Lessons from a Low-Cost Tram System

THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE HEADLINES ● Dijon opens ﬁ rst modern tramway line

● Olympics fuel record London LRT ridership

● Siemens wins Doha turnkey tram contract

BESANCON:5 LESSONS FROM A LOW-COST TRAM SYSTEM

TYNEINSIDE: AND WEAR METRO: Two in-depth system updates THREE SUCCESSFUL YEARS OF DELIVERY Tyne & Wear Metro Dublin Luas Three years of Irish capital’s successful growing network modernisation: – the inside story: 16-page review 24-page special A special review in OCTOBER association with Nexus 2012 No. 898 WWW . LRTA . ORG ● WWW . TRAMNEWS . NET £3.80

TAUT_1210_Cover.indd 1 04/09/2012 13:48 Checkpoint™: LRT signalling CONTROL

he CheckPoint™ optic is a result Reliability of TSC’s continuing development • Each LED CheckPoint™ signal head is T programme to provide state-of-the-art designed using the latest microprocessor control solutions in the field of traffic control for to provide optimal reliability. tramway and light rail systems and comes in a • LED technology used in the LED CheckPoint™ range of configurations. has a MTBF of >60,000 hours driven at 300mA; The optic benefits from the latest range of the LED’s are actually driven at 150mA, microcontrollers, providing a flexible and reliable providing a lifespan well in excess of this. programming platform. Each optical subsystem • The ‘Fault’ output relay has a MTBF has been designed to provide enhanced aesthetics of 10,000,000 operations. and optical performance and was the first LED LRT solution to conform to the UK’s latest Availability TR2514A specification. • Standard LED CheckPoint™ signals Particular attention was paid to the design of are available ex stock. the retrofit module in order to provide a speedy • Custom designed LED CheckPoint™ are installation in a potentially hostile environment. available on request. Originally designed for the Sheffield Maintainability Supertram (UK) system to provide an energy- CheckPoint™ efficient (low carbon footprint) and reliable • The LED signal head is alternative to the legacy tungsten halogen designed for ease of mounting/removal via two simple ‘L’ brackets. FEATURES AND units, as such the optic is now installed in 40 SPECIFICATION locations across the Supertram system, with a • The entire electronic/optical assembly is rolling program to complete a further 250-plus constructed on one single PCB secured by • Meets the latest Department of Transport installations. four M5 screws. Specification TR2514A Light Signals For The The optic was chosen against its European • Replacement of individual electronic/optical Control of Tramcars. assembly is completed by the removal of one competitors to be installed across the Manchester • Simple retrofit procedure into existing Metrolink network, and the co-operative process eight-way connector and four M5 screws; a generic tungsten filament units. task that takes less than five minutes. with the client required the CheckPoint™ Complete housed module ready to install • Replacement of the entire optical door • range be extended to the PPI aspect, which TSC into new or existing systems. assembly requires the removal of one quickly designed, developed and manufactured. Provides full lamp monitoring. eight-way connector and two hinge pins. • A further requirement for a signal aspect which • Single circuit board design. could provide multi-functional aspect indications Safety • Onboard programming for enhancements was also initiated, which TSC speedily designed, • The LED CheckPoint™ software controlling / updates. produced and installed on the network. the optic has an integral ‘watchdog’ routine Supply voltage: 240V, 110V and 48V ac In addition to Sheffield and Manchester, which continually monitors execution of and 48V and 24V dc ± 20% @ < 300mA the CheckPoint™ range from TSC is also the software code. Any malfunctions cause Operating frequency: 50Hz the preferred solution for other UK systems, the processor to shut down with all outputs Wiring: Complies to BS: 7671 including the Edinburgh Tram project, and defaulted to ‘failsafe’ digital inputs. Operating temperature range: has keen interest from the light rail systems in -15°C to +60°C Nottingham and Dublin, Ireland. Diagnostics: RS232 engineers terminal; After the riots in Croydon in August 2011, LED indicator mimics TSC demonstrated and won the approval of Transport for London for the supply of the Optical life expectancy: CheckPoint™ Stop/Go aspect. TSC was also >60,000 hours approached to develop and supply a modified Signal chromaticity: The colour of light variant of the PPI for use on London Tramlink. emitted from each light emitting element for This has become the first LED LRT solution in both the normal and dimmed conditions the UK that conforms to the latest TR2514A meet the requirements of specification. BS: 1376 Class C. The unit’s simple, stylish design provides a Contrast Ratio: >18:1 single, uniform, cool white LED emitter housed Dimming: Programmable between one behind an anti-vandal polycarbonate lens and is quarter and half full intensity. equipped with diagnostics that can be interpreted UTC: Reply bit reports any LED and power via a standard engineers terminal. failure. Current versions include 240V, 110V, and Lamp Monitoring: Compatible with 48V ac in both white an amber LED. Extra low most currently available traffic signal voltage (48V and 24V dc) versions have been controllers. produced to interface to the latest ELV traffic Physical dimensions: The LRT head is signal controllers. approximately 420x42x250mm deep with Read more about TSC’s further range of weighs 6.5kg complete with brackets. The PPI products and services at our website – head is approximately 420x42x250mm deep www.trafficsystems.co.uk – or please call us on and weighs 5kg complete with brackets. +44 (0)1709 362855.

www.trafficsystems.co.uk І Phone: +44 (0)1709 362855 І Fax: +44 (0)1143 276548

TSC Advert.indd 1 30/07/2012 15:21 Contents The official journal of the Light Rail Transit Association 368 News 368 OCTOBER 2012 Vol. 75 No. 898 Siemens wins Qatar university contract; Chemnitz opts for www.tramnews.net Vossloh tram-trains; CAF to provide new Sydney vehicles; EDITORIAL Dublin cross-city line to be complete in 2017; Sacramento Editor: Simon Johnston Green line opens; Dijon tramway inaugurated; SEPTA Tel: +44 (0)1832 281131 E-mail: [email protected] Eaglethorpe Barns, Warmington, Peterborough PE8 6TJ, UK. ‘outstanding’; Midland Metro to reach Centenary Square? Associate Editor: Tony Streeter 374 RATP Dev: Becoming a global leader E-mail: [email protected] CEO Jean-Marc Janaillac explains the operator’s global Worldwide Editor: Michael Taplin challenges – and how the French market is changing. Flat 1, 10 Hope Road, Shanklin, Isle of Wight PO37 6EA, UK. 374

E-mail: [email protected] 376 Besancon:5 Efficiency through innovation News Editor: John Symons Already a focal point for an industry seeking savings, 17 Whitmore Avenue, Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs ST9 0LW, UK. Besançon’s LRT project has established a low-cost design. E-mail: [email protected] 380 China’s cities turn to trams Contributor: Neil Pulling Germar Wacker, Bombardier Transport’s President, Light Design: Debbie Nolan Rail Vehicles, explores the emerging LRV market in China. Production Executive: Carla Corrado Tel: +44 (0)1832 281134 E-mail: [email protected] 383 Systems Factfile: Leipzig Worldwide Contributors: Aare Olander, Nikolai Germany’s second-largest tramway has a prominent street 376 Semyonov, Sergei Tarkhov (CIS), Mike Russell, Norman Bartlett, presence in historic Leipzig - and moves to modernisation. Thomas Wagner, Pedro Costa, Richard Felski, Jordi Ibanez (Europe), Yoshiri Nogi (Japan), Anthony Bailey, Ian Hammond, Paul Nicholson 389 Charlotte experiences the LYNX effect (Australia), Vic Simons, Charles Lietwiler, Steve Morgan, Tom Swinney. Boasting double its initial ridership projections, Charlotte’s LRTA Website and Diary: Brian Lomas LRT system has plans for a five-line network by 2034. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] 393 Worldwide Review Commercial Manager: Vicky Binley Tel: +44 (0)1832 281132 E-mail: [email protected] Federal funding agreed for Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport diesel service; Sofia metro line 2 opens; Halberstadt Advertising Manager: Andy Adams 389 Tel: +44 (0)1832 281135 E-mail: [email protected] stops Sunday services; Newag produces 100% low-floor Eaglethorpe Barns, Warmington, Peterborough PE8 6TJ, UK. prototype; Praha Tatra vehicles enter Odesa service. Publisher: Howard Johnston 398 Letters Tramways & Urban Transit is jointly published by the LRTA and LRTA Do politicians recognise the benefits of trams? Publishing on the third Friday of each month preceding the cover date. 400 Classic Trams: Glasgow LRTA MEMBERSHIP (with TAUT subscription) Tramways & Urban Transit is sent free to all paid-up members of the Glasgow’s classic tram collection has an impressive new Light Rail Transit Association. You are welcome to join the LRTA. home at the city’s Riverside Museum. subscriptions: LRTA Membership Secretary (Dept T06), 38 Wolseley Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK. BACK ISSUES: Tel: +44 (0)1406 373070 Global crisis, or global opportunity? PRINT AND DISTRIBUTION: Warners (Midlands) plc, The Maltings, simon johnston, editor West Street, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1778 391000. LRTA REGISTERED OFFICE: c/o 138 Radnor Avenue, Welling,

Kent DA16 2BY. Private company limited by guarantee, No. 5072319 We live in uncertain times. In much of like those in Besancon5 (see page 376) in England and Wales. the world, the old ‘knowns’ of continual become very relevant indeed. LRTA Chairman: Andrew Braddock. LRTA Deputy Chairman: Vic Simons growth, and the spending that came For if we can keep light rail alive and LRTA PUBLISHING REGISTERED OFFICE: c/o 8 Berwick Place, Welwyn with it, are gone. developing – even in stripped-down Garden City, Herts AL7 4TU. Private Limited Company, No. 06169422 You only have to look at Spain, to form – we have a stake in the future. in England and Wales. see the extent of the change. Tramlines Buses may be an easy option, but light © LRTA Publishing 2012. Articles are submitted on the understanding they may also later be used thought essential just a few years ago rail offers the proven potential to change on our websites or other media. A contribution is accepted on the basis that have closed due to pressures placed on habits, even lifestyles for the long term. its author is responsible for the opinions expressed in it, and such opinions local authority spending. Rather than turning our backs on it, are not those of LRTA Publishing or the LRTA. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form In many cases of potential investment we need to keep this mode alive – and by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording in public transport currently being continue to innovate in the ways we or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior considered, it isn’t that the passenger construct our systems, and fund them. permission in writing from the copyright owner. Multiple copying of the contents of the magazine without prior written approval is not permitted. demand isn’t there – it’s the money Yet out of crisis can come opportunity. required to deliver such schemes. In the current circumstances that could

Issues of unemployment, urban mean not only cost savings, but also an

THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE HEADLINES ● Dijon opens ﬁ rst degeneration and climate change increased push to globalisation driven at modern tramway line

● Olympics fuel record London LRT ridership ● Siemens wins Doha are ever-present and still need wise least partly by the emerging markets. turnkey tram contract investment in public transport to help As those emerging markets unlock the solutions as private mobility, understand, high quality urban transit especially for young people, becomes is vital for the future. Plus, as producers ever more costly – and unsustainable. elsewhere have identified, those same With little respite on the horizon, markets offer opportunities at a time of BESANCON:5 LESSONS FROM A LOW-COST TRAM SYSTEM Tramway construction and leading economists predicting a budget squeezes ‘back home’.

TYNEINSIDE: AND WEAR METRO: Two in-depth system updates THREE SUCCESSFUL YEARS OF DELIVERY Tyne & Wear Metro Dublin Luas in the Place de la Three years of Irish capital’s ‘lost decade’ as we struggle to rebuild Get this right now and we could successful growing network modernisation: – the inside story: 16-page review 24-page special A special review in OCTOBER association with Nexus Revolution, Besancon. 2012 5 No. 898 WWW . LRTA . ORG ● WWW . TRAMNEWS . NET £3.80 outmoded economies, tramway schemes change the habits of a generation.

TAUT_1210_Cover.indd 1 04/09/2012 13:48 Emile Joly

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org OCTOBER 2012 367

367_TAUT1210_Contents.indd 1 04/09/2012 13:50 News Dijon opens first tramway line The French city of Dijon saw celebrations on 1-2 September to mark the inauguration of the first new tramline linking Gare SNCF and Quetigny Centre in the eastern suburbs. The opening ceremony took place at the railway station at 12.00, with free rides through the afternoon and evening, and a host of events along the route. Revenue service on line T1 started at 07.00 on 2 Sep- tember, with parallel bus services withdrawn, but local people could apply for a ticket that offered free travel over the whole weekend. Line T1 is the first part of a two-route system totaling 18.9km (11.74 miles); line T2 (Valmy – Gare Foch – Chenôve) is to open on 8 December, sharing tracks with T1 between Gare SNCF and Répub- lique. Alstom has delivered 33 Citadis 302 trams, part of a joint order with Brest (see TAUT 897 for our special review of the Brest project). The community council of greater Dijon adopted the transit project in May 2008, and the choice of steel-railed tramway was made in October that year. A public inquiry in spring 2009 led to a unanimous decision to proceed in November 2009, with the declaration of public utility made on 17 December. The cost was estimated at EUR362m – EUR47m came from national government, EUR40m from the regional government (Bourgogne), EUR20m from the Departement (Côte-d’Or) and EUR5m from the Above: Alstom Citadis 302 tram on trial in Dijon. H. Kötting European Regional Development Fund. The balance of loans from the European Investment Bank and Caisse des Depots are to be repaid The tramway is operated on behalf of the community by Keolis, from the 1.8% versement transport tax collected from September 2008. with line 1 having an end-to-end running time of 28 minutes, and a Construction began in October 2010, and the first tram ran trials on commercial speed of 18.2km/h (11.3mph). Service is provided 05.45 16 February 2012. A EUR39m, 14-hectare maintenance facility has (07.00 Sundays) to 00.39, with a five-minute service at peaks, and been built on old SNCF workshops at Perrigny, accommodating the 15-minute service during off-peak periods; 45 000 passengers/day are trams and buses. This was built in accordance with the EU Tramstore expected by 2015. 21 standards and includes 6200 photovoltaic cells on the roof of the A single ride costs EUR 1.20 and tickets for 24/48/72 hours are sold depot to generate 1.3GWh of power annually. for EUR3.60/6.30/8.10. A monthly pass is EUR33.

Mumbai debates future monorail Olympic Games fuel record ridership development RECORD numbers of passengers were carried on the London Transport Commissioner, Peter Hendy, UK capital’s transport network during the London added: “Carrying these record numbers and With the 19km (11.8-mile) Olympics with the Underground, Docklands Light keeping London moving and open for business [is] monorail system in Mumbai still Railway and Overground carrying more people than because people are following our advice and plan- to open (9km/5.6 miles, from at any other time in their respective histories. ning their travel. Wadala to Chembur should start More than 60m journeys were made on the Under- “What we’re seeing is some people avoiding the carrying passengers in Decem- ground – up 30% on normal levels, and hitting a new peak hours and travelling at less busy times.” ber, almost two years after the record of 4.5m passengers journeys on 7 August. l Some 204 million passenger journeys were re- first test runs), the Regional De- The DLR saw more than six million journeys – hit- corded on light rail and tram systems in England velopment Authority has put all ting its own record of 500 000 passengers on 3 Au- (the largest constituent part of the UK) in 2011-12, other monorail plans on hold. gust, and up over 100% on the same period in 2011. the highest annual figure recorded and continuing An MMRDA official told local Most DLR trains were being ‘driven’ by the the upward trend of recent years. media: “As long as the first route vehicle attendant over the Olympics period, rath- Light rail journeys in London have increased by is not commissioned and the re- er than operating in fully automatic mode. This 60% since 2004/05 (8% since 2010-11), principally sults are not out, we would not involved manual control of doors and initiation of due to the expansion of the Docklands network. commission any new routes”. the starting process. However, outside London patronage has been Up to 185km (115 miles) of Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “Sporting more stable since 2004-05 and in the last year there monorail had been proposed, records are being smashed on a daily basis in was an overall reduction in journeys of 1%, with with the second section sched- London, and our world-famous Tube is breaking growth on the expanding Manchester Metrolink uled to open in December 2013. a few records of its own.” system offset by falls in other areas.

