listening to and Over the past two decades we have Power to the is then cut using Fworking closely with customers to develop developed and supplied our MOCS for depot a switch and the voltage transformer carries solutions that enhance safety, efficiency and infrastructure around the world, delivering a out a check resulting in a safe indication light. the reliability of railway systems. positive impact on both efficiency and safety. The overhead is then earthed and the status Our innovative moveable overhead Supported on a set of motorised cantilevers, change is indicated by a signal to lower the conductor-rail system (MOCS) not only once the overhead is switched off and pantograph, and in some cases by a running ensures that safe maintenance can be carried earthed, the MOCS allows the conductor-rail light as well. The MOCS is then moved by the out on rail vehicles by enabling safe and free to be moved away from the track using geared control system to its parking position. access to roof-mounted equipment in depots, motors. The cantilevers can be moved away in Visual and acoustic signals are provided but it can also be adapted for situations like various positions such as: to give advance warning that moving and lifting and swing bridges, temporary works Pivoting about the depot column, so the switching procedures are about to take place. and tunnel refurbishments. cantilever can rotate from an across-track Through a control cabinet, safety electrical Our MOCS has a proven track record position to along-track and vice versa. interlocks monitor all the interfacing of safety and reliability on a wide range of Vertically-mounted supports can pivot services such as doors to roof working networks and voltages around the world. upwards so the conductor-rail is raised platforms, and also release or lock up cranes It is already operational in more than 125 away to safe height and earthed. or similar equipment. installations in over 20 countries. A scissor arrangement of supports can Based on our Rigid Overhead Conductor- be used to retract the conductor-rail to a Temporary works rail System (ROCS), it can be moved away safe height. The system can be lowered The MOCS is equally effective for installation from the track as required, switched off and to working height when required.This under temporary works or over sections where earthed, enabling obstruction-free access to provides safe and obstruction-free access temporary works are being undertaken. the infrastructure. As the system is rigid in to vehicles’ roofs for maintenance. For example, a moveable conductor-rail nature, it can also be simply isolated from This flexibility for fixing in multiple system was installed in the Berghau adjoining electrified sections. It is always arrangements offers great advantages to suit tunnel (Germany), where it was pushed accompanied by an integrated control and individual depot requirements. to its retracted position to allow tunnel communication system that provides a The transition from the conventional refurbishment work to be undertaken in proven safe and efficient way of controlling overhead line to overhead conductor-rail is possessions, but still allowing electric trains to various electrical and mechanical interfaces done through a transition bar and an in-line run outside of possessions. linked to the overhead line. overlap with arcing horn. The in-line overlap acts as a separator between the fixed transition Making depots safer bar and moveable conductor-rail system. FIND OUT MORE Vehicle inspection and maintenance tracks in depots and workshops are often electrified Simply safe www.furrerfrey.ch [email protected] to allow uninterrupted train movement or Be it depot installation or a bridge system, require diesel/battery operated shunting to ensure further safety, the MOCS is always @furrerfreyGB locomotives. If these tracks are electrified, earthed when it is secured away from its the overhead system can cause obstructions normal operating position.

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www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MAY 2018 / 177 Hamburg

Environmental standards are generally improving, Hamburg’s but Hamburg’s new Billstedt depot should be ‘green’ – green depot quite literally. TAUT reports.

An artist’s impression of the new Billstedt depot. Hamburger Hochbahn AG

or the first time since the 1960s, Hamburg’s Hochbahn is building a new depot for its U-Bahn system. stock working. Once it opens (in 2019), this will not be for trains but electric buses. The urban rail network in this Billstedt will maintain trains for both those Up to 240 vehicles are expected to be housed north German harbour city is lines, while Farmsen will concentrate on at the new facility at Gleisdreieck, north-east growingF – and that makes greater capacity for those from U1 and U3. Some 39 employees of of the city centre. fleet stabling and maintenance essential. staff will call Billstedt their workplace. Meanwhile, test boring has been taking The most recent ridership figures show The centrepiece of the EUR44m Billstedt place along the route of the new 5.8km a 2.5% rise, to 455 million a year, and the investment is the depot building itself, which (3.6-mile) U5, which is to run from Bramfeld current ‘big ticket’ projects are the five-stop to Steilshoop and have five stops. This is line U5, as well as a one-stop extension of U4. “The design intended to connect areas with more than Hamburger Hochbahn is also expanding its 100 000 inhabitants and 300 000 jobs to fleet: in 2016 the number of vehicles was 230, incorporates a green the U-Bahn network. Construction of U5 but 260 are expected by 2030. That means is hoped to start in 2021. When complete it is the existing combination of a workshop in roof; it has a rainwater intended to offer services every five minutes, Barmbek (north of the city centre) and a though the design is to allow anything up running depot in Farmsen (in the north-east) reclamation system and to 90-second headways if required. will no longer be enough. So the solution A separate project – and one already at is a new depot – for which the foundation insect-friendly lighting.” the construction phase – is that to extend ceremony took place in October 2017. U4 by 1.3km (0.8 miles) from Hafen City to will be located east of the Legienbrücke Elbbrücken. This is to open at the end of 2018. Environmental ‘upper league’ (Legien bridge). It is to be 135m long and 34m In January, Hamburger Hochbahn issued The new Billstedt depot will literally be a wide, with space for four 120m-long trains. its latest tender for the delivery of new trains: green facility – the main building incorporates The plan is that it will be able to service 28 between 50 and 90 driverless vehicles with a grassed roof – and also features heating trains per day, while sets will be put through moving block signalling for U5 (known from the district grid; a rainwater reclamation the separate washing plant (being built west as ‘Variant A’), as well as 70-110 driver- system; and insect-friendly lighting. of the Legienbrücke) every 21 days. The wash controlled trains for conventionally signalled Billstedt is described as playing in hall will have the same length as the main routes (‘Variant F’). These trains are to be the “upper league” when it comes to building, but just a single 120m-long track. optionally converted to driver-free moving Germany’s innovative standards. It will be 7m wide. The plan is for trains of block working later. The tender invitation The choice of location was driven by DT3/DT4/DT5 vehicles to be dealt with here. also includes an option for around 200 more basic considerations. Expanding the further vehicles. It is intended that ‘Variant existing facility at Farmsen was a non-starter Larger expansion F’ trains will enter service in 2024, with because it has insufficient space. In what had Billstedt is part of a wider expansion of the ‘Variant A’ vehicles following in 2028. previously been a yard area, between Billstedt Hochbahn system, which goes beyond the By that time, Billstedt should have been and Legienstrße to the east of the city, there U-Bahn for in addition to rail-based transport, part of the network for nearly a decade. was more space however. Choosing this spot this municipal operator also runs bus services. put the new depot adjacent to U2 and U4, A second new depot is currently under Thanks are due to Saskia Huhsfeldt of Hamburger maximising efficiency by minimising empty construction for completion in 2019, but Hochbahn for her assistance with this article.

178 / maY 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Advertorial MECHAN MAKES LIGHT WORK OF MODERN MAINTENANCE

ight rail calls for light lifting gear from hydraulic or electrical overhauls, and as tram and metro vehicles software updates and automation, to shrink before our eyes, depot complete remodelling if required. The firm operators demand the same of has recently completed a renovation project their maintenance equipment. for a UK light rail customer, which will be LSheffield manufacturer Mechan is leading supported by Mechan’s aftersales services. the modern-day light brigade by developing Metro and tram depots across the country a version of its lifting jacks, designed with the have called upon Mechan’s skills for many very latest, lightest rail vehicles in mind. years. London Underground is a repeat These bespoke jacks have a different base customer, for whom work has been wide and arrangement to their heavier counterparts varied, including the supply of jacks and the and a lower lifting height, due to the refurbishment of two 1920s accommodation proximity of the car to the rail. Yet they have bogies. Mechan jacks are also used by DLR, lost none of the qualities that make Mechan’s Manchester Metrolink, the Tyne and Wear flagship products so revered by the industry. Metro and London Tramlink. They can be synchronised in sets of almost Mechan is currently working on 20 any length, to eliminate decoupling, and are 12-tonne jacks, four turntables and 40 vehicle controlled by just one user. stands for Panama City Metro, as part of a Mechan Sales Manager, Lindsey Mills, project to construct a second line across the explains: “An increasing number of clients republic’s capital. are seeking light versions of equipment This is Mechan’s first order for the FIND OUT MORE more commonly found in heavy rail depots. Americas, the only continents the firm has Underfloor wheel lathes are a great example, yet to reach, and forms part of a wider For information about the products Mechan which we supply from our sister company, CIM contract to install and maintain 50km provides to the light rail industry, telephone SEG (Sogema Engineering).” (31 miles) of track, catenary and workshop +44 (0)114 257 0563, visit www.mechan.co.uk or Like Mechan, SEG is part of the CIM Group. equipment, linking the western district of follow the firm on Twitter –@mechanuk . For further details of CIM’s services, email Its services include the manufacture and San Miguelito with Felipillo in the east. [email protected] refurbishment of underfloor wheel lathes, The equipment is set to leave the UK in April.

RAIL DEPOT & WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT

• RAILCAR LIFTING JACKS • LASER MEASURING • BOGIE/EQUIPMENT DROPS • SANDBOX FILLING • TRAVERSERS • SHUNTERS • TURNTABLES • EXHAUST EXTRACTION • BOGIE WORKSHOP • UNDER FLOOR MACHINES WHEEL LATHES • UNDER CAR EQUIPMENT HANDLING

mechan.co.uk [email protected] Davy Industrial Park Prince of Wales Road +44 (0)114 257 0563 Sheffi eld S9 4EX

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MAY 2018 / 179 Beckton has served the DLR since 1994 and will soon undergo major works to accommodate a walk-through fleet that will cater for future growth in East London. KAD/Express Photo Services

ENHANCING Simon Johnston explores the issues CAPACITY of maintaining services on the ‘99% railway’ and delves into the detail of the current fleet replacement and ON THE DLR depot expansion programme. lthough its passenger operations 69 934m2 site is also the base for the network’s onto the CBTC system. As Smale tells TAUT: fill a ‘mere’ 20 hours, London’s control centre and features a six-road main “That changeover has the potential to be Docklands Light Railway is a shed, a test track, two trainwashes and routine tricky as it requires a lot of communication true 24-hour operation. stabling for around 100 single-car vehicles. between the vehicle and the signalling system Staff based at Beckton depot at Its busiest time is at the start of each working to make sure it’s good and ready to go.” Athe system’s eastern extremity work 364 days day, Smale explains. The ‘run out’ begins at To minimise stock movements and issues a year maintaining the network and its 149 04.15, with two-thirds of the fleet passing the related to coupling and uncoupling of units, automated trainsets to a standard befitting barrier onto the network where they are formations are kept together as much as its oft-quoted title as ‘the 99% railway’. under full CBTC command, courtesy of the distance-based maintenance or failures allow. This is no mean feat, says Dave Smale, Thales-supplied SelTrac system. The remaining Operational headways are from two minutes Engineering Director for concessionaire stock leaves Poplar at a similar time. in peaks, up to ten minutes for off-peak and KeolisAmey Docklands (KAD): “Passenger Poplar is now used mainly for stabling, weekends, and all trains are due back in their numbers are growing each year and the only engineering vehicles and a trainwash, but respective depots by 01.38. real constraints to further growth are our it has the capability to take over control of With such a narrow maintenance window, fleet and depot capacity. We use 131 vehicles the network if necessary. It also houses the Beckton is a hive of activity in the early hours: for peak weekday services [six additional administrative offices of both KAD and the “Heavy, exam and casualty maintenance vehicles are kept as hot spares], and some Docklands Light Railway Limited (DLRL), all take place during the day, but nights are of these are 25 years old so we need to think a subsidiary of Transport for London. where it really matters as we have to be ready about replacing them.” Although passenger operations are for 04.15. Our rolling stock night team do In addition to the 94-strong complement automated, the depots feature track circuits a great job to deliver trains for service each of Bombardier-built B90 and B92s to which so onboard Passenger Service Agents (PSAs) day,” Smale adds. “Once that cycle starts he is referring, the DLR also has 55 newer ‘drive’ to the point where trains are ‘energised’ and we’re firing the trains out into what is in B2007 units, also built by Bombardier. effect a two-lane highway, there’s no spare Serving almost 125m passengers each capacity for shunting moves in the depot.” year, the DLR is the UK’s busiest LRT operation With only 12 vehicles able to be out of and sixth-busiest railway of any kind. Since service at any one time, there is little margin December 2014, operations and maintenance for error. have been managed by the KeolisAmey Docklands joint venture under a concession Investing in people running until 31 March 2021. There is an A total of 315 staff work in KAD’s engineering extension option until October 2023. teams, with 117 dedicated to rolling stock. Over 120 additional employees have been From Poplar to Beckton recruited since the new franchise began, over Constraints around physical expansion space 50 of these focused on engineering. surrounding the original depot at Poplar saw Millions of pounds have been committed a new facility opened on the site of the former to staff development, and this is ongoing. Beckton Gasworks to coincide with this Smale explains: “This year we’re spending line’s opening in 1994. This facility is now GBP800 000 (EUR915 000) on training, and responsible for all rolling stock works and is in 2017 we trained all of our guys in the finer accessed via a spur at Gallions Reach. detail of the traction systems of the B2007 Beckton has been extended three times as fleet so we can better interrogate the systems the system has grown, most recently as part we have and do more maintenance in-house.” of a 2007-11 project in preparation for the In addition to increasing the number 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games that B2K 98 undergoing maintenance in Beckton depot of technicians, measures have been coincided with fleet expansion. The current in December 2016. TAUT implemented to address equipment

