THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE

www.lrta.org www.tautonline.com

MARCH 2019 No. 975 tram openings: WILL 2019 break records?

From Algeria to Qatar – 15 new systems could launch this year Siemens-Alstom merger in doubt Manchester revives subway plan US shutdown causes transit hardship

El Paso Tel Aviv £4.60 Streetcar re-opens Troubled LRT project after 44-year absence on track for 2021 2 days of interactive debates... 8 hours of dedicated networking... only ONE place to be

Musée du Transport Urbains Your two days will include presentations and BRUSSELS: 16-17 May 2019 interactive debates on topics such as: > Autonomous trams: Lessons learned and next steps > Digital twins and next-generation virtual modelling > New approaches to safety and risk assessment models > Enhancing engagement and the customer experience > Managing disruption during major projects > Advanced asset monitoring strategies > Challenges from 24-hour operations EU Light Rail > Environmentally-friendly renewal innovations Driving innovation > Tramway innovation: Past, present and future > Digital wayfinding and real-time passenger information > Case studies from recent light rail expansion schemes

EU Light Rail brings together leading opinion-formers and decision-makers from across Europe for two days of debate around the role of technology in the development of sustainable urban travel.

With presentations and exhibitions from some of the industry’s most innovative suppliers and service providers, this event also includes technical visits and over eight hours of networking sessions.

Find out more at www.eulightrail.com CONTENTS The official journal of the Light Rail 89 Transit Association MARCH 2019 Vol. 82 No. 975 www.tautonline.com EDITORIAL Editor – Simon Johnston [email protected] Associate Editor – Tony Streeter 104 [email protected] Worldwide Editor – Michael Taplin [email protected] News Editor – John Symons [email protected] Senior Contributor – Neil Pulling Worldwide Contributors Tony Bailey, Richard Felski, Ed Havens, Andrew Moglestue, Paul Nicholson, Herbert Pence, Mike Russell, Nikolai Semyonov, egion of Waterloo of egion Alain Senut, Vic Simons, Witold Urbanowicz, Bill Vigrass, Francis Wagner, Thomas Wagner, 116 Philip Webb, Rick Wilson

ourtesy of R of C ourtesy Production – Lanna Blyth Tel: +44 (0)1733 367604 [email protected] News 84 SYSTEMS FACTFILE: innsbruck 104 Manchester unveils tram-train and ‘Sightseeeing’ trams normally refer to a DESIGN – Debbie Nolan cross-city tram subway vision; Innsbruck special route; Neil Pulling finds that in this Advertising and Casablanca systems expand; Austrian city that tag applies anywhere. COMMERCIAL Manager – Geoff Butler Tel: +44 (0)1733 367610 Siemens-Alstom merger in doubt; [email protected] US Government shutdown hits operators. WORLDWIDE REVIEW 110 New metro to connect Cairo and Ramadan Publisher – Matt Johnston new tramways for 2019 89 City; Den Haag prepares tender for 60 new Tramways & Urban Transit Michael Taplin presents his annual trams; Singapore announces Cross Island 13 Orton Enterprise Centre, Bakewell Road, predictions of the new tramways that could line alignment; Austria’s Achenseebahn Peterborough PE2 6XU, UK open around the world this year. takes delivery of electric trains; USD125m Tramways & Urban Transit is published by Mainspring design contract awarded for extension to on behalf of the LRTA on the third Friday of each month preceding the cover date. el paso’s streetcar revival 96 San Francisco’s BART. Vic Simons revisits Texas for the opening of this new modern/heritage service. MAILBOX 115 The debate around the cost of UK tramways. tel aviv: realising the dream 100 PRINT AND DISTRIBUTION Following major delays, Tel Aviv is back on CLASSIC TRAMS: prague heritage 116 Warners (Midlands), Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH, UK track with its plans to open its first light rail Mike Russell delves into the roots and LRTA MEMBERSHIP (with TAUT subscription) service in 2021, with plenty more planned. operation of Prague’s second heritage line. Tramways & Urban Transit is sent free to all paid-up members of the Light Rail Transit Association. Looking forward to what could be a record year LRTA WEBSITE AND DIARY Brian Lomas Last year at this time Michael Taplin suggested as many as 21 new tramways [email protected] [email protected] could open in 2018, but as always there were a few delays. These were caused Subscriptions, MEMBERSHIP and back issues by a variety of local conditions – including financial difficulties; regulatory LRTA Membership Secretary (Dept T06), 38 Wolseley or approval issues; contractor bankruptcies and rolling stock delays – but Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK. Tel: +44 (0)117 951 7785 none were show-stoppers. Some of these systems have therefore rolled over [email protected] Website: www.lrta.info into this year’s lists, but it is also great to see some interesting newcomers. for CORPORATE Subscriptions VISIT The French city of Caen, for example, is replacing its rubber-tyred guided bus system www.mainspring.co.uk with a more reliable steel wheel-on steel rail system; Lusail is opening the first section of a tramway project that will eventually join a mega metro as Qatar prepares for the 2022 LRTA REGISTERED OFFICE 138 Radnor Avenue, Welling DA16 2BY, UK. FIFA World Cup; and by the time you read this there will be at least one new tramway Private company limited by guarantee, No. 5072319 in Australia. If everything goes to plan we could well see over 300km (185 miles) of new in England and Wales. routes in countries around the world – from Algeria to Qatar. LRTA Chairman – Paul Rowen The second decade of the 21st century has seen more than 65 new cities adopt urban [email protected] rail solutions – from heritage-style cars in Oranjestad, to modern streetcar circulators © LRTA 2019 in Washington DC, rubber-tyred systems in Medellín, street-running tramways in Articles are submitted on the understanding they may also Edinburgh and Tours, and full LRT systems in Beijing and Addis Ababa. Every continent later be used on our websites or other media. A contribution is covered and while the solutions may be different, the objectives are the same: is accepted on the basis that its author is responsible for the connecting people to opportunity through sustainable travel, removing road opinions expressed in it, and such opinions are not those of congestion, improving air quality and driving economic growth and regeneration. the LRTA or Mainspring. All rights reserved. This issue we’ve also got reports from the opening of the distinctive El Paso system – No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including which features re-engineered stylish cars from the 1930s to provide a 21st Century service. photocopying, recording or by any information storage and They still ride beautifully and prove what any millennial will tell you – retro’s cool. retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from Our latest Systems Factfile also covers one of the world’s great tramways: Innsbruck. the copyright owner. Multiple copying of the contents of the For scenic views, there are few better places to experience modern light rail. magazine without prior written approval is not permitted. Let’s remember, inserting a tramway into a city environment can be a fantstically complex undertaking. But it’s definitely worth the effort. Simon Johnston, Editor Cover images: Peter Libeskind, Vic Simons, NTA

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org march 2019 / 83 News Innsbruck opens new tramlines - but shortages bring buses to others Routes 2 and 5 open as planned on 26 January, despite rolling stock and driver shortages

he Austrian city of delivered or drivers trained to Strasse, and line 3 from April due was marked by a family festival on Innsbruck went ahead operate them. As a result, existing to work at Südtiroler Platz and in 25 January, with the ceremonial with the introduction of lines 1 and 3 were temporarily Anich and Bürgerstrasse). inauguration at 16.00 and free tramlines 2 and 5 from replaced by bus operation (line 1 The bus substitution may rides until 20.00. T26 January, and 3.5km (2.2 miles) was due to be bus-operated from continue until December, by The project has cost of new tramway, despite not this spring anyway, due to a which time Bombardier should EUR396.7m, including EUR140m having enough new trams construction site in Ing.-Etzel- have delivered all 20 new Flexity for the new trams, with one third trams. Operator IVB reportedly granted from Land Tirol, and the stated that the delay is due to remainder coming from the city. certification issues surrounding Funding has been secured the new vehicles. The substitute for the 1.2km (0.75-mile) buses were found from the eastern extension of line 5 from withdrawal of line O, which had Schützenstrasse to S-Bhf Rum, reached its capacity and was and the 2.2km (1.4-mile) western replaced by the new tramlines. extension to S-Bhf Völs to create Line 2 runs every 7.5 minutes a regional tramline, that should from Josef-Kerschbaumer-Strasse be operating by December 2021. in Olympisches Dorf (Olympic The patronage of IVB’s Village) to Technik West/ tramway continues to grow, Peerhofsiedlung (alternate cars). reaching a record 67.8m in 2018. Line 5 runs every 15 minutes from Schützenstrasse in Olympisches For more detail on Innsbruck’s Dorf to Technik West. Both use light rail system, see this issue’s Innsbruck routes 2 and 5 opened as planned on 26 January, despite heavy a new bridge over the River Inn. Systems Factfile starting on snowfall and issues with rolling stock supply. Manni Schneiderbauer The opening of these additions page 104.

Free travel in Luxembourg Metro Northwest to open this spring Testing along the full 36km The AUD8.3bn (EUR5.27bn) to begin from March 2020 (22.4-mile) route of Sydney’s Metro Northwest route runs Metro Northwest line began from Chatswood to Epping On 21 January Luxembourg’s scheme, although the Mayor on 14 January. over a converted heavy rail Transport Minister François of Luxembourg has already Alstom has delivered 17 of line, continuing through a new Bausch announced the detail of confirmed that the capital and the 22 trains on order for the twin-bore tunnel to emerge the new government’s initiative its new tramway will be part of line; the last of the six-car onto an elevated alignment to offer free public transport the initiative. Metropolis sets was completed at Tallawong. It is hoped to across the country (see also Rail passengers will still have at the manufacturer’s factory start passenger services in the TAUT 973), describing the plan the option of paying to travel in Andhra Pradesh, India, in second quarter of 2019. on social media as the “social in first class, while the price of early December. The company The day after the opening, cherry on the cake of a larger RGTR RegioZone cross-border is also supplying CBTC, the third of five tunnel boring mobility strategy that includes a tickets will be lowered. National control and computer-based machines was launched for the big investment programme.” rail operator CFL is in discussions interlocking systems under an City & Southwest extension Free travel will begin on with regional rail operators in AUD440m (EUR280m) contract from Chatswood to Bankstown; 1 March 2020 and will apply to Germany, France and Belgium so signed in September 2014. it is expected to open in 2024. both Luxembourgish nationals commuters will only pay for the and visitors and on all modes section of their journeys taking within the country’s borders that place outside Luxembourg. The receive state funding. Removing mKaart smartcard will remain in fares is estimated to cost the use for services such as park-and- state around EUR30m/year and ride, electric vehicle charging EUR41m has been committed to stations and mBox cycle parking. support the plan; no new taxes The government’s Modu 2.0 will be created for the purpose. strategy includes transport Over the past 40 years, investment, envisaging a public Luxembourg’s population has transport network that carries grown by almost 240 000 with 20% more people by 2025. This cross-border commuting rising includes EUR2.2bn for the rail by over 160% in the past 20 years. network and EUR390m for The removal of fares is aimed to the Luxembourg tramway in cut congestion and improve air 2018-23, while also ‘optimising’ quality, as well as assisting those the national RGTR bus network on the lowest incomes. around regional services to Local authorities are not include better evening and Monday 14 January marked the first full line testing of Sydney’s automated obliged to participate in the weekend services. Northwest metro line. Sydney Metro