Houston receives Full Funding Agreement for light rail expansion On 9 August the Federal Transit Ad- extension from University of Houston ministration confirmed full funding for to Northline Common; 22 new LRVs the expansion of the light rail system in will be required. A further USD94m for Houston, Texas, and allocated a further the Southeast corridor will see 10.6km USD188m for the construction of the (6.6 miles) built from the city centre to North and Southeast lines. Palm Center. This will require 29 LRVs. The North Corridor project will re- Houston already has 19 LRVs on ceive USD94m for an 8.5km (5.3-mile) order from Siemens and 39 from CAF. Right: A coupled set of Siemens S70 LRVs passes through the water feature on Houston’s Main Street in the city centre. H. Silbiger

368 october 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org Dublin cross-city line complete in 2017… with conventional OHLE

DUBLIN’S new city centre tramline – the Luas Broombridge link that finally provides the physical connection between the city’s existing Green and Red lines – will have traditional overhead power supply. The decision against utilising alternative methods of current collection follows a study by planning body An Bord Pleanála – and suggestions that ground level collection could have added EUR100m to the project cost. An Bord Pleanála’s study for the Irish capital’s new line was undertaken due to concerns that overhead lines would be visually intrusive as the line passed Trinity College and the GPO (General Post Office) on O’Connell Street. Irish Transport Minister Leo Varadkar expressed his relief at the decision, saying a requirement to provide ground power collection would have added a “phenomenal cost”. An Bord Pleanála’s study also raised a con- cern about loss of flexibility, given that only a proportion of the tram fleet would be modified for ground current collection. Mr Varadkar indicated that the project would be funded from the capital spending budget and would not be dependent on the sale of state assets or private sector funding. Above: The extended Green line will cross the present Red line at the intersection of Abbey Street and The overall cost of the scheme is now expect- Marlborough Street. Neil Pulling ed to reach EUR370m. The new route will run from the Green line with the Maynooth commuter train line. The Broombridge line project is expected to cre- St Stephen’s Green terminus to the Iarnród journey time from St Stephen’s Green to ate 800 construction jobs. Éireann (Irish Rail) station at Broombridge in Broombridge is expected to be 24 minutes. l Luas has retained its passenger base during Cabra, passing Trinity College and travelling On the return journey the line will oper- Ireland’s recession, carrying 29m passengers in via O’Connell Bridge and O’Connell Street ate via Marlborough Street, crossing a new 2011. This is in contrast to the overall CIE busi- to the Abbey Street junction where it will link bridge over the River Liffey. It will then use ness (Iarnród Éireann trains and national/Dub- with the Red line. It will serve the new Dublin Hawkin Street to reach Trinity College. Some lin buses), which recently required an emer- Institute of Technology campus in Grange- 13 new stops are expected to increase use of gency injection of funding. IÉ trains have lost gorman, Phibsboro and Cabra before termi- Luas by eight million passengers per year. around 25% of their passengers in recent times. nating at Broombridge where it will connect With completion scheduled for 2017, the l For more on Luas, see this month’s review.

Sacramento opens Green line first phase Geneva The first 1.77km (1.1-mile) stage of Sacramento’s ‘supercap’ tests Green line opened on 15 June, extending from the city’s downtown area to the Township 9 station in An open day at Geneva’s Ba- the River District. chet-de-Pesay depot on 12 June The initial hourly weekday-only service is cur- coincided with the delivery of rently registering about 150 passengers/day, pend- Stadler Tango tram 1814. This ing redevelopment work and extension of the line car is equipped with a prototype further north. supercapacitor storage system, The full 20.6km (12.8-mile) Green line will even- permitting travel for short dis- tually connect the city centre to South and North tances without an overhead wire. Natomas and the Sacramento International Airport. The one tonne supercapacitor From 2 September, the agency responsible for pub- permits operation over a distance lic transportation in the city and surrounding area, of at least 400m in emergency the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SACRT), situations, or up to 1km (0.62 also announced major service adjustments – includ- miles) with economical driving ing extending evening light rail services on the Blue and low acceleration, according and Gold lines on weekdays and Saturdays. Above: The opening ceremony for Sacramento’s Green line to Stadler. During testing in July, During the past two years, the agency has re- the vehicle covered 1.5km (0.93 duced operating costs, while continuing to work on LRT in June featured pyrotechnics and a Siemens LRV in a miles) on TPG’s depot circuit major capital projects, including the Green line and green paintscheme. SACRT without overhead power. a major new park-and-ride and two LRT bridges The tram’s energy consumption from the Blue line River College extension. The agency ended 2012 with a USD5.5m reserve is being compared with the rest of The anticipated award of a Full Funding Grant and recently adopted a 2013 budget that forecasts an the fleet and if the tests prove suc- Agreement in December 2012 will allow construc- additional USD4.5m in reserve by July 2013. cessful the other 31 Tango trams tion to begin on the entire project in early 2013, l The contract to refurbish 21 ex-San Jose 1987 could be equipped similarly ‘rela- SACRT officials said. LRVs has been awarded to Siemens. tively easily’ according to Stadler.

www.tramnews.net l www.Irta.org october 2012 369 News De Lijn chooses Siemens wins Qatar Bombardier university tram contract Flexity 2 trams

Belgian public transport operator De Lijn has named Bom- bardier as preferred bidder for an order for 48 low-floor trams valued at EUR126.8m, 38 for Ant- werpen and ten double-ended for Gent. There is an option for a further 40 cars (ten short and 14 long cars for Antwerpen, 16 long trams for Gent). Antwerpen will get 38 31.5m trams and ten 42.7m trams for use on lines 3 and 15. Gent will receive ten 42.7m cars for use on line 1. Delivery will start in early 2014 for Gent and a year later for Antwerpen. The 42.7m seven- section trams will have space for Above: The three-section version of the Siemens Avenio 100% low-floor tram that will serve the universities in Doha. Siemens 68 passengers on fixed seats, 40 on folding seats and 312 standing. On 30 July the Qatar Foundation announced the The trams will be equipped with air condition- The new trams will provide award of a contract to Siemens Rail Systems for the ing and roof shades to protect electrical equipment extra capacity (including for turnkey construction, worth more than EUR100m, from radiant heat due to Qatar’s climate where tem- new extensions) and allow some of an 11.5km (18.5-mile) tramway in the capital city, peratures can reach in excess of 40°C. Passengers PCC cars to be withdrawn. If Doha, with 25 stops serving university campuses. at four of the system’s stops will benefit from air- the option is exercised, all PCCs In addition to trackwork, electrification and sig- conditioned shelters with platform-edge doors. would be replaced by 2020. nalling, Siemens will supply 19 three-section 27.7m The system is due for completion in September Unsuccessful bidders were 239-passenger Avenio low-floor trams equipped 2015 and Habtoor-Leighton has been subcontracted CAF, Siemens and Stadler. with its Sistras hybrid energy storage system, elimi- for the civil engineering work. nating the need for overhead wires. Power convert- The Qatar Foundation is promoting a regional ers at each stop will turn the 11kV three-phase sup- Center of Excellence through a cluster of universi- ply to 750V dc for recharging on-board capacitors ties, research and technology centres. It has a target and battery through a special conductor rail. to make the complex a car-free zone in the future.

Vossloh to supply Chemnitz tram-trains An artist’s impression of the Flexity 2 The Verkehrsverbund Mittelsachsen, which organis- low-floor tram to be delivered to es passenger transport in and around the east German Antwerpen and Gent. Bombardier city of Chemnitz, has placed an order with Vossloh- Kiepe for eight hybrid LRVs for delivery in 2014. The EUR42.3m contract has an option for two more cars to be ordered, and the Saxon government Federal court cancels Ministry for Economy, Employment and Transport Cuiaba tramway will underwrite EUR31m of the order under its ex- On 8 August, a federal court perimental research programme. in Brazil issued an order The low-floor air-conditioned 37m cars with 94 banning the construction of seats will operate services on the railway lines link- the planned light rail line, ing Chemnitz with Burgstadt, Mittweida and Hain- after finding irregularities in ichen, which are non-electrified, using diesel power the choice of system and at up to 100km/h (62mph); at Chemnitz Hbf they Above: A first generation tram-train at Stollberg DB station viability of the project. will run on link tracks to join the city tramway net- awaiting departure on the electrified line to Chemnitz. The background to this work to reach the city centre. P. Makinson is a dispute between the Chemnitz began tram-train operation in 1997 federal government and local when the 16.6km (10.3-mile) railway from Chem- through operation with the city tramway using six officials about the best way nitz to Stollberg was electrified at 750V dc to permit Bombardier/ADtranz Variobahn low-floor cars. to deliver a transit system in the city, with prosecutors claiming the deadline of Row over control of Buenos Aires Metro continues having a light rail system ready for the 2014 World A labour dispute shut down the Buenos Aires Mauricio Macri, after the federal government took Cup is unachievable. metro system on 3 August, and was temporarily set- the decision in January to hand over management of The prosecution also tled 10 days later when employees accepted a 23% the Metro to the city. Macri has insisted that the fed- maintain that the switch from pay increase to go back to work. The strike is the eral authorities release funds to improve the system bus rapid transit to light longest in the 100-year history of the system and before this can happen. rail would also lead to an left as many as a million commuters a day having to Buenos Aires has a population of around three unsustainable 57% rise in make alternative travel arrangements. million inhabitants, although it is estimated that on operating costs. The background is a power struggle between a weekday another three million commute into the President Christina Fernandez and Mayor-elect city from the surrounding suburbs.

370 october 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org Midland Metro TRAMS Honolulu contracts Siemens has been subcontracted to electrify the to Centenary Square? 32km (20-mile) Honolulu elevated light metro, and will A DEVELOPER planning a GBP450m (approx. ther six) will be fitted with super capacitors, which provide 14 substations supplying EUR566m) regeneration project in Birmingham, have been developed as a power storage device and 750V dc to the traction rails. UK, has included provision of GBP25m to extend which are already incorporated into certain CAF To increase capacity, ten Midland Metro from its new terminus at New Street vehicles supplied to the Sevilla and Zaragoza tram- more seats are to be added station to Centenary Square. This would form a fur- ways. This would allow trams to operate over short to each Alstom rapid transit ther section of the originally proposed line to Five sections not equipped with overhead, which had car in a contract change Ways via Broad Street. been under consideration for parts of future exten- estimated to cost USD1.9m, Argent has submitted a planning application for sions proposed in the West Midlands. An alternative although a decision has been the project around Paradise Circus to Birmingham proposal is to retain the existing fleet of trams after taken to reduce platform City Council. The application covers an eight-hec- the new vehicles are delivered, for potential opera- length to mitigate costs. tare site that adjoins the Centenary Square area, the tion on new sections of line such as the Brierley Hill ICC Conference Centre and the Broad Street enter- extension from Wednesbury. Private London tainments district. l The first of the batch of Urbos 3 trams is due tramway? The project is supported by the board of the Great- to commence construction in October at CAF’s UK company Tram Power er Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partner- Zaragoza plant; the batch will be delivered to the is proposing creation of a ship, which has approved an investment plan that will newly extended Wednesbury depot in the autumn privately constructed and see GBP125m (approx. EUR157m) unlocked by the of next year. There the trams will be commissioned, operated tramway for the creation of a City Centre Enterprise Zone. This fund- ready for operation on the existing Snow Hill to country’s capital to run ing mechanism allows the LEP to retain any business Wolverhampton line in 2014, prior to commission- between London Bridge and rate growth for up to 25 years to reinvest in the city. ing of the extension to New Street Station in Bir- Camberwell via Elephant Midland Metro’s proposed new fleet of 19 CAF mingham. The trams will be delivered by lorry in & Castle – echoing some Urbos 3 trams (plus an option on a potential fur- two sections with final assembly at Wednesbury. aspects of the previously planned Cross River Tram. The line would however terminate at the south side of CAF to supply new trams for Sydney London Bridge, with a view to extension over the bridge into North London. and maintain the expanded fleet Tram Power suggests that The Government of New South Wales has placed the tramway would cost only an AUD20m (EUR16.4m) contract with CAF to GBP55m (approx. EUR69m), supply low-floor trams for Sydney’s 5.6km (3.5- which would be raised mile) inner-west light rail extension from Lilyfield privately through a bond issue. to Dulwich Hill, due to open in the first half of 2014. An initial ten cars will be provided, six purchased Sound Transit begins and four leased (it is not yet clear if these are exist- Northgate Link ing cars not needed by a Spanish system). A ground-breaking ceremony Under a separate AUD1.8m (EUR1.48m) con- on 17 August marked the start tract, CAF will maintain both the new cars and the of construction of Seattle’s existing fleet of seven ADtranz LRVs dating from Northgate Link LRT extension, the 1998 opening of the Central Station – Lilyfield a 6.88km (4.3-mile) route line. These were recently acquired by the govern- running mostly in-tunnel from ment from the private company that operated the University of Washington line for 14 years. station to U District, Roosevelt Delivery of the new cars will start in the fourth Above: The extension under construction in Sydney is the and Northgate. quarter of 2013 to permit testing to start in good first phase of an expansion that will bring trams within The USD2.1bn project is time before the opening. sight of the iconic Harbour Bridge. NSWGT scheduled to open in 2021, and is the biggest project within the Sound Transit 2 programme, totalling 57.6km Helsinki extends LRT ruled out for Brisbane (35.8 miles). tramway to Länsiterminaali Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has ruled out light rail as a London Underground The 4km (2.5-mile) tramway solution to increasing traffic congestion in the city, it was announced in to end Powerlink PFI extension for Helsinki’s late August, instead focusing on a AUD2m (EUR1.6m) prefeasibility On 16 August London line 9 (Finland) from Kamppi study from AECOM Australia on finding a bus-based solution. Underground gave notice it to the west ferry terminal Campaigning groups in the area have criticised the decision, claim- intends to terminate the 30- (Länsiterminaali) opened on ing that existing bus services from West End Newstead and New Farm year Powerlink PFI contract for 13 August, replacing bus are already running at capacity and that suburban services will suffer operation and maintenance routes 15A and 15V and the same fate. of its high-voltage electrical providing a direct link to the Meanwhile, north along the coast, Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark network in August 2013. railway station. Jamieson has committed AUD4m (EUR3.2m) to a feasibility study for It will have to make Trams run at ten-minute light rail to link major Sunshine Coast destinations Caloundra and Ma- termination payments headways on the service roochydore, leading to the centre of Kawana. estimated at GBP160m during the day, with night Although, no funding streams for such a project have yet been iden- (EUR200m) to repay private services co-ordinated with tified, it is clear that the council would be unable to fund such a scheme financing facilities, but expects ferry schedules. unless a deal is reached for part federal funding. to make an overall saving of The double-track extension Alternatives being considered under the feasibility study include a GBP225m (EUR284m) over has 11 stops. PPP model such as that being realised for the GoldLinQ Gold Coast the next 15 years. Rapid Transit Project, due to open in 2014.

www.tramnews.net l www.Irta.org october 2012 371 News Detroit SEPTA NAMED 2012 decision due imminently ‘Outstanding Public An announcement on the creation of a regional transit authori- Transport System’ ty for Detroit (US), which would The American Public Transpor- eventually operate the city’s pro- tation Association (APTA) has posed light rail line, could hap- honoured the Southeastern Penn- pen imminently. sylvania Transportation Authori- US Transportation Secretary ty (SEPTA) with its Outstanding Ray LaHood and State Governor Public Transportation System Rick Snyder have met regularly achievement award for 2012. over the past few months, with The award recognises the proposed authority taking SEPTA’s efforts to enhance ser- responsibility for a 177km (110- vice, efficiencies and overall mile) bus rapid transit system as effectiveness and APTA Presi- well as eventually taking over the dent Michael Melaniphy said: privately-backed M-1 Rail 5.3km “SEPTA’s many accomplish- (3.3-mile) Woodward LRT line. ments and achievements are The M-1 Rail project has been models for the rest of the public on hold since the start of the year, transit industry.” when backers were told that fed- In fiscal year 2012, 339.3m eral transportation officials were trips were made on SEPTA not convinced the streetcar plan trains, trams and buses, the high- had long-term viability. est total since 1989, and 32m up The plan is to build the LRT on the 2007 figure. project largely with private fund- The authority, which provides ing to pay 80% of operating costs services in Philadelphia and its through 2025, at which time the suburban communities, also regional transportation authority balanced its budget for the 13th Aboev: SEPTA’s third-rail equipped Norristown line passes under one of the would take over its operation. consecutive year. authority’s commuter rail lines at Radnor during January snow. R. Vogel AD TRAMWAY INN.pdf 1 12/07/12 10:37

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372 october 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org 60th UITP World Congress and Mobility & City Transport Exhibition

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Layout_Adpage.indd 1 28/07/2012 11:37 Pub Genève_A4_IMove2.indd 1 5/07/12 9:41:34 Interview ‘Our goal is to become a global tramway leader’

Jean-Marc Janaillac has forged an impressive career as CEO of RATP Dev, masterminding expansion for the company’s light rail business. He explains some of the challenges of a global transport operator and how the French public transport scene is changing in a new climate of increased competition.