180 / may 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Expanding the DLR

deterioration as obsolescence is a constant obstacle. When spares can’t be sourced from OEMs, alternatives are found – a positive effect is that this has often resulted in improved vehicle availability and cost savings. Under another recent DLRL-funded project, B90/B92 maintenance computers have been upgraded with sensors across the trains that feed data to the control room in near real-time. Smale says: “We can look at the health of the vehicles more closely as they move around the network, monitoring things such as door pressures as they open and close, oil temperature and lots of other parameters. That’s been very useful. Once upon a time you’d detect an issue and would inspect and remedy it overnight before the vehicle went out the next day. That’s no longer acceptable, especially with our pressure on vehicle availability.” Beckton undertakes various fleet exams, This design concept shows expanded stabling north and south of the existing Beckton depot, the new from the routine 13 500km (8400-mile) substation (bottom left by the entrance tracks), extended test track and new trainwash (top left), as well as service to the major ‘F7’, due to begin this expansion of the main maintenance building (centre). Courtesy of DLRL year. This is the heaviest maintenance completed in-house and falls at 1 080 000km a particular issue, often related to actuators improve reliability. A decision is expected (670 000 miles). As each vehicle covers and relays,” Smale says. One pair may be later this year, with the first vehicles arriving around 100 000km per year, this equates to isolated once in service, but no vehicle is ever in 2021. Full replacement is expected in 2024. approximately 11 years’ service. released into service with such a fault. Options for up to 34 more vehicles relate to The F7 exam is divided into two key parts. Fleet appearance is a key performance future growth in demand. The first involves overhauling bogies, indicator in KAD’s contract. Each vehicle The specifications are demanding. underframe, brakes and primary suspension, has to be manually driven through the They include a requirement for Mean and replacement of perished rubber inserts trainwashes at Beckton or Poplar every two Distance Between Service Affecting Failures and components: “When a vehicle comes in weeks, but even this process took refinement: of 50 000km (31 000 miles) and maintenance we will have refurbished bogies ready to put “The initial franchise said we had to wash intervals of up to 30 000km (18 650 miles). on and then recommission the vehicle. every vehicle every 48 hours. But we worked Beckton depot will also require major surgery Once you break all the circuitry you have to out that if you put all the trains in a line and within its present footprint in a related do a full recommission. sent them all through one after the other you GBP100m (EUR114m) programme. “This process takes a full weekend, so a wouldn’t get them all through in 48 hours! Smale describes the scale of the task: vehicle comes in on Friday night and will “We also found that washing them too “The reconstruction will affect track, go out with replacement bogies on Monday regularly was actually doing quite a lot signalling, traction power and much more. morning. The bogies then go away for of damage, so we came up with a testing Beckton has to remain operational at all overhaul and come back to us a week later. programme with DLRL and found that every times during the build and commissioning, “The second part covers areas above the two weeks is the optimum time.” so construction phasing is critical.” solebar, including doors, and some interior and Smale’s overall philosophy is simple: The plan will see the maintenance shed and body components. That should take another “What are we trying to do the most in rolling test track extended, as well as a new substation week as some of it is quite fiddly work.” stock? There is no sexy new system, new and trainwash (see above). Additional stabling “The main challenge is that this bolt-on or go-faster stripes – we’re just trying capacity will be created to the north and programme will last for two years across to do brilliant basics and that’s down to hard south of the existing tracks on each side of the fleet, so it requires careful planning to work. More jacks and a bogie press would the depot. Smale adds: “Although Beckton ensure we have the right amount of vehicles be useful as the F7s require a lot of removal, is 24/7 now, it’s not fully staffed over the available for service at any given time.” refitting and commissioning, but this may be weekend. A new programme called ‘Fit for the a longer-term ambition.” Future’ will see this reorganised to make sure F1-style efficiency that staff deployment is aligned with fleet A key innovation under the KAD franchise Preparing for the future availability and that we’re in the right place is a new cloud-based asset management DLR ridership has grown by around 65% to take on the maintenance of the new trains. system: “We’ve spent GBP6m (EUR6.85m) since 2010, yet its fleet has remained the “We’re also seconding two staff to DLRL on Maximo, which allows us to manage our same. Forecasts suggest a further 20m for the next four years and are looking to stores far better. We’re also using it to better passengers annually in the coming decade – recruit more as an interface between DLRL plan our exams, so we’re looking at what by 2031, this figure could exceed 160m. and us as the maintainer. We did something we’re doing, when, why and if we’re doing it If all the potential growth in East London is similar when I was working on the [London in the most cost-effective way. I liken it to a realised, longer-term demand is likely to far Uncderground’s] Jubilee line in 2010, and it Formula 1 pitstop: when a vehicle comes in, exceed these predictions. worked really well. This team will sit in the we have to have all the stuff ready at the side Exploiting SelTrac’s capabilities and middle without particular alignment to either of the road, know how quickly the work can recasting the timetable has added about 12% side but understanding the requirements of be done, what the testing procedures are and in capacity since 2014 and although such both. Their remit is ‘bring it in on time, on how quickly we can have it back into service.” measures are not exhausted, the limiting budget’ but we need to make sure there is a Other initiatives have included improving factor has increasingly become the number robust, long-term maintenance plan behind it.” Beckton’s working environment. This is and size of vehicles available for service. A future possibility is a ‘Night DLR’ service central to KAD’s ethos that a railway is as much In November 2017, DLRL shortlisted four to mirror that on the London Underground about people as vehicles or infrastructure. bidders for a base order of 43 new trains to and London Overground. It is perceived Although the fleet is generally very reliable, replace the B90/B92 stock by 2024. Alstom, that demand for round-the-clock services is keeping such intensively-used vehicles going Bombardier, CAF and a consortium of Siemens a matter of when, not if, but such a decision has its trials. “Very little actually stops our and Stadler have all been invited to negotiate may only reduce maintenance opportunities vehicles moving. There are ways around most for this contract for 88m walk-through trains further and is surely not possible until after things and it’s very rare that we have to go that will bring the DLR in line with other the new fleet has been delivered and the out and move one back in. However, doors are TfL rail modes, increase capacity by 20% and depot expansion complete.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org may 2018 / 181 The future of depots THE 5 Cs OF THE 21ST CENTURY DEPOT Adam Collins of SNC-Lavalin analyses the challenges of the modern depot and looks at how technology may transform how we operate and maintain both vehicles and infrastructure.

t seems every industry is awash with all things digital. Rail is no exception. But within this heavily-hyped term there is real tangible benefit, we’ve just got to be prepared to think differently –I and in some cases wait a while. In the case of private sector operator and maintainers, lengthy franchise periods and concessions compound the ability to change. So how do we plan our future, instead of waiting for it to pass us by? In this article I will look at technology for depots and maintenance facilities and how it can support future operational models.

Today’s challenges The tramway in Tours, France, that opened in 2013 features both futuristic looking vehicles and state-of-the-art infrastructure. RCP/Léonard de Serres Some things don’t change. We still need to be safe at work. We still need to move with Simple, right? Wrong. Getting a vehicle and the depot. Mainly badged as ‘protection the times and our passenger’s needs. And we into the depot safely and onto the right road systems’ and focused around safety, these still need to find better ways of doing things. is a skill. Today, it requires a lot of human- are just one element of the overall solution. Over these pages I have provided a view of to-human communication, experience and Typically they are big investments and the these three things so we can understand how complex planning on whiteboards. Even depot is built around them in order for technology will interact with them. mature technologies like GPS, despite being the technology, signalling and automated Safety: Depots can be fraught with hazards. prevalent in most moving assets today, are operation to join up. Moving vehicles, maintenance pits and only really accurate enough to say when the So whether you are starting from scratch, gantries, large machinery, hazardous vehicle is due to arrive. It’s not so great at radically changing your operating model, or substances, electricity to name but a few… The saying precisely where they are in the depot making minor improvements using IoT, we latest industry figures state that last year yards, at any point in time. Then there is the need to should consider two initial Cs: Capacity and depots and sidings alone accounted for 21% gather parts, tools and technicians. To drive Connection. of the total harm to the UK rail workforce. efficiencies while staying safe, you need all Capacity is both the amount of data that Modernisation: Fleets continue to be fitted these things to arrive synchronously. can be processed at any one time and the with new devices or onboard system upgrades The consumer world has seen an explosion of bandwidth needed to transmit it securely. to aid their operation, giving maintenance apps and devices to capture, monitor or control Connection is about speed and coverage. teams a constant battle to keep up. mechanical or software systems – collectively The demand for capacity in the consumer Efficiency: Many depots still heavily rely on known as the Internet of Things (IoT). These world and a need to always be ‘connected’ paper. Systems need upgrading or replacing. ‘Things’ have huge potential in addressing continues to drive device demand. In Staff must get used to new working practices issues with ageing fleets and in-service business, this expectation pushes people’s and, most importantly, these have to be performance, but before we start bolting things thinking. Phrases such as “How can I watch better and more cost effective than before. on there are common themes to consider. a whole series of Game of Thrones on my On average at least 40% of any asset owner or Most enabling IoT technologies (building- iPad sat in a coffee shop, but can’t locate my operator’s cost is maintenance. block stuff) are complex, costly and require vehicles on the depot?” are common refrains. Then there is that broad term, ‘technology’. robust planning to cope with the waves of Lots of things are at play here but they We have computational technology like your data they capture over the years they operate. ultimately come down to the two Cs. TV home computer (more likely to be an iPad But systems are only one side of the coin. To streaming services have phenomenal systems these days), and operational technology such realise tangible savings you must think, act and processing power at their command, as onboard systems, traffic management or and operate differently. It is estimated that while compression technology to squeeze devices specific to an asset or system. There are IoT is 5-10 years away from implementation the most out of bandwidth has advanced also building-block technologies between, in most businesses, beyond pilot schemes, significantly. Mobile networks, in particular, such as the Cloud, security, applications and because of the impact to operating models. constantly evolve to keep up with demand. databases. The list is long and we shall be Communication between systems can be Sadly, some procurement contracts and touching on these as we delve deeper. proprietary and open up new rules around suppliers don’t run at the same pace. data management and stewardship. It is The next big advance will be 5G. Where do we start? these themes and the requirement to justify Throughputs of 20gbps downstream and To begin we should wander around the a return on investment that holds us back. 1gbps upstream, all at low latency (5ms), have minds of some organisations and people who the scale to cope with huge amounts of data – are pushing the boundaries. To help filter, Alternatives? perfect for IoT solutions and high-definition simplify and put this into context, let’s start Products are already on the market video. The latter will enable vehicles to act as with why depots exist: ‘To get vehicles in that provide forward notification and their own intelligent ‘third eye’, transmitting and out as quickly as possible.’ communication between traffic management video in milliseconds and making decisions