84 / march 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Manchester’s big ambition for 2040 Tram-train and revived city subway planned to grow the UK’s largest LRT network even further

trio of tram-train routes Other light rail expansion to The ambitious vision identifies Greater Manchester Mayor are to be prioritised be evaluated for implementation more than 65 projects, including Andy Burnham described his and the concept of a in the period 2025-40 includes Metrolink’s under-construction area as “a growing city-region”, cross-city rail tunnel extending the Ashton line to Trafford Park line and the but said: “our transport network Arevived under the Greater Stalybridge and the Airport purchase of 27 new trams. and infrastructure is holding Manchester Transport Strategy line to Stockport, as well as Also included are an upgrade us back. The people of Greater 2040, released in January. creating a branch from the Bury of Salford Central railway Manchester deserve a transport The vision is that by 2040, line to Middleton. Developer station; GBP160m (EUR183m) system that works for us both half of all daily trips in the UK contributions would fund in new walking and cycling now and in the future.” city-region will be by public extension of the Trafford Park infrastructure; expanding the Mr Burnham also welcomed transport, cycling or walking, line to Port Salford and new stops region’s electric vehicle charging the government’s commitment meaning a million more daily at Sandhills where the Bury and network; and new interchanges to bus reform and to the trips with sustainable travel. Oldham lines converge. New in Tameside and Stockport. Northern Powerhouse Rail and If delivered, the central tram stops would also be provided at UK Secretary of State for HS2 rail schemes. subway would link Manchester’s Reservoir (Bury line) and Cop Transport Chris Grayling has The transport strategy forms Cornbrook with Piccadilly, Road (Oldham & Rochdale line). expressed support for Metrolink just part of a wider Greater removing the pressure from The three tram-train routes to expansion. Speaking in advance Manchester Spatial Framework, Metrolink’s two surface cross- be prioritised are: Altrincham of a visit to Greater Manchester which covers jobs, homes and the city routes. This is not the first – Hale; Bury – Rochdale; and on 25 January, Mr Grayling environment. The latest version time that a tunnel under the Manchester Airport – Wilmslow. said that tram-train “has the has been refocused to prioritise city has been promoted; in the The Bury – Rochdale route potential to seamlessly integrate redevelopment of town centres 1970s a 5km (three-mile) subway would partly share the heritage existing rail and tram tracks and and other locations described between Piccadilly and Victoria East Lancashire Railway services. We will work closely as being sustainable. It includes was planned to connect the alignment. Eventually, the aim to explore proposals which a target of a minimum 50 000 major city stations by rail and is to see tram-train operation would see Transport for Greater affordable homes (30 000 of them travellator. This scheme was on the corridors to Wigan (via Manchester running more social housing) – with the net cancelled due to constrained Atherton); Warrington Central; services, underlining our belief loss of protected ‘Green Belt’ land public finances. and Glossop/Hadfield. in greater local control.” being reduced by more than half.

Veolia leaves the public Wenzhou NEWS IN PICTURES transport sector On 9 January Rethmann Group metro opens completed its acquisition of a 34% stake in French public transport The first 34.8km (21.6-mile) operator Transdev from Veolia. The line of the Wenzhou Metro deal follows approval of German, Austrian and Australian regulators, (S1) in the eastern Chinese city The German transport, food and (Zhejiang province) opened waste company paid EUR340m to passengers on 23 January. for the 30% stake; acquiring a The mostly-elevated suburban further 4% in Transdev by adding line links Tongling and its Rhenus Veniro public transport Olympic Centre, serving 12 activities in Germany. stations; test running began in Veolia sold its other 20% stake October 2018. to French government-owned All stations are elevated investment group Caisse des Dépôts in December 2016 for other than Tongling, which is More than 13 000 took EUR220m. The sale marks the at-grade, and Olympic Centre, part in the online vote to company’s complete withdrawal which is underground. select this design. Alstom from the transport industry. A fleet of 32 four-car EMUs Caisse des Dépôts retains the have been supplied by CRRC remaining 66% of Transdev’s capital Qingdao Sifang. They have Parisiens choose Grand Paris Express design and a majority on the board. capacity for 1328 passengers, The winning design for Paris’ new Grand Paris Express metro trains – to be More Swings for Sofia including 192 seated, and are used on lines 15, 16 and 17 from 2024 – was announced on 14 January by On 29 January Sofia tram operator stabled and maintained at a project promoters Île-de-France Mobilités and Société du Grand Paris (SGP). Stolichen Elektrotransport new facility at Tongling. The design was chosen from three options by an online public vote in concluded a EUR22.8m deal with End-to-end journey times are December 2018, with 40% choosing this version. Pesa for 13 Swing low-floor trams for In September 2018, Alstom was selected to supply 25 six-car trainsets for 50 minutes. delivery by the end of 2019. Line 15 South. This is the first tranche of a EUR1.3bn framework for up to 1000 An 18.7km (11.6-mile) The 1009mm-gauge trams will cars. The interior design is still being finalised in collaboration with public be 30m long and 2.3m wide with extension to the airport, with transport user groups. capacity for 201 passengers, 40 six additional stations, is On 24 January SGP awarded the first of line 17’s three civil engineering seated, and feature retractable already under construction, contracts to the Avenir consortium of Demathieu Bard Construction, boarding platforms. The vehicles while a third phase will bring Impresa Pizzarotti & CSPA, Implenia France, Implenia Switzerland, Implenia are required for line 5; the contract the line to over 77km (48 miles) Spezialtiefbau and three BAM companies, BAM Contractors, Galère and Wayss includes spares and driver training. and 28 stations. & Freytag Ingenieurbau. The EUR439.4m contract covers Le Bourget Airport and Pesa has supplied 25 trams of A port city, Wenzhou had an Triangle de Gonesse stations, a 6km (four-mile) tunnel and civils works at seven the same type to the city: 20 in 2013 other sites. The line is planned to open to Le Bourget Airport by 2024 and to and a further five in 2016. urban population of over three Triangle de Gonesse from 2027. million people in 2010.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org march 2019 / 85 News Casablanca inaugurates tramline T2 Royal opening for the latest addition to Morocco’s largest system; two more lines planned by 2022

is Majesty King trams run in coupled pairs, Mohammed VI of creating 64m trains. It is Morocco was in planned to increase the number Casablanca on of trains from 16 to 25 as H23 January to formally open the traffic grows. Line T1 was also city’s second tramline. Passenger extended at the same time, by service started the next day. 1.8km from Facultés to Lissasfa, The 22.5km (14-mile) T2 line an MAD504m (EUR46m) runs from Ain Diab Plage investment that brings the line overlooking the Atlantic Ocean to 23.5km (14.6 miles). to the west to Sidi Bernoussi in Two further tramlines are the eastern suburbs (site of a new planned to open in 2022: T3 will depot), crossing line 1 twice. run from Salmia to Casa-port The section from Blvd Anouai (14km/8.7 miles) and T4 from to Ain Diab Plage was previously Attacharouk to Mers Sultan worked as a 7.5km (4.7-mile) (12km/7.5 miles). Two Bus branch of line 1, so there has Rapid Transit feeder routes are been 15km (9.3 miles) of new also proposed, with L1 to run tramway construction. 12km (7.5 miles) from Salmia to T2 works started in January HM King Mohammed VI waves off the first tram on Casablanca T2. Casa Transports Lissasfa and L2 10km (6.2 miles) 2016 and cost MAD4.3bn from Errahma to Boulevard (EUR395m). There are 33 stops in Casablanca’s tram network is T2 is every six minutes at peaks Ghandi. total and more than 2500 trees operated by RATP Dev under a and every nine minutes at other Tramway service started in the were planted as part of the project. 12-year contract. Service on line times; 32 Alstom Citadis 302 city on 12 December 2012.

Auckland selects light rail boss Last Łódź interurban line to close? The last truly Vicinal-style New Zealand’s Transport Agency interurban line of the Łódź has appointed Carl Devlin tramways – route 43 between to lead Auckland’s light rail Łódź (Polnocna), Konstantynów programme. Mr Devlin has and the village of Lutomiersk – led many major infrastructure was due to close over part of its projects, including the London length from 3 March. The main Underground Sub-Surface Railway reason given is the poor condition upgrade and the Northern line of parts of the track, a situation extension to Battersea. that resulted in the closure of Auckland has allocated lines 45 and 46 to the north in NZD1.8bn (EUR1.1bn) for light February 2018. A further issue is rail development, with further the impending reconstruction contributions from the state and of the road between Łódź private partners envisaged. The and Konstantynów, which plan calls for a two-line system the tramway parallels on side Düwag GT6 1071 approaches Kamimierz on the single-track right of way from to connect M ngere and the reservation. ā Lutomiersk at the start of its long journey back to Łódź. The tram was originally It is understood that international airport to the south Mannheim 423 of 1964, and was sold to the small Grudziadz system in 1997, which in of the city and a north-western Konstantynów (which paid for turn passed it on to TP, the former independent operator of line 43, in 2010. M. J. Russell line to Kumeu/Huapai. The lines the relaying of street track in the are scheduled to open by 2028. town around ten years ago) is been prepared by that authority in nature), but there will be a Light rail is part of a planned keen to retain the tramway and but has been placed on the suspension of tram service when nearly NZD30bn (EUR18bn) is seeking EU funds to permit regional reserve list, meaning the works take place later this year. investment in surface transport the section between the Łódź that no funds are earmarked for it Zgierz is reputedly keen to funded through new taxation, boundary and Konstantynów at the present time. promote the reinstatement of private finance and tolls. to be relaid. As TAUT went to One result of the closure is that line 45 and possibly also the press, it was understood that the the museum collection in the section of the former line 46 Shenyang tramway section as far as Konstantynów former Brus depot will be isolated that lies within its municipal welcomes two extensions will remain in operation during the road reconstruction boundaries. It is however Two extensions to Shenyang’s for the time being. The road works. Some of the serviceable unlikely that the remainder tramway opened on 5 January. reconstruction scheme between cars are being transferred to of line 46 to Ozorków will be An 800m extension to the South Łódź and Konstantynów now Chocianowice depot and Brus is reinstated because, whilst the railway station is served by line 4 includes provision for 115m of in exchange playing host to the town of Ozorków is willing to running to Century Building via tram track reconstruction in the remaining two-axle works cars. contemplate renewal with the University Science City and line vicinity of a roundabout. (For more detail on the museum’s assistance of EU funding, most of 6 running to Taoxian Airport via The village of Lutomiersk, collection see TAUT 969/970). the line (again, ribbon-developed a 3.3km (2.1-mile) extension from however, has no money for In contrast, the town of and semi-rural) lies within the Qianjinhui Hotel to the airport. The city’s tramway opened trackworks on a section with Pabianice has agreed to pay for Zgierz rural district, which is in 2013 and now carries 150 000 sparse ribbon development and track renewal in its area served unwilling to spend money given passengers/day. infrequent service. It is believed by line 41 (still considered an the lack of substantial traffic that an EU funding scheme has interurban, but far more urban objectives in its area.