Over the past couple of months, Q RATP Dev has announced some impressive tramway contract awards across the world, many in North Africa. How important is light and urban rail to the company? Indeed, there has been a string of successes for RATP Dev in recent months with new contracts awarded in Algeria, Morocco and the USA. In Algeria, where we already operate the Algiers metro, local authorities awarded us the Algiers tramway and the future tramway contracts in Oran and Constantine. This success means a lot to us because it highlights the fact that those partners already working with us did not hesitate to renew their trust in us and it proves that we have delivered to their expectations. A few weeks later we were awarded the contract to operate the first tramway line in Casablanca, which will be the longest tramway in Africa [the Casablanca tramway is due to open in December 2012]. We have therefore strengthened our presence in North Africa considerably, a region where the public transport sector is booming. At the same time we won the contract to operate the Washington DC tramway in the USA. Of course, it is very Above: Only months How much interaction is there between rewarding for an operator to run the US federal capital’s away from opening, Q RATP Dev and the RATP Group; do you tramway network, which is also destined to expand Casablanca’s exchange experience and best practice? strongly according to the organising authority’s plans. 30.5km modern RATP has historically enjoyed a quasi-monopoly in the This series of recent successes consolidates our goal tramway will be the Paris region. In return, it was not allowed to export its of becoming a global tramway leader, which is a form of longest in Africa operating and maintenance know-how outside the confines transport that should expand significantly in the years to – RATP Dev has a of its Paris network. With lines in the greater Paris region come. Now with nearly 100km (60 miles) operated in the five-year operating opened up to competition – which is already in effect for all Paris region, but also tramways in Florence, Manchester contract. new lines and will be so in the next few years for current and Hong Kong, the RATP Group boasts internationally Casa Transports lines – RATP Group was authorised to operate and maintain acknowledged know-how in this form of transport. transport networks elsewhere in France and internationally and thus gain market share. This is the context in which The relationships between French RATP Dev was set up in 2002. Q public transport operators can RATP Dev is a wholly-owned subsidiary of RATP Group. sometimes be confusing, with RATP Group, However, its management independence is guaranteed by Keolis and Veolia-Transdev all being rules of governance ensuring that the two entities remain state-owned in different measure. How separate. Although the supervisory board is chaired by the much competition is there for light rail RATP president, five of the eight members are independent. contracts between the three? The executive board runs the company on a day-to-day There is all-out competition between RATP Dev, Keolis and basis with other directors and members. Veolia-Transdev, both in France and internationally. RATP Dev does not receive any subsidy from RATP The authorities in France stated the aim of seeing at least or the French Government. Its accounts are distinct from three operators compete in the public transport sector to the parent company; financial separation between the two offer local authorities a genuine choice, so we regularly companies is guaranteed. compete with both Keolis and Veolia-Transdev to win We use the unique expertise of the group, which operates contracts in this market. one of the most extensive multi-modal networks in the The same applies internationally: we are in direct world in Paris, to submit bids tailored to the local situation. competition. There is one exception with Asia, however, RATP Dev does not apply ready-made solutions. We strive given the size of the market and the difficulty of penetrating to understand the issues, the current situation in the field, it. We set up a joint venture with Veolia as we each had local cultures and specific features before making use of a specific bonus to add to the region. Veolia already had RATP Group know-how to provide a tailor-made solution. a strong regional presence; we were able to provide our Best practice is also exchanged in both directions. In metro expertise thanks to our engineering, operating and return, RATP Dev provides the group with its competitive maintenance know-how. culture, which is a genuine bonus for RATP when it readies

374 OCTOBER 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org African countries where we are already present. There are many transport infrastructure projects in these countries and margins are high. More generally, we also submit bids when we feel we can genuinely add something and where there is the outlook of reasonable long-term profit. Intensive urbanisation and demographic explosion in cities are leading to an increasing number of megacities all across the world and particularly in high-growth countries. One direct consequence is that mobility needs are growing and new infrastructure projects are booming, especially in countries such as China, India and the Gulf region. We are already present in China, where we operate the Hong Kong tramway and the bus networks in Nanjing and Macao. In India we were selected to operate and maintain the first tramway line in Mumbai. We also aim to set up a long-term presence in the Middle East where we have already signed a strategic partnership with SAPTCO, a major public transport operator in Saudi Arabia. You’ve had a fantastic year so far, are Q you finding the current economic climate challenging? itself to grow in a competitive environment in the Paris Above: In Algeria, In the past two years we have noted increasing competition region. RATP Dev subsidiaries can also provide RATP teams RATP Dev operates in the public transport sector with lower margins. The based in Paris with their expertise and feedback. the Algiers metro economic and financial crisis in Europe and the USA For example, our London United subsidiary, which and tramway, as directly impacts the capacity of our customers, official already operates a fleet of hybrid buses, will be able to offer well as signing authorities, to continue to improve service or finance our Paris staff a genuine insight when we are required to do future contracts infrastructure projects. The few privatisations there are do the same in Paris. for the under- not always offer a good deal for the price (for example, if construction networks are in poor condition). The contract for Washington DC is a Growth in emerging nations allows us to retain our Q significant one for a multinational systems in Oran and Constantine. growth targets although the timetable in some countries operator. How exciting is the US market has been rescheduled or even postponed either for and what potential do you see there? RATP Dev organisational or financial reasons. Tramways are going through a revival in the US that is Some countries also demonstrate a degree of comparable to what is currently going on in Europe. We protectionism, which does not promote competition. believe in its growth in terms of passenger volumes and in These countries must, however, invest in this sector to the opening of new lines. maintain a high rate of growth. They will not be able to The Washington DC tramway sends out a strong signal deal with booming urban development in their cities and because it is one of the first cases in the USA where the risk paralysing growth unless they invest in transport network is not directly operated by its owner. We are infrastructure. tracking other tramway projects where we want to develop Below: RATP Dev a position in the months and years to come. has plenty of Are there any systems that are coming As for metros, there are no opportunities at present experience of Q up for franchise renewal in the near other than extremely rare exceptions, as all major operating modern future that you particularly admire and networks are operated directly. We are looking at the metro tramways. Paris line would love to win the concession for? market with interest in the long-term, however, as it may T3 with its 43.7m Generally speaking, we are interested in all present and gradually open up over time. Alstom Citadis 402 future metro and tramway infrastructure projects. trams will be On a more concrete level, we are bidding to operate the Q Some of your subsidiaries are wholly- doubled in length metro in Mecca and will vie for the automatic metro in owned and some are partnerships by the end of 2012. London’s Docklands and for the Crossrail project in the with domestic operators – such as in the P. Irkutsk United Kingdom. TAUT USA with McDonald Transit – what are the benefits and issues of each approach? We strive to apply a practical approach and forge local partnerships when we need a partner to provide knowledge of and expertise in the local environment to ensure a comprehensive solution tailored to the local situation. This is why we have local partnerships in China, for example. It isn’t always necessary, however. For Manchester Metrolink we believed we already had a sound grasp of the British market thanks to our operations in London and Bournemouth. We also retained many of the original staff in Manchester to make the most of their experience in Metrolink. What measures do you use to assess Q which light rail contracts to bid for and which territories are the most exciting? In its simplest expression our strategy is based on two types of target. Firstly, we aim to expand in a few mature countries to ensure major economic and institutional stability. This means France, of course, but also the United Kingdom, Italy and the United States. Secondly, we aim to expand in high-growth countries such as China, India, South Africa and Brazil, or in North

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org OCTOBER 2012 375 Besancon5

Besancon:5 Cost savings through innovative thinking

Already a focal point for an industry seeking savings, Besancon’s5 14.5km LRT project has established a low-cost design that could reduce construction costs by up to a third.

The project team from Communauté d’Agglomération du Grand Besancon5 updates TAUT.

he city of Besançon in eastern France, regional Above: An artist’s the mode would also offer the most cost-efficient way of capital of Franche-Comté, prides itself on its green impression of the transporting larger numbers of passengers comfortably and credentials and its transportation innovation, being the tramway as it will quickly, with minimal environmental impact. firstT in France to establish a pedestrian-only zone in 1973. look approaching The creation of the tramway will greatly reduce bus The city region is home to a population of 180 000 Chopard stop in traffic in the downtown area, replacing it with modern across 59 communes, with Besançon itself having 120 000 emission-free transportation, thus considerably improving central Besancon5 inhabitants. The region’s high-frequency ‘Ginko’ bus in 2015. Note the the air quality through significant reductions in both the network records 140 trips per year per capita – two to three use of natural stone levels of CO2 and other harmful gases in central Besançon. times higher than the national average – or around 90 000 surrounding the Through such a choice, it is also an assurance of the passengers per day. Yet the city is still victim, like many tramway. Reichen & creation of new green spaces and flowerbeds through the others, to high mobility growth and increasing road traffic, planting of 1170 new trees. Although 620 will have to be consequently reducing the effectiveness of the bus network. Robert et associés/ removed as construction progresses, the additional 550 Despite the introduction of lower carbon solutions Avant-Première trees will make a big difference to the city. such as natural gas and low-emission diesel vehicles with Design As a spine for a future network, the initial 14.5km particulate filters, the situation has worsened in recent years. (9-mile) line serves not only the needs of the current city In 2004, the elected representatives of the 59 communes region but will also act as an accelerator for urban and that make up the Communaté d’Agglomération du Grand economic development. Ensuring the city region’s vitality, Besançon voted to investigate solutions to boost passenger it will boost business sectors around Hauts du Chazal, capacity and ease congestion of the Ginko network. CHU, Planoise, Micropolis, the Vaîtes, Palente and the Two separate studies were launched. The first focused Marnières (in Chalezeule). on possible evolutions of the bus network and the creation of reserved corridors and the implementation of Bus Rapid Detailed studies and budgeting Transit, while the other focused on a fixed infrastructure After choosing the tramway option, initial studies system of either tram or trolleybus. All options were possible. for a single line began in 2004, leading eventually to After careful consideration, a modern tramway was consultation on a Y-configured east-west route connecting selected as it best met the city’s long-term transport needs. the residential and industrial suburb of Hauts-du-Chazal Complementing existing bus and park-and-ride services, with the business centre of Marnières via the city centre.

376 october 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org Besancon: Cost savings through innovative thinking

WHAT’S IN A NAME? BESANCON’S5 TRAMS Victor Hugo: 19th Century Marie Curie: Physicist, Writer and poet chemist and pioneer in Les Frères Lumière: radioactive research Filmmakers and fathers of Claude-Nicolas Ledoux: modern cinematography Neoclassical architect Vauban: Marshal of France Charles Fourier: Philosopher and pre-eminent military and moralist engineer Pierre-Joseph Proudhon: Louis Pasteur: Chemist Journalist, printer and and founder of medical anarchist microbiology Nicole de Granvelle: Jouffroy d’Abbans: Engineer Philanthropist and steamboat pioneer Toussaint Louverture: Leader Colette: Actress, novelist and of the late-18th Century journalist Haitian revolution Gustave Courbet: Louis Pergaud: Novelist Realist painter and teacher Jeanne-Antide Thouret: Léonel de Moustier: Nun, religious scholar, 20th Century diplomat and canonized in 1934 politician Claude-Joseph Rouget de Jenny D’Héricourt: Writer Lisle: Revolutionary army and feminist activist officer and composer of Henri Fertet: Freedom fighter Above: Tramway construction through narrow streets will alleviate the need for costly La Marseillaise and revolutionary reconstruction of wider avenues. Philippe Miroudot

The alignment includes a short branch serving the main Above, left to right: The first section, with 13 stops, began construction line railway station at Besançon-Viotte and 31 stops will Rails being laid in in February 2012 with a contract value of EUR45m. serve the principal traffic sources. Urban and regional bus The consortium responsible for this section comprises Avenue Francois5 networks will be adapted as feeders for the tramway, and Mitterand in July STD, Sacer, Roger Martin, Colas Rail and Alstom, with we envisage a major expansion of park-and-ride facilities to 2012; Utilising stop subcontractors ISS, Locatelli and Sobeca. accelerate modal shift. designs already used The second section, comprising 18 stops, has a contract From December, SNCF shuttle trains on the renovated for the bus network value of EUR53m and was awarded to a consortium branch line will link Viotte to Besançon Franche-Comté is a prime example of Eurovia, Bonnefoy, Eurovia Railway Works (ETF), TGV, providing connections with high-speed services on Campenon Bernard, COTEB Codiel with subcontractors of Besancon’s5 LGV Rhin-Rhône. cost savings. The Vermot, Verazzi, Soil and SA Confluence Haefeli Duck. Operationally, the tramway will run 05.00-01.00 with Orchamps stop is Work began on this section in May 2012. five-minute headways during peak periods. We anticipate one of four planned Co-ordination of works is managed by contractor Egis. an initial daily ridership of around 43 000, rising to 55 000 bus interchanges, Up to 500 workers will work simultaneously on site and the in the medium-term. and this image line is scheduled to open in 2015. The tram will improve the quality of life for all inhabitants of Besançon. In addition to the creation of also shows the test Efficient construction without compromise park-and-ride and green sites, along the entire route bicycle with artificial grass, The main difference in the Besançon approach to tramway routes will be created as well as extra pedestrian walkways. aimed at saving construction to that of other French cities lies in its budget Following the declaration of public utility in June 2011, maintenance; Depot framework. From the outset, the Urban Community of archaeological digs and utility works began later that year. construction is still Grand Besançon mandated that a key measure of success Many 17th Century Vauban fortifications of significant in its early stages, was in the delivery of the full project to a cost substantially historical interest were identified, and following appeals but the pared back lower than its contemporaries. of the declaration of tramway authority that were upheld, facilities could see A capital cost of EUR228m at 2008 prices was then the first rails were laid in late June 2012 in Avenue savings of EUR3-4m agreed, with a 5% variation. This gives a cost per kilometre François Mitterrand. over a more of approximately EUR16m; a significant saving over the Dividing construction almost exactly into two sections, traditional facility. EUR20m/km for even the cheapest comparable modern two consortia have been selected to deliver the infrastructure. Emile Joly French light rail project.

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org october 2012 377 Besancon5

Within such a budget, it therefore seemed impossible Below: Removal Detailed savings to meet the challenge of building a 14.5km line with and replacement To meet the challenge of achieving a line of 14.5km with everything this involves in associated work and facilities of the existing a budget average of EUR16m/km we studied nearly all the through conventional methodology. It was therefore Pont Battant to components of a tramway system and looked at solutions necessary to review many of the project’s consituent parts accommodate the which, without affecting the safety of the system or its in the search for potential savings. tramway; this is just reliability, allowed us to break with established practices for The desire for rigorous cost control of such a major one of four river this type of project. project reflects the conviction of Besançon mayor and crossings that need One major economy was achieved in the provision of President of the Agglomerated Community, Jean-Louis to be addressed in rolling stock. Following close studies of the alignment Fousseret, and other elected officials, that the tramway and planned frequency, a 30m-long LRV was considered must not abstract funds from other public services: He central Besancon.5 unwarranted. Although we chose a headway of five minutes, commented: “Whilst we are determined that our tram CAGB/Grand knowing the city has a population of just 120 000 it was should be comparable in terms of quality with other Besancon5 clearly not necessary to order a traditional tram. So our modern light rail networks, its innovation will stem from its tender specified a length of around 24m with an option to economy rather than its technology. Bottom: At Veil lengthen the cars in the longer term should the need occur. “We have assessed each major source of spending and tried Picard, the tramway A call for tenders was issued on 17 April 2009, covering to take the most rational and cost-effective option without will run alongside design and manufacture of a fleet of 19 trams as well as a compromising on quality, comfort or equipment life.” the river Doubs as it 15-year maintenance agreement. Offers came in from the Through intensive examination of the cost implications approaches the city leading European vehicle manufacturers and following two of each of the major investment programmes at the outset centre. Emile Joly rounds of negotiations, a shortlist of five was drawn up: of the project, the commissioning authority has identified a Alstom, Stadler, Lohr Industrie, AnsaldoBreda and CAF. potential EUR50m reduction in capital costs. Following a recommendation from the Procurement This important reduction in the cost-per-km outlay will Committee, an order for 19 CAF low-floor cars was placed ensure that the agglomeration remains within its financial on 30 June 2010 for a contract value of EUR34.4m, giving means, whilst delivering comfortable, reliable, attractive a saving per vehicle of EUR300 000 (EUR1.8m instead of urban transport that will bolster the social and economic EUR2.1m average). development of the entire city region. The final specification for the three-module articulated Scepticism of course remained amongst sections of the low-floor cars ensures trams of a 23-metre length, 2.4m population that the project was unfeasible under these wide, with four asynchronous motors powering all three conditions. However, a public inquiry reviewed details of bogies to give a maximum speed of 70km/h (43.5mph). our proposals and found a positive result. Each car will carry up to 132 passengers. The vehicles are to be assembled at CAF’s French manufacturing facility at Bagnères-de-Bigorre, in the south of the country near to the Spanish border. First deliveries are planned for June 2013. Following a public vote that involved 15 000 inhabitants, the trams will feature a turquoise livery, chosen over the other colour options of white and pink – around 41% of those surveyed chose this colour. Each one of the 19 trams will be named after famous people with a link to the city, including Victor Hugo, Marie Curie, Vauban and the Lumière brothers. Utility relocation is being co-ordinated by the city with its utility partners, with major works expected to be complete by late 2012. Landscaping and environment Landscaping and urban design is another area where we have avoided excessive outlay. For this reason, unlike other European tramway systems, there will be no widespread use of grass tracks as this is difficult to maintain, partly because of the need for frequent watering. This does not mean that the project will have a ‘discount’ feel, however, as along the whole route instead we aim to create less resource-intensive ‘rustic spaces’ on and around the tracks. Elected officials have expressed a wish for grass sections, but without the need to water. To this end, we are conducting tests with native plants on specific areas and incorporating the use of natural stone – such measures will save around EUR5m. Perhaps the greatest savings will be made during the land acquisition process. The route has been carefully chosen to keep compulsory purchases to an absolute minimum. Also, as the city features especially narrow streets – often no wider than 12m facade to facade – one helpful consequence is that there is less square metrage to develop. Additionally, whilst many of the public spaces through which the tramway passes have already been renovated before construction begins, savings can be found of up to 30% with these two measures, removing up to EUR20m in capital costs. Importantly, the project calls for an archaeological dig that requires several million Euros; additionally, several bridges and structures will require renewal and reconstruction at a cost of EUR20m as the tramway crosses the river Doubs four times. These expenses were therefore unavoidable.