182 / may 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org THE 5 Cs OF THE 21ST CENTURY DEPOT

about obstructions. This is important in Digital twins generate and feed off colossal to change shape. Smart materials will start depot environments where access doors or amounts of data. Understanding the flow of to solve design and engineering problems staff can be in the way of vehicle movements. this data, who owns it, how trustworthy it is that arise from the limitations of current Drones with infrared cameras and HD video and how much it will cost to obtain goes some materials, although precision engineering can also play a part in the safety and security way to explaining why only 5% of such objects applications of 4DP mean we will not see any of the depot using these networks. are virtually modelled today. This statistic major adoption for at least 15 years. Research suggests that ultra-reliable low- covers all major engineering-based industries, latency networks will be in place by 2025, so there is a long way to go. As time goes by, Are our days numbered? so any major procurement and investment the data platforms, computing power and In order to answer this we need to consider made now should consider how easy bandwidth will get bigger, faster and cheaper, what works for our business, people and switching over and taking advantage of these meaning this will be a key contributor to how assets/vehicles. What is true is that in the types of networks will be. Remember, these physical environments are maintained. future we cannot solely depend on people. solutions need to be as close to real-time as Culturally – arguably the most important We must trust our data more, and in possible and accurate to within millimetres. C – this is a seismic shift, not only in how particular that related to what our vehicles This means lots of data being streamed and we do things, but also who does them. are really doing when in service. transmitted securely in milliseconds. The skills and Capability (a fifth C) found in Data is critical. We cannot escape it so we Seven years is not far away… think how maintenance teams will need to move closer must learn to manage and use it better. quickly your mobile phone became smart. to both digital experts and engineers, One thing is absolute in all the research – coming together to drive predictions. until we develop an interface into the human When physical and digital collide This change will open the door further brain we will always need experts to analyse Now our vehicle is on the right road and we to technologies such as Augmented Reality and reason with it. The combination of the are confident we can locate it in real-time (AR). AR is the enhancement of images of two and the execution of a new operating through our reliable mobile network, what real-life objects by analysing what the camera model is where organisations will succeed. attention does it need? sees and feeding state and other contextual But the human element can’t rest on Condition Monitoring has been around in information to the viewer. its laurels. DARPA (the US Government’s the aviation and automotive industries for Technology giants are already launching Defence Advanced Research Projects years. Direct connections to onboard systems AR platforms; Google Lens (a suite of Artificial Agency) has significant funding invested in extract data that is converted into service Intelligence visual search technologies), for developing the Brain Computer Interface. intervals based on how the vehicle performs example, can overlay interactive information This is a 1cm3 chip implanted into the brain and how it is operated. on what a device’s camera is viewing. that will send up to a million channels worth Within rail this concept has been around In engineering terms, this could be what of neurological brain activity to electronic for a while, but has never really been the part is, its model number, engineering devices, such as prosthetic limbs. It is adopted at scale outside large rolling stock change data and stock-holding location, as expected to extend to hand gestures that will manufacturers. IoT-based pilots are therefore well as contextual detail about the vehicle’s both communicate and manipulate physical the logical step to gauge how this data will recent journeys. To get this today you need to and augmented interfaces at the same time. positively inform operations. But for it to interrogate multiple systems and people and But safety first… I predict you can safely wave be a true game-changer, you will need an may still not get the answer you are looking for. goodbye to your colleagues for at least another environment called a Digital Twin – a virtual, Digital printing is the next obvious step. 30 years without causing an accident! digital counterpart of a real, physical object. Creating replacement parts needs detailed The Digital Twin enables software and information that the Twin would already systems to interact with it rather than the real hold; spares would be fabricated on-demand object, improving maintenance, upgrades, based upon predictions and when the vehicle ABOUT THE AUTHOR repairs and operation of its physical equivalent. is due to arrive. Again, large maintenance A dam Collins has worked for and with some In order to be truly useful, the twin needs: providers and rolling stock manufacturers are of the world’s largest technology companies, as An up-to-date model of the physical object investing significantly in facilities dedicated well as running his own business. Over 23 years Continuous extraction of data from the to 3D printing (also known as Additive Layer he has consulted, led global change programmes and managed large technology portfolios in physical object Manufacturing). Safety and compliance is the Government, utilities, retail and now rail.  Robust communication between the two main restraint before we start fitting digitally- In 2015 Adam Joined SNC-Lavalin to lead its Detailed monitoring of the object. printed parts to our vehicles, but in under five Digital Services team which consults, develops Once again, we see how important it is to years this will start to become reality. and supports clients in their adoption of understand capacity and connection. But here There is even embryonic research into 4D technology. Hear more from Adam at this a third C comes into play: Compliance. printing (4DP), allowing the printed object year’s UK Light Rail Conference on 17-18 July – www.mainspring.co.uk/events LEFT: Siemens has re-manufactured Combino driver armrests for the German city of Ulm using 3D printing. New and redesigned parts can now be delivered in days. Siemens

RIGHT: Keolis technicians in (US) are using AR technology to enhance maintenance regimes. Keolis

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org may 2018 / 183 Comment taking our cities back from the private car B ernard Tabary, Keolis' International CEO, explains why the ‘Shared Mobility Principles for Livable Cities’ are vital in meeting the challenges of urban mobility.

e live in a world undergoing rapid urbanisation. several months to restructure the network, which we have been Today, 54% of the world’s population live in cities, operating for over 20 years, in order to reinforce its attractiveness and by 2050 that number will grow to nearly 70%. while increasing economic efficiency. They led marketing and social W In addition, road congestion and pollution are at surveys and re-examined all aspects of the network. As a result, all-time highs. Life in city environments is becoming increasingly EUR17m of efficiency savings can now be reinvested annually to challenging and less liveable. Finally, the rise of digitalisation and improve mobility in the metropole. an ‘always on’ culture has transformed the way passengers perceive The environment influences the way we build cities and devise mobility services. their mobility. Climate change has influenced a growing number It is therefore becoming more and more important for mobility of cities to aim for a more environmentally-friendly form of service providers to have a deeper understanding of passengers’ mobility. We help cities transition toward a zero-emission future needs – and it is also more important than ever to develop smarter and renewable energy (principle #6) by offering our expertise in mobility and flow management. operating and maintaining clean vehicles (biogas, , At Keolis, we believe that mass transit is the best solution to hybrid vehicles, electric buses). For example, Foothill Transit in provide the necessary capacity, frequency and fluidity to handle Pomona, California, has chosen Keolis to operate its network of urban growth and passenger demands. It is also one of the best 139 buses, including 14 electric buses, and to help it achieve its ways to meet today’s – and tomorrow’s – environmental challenges. goal of operating 100% electric buses by 2030. We are convinced that mobility must be Connected, Autonomous, In parallel, we also focus strongly on new technologies and Shared and Electric (CASE). Building future mobility upon data. We aim for public benefits via open data (principle #7) these four pillars will help us address the and believe that the data infrastructure issues cited above. underpinning shared transport services must On 1 February 2018, together with 14 of “The environment enable interoperability, competition and the world’s leading transport and technology innovation, while ensuring privacy, security, companies including BlaBlaCar, Lyft, Via influences the way we and accountability. and Uber, we signed the Shared Mobility build cities and devise On 31 October 2017, we signed a strategic Principles for Livable Cities, pledging partnership for the sharing and analysis to prioritise people over vehicles, lower their mobility. Climate of Big Data to support the development emissions, promote equality and encourage of innovative mobility solutions with the data sharing, amongst other goals. change has influenced Institute for Data Valorization (IVADO). The ten principles of this charter are: By partnering with IVADO, Keolis aims to a growing number of develop innovative mobility solutions that 1.  We plan our cities and their mobility create value for passengers and PTAs alike. together cities to aim for more But when we introduce new technology, 2.  We prioritise people over vehicles we recognise that each innovation has 3.  We support the shared and efficient use environmentally- different uses and potential. This is why we of vehicles, lanes, curbs and land support that autonomous vehicles (AVs) in 4.  We engage with stakeholders friendly mobility.” dense urban areas should be operated only 5.  We promote equality in shared fleets (principle #10). Due to the 6. We lead the transition towards a transformational potential of autonomous vehicle technology, zero-emission future and renewable energy it is critical that all AVs are part of shared, zero-emission fleets. 7.  We support fair user fees across all modes Shared fleets can provide more affordable access to all, maximise 8.  We aim for public benefits via open data public safety and emissions benefits, ensure that maintenance and 9.  We work towards integration and seamless connectivity software upgrades are managed by professionals, and actualise the 10. We support that autonomous vehicles in dense urban areas promise of reductions in vehicles, parking, and congestion, in line should be operated only in shared fleets. with broader policy trends to reduce the use of personal cars in dense urban areas. With our partner NAVYA we have been trialling Through our diverse portfolio of mass transit solutions and and operating autonomous electric shuttles in various cities, on-demand transport services, Keolis is already positioned as a including Melbourne (Australia), London (UK), Lyon and pioneer of shared mobility, and our innovative approach is already Paris-La Défense (France) and Las Vegas (US). benefiting many communities. Now, we can build on these ideas and We aim to play an important role in autonomous vehicle services and take them forward with other committed businesses. operations, and grow our expertise in this field in order to help The first shared mobility principle – we plan our cities and their cities and companies benefit from an easy, fast and efficient mobility together – is central to this focus. We recognise that the way transport option for the first and last mile. our cities are built determines their mobility needs and how they Our world is changing and we are prepared for the challenge. can be met. We develop solid partnerships with Public Transport Bernard Tabary has been the Chief Executive Officer of Keolis’ International Authorities (PTAs) in order to ensure that the most effective mobility Division since 2011, and is a member of the Executive Committee. He is solutions are integrated to meet each community’s specific needs. responsible for commercial operations in the different regions where Keolis A great example of this is the Lille network in northern France. operates. Bernard joined the Keolis group in 2005 as Deputy CEO France, Our experts worked with the PTA European Metropolis of Lille for before becoming Managing Director of Keolis Lyon in 2007.

184 / MAY 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Darmstadt

With continuing upgrades and 21st systems Century additions, Darmstadt’s light rail germany system was forged factfile from city tramways and local railways. Darmstadt No. Darmstadt, Neil Pulling reports. 127 Germany

armstadt’s identity With the system tendency for maintenance and five minutes over the latter’s end-to- now rests more as an then reduced and upgrading works to be concentrated end 55 minutes. Extra services run for educational and research routes modified during in the summer, when passenger events at Darmstadt’s main football centre than its size or engineering works, numbers fall appreciably. stadium, near Merck Stadion stop political standing. It ST14 0785 at Luisenplatz Most local public transport is on the Böllenfalltor line. A regular on 2 August 2017. Dwas the capital of Hessen (Hessia) part of the 95% city-owned HEAG operational feature is the use of tram Words and pictures Grand Duchy before the 1871 German by Neil Pulling group. Now in many economic trailers, with the majority of services unification, maintaining equivalent sectors, HEAG originated in being so-equipped. status until 1945. Unlike Wiesbaden, 1912, its acronym having railway Most of the area’s buses (lines today’s state capital, Darmstadt has origins as Hessische Eisenbahn designated by letters) are run by HEAG benefited from retaining its tramway. Aktiengesellschaft. Used in vehicle mobiBus. The local transport body Extension and modernisation has branding, the HEAG mobiTram is DADINA (Darmstadt-Dieburger enhanced that legacy. subsidiary runs the tram operation, Nahverkehrsorganisation) that was The city’s population is about organised as regular lines created in 1997. With Mainz and 160 000, although the public transport numbered 1-9. This is deceptive as, Frankfurt am Main, respectively network serves many more due to it run mostly as alternating services, about 40km (25 miles) and 30km also covering Darmstadt-Dieburg. line 4 is a longer version of 5, with (19 km) distant, Darmstadt is one of This large district wraps around the 8 similarly for line 7. Overlaps three tramways in the Rhein-Main- city, except at its northern edge. on a main daytime 15-minute Verkehrsverbund (RMV) transport The departure of a substantial US interval deliver a high frequency union formed in 1995. Darmstadt had military garrison has vacated space across much of the system. The trolleybuses from 1944 to 1963. for redevelopment. Darmstadt has longest service, covering 23km A merging of two types of rail a concentration of educational (14.4 miles), is between Am operation contributed to the system’s establishments and the need to move Hinkelstein and Dreieichweg. layout. From 1886, metre-gauge students has been a recurring influence On this route, the weekday-only steam railways which also carried on the tramway’s development. line 6 misses some stops on the freight began connecting Darmstadt From this characteristic has come the same route as line 8, saving around with neighbouring communities.