86 / march 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Is the Siemens-Alstom merger dead? Proposed concessions from the two companies deemed insufficient to satisfy European regulators

urope’s competition a block to the merger, while Peter authorities seem set to Altmaier, Germany’s economy block the move from minister, said that Berlin “wants Alstom and Siemens this merger to happen”. Eto create a “European rail “The international market champion” in a decision that in this industry is fiercely Siemens’ Chief Executive Joe competitive,” Mr Altmaier said. Kaeser warned in January would “We need big players, we reflect an “absolutely naive” need a European champion EU mindset. for that, which can cope with The news comes after the two competition from companies in companies submitted further the US and China. That’s why I revisions to the merger proposals think this merger makes sense to satisfy European Commission and is the right thing to do.” regulators. There have been Mr Kaeser acknowledged widespread reports that EU the prospects of the deal going competition commissioner forward were now unlikely in a Margrethe Vestager has given press conference on 30 January the two companies the option stating that Europe’s competition of divesting assets in their Siemens Avenio trams and Alstom RegioCitadis tram-trains both run on the regime was “backward”. high-speed train and signalling streets of Den Haag, but hopes of the two manufacturers joining forces to create a Mr Kaeser said that “it is businesses, but that these ‘European rail champion’ now appear slim. Neil Pulling absolutely naive to believe that suggestions were rejected. It is entrants, particularly around addressing their concerns over individual European states can suggested that Ms Vestager’s safety and technical standards. the planned merger. stand by themselves against oppostion is shaped by a view A number of regulatory and The deal has strong political competition from China, that Chinese competitors are trade bodies around the world support, however. Bruno Le America, even India at some unlikely to sell their products have also expressed serious Maire, France’s finance minister, point — that’s impossible.” in Europe in the near future reservations in recent months, took to social media on 27 January A final decision is expected on given the high barriers for new saying the two firms fell short of to say that “nothing can justify” 18 February.

Aachen Regio-Tram proposal back on the agenda

Planners have started work on a It was known for employing rail-based service and help Planning work is continuing, new project to link Baesweiler in many Dutch and Belgian workers address increasing pollution. including firming up costings, in the northern suburbs of Aachen as well as Germans, and was once The Regio-Tram project has the the hope that the line could be (Germany) and the city centre via favoured for orders from the support of Christian Democratic running by 2026. Merzbrück, terminating at the Dutch NS. The company works Union and Green party members Aachen had a first-generation bus station. Street track would on maintenance, repair and on the city council, an important tramway from 1880 to 1974, not have an overhead power modernisation of rail vehicles, player in the Verkehrsverbund including rural lines to towns supply, with LRVs instead using including S-Bahn rolling stock. tariff union, and was endorsed such as Alsdorf and Eschweiler. battery traction. It is thought The new Regio-Tram line by the Mobility Commission for Aachen–Baesweiler was a 66 000 passengers/day could be would offer commuters a Aachen in mid-December. trolleybus line from 1944 to 1974. attracted. Baesweiler A project to operate trams Region-Tram 30’-headway on a local rail line, with street Regio-Tram 30’-headway track reaching the city centre Dűsseldorf/ die euregiobahn 60’-headway (split service) and university, was approved by Mőnchengladbach die euregiobahn 60’-headway (split service) the council in this city in North Regionalverkehr (RegionalExpress, Rhine-Westphalia six years ago. RegionalBahn. S-Bahn) HZ-Alt-MerksteinHZ-August-Schmidt-Pl.Alsdorf-Busch However in March 2013 Alsdorf-Annapark Existing stop two-thirds of voters rejected the Alsdorf Kellersberg Planned stop plans at a referendum, and the Herzogenrath Alsdorf Mariadorf project was dropped. Alsdorf Postrasse Euroregiobahn local rail services call at five stations within EW-St. Jőris Wűrselen- the city boundary, but serve Hbf Kohlscheid Merzbrűck Linnich EW-Talbahnhof/ that is some way from the central Eschweiler-WestRaiffeisen-PlatzEW-NothbergEW-Weisweiler Aachen Richterich Wűrselen business district. Road traffic Aue continues to increase. Eschweiler- Köln Local company Talbot Services Aachen West Aachen Stolberg Hbf has said it could easily build new Bushof Eschweiler Hbf Langerwehe LRVs for the Regio-Tram. Aachen- Schanz Eilendorf A relatively new company that Stolberg-Schneidműhle Aachen- Heimbach has revived a historic rolling Aachen Hbf Rothe Erde Stolberg-Műhlener Bahnhof stock name with 180 years of Stolberg-Rathaus A map of the Aachen history, Talbot was most recently Stolberg-Altstadt area with the Regio- part of Bombardier (until 2013). Tram shown in Green.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org march 2019 / 87 News Government shutdown bites hard for US public transport operators Ridership falls, lost revenues and delayed grants affect transit agencies across the country

ollowing the longest which rely on grants to support governmental shutdown operations and capital projects in US history between received no reimbursements for 22 December 2018 previously approved projects or Fand 25 January 2019, the for funds already spent. American Public Transportation Exacerbating the problem Association (APTA) has written is that a significant source of to Congress asking for urgent revenue for many systems comes redress to the financial hardship from the farebox contributions of felt by public transport systems federal workers. The Washington across the country. Metropolitan Area Transit A survey conducted by APTA Authority, for example, reported in January revealed that 36% of losing almost one-sixth of its agencies indicated “substantial weekday riders on Metrorail and impacts to operations and/or bus services, comparing the capital programmes” and that week of 7-11 January 2019 to a its members had “cut services, week in December 2018. delayed hiring, transferred General Manager Paul J. capital funds to operations and Wiedefeld added that Metro lost used reserve funds.” USD400 000 in fares and parking Washington’s public transport agency reported a significant ridership decline During the 35-day standstill revenue for each weekday during during the 35-day US Government shutdown. Yesums / CC BY-SA 2.0 period, the Federal Transit the shutdown, also expressing Administraion was not able to grave concern about grants from a funding gap of approximately at this stage and the greatest execute grants, co-operative Department of Transportation USD50m in unreimbursed challenge may be yet to come agreements, or contracts. funding sources. The federal expenses, he said. if the shutdown resumes on 15 Public transportation agencies closure had left the agency with The WMATA was not unique, February and lasts long enough however, as agencies across the for commitments from lenders country reported double-digit who are financing capital projects “The big challenge for US operators may decreases in ridership – and to expire. That could result in importantly monthly pass sales – project financing becoming more be yet to come if the government in January. expensive, with the potential However, the reopening of to increase the overall cost and shutdown resumes on 15 February. ” government is only temporary result in project delays.

ENGINEERING LRT EXCELLENCE Nottingham – 30 April 2019 Topics include: LRT Engineering Excellence Days are designed to enhance Rail selection, installation and maintenance understanding and co-operation between the teams Rail replacement case studies responsible for the day-to-day operation and maintenance Effective treatments for noise and vibration of light and urban rail systems, those with procurement Innovative new trackform solutions responsibility and the supply chain. Cost-effective rail monitoring solutions Complimentary places are available to local authorities Digital asset management strategies and operators on a first-come, first-served basis. Minimising disruption during major projects

Register your interest by calling +44(0)1733 367600 or visiting mainspring.co.uk/lrt-excellence-days

88 / march 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org new tramways for

Newcastle Urbos 2151 on a test run on Hunter Street in December 2018. The charging point for the onboard energy storage system is clearly visible over the tram. 2019 Peter Liebeskind

n this annual survey of new tramways be exceeded in the current year, perhaps due to open before the end of the Michael Taplin reaching as many as 15. year, we always start by looking back On the other side of the coin, the slow at what was achieved in the previous presents his yearly decline of small-town tramways in the 12 months and comparing it with our Ukraine continues, due to the laws of Ipredictions made a year ago. predictions of physics meeting a lack of investment and This time it seems the list of predicted constrained public finances. The sudden projects that did not quite make it to opening the new tramway decisions of newly-elected politicians also is longer than ever: the Cádiz tram-train figures; witness the closure of the modern in Spain; tramways in Cuenca in Ecuador; Messina tramway in Italy that only opened Ottawa and Waterloo – Kitchener in Canada; systems around the in 2003. This decision was reversed shortly Foshan in China; The Qatar Foundation afterwards, with limited service provided Education City project in Doha; and the world due to open in during December and January. The long-term Uithof tramway in Utrecht, Netherlands. future is unknown. There does not seem to be a common the next 12 months. On the other side of the world, Vancouver thread in these ‘failures’ however, unless it must also have set a record for the time is that the best-laid plans of politicians and between approving a new tramway (September planners come up against some harsh reality of Taipei, Taiwan; three US city centre 2018) and cancelling it (November 2018), from engineers and suppliers who are being circulators in the US: El Paso, Milwaukee and another political decision driven by the new pushed to achieve over-ambitious deadlines. Oklahoma City, plus the heritage tramway trend of populism trumping common sense. All of these will be transferred to our 2019 in St Louis; and Indonesian light metros in If we are correct, 15 new systems in one list, and are described below. Jakarta and Palembang (though it seems year is quite remarkable (when three or four However we did see two new tramways these were far from ready, and had to close per year was the average for much of the open in Algeria: Ouargla and Sétif; two after the ASEAN Games were over). previous post-war decades) and shows that systems in China: Chengdu and Shanghai So let us say ten new systems in 2018. the tram has regained an important place in (both beginning service a week before the Although this is significantly down on the the hierarchy of passenger transport modes, years end, as appears to be the common amount of new systems we postulated might offering value-for-money capacity for cities practice for many Chinese systems in recent open last year, it is nonetheless impressive. where the demand for travel is burgeoning, years); the innovative Doha Msheireb With seven projects moved our latest and authorities realise that leaving matters to Downtown tramway in Qatar; the Green predictions list, and other additions to our motor traffic to cope with is just not feasible, Mountain tramline in the Tamsui district schedule, it does seem that this number will particularly for environmental reasons.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org march 2019 / 89 News focus