378 october 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org P+R Miserey-Salines vers gare Besancon5 Franche-Comté TGV

P+R Ecole-Valentin

Orchamps Marnières P+R –– Planned tram route P+R P+R Lilas Marnières Terminus –– Proposed tramway extension Portes de Vesoul Fort Benoît – – Feeder rail service Corvée Schweitzer – – Regional rail service TEMIS Les Vaîtes Tram/bus interchange P+R Brulefoin Gare Viotte Flore T. Bernard P+R Existing park-and-ride site P+R A. Chopard Campus P+R Proposed park-and-ride site Beaux-Arts Parc Micaud Gare de la Mouillère Veil Picard Médiathèque

Cité Universitaire

Chamars

Polygone Brûlard Pôle Santé CHU Morre Epoisses Rosemont Université P+R P+R Hauts-du-Chazal Malcombe P+R Ile-de-France Micropolis Cassin

Another important saving of EUR5m has been generated One of the most widely-discussed economies is our Above: Besancon’s5 through the adoption of a greatly simplified project prerequisite for a compact and functional maintenance tramway envisages management structure through the construction and depot. Without internal storage capacity, the single facility several new park- comimissioning phase and, as far as possible, the avoidance is being built on a plot of around five hectares, limiting land and-ride sites, as of using external engineering consultancies. This also requirements. The option to stable trams outside is not new well as interchanges allowed us to ask questions and sometimes challenge what and has already been taken in other cities, such as Mulhouse. with established bus has been done elsewhere and oversee contractors directly. This decision alone is targeting a saving of EUR3-4m. and rail services. Decisions have been made likewise with the tram stops Infrastructure and power supplies Below: Between and shelters. Simple, functional stops based upon existing Malcombe and Although crucial to maintain quality and reliability across the bus stops designs rather than bespoke aesthetic designs can Micropolis stops, system, auxiliary equipment has been pared to a minimum. save around EUR2m. For example, a technical evaluation showed that, for a Put together these savings have allowed us to reduce the tramway line of this size and our planned service frequency, seven the final bill by at least EUR50m in creating an ambitious, will transform substations could be used instead of the more usual 12. innovative tramway project that, watched with curiosity by the urban space, Similarly, with the exception of ticketing systems, many many, will answer the transport needs of the city without reducing congestion of the existing low-power systems – such as passenger degrading the current effective transport system. TAUT approaching the city. information systems – can be shared with the existing Reichen & Robert bus network. These measures should result in another net l Grateful thanks are due to Florent Serrette and Pascal et associés/Avant- saving of around EUR8.5m. Gudefin in the preparation of this article. Première Design

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org october 2012 379 Interview ‘After years of focusing on metros, China’s cities are turning to trams’ Predicting a significant market with over 40 under-development tramway projects over the next decade, Germar Wacker, Bombardier Transportation’s President, Light Rail Vehicles, explores the exciting possibilities in China.

n late July, both Bombardier Transportation and Siemens Above: Already Your recently announced agreement signed technology transfer agreements with Chinese running on the Q takes the form of a technology transfer rolling stock manufacturers for access to their advanced UK’s modernised licence. Why have you chosen this route Ilow-floor tram technology (seeTAUT 897 for more details). Blackpool Tramway, rather than a joint venture? TAUT spoke to Germar Wacker, President of Bombardier’s the Flexity 2 is In the last decade, the Chinese railway industry – as well as Light Rail Vehicle division about its agreement with also soon to be seen the market for rolling stock – has evolved substantially. Joint CSR Puzhen to license the 100% low-floor Flexity tram on Australia’s ventures are no longer the preferred mode of co-operation. technology and its components. Here, he discusses the Gold Coast. The tram business also differs substantially from other background to the deal and the potential for Chinese cities to Tony Stevenson segments of the rail business. For example, contracts are adopt modern low-floor tramways over the coming decade. smaller in size with more substantial local involvement of the supplier. Therefore, it made more sense for us to forge What made Bombardier choose CSR a co-operation based on technology transfer with CSR Q Puzhen as your Chinese partner and Puzhen rather than start another joint venture. how long have you been in discussions? The license agreement provides CSR Puzhen with a CSR Puzhen has a long history of building passenger ten-year license to sell and manufacture 100% low-floor rolling stock in China. Moreover, it has developed a strong trams using Bombardier’s technology in China, including capability in the mass transit business by winning many Hong Kong and Macao. Our main deliverables from this metro contracts from major Chinese cities. Therefore, we contract include preparing and handing over documentation identified CSR Puzhen as an ideal partner for us to enter the of the licensed product, and providing comprehensive Chinese market together in the low-floor tram segment. training and assistance to CSR Puzhen’s staff to understand We have a long-standing business relationship with China, the documentation and enable them to successfully sell and including three joint ventures, so we are in regular dialogue manufacture the licensed product. with many players in the Chinese industry, including CSR In addition, the vehicles will be equipped with Group. The co-operation agreement on LRVs with CSR Bombardier’s innovative FLEXX Urban 3000 bogies and Puzhen has been developed over the last few months. the MITRAC 500 propulsion and control system.

380 OCTOBER 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org Are such deals the only way into the Right: The trams Q Chinese market, or is there a future for for China will be Western manufacturers to export directly? equipped with In a market as large as China, providing a cost-effective Bombardier’s latest offering is only possible by operating locally. This also FLEXX Urban 3000 plays an important part in providing good after-sales low-floor bogies. support once the vehicle is in revenue service. The Simon Johnston history of the metro market teaches us that challenging requirements for localised production and sourcing will be in place for low-floor tram tenders as well. Joint ventures do not appear to be an alternative route as Chinese government agencies restrict the market segments in which joint ventures can bid for business. At the same time, a few players in China have developed the capability to manufacture mass transit vehicles. CSR Puzhen is such a manufacturer and contributes many years of experience as Right: Wang well as local market knowledge to the partnership. Xiaoyang, Deputy General Manager of Given that the agreement you have CSR Puzhen (left) Q signed covers a ten-year period, how and Germar Wacker big do you estimate the Chinese market at the signing of the for trams to be over the next decade? technology licensing After years of placing the focus on metro systems, Chinese agreement in China cities are turning towards trams. Historically, there have in July. Bombardier been a few tram projects in China, but only now is there an interest in state-of-the-art low-floor tram technology. More than 40 known projects for over 500 such low-floor trams are currently under development. This market will be driven by new systems complementing metros in large cities, or standalone systems in medium-sized cities and new satellite towns, often built as ‘eco-cities’. trams and believe our co-operation with CSR Puzhen will By comparison, many cities in Europe with 300 000 be beneficial for both parties. inhabitants or more have tramway systems. In Germany alone, the total fleet of trams includes about 5200 vehicles. What are the other benefits for Q Bombardier? The more traditional model covers We believe that our partnership with CSR Puzhen provides Q the licencing of previous, often dated, the best way to participate in the promising Chinese market technologies. Why have you chosen for trams. As the worldwide leader in the LRV segment Bombardier’s latest product, the Flexity 2? by market share, we are keen to be part of the evolution of We made a careful analysis of the requirements and decided mobility in China. that a derivative of the Flexity 2 provides the best fit for the From another perspective, this co-operation forms part of Chinese market. In addition, we fully understand that we Bombardier’s long-term strategy to grow local roots in key have to bring state-of-the-art technology to China. markets and further broadens our presence in China. The leading Chinese cities have evolved in the last decade to offer very modern mass transit to their citizens. Noting that the trams will include For example, Shanghai will soon have one of the largest Q Bombardier’s propulsion system and metro networks in the world. Therefore, anything ‘dated’ bogies, will any other components be will not be able to capture the market in China. sourced from your worldwide facilities? The sourcing strategy for components will be worked out as Given that, do you have a strategy to part of the early stage of implementation of our co-operation. Q market other LRV platforms to China, or is the 100% low-floorFlexity 2 the Do you see this as the start of a wider only tram of interest? Q relationship – perhaps to develop new Our low-floor tram product for China is based on a multi- trams or products such as signalling or train articulated, bi-directional vehicle with five sections. There control systems – for China in the future? is also a variant with seven sections. These new low-floor Let’s take one step at a time. We look forward to developing trams provide the latest standards in safety, passenger our partnerships and put down local roots in this key LRV comfort, accessibility and energy consumption. market. As we deepen our relationship with CSR Puzhen, As mentioned before, we believe this design best meets we might include further products in the future. the requirements in China, for example, in terms of capacity and climatisation. Key features are the Intelligent Driver’s The Flexity 2 has proved a success Desk with signature touchscreen design, ‘empty room Q in Blackpool and you will soon start concept’ for flexible interior arrangements, state-of-the-art deliveries to Australia’s Gold Coast – do crash performance and leading-edge bogie technology. you have interest from other systems yet? We have signed a framework contract with Basel (Switzerland) How does Bombardier benefit from for the supply of 60 trams with an option for another 58. We Q the agreement? For example, does have also just been selected as preferred bidder for the supply the company take a percentage of each of 48 new LRVs for De Lijn’s services in Ghent and Antwerp vehicle sold in China? in Belgium with an option for another 40 vehicles. We do not disclose commercial details, but obviously, we We are talking to several cities interested in our products, see a great long-term potential in the Chinese market for including the low-floorFlexity 2 vehicle. TAUT “We fully understand that we have to bring state-of-the-art technology to China… anything ‘dated’ will not be able to capture the market.”

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org OCTOBER 2012 381 Special Offer to Tramways and Urban Transit Readers

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382_TAUT1210_CBTCWorld.indd 1 04/09/2012 08:42 systems factfile No. 61 Leipzig, Germany

lEipzig Germany’s second largest tramway has a prominent street presence in Leipzig, an historic city in the eastern region of the GERMANY nation that is seeking to maintain its return to prominence and prosperity.

words and pictures by Neil Pulling

eipzig’s tramway history began in 1872, followed Above: Trams are busiest stop, where four platform faces can each by separate ventures that combined and moved into prominent on accommodate two tram lengths as well as buses. Trams public ownership. Today’s Leipziger Verkehrsbetriebe Leipzig streets: on most of the system’s routes pass by, converging and (LVB)L title was adopted in 1938. Following German NGT8 1129 between dispersing through the several junctions within view. reunification, LVB’s status underwent a series of changes the junctions west of Like many German tramways, the basics were already and by 2005 it completed transfer to LVV, the city utilities the Hauptbahnhof established by the second decade of the 20th Century. holding company. (the grey building Unlike large counterparts in the former West Germany The radial layout of Leipzig’s tramway leaps from a in the background). where tracks in the centre were re-channelled underground, transport map (a detailed version can be downloaded from Leipzig’s trams remain a prominent surface feature across LVB’s website at www.lvb.de/file/lvb_maps/Netzplan_Tag. the city. The track concentration yields an intensive central pdf/f), a feature reinforced when at Willy Brandt Platz. service, also allowing for diversions around scheduled or Here, on the usually bustling northern edge of the city’s short-term blockages; the unusual 1458mm gauge, mainly core is the immense Hauptbahnhof (Hbf) main railway All pictures 10-12 double-track, system has a mixture of shared and dedicated station with its multi-level ‘Promenaden’ development, May 2012, unless right of way, much with sleepered track. Terrain is largely a prime shopping centre. Immediately outside is LVB’s otherwise noted. level, with lakes and parkland mainly to the south and west. ➤

www.tramnews.net www.Irta.org october 2012 383 Systems Factfile

network facts . Opened: 1872, electrified from 1896 . Regular routes: 14 . Stops: 516 . Route distance: 150km (94 miles) . Approximate weekday hours: 04.30-00.30 . Main frequency: 10 minutes . Gauge: 1458mm . Power: 600V dc (upgrading to 750V) overhead supply . Service fleet:262 (December 2011) . Owner: Leipziger Versorgungs-und Verkehrsgesellschaft (LVV) . Operator: Leipziger Verkehrsbetriebe (LVB) . Regional network: Mitteldeutscher Verkehrsverbund (MDV) INFORMATION . City network: www.lvb.de . Region network: www.mdv.de . Civic and tourist information: www.leipzig.de Above: City-bound Leoliners 1345 and 1315 at Portitizer Allee, Heiterblick.

Above: Lindenauer Markt, one Right: Tatras prominent at of many neighbourhood centres LVB’s Paunsdorf depot, an east served by the tramway. Leipzig site opened in 1913.

Above: Awaiting the cross-city heavy rail connection, the Hauptbahnhof is already Leipzig’s main transport interchange. Left: The Hauptbahnhof combined tram and bus stop during rebuilding in May 2005.

384 october 2012 www.tramnews.net l www.Irta.org Of profound importance to the city’s present appearance, Top: 2139 leads a within the main ring, running past the austerely elegant Leipzig’s commercial and railway significance brought intense Tatra formation past opera house opened in 1960 and the flamboyant new bombing in the later stages of World War Two. Rebuilding the Opera House on Augusteum university building. the city and its transport began when in the Soviet-occupied Augustusplatz. Yet within Leipzig are indications of social and economic zone, becoming East Germany 1949-1990. This era saw difficulties. Just beyond the largely pedestrianised Czech ČKD vehicles adopted from 1969, with rebuilt later city centre, much changed by cleaning, renewal and versions seemingly set for long-term service in substantial Above: City Tunnel commercialisation, a collar of substantial buildings appear numbers. By 1994 Leipzig introduced new low-floor trams. platforms will also wholly or partially abandoned by residents and businesses. With a later decision to produce its own Leoliner trams – have separate Well-served by public transport, these districts have also the name relates to the city’s heraldic lion – LVB created a access from within declined as passenger generators. Leipzig is noticeably subsidiary, Leoliner Fahrzeug-Bau Leipzig GmbH (FBL). the Hbf and for the afflicted by graffiti and vandalism, with the stops and ticket It subsequently adopted and slightly reformatted the name tram and bus stop. machines a particular target. To counter such problems, of the north-eastern suburb Heiterblick, with which LVB LVB displays signs indicating rewards for information had long tramway associations. With LVB returning to Above right: leading to convictions. core activities, the sale of HeiterBlick to Leipzig-based Leipzig’s first Although now hosting modern factories in outer districts, engineering firm Kirow was completed by December 2010. low-floor type, the local authority acknowledges that 90% of Leipzig’s LVB’s buses and trams form part of the Mitteldeutscher 1989 industrial base has gone. Conversely, outer reaches of Verkehrsverbund (MDV) transport union created in 1998, a NGT8 1111 in the tramway initially added to serve large housing estates – zone-based tariff structure present in three federal states. a London 2012 these the subject of upgrading and cosmetic improvements Leipzig, 2010 population 522 883, is about 150km (94 Olympics livery in – like those at Paunsdorf (line 3, 7 and 8) are helping to miles) south-west of Berlin. Like similarly-sized Dresden, Möckern. locate new low-rise residential areas. Adding to long- 105km (65 miles) to the east, it is one of few places in the standing associations with culture and education, Leipzig Sachsen (Saxony) state without significant population decline. became the main trade fair location for imperial Germany, In a Vienna-like manner, the very centre of Leipzig is an activity that remains important to the city’s identity encircled by tracks carrying sections of most network and economy. With a main line station and motorway routes. Unlike Vienna, trams now make a brief incursion connections, the Messe trade fair site to the north of the city ➤