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Routes to Griesheim to the west, Eberstadt to the south and northerly Arheilgen were later integrated with 6 7 8 Darmstadt’s electric tramway that Arheilgen Dreieichweg began operation in 1897. Despite Kolpingweg amendments, these long and fairly Messeler Str. straight arms remain distinctive Löwenplatz features, as does their contribution 4 5 to the system’s high proportion of Fuchsstraße Bf. dedicated rights of way. Weaving Instituts- zentrum through some narrow streets, the Klinikum Im Fiedlersee Kirschenallee Willy-Brandt- Esselbornstraße short southern branch to Platz Maulbeerallee Borsdorff- Gruberstraße Kasinostraße Schloß straße Lichtenbergschule is perhaps the most Merck 1 2 Haupt- Siemensstraße bahnhof Rhein-/Neckarstr. representative of the old tramway. 3 5 Luisenplatz Eissporthalle The most important convergence Nordbahnhof Schulstraße is where three pairs of tracks meet Berliner Nordbad Allee TZ Rhein around Ludwigsmonument column Main Rhönring Messplatz on Luisenplatz. Another delta Heinrich- Pallaswie- Eschollbrücker straße senstraße junction and tram/bus interchange Straße lies immediately to the north, one stop away at Willy Brandt Platz. Although in

Maria- Darmstadt’s main commercial district, Goeppert-Str. these busy tracks are far from being at Roßdörfer Platz Flughafen- the system’s geographical centre. straße Herdweg Kant- Waldfriedhof The main railway station opened Hans-Karl-Pl./ straße Otto-- Goethe- Am Markt Straße straße in 1912 on a site further west from Sankt Prinz-Emil-Garten Freiberger Hochschulstadion 4 9 Wagen- Stephan Platz the city centre than its predecessors. Griesheim halle Bessunger Straße Orangerie Merck- Platz Bar-le-Duc Weinbergstr. Stadion Important for regional and long- Ludwigs- distance trains, a concentration of bus Landskronstraße höhstraße Böllenfalltor DEPOT and tram services make Darmstadt Lincoln-Siedlung 3 Lichten- 2 9 Hbf the main cross-mode transport bergschule hub. There is tram access from the Marienhöhe north and south, as well as a turning loop near the station forecourt. Friedrich-Ebert-Straße Other main line/tram interchanges are Nordbahnhof (above Darmstadt Carl-Ulrich-Straße Nord station) and Kranichstein Bf, a short walk from its railway Von-Ketteler-Straße counterpart. About 600m separates Katharinenstraße Hähnlein-Alsbach station on the Wartehalle Darmstadt-Heidelburg/Mannheim main line and the tramway’s Am Modaubrücke Hinkelstein terminus. A railway Kirche link was lost when the tram service Friedhof to Darmstadt Ostbahnhof closed in 1 6 7 Eberstadt Frankenstein October 1986. A non-revenue loop DEPOT remains near where this line left the Mittelschneise present system close to Schloss stop. The uni-directional metre-gauge system is mainly double-tracked; about 15% is grassed. On the 1897 initial tramway south of the city Malchen centre, Böllenfalltor is the larger of two depots; much bigger than its road frontage might suggest, this site also houses the operation’s headquarters.

Im Güldenen Wingert

Neues Rathaus

Tannenbergstraße

Ludwigstraße Bickenbacher Straße

Beuneweg

Alsbach Am Hinkelstein 6 8

City-bound ST14 0781 pauses at Modaubrücke in Eberstadt on 10 November 2017.

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THE FLEET Trams are designated ST (Strassenbahn-Triebwagen) and trailers SB (Strassenbahn-Beiwagen) with numbers referring to the initial/ main delivery year. All trams are uni-directional, eight-axle and may be used interchangeably. The majority have the system’s blue, orange and white livery, with several having carried the names of communities with an international link with Darmstadt. The oldest are ten Waggon Union/ AEG 27m ST12 vehicles (9115-9124) built 1990-91. With a capacity of 63 seated and 88 standing, a high- floorST12 is normally used with a trailer. Built in 1994 and updated for better accessibility in 2011, there are 30 low-floorSB09 trailers, with capacity for 90 passengers, 48 seated. Built by LHB, they have styling similarities with the LHB (Alstom)/ Adtranz (Bombardier) 70% low-floor ST13 trams (9855-9874) that began service in 1998. Drawing upon the NGT8D used in Magdeburg, these are 2.4m-wide wide and 27.8m-long over three sections; capacity 170, 77 seated. With tidier end styling, the 18 ST14 (0775-0792) entering service during 2007 added full air conditioning and an improved passenger information Waggon Union/AEG ST12 9116 passes beneath the bridge linking court at Willy Brandt Platz. system. Projected for 2019 delivery at a procurement launch for 14 trams “A concentration of bus and tram services make in 2016, the future should see ST12 withdrawal; longer length of new Darmstadt Hbf the main cross-mode .” stock will obviate the use of trailers.

The track layout allows trams from the terminus loop to proceed to the departure platform or go directly into the depot. On the long southern route, Frankenstein depot in Eberstadt is located beyond the terminus platforms, with vehicles using the compound to turn back. There are separate platforms for the Alsbach line. In 2012 HEAG opened a new depot for its historic collection, but local restrictions only allow infrequent special event public access; it is within the track loop for Kranichstein Bf terminus on an extension which Above left: Tram/bus transfers at Böllenfalltor terminus. Above right: Having set down passengers, ST13 9869 plus opened in 2003. This section added trailer pauses on the return loop near Darmstadt Hbf on 10 November 2017.

Appreciably distant from the city centre, Darmstadt Hbf is the main cross-mode transport hub.

In the morning peak yet before the bigger shops open (as normal in Germany), 9858 heads through a retail area on 8 October 2008. Ludwigsmonument is in the background.

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Lichtenbergschule terminus on one of the system’s two short south-eastern arms.

On a single-track section in Griesheim, 9867 approaches Hans Karl Platz/ Am Markt.

0780 is seen at Schulstrasse in October 2008. Representing civic links, it bears the name of the English town of Chesterfield. The first of Darmstadt’s low-floor trams, ST13 9855 leaves Kranichstein Bahnhof terminus. The modern building houses HEAG's historic vehicle collection. ST12 9119 on the northbound track at Eberstadt Frankenstein. Terminating and starting services use the pair of platforms in the background.

188 / may 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org north from Rhönring has some closely-spaced stops in an area that includes modern high-density network facts housing. O pened: 1897 (electrified system) The Griesheim line, one of the L ines: 9 former local railways, features a D epots: 2 long and in places woodland section  of segregated ballasted track west Approx. weekday hours: 04.00-00.30 of Mozartturm. The original line ended at Georg Schüler Platz, near L ength: 41km (25.6 miles) the present Hans Karl Platz/Am L ine frequency: 15 minutes Markt stop. Available for seasonal G auge: 1000mm Feurige (Fiery) Elias steam locomotive P ower: 600V dc, overhead supply services, an unwired track loop F leet: 48 trams, 30 trailers remains at Wagenhalle around the Works car 1501 (converted ex-Augsburg MAN/Düwag M8C 8001) old depot. This post-dated the steam C ity operator: HEAG Mobilo – at Alsbach Am Hinkelstein. www.heagmobilo.de operation which ended in 1922 and the building has been converted into T ransport authority: DADINA – a cultural venue. A 1926 extension to www.dadina.de what is now Platz Bar le Duc terminus R egional network: for lines 4 and 9 features single-track RMV – www.rmv.de working. Already serving a string of C ivic information: www.darmstadt.de developments, the Arheilgen line T ourist information: north of Löwenplatz became the latest www.darmstadt-tourismus.de system extension in August 2011. Still with a rural outlook, Dreieichweg terminus has park-and-ride spaces and on the edge of Alsbach town. connecting bus services. A 30-minute interval applies outside of The long southern line has peaks south of Eberstadt on this line. contrasting surroundings. After A new double-track leaving the east-west route at the ‘Lichtwiesenbahn’ would leave The turning loop at Arheilgen Darmstadt ST14 0787 – Kennedyplatz delta junction, the line the Böllenfalltor line near Dreieckweg on an extension well cared-for interiors are a is set between road carriageways or Hochschulstadion, running east with opened in August 2011. feature across the fleet. on ballasted right of way. It becomes one intermediate stop, Kletterhalle, more conventionally picturesque and a terminus at TU-Lichtwiese/ as it passes along town and village Mensa. This Darmstadt Technical streets, also coming within sight of University site brings together over forested hillsides to the east. The final 10 000 staff and students. Although 950m to Melibokusschule (school) around only 1.3km (0.8 miles) long, was opened in December 2008. this proposed extension has met Am Hinkelstein terminus has a large objections including perceived value turning loop and park-and-ride site for money relative to increasing the bus coverage. Diverted from Böllenfalltor, a " Serving a string of re-routed line 2 with a 7.5-minute interval during the day would take developments, the 17 minutes between Darmstadt Hbf and Lichtwiese campus. This would Arheilgen line obviate many transfers between bus and tram and reduce the number of became the latest city buses. In support of the project, ess ential facts HEAG cites the superior comfort of system extension trams and that one tram can convey L ocal travel: RMV zone-based ticketing is comprehensive, around 2.5 times the amount of but not always clear for visitors. Information centres are located in August 2011." passengers as an articulated bus. at RMV Mobility Center in Darmstadt Hbf and at HEAG Mobilo, 6 Luisenplatz. Except for south of Eberstadt, the tramway is in RMV Zone 40. Single trips cost from EUR2.15, cross-mode day tickets are available from EUR4.20. Group reductions are available. The Darmstadt Card adds reduced admission prices for venues/activities to zone 40 travel: EUR6/9 for one or two days. The EUR35 per day Hessenticket is worthwhile for multi-centre travel, covering regional and local transport throughout the state: other tramways are found in Kassel and Frankfurt am Main.

What is there to see? Not an immediately visually appealing location perhaps, yet with many museums, galleries and gardens – and being the location of the European Space Operations Centre – Darmstadt justifiably represents itself as a city of culture and science. The comprehensive ‘Darmstadt Shop’ (information office) is near HEAG Mobilo at Luisenplatz. On the opposite side of the main line from Kranichstein Bf line 4/5 terminus is Darmstadt-Kranichstein Railway Museum (www.museumsbahn.de). See www.arge-heag.de and TAUT 960 for detailed coverage of Darmstadt’s tram history and heritage operations.

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AUSTRALIA section of the route to begin in ADELAIDE. On 15 January September. A further nine of the Outer and Grange the 40.6m cars (capacity 275, lines re-opened 82 seated) are due in late 2018, after a four-month closure to with 13 scheduled for delivery in permit construction of the 2019 and the last three in 2020. Torrens Junction project, with a TORONTO. Bombardier Flexity new station at Bowden. TA low-floor trams 4461-70 were delivered in January-March, AUSTRIA but 4466 has been returned to . The first new Thunder Bay to repair damage Bombardier Flexity for the incurred during delivery. D. Drum Regionalbahn project left the . A ten-year factory in Wien on 12 March, and vision, billed as one of the largest should enter service in June. EB infrastructure investments in WIEN–BADEN (WLB). The Metro Vancouver’s history, was new 6500m2 depot at Inzersdorf announced on 16 March, to be paid opened on 21 March. The facility for partly by property taxes, partly houses 200 staff and will be used by higher fares and CAD2.2bn for maintenance and storage of the (EUR1.4bn) in federal funding. The first rails were welded in place for the tramway project in Caen on 27 February in the presence of Joël Bruneau, President of the Caen la Mer Urban trams used on the Badner Bahn. The plan includes construction Community, and Rodolphe Thomas, Vice President for transport. CaenleMer The old depot at Wolfganggasse of the Surrey – Newton – Guildford closed on 1 April. EB light rail line, the Millennium Hitachi Rail Italy has been Artic trams (401/2), delivered as Line Broadway extension and awarded a EUR50m contract to prototypes in 2013, which have capacity increases on the existing build a further eight automated never been brought up to the BRUSSEL/BRUXELLES. SkyTrain system. I. Fisher metro trainsets for lines M1 and standard of the production batch. Tramline 94 was replaced by M2 by 2020. The company is They will join the Schöneiche buses between Marie-José and CHINA already building 39 similar trains tramway, adding valuable Coccinelles from 19 February to CHENGDU. On 18 March metro for the new Cityringen line, due to low-floor accessibility to the permit infrastructure work in was extended south from open in 2019. IRJ system in ’s eastern suburbs. Avenue de la Forêt. Work will last Sihe to Science City (14.1km/ The price is EUR3.4m. BS, moz.de until early November. 8.8 miles) and north from DOMINICAN REPUBLIC TURKU. A Škoda Transtech Artic Plans to celebrate 150 years of Shengxian Lake to Weijianian SANTO DOMINGO. Friday tram from (441) was tramway operation on 1 May 2019 (1.5km/0.9 miles). The branch, 23 February saw the opening shown off in the city in January, involve the section of route along which leaves the main line at Sihe, of a cableway linking Sabana painted in the Turku yellow and Avenue Louise from Legrand to was extended from Guangdu to Perdida and Avenue Charles de white livery. The displayed car was Eglise Sainte-Marie with up to 40 Wugensong (1.4km/0.9 miles). Gaulle, a feeder to the metro. 195 a three-section, metre-gauge car, trams (and the overhead retrofitted The whole 41km (25.5-mile) ten-passenger cabins are used. BS whereas the planned new Turku to accommodate trolley poles). line is now operated by 73 six- tramway will be standard-gauge. There will be an initial cavalcade car trains supplied by CRRC ESTONIA The city is now debating the of electric cars for VIPs and guests, Qingdao Sifang. urbanrail.net TALLINN. Egis Rail has been choice between a tramway and bus with horse trams exhibited. In the SHANGHAI. The 6.6km (4.1-mile) awarded a EUR171 000 contract rapid transit, with a three-line afternoon there should be a public Pujiang line elevated automated to carry out a feasibility study of system suggested by a report in late service using 11 trams between peoplemover opened on 31 March, a proposed tramway extension 2015. Construction has been the Legrand stub terminus and running from the southern to the future Rail Baltica railway projected as costing EUR347m and Ste-Marie, with single-ended terminus of metro line 8 at Shendu station in Ülemiste, with a link to could be completed by 2025. cars extending to Ixelles (Ave de Gonglu to Huizhenlu in Pujiang, the passenger ferry port. The city’s last trams ran on l’Hippodrome) depot. serving six stations with peak The city’s transport department 1 October 1972. Raitio, tys.fi Some Vicinal rolling stock may headways of four minutes. is leading a EUR2.6m initiative to also be displayed on temporary Operations are managed by the introduce a common electronic FRANCE metre-gauge track alongside the Shanghai Keolis Public Transport ticketing platform for passengers CAEN. The first rails for the new park in Rue Royale. M. J. Russell Operation & Management Co joint moving between Tallinn and the tramway were laid on 27 February. venture of Shanghai Shentong Finnish capital of Helsinki. The Construction of the fleet of 23 BRAZIL Consulting (51%) and Keolis (49%). project would enable residents Alstom Citadis X05 trams is to SÃO PAULO. T he 2 .9k m of each country to use the same begin in April. It is hoped to begin (1.8-mile) metro line 5 extension CZECH REPUBLIC farecard to pay for travel or provide passenger service in September from Brooklin to Eucaliptos PRAHA (). The tram proof of the right to a free ride, as 2019. Cayola, Ouest-France opened on 2 March. A further hall at Hloubetin depot, with well as book ferry or plane tickets. MONTPELLIER. Rare heavy 5.5km (3.4 miles) to Chácara is its distinctive concrete roof is a key labour market snowfall on 28 February paralysed under construction. urbanrail.net dating from 1950, was closed on for Estonians, while Estonia is public transport for two days. SOROCABA. On 15 March, this safety grounds from 15 January. one of the most popular travel The undertaking does not have any city of 660 000 in São Paulo state The tram allocation has been destinations for Finns. Studies show clearing equipment. 20minutes announced a tender for a light rail reduced to cars that can be that 60% of travellers between the ORLÉANS. A 100mm snowfall feasibility study. It hopes to build stabled on outside tracks, with the two countries use public transport, on 6 February resulted in the a 24.1km (15-mile) line on existing balance transferred to Kobylisy requiring on average at least three APS surface current collection on east–west railway alignment. IRJ and Hostivar workshops. BS different tickets. line B failing. Service resumed at Consideration is also being 14.00 the following day. BS CANADA DENMARK given to include Tartu, Estonia’s . The first Flexity KØBENHAV N. Contracts for the second-largest city, in the project. GERMANY Freedom for the has been 4.5km (2.8-mile) Sydhavn metro RGI, ERR.ee AUGSBURG. A planning completed at Bombardier’s factory extension were awarded on 13 application has been submitted in Kingston. It is scheduled to March; the five new stations will FINLAND for the extension of line 3 to arrive in Edmonton in July, with open in 2024. The total cost is HELSINKI. HKL has decided Königsbrunn, with work expected testing on a 1.7km (1.05-mile) DKK9.1bn (EUR1.2bn). to sell the first two Transtech to start in 2019. An open day will