ALGERIA Three more tramways are under construction in what has become one of the most prolific light rail nations over the last decade, with Mostaganem likely to achieve opening in 2019. This port city in north-west Algeria (population around 250 000) is building a 12.2km (7.6-mile) east – west tramway linking Université Kharouba and Salamandre (site of the depot) via the city centre and Gare SNTF. Announced in 2009, construction began in September 2013, but attracted significant opposition from traders in the central area, which has delayed progress. A second line from the city centre south to Gare Routiére was started in 2015 (2km/1.2 miles). By the end of 2015 the project was 35% complete, with opening predicted for September 2017. A fleet of 25Citadis trams, in a 43m seven-section configuration, were ordered from Alstom/CITAL, with local assembly at Annaba. However the Spanish company Isolux Corsan stopped work due to its financial position, and the contract was re-allocated to the Algerian firm Consider in September 2017 with opening postponed to spring 2019. Tram delivery started in late 2018, with testing planned for March 2019. Passenger service will start later in 2019. Annaba, a coastal city with a population of 257 400 in the north-eastern corner of the country – also the location of the Alstom-led joint venture tram assembly plant for deliveries to North Africa – saw a two-line 21.7km (13.5-mile) tramway authorised in 2009. Line 1 runs from Kouba in the northern suburbs to the city centre, then west to Cité 400 and south to El Bouni university. Line 2 starts at the University, running north to the SNTF station, and then further to a terminus at the port. Planned for many years, the system suffered a major setback in 2015 when EUR43m bids for its construction and equipment from Following major delays, infrastructure works have picked up the pace in a Franco-Korean consortium were cancelled for financial reasons Mostaganem; L'Avenue Benyahia Belkacem in October 2018. mostaganemalgerie (to be re-advertised on a PPP basis) due to the fall in oil prices hitting the Algerian economy. Works resumed in 2018, but seem to be at an but was suspended in 2015 for financial reasons. A completion early stage, so a 2019 opening is probably unlikely. date is unclear. These delays have freed up capacity in the CITAL Batna, another city in the north-east, but inland and with a tram manufacturing plant, although other systems are planned for population of 290 700, is building a 15.5km (9.6-mile) line Skikda, Béjaia, Tébessa and Tlemcen, all of which appear to have Cité – Hamla via University. Work on this project began in 2014, been delayed due to various financial or political considerations.

AUSTRALIA “Testing in Canberra began in June 2018 Canberra is the city comprising the with passenger service scheduled for the Australian Capital Territory, built to a 1912 masterplan that originally included first quarter of 2019. A line to the southern provision for a tramway. However this never materialised and it was not until the suburbs will form a second stage.” early 1990s that revived light rail proposals were discussed in detail. passengers to use Wickham on the main In the city’s 2013-14 budget a plan was line (since dubbed Newcastle Interchange). identified for design work, and in 2016 The NSW Government decided to the Canberra Metro consortium was build a 2.7km (1.7-mile) light rail line to awarded a 20-year PPP contract for a 12km replace the heavy rail branch, but on a (7.5-mile) line between the city centre different alignment, mostly street-based. and Gungahlin. Design and construction The cost estimate is AUD290m (EUR184m), will cost AUD707m (EUR445m) with part of the wider AUD650m (EUR410m) the federal government contributing Revitalising Newcastle programme that AUD67m (EUR42m). includes the creation of new residential, CAF is building 14 33m Urbos 3 low-floor retail sites and more attractive public trams and will maintain them for 20 spaces. Construction on the LRT line years, with operations and maintenance began in the first half of 2017, and service conducted by Australian engineering and is planned to begin in late February using contracting partners UGL and John Holland six 33m CAF Urbos 100 trams with onboard in partnership with DB Engineering & energy storage to permit overhead to be Consulting. The depot is at Mitchell. dispensed with on most of the line. Testing on the line started in June 2018 Tram delivery started in October 2018. and passenger service is scheduled for the A 7.5-minute service is planned, operated first quarter of 2019. A line to Woden in the and maintained by the Keolis Downer joint southern suburbs will form a second stage. venture, which already provides the city’s The first new tramway opening of 2019 bus network and LRT service in Gold Coast. is likely to be in the New South Wales city A Canberra Metro CAF Urbos on test in November of Newcastle, which lost its city centre 2018; passenger service on the 12km line is due to rail branch and station in 2014, requiring begin this spring. Steve Bittinger / CC-BY 2.0

90 / march 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Shortly after infrastructure completion in May 2018, OC Transpo Citadis Spirit King Street, Kitchener, on 19 December 2018, showing an ION Flexity passing trams began dynamic testing on the full line. Courtesy of City Clock / CC-BY 2.0 Google’s Canadian headquarters. Region of Waterloo

(all but two were ready by the end of 2018). to Cambridge. The provincial government is CANADA The Rideau Transit Group (ACS contributing CAD300m (EUR198m) and the With infrastructure completed on Ottawa’s Infrastructure/Dragados/SNC-Lavalin/ federal government CAD265m (EUR175m) Confederation LRT line in May 2018, it was Alstom/Veolia and others) is responsible for towards the CAD818m (EUR540m) project hoped that opening could occur before the construction of the line and maintenance that features some striking stop designs. end of 2018. Sadly, the devil’s in the detail and until 2038. Extensions are planned for The project is being built on a PPP basis two handover dates were missed at the end of completion in 2022-23. by GrandLinq, a consortium of Canadian the year and the latest date for turning over Waterloo and Kitchener are part of an financial institutions and construction the line to the city and operator OC Transpo Ontario Tri-City region with Cambridge companies and French operator Keolis – is now 1 March. Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson that has a combined population of over 25 000 passengers/day are expected. has stated he is confident the line will be 535 000; Kitchener has 235 000 residents In 2013 a fleet of 14 30m 100% low-floor open to passengers by the end of March. and Waterloo 105 000 according to the latest Flexity Freedom LRVs were ordered from The first part of the 12.5km (7.8-mile) official figures. Bombardier and service was originally CAD2.1bn (EUR1.4bn) east–west line runs A 19km (11.8-mile) north–south light expected to start before the end of 2017, from Tunney’s Pasture to Blair, with a 2.5km rail ‘spine’ is under construction between but because of delays only two LRVs (501/2) (1.6-mile) subway under the city centre. Conestoga Mall in Waterloo and Fairview had been delivered by that date, meaning Alstom is providing 34 30m Citadis Spirit LRVs, Park Mall in Kitchener as part of the ION passenger service was postponed to spring or with final assembly at the line’s depot shop project that also includes Bus Rapid Transit summer 2019.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org march 2019 / 91 News focus

CHINA ECUADOR Foshan is a rapidly-growing city in the The city of Cuenca (the third- Pearl River delta that already has a metro largest city in the country, with a line that connects with the neighbouring population growth of over 130 000 city of Guangzhou, with two more under in the last 30 years) is building a construction. Light rail is planned as a 10.2km (6.3-mile) tramway. This feeder connection and suburban distributor includes 4km (2.5 miles) using the where passenger flows are less intensive. latest generation of Alstom’s APS In July 2017 CRRC Qingdao Sifang surface contact system to remove unveiled the first of ten 35.2m three-section the need for overhead lines in this 100% low-floor trams for the 13.1km city which features on UNESCO’s (8.2-mile) Nanhai line. Although due to ABOVE: July 2017 saw the unveiling of a new World Heritage sites. open in 2018, this line serving the northern CRRC model for the city of Foshan. Featuring Alstom has also supplied 14 32m suburbs missed the New Year deadline and automatic train control, the manufacturer claims 100% low-floorCitadis 302 trams, it is now hoped to open in early 2019. It is the new design offers 15% energy efficiencies over with the first shipped in May 2015. understood the line is completely segregated previous models. CRRC Qingdao Sifang Due to delays in construction of (with four stops in subway to offer metro BELOW: A very similar design to that for Foshan, the new depot, the vehicles were connections) and the vehicles feature the first low-floor tram for the Delingha tramway stored outside, although dynamic equipment for automatic train operation. on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau – although adapted testing on sections of completed Also under construction in the city is the for the high-altitude conditions – was unveiled in infrastructure were undertaken in 17.4km (10.8-mile) Gaoming line, which May 2018. The 11.3km system should open this year. October that year. is planned to feature CRRC Qingdao CRRC Qingdao Sifang Service was due to be Sifang LRVs equipped for hydrogen- inaugurated in July 2016, but work powered operation. in the old town area was suspended Delingha is the capital of the Haixi a few months later following a Mongol Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture petition from business owners with a population of about 80 000. along the route and financial The city lies almost 3000m above sea level difficulties within the project. and is connected by rail with the rest of China using trains equipped with oxygen “Metro Tenerife is supply that travel over the Tanggu La Pass (5072m above sea level). managing the An 11.3km (seven-mile) tramway – surely the the world’s highest – is under pre-opening phase, construction and CRRC Qingdao Sifang is building a small fleet of two-section trams Road and Yuxiu Road were undertaken in as well as the first featuring energy storage by supercapacitors early 2018 and some reports suggest that and lithium-titanate batteries specially revenue service on this section began in three years of adapted for the high altitude. January. This first phase has 15 stops, with end-to-end journey times of 18 minutes, operations.” “Delingha lies almost and a full 2019 opening seems likely. Construction work on the line This is the first part of a planned 60.6km and its 27 stops resumed in 2017 3000m above sea level, (37.6-mile) four-line street-based system. under a new Alstom-led Another project that has emerged in consortium and the latest connected by rail with Taizhou in the eastern Zhejiang province prediction for opening is March might also make the list for 2019, with news 2019. Easing congestion within the rest of China by trains reports suggesting that ground-breaking the city’s congested central area, on the first demonstration phase began in the tramway is expected to serve equipped with an oxygen 2018 for a 2019 opening. 120 000 passengers/day and will Stage one consists of sections of the therefore form the backbone of the supply that travel over eventual T1 and T3 lines, running along transportation system in the city. Nancheng Street and Huangdong Dongcheng Tenerife tramway operator the Tanggu La Pass Streets to connect Huangyan and Jiaojiang Metro Tenerife is responsible for Center with the city’s railway station. managing the pre-opening phase, (5072m above sea level).” This calls for four demonstration vehicles as well as the commercial operation with onboard energy storage to minimise for the first three years. We have previously highlighted the trial overhead and wayside infrastructure. operation of the tramway in Mengzi City/ Total investment for the planned 68.5km Honghe,where a four-line system totalling (42.5-mile) three-line system is suggested 62km (38.5 miles) is under construction as CNY14bn (EUR1.8bn). at a cost of CNY6.6bn (EUR855m). Debugging trials were in progress in 2018. Regular passenger service is due to start in 2019 using 34 CRRC-built trams. Sanya on Hainan Island (population 685 500) started building its 8.4km (5.2-mile) ‘express tramline’ to link the railway station in the northern suburbs and the city centre in June 2016. CRRC has provided five-section trams with off-wire capability, requiring 30 Residents lined the streets of Cuenca for seconds at each stop to recharge. Tests on a this test run of the first modern tramline 3.5km (2.2-mile) section between Jiefang A Sanya tram on test in 2018. Hainan Live on 27 July 2018. J. F. Beltran