www.tramnews.net www.Irta.org october 2012 385 Systems Factfile

the fleet The biggest distinction is between the CKD Tatra T4D-M stock acquired through the 1980s (rebuilt CKD and newer Bombardier trailers add low-floor access) and several newer low-floor types. With 56 Above: LVB has delivered from 1994, the first a large heritage were the 27.8m fleet and a vehicle DWASiemens museum at NGT8. Möckern. Needing more modern Left: T4D-M1 2149 trams, but short at Goerdelerring, on funds whilst one of the central keen to maximise ring’s main local benefits, LVB developed interchanges. a new design, resulting Right: The Leoliner in Leoliner has an unusual prototypes configuration inside 1301-1302 of and out. 2004. Fifty of the asymmetrical two-section, 70% low-floor, six-axle articulated is also served by the north-south line 16, mainly operated on an entirely redeveloped 165 000m2 site in Heiterblick, Leoliner were by the high-capacity Bombardier Flexity Classic XXL. restoring that site’s historic standing as Leipzig’s main delivered up to 2011, Continuing a long series of annual rises, in 2011 LVB tramway workshop. Due for full operation by 2016, when it commonly reported 134.4 million journeys, with trams carrying 81% should provide maintenance for 320 trams, the foundation running as pairs. of the total. Most of the 14 regular lines are between 13 and stone for the EUR45.6m project was laid in April 2012. With a 22km (8-14 miles) long, some having E-suffixed shorter Leipzig’s system needs are upgrading rather than similar low-floor coverage. Nearly all serve the Hbf and there is a prevailing expansion, with the 2011-2014 Neue Bahn 15 project to proportion, LVB’s ten-minute interval. Trams with onboard audio extend transform western sections of line 15 to light rail standards biggest trams messages to English versions at selected locations, while indicative of intentions. ‘City-Tunnel Leipzig’ is the area’s are the five- stops usually have some shelter and service displays at busy dominant public transport project, creating a cross-city section, 45m points. Not all stops have platforms, and boarding from railway connection primarily for S-Bahn use. The current Bombardier the roadway or pavement is widespread. Segments within low frequency service is due for upgrading upon the NGT12 Flexity and across the tramway’s radial arms are covered by LVB’s tunnel’s opening, now expected at the end of 2013. Classic XXL that approximately 190-strong bus fleet operating 61 routes. The The project’s core is the pair of 1.44km tunnels between offer capacity 01.00-04.00 night network is bus-operated. termini Hbf and the Bayerischer Bahnhof, a protected for 265 There are several depots and stabling facilities around historic building severed from rail connection for several passengers, the system; rebuilt in 2005, Angerbrücke to the west of the years. Although the changes should obviate some present 105 seated. centre is the most modern. Current operational arrangements tram and bus journeys, overall improvements to public Similarities will change with completion of the new Technical Centre transport should make it more attractive to car users. TAUT with Dresden’s NGTD12DD are masked by LEIPZIG: essential FACTS individual styling and liveries. Local travel: Short trip tickets cost EUR1.60, unlimited single Made in journeys cost EUR2.30. The basic all-modes (MDV zone Sachsen at 110) one-day card is EUR5.50 – note that some tramway Bautzen, they extremities are outside of this area, but ticketing allows zones were delivered to be added. in batches, For wider travel in this region that features many tramways 1201-1224 up – for example Halle, Dessau, Chemnitz and Dresden – the to 2007, with DB Sachsen Ticket (one day, EUR21.00 for one person) also 1225-1233 at covers neighbouring states Sachsen-Anhalt and Thüringen. EUR3.3m each, What is there to see? concluding in Leipzig has a very lively city centre, also the location of the May 2012. city’s most notable buildings. Leipzig’s communist past has New an intriguing presence through architecture and in more deliveries saw sinister form at the GDR security ‘Stasi’ museum: 15 Tatras www.runde-ecke-leipzig.de. LVB tram museum at withdrawn in Historischer Strassenbahnhof Möckern stop: LVB website for opening times and special services. 2011, but over The first of Leipzig’s biggest tram type delivered in 2005, Bombardier 100 remain. Flexity Classic XXL 1201 at Wiederitzsch near the trade fair site.

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print388_TAUT1210_RTMRecruitmentAd.indd adverts FINAL.indd 16 1 04/09/201229/08/2012 08:47 08:56 Charlotte Charlotte experiences the LYNX effect

Boasting double its initial ridership projections, Charlotte’s LRT system has plans for a complete five-line network by 2034. Vic Simons reports.

n November 2007, the city of Charlotte opened Above: Southbound From the turn of the present century this undertaking its first 15.45km (9.6-mile) modern light rail line. Siemens S70 car was merged with the Metropolitan Transit Commission of Marketed as LYNX, it proved an immediate success, 103 entering New Mecklenburg County to form the Charlotte Area Transit Iattracting thousands of new riders to public transport. Barn station on System, known and widely marketed as CATS. On an As the largest city in the US state of North Carolina, the outskirts of the average weekday, CATS serves over 80 000 trips using, as Charlotte has a population of just under 700 000 and is the city’s downtown well as LYNX, 322 buses on 73 routes. centre of the region which includes Mecklenburg County area on 20 April LYNX Blue line with a population of around one million. 2012; Charlotte’s Located just north of the South Carolina state border, impressive skyline Some 60 years after the demise of the original streetcar the city was originally named Charlottetown and adopted system, initial planning for a modern light rail line, its current name in 1762 in honour of the wife of the UK’s looms large in the originally through to Rock Hill, South Carolina, began. King George III. North Carolina is located on the Atlantic background. Funding was eventually approved by Mecklenburg County coast, some 800km (500 miles) south of New York City. voters supporting a half-cent (USD0.005) sales tax. The city has a history of streetcar operation, opening Official planning began in 1999, with a route that originally its first-generation system in 1891, although this once envisaged a station at Pineville south of Interstate 485; this extensive network finally succumbed to the motorbus in was later scrapped when local Councillors there voted not 1938. By 1976 all bus services were operated by Charlotte to receive the line, which also resulted in the removal of the Transportation. Rock Hill link.

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org october 2012 389 Charlotte

The LYNX name was adopted in 2006 to both maintain I-485 just off South Boulevard. The line has 15 stations, the big cat theme of the area with the Carolina Panthers the southernmost seven of which all have park-and-ride Major League US Football team and the Charlotte Bobcats facilities with a total capacity of 3171 vehicles. All stations Major League basketball team, as well as indicating the are well lit and equipped with ticket vending machines, line’s improved transport connectivity. canopies and seating and many have bike lockers. There are The 2004 groundbreaking was followed by three years service indicators on each platform. of construction with the initial opening on 24 November Service is operated every 15 minutes for most of the 2007 with free rides for the first two days. Revenue service weekday schedule, increasing to ten-minute headways at commenced two days later. peak times. Weekend headways are generally 20 minutes, It quickly became clear that the initial 9100 weekday extended to 30 minutes in the evenings. ridership projection was well below actual figures as within Fares are integrated across all modes with a basic flat fare six months of opening daily weekday ridership had reached in operation and there are premium fares for express bus over 18 000. This peaked at 22 000 journeys per day at services and out of County services. Multi-modal links with the end of that year due to inflated petrol prices. By 2011 LYNX are widespread, and are often marketed as light rail it had levelled off at around 15 000 journeys per day; very feeder services. There is a transfer charge for modal change, impressive figures and well above initial expectations. ranging from USD0.75 between local buses and LYNX In common with many major transit projects at that to USD3.20 for transfer between community shuttles and time, construction costs more than doubled, from original express buses (as of 1 July 2012). project estimates of USD227m to USD462m on opening, Whilst tickets and passes are checked when boarding buses, brought about by a combination of ambitious estimating and the honour system is used on LYNX. There are prominent specification changes. This lead to a number of attempts to Below: Charlotte’s notices in every station warning that passengers must have a derail the project; such as a motion on the 2007 ballot paper to existing Blue line, valid ticket to travel or be subject to an on the spot fine and/ cancel the sales tax. However, as with almost all modern LRT plus the plans or prosecution. Despite this there is significant fare evasion, systems, after opening all such objections rapidly melted away. which could be as high as 3% although CATS believes that Funding for the project was 50% FTA, 25% from the for further LRT it is only about 1%. CATS normally expects a 25% farebox state of North Carolina and 25% locally sourced. development – much recovery with the balance coming from the half-cent sales tax. of this remains LYNX route and operation unfunded and may LYNX vehicles The 15.45km (9.6-mile) Blue line runs from 7th Street not become a reality Service is provided by a fleet of 20 Siemens S70 Avanto in Uptown Charlotte to a large park-and-ride terminus at in the years to come. LRVs, with a USD52m first order awarded in February 2004

Towards Mt. Mourne EASTFIELD

Existing rapid transit HARRIS Rapid transit under construction Planned rapid transit I-485

MALLARD CK UNC-CHARLOTTE JW CLAY MCCULLOUGH Unit 106 at Arrowood station. Typical of DERITA UNIVERSITY CITY the Charlotte Blue line, Arrowood station TOM HUNTER is clean and well-maintained with suitable OLD CONCORD cover and seating. ROSA PARKS PL SUGAR CK

36 ST

25 ST

PARKWOOD GATEWAY 9 ST 7 ST CTC 3 ST AIRPORT STONEWALL CARSON PRSBY EASTLAND BLAND PECAN Replica car 92 in the New Barn workshop. EAST/WEST AMITY GRDS NEW BERN BRIAR CK SHARON

charlotte SCALEYBARK CONFERENCE

Charlotte is a thriving bustling city with WOODLAWN many attractions, including it being the home of many of the major NASCAR TYVOLA VILLAGE LK racing teams. The best way to visit the downtown and mid-town attractions is ARCHDALE to ride the CATS Gold Rush line. This is SARDIS RD a free bus service,but sadly operation is restricted to Monday to Friday. ARROWOOD Transit information: INDEPENDENCE PT www.ridetransit.org NC-51 Tourist Information: SHARON RD www.charlottesgotalot.com MATTHEWS TOD Also useful: I-485 CPCC www.charlotevisitorsguide.com

390 october 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org and a second batch of four vehicles in mid-2008. These Above: Unit 108 running, with protected platforms at the six planned stops 70% low-floor vehicles are similar to those in Houston, departing Stonewall which will contain shelters and passenger information. Texas (see TAUT March 2011) and were built at Siemens’ station in Downtown Utility relocation is planned to start in September 2012 with manufacturing facility in Sacramento, California, using a Charlotte heading a March 2015 opening date. The starter line will use the low-alloy steel frame with a composite glass fibre shell. for the 7th Street three existing Gomaco vehicles which have been specially Each three-section, bi-directional, six-axle vehicle is Blue line northern designed to comply with disabilities legislation with the 27.8m long with a capacity for 68 seated passengers with a terminus. provision of wheelchair lifts. maximum crush load of 236. There are four bike racks and The second phase is to complete the 16km (ten-mile) provision for four wheelchairs. Maximum vehicle speed route from Rosa Parks Transit Center to Eastland Transit is 105km/h (65mph), but for operational purposes speed Center, incorporating the starter line. New vehicles will be is restricted to 88km/h (55mph). Current collection is by purchased for this extension which are planned to be similar overhead pantograph at 750v DC. There are eight doors to those already operating in Portland Oregon. No detailed (four on each side) on the vehicle and an automated next costs or timescales are in place for this project. stop information system, both audio and visual, in each car. Most services are operated by two-car trains. Blue line extension The vehicles are maintained at the South Boulevard Light The medium-term plan is to extend the Blue line a further Rail Facility – which also contains the Rail Operations 14.4km (9 miles) through the city’s central areas to a Centre – and is located close to New Bern station. Also north-eastern terminus at UNC Charlotte, a major traffic housed there are the three Gomaco replica streetcars used to objective. The route will be on exclusive right of way operate the vintage trolley service. although this will partly be on a median strip on North The success of the Blue line is demonstrated by the Tryon Street. project currently underway to extend platform lengths to Part of the route will be on land leased from North accommodate three-car trains; funded by a federal Carolina railroad and Norfolk Southern railroad. There are TIGER III grant. 11 new stations planned with an end-to-end running time of 47 minutes. Four additional park-and-ride facilities will be Vintage Trolley provided with total provision for 3000 spaces. In addition to the LYNX, a vintage trolley service has Three major milestones have recently been reached. In operated between Atherton Mill and 9th Street beyond the April 2012 the state full funding agreement was signed, present Northern LYNX terminus, sharing tracks as far as providing 25% of the capital cost of the project and in 7th Street. Three Gomaco replica cars have been procured May agreements were signed with the two railroads for the service. This service is currently suspended with allowing construction to start and for the line to operate on no future reopening date. The trolley service served as a railroad land. precursor to the LYNX light rail and the Gomaco vehicles The third milestone was reached in July when CATS used in service are now planned for use on the upcoming received authority from the FTA to proceed from the streetcar project. 65% design stage to 100% final design – this envisaged This project is planned to open in two stages. Firstly, a the signing of the Full FTA Funding Grant Agreement starter line is planned to open in 2015 which will run for (providing 50% of the construction cost) by the end of 2012. 2.4km (1.5 miles) east from the Charlotte Transportation Assuming this happens, construction can begin in 2013 Center to 5th and Hawthorne. This will feature 100% street with first services planned for 2017. The remaining 25%

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org october 2012 391 Charlotte

Left: A two-car service arriving at Arrowood station, destined for the I-485 South southern terminus.

of the capital cost will come from local funds. Following a cost reduction review in early 2011 the northern terminus was cut back from I-485 at North Tryon Street to the UNC Charlotte. The final cost as approved by the FTA in its notice to proceed to final design is set at USD1.16bn (EUR898m). At first sight it is difficult to understand the reasons for such a high project cost, but on closer examination it can be seen that there are major civil engineering challenges, particularly relating to the creation of an exclusive right of way on North Tryon Street. There is provision for noise abatement measures such as the inclusion of retaining walls in the Hampshire Hills neighbourhood and also of cycleways along the route. TAUT visited Charlotte in April 2012 and met Carolyn Flowers, CATS CEO and Director of Public Transport together with her Deputy Director, John Muth. Flowers expressed excitement about the future plans for LYNX extensions and the proposed future commuter rail Red line; the success and confidence in the first line has been borne out she added, by reaching projected 2025 ridership levels by 2010. Ms Flowers noted that ridership estimates for future extensions are now much more robust through the support of actual ridership figures. Ms Flowers also outlined some of the obstacles to Above: Car 103 Additional expansion plans be overcome before federal funding could be obtained, undergoing routine The LYNX Red line is a proposed 40km (25-mile) enabling construction to begin. Agreements were needed maintenance in the commuter line using diesel LRVs planned to connect the with the North Carolina railroad and Norfolk Southern workshop of the north Mecklenburg County towns of Cornelius, Davidson railroad; these have subsequently been reached with both South Boulevard and Huntersville with the proposed Gateway station in agreements are now in place. Facility, near New uptown Charlotte, although the latter is not on the list of When asked about the key lessons learnt from the Barn station. South stations on the proposed LYNX Blue line extension. substantial cost overruns from the first phase, both Flowers Boulevard also Riders from the Blue line will be able to reach Gateway and Muth emphasised the requirement for strong project houses the Blue line by transferring at the Charlotte Transportation Center and management and the importance of establishing clear control centre. taking the proposed Streetcar, as described above, to the relationships with all stakeholders involved from the start. planned Gateway Station. No funding has been agreed for This meant that significant non-operational issues such the capital cost of this major project, although CATS is still as bicycle lane provision and land use needed to be anticipating a 2017 opening, perhaps a little optimistically. addressed early. A second streetcar line to Charlotte Douglas Airport is in Summarising the approach to public transport provision the planning stage, although there no costs or timescales. by the City and County, Flowers told TAUT that: Finally, there are plans for either a bus rapid transit or “Charlotte has a vision of integrated transportation and land streetcar line to Mathews by 2022. Again there are no use in a more visible form, and that CATS will continue to formal costings or timescales yet in place. TAUT make every effort to provide mobility and access for the l Thanks are due to Carolyn Flowers, John Muth and Azania entire region”. Herron from CATS for their assistance in preparing this article.