190 / MAY 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org be held at Lechhausen depot from GOTHA. The undertaking is 11.00-18.00 on 26 May. BS considering the purchase of BAD SCHANDAU. The historic BLT three-section trams (204/6/ trams of the Kirnitzschtalbahn 21-3/52) from Basel. BS will be in service during the HALBERSTADT. GT4 trams Whitsun holiday (19-21 May). BS still make occasional appearances BERLIN. Twenty-two of the in passenger traffic. 164 has remaining 40 Tatra high-floor a certificate that expires in KT4D trams remain in service in September, but 167/8 are coupled pairs on line M17 from authorised until 2021. 156/66 Marzahn depot, although every are in store, while 161 is a works 30 minutes a low-floor GT6 is car. On 17 March all the Leoliner supposed to appear. Flexity trams trams were off the road due to cannot be used at present due to snow conditions, and service was the temporary track on the railway provided by 164/7 and a bus. BS, DS bridge at Friedrichsfelde-Ost HALLE. Renewal of infrastructure during rebuilding works, which in Grosse Steinstrasse saw will last until 2020. diversions affecting lines 1, 2, 5 The last use of a non-rebuilt and 10 from 5 February. Three F74 U-bahn set was on 1 January. three-car Tatra sets can still be seen 2548/49 was then sent to Iftec at in passenger service on line 3. Leipzig to be rebuilt as type F74E. The former Ammendorf tram The new scene on Karlsruhe’s Albtalbahn with a coupled set of Citylink NET2012 Siemens has withdrawn its depot, built in 1902 and closed in low-floor units leaving Ettlingen for Hochstetten on 5 March. G. Mackinger challenge against the award of a 1997, was demolished in February contract for 20 more IK19 U-Bahn to make way for a supermarket. BS when the network current supply because of the reduced capacity sets directly to Stadler Pankow. HANNOVER. Ü s t r a h a s boosted from 600 to 750V dc. of the line, line 4 is operating It is planned to extend line placed a EUR19.4m order with Various other infrastructure work Campus Südstadt (Mensa) – Steintor U3 over the tracks of line U1 to the HeiterBlick/Kiepe/Alstom over the Easter period meant that only, and line 2 Reutershagen – Warschauer Strasse from 7 May. BS consortium for seven more normal service did not resume Dierkower Allee, leaving no service . The last of ten TW3000 high-floor LRVs for until 8 April (from when to Kurt-Schumacher-Ring. BS modernised Tatra KTNF6 trams delivery by the end of 2019. line 52 returned full time to RUHRBAHN. In Essen a with low-floor centre sections, 177, These will bring the fleet of this Schinnergraben terminus). tramline is to be built along the re-entered service on 1 March. BS type to 146. IRJ Museum tram 93 has been northern section of Berthold- BRAUNSCHWEIG. Trailers JENA. Work will start in June on adapted for the new voltage, but Beitz Boulevard to serve a new 8175/6 have been overhauled to a tramway extension from 97 and 226 cannot run until they development of 1500 homes re-enter service with articulated Zwätzen to Himmelreich. BS have been similarly modified. DS (Essen 51) due to be built from trams 8157 and 8155. BS KARLSRUHE. Fifteen of the MÜNCHEN (Munich). 2021. The new line will link line CHEMNITZ. Dual system Citylink new NET2012 cars Despite delivery of new Siemens 109 with lines 101 and 106. LRVs were introduced on the were concentrated on lines Avenio 2501-4, Type P four-axle Mülheim M6D trams 283/9/ Chemnitz–Cranzahl railway line 1/11 from 5 March. Withdrawn articulated trams can still be 90/3 left for Iaşi in January. BS from 26 February. However from Stadtbahn cars 501/5/10/4/6/ seen on two duties on line 21 on ULM. The first Siemens Avenio 3 April to 30 September they run 55/74/6/90 and 831 have left for Monday-Friday 06.24-20.35 (not to arrive in Ulm was 52 on only as far as Wilischthal due to scrapping. Eight-axle trams 211/5 during school holidays). Plans have 7 February. All 12 should be on the infrastructure work. Tracks 3 and have also been scrapped. BS been published for a new track property by September. BS 4 at Zentralhaltestelle were used KASSEL. The last Wegmann-built layout at Hbf with a third track, by line 5 from 15 January. tram on the system, works car 317, leading to Dachauer Strasse. DS GREECE The annual Kappel tramway has been withdrawn. NAUMBURG. 152 500 passengers ATHINA. Alstom is the preferred museum festival is on 2-3 June. BS Tram 672 was badly damaged used the heritage tram service in bidder for 25 low-floor trams to COTTBUS. Tatra 148 made on 19 March in a near head-on 2017, an increase of 13% on the be available for the extension of a special tour on 3 March as collision with an articulated previous year. LOWA motor tram the tramway to Piraeus. However, GourmetTram with 40 passengers truck in Altenbauner Strasse. DS 29 and Reko cars 50/1 are in regular contract award has been held up who enjoyed a five-course meal KIEL. On 15 March a majority service, with Gotha trams 37/8 due to legal challenges from Skoda supplied by a local restaurant. in the city council agreed with a under overhaul. BS and Hyundai Rotem. EB Although this service may be proposal to carry out a study for a NÜRNBERG (Nuremburg). repeated, no future programme tramline linking Fachhochschule Residents’ protests have seen the INDIA has been announced. BS and Universität. DS introduction of line 7 evening and DELHI. Metro line 7 (the Pink DRESDEN. The turning circle KÖLN (Cologne). On 6 February Sunday services from 15 January. line) – 21.6km (13.4 miles) from at Diebsteig was used for the last work began on the 650m tramline The firstGT6N to be refurbished Majlis Park to Durgabai Deshmukh time by a line 8 tram on 4 February. extension from Bocklemünd to by Iftec in Leipzig, 1011, re-entered South Campus – was inaugurated The new replacement loop is Mengenich. Completion of the service on 7 February. BS on 14 March. Service is provided at Infineon Süd. BS EUR12m project is programmed POTSDAM. The Tatra tram sets by 52 six-car automated trains built FRANKFURT-AM-MAIN. for September. BS modernised in Praha (Prague) have by Hyundai Rotem. urbanrail.net During the renewal of the LEIPZIG. Leoliner articulated been named, mostly after cities Hafenbahnbrücke in Hanauer tram 1302 has become a driver- where second-hand trams from Ireland Landstrasse from 23 April to training car and is renumbered Potsdam can be seen: 148+248 DUBLIN. The proposed Metro 16 June line 11 will operate in 5003. The older tram with this Hennigsdorf; 149+249 Szeged; North has been renamed two parts, with a shuttle service function, Tatra T4 5001, made its 152+252 Prag; 156+256 Ploiesti; MetroLink, and preferred route between Hugo-Junkers-Strasse last run on 9 March. DS 157+251 Temirtau; 161+159 details have been released by the and Fechenheim. MAGDEBURG. On 17 January a Cluj Napoca. A tram parade on National Transport Authority and The operator of Frankfurt ground-breaking ceremony was 2 September will mark 111 years Transport Infrastructure Ireland. Airport has awarded Siemens/ held for the new tramline from of tramway operation. BS The new line is to run from Estuary Keolis a EUR300m contract for Damaschkeplatz to Neustädter ROSTOCK. The rebuilding of north of Swords, where there will be a 5.6km (3.5-mile) peoplemover Feld. A tender for 31 new low-floor Petribrücke started on 16 March, a 3000-space car park, on-street and by 2023. Siemens will supply trams is being prepared. and during the work trams use a over an elevated structure before 12 two-car VAL sets and its MAINZ. All tram services were temporary single-track section. going underground immediately Trainguard CBTC system. BS, IRJ replaced by buses on 24 March, Work will last until October and north of Dublin Airport. It will

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MAY 2018 / 191 Worldwide Review