92 / march 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org city was the largest part of the agglomeration FRANCE of Grand Caen and studied options for guided Avignon is a city of 90 000 in south-eastern light transit in the late 1990s, selecting France on the left bank of the river Rhône, a the rubber-tyred TVR system offered by major centre for tourism thanks to its history Bombardier (using a central guide rail), despite as a base for the Papacy. only 23% of the population backing it. The city planned a EUR250m two-line Service on two lines totalling 15.7km 14km (8.7-mile) tramway, but following a (9.75 miles) started in November 2002, using change in Mayor work was suspended in 24 articulated vehicles with pantograph March 2014 despite 24 24m Alstom Citadis current collection and auxiliary diesel Compact already having been ordered. motors. The system was plagued by In February 2015 the city council approved unreliability and in December 2011 the plans for a truncated 5.4km (3.4-mile) line, city council voted to replace it with a Night-time testing of the Avignon Alstom Citadis from St-Roch to St-Chamand P+R, with a conventional tramway costing EUR247m. Compact was in progress in January 2018. JS84 budget of EUR117m. A contract was awarded TVR operation ceased on 31 December 2017. Caen is replacing its TVR guided bus system with a to the NGE group/Alstom consortium, work The new tramway, built by the Egis Rail/ steel wheel-on-steel rail tramway in 2019. N. Menzies started in October 2016, and it is hoped to Normandie Aménagement consortium, will carry passengers in September 2019. extend to 16.8km (10.4 miles) with three The contract with Alstom was renegotiated lines, replacing and extending the TVR and now 14 Citadis Compact are being delivered system. A fleet of 23 33m AlstomCitadis to provide a six-minute service. A depot has XO5 trams were ordered and the first trial been built at Maraîchers. The fleet will include from the depot at Fleury-sur-Orne was made spares that can be used on a planned EUR61m on 3 December 2018. Each will carry up to line 2 between Piot and Porte St-Lazare from 210 passengers, compared to 128 in a TVR 2023. This was approved despite continuing vehicle. It is planned to open in September opposition from the Mayor. Avignon last 2019, with a ten-minute service on each line. operated trams in 1932. The tramway will be operated by Twisto, The city of Caen (capital of Calvados, the existing bus and former TVR operator. population 105 500) was 70% destroyed during Caen had a first-generation tramway from the Battle of Normandy in 1944. The rebuilt 1883 (electrified from 1901) to 1937.

CAF Urbos 100 6003 at 5 mei plein on 14 August 2018. The new low-floor service is due to launch towards the end of the year. R. Hemkes / CC-BY 2.0

the city centre, with the eastern suburb of De Uithof (Science Park), NETHERLANDS location of the city’s university. Planned to open in July 2018, delays in the construction of the CAF is delivering 27 100% low-floor 33mUrbos cars which will city centre section of Utrecht’s Uithof line (the concrete raft has operate as coupled pairs for the new 7.5km (4.7-mile) line and had to be relaid) have put back the start of passenger service to an the plan is to eventually convert the SUN system to low-platform unknown date in 2019, but possibly as late as the final quarter of design and operation, with a further 22 CAF trams ordered to offer the year. The cost of the project has also increased by EUR84m. full compatibility between the systems. The city has featured a 20.7km (12.9-mile) high-floor light rail The re-introduction of trams to city centre streets under the line (known as SUN and classified assneltram ) linking the NS Uithof line project is therefore worth counting as a new operation, railway station near the city centre with the southern suburbs of although there will be a small amount of track-sharing with SUN Nieuwegein and IJsselstein since 1983. In 2012 a separate street- at the common terminus and they will share the existing depot at based tramline was authorised to link the railway station, through Nieuwegein, which has seen major upgrades.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org march 2019 / 93 News focus

QATAR The contract for the Education City ‘people mover’ in the capital Doha (in reality a tramway using onboard power supplies), was awarded as a USD412m turnkey contract to Siemens in May 2012. Covering 11.5km (7.1 miles) and linking the site’s northern and southern campuses, the catenary-free operation has received 19 three-section 100% low-floor 27.7m Avenio trams with Sitras hybrid energy storage. Charging is to take place between stops, placed approximately 600m apart. While the infrastructure is complete and vehicles are all on site having passed certification, challenges with recruitment Alstom is supplying 28 Citadis and training saw repeated delays to a trams to Lusail; the design is full opening (planned to take place in inspired by the traditional dhow stages between June and December 2016), used for pearl fishing. Alstom although it is understood that this process is now underway again for an opening later with RKH Qitarat, a consortium of the (five miles) will be in subway, where in the year. Hamad Group and Keolis/RATP Dev. pantographs will be used. Lusail is building a more conventional Alstom is supplying 35 100% low-floor The first 18km/11.2-mile (Yellow) line 35.4km (22-mile) four-line tramway 32.5m five-section Citadis trams, is expected to open in 2019 or early 2020. serving a large urban development project with five on site by the end of 2018. The whole system should be operational in north of Doha. It will be operated and APS technology will replace overhead time for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, offering maintained under a 20-year contract on most of the system, although 8km interchange with the metro at two stations.

tramway extensions While it is easy to focus on new systems, modernisation and extension of the world’s existing tramways is a constant process, particularly in Europe. In the UK, Blackpool should open its extension to the town’s North station this year. In the Austrian city of Innsbruck the completion of extensions saw the introduction of two new routes on 26 January (see the News section and Systems Factfile on page 105 for more on Innsbruck). The Swiss city of Genève will complete an international tramline into the French town of Annemasse in December (line 17). Paris’ tramlines Testing a Cadiz CAF tram-train on street track in Fernando de la Chiclana. dimlys1994 continue to expand, with line T1 reaching Asnieres Quatre Routes in heavy rail infrastructure, operational 2019, while France’s second city, Lyon, SPAIN speeds are set at 100km/h (62mph) and the will open a new line T6 in December, Dating back over a decade, the tram-train line end-to-end journey time is predicted as 28 and Nice will complete its line T2 by linking Cádiz to the cities of San Fernando minutes. It is projected that the tram-train opening the subway section in the city and Chiclana de la Frontera (combined will reduce CO2 emissions in the region by up centre to reach Port Lympia. population of around 297 000) now looks to 7000 tonnes/year through a reduction in In Spain Vitoria/Gasteiz is building likely to open in March; testing on the full private vehicle use. an extension to the university for 24km (15-mile) route started in late 2018. CAF built seven dual-voltage (750V dc/ completion in June. The Hungarian The geography and characteristics 3000V dc) 1668mm-gauge 38.1m capital Budapest should complete of the Bay of Cádiz make it ideal for the three-section articulated cars delivered the extension of tramline 1 to introduction of a tram-train service, with in 2016. Different door heights reach Kelenföld station, improving large population centres co-located in close accommodate the railway platforms interchange with other lines. proximity to a consolidated railway network. and street stops. Each vehicle can Further afield, Sydney’s second The new operation promises a fast new travel accommodate up to 299 passengers. light rail line, 12.5km (7.8 miles) from option for commuters and tourists moving Financing and technical delays, mainly Circular Quay to Randwick/Kingsford, between the three population centres. focused around the route’s shared-track was due to open in March 2019, but The route involves 10.3km (6.4 miles) of sections and homologation of new systems, technical and legal issues have brought shared track with RENFE trains between the have caused significant delays, and in significant delays. However the New central station in Cádiz and out of the city September 2017 the Junta de Andalucia South Wales Government says it is still along the coast, then 13.7km (8.5 miles) of announced a further EUR18.17m in trying to ensure completion of works new tramway through San Fernando to La expenditure to finish the project. in December 2019. Chiclana with 21 stops in total. On ADIF The service will be operated by RENFE.