392 october 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org Worldwide review

ARUBA

ORANJESTAD. The 2.5km (1.5-mile) tramway between the cruise ship terminal and the town is under construction, using trackwork shipped from Europe. Battery power will be used in the two-axle open-sided toastrack trams now being built. digitaltram.nl

AUSTRALIA

BROADBEACH – SOUTHPORT. It is reported that the Gold Coast City Council has prepared plans to scrap the railway extension from Coolangatta to the airport in favour of extending the under-construction light rail line. It is hoped this can be achieved before the 2018 Commonwealth Games. A. Bailey MELBOURNE. Bombardier has announced it cannot deliver the first of 50 new low-floor trams until summer 2013, seven months late, due to production difficulties at its Dandenong plant. The first refurbished W8 tram, former SW6 946, has been completed at Preston workshops Poznán 405 is unique, starting life as Praha (Prague) Tatra RT6 9102, and purchased by Modertrans to be after major bodywork overhaul in Bendigo, and rebuilt for Poznán to replace the original Tatra car with this number, in store for two years. T. Bladt was expected to re-enter service in October. Work on a second tram, 959, is in progress as to central government for a 40km (24.8-mile) GERMANY part of the AUD8m (EUR6.7m) refurbishment light rail system. A. Bailey for all City Circle cars. A. Bailey, J. Chuang SANTOS. EMTU has named CAF as preferred AUGSBURG. A seven-year rebuilding bidder for 22 trams valued at BRR248.7m programme for Hbf started on 6 August. The AUSTRIA (USD121.7m) for the 15km (9.3-mile) light work will include a 150m tram subway to be rail line, due to open in 2014. E. B. Havens served by three routes. DS WIEN (Vienna). Following delivery of SAO PAULO. Suburban rail operator CPTM DARMSTADT. Two-axle 1955 Rathgeber type B1 ULF trams 753-5, E1 4817/25/6 have has invited tenders for 65 eight-car EMUs for tram 12 has returned after refurbishment in the been sold to Bratislava. C3 trailer 1280 has delivery from 2014. A. Bailey Gera tramway workshops. DS also been sold to a private buyer. EB DRESDEN. Tenders have been invited for 83 BULGARIA sets of onboard information equipment to be BELGIUM fitted to the NGTD8 (40) and NGTD12 (43) SOFIA. Metro line 2 opened on 31 August, trams, to be compatible with the IBIS system ANTWERPEN. Route 15 was extended from Obelya to James Bourchier. urbanrail.net already in use for vehicle monitoring. Delivery from Mortsel to Boechout on 13 August. The should start in January 2013. DS turning circle for route 6 at Olympiade has CAMBODIA FREIBURG/Breisgau. Tenders have been replaced by one with a larger radius at been invited for the construction of 2.5km General Roberts-Plansoen. T-2000 PHNoM PENH. Consultant SYSTRA (1.5 miles) of new tramway to Messe. Opening BRUXELLES/BRUSSEL. Threats by the completed a tramway feasibility study on 28 is planned for summer 2015. DS mayor of Schaerbeek to ban route 62 and June with a recommendation to build a north– HALBERSTADT. Sunday service on its tram-2000 cars from his commune led to south line estimated at USD280m. A. Senut tramline 1 was withdrawn from 2 September. DS STIB instigating two measures: a 10km/h KARLSRUHE. The first test run on the (6mph) speed limit across and at each side of CANADA Southeast tramway extension took place on Place Meiser (initially enforced by barriers 6 August. Opening for the new line 6 took that the trams have to push aside), but later by CALGARY. On 27 August light rail line 202 place on 6 September. DS automatic speed regulation as used in the tram was extended to Saddletowne. urbanrail.net MÜNCHEN (Munich). On 24 July subways, and the replacement of tram-2000 TORONTO. With network ridership MVG announced a decision to overhaul cars by 7700-series trams before 08.30 and after exceeding expectations, TTC is seeking to and re-certify five sets of type P four-axle 18.30 from 3 September. The low-floor cars are recruit 500 more bus, tram and subway drivers articulated trams+trailers, to maintain blamed for causing unacceptable vibrations in this autumn. Buses replaced trams on route 509 services this winter, since the issues with properties adjacent to the tracks. P. Leprince (Union Station – Exhibition) from 29 June for defective Variobahn trams is not expected to CHARLEROI. It was hoped to start operation nine months while the infrastructure, including be resolved quickly. on route 3 from 3 September, but only on the the tramway alignment, is completely rebuilt. STUTTGART. Tenders have been invited Charleroi city loop. The main line to Gosselies for the 1.1km (0.68-mile) tramway extension is still not complete. tram-2000 CHINA that will take line U12 from Am Wallgraben GENT. Route 1 was suspended south of St- to Synergiepark and Dürrlewang. Work on the Pieterssstaion from 30 July due to construction SHANGHAI. Urban transport planners have project should start next year. work at the west end of the station. Route 4 is suggested the setting up of a tramway to serve NORDRHEIN-WESTFALEN. The Land has still working in two parts either side of works to the northern Bund area and Hongqiao business put forward five schemes for financing from rebuild Rozenmarijnbrug. Routes 21 and 22 still district. E. B. Havens the federal road tax fund in the period 2013- terminate at Kouter in the city centre. R A. Smith 16: Aachen light rail Uniklinikum – Brand; FRANCE tramway link Essen – Frintrop – Oberhausen BRAZIL Neue Mitte; Düsseldorf U81 link Messe – Nord LILLE. Siemens is challenging the decision – Flughafen; Bielefeld line 1 to Sennestadt and FOZ DO IGUAÇU. This city in Paraná state to order 27 new Metropolis metro trains from line 5 rebuild and Dortmund U49 extension has proposed a BRR200m (EUR79m) project Alstom, claiming its bid offered better value. OR from Hacheney to Wellinghofen.

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org october 2012 393 Worldwide Review

Partnership, the event will challenge teams given a rebuilt front end was 3060, which to cover a 50m section of track pushing two entered service in early August. The high-floor horse tramcars coupled together. centre section is retained. DS POZNAN. The 2.2km (1.3-mile) tramway ISRAEL extension for route 16 from Os. Lecha to Franowo in the eastern suburbs opened on TEL AVIV. Construction of Tel Aviv’s light 11 August. The line includes a 900m subway rail Red line will not be affected by the under Piasnicka. urbanrail.net government’s austerity budget, it has been WARSZAWA (Warsaw). The first double- announced. The line, including subway in the ended Pesa 120Na low-floor tram, 3501, was city centre, is estimated to cost NIS11-12bn delivered in early August. (USD2-3bn). Work is due to start in 2013 after announcements on the results of construction ROMANIA tenders later this year, but passenger service is unlikely before 2019. The Finance Ministry BUCURESTI. The first Imperio low-floor has put a block on the tendering process for tram from Astra Vagoane/Siemens is to be light rail cars in a dispute with NTA over the demonstrated in October. Romania-online financial management of the project. ‘Globes’ IASI. A GT4 tram (302, ex-Stuttgart 469) has undergone tests after being rebodied by the ITALY Romanian company Remar Pascani. C. Berceni

LATINA. The Lazio Regional Council RUSSIA has approved EUR135.7m for an 11km The standard gauge version of the Astra Imperio 100% (6.83-mile) rubber-tyred tramway (Translohr) MOSKVA. It is reported that a city council low-floor tram for the Romanian capital, Bucuresti. Astra linking the Marina on the coast and Stazione tendering exercise for 120 new trams estimated FS; 15 cars have been ordered. SV at USD300m has been overruled by the Federal ULM. Tenders have been invited for the ROMA. Work has started on the extension Anti-Monopoly service after complaints from delivery of 12 new 31.5m six-axle trams, with of tramline 8 from Largo Argentina to Uralvagonzavod (Bombardier’s joint partner) an option for a further six cars. The new fleet P. Venezia. E. B. Havens that they were not allowed to bid. will be needed when the new route 2 is built. Bids had been accepted from Ust-Katav and WOLTERSDORF. The town’s summer KENYA Transmashholding (Alstom’s joint venture festival on 18-19 August saw museum trams partner), but it was pointed out that the chief 2, 7+22 and Berlin 2990 in service as well as NAIROBI. The World Bank has approved of the city council transport department used the usual two sets of Gotha cars. DS USD300m in funding for the commuter rail to be a co-owner of Transmashholding. The WUPPERTAL. The Schwebebahn started project, including a 7km (4.4-mile) branch to tender process is now being re-run. running through from Vohwinkel to the airport. IRJ ‘The Moscow Times’ Oberbarmen from 22 August, but Oberbarmen YEKATERINBURG. The new metro station station remains closed until the autumn, with MEXICO at Chkalovskaya opened on 28 July. urbanrail.net passengers carried as far as Wupperfeld. DS MEXICO CITY. Friday 31 August saw the SAUDI ARABIA INDIA opening of metro line 12 across the southern suburbs from Ermita to Tláhuac. urbanrail.net RIYADH. The 11.5km (7.14-mile) automatic DELHI. Tunnel boring work for the 3km mini-metro at the Princess Nora Bint (1.86-mile) Central Secretariat – Mandi House NETHERLANDS Abdulrahman University opened at the end of metro link was completed at the end of July. August, the world’s first metro line entirely on Commuter rail and metro services came to a DEN HAAG. After completing mid-life a university campus. halt for over two hours on 31 July as India’s overhauls on the first-series GTL8 trams, There is a ten-station loop, with two largest-ever power failure affected 19 states. destined to remain in service after delivery of branches to serve halls of residence; 22 two-car A. Bailey Siemens Avenio low-floor trams, HTM has trains have been supplied by AnsaldoBreda, started work on the second series of GTL8 trams, operating under an ATC system supplied by INDONESIA with 3126/9/40 the first to be dealt with. OR Ansaldo STS. Four consortia have pre-qualified for the TANGERANG. The local administration has NEW ZEALAND city’s metro construction contract: Siemens/ announced that a monorail will be built to Vinci/AECOM, Bombardier/Yapi Merkezi/ link Soekamo-Hatta International Airport and WELLINGTON. The city council is to study Serco, Alstom/FCC/Strukton and Ansaldo/ Serpong in south Tangerang, with construction three options for the public transport spine Stadler/Hyder. A six-line 175km (108.7-mile) targeted for completion in 2014. A. Bailey lining the station and the hospital (5km, 3.1 system is planned. RGI miles): bigger buses, bus rapid transit and light IRAN rail. A report is expected in April. A. Bailey SPAIN

TEHRAN. Two new stations on metro line 4 PARAGUAY ZARAGOZA. The next stage of the tramway, opened on 23 July, with the extension from from Gran Via to Plaza Espana, should open Meydan-e Azazi to Skarak-e Ekbatan and ASUNCIÓN. Consultants have reported on the in October. The system will be complete by Ekbatan. urbanrail.net feasibility of a USD200m LRT system including April 2013. A. Bailey operation on railway corridors. A. Bailey Isle of Man SWITZERLAND POLAND DOUGLAS. Douglas Corporation arranged BASEL. The introduction of a 7.5-minute an exhibition of horse tram memorabilia INDUSTRY. Newag has produced a prototype frequency on BLT routes 10 and 17 last spanning more than a century to coincide with 100% low-floor126N eight-axle tram with four December has brought a 5% increase in the Vintage Transport Weekend taking place bogies and three body sections. The single- passengers; 49 million were carried in 2011, on the island over the last weekend of July. ended car is on trial in Poznań – 15 double- 14 million more than the year 2000. The horse tramway is hosting a ‘tram push’ ended cars of this type are under consideration With the dispatch of 123/33/5/41/3/58 on 22 September, sponsored by Cable & for the new tramway in Olstyn. to Beograd in early August, the era of BLT Wireless, to raise funds for The Children’s KRAKOW. The first of the ex-Düsseldorf Düwag operation came to an end. Also sent Centre. Organised by Douglas Development GT8S eight-axle cars to be refurbished and were trailers 1301-4/16/20. The first Be4/8 to

394 OCTOBER 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org protection for off-street locations, Tramlink has used pedeSTRAIL to provide extended infill between rails where pedestrians cross the line. The solution is independent of sleeper spacing, and locks with through tie rods to maintain alignment and close the gaps between panels. The other key benefit is the installation time, with Tramlink staff – under training and supervision from STRAIL (UK) – installing a 10m extension to an existing crossing at the first tramstop in less than an hour, without disrupting the operational service. TfL is now intending to roll-out the system across the whole network. MANCHESTER (METROLINK). A recent survey of public transport passengers found that 12% of the total used Metrolink to commute to work, scoring it best of all modes for safety but worst for reliability. Opinions differed widely – occasional users giving it a higher score than regular users. The first batch of 12 T68 cars due for withdrawal are being stripped for parts and Work underway on 3 August on the north end foundation for the bridge that will take the southward extension moved from Queen’s Road to Old Trafford for of the NET tramway over Nottingham (UK) railway station. Note the poster below the lorry cab showing one of storage prior to disposal. By August, some six the on order Alstom Citadis cars, as a Northern Trains DMU arrives on a service from Leeds. Mike Haddon had been so treated with the remainder to follow as more M5000 trams are commissioned. have its centre section removed and revert to to the city centre thanks to a EUR152m loan Although trials have been carried out on the Be4/6 was 214; this will permit coupled sets of from the European Bank for Reconstruction Droylsden line, full scale testing had not started Be4/8+Be4/6 to be operated. DS, ‘tram’ and Development and a similar sum from the by mid-August, although it is still intended BERN. Preparations are proceeding to plan European Investment Bank. Construction is to open the line during 2012. Overhead has for the extension of line 9 from Guisanplatz to expected to take four years. RGI been completed on the Oldham to Rochdale Wankdorf on 9 December. ‘tram’ ODESA. Ten Tatra T3 trams acquired from extension. Again it is hoped that this extension LAUSANNE. The first tram to receive a mid- Praha have entered service. They were can be commissioned during 2012. life overhaul was 207, but this cannot now purchased for USD19 000 each; another ten PRESTON. Tram Power has suggested that a operate in multiple with non-refurbished cars, should arrive in 2013. UNA demonstration line could be operational before so is used to provide single-car extras. ‘tram’ the end of the year. It wants to reconstruct LAUSANNE – BERCHER. A new passing UNITED KINGDOM track between Fletcher Road in Deepdale and loop has been installed at Union-Prilly, which Skeffington Road in Ribbleton as soon as it will permit a 15-minute service to be offered CAMBRIDGE. The guided busway receives formal planning approval. as far as Cheseaux from 9 December. ‘tram’ between Cambridge and St Ives carried 2.5m Tram Power would also then submit a second RHÄTISCHE BAHNEN (RhB). Bernina passengers in its first year. Services have had application to extend the line from Skeffington motorcar 48 has been modified as a works car to be augmented for a second time and it is Road to Deepdale Shopping Park. Operation and redesignated Xe4/4 23201. EA. expected that the busway will eventually carry would be by the City Class tram that has been 3.5m passengers per year. Current loadings are refurbished after its front section was damaged TURKEY well in excess of original first year estimates. by a fire when it was on test in Blackpool. EDINBURGH. A milestone was reached If these two sections of line are approved a ANKARA. Following a final review of bids, in August with the completion of main third application would be submitted to take the award of a contract for 342 metro cars to construction work on all 12 bridges along the line from Fletcher Road to the city centre CSR Zhuzhou Electric has been confirmed. the route of the tramway. Beams have been and from Skeffington Road to Junction 31a of Delivery will start in 2014. A. Bailey installed on the last two bridges at South Gyle the M6 motorway at Fulwood. BURSA. Spanish construction firm COMSA and at Water of Leith, close to Murrayfield As well having a potential supplier of rail, has been awarded a EUR8m contract to Stadium. Final construction on all bridges is Tram Power says it is in advanced negotiations build a 7km (4.3-mile) single-track circular expected to be complete by the end of the year. with civil engineering and track-laying firms. tramway with 13 stops and a depot, including GLASGOW. SPT has concluded a deal with SOUTH YORKSHIRE. Stocksbridge Town electrification and signalling. Work should be the Unite union to introduce more flexible Council wishes to reawaken the prospect complete by mid-2013. COMSA working practices on the Subway with a view to of extending Supertram to serve the small ISTANBUL. 6 June saw the groundbreaking making GBP1.1m (approx. EUR1.4m) savings commuter town by using an existing railway for metro line 6 which will be wholly on the as part of its modernisation plans. The deal line that only carries occasional freight trains Asian side linking Üsküdar and Cekmeköy. involves some redundancies but is expected to to a steelworks at Stocksbridge. The opening of the new 21.7km (13.4-mile) allow longer opening hours, the introduction of The council believes there is a similar metro line M4 from Kadiköy to Kartal on the driverless trains and the ability to increase the opportunity to that of the UK pilot scheme’s Asian side took place at 15.00 on 17 August. number of passengers using the system. conversion of the freight line to Parkgate to It is worked by 30 CAF four-car metro sets; 24 Subway passenger numbers fell by 120 000 tram-train operation. The matter is being taken more are on order. in 2011, the drop being attributed to fewer up by the local Member of Parliament. The inauguration of the Marmaray trans- football matches being played at Ibrox TYNE & WEAR. The 23-day closure for Bosphorus rail project has been fixed for 29 Stadium compared to previous years. modernisation of the 6km (3.7-mile) Metro October 2013. This will include interchange LONDON (TRAMLINK). In discussions section between Wallsend and Tynemouth with Line M4 at Ibrahimaga. IRJ with local businesses, Transport for London forecast earlier in the year started after the has indicated that a Tramlink extension to end of traffic on 10 August. The closure will UKRAINE Purley and Coulsdon has to be ruled out due allow track to be replaced and renovation of to a lack of support and finance, with TfL infrastructure works, many of which date from DNIPROPETROVSK. Consideration is confining its attention to proposed extensions the 19th Century. Read more about Metro: all being given to the purchase of 30 Tatra T6 + B6 to Crystal Palace and Sutton. change in this month’s special review. trams from Berlin. Funding has been arranged In line with UK Office of Rail Regulation Concerns have been raised that the for a 4km (2.4-mile) extension of the metro recommendations on improving under-run modernisation programme is running up to