re-surface beyond the city centre MATSUYAMA. From 1 March and join the existing Green line 6 became a one-tram shuttle line route at Charlemont before between Honmachi-6-chome and terminating at Sandyford. Matsuyama-shi railway station. BS Connections are to be made to OSAKA. The city metro and bus Irish Rail services at Glasnevin and system was re-organised from to the DART at Tara Street, 1 April, with two new private with major city centre stops at companies, one for the metro O’Connell Street and St Stephen’s and one for the buses. At present Green. A public consultation on all shares in the new companies the proposed route has begun. are held by the city, but full Services are likely to operate at privatisation is planned. BS up to two-minute headways UTSUNOMIYA. Work to build between Dublin city centre and the city’s new tramline will start the airport. Construction is to this year. It will be the country’s take six years from 2021. first all-new tramway since 1948 The new 55m trams were and will run 14.6km (9.1 miles) withdrawn in March to rectify east–west mostly in the median Pesa 120Na Swing tram 3125 in central Warszawa on 25 March, showing the new battery faults, The Irish Times has strip of highways linking the corporate identity of ZTM. S. Johnston reported. They are expected to Honda research and development return to service in May. facility in Haga with the JR East Later in March, 35 partly low- There is also a 1.9km (1.2-mile) Overcrowding in the peaks on railway station. floor Twist trams were ordered branch to a new depot at Likhobori. both Green and Red lines has The 1067mm-gauge line will be from Pesa (with an option for five Mid-February saw the delivery brought calls for provision of a electrified at 750V dc and worked more); 27 will be 25m cars and eight of five more 81-770/1 eight-car supplementary bus service. by 30m low-floor LRVs; the only will be 32m cars. This contract is metro trains to provide additional The difficulties have been blamed bidder for the contract for 17 valued at PLN271.8m (EUR64.7m). capacity on the Taganskaya line on works being carried out at vehicles was Niigata Transys, with Delivery will be in 2020. infotram.pl that passes one of the stadia to Sandyford depot and problems a price of JPY3.5bn (EUR26.7m). BS ŁÓDŹ. The first of 12 PesaSwing be used by the FIFA World Cup caused by adverse weather. trams, 1881, entered service on line in June. N. Semyonov KAZAKHSTAN 14 on 22 March. A Düwag eight- SANKT PETERBURG. Sunday ISRAEL OSKEMEN. Tramway operation axle tram, formerly Helsinki 166, 29 April was to see the inauguration JERUSALEM. The Minister was suspended from 12 March as has been converted to a party car. of the metro extension of Transport has approved the undertaking could not pay infotram.pl from Primorskaya to Novo- construction of a tramway outstanding debts of KZT70m POZNAŃ. The undertaking Krestovskaya, site of a stadium for linking Ariel, Rosh HaAyin and (EUR180 000) to the electrical borrowed Moderus Beta tram the FIFA World Cup. N. Semyonov Petah Tikva railway station. supply company. Operations 2901 from Wrocław in February TAGANROG. All electric transit Planning for the 29km (18-mile), were curtailed to nine hours for tests on the system. BS service ceased on 27 February NIS4bn (EUR926m) project, will each weekday during the SZCZECIN. A second set of with MUP TTU unable to pay its start immediately. Globes previous month due to limitations Moderus Beta sub-assemblies debt of RUB7.3m (EUR103 500) to placed upon its supply. arrived on 20 March, to be built the electricity supply company. Isle of Man Some of the system’s 32 trams are in the undertaking’s workshops. transphoto.ru SNAEFELL MOUNTAIN likely to be sold to repay the debt, infotram.pl RAILWAY. Services began on leaving its future in doubt. WARSZAWA. The city has once SINGAPORE 30 March, a day later than planned. transphoto.ru, Kazinform again annulled its tender for MASS RAPID TRANSIT. The The trams have been refurbished, new trams. This time Škoda, Land Transport Authority has and performance testing of the Fell MALAYSIA Stadler-Solaris and Hyundai awarded Bombardier an SGD344m brake system and driver training KUALA LUMPUR. The first Rotem were rejected on grounds (EUR213m) contract to modernise have been enhanced. Air pressure three of six CRRC-built EMUs of not complying with the the 7.8km (4.5-mile) Bukit Panjang systems controlling the electrical for airport fast link KLIA Ekspres specification, leaving just Pesa. light metro, including upgraded braking systems have been altered entered service on 3 March. RGI But its bid of PLN2.725bn signalling and electrification, to include a low-pressure alarm (EUR600m) exceeded the budget 19 new Innovia APM300 cars and and safety rules amended to NETHERLANDS of PLN2.323bn (EUR550m). the retrofitting of 13 existing prevent further operation if the . Line 16 resumed Tramwaje Warszawskie has Innovia APM100 cars. The line has pressure alarm activates during operation from 19 February after received three offers for the been running as a feeder to the operation. completion of infrastructure work installation of up to 583 new ticket MRT metro since 1999. Work will There are plans to install an in De Lairessestraat. However this machines for its tram fleet. The be completed by 2024. electromagnetic backup system service is due for withdrawal when new devices will have the facility . TMB has ordered and a more modern mechanically the north–south metro opens to print tickets, encode city cards new metro trains to provide a 20% assisted wheel brake on one of the on 22 July. Routes 2 and 24 also and handle contactless payments. increase in capacity on the network. trams; if successful this will then resumed their normal routes. OR They will not handle cash CAF will build four 6000-series be applied to the rest of the fleet. transactions. The offers range from trains for line 1, two 5000-series for . POLAND PLN25-32m (EUR5.94-7.6m). line 3 and four 5000-series for line The line re-opened for the KATOWICE. On 8 March ZTM has introduced a new logo 5. The contract is worth EUR75m. extended summer season on 16 Tramwaje Slaskie signed a for its public transport, featuring Meanwhile, Alstom will deliver March. It will celebrate its 125th PLN29m (EUR6.9m) contract a stylised letter T reflecting two 9000-series trains for line 4 anniversary with special events with Modertrans for ten bogie the word transport and the city’s for EUR17m. All the new trains in September. trams (eight single-ended and two mermaid motif. The city marked should enter service by the end double-ended) with 49% low-floor. 110 years of electric tramway of 2020, when there will be a total JAPAN Delivery will be in 2019-2020. operation on 24-26 March with of 144 trains in peak service. HAKODATE. A fourth 13.25m There is an option for a further the operation of museum trams R. Felski low-floor articulated tram is five trams. This will be a bespoke in passenger service. infotram.pl, TP 9604, which entered service on design for routes without turning SWEDEN 6 February. BS circles such as the 24 in Sosnowiec RUSSIA . Construction KOCHI. The second low-floor and the 38 in Bytom, and spells the MOSKVA. On 16 March metro work started on 19 February for tram of series 3000 entered service end for the surviving KSW two- line 10 was extended north by the 8km (five-mile) extension on 27 March. BS axle trams in passenger service. 4.3km (2.7 miles) to Seligerskaya. of the Tvärbanan light rail from

192 / MAY 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org the Blackpool North extension May, following a shortage of trains including providing GBP6.4m caused by maintenance machinery (EUR7.3m) towards the GBP23.4m needing major refurbishment. (EUR26.7m) cost – most funding Strike action saw reduced will come from the Lancashire services on March 27-29. Tickets Enterprise Partnership. were accepted on other parts of Construction along Talbot Road the Transport for London network, began in April, following utility and extra buses provided. diversions in the preceding six LONDON (UNDERGROUND). months. Services are to start in The new Thales CBTC signalling 2019. The two trams purchased system was successfully tested in to allow operation of the new March, from Hammersmith to line entered service in March. Euston Square and Paddington. Standard tram 147 has joined the The new system will be operational heritage fleet after introduced progressively over spending a year on the Beamish 14 sections across the network tramway followed by a period of and will allow frequencies of restoration. 32 trains/hour in the central The first metre-gauge 100% low-floor Škoda tram for the Turkish city of Eskişehir, 34, was delivered on 9 March. Škoda EDINBURGH. Edinburgh City London section. Council has prequalified four PRESTON. The CityClass tram, Ulvsunda to Kista and Helenelund, MONTREUX–ZWEISIMMEN bidders to build the proposed formerly stored in the Preston due for completion in 2023. (MOB). Twenty variable-gauge 4.6km (2.9-mile) extension to Docks area, has returned to On 16 March, all 14 A35 trams ‘Golden Pass Express’ coaches have Newhaven: BAM and Colas Rail Blackpool where it had previously on the Tvärbanan were taken been ordered from Stadler for the JV; Dragados; Farrans, Sacyr & been tested until a fire caused its out of service due to suspected planned joint MOB/BLS service Neopul; and Sisk Steconfer JV. A withdrawal. Although the affected brake failures. Replacement bus from Montreux to Interlaken-Ost preferred bidder is to be chosen in section was rebuilt the tram has services were offered between from the end of 2020. Bogies will late summer. The council will seek not operated since. It has moved Mårtensdal and Sickla. be supplied by Alstom. a decision in late 2018 on whether to Rigby Road depot and will not Trials of a new silicon carbide Infrastructure renewal between to proceed with the project. be operated on the system, but is (SiC)-equipped Mitrac traction Montbovon and Château d’Oex The contract would include the likely to be used on the Preston converter have shown energy means partial bus replacement design and construction of all demonstration line. reductions of up to 35%, and a from 19 March to 1 June. EA track, overhead lines, tramstops, WEST MIDLANDS. Tracklaying 19dB reduction in noise ST GALLEN–APPENZELL (AB). systems infrastructure and public on the extension between emissions. The SiC converter is Plans have been unveiled for a realm between York Place and Wolverhampton St Georges and 51% smaller and weighs 22% new CHF43m (EUR36.5m) depot Newhaven. Opening would be Wolverhampton station is expected less than a conventional unit. approximately 1km (0.6 miles) anticipated in 2022. to start in June. The extension, The prototype was designed, south-east of Appenzell. It will be Edinburgh Trams recorded more to be operated wire-free, will not built and tested at Bombardier’s equipped for heavy maintenance than 30 000 customer journeys open until reconstruction of the engineering centre in Västerås, on the Tango cars being acquired during three days of extreme station is completed in 2020. Sweden, and tested on a C20 car on for the Appenzell–Trogen service. weather in early March. Trams ran Tram 18 – converted to allow the Green line between December The depot should open in 2021. overnight to keep tracks and operation under battery power as 2017 and March 2018. TR, SL Delivery of the new cars started overhead clear and carried the precursor of conversion of the on 22-23 March, and if all goes passengers free of charge at night; whole fleet – carried its first SWITZERLAND well they will be in passenger 143 hours of continuous service passengers post-modification in AIGLE–LEYSIN (TPC). Service service from 7 October, when the were recorded before the normal March. Conversion of the fleet is was replaced by buses from 23 new 700m Ruckhalden tunnel timetable resumed on 4 March. to cost GBP15.5m (EUR17.7m) January due to a landslide sweeping at Riethüsli is opened. Through INDUSTRY. Blackpool led the but save GBP9.24m (EUR10.5m) away tracks, but resumed a few service starts with the timetable tables in the 2017 survey of tram in not putting up overhead lines. days later. ASD service was also change on 9 December, when the passengers, with 97% happy with Tram 26, damaged in a depot interrupted from 22 January for Trognerbahn will be converted to the service provided – up from 95% accident last June and sent to the same reason, but was still not 1500V dc. EA in 2016. The overall average figure Wolverton for repair, returned to running through in March. EA was 91% on systems in Blackpool, Wednesbury in March and will BASEL. Trailers 1468/77/84/94/7 TAIWAN Greater Manchester (Metrolink), re-enter service after testing. and 1502/3/6 are to be scrapped. BS KAOHSIUNG. Fare-free operation West Midlands (Midland Metro), Public views have been sought BERN. Final approval for the on the light rail line, in force Nottingham and Sheffield on four proposed road schemes in 4.2km (2.6-mile), CHF264m since December as a pollution (Supertram). This was down Birmingham city centre aimed at (EUR224m), Ostermundigen mitigation measure, has come to from 93% the year before, which reducing the impact of building tram project came on 4 March an end. Fares were reintroduced survey publisher Transport Focus work on the Edgbaston extension. when voters in Canton Bern added from 1 March. Focus Taiwan said was likely to be influenced their approval to that already by Edinburgh’s decision not to USA secured from voters in Bern and TURKEY take part (it achieved 99% BALTIMORE, MD. Light rail Ostermundigen. Work to build ESKIŞEHIR. The first of 14 satisfaction in 2016). service was suspended from 19.00 the replacement for bus line 10 100% low-floor air-conditioned The biggest rise was recorded by on Friday 2 March due to storm will start in 2022. An opening in 30m five-section single-ended Sheffield (up from 91% in 2016 to conditions. Service resumed on 2027 is planned. trams built by Škoda was delivered 95%), with only Nottingham Saturday evening. E. B. Havens Trams were restricted to 5km/h on 9 March. These trams are fitted significantly down (from 97% to FORT LAUDERDALE, FL. (3mph) along Marktgasse between with nano-lithium-titanium 92%). Other results were The 13 March local election Käfigturm and Zytglogge from batteries that permit up to Metrolink (89%/90%), and brought victory to three anti- late February due to extreme 5km (3.1 miles) of wire-free Midland Metro (90%/92%). tramway candidates, putting temperatures causing fractures in operation. Some of the new The survey can be found at the future of The Wave Streetcar the rails. EA, Berner Zeitung batch are being tested in Bratislava www.transportfocus.org.uk/research- project in jeopardy. E. B. Havens LAUSANNE–BERCHER (LEB). before delivery to Turkey. Railcolor publications/publications/tram- MANITOU, CO. The 14.2km Preliminary work on extending passenger-survey-2017 (8.8-mile) rack tramway to the the light rail subway means LONDON (DOCKLANDS). It is summit of Pikes Peak will not service will be cut back from Flon BLACKPOOL. Councillors have hoped a full service on the Beckton re-open for the 2018 season, as to Prilly on 10-13 May. BS agreed full implementation of line can be returned by the end of the owner, the Broadmoor Hotel,