94 / march 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Unrivalled Precision Whether it’s for pedestrian crossings, tram stops, depots or complex crossovers and turnouts, Rosehill Rail’s Baseplated Crossing system is the only solution. It’s unique. Its engineered solid rubber panels can be cut-to- t around track infrastructure, helping you overcome your challenges faster and more cost-e ectively than other systems. Rosehill Rail – Setting New Standards For more information, or to enquire about training, please call the Rosehill Rail sales team on +44 (0)1422 317 473, or email [email protected]

26 - 28 March 2019 - Stand 2/504 Lille Grand Palais Exhibition Centre, France

14 - 16 May 2019 - Stand J30 NEC, Birmingham, UK

Road Crossings // Pedestrian Crossings // Tram Stops // Depots // Anti-Trespass

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MARCH 2019 / 95 El Paso el paso’s streetcar resurrection

Three of the rebuilt El Paso PCC cars at the opening event at Cleveland Square, Franklin and El Paso Streets; 9 November 2018. Peter Ehrlich

Vic Simons visits the West Texas city that is celebrating the first phase of the return of its streetcars, with even the original PCC cars back on the road.

riday 9 November 2019 was a target. Any overruns would need to be funded largely due to the efforts of the Paso del significant day for the Texan city by the city, which was understandably Norte Streetcar Preservation Society. The hot, of El Paso, marking the return of reluctant to do so and declared that not a semi-arid West Texas climate minimised streetcar service to city streets after penny more would be spent on the scheme. the cars’ deterioration, so when the decision a 44-year absence. Yet far from As detailed in TAUT 956, the El Paso was taken to reopen the system these were beingF ‘just another US urban circulator’, streetcar was unique in that for many solid enough to make refurbishment and this service had the unusual distinction of years it was a cross-border system. With modernisation a practical option. In fact, it re-introducing six of the same PCC cars – the main city lines having closed in the was an important condition that the iconic albeit substantially refurbished – that ran in 1950s, the remainder was the route into the PCC vehicles were retained. the city at the time of the 1974 closure. neighbouring city of Cuidad Juárez; this On TAUT’s last visit in May 2017, some Another unusual feature is that this project lasted until the Mexican authorities ripped up track had been installed but there was has required no federal finance. The majority the tracks on their side of the border following little evidence of major construction. of similar systems that have opened in recent pressure from local businesses who felt that When returning in November 2018 the years – Washington DC, Atlanta, Tucson, the public preferred to shop in the US rather transformation was complete. Since the Kansas City, Salt Lake City – have all utilised than locally, thus damaging local trade. original closure in May 1974, the city has significant Federal Transit Administration As a result, the short section on the US side developed substantially and the population (FTA) grant and loan funding. Yet in El Paso, was rendered unviable and closed shortly of the region has more than doubled (359 291 the USD97m in investment was provided by afterwards. Nine of the PCCs were stored in in the 1974 census, 833 592 in 2016) so the the State of Texas, although it was made very the open on a site near El Paso International issues of urban congestion demanded a new clear early on that this was a ceiling and not a Airport and the saving of these vehicles was solution to encourage people out of their cars.

LEFT: PCC 1512 at the joint streetcar/ Brio BRT stop at the Glory Road Transit Center.

RIGHT: Outside the Downtown Transit Center northbound on Santa Fe.

All images taken by Vic Simons on 5 November 2018, unless otherwise stated.

96 / march 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org el paso’s streetcar resurrection

ABOVE LEFT: Cars in open storage at El Paso’s airport in May 2017. By this time the cars had been moved to the Sun Metro operating facility ready to be transhipped to Brookville. TOP RIGHT: An original truck, albeit refurbished on car 1504, in the car barn. ABOVE RIGHT: An interior view of the refurbished car 1504.

The city’s main growth has been to the of the exact fare system; the driver does not Streetcar Operations Carl Jackson explained north and west, with the small suburban give change. Streetcars operate seven days a that there are other US cities – particularly town of Chaparral now effectively forming week: Monday-Thursday 07.00-19.00 with in Pennsylvania – where streetcars had part of the El Paso conurbation despite lying extensions on Friday and Saturday evenings. successfully climbed steeper routes and in across the state border in New Mexico. Sunday and holiday services run 09.00-17.00. much worse weather. However, due to the Even before the first streetcars ran, the Sun Metro is funded primarily through extreme nature of gradient, the PCCs feature impacts on the city were already being felt. federal funds, sales taxes and rider fares. speed governors to restrict the maximum The downtown area was being redefined and The system is laid as a 7.7km (4.8-mile) operational speed to 56km/h (35mph). The new investment in hotels, restaurants and figure-of-eight with two one-way loops. There average service speed is much lower than this residential blocks was planned, with land are 27 stops on the Uptown Loop, sharing ten at around 29kmh (18mph), although a slight along the route attracting higher premiums. with the Downtown Loop. The latter takes in increase is seen at the outer ends of the loops. downtown El Paso, starting at the Downtown To maximise the progress of the service, El Paso in 2019 Transit Center and heading north on Santa limited traffic signal priority has been set up The mainstay of public transport until the Fe to Franklin Street where it turns east to on North Stanton Street. opening of the streetcar had been the motor South Kansas Street. Before reaching South The system’s 27 stops are built to the same bus, but it was clear by the turn of the 21st Kansas, this diverges north on Stanton as standard as those of the Brio BRT operation, Century that urban traffic levels were greatly providing passenger information, shelters restricting future development. In June 2012 and seating, but no ticket machines. the route was announced for the streetcar “In 2012 the streetcar route The plan to put ticket machines inside the revival; it was part of a bold masterplan was announced; it was part vehicles was scrapped due to budgetary based around connectivity, regeneration, constraints, according to Mr Jackson, so tourism and improved air quality that would of a bold masterplan to riders have to purchase these in cash or buy introduce a new integrated transport network passes/ tokens in advance. to make El Paso the least car-dependent city make El Paso the least In normal timetabled service, five in the south-western United States. streetcars per hour serve the Downtown Loop Works began in 2016, managed on behalf car-dependent city in the with every other car being extended around of the City and public transport undertaking the Uptown Loop. It takes around 45 minutes Sun Metro by the Camino Real Regional south-western US.” to cover the full figure-of-eight that serves Mobility Authority. Atkins provided the key city landmarks such as the Ball Park, project management, charged with delivering the southern route continues back to Father Convention Centre and the University of the project within the strict budget and to Rahm Avenue where it turns west back to Texas, El Paso Campus. time; this succeeded on both counts and Santa Fe and the Downtown Transit Center. Six PCC cars have been refurbished and pre-revenue testing began in October 2018. The Uptown Loop continues along North modernised by Brookville Equipment The 9 November grand opening was Stanton Street to Baltimore Drive where it Corporation of Pennsylvania. TAUT was able attended by city and state officials with the heads west to North Oregon Street, from to see some of the 14.3m-long, 2.6m-wide cars ceremony itself conducted by Mayor Dee where it heads south again. A few metres before refurbishment on its 2017 visit and Margo, followed by an inaugural trip around from this junction is the Glory Road Transit while the bodies and interiors were clearly in the downtown loop (see TAUT 973). Free rides Center, one of the few locations where a sorry state, the structure and trucks were were offered during the opening weekend streetcars share a stop with the first Brio BRT largely intact. The makeover includes three and the system remained free at weekends service. From there cars continue south along classic liveries of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s until 6 January. Standard city transit fares are North Oregon to a junction with Franklin that were in use prior to closure and a vast charged at other times (USD1.50 for a one-way where it joins the downtown loop. Service is amount of attention paid to 21st Century ride, USD3.50 for a day pass and with in this direction only. passenger amenities such as improved heating, discounts for under-18s, over-65s, students When asked about whether the 10.5% ventilation and air conditioning systems and those with disabilities). Cash fares are gradient on the Uptown Loop had been and Wi-Fi capability. These are installed paid through the onboard farebox as part an issue, Sun Metro Assistant Director of within a roof-mounted pod to minimise the

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org march 2019 / 97 El Paso

ABOVE: The rear of PCC 1504 in the carbarn, ABOVE: A 1970s image of a PCC on the Mexican showing the safety notice for following drivers. side of the border. Kneiphof / CC-BY 2.0

visual intrusion to the vehicles’ classic lines. New 18.5m articulated buses running on A wheelchair ramp is provided at the centre compressed natural gas from Canadian-based door. Power is provided at 600V dc by means manufacturer New Flyer operate the service. of an overhead pantograph; the cars originally The Mesa line cost USD27.1m to build, used two trolley poles. USD15.6m of which came from FTA grants, The refurbishment was not as with USD5.5m from the State of Texas and straightforward as planned, Mr Jackson said. the remainder funded locally. When the cars were stripped at Brookville it The second and third Brio lines are was discovered that there was more rot than planned to open by 2020. The 23.3km expected inside some of the bodies. This (14.5-mile), 29-station Alameda corridor is significantly lengthened the timetable and expected to cost USD38.3m and is entirely largely explained why the last car was not funded by the City of El Paso. The third received back in El Paso until just after the line is the 16.4km (10.2-mile), 22-station system opening. The ride is excellent, although Dyer corridor, expected to cost USD35.7m; a little noisy, and shows the quality of the USD21.5m is to come from the FTA, a further original design that is now more than 80 years USD6.4m from the State and the balance old. The cars were new to San Diego in 1937 funded locally. The fourth line will be on and were purchased by El Paso in 1950 when Montana. Planned to open in the early- San Diego closed its first-generation system. 2020s, this will cost around USD43m, with The cars are stored and maintained in a USD25.7m expected from the FTA. new purpose-built depot that includes the While Brio has many of the benefits of system’s management offices, constructed light rail, it cannot shift as many passengers. next to the large Downtown Transit Center. However, Sun Metro has made it clear that This terminus provides easy interchange with the BRT corridors could be converted to light city buses, including the Brio BRT service. rail sometime in the future as and when Once again, the favourable climate allows funding allows, and common design features some of the six-car fleet to be stored overnight would certainly enable this transition. in the open in the depot’s secure yard. During our 2017 visit, we wondered whether Mr Jackson explained that the other major the lack of dedicated lanes would erode impact of the tight project budget is the lack some of the benefits of the service and from of any loops on the single-track system. our experience 18 months later, although In the event of a breakdown, if the car cannot there are a small number of such lanes in the be fixed on the spot then it can be pushed by downtown area, the same doubts persist. a following car to the car barn. This is a slow As well as the potential for Brio conversion, and tedious operation that could severely the city has plans to expand the streetcar impact service, but was one of the necessary service. Phase Two would add a loop to compromises, he said. include the Medical Center of the Americas, with Phase Three including the ultimate aim Brio – and the future of restoring service to Juárez. Both of these The other developing part of the transport routes are currently being studied. offering in El Paso is the BRT system marketed Against the prevailing wisdom shown by as Brio (Spanish for ‘verve’ or ‘energy’). the current national leadership, the majority Four limited-stop routes are planned, with one of El Paso residents view the border with in operation and three under construction. Mexico as an ‘opportunity and not a threat’, By their geographic reach the BRT routes an oft-repeated view of City Councilman will have more a obvious impact than the and streetcar champion Peter Svarzbein. streetcar on encouraging fewer trips by private The recently re-elected Svarzbein views a car; the objective is to halve commuting trans-national service as a fantastic economic times through less frequent stops, but with boost for the region, enhancing relations dedicated stations and the greater use of between the sister cities. pre-payment reducing dwell times. Ticket With passionate advocates on both sides machines that accept both cash and cards are of the border, one can only hope that it installed at each stop and the honour system is only a matter of when, not if, El Paso’s necessitates a vigorous ticket checking regime. streetcars return to Juárez. The route choice The first BRT line is the 13.8km (8.6-mile) and construction are the easy bit. Far more Mesa corridor which opened in October 2014 challenging are the local, state and federal and has 22 stops. Brio services take advantage planning and regulatory hurdles still to come. of signal priority at junctions, unlike the bulk of the streetcar alignment, another Many thanks once again to Carl Jackson for his ABOVE: PCC 1504 in the 1960s livery. casualty of the ‘value engineering’ process’. assistance in the preparation of this article.