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GBP18m (approx. EUR22.7m) over budget The USD3.5bn Columbia River Crossing, Kirkham, now sports a livery to commemorate including an over-run of more than GBP10m to permit light rail service to be extended into the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and was to be on civil engineering, GBP7m on station Vancouver, WA, has been given expedited status displayed on a short length of track on the upgrades and GBP1m on the refurbishment of by the Obama administration. E. B. Havens Promenade over the Illuminations period. Metro cars following discovery of corrosion. SAN DIEGO. The new timetable for light rail CRICH (UK). The restoration of Cardiff Water Passenger Transport Authority Nexus has services from 2 September saw the Green line Car 131 has been recognised by the Heritage disputed these figures, indicating that they can extended to run from Santee to 12th/Imperial Railway Association in the Self Propelled be offset by underspending on other projects in the city centre via the Convention Centre. Vehicle category of its 2012 Carriage and and that only GBP6m is currently overspent Blue line trains operate between America Wagon Competition. The awards ceremony which can be absorbed into overall costs Plaza and San Ysidro via Civic Center and was to be held on 22 September. during the 11-year modernisation project. Orange Line between Santa Fe Depot and El Car 131 was loaned to Blackpool Transport Cajon via Civic Centre and Lemon Grove. MTS Services earlier in the year, but soon returned USA SAN FRANCISCO, CA (Mona). A trial to Crich; it was the first tram delivered to the E line service using double-ended PCCs site in 1959, but was not restored until 2009. ATLANTA, GA. The 31 July ballot in Atlanta was operated between the Cal train station In preparation for its ‘Glasgow’ event and surrounding counties saw a proposed 1% and Fisherman’s Wharf on August 25-26 the museum has prepared Paisley 68 (later sales tax levy for transit and highways defeated to carry passengers viewing the America’s Glasgow 1068) in Glasgow livery in place of after opposition from the Georgia Tea Party. Cup sailing trials. New Brookville rebuilds the Paisley livery it has carried for many years. This could affect the prospects of the proposed 1006/8 were available to join the existing fleet Both Leeds 345 and Blackpool 167 have Beltline suburban tramline. However it seems (1007/10/15). been reunited with their trucks following the Clifton Corridor surface tramway project Utlility relocation for the Central Subway overhaul and were undergoing testing and is still likely to go ahead. The first Siemens project started on 13 August. ERA, E. B.Havens running-in during late August. S70 tram for the city tramway loop has been WASHINGTON, DC. The District of EDINBURGH (UK). An Edinburgh horse delivered from Sacramento. E. B. Havens Columbia DOT has decided to pay United tram used as a garden shed for more than a BOSTON, MA. Tenders have been invited Streetcar an additional USD2.9m to increase century has been restored at a cost of more for the first phase construction of the Green its order for new trams from two to three. The than GBP52 000 (approx. EUR66 000). line light rail extension from Lechmere to contract price for the first two was USD8.7m. The 1885-built tramcar was rescued in Somerville. E. B. Havens DDOT already owns three Czech-built trams 2007; restoration has been undertaken by the FORT WORTH, TX. Federal funding of that have yet to carry a passenger. E. B. Havens Edinburgh Horse Tram Trust. The Trust has USD4m has been allocated to a project raised GBP48 000 towards the restoration and to introduce diesel commuter rail service MUSEUM NEWS is still open to donations towards the full cost. between Fort Worth and Dallas-Fort Worth Restoration has been carried out on Lothian International Airport. The USD750m project NELSON (CA). Flooding prevented the Buses premises and for the time being the tram could be ready in 2016. E. B. Havens opening of the heritage tramway this summer, will be kept at that company’s bus museum. HOUSTON, TX. Metro and the University as volunteers sought to raise CAD80 000 The tramcar was built at the Edinburgh have approved an agreement to proceed with (EUR64 500) for repairs. E. B. Havens Street Tramways Company’s workshops at light rail access to the campus on the proposed KOHLFURTH (DE). The Bergische Shrubhill as number 23. The wheels came from Southeast line. E. B. Havens Museumsbahnen is hoping to obtain permission Miller’s Foundry on London Road, a firm that KANSAS CITY, MO. Voters along the to extend its track 500m west from the current cast wheels for tramways around the world. proposed route have approved the creation of a terminus at Möschenborn to Greuel, but is As originally constructed, the car had brass special taxing district to raise the local portion facing opposition from local residents. DS fittings and 14 blue etched glass windows – all of the funding for the city centre tramway DEN HAAG (NL). Museum tram 72 returned different. It was lined out in gold leaf. project, but a citywide ballot to fix the rates from the open-air museum at Arnhem on 18 HEATON PARK (UK). The funding appeal will need to be held in November. Papers have August; 19 August was the biennial PCC day for a new depot to house the increased fleet been filed to set up the Kansas City Streetcar with 1022, 1210, 1302 and 1304+1165+2101 of trams has been successful and following Authority to manage the project. E. B. Havens carrying passengers and works car 1315 planning approval, it was hoped that site LOS ANGELES, CA. The proposed showing its track scrubbing abilities. digitaletram.nl clearance could begin at the end of September. formation of a taxation district to provide MROZY (PL). The official inauguration of Appeal funding so far will pay for the funds for a city centre tramway loop will be an the horse tramway took place on 10 August. foundations and basic structure, but additional item on the November ballot. A consultant has Service is provided 15.00-19.00 on Saturdays funds are required for completion of the building been appointed to investigate and report on and 12.00-19.00 on Sundays until the end of and its associated trackwork and overhead. alleged trackwork deficiencies at the junction September, and will resume in May 2013. DS Funds will also be required for transporting the of the Blue and Expo lines. E. B. Havens ISSAQUAH, WA (US). Ex-Lisboa tram 519 off-site trams to the new structure. MINNEAPOLIS – ST PAUL, MN. During (which came via Aspen, CO) has returned the first weekend of August the junction was from overhaul and regauging by Gomaco and CONTRIBUTORS installed to link the new Central Corridor light was to enter service this autumn. E. B. Havens rail line with the existing Hiawatha line, just MISSOULA, MT (US). After a five-year Worldwide items should be sent to Michael east of the Astrodome. Testing on the new line is restoration effort the only surviving tramcar Taplin at Flat 1, 10 Hope Road, Shanklin, Isle due to start before the end of 2013. E. B. Havens of this system (50, American Car Co, 1912), of Wight PO37 6EA, UK – Fax: +44 (0)1983 NEW YORK, NY. Tunnel boring is completed which closed in 1932, has been put on display 862810 or [email protected]. for the 2nd Avenue subway and the extension at the Fort Missoula museum. E. B. Havens UK and Ireland items are welcomed by the of line 7 to 11th Avenue. The latter should open BEAMISH (UK). Porto 196 is expected to Home News Editor, John Symons, 17 Whitmore in December 2013, but the 2nd Avenue line enter service later in the year in a new blue and Avenue, Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent, ST9 will not carry passengers until 2016. E. B. Havens primrose livery with local advertising boards. 0LW, UK. E-mail [email protected] NORFOLK, VA. A year of operation on 18 Also receiving refurbishment is Gateshead 10. Contributors this month include Mike August was marked by free rides. The line is Sunderland 16 has been withdrawn from Ballinger and Mike Haddon. Acknowledgements carrying over 6000 passengers/day compared the operational fleet pending re-tyring, to be are also due to Birmingham Mail, BS Blickpunkt with pre-opening predictions of 2900. E. B. Havens carried out over the winter period. Strassenbahn, Centro, digitaltram.net, DLR, PORTLAND, OR. The new Portland BLACKPOOL (UK). Proposals for a tram DS Drehscheibe Strassenbahn, Globes, OR Op Streetcar fare structure from 1 September sees museum at the former Copse Road depot are de Rails, IRJ International Railway Journal, a flat fare of USD1 throughout the system, proceeding following planning approval by MTMS, Newcastle Journal, RGI Railway replacing the previous fare free zone, and Wyre Borough Council. A display of the trams Gazette International, Romania online, SV, including the 22 September expansion to the owned by the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure T-2000 Tram 2000, TFGM, TfL, TMS, The East Side. The annual pass increases from Trust is to open there next year. Moscow Times, The Scotsman, SYPTE, UNA USD100 to USD150. Trivet transfers and The Trust’s Brush railcoach 290 (formerly Ukraine National Association: Svoboda and passes are still accepted. 627), refurbished by inmates at HM Prison urbanrail.net

396 OCTOBER 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org In your next issue of dubai metro: special focus Tramways & Urban Transit reports in detail on the world’s longest automated metro and of the importance this mass transit pathfinder project demonstrates in the Middle East. CBTC: A MORE FLEXIBLE SOLUTION FOR SIGNALLING Claude Andlauer from Paris Metro operator RATP explains the challenges and benefits of Communications-based Train Control implementation and its advantages over fixed signalling systems for mass transit applications. INNOTRANS All the most exciting light and urban rail news and innovation from the world’s leading rail exhibition – held biennially in Berlin, Germany. Systems Factfile: ghent The tramway in Belgium’s third-largest city integrates old and new to great effect. In the midst of another infrastructure upgrade, new trams were ordered in August 2012. Neil Pulling reports. WORLDWIDE NEWS AND REVIEW For the latest rolling stock orders, new technology, system developments and transport policy, TAUT is the essential light and urban rail reference point.

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Personal membership with online access to TAUT subscription: To December 2013 (14 issues) £40.00 For online payments visit: www.lrta.info/personal Student membership available online only. Commercial members (12 issues) UK International £50.00 £63.00 Commercial members online (12 issues) £41.00 Invoices available for Commercial membership only. For online payments visit: www.lrta.info/commercial Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms �� Forename �� Surname �� Address �� Now in its 75th year, Tramways & Urban Transit is �� the world’s leading monthly publication dedicated solely to light and urban rail developments. �� ...... Postcode �� It provides comprehensive news and analysis, in- I enclose a cheque £ ...... payable to ‘LRTA Subscriptions’ cisive technology features and key interviews with Please complete this form and send it with your payment to: leading industry figures from across the globe. LRTA Membership Secretary (Dept T06), 38 Wolseley Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org OCTOBER 2012 397 [email protected] +44 (0)1832 281145 Letters Letters should be clearly typed and preferably not handwritten. Get your views into print We reserve the right to shorten all contributions for publication.

Do politicans recognise the benefits of trams? Further to the dangerous rhetoric any company providing services has to There is still a habit (especially in the contained in Mr O’Toole’s report make a profit and satisfy shareholders. UK) of describing money spent on public scrutinsed in last issue’s letters column If a city gives money to developers to transport as subsidy yet the same money (TAUT 897), what is often conveniently regenerate an area when a tramway if spent on roads becomes investment. overlooked by right wing politicians and is built then surely everyone in that Perhaps changing that attitude would be press is that not everyone has access to community benefits. I wonder how many a good starting point. a private vehicle or wishes to use one for private companies have used tramway In other recent news, while it is lots of reasons – especially in large cities. construction as an excuse to renew cables welcome that the go-ahead for the Leeds As to buses being superior, whilst they and pipes which they would have to renew trolleybus scheme has been given after so have their place, especially where there anyway, but do not now have to pay for? many years of indecision (although I still is not enough potential traffic to justify Or, worse, even sneaked in a few extras! think light rail would have been a better investment in rail, it has been proven Private bus operators used to do much option), I had to laugh at UK Transport that people prefer rail if there is a choice. the same thing in the 1920s in Britain, Secretary Justine Greening’s comment The real question is are we prepared to benefiting from road maintainence paid that the new trolleybuses will be greener have our cities full of motor vehicles, or for by the tramway companies under the and more reliable than the previous are they really just for people to live and provisions of the 1870 Tramways Act, yet ones. Given that the previous ones were work in? paying little or nothing towards the wear withdrawn in 1928, were powered by If there had been enough politicians and tear their own vehicles were causing. electricity from a coal-fired power station around in the 1950s who could see the Perhaps the real problem is that many and looked rather like a mobile garden damage their short-sighted policies were politicians and journalists do not use shed, that is hardly surprising. causing, we would not now be having public transport regularly so assume that I am surprised that other UK cities are to rebuild tram and rail systems as the no-one else does, or that it is only for the not looking at trolleybuses rather than original ones would still be there. poor. I have to add here that quite a few hybrid buses (which still produce diesel Ironically, the same politicians who tourist attractions also do this by only fumes), especially in situatons where full were ‘saving money’ were also wasting giving directions to their sites by private light rail cannot be justified. it by scrapping trams (and trolleybuses) car in publicity leaflets and on websites. Hopefully the situation will change once that were far from life expired. This suggests there is no alternative, the Leeds vehicles are shown to be a good Another thing which advocates of even if one exists. I have even known investment. private enterprise fail to point out is that heritage railways to do this on occasion. Colin Brazier, Petersfield (UK)

In defence of conduit tramways Wire-free in Angers Bizarre tram breakdown rules There seems to be a misconception that the It’s nice to see that Angers is so dedicated to its Whilst walking through central Manchester conduit system of current collection was a fine architecture that they have invested in the recently I came across a double T68 tram unit, ‘hazard’ (Letters, TAUT 896). additional cost of the APS ‘wire free’ system. which had failed at Piccadilly Gardens causing The facts speak for themselves. London One therefore wonders why the overhead considerable hold up for following trams. County Council installed (to Board of Track line poles on pages 296 and 297 (TAUT 896) Metrolink staff had already started evacuating safety requirements) 250 miles (over 400km) are jet black and lacking in any sort of passengers from the trams. of conduit track from 1903 to 1909, with the aesthetic value... Passengers had to jump two or three feet to majority remaining in service until 1952. Russ Jackson, Collingswood, NJ, USA the ground as the trams stopped where there In that time not a single electrocution to a was no platform and one lady fell quite badly, member of the public occured. Julian Thompson rolling over on the ground. Fortunately she It would have been impossible for an was reasonably young and able to hobble I regret to report the passing of Julian umbrella to make contact with the T-rails as away after a minute or so – though if she had suggested, because a) the slot was one-inch Thompson on 15 May. A well-known author been wearing high heels I am sure it would (2.5cm) wide, b) the Z-rails were seven inches and a member of the Light Railway Transport have been different. (17.7cm) deep, and c) the T-rails were six League/Light Rail Transit Association, I spoke to a Metrolink official who said that inches (15.24cm) apart and deeper than the with my late husband Alan Watkins he was the brakes automatically jam on when they fail bottom flange of the slot rails. There were even foremost in campaigning to save the London and an engineer has to come and release them. instances of flooding (with boiling water) and tramway system, which closed in 1952. Fortunately, the engineer appeared at that yet no fatalities – the service just carried on! He founded the satirical magazine Bell moment and soon released the brakes. As to the cost, a mile of double track cost Punch, which contained scathing articles I then asked why the second tram had not GBP10 000 for overhead or GBP20 000 for about the abandonment of London’s trams pushed the first the 60-70 yards to the Market conduit. (LCC figures). and also devised a board game similar to Street stop where all the passengers could have I might add that the 25 000V overhead Snakes and Ladders called 2s and 4s based alighted in safety on the platform. I was told system of the railway has resulted in fatalities on a tram journey from Wimbledon to it was illegal to push a tram with passengers to contractors and trespassers. Embankment on tram routes 2/4. onboard along a street. It was legal to do so I maintain that the LCC conduit system is on a tramway private right of way, similar to a He lived in Germany for a time before still a viable and safe alternative, albeit using railway line. In this case the roadway is used modern insulating materials. It would be safe moving to the Philippines, where he died. I purely for trams and pedestrians. at 750V dc. never met him personally, so cannot provide a In view of Metrolink’s rapid expansion, I am not against overhead per se, but, it has fuller obituary. Perhaps other LRTA members soon probably having in excess of ten times as to be admitted that much of the new work is could do that in a future issue. much tramway on ordinary roads as at present, ugly and over-specified (over-costed?), built Mr Thompson’s death is a sad loss to should the law be amended? Even the new more for high-speed railways than trams. tramway knowledge. trams are bound to fail occasionally. Alan Hayday, Weston-Super-Mare (UK) Ann E Watkins, Kent (UK) Tony Fawthrop, e-mail

398 october 2012 www.tramnews.net l www.Irta.org Westminster Watch the last 12 months. I thought this statistic are well-placed to take advantage of this with Paul Rowen, former MP interesting as all light rail services in the UK fringe meetings at all three party conferences. for Rochdale and first apart from those undergoing major upgrades The LRTF’s fringe “Connecting Cities Chair of the UK’s All-Party (Blackpool and Tyne and Wear) showed for Jobs and Growth” seeks to link the Parliamentary Light Rail Group increases in passenger numbers. development of HS2 with better connecting Later, during questions on investment, Chi services (light rail?) in the cities. With the Onwurah (Newcastle Central) complained Government’s response expected to its Oral questions allow UK Members of that although the Chancellor had said in earlier consultation on devolving major Parliament to quiz Ministers on issues his autumn statement that he would bring transport schemes to Local Enterprise affecting their constituencies and the last forward investment, not one additional Partnerships and Transport Authorities, oral questions before the summer recess track had been replaced on the Tyne and developing new LRT schemes alongside the featured transport, including several Wear Metro. The Metro is in the middle of HS2 high-speed rail scheme will become references to light rail. a GBP385m refurbishment (see this issue’s critical in the next spending round. This In the first exchange, Clive Betts (Sheffield excellent accompanying supplement for more assumes of course that the enabling bill for South East) and Shadow Transport Secretary on the Metro: all change project). During the HS2 is introduced in the next session as Maria Eagle both raised the Government’s summer, part of the line was closed for 23 promised by Justine Greening. commitment to pensioners’ concessionary bus days and it faces more closures at weekends As one Birmingham Councillor passes. Replying, Norman Baker reiterated this autumn and over the next couple of years. commented, with journey times with HS2 to the Government’s commitment to the existing Chi makes a pertinent point. With the Birmingham Airport slashed to less than half scheme, but thought Clive was going to government desperate to get the economy an hour there is no need to develop another congratulate the announcement of signing the moving, expect, during the party conferences runway in the UK’s south east. It will be deal to buy tram-trains for South Yorkshire. this month, for politicians of all political hues as fast getting to Birmingham International Replying to Maria Eagle’s assertion that to make noises about transport investment. as it is to Heathrow. I suspect that neither pensioners were facing cuts in bus services Both the All-Party Parliamentary Light Rail government wedded to London or the Civil Mr Baker said bus usage had risen 0.6% in Group and the Light Rapid Transit Forum Aviation Authority will buy that...