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MAY 2018 / 193 Worldwide Review

re-assesses its future. The standard- Ave, requiring the diversion tramline 2 inking Vokzal and CONTRIBUTORS gauge Abt rack line was built in of lines 11 and 36 to Chester Siabskiy Bazaar began on 18 March, Worldwide items for inclusion 1890 and the four Swiss-built Ave between 49th St and the with eight trams providing a should be sent to Michael Taplin, single cars date from 1964-68, with 40th St portal. J. Carpenter seven-minute service. transphoto.ru Flat 8, Roxan Villa, 33 Landguard two two-car SLM trains dating PORTLAND, OR. The city has Manor Rd, Shanklin PO37 7HZ. from 1976. G. Mackinger placed a USD10m contract with MUSEUM NEWS Fax: +44 (0)1938 862810 or MEMPHIS, TN. The Main Street Brookville Equipment Corporation GÖTEBORG (GOTHENBURG). e-mail [email protected] tramline was due to re-open in to buy two Liberty trams for Liseberglinjen museum trams UK and Ireland items are April after four years of closure for delivery operate on Saturdays 28 welcomed by the Home Editor, while safety concerns with the in 2020. There is an option for a April-30 June and 11 August-29 John Symons, 17 Whitmore heritage fleet were put right. further three cars. This is a joint September and daily 1 July-6 Avenue, Werrington, E. B. Havens order with Sound Transit, which August, plus 13/20/27 October, Stoke-on-Trent, ST9 0LW, UK. NASHVILLE, TN. The Mayor of is buying Brookville trams for its 3/17/24 November and 1/8/15/22 E-mail [email protected] Nashville, Megan Barry, promoter Tacoma Link tramway expansion. December 11.00-17.00. D-E. Göransson Acknowledgements this of the city’s USD5.4bn transit Portland still intends to buy MALMKÖPING (SE). T he month are due to Berner Zeitung, project that included five LRT three Inekon trams from Seattle, Swedish National Tramway Blickpunkt Strassenbahn (BS), lines to be built over the next 15 subject to price negotiation. Museum is open at weekends from Cayola, digitaletram.nl, Drehscheibe years, resigned on 6 March due to It is studying a 3.8km (2.4-mile) 12 May-1 July and 18-26 August, (DS), Edinburgh Evening News, a local scandal. The new mayor, north-west extension to plus daily (except Mondays) Eisenbahn Amateur (EA), Eisenbahn David Briley, has said that the Montgomery Park. Oregonian 3 July-12 August, 11.00-17.00. (EB), ERR.ee, Focus Taiwan, Globes, ambitious plan will still be fought , CA (Muni). It can be reached by local bus from Infotram, International Rail Journal for at the 1 May referendum. The first coupled set of the new Flen or Strägnäs railway stations. (IRJ), Irish Independent, Irish OKLAHOMA CITY, OK. The Siemens-built LRVs went into D-E. Göransson Times, Kazinform, Manchester new Brookville Liberty trams are service on the J-Church line on MALMÖ (SE). The museum Evening News, M i l w a u k e e numbered 201801-07; the third 12 March. SFGate tramway will operate at weekends Sentinel, moz.de, Op de Rails (OR), car, in blue and white livery, was SEATTLE, WA. Sound Transit from 2 June to 30 September The Oregonian, Ouest-France, delivered on 12 March. E. B. Havens has chosen South County Transit (except 23 June), 12.00-16.30. Eric Pounder, Railcolor, Railway , PA (SEPTA). Partners (a joint venture of Mott D-E. Göransson Gazette International (RGI), Route 36 is replaced by buses MacDonald and SNC-Lavalin) as STOCKHOLM (SE). T h e Raitio, SFGate, Storstockholms between 40th St portal and project managers for the 11.5km Djurgårdslinjen museum Lokaltrafik (SL), Transit Australia Eastwick from 18 March to (7.1-mile) light rail extension tramway line 7N is operating (TA), Today’s Railways (TR), 9 June to permit track renewal on from Angle Lake to Federal Way, at weekends 30 March-21 June transphoto.ru, Transport Elmwood Ave. expected to open in 2024. RGI and 1 September-16 December, Publiczny (TP), T u r u n Also from 18 March, but lasting plus daily (except Mondays) Ylioppilaskyläsäätiö (t ys.fi), until the summer of 2019, a bridge UZBEKISTAN 26 June-24 August, 11.00-17.00. 20minutes, urbanrail.net and is being replaced on Woodland SAMARKAND. Full service on D-E. Göransson Wolverhampton Express & Star. MEETINGS & EVENTS Compiled by the LRTA. For a full list of the year’s events and meeting places please visit www.lrta.org

Arilp 2018 Wednesday 9. 19.40. Brian Boddy: The last days of Monday 16. Sheffield 19.30. Robert London Trams. (TLRS) Pritchard: St Petersburg by tram. Saturday 12. Norfolk (Holt). Monday 16. Wickham 19.30. Terry Cedric Greenwood: & Chase: Poetry in motion. (TLRS Solent) tramways of Trieste, Bolzsano and Tuesday 17. Leeds 19.00. (1990-2010). (TLRS) Mel Reuben: Hong Kong Trams. Monday 14. Thames Valley 19.30. Tuesday 17 London 19.00. Alan Eddie Dawes: Member requests Pearce: Kiwi Electric Review 2017. from the archives. (TLRS) Saturday 21. Garstang 14.00. Visit Tuesday 15. London 19.00. TBC. to Festival of Model Tramways at Saturday 18. Blackpool Meeting – Manchester Boyle Street depot. (TLRS) Cancelled. (TLRS) Saturday 21/Sunday 22. Saturday 19. Taunton 14.00. Manchester Festival of Model Andrew Hunt: Lisbon 2017 (TLRS) Tramways. (TLRS) Saturday 19. West Midlands 14.00. Thursday 26. Manchester 19.00. General modelling meeting. (TLRS) Brian Yates: The Tramways of Monday 21. Liverpool 20.00. Berlin, Potsdam, Lyon and Grenoble. AGM and models night in the Friday 27. Leicester 20.00. Michael Brunswick Room. (TLRS ) Soulsby: Transport in the North East Monday 21. Sheffield 19.30. Ian of England in the 1950s. (TMS) Dougill: A tour of Romania. Saturday 28. Beeston 14.00. Alan Monday 21. Wickham 19.30. Kirkman: Modelling tips. (TLRS) Martin Petch: East German tramways in 1991. (TLRS Solent) May 2018 Saturday 26. Beeston 14.00. Lewis Lesley: Trams – What next? Tuesday 1. Southampton 19.30. (TLRS) Bob Hodges: Tramway video of Thursday 31. Manchester 19.00. Granada, Manchester, Vienna, San Peter Banister: Tram developments in Francisco and Crich. (LRTA/SEG) mid-USA and a brief glimpse of China.

194 / MAY 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Letters

Mailbox Get your views into print [email protected] Letters submitted by post should be clearly typed and preferably not handwritten. We reserve the right to shorten contributions for publication.

A ustralia: The land of light rail opportunity?

by big developers and clear the foreshore of its vital link with Sydney. The first attempt, some years ago, was overturned by public protest, but in the end the Government prevailed and the scheme went ahead. Suggestions that the railway be placed in a tunnel to the terminus to remove the “perceived barrier” between city and foreshore were not adopted, although the cost would have been less than the LRT project. Now, regional, suburban and, above all, intercity trains are banished to a suburban terminus with which the trams will interchange. The city centre has been denied convenient intercity connection with Sydney. For many years I, like many others, have campaigned for light rail to take over abandoned rail rights of way – but not like this. An active and busy main line railway is not a suitable case for conversion. Mark Braine, Pré-en-Pail (France)

Sydney's light rail system is currently undergoing major expansion; Your ‘Australia Special Focus’ (964) has come at a very good suburban track to the left of this view of L1 Dulwich Hill terminus will be time given the scale of the projects across the country to converted for metro use. Neil Pulling reintroduce trams and light rail. The special feature in April’s TAUT covering light rail The project updates made interesting reading and it is developments in Australia made interesting reading. good to see that recent (mainly Liberal-led) Governments It is good to read of the rediscovery of the tram there. have recognised the role of sustainable transport solutions in I am more than an interested observer, since I spent my combatting urban sprawl and supporting economic growth. formative years in Sydney, NSW, witnessing first-hand the Most of the major cities in the country now either have rundown of one of the world’s great tramway systems, travelling or are constructing light rail or tramway links, with only on the last Sydney tram to La Perouse in February 1961. and Perth being the exceptions. Of course both once Successive state governments in NSW have exhibited featured extensive tram networks and there have been many anti-rail attitudes, moving on from trams to the destruction of proposals over the years for both to reinstate the mode. much of the former NSWGR system on economic grounds. I note that some of these have run into construction delays Nowhere is mentioned in your article on Newcastle that and legal challenges; let’s hope that they do not derail what are this ill thought-out scheme has resulted in the destruction of otherwise impressive projects. It will be instructive to gauge Newcastle’s intercity railway and historic city centre terminal the success of the systems mentioned in your articles as this station. This scheme has been bitterly contested by many as will undoubtedly drive future growth. it has been seen as a scheme to create urban redevelopment P. Wyborn, by e-mail

From Glasgow to the Isle of Wight fit on the Pier and trains don’t get stuck in now being 14 years since their plans were It is my understanding that the 80-year-old traffic, so for end-to-end journeys are much thrown out unceremoniously by Labour’s ex-London Underground Tube stock on quicker, especially at peak times. Alistair Darling (rather like plans for rail the Isle of Wight is falling apart, as is You could even perhaps dual-gauge Ryde electrification recently thrown out by a the infrastructure, with little chance of St Johns to Smallbrook for steam trains. Conservative successor, Chris Grayling). replacement trains soon and only three Plus the Island Line would still feel different This seems to be what we do best – trains now available for traffic. and be a tourist attraction in its own right. discourage, stifle, cancel. In Mr Grayling’s Given that the Glasgow Subway is due to Colin Brazier, Petersfield (UK) case with statements to the inhabitants of replace all of its trains soon, I wonder if any the Oxenholme and Windermere areas that consideration has been given to transferring What is holding UK light rail back? – naughty, naughty – wires in a National Park some of the old stock to the Island? The sub-headlines at the foot of the cover of are not good for them. Compare this with I realise it is narrow-gauge, but given that issue 963 give me pause for thought – and Switzerland, where one entire National track, signalling and electrical supply on the resigned and pretty bitter thought at that! Park has 100% electric light and heavy Island are all life-expired, perhaps the time Three items are listed, but that which railways – with wires! has come for ‘Total Route Modernisation’. applies to the UK is, inevitably of course, the Perhaps it is the weather in the UK which The advantages would be lower future setting up of (yet another) committee/safety affects the official brain here and makes maintenance costs, no need to rebuild Ryde body. Other items relate to new extensions progress so glacial? tunnel, local job opportunities during that are not in the UK and the magazine John Gilbert, by e-mail rebuilding and a much more reliable service, contains, as usual, encouraging reports of especially if the new (narrow-gauge) system other progress elsewhere in the world. Correction had a sensible timetable and a passing loop at The setting up of further bureaucratic A number of readers have pointed out that Brading. Obviously the stations would need committees is what we in the UK are so good the image in April’s news section referred to to be adapted to suit. at; while building new lines lags far behind. the interior design of a new Flexity tram for I know there is a good bus service, but the Otherwise why would Leeds and Liverpool STIB-MIVB. It was, of course, an image of the train still has the advantages that buses won’t still not have any light rail lines despite it new CAF M7 metro stock for the city.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MAY 2018 / 195 Classic Trams FRANKFURT’s ‘TRansport days’ Frankfurt am Main’s rich tramway history is encapsulated in a splendid museum and celebrated through occasional sorties by post-war cars over the network. Mike Russell reports. 1