98 / march 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org in your next issue of Peter Ehrlich Peter OKLAHOMA’s new worldwide LRV SYSTEMS FACTFILE: streetcar ORDERs analysis ELBLĄG Last December brought the opening As the world’s LRT systems grow in Neil Pulling explores the small northern of the 7.4km (4.6-mile) OKC Streetcar, size and number, so do their fleets. Polish tramway – the country’s serving the centre of Oklahoma’s State Michael Taplin presents his annual second-oldest – which combines capital. Peter Ehrlich explores the survey of the global tram and LRV infrastructure and rolling stock from details of a scheme conceived in 2005. market – and considers the future trends. different eras of development. PLUS... APRIL 2019 + Classic Trams: Michael Russell reports from Łódź's 120th anniversary issue + The latest news and analysis, rolling stock orders, system developments, and transport policy and industry comment from On sale around the world 15 March

THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE Innsbruck

‘Sightseeing trams’ usually systems denote a special route – Neil Pulling explores Innsbruck’s AustrIA www.lrta.org combined factfile Innsbruck www.tautonline.com urban and rural system Subscribe now! No. Innsbruck, and finds that this could MARCH 2019 N O. 975 137 Austria apply to almost any journey... TRAM OPENINGS: WILL 2019 BREAK RECORDS? Now entering its 82nd year, Tramways & Urban Transit is

nnsbruck is Austria’s fifth most For centuries Innsbruck has been the world’s leading monthly publication dedicated solely to populous city and the capital of a transport T-junction, due to direct The western line 3 Today’s metre-gauge system evolved Tirol federal state. Its location terminus pictured northern access being precluded by from the steam-powered Innsbruck- and its name is owed to an in summer 2016, the North Chain ( Hall in Tirol railway of 1891 and ancient crossing point of the Inn Nordkette) mountain Höttinger Au is now range. To the south via Brennero an electrified street tramway that river,I a Danube tributary. Although with an intermediate stop (Brenner Pass) lay the difficult but viable began passenger service in 1905. only around 133 000 residents, being for lines 2 and 5. route to the Mediterranean and what The bridge in the As a well-defined transport hub for a regional centre, university city and became the Italian state. By the later background carries the Axis powers, Innsbruck was a year-round tourist attraction creates 20th Century, growing long-distance the ‘Karwendelbahn’ bombed intensively from December particular transport demands. railway and road traffic led to both Innsbruck-Munich 1943. Tram operation was restored Well over half of Innsbruck’s From Algeria to Qatar – 15 new systems could launch this year modes being diverted to avoid central railway. by late 1945, but for almost the rest administrative area lies north of the Innsbruck. A railway bypass of the of the century the system ran with Inn and much of this and other space Siemens-Alstom merger in doubt main station, Innsbruck Hbf, was the likelihood of full bus/trolleybus is unsuited to habitation. It is however light and urban rail developments. opened in 1994. More intrusive along replacement. ideal for outdoor pursuits, including the south of Innsbruck are motorways Residents’ preferences, greater Manchester revives subway plan the winter sports with which the including the junction for Brennero. sensitivity over the environment region is associated. The urbanisation Innsbruck’s tramway has broadly and light rail improvements – as and transport infrastructure is mostly US shutdown causes transit hardship followed the ‘T’ configuration, demonstrated elsewhere in Austria – concentrated along the comparatively All pictures by Neil all helped to sustain the system.

£4.60 becoming even more so with level east-west of the Inn Valley (Inntal). Pulling except where expansion along the Inntal axis. An unusual closure was that of line 4, otherwise stated. prompted by road capacity needs for El Paso Tel Aviv Troubled LRT project 104 / march 2019 Streetcar re-opens www.tautonline.com. www.lrta.org after 44-year absence on track for 2021

104-109_TAUT1903_SF_Innsbruck.indd 1

04/02/2019 13:44 04/02/2019 11:08 81_TAUT1903_cover v2.indd 1 We deliver comprehensive worldwide news and analysis, incisive technology features and key interviews with leading industry figures each and every month. Either in print or digitally, don’t miss out. Subscribe today!

Personal membership with TAUT subscription: For Personal membership online payments: To December 2019 (9 issues) www.lrta.info/personal UK £39.00 International £51.00 For details of Student membership and other membership enquiries please email [email protected] Personal membership with TAUT and Tramway Review: To December 2019 (9 TAUT + 3 TR) Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms UK £51.00 International £61.50 Forename...... Surname ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Address ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Personal membership with online only access to TAUT: ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ To December 2019 (9 issues) £27.38 ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ Personal membership with online access to TAUT Postcode...... and Tramway Review: Email...... To December 2019 (9 issues + 3 TR) £36.76 I enclose a cheque for £ ...... payable to ‘LRTA Subscriptions’

Please complete this form and send it with your payment to: LRTA Membership Secretary (Dept T06), 38 Wolseley Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK 2019 MARCH TEL AVIV’s LRT DREAM TAUT revisits one of the largest and most ambitious LRT projects in the world to review progress five years on and look at what the future holds.

ver the course of the last century, Yet with such a current mindset towards even included printed postcards showing a Tel Aviv-Yafo has grown into a private travel, one of the great problems map of the proposed system. vibrant metropolis with bold is in challenging the perception of public The municipality submitted a plan, but architecture (recognised by transport, hence the drive to introduce this was opposed by the Finance Ministry UNESCO for World Heritage a state-of-the-art light rail system, to be which preferred a surface alignment. statusO in 2003), laid-back attitudes and an eventually followed by a metro. This is With this in mind, the Tel Aviv Metropolitan entrepreneurial spirit. From the foundation designed to revolutionise transport usage Area Mass Transit Authority (NTA) was of Tel Aviv in 1909 as a garden suburb of the patterns, a vision that has taken on urgent established in 1997 and by 2000 Milo’s ancient Mediterranean port of Jaffa with importance with existing public transport vision had morphed into a light rail scheme, numerous open spaces – and the subsequent alternatives deemed insufficient to support deemed more economically feasible and unification under one municipal entity in the region’s growth and continued prosperity. deliverable in a shorter timeframe. 1950 – the ‘New York of the Middle East’ has Yet beyond being a transport remedy, light Envisaged as a private sector-driven project, grown in affluence to become a thriving hub rail is also seen as a tool for reshaping the city. in 2006 the MTS joint venture – Africa Israel, for artists, technologists and financiers alike. Construction of the Red line in particular is Siemens, Egged, China Civil Engineering This progress has brought significant designed to enhance and modernise the look Construction Corporation (CCECC), Soares challenges for movement across an area now and feel of central locations such as Begin da Costa and HTM – was awarded a Build- stretching to 60km2 (37 sq. miles), and with Road and Jerusalem Boulevard. An increase in Operate-Transfer concession. After four years a total population approaching 3.9 million real estate values along the route has already of delays, primarily due to financing issues, – including around 440 000 within the city been experienced. These rises are expected this contract was cancelled and the project was of Tel Aviv-Yafo itself. The metropolitan area to continue when light rail operations begin, nationalised. It was taken over by the NTA in accounts for 45% of Israel’s overall population with premiums especially felt within a radius 2010, the agency now responsible for financing and around 50% of the country’s jobs. of up to 500m from the new stops. and construction via a budget set by the state. Currently, public transport makes up less One of the biggest and most complicated than 20% of journeys and the proliferation The scale of the challenge infrastructure projects ever carried out in of private car use has grown exponentially. Plans for an urban railway date back to before Israel, the current scheme is also being carried With all metropolitan transport under the founding of the modern city, and were out in a very crowded area, in soft sand and the control of the Israeli Government, the followed by aborted subway schemes in the with a high water table complicating works development of mass transit solutions to free 1960s and ’70s. The first seeds of the lines on the underground sections. Further delays up city streets and improve air quality has the under construction today were sown by Roni have been experienced and intended opening backing of the highest authorities; it is hoped Milo, Tel Aviv’s mayor between 1993 and 1998, dates have come and gone, with projected to double the number of public transport who committed to building an underground costs now set at NIS16bn (EUR3.8bn) – more journeys in the next two decades. railway during an election campaign that than double the original estimate.

100 / march 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Tel Aviv

LEFT: An aerial view of the below ground Carlebach construction site in August 2018; all of the sub-surface stations are built using the cut-and- cover method. RIGHT: The twin 5.5m tunnels were bored using eight TBMs, boring to a depth of up to 30m beneath the streets of Tel Aviv. Below: An artist’s impression of one the city’s ten underground stations. Below right: The station site at Arlozorov shows the scale of the excavations.