Book Review Five appendices cover manufacturers, pressure, are stock used by the military authorities provided for steam The Belgian Vicinal: Tram & Light Rail during 1914-18, losses during that conflict, locos, whilst for Fleet 1885 – 1991 classified trailers and preserved stock. The Type S electric By Dirk Eveleens Maarse general format is to provide a section on motor cars transfers each class, usually within a logical group. to new areas and In 1985 the Light Rail Transit Association There is much here that is new: for instance, re-numberings are published a centenary history of the Vicinal Pieper petrol-electric cars, rail buses (some included. (usually given the French acronym, SNCV). with built-in turning plates), early autorail The book does Once this went out of print it was decided to development, and the details of border swaps not trespass produce a more detailed history in two parts with Germany in the Eupen/Aachen area. beyond the demise covering the system and the fleet. Most enthusiasts who can recall the Vicinal of the SNCV The former was done fairly quickly but will remember it as a very standardised (1991) and so the latter, a very complex subject that here operation with one block of older trams (the does not give fleet covers 246 pages, has taken a great deal Standards) and various semi-streamlined information for ‘post-Vicinal’ operations longer to see the light of day. This is the cars (types N, S & SO). A vast variety of such as along the coast and at Charleroi. present work, written by a Dutch expert on quite different vehicles is revealed here: However, if you are a Vicinal aficionado, Belgium’s light railways. for example, some cars destined for export then this book will tell you nearly everything The ten main chapters cover vehicle but which were held in the country by you need to know about its many and varied numbers (always highly complex), steam the outbreak of World War One, others trams. Incidentally, the print run is short, so locos and railcars, autorails (i.e. internal exchanged with Aachen (often with territory early ordering is recommended. RJB combustion trams and goods locos), electric and tram routes), those built for special motor trams, steam trailers, electric and purposes like the Spa-Verviers Panoramiques, Available from: LRTA Publications, autorail trailers, horse trams, narrow gauge and cars used on urban services. 35 High Street, Moulton, Spalding PE12 goods vehicles, standard gauge goods The tables are very full and provide 6QB or online at www.lrta.info/shop. vehicles, special vehicles and, finally, the differing information depending on the Price £45 plus P&P at +10% UK, +20% SNCV in two world wars – 56 tables give motive power. For example, all the usual outside UK, or +40% for Airmail outside comprehensive details for all classes. details, such as wheelbase and boiler Europe. See page 402 for more details.

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

September . Thursday 4. Blackpool/Cleveleys . Monday 15. Liverpool 19.30. Peter 19.30. Harold Blythe: Two Continents. (FTS) Mills: Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway. (TLRS) . Thursday 27. Manchester 19.00. Ian . Saturday 6. Oxford & Chilterns 14.00. . Monday 15. Wickham 19.30. Martin Yearsley: LRTA/LRTL 75 including Manchester. Venue: Didcot. 01865 370634 for details. (TLRS) Petch: Charleroi Vicinal. (TLRS) . Saturday 29. Beeston 14.00. John . Monday 8. Richmond 19.00 (please . Tuesday 16. London 19.00. David Huddlestone: Derby Trolleybuses. (TLRS) note time change). John Prentice: Belgium Conner: Melbourne trams 2009. . Saturday 29. Dublin. LRTA AGM. and Holland. (TLRS) . Wednesday 17. Bristol. No meeting. . Saturday 29. Garstang 14.00. . Wednesday 10. Brighton (Southwick) . Thursday 18. Dartford 19.30. David Provisional topic: Holiday visits. (TLRS) 19.40. Chris Warren: Europe. (TLRS) Rivers: 50 years of tram driving. (TLRS). October . Friday 12. Leeds 19.00. Jamie Guest: . Thursday 25. Manchester 19.00. Cliff Leeds Horse Tram 107. Parr: North-west tram scenes, then and now. . Tuesday 2. Southampton 19.30. Martyn . Saturday 13. Birmingham 14.00. Alan . Saturday 27. Beeston 14.00. Joanna Davies: Railway miscellany. (LRTA/SEG) Pearce: North America. (LRTA/TLRS/ERS) Ward: Nottingham’s U Cycle Network. (TLRS)

www.tramnews.net l www.Irta.org OCTOBER 2012 399 Classic Trams: Glasgow Glasgow tramcars’ new home

On a wet and windy night on 4 September 1962, an estimated quarter of a million people bade farewell to Britain’s – well-loved – last big city tramway. Now, Glasgow’s tramcars have a new home at the impressive Riverside Museum. Mike Russell reports.

he 1958 announcement of the run-down and ultimate 1 closure of the Glasgow tramway system, once one of the wonders of the tramway world, probably had anT element of inevitability about it, but prescient citizens of Scotland’s largest city realised nonetheless that this act would tear out the heart from their city. Moves were made quickly to save something of Glasgow’s proud transport heritage. A precedent augured well: in the early 20th Century, somebody had the presence of mind to save one of the Corporation’s horse cars. Now it would be the turn of a few electric cars to evade the scrapman and act as memorials to the city’s once pre-eminent transport mode. Some seven cars were set aside for preservation by the city’s museum department; all were overhauled and in some cases reconstructed at Coplawhill car works before taking part in the final procession. In 1964, the first transport museum was opened in the former car works. Later, Coplawhill works was converted to the appropriately-named ‘The Tramway’ arts centre after the tramcars had been transferred to bigger premises at Kelvin Hall, where a wider range of vehicles and artefacts could also be displayed. Over time, the collection amassed far more exhibits than could be shown and in 2004 it was decided to construct a purpose-built transport museum. 1 Proudly river frontage. Locomotive building was another thriving The site chosen was at Pointhouse on the north bank positioned to industry and one of the museum’s proudest possessions is a of the Clyde, as part of Clydeside’s urban regeneration. welcome visitors South African Railways class 15F locomotive built by the Contracts for building design and construction were let in at the entrance to North British Locomotive Company in 1944-5 and returned 2007 and 2008 and the Kelvin Hall museum closed in April Riverside is ‘Room to Scotland in 2007 for preservation, through generous 2010 ready for exhibits to be transferred to the new site, and Kitchen’ bogie sponsorship by Aberdeen-based First Group. known as Riverside museum. single-deck car 672, Cars from 1893 to 1952 The seven Glasgow tramcars represent the largest one of the city’s preserved UK group of trams from one system in public original electric Oldest of the tramcars by far is the surviving Glasgow ownership; now they have their third home and very horse-car, 543, built in 1893 by the North Metropolitan impressive it is, too. Costing GBP74m, jointly funded by fleet of 1898, which Tramways Company at Leytonstone, London, as one of Glasgow City Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the had a working-life two specimen cars inspected by the Corporation prior to it Riverside Museum Appeal, the stunning building occupies of only around ten taking over the Company-worked horse-car lines in 1894. a site of 22 400m2; the aim is to attract a 25% increase in years in passenger The car was much heavier than the production batch and annual visitor numbers over Kelvin Hall. service before being saw little use; in any event, the horse tram era in Glasgow Opened to the public on 21 June 2011, with a formal transferred to the ceased in April 1902 and those 120 cars not adapted for opening by HRH The Princess Royal on 11 November, works fleet. electric service were broken up – save for 543, which was this is an all-embracing transport and travel museum; the set aside for preservation, probably the earliest UK example. tramcars occupy an important, but by no means pre- 2 Horse car 543, The car appeared from time to time on civic occasions and eminent, part of the displays. built in 1893, was thankfully only slightly scorched in the Newlands Clydeside has a long and proud history of heavy has been in depot fire of 11 April 1948. At Riverside, it is displayed on engineering, so models of more than 100 Clyde-built ships preservation for a curvaceous piece of track in reconstructed Main Street, are displayed in the upper gallery, whilst Glenlee, a tall 110 years and is replicating a group of small shops and businesses such as ship built at Port Glasgow in 1896, is moored alongside the now displayed would have graced the city in the early 20th Century. in the setting of 2 the recreated 3 Main Street in the Riverside Museum. 3 Representing the first stage of reconstruction of the original Standard double- deck cars is 779, displayed in the condition to which it was rebuilt at Coplawhill in 1908.

400 october 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org 4 4 After a series of 5 rebuildings and improvements, the final form of the Glasgow Standard car was a totally- enclosed four-wheel double-deck vehicle. Car 1088 was the last such vehicle to be built, in 1924. 5 After the end of World War One, Glasgow’s long interurban tramlines suffered 6 increasingly 7 from motorbus competition and consequent traffic abstraction. At the instigation of Baillie Peter Burt, car 1089 was built in 1926 as an experimental high-speed bogie single-decker in a brave but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to redress the situation. The car is exhibited dressed for service By good fortune, one of the original batch of bogie on the Clydebank – Bright and welcoming single-deck cars purchased in 1898 for the first electric Duntocher line (20), Although Riverside has a greater footprint than the Kelvin route, Mitchell Street to Springburn, survived their general on which it operated Hall, the desire to display so many stored artefacts has cull in 1908 and became Mains Testing Car 3. Following until the line’s created pressure on space and it was decided that only six representations by knowledgeable local enthusiasts, this car closure in 1949. of the seven tramcars could be shown, the intention being was also set aside and restored at Coplawhill to something to rotate exhibits from time to time. The absence of the sole approaching its 1898 condition. These unvestibuled 6 Although Glasgow representative of the iconic Coronation class has been the ‘Room and Kitchen’ or ‘But and Ben’ cars featured two took delivery of subject of criticism locally and at last a solution seems to saloons, one fully glazed and the other with unglazed side subsequent cars on have been found, permitting the Mark I and Mark II versions windows. Now, the restored 672 proudly stands guard recovered bogies, to be exhibited permanently with 1173 being brought from inside the entrance to Riverside, a striking way to greet and Blackpool was the museum’s South Nitshill Resource Centre to Riverside visitors to this museum redolent of transport history. later to rebuild and planned to go on display in early September. Two double-deck Coplawhill-built Standard cars are many of its pre-war Unlike at Kelvin Hall, visitors can now board several of featured, representing different stages in their progressive the tramcars, whilst the whole museum is festooned with development; some of these cars served for over 60 years. In Balloon cars, interactive displays to enhance the visit and explain more of the early years, cars were built with round dash plates; later Glasgow Coronation the exhibits and their context. Riverside has an altogether a hexagonal form was used. To represent a Round-Dash car Mk II or Cunarder bright, welcoming image and this is vital if younger with short top-deck canopy, 779, originally built in 1900, 1392 was the last generations are to be encouraged to visit and appreciate the was chosen and rebuilt to 1908 condition in Coplawhill; it completely new city’s history, for only with a proper understanding of the is displayed as a red car (Glasgow Corporation used five double-deck tramcar past can our present be properly comprehended. colours to denote different routes until 1938). The last built for British Riverside is open 10.00-17.00 Monday-Thursday and two-axle Standard built was 1088 in 1924; this represents service. Saturday and 11.00-17.00 on Fridays and Sundays. Entry is the final totally-enclosed form of Standard car. free. Bus route 100 provides links the city centre (George From the same era comes 1089, ‘Baillie Burt’s car’, 7 The one tramcar Square) and it can also be accessed from Partick interchange designed as a speedy bogie single-decker with passenger missing from or by trans-Clyde ferry from Govan Subway station. flow to see whether deployment of such cars could win the Riverside Of course, there is still just one thing missing. Glasgow back interurban traffic lost to competing private motorbus display has been and tramcars were once synonymous, and the affection in services in the 1920s. Though advanced for its time, the Coronation 1173, an which the cars were held was evidenced in 1988, when a design did not find favour and the car remained unique, in omission shortly to temporary tramline was laid on the south bank of the Clyde latter years just working shipyard specials between Partick be redressed. This for that year’s Garden Festival and two Glasgow trams and Clydebank. Its inclusion in the historic collection view illustrates the from Crich returned to operate along it. Is it too much to was a last-minute decision but a sound one as it shows car as displayed in hope that, one day, money will be found to create a short what might have been. the former Kelvin heritage line in the vicinity of Riverside where some of Of the two modern cars in the museum’s inventory, Hall museum on 12 the present exhibits, which have not turned a wheel for 50 only one is currently on display. This is Coronation Mk II years, could be demonstrated? TAUT or Cunarder 1392, the last completely new double-deck March 2010. tramcar built for British service, dating from 1952. It was . The assistance of John Messner, Curator, Transport and originally donated to the Museum of British Transport, All photographs Technology, is gratefully acknowledged. Photographs are Clapham, London, and returned to its native city on that by the author on by the author, facilitated by courtesy of Glasgow Life and museum’s closure. 9 March 2012. Glasgow City Council.

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org october 2012 401 Available on-line from: www.lrta.info/shop Or order by post: LRTA Publications, 35 High Street, Moulton, classified Spalding, PE12 6QB To place an advertisement contact Andy Adams Postage/packing extra: Any UK address: add Telephone: +44 (0)1832 281135 10% (minimum £2.00 maximum £7.50) Email: [email protected] Outside UK: add 20% (minimum £4.00 maximum £15.00) For Airmail outside Europe: add 30% (minimum £6.00 maximum £22.50) Trade rates available to bookshops, libraries and museums on books published by the LRTA – please contact [email protected] for more details

Riding the Sheffield Lines By Bernard Mettam A nostalgic book of photographic memories from the declining era of the Sheffield tram network. From 1952 to the closure of the system Bernard Mettam lovingly recorded every route in operation. This book features dozens of photos from his personal collection, approximately two per page. Half of the 96 pages (A4 size) are in black and white with the remainder in colour. Price: £12.99 – Softback A4 – 96 pages

The Belgian Vicinal: Tram & Light Rail Fleet 1885-1991

By Dirk Eveleens Maarse This long-awaited new book from the LRTA complements the late Keith Davies’ The Vicinal Story: Light Railways in Belgium 1885-1991 and covers in great detail all the steam, diesel and electric vehicles operated by this iconic system from its inception through to the split into the Flemish and Wallonian regional transport companies 21 years ago. Dirk Maarse has created a masterful compendium of the amazing variety of Vicinal rolling stock, operated on three different track gauges, with illustrations in both black and white and colour of most types. Numerous tables set out the details of numbering schemes, construction and withdrawal dates, manufacturers and a host of other information for the passenger and goods fleets. A must-have for fans of Belgium’s vast secondary tramway network!

Price: £45.00 – Hardback A4 – 246 pages

402 OCTOBER 2012 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org The Colours of U-Bahn, S-Bahn & Tram in Berlin Yesterday’s Trams By Martin Jenkins & Ian Stewart By Robert Schwandl New from Capital Transport. Virtually all systems which survived after 1945 – and even some pre-war The latest Schwandl title ones – are seen here in colour, and in order closure, and explains the history of every effort has been made to obtain unpublished and the three urban rail exclusive images. The work of the major early colour systems serving Berlin, photographers is also recognised. and their current Wherever possible, the authors have selected images operations. depicting the fascinating range of car types in each The Berlin tram fleet. Trams are shown in a wide system, largely (but variety of settings – bustling city not entirely) in the centres, suburban areas, industrial eastern part of the city, locations, windy hillsides, steep has expanded since grades and cross-country reserved re-unification and is tracks. now ranked among the world’s top three. English and German text, system maps and c.200 colour photos.

Price £25.00 – Hardback 255 x 225mm – 160 pages Price: £12.50 – Softback B5 – 128 pages

Tram Atlas Deutschland Trams through the Dunes

By Robert Schwandl The Belgian Coastal Tramways 1885-2010 by Geoffrey Skelsey & Yves-Laurent Hansart Third edition of this classic reference work, indispensible when From the authors of travelling in Germany. the acclaimed book Follows customary Brussels – A Tramway English/German format, Reborn. Specialist with around 70 detailed chapters on the coastal network maps (with basic tramway, how it data for each system), and developed, its connections about 150 colour photos. inland, and the variety of Now includes Germany’s rolling stock. three trolleybus systems. With 136 illustrations, (Also available, same price, 60 in colour, plus eight companion reference book “Tram maps, it will soon become Atlas Schweiz & Österreich”) an indispensable guide for Belgian Coast visitors.

Price: £12.50 – Softback B5 – 144 pages Price: £13.50 – Softback 240 x 210mm – 104 pages

ASSOCIAZONE AMICI DELLA TRAZIONE A VAPORE - ITALIA

We are seeking to purchase black and white or colour prints, slides and films about the Ancona – Falconara trolleybus line Lecture and AGM which opened in 1952 and closed in 1972, served mainly by “Camden’s Railway Heritage and HS2” the Alfa Romeo trolleybus. Speaker: Peter Darley (Camden RH Trust) Images will be displayed in the new museum. All welcome Contact: Dott. Giorgio Moreschi Saturday 13 October 2012, 2pm in Room 10 at tel: +39 337 637431 or +39 071 33165 Friends House, Euston Road, London, NW1 Via Marsala n. 25, 60015 FALCONARA M.MA (Acona), ITALY NCIT: 0208 550 2454

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org october 2012 403 3 October 2012 Vinopolis, London

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LAST CHANCE TO BOOK! Please contact Vicky Binley on +44 (0)1832 281132 or [email protected]

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