f all German tramways, of the Wäldchestaglinie, described in January Schwanheim’s two-axle cars Frankfurt am Main has good 2009, has ceased). These days feature A journey on one of the museum cars reason to celebrate its history, operation of post-war heritage tramcars over operating on the TdV, or otherwise on for it was here in 1884 that part of the city network, providing point-to- regular VGF route 12, will bring passengers Germany’s first long-term point services with intermediate stops. to Schwanheim and the tramway museum. Oelectric tramway was opened – on a route The cars to be found operating during This is truly the home of Frankfurt’s that largely survives. The cars on that 300V the TdV are all bogie or articulated models collection of two-axle cars and it is to be line linking Frankfurt with Offenbach used from the mid-1950s onwards. The oldest, hoped that funds will be found to renovate a pioneering form of current collection; and one of the most popular participants, one or more to operational condition. what is more remarkable is that one of those is the two-car set comprising Class L Düwag The oldest pair is formed of the two- original tramsets has survived for 134 years. Grossraumwagen 124 (originally 224) axle motor (8) and trailer (13) metre-gauge It was first put aside for preservation in 1906 with matching bogie Class l trailer 1242, Herbrand/Siemens & Halske cars of 1884 and is now displayed amongst more modern both from 1957. The next development in for the Frankfurt-Offenbacher Trambahn- exhibits in the former depot at Schwanheim. Frankfurt’s rolling stock programme was Gesellschaft (FOTG). Frankfurt’s own fleet The museum occupies two buildings used the Düwag GT6, and car 102 (formerly 602) was allocated class letters from an early date, by the former Frankfurt to Schwanheim of 1959 represents the Class M series. on a similar basis to that in Wien: upper-case steam tramway, in operation until 1929. Note that the operational heritage fleet for motor cars and lower-case for trailers. Thereafter it supplied electric rolling stock has been renumbered into the 1xx series, Class B car 345, built by Werdau in 1908, is for tramline 21 and in pre-war years was also generally matching the last two digits of the oldest survivor, followed by Herbrand- used to store historic cars set aside for a future the original fleet numbers, to avoid conflict built Class C car 375 of 1913. The last type museum. with more modern cars. In 1963 came the ordered before the outbreak of World War The museum first opened in 1984 and the Class N variant, an eight-axle three-section One was Class D (Gastell, 1914), and 392 premises continue to be owned by the local car, and car 112 (ex-812) illustrates this type; is its representative. Like all cars up to the transport operator, Verkehrsgesellschaft all of those so far mentioned were built to Grossraumwagen in 1955-57, all were built to Frankfurt am Main (VGF), but staffed by single-ended layout. In 1969, however, the be double-ended. volunteers from the local enthusiasts’ club undertaking bought eight double-ended Class F Pullmanwagen 411, dating from – a not-unusual arrangement in much of three-section GT8 bogie cars, designated 1925, is a particularly interesting specimen, Europe. The club enjoys excellent relations Class O, and cars 908 and 902 have been having been rebuilt from a Class f trailer. with VGF and the latter has placed at its retained as 110 and 111 respectively. From the post-war era come Fuchs-built disposal several rooms in the office block The other six in this batch were purchased Class J KSW car 580 of 1947 and 510, a 1950 adjoining the Eckenheim depot, in which it after withdrawal by the Poznan tramways rebuild of a former Class H motor car of 1939. has created a well-appointed social meeting in Poland, where they still operate, most in Grossraumwagen 236 of Class L and matching room and a comprehensive archive – not just Frankfurt liveries. Three Class Pt cars l Class trailer 1219 complete the selection. concentrated on Frankfurt, but a collection (148 ex-748; 138 ex-738; and 728) have been Neighbouring Offenbach tramways, however, of tramway literature from across Europe. retained as museum cars available for service, are not ignored and car 15, a Werdau product Museum opening dates feature all for which they are likely to be required of 1908, is exhibited, having been returned to Sundays and local or national holidays following service changes in December; its original non-vestibule state in 1968. except at Christmas and New Year, but in these are the special Frankfurt design of Trailer cars include Class c 778 (Talbot, addition a number of special operating double-ended cars adapted for operation 1911), Class d 957 (Gastell, 1914), Class f events. The majority of the rolling stock at both in tunnel sections and on-street track. 1508 (Uerdingen, 1926) and Class h 1559 Schwanheim is moveable and exhibits are So far we have not mentioned any (Uerdingen, 1938), together with Uerdingen- sometimes brought out onto the open track operational two-axle cars, but Frankfurt built KSW trailer 1468 of Class i that started fan. However, the nucleus of the operational has a long-standing and unique operation life in Duisburg. Emphasising that the historic fleet is not kept here but at the VGF’s in the Ebbelwei-Express, a city tour during concept of low-floor access is not new, the central Gutleut depot, at the western end of which passengers are served a pretzel exhibition contains 1923 Uerdingen car the former Heilbronner Strasse tram route. and glass of local cider. The cars used are 1300, built for Taunusbahn. These vehicles are much more easily Verbandstyp four-wheelers, with four motor Schwanheim is the terminus of VGF obtainable for private hire and enthusiast cars and six trailers retained in operational tramline 12, which operates daily. Admission outings and, of course, more readily accessible condition, all painted in a cherry red livery is EUR3 for adults, EUR2 for seniors, scholars to VGF workshop facilities. adorned with a floral pattern. The tour is a and students, and EUR1 for children. There is well-established part of the Frankfurt urban also a small bookshop and refreshment stall. Transport history day scene and extremely popular with visitors. Opening hours are 10.00-17.00. A particular feature of the Frankfurt historic It is an interesting, if sad, reflection of the In autumn 2018 events are planned to scene is the Tag der Verkehrsgeschichte (TdV – times that when these cars became due celebrate 50 years of the Frankfurt subway, translated as the ‘day of transport history’). for heavy overhaul some years ago, VGF which was opened on 4 October 1968. This event is a combination of special tram, despatched them to Hungary, stating that For this reason, no TdV is planned for narrow-gauge (Feldbahnmuseum) and it no longer had sufficient staff with the 2018; the next TdV event will take place railway services (Historische Eisenbahn requisite skills to carry out such major in September 2019. Frankfurt) that takes place in May or overhaul work to the required standards. September and has been established for some This challenge will afflict other undertakings With grateful acknowledgment to 15 years. (The former Whitsuntide operation as the years progress. Matthias Kühl.

196 / MAY 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org 1. Class M six-axle car 102 (originally 602) hauls bogie Grossraum class m trailer 1804 around the curve in Textorstrasse during the TdV on 28 May 2017. The former Sachsenhausen tram depot lies on the opposite side of the road.

2. The oldest of the operational museum cars in the fleet are these Grossraumwagen bogie cars dating from 1957. Class L 124 (originally 224) and l trailer 1242 are seen here at Schweizer Strasse on 28 May 2017.

3. The most historic electric tram set in Germany has to be that built by Herbrand and Siemens & Halske in 1884 for the Frankfurt – Offenbacher Trambahngesellschaft. No. 8 is the motor car, on 28 May 2017.

4. A much-loved feature of the Frankfurt scene is the operation of the tourist service marketed as Ebbelwei-Express, using a fleet of Verbandstyp two-axle cars. This set of motor 2 car 105 (Credé, 1954) and trailer 1705 (Fuchs, 1954), is seen near Frankfurt Südbahnhof in 2017.

5. Very few horse cars survive in German tramway museums. In Schwanheim can be seen this example from 1880 with trunnion trucks. After electrification of the network it served as trailer 400. It was restored with the fictitious number 167, as the original number is unknown. Grossraumwagen 124 is at the line 12 terminal point behind the museum hedge. 3 4 6. The former tramways of neighbouring Offenbach are represented by car 15, built by Sächsische Waggonfabrik of Werdau in 1908, which was restored to its original condition in 1967-68. It was on display in Schwanheim museum on 28 May 2017.

7. The new and the old at Frankfurt Westbahnhof loop. Class M motor car 102 (ex-602) and m trailer 1804 stand alongside Pt car 148 (ex-748), whilst an S-Bahn train 5 6 calls at the high-level station. Two similar Pt cars will join 148 for use on both heritage and regular services from December. Two other Pt cars will likewise be retained until arrival of the new class T cars.

8. Frankfurt class HK car 510 is a 1950 reconstruction by Westwaggon of a 1939-built class H car (carrying the same number) that suffered from wartime damage.

All photography by Mike Russell 7 8 on 15 April 2017 except where otherwise stated.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MAY 2018 / 197 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%; All addresses outside UK: add 20%. For Airmail despatch outside Europe: add 30%.

Straßenbahnen im Altkreis Moers Tram Berlin Gleisplan 2018 Geschichte – Strecken – Fahrzeuge Schematic track layout plan for Germany’s With many previously unpublished photographs, biggest tram network, colour-coded to show this book documents the history of trams from street track, reservations and non-service 1908-63 in the district of Moers, which once ran connecting lines. German text. to Rheinberg, Krefeld and Düsseldorf. Includes > A1 sheet, folded to A4 with card covers; images of the various vehicles used. German text. full colour plan showing all stops, depots, > B5 hardback; 128 pages, route numbers, etc. 120 mainly black & white pictures. £8.00 plus postage & packing as shown £18.50 plus postage & packing as shown above. above. SPECIAL OFFER: Both maps L’Art du mouvement depuis 140 ans U-Bahn Berlin Gleisplan 2018 £15 + P&P

Published to mark 140 years of public transport in Schematic track layout plan for the city’s Strasbourg, provided by CTS and its predecessors, underground rail network, colour-coded to from horse cars through to the significant modern show small- and large-profile lines, closed electric tram network of today. Takes an interesting sections and non-service connecting lines. look at the impact of CTS and its development on German text. life in the city. French text. > A1 sheet, folded to A4 with card covers; > 320 x 210mm hardback; 232 pages, fully illustrated in colour full colour plan showing all stations, depots, and black & white. line numbers, etc. £32.50 plus postage & packing as shown above. £8.00 plus postage & packing as shown above.

Lancashire United: The Fleet 1900-1981 Straßen- und Stadtbahnen in Deutschland Band 18: Sachsen Ost (1) A detailed look at the vehicles operated by one of the largest privately-owned transport Detailed history of tramways in eastern companies in the UK during the 20th Century. , majoring on Dresden plus Görlitz, Includes the trams and trolleybuses of LUT the charming Kirnitzschtalbahn and the subsidiary South Lancashire Tramways/ new-build horse tramway in Döbeln. Transport. Excellent photographic coverage German text. plus brief details of services operated. > B5 hardback; 304 pages, 300+ colour > A4 hardback; 240 pages, fully illustrated colour/black & white. and black & white pictures. £25.00 plus postage & packing as shown above. £42.50 plus P&P as shown above.

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in your next issue of Robo-Tug / CC BY-SA 3.0 BY-SA / CC Robo-Tug light rail for no overhead = SYSTEMS FACTFILE: south ontario no emc issues? EDINBURGH The new Ion LRT network will soon There is a common misconception that With its troubled inception largely behind connect the cities of Waterloo and removing the OLE component removes it, expansion is back on the agenda Kitchener, linking with existing bus many of the issues of electromagnetic for the UK’s newest system, which is services as the first stage of an integrated compatibility for tram systems – TAUT enjoying rising popularity as the Scottish regional public transport network. explores why that isn’t necessarily so... capital prepares for long-term growth. PLUS... JUNE + Classic Trams: The Oregon Electric Railway Museum issue + T he latest news and analysis, rolling stock orders, system developments, and transport policy and industry comment from On sale around the world 18 May

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With continuing systems upgrades and 21st Century additions, Darmstadt’s light rail germaNy www.lrta.org factfile system was forged www.tautonline.com from city tramways and local railways. Sub scribe now! No. Darmstadt, Neil Pulling reports. Darmstadt MAY 2018 N O. 965 127 Germany NEW ORLEANS’ STEPS TO STREETCAR EXPANSION Now in its 81st year, Tramways & Urban Transit is the world’s

armstadt’s identity With the system tendency for maintenance and now rests more as an five minutes over the latter’s end-to- then reduced and upgrading works to be concentrated educational and research routes modified during end 55 minutes. Extra services run for in the summer, when passenger centre than its size or engineering works, events at Darmstadt’s main football numbers fall appreciably. political standing. It ST14 0785 at Luisenplatz stadium, near Merck Stadion stop wasD the capital of Hessen (Hessia) on 2 August 2017. Most local public transport is on the Böllenfalltor line. A regular Words and pictures part of the 95% city-owned HEAG Grand Duchy before the 1871 German operational feature is the use of tram by Neil Pulling group. Now in many economic unification, maintaining equivalent trailers, with the majority of services leading monthly publication dedicated solely to light and sectors, HEAG originated in status until 1945. Unlike Wiesbaden, being so-equipped. today’s state capital, Darmstadt has 1912, its acronym having railway Most of the area’s buses (lines origins as Hessische Eisenbahn benefited from retaining its tramway. designated by letters) are run by HEAG Aktiengesellschaft. Used in vehicle Extension and modernisation has mobiBus. The local transport body branding, the HEAG mobiTram enhanced that legacy. is DADINA (Darmstadt-Dieburger subsidiary runs the tram operation, The city’s population is about Nahverkehrsorganisation) that was organised as regular lines 160 000, although the public transport created in 1997. With Mainz and numbered 1-9. This is deceptive as, network serves many more due to it Frankfurt am Main, respectively run mostly as alternating services, also covering Darmstadt-Dieburg. about 40km (25 miles) and 30km line 4 is a longer version of 5, with This large district wraps around the (19 km) distant, Darmstadt is one of Bringing light rail maintenance into the 21st Century 8 similarly for line 7. Overlaps city, except at its northern edge. three tramways in the Rhein-Main- on a main daytime 15-minute Quebec City’s LRT-led masterplan The departure of a substantial US Verkehrsverbund (RMV) transport military garrison has vacated space interval deliver a high frequency urban rail developments. union formed in 1995. Darmstadt had across much of the system. The for redevelopment. Darmstadt has trolleybuses from 1944 to 1963. New tramways for Izmir and Ouragla a concentration of educational longest service, covering 23km A merging of two types of rail (14.4 miles), is between Am establishments and the need to move operation contributed to the system’s Hinkelstein and Dreieichweg. students has been a recurring influence layout. From 1886, metre-gauge ‘Congestion Deal’ to bene t Metrolink On this route, the weekday-only on the tramway’s development. steam railways which also carried £4.60 From this characteristic has come the line 6 misses some stops on the 05> freight began connecting Darmstadt same route as line 8, saving around with neighbouring communities. Tallinn Darmstadt Estonian lessons for The growth of a great 9 771460 832067 metre-gauge tramway www.tautonline.com free public transport . www.lrta.org may 2018 / 185

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