The current NTA management, led by NTA forecasts suggest the Red line is expected with both business and residents during the CEO Yehuda Bar-On, was appointed in April to serve a quarter of a million passengers each extended construction period; the NTA has 2014. Although utilities diversion and some day with a high-frequency service. therefore invested considerable resources in groundworks had been completed previously community relations and public information. (see TAUT 912, December 2013), major works Construction of the Red line The agency admits that there are also on what became known as the Red line The 24km (15-mile) route follows one of difficulties arising from the need for began in 2015 and a new completion date the most heavily-used traffic corridors in co-ordination with so many local authorities of October 2021 was set. Battling a sceptical the region, featuring some of the highest which are in close proximity but are very public and decision-makers, the current population densities. With 34 stops, it passes different in character. Some have raised management has been able to regain control through five municipalities – Bat Yam, Tel objections about the route design and of the project, bringing it back on track to Aviv-Yafo, Ramat Gan, Bnei Brak and Petah attempted to determine changes at a late stage, meet the 2021 deadline. Tikva – with an 12km (7.5-mile) section while a difficulty also arose with an Orthodox The agency says lessons have been learnt authority which objected to work on in terms of minimising risks and increasing Saturdays (the Jewish holy day). This matter the quality and safety of the construction “The Red line has been is still subject to legal proceedings. programme. These are now being applied to The Red line has been designed as the not just the Red line, but also in the recently- designed as the ‘backbone’ ‘backbone’ of the three-line system. It will published tenders for future lines. of the three-line system. be joined by three metro lines in the At the time of TAUT’s last update, Minister future to create a fully-integrated network of Transport Israel Katz said: “After 100 It will be joined by three linking major commercial, technology, years of vision and 60 years of unfulfilled industrial and residential concentrations promises, I have initiated construction metro lines in the future.” and facilitating better employment and of light rail in the Gush Dan [Tel Aviv investment opportunities. Metropolian] area. A mass transportation beneath Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan and Bnei Brak. Starting from the central station in Petah system is the only solution for the traffic Distances between surface stops will be 500m; Tikva, the Red line will serve Rabin Medical problems in the Tel Aviv Metropolitan Area. underground stops will be 1km apart. Center in Petah Tikva before running along “Every year we see an additional 200 000 As the route lies on Israel’s coastal plain, Jabotinsky Street in Bnei Brak, and on to cars on the roads, this means a further one underlain by variable geology and ground Ramat Gan. It continues to Arlozorov station, million new cars within five years. Without conditions, the selection of appropriate along Begin Street and near the Azrieli a good, modern mass transportation system, geotechnical design parameters for the Center, from where it will continue on to the people in the metropolitan area will soon lose excavation has been challenging. However, south of HaKirya – headquarters of the Israeli the ability to drive or move on the roads at all.” greater challenges lie within the relationships army – and Jerusalem Boulevard in Jaffa, to a

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org march 2019 / 101 Tel Aviv

terminus in southern Bat Yam. In the future there is the possibility of an extension to Moshe Dayan interchange in Rishon LeZion. It is planned that the reconstruction of street environments will encourage urban regeneration, with all stops designed to concentrate pedestrian, taxi drop-off/pick- up and bus transfers at entrances to reduce walking distances. A common aesthetic will enhance the passenger experience as well as providing easy maintenance. There are ten underground stops in the busiest areas of the city, typically 121m long by 20m wide and constructed on three levels: platform, technical and concourse. They are built using an outer box of diaphragm walls during excavation with steel props until ground water level is reached. The overall depth is around 30m, but this will vary from site to site. Each has a minimum of two entrances with integrated lifts – they will double as civil defence shelters with air-conditioning and real-time passenger information systems. Civil engineering is being undertaken by domestic contractors Solel Boneh and Danya Cebus, working with the China Railway Tunnel Group (CRTG) and the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). Electricity and communication systems are provided by EEB and CRTG, with Deutsche Bahn managing systems integration. Although the surface stops are still to be built, those underground are in various stages of construction and around 80% of the tunnels are completed.

High-frequency services In November 2015, NTA selected CRRC Changchun to supply 90 double-ended low- floor LRVs for the Red line, with an option for a further 30. The CRRC subsidiary won the contract above rival offers from Alstom and CAF. The fleet will be maintained for a period of 16 years under a separate arrangement. A full-scale mock-up of three LRV sections was placed at the corner of Rothschild Boulevard and Habima Square in central Tel Aviv in September 2017 for public consultation. The 27-acre (11 ha.) depot site features stabling, maintenance and operation centres and is located in northern Petah Tikvah, adjacent to the future Em HaMoshavot station and connected to the main running lines via a designated spur. With over 25 000m2 of covered space, the control centre is located in the facility and the compound will also have the capacity to stable over 100 vehicles to cater for system expansion. Works

RIGHT AND FAR RIGHT: The CRRC LRV mock-up on display in central Tel Aviv; October 2017. McKaby / CC BY-SA 4.0

102 / march 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org at the site began in July 2014 and are expected to be completed in the first half of 2019. The operational diagram calls for 4-5-minute headways for the at-grade sections in peak hours, under line-of-sight operation. In the underground sections, where the peak demand will be higher, provision is being made for headways as short as every 90 seconds using automatic train operation (ATO), with timetabled services at 3.3-minute intervals. Alstom is providing its Urbalis 400 CBTC system under an NIS390m (EUR93m) contract signed in 2017. The track layout features pocket tracks in some areas in the underground section to allow for turnbacks. The use of regenerative braking could see 30% in total energy savings for the line, but this requires careful optimisation of the timetable so that, as far as possible, there are always two vehicles in the same electrical ABOVE: An artist’s impression showing a transformed urban landscape with an operational LRT system. section. This is deemed easier to accomplish with ATO. While regenerated energy is experience, the tender is only open to overseas the National Infrastructure Committee on typically fed back to the power grid, on the organisations, although domestic groups can 12 December 2018. Red line this will be fed back to the system join them as subcontractors for station fit-out. The 140km (87-mile) network has an as the traction power substations are not Upon contract award in 2019, works are estimated pricetag of NIS100-150bn (EUR24- directly connected to the electricity utility. scheduled to begin in 2020. 36bn) and will serve 23 municipalities. Plans Journey times will be dramatically reduced The Purple line is designed to connect the include 110 stations and early forecasts from their current durations – travel from metropolitan area’s eastern regions with the estimate ridership as high as 1.5 million Rabin Medical Center to the city centre will be city centre, with 43 surface stops. This 27km passengers/day, with trains operating to reduced from 45 minutes to only 19 minutes (17-mile) route will start at Arolozorov and a headway of three to four minutes. The for users of the Red line, and the journey from continue to the Sheba Medical Center in level of state finance is unprecedented and Bat Yam in the south to central Tel Aviv’s Ramat Gan, where it splits into two branches. is in addition to the estimated NIS30bn Arlozorov station will take 28 minutes, instead The northern branch will run through the (EUR7.2bn) already committed to LRT of the 90 minutes needed currently. streets of Rafael Eitan, Anna and Max Web, development. However, although the metro Operation and maintenance will be adjacent to the northern border of Bar-Ilan is considered the ultimate solution for undertaken by a joint venture of Israel’s University. The southern branch will run congestion in the greater metropolitan area, largest bus operator, Egged (51%), and through the Tel HaShomer military base thus making it a priority. Chinese interests from Shenzen Metro Group and Yehud-Monosson to a new terminus on The first 73km (45-mile) north-south (30%) and CCECC (19%). Fare collection will Hatayasim junction. The southern branch line will have 53 stations serving the cities be integrated with the national AFC standard. of Ra’anana, Herzliya, Ramat HaSharon, Kfar Saba, Hod HaSharon, Tel Aviv, Bat Creating a network “The 130km (80-mile) Yam, Holon, Rishon LeZion, Ness Ziona, While work on the Red line progresses, the metro network has an Rehovot, Be’er Ya’akov, Ramla and Lod, as next two major projects on the horizon are the well as development areas including Sharon Green and Purple lines; tenders for systems, estimated pricetag of Junction, Glilot Junction, Holon and Tzrifin. construction, rolling stock and maintenance The second 28km (17.5-mile) east-west for both of these lines were released in late NIS100-150bn.” line will serve Rosh Ha’ayin, Petah Tikva, 2018 under a planned PPP model. Ramat Gan, Givatayim and Tel Aviv, as well as The 39km (24-mile) Green line will connect includes an extension through the city of Or future development areas such as Sirkin – 27 southern areas of the Tel Aviv metropolitan Yehuda, to the line’s depot. stations are planned. area with the city centre, also serving as The line will offer interchange with the The third 39km (24-mile) line follows a a connection for development along the Red at Arlozorov and Alenby and with the semi-circular route to serve Bat Yam, Holon, coast between Tel Aviv and Herzliya and Green line at Levinsky and Arlozorov. Azor, Or Yehuda, Givat Shmuel, Petah Tikva, employment centres in Ramat HaHayal, Tel Work on the Purple line began on Tel Aviv, Ramat HaSharon and Herzliya, as Aviv University, Holon, and Rishon LeZion. 25 December 2018, focusing on subterranean well as development areas including Glil Yam With 4km (2.5 miles) in subway, the line utilities along the section on Arlozorov Street and West Ramat HaSharon, Tel HaShomer will feature 62 stations in total with four between Namir Street and Weizmann Street, and Or Yehuda. This includes 29 stations. underground (Carlebach, shared with the while work on the Green line is due to start The dissolution of the government in Red line, Kaplan, Kikar Rabin/Municipality in the first half of 2019. Work on both lines is December 2018 has delayed any and Arlozorov). The southern section has anticipated to take six or seven years. decision-making until later in 2019, two branches – the western branch begins following the 9 April elections. Yet the at Moshe Dayan, with the eastern branch Fulfilling the ambition? state had previously set 2030 as the target at the junction of Road 412. The line offers Looking further into the future, the creation completion date, which may be overly interchange with the Red and Purple lines at of a light rail network is just the beginning ambitious when one considers the gestation several locations: the Purple line at Levinsky of even more ambitious plans to reshape and period of the current light rail system. and Arlozorov and the Red line at Moshe reconnect Tel Aviv-Yafo. If achieved to schedule, the metro plan Dayan and Carlebach. On 1 August 2018, Prime Minister would be transformational, but given the The NTA issued the tender for the Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the Ministries scale of the task – creating one of the biggest underground section between Levinsky Street of Finance and Transport to formulate a new-build metros seen anywhere, outside of in the south of the city and Nordau Street in proposal for a three-line metro, fulfilling China – it remains to be seen whether it can the old north in December 2018. It includes the aspiration that began in the 1960s be accomplished. The next two years will be design and construction of both the tunnels (one station was completed in 1965 in the crucial to the city’s vision. and underground stations and requires bidders basement of the Shalom Meir tower block, to demonstrate experience of such works in but rails were never laid and this now stands Grateful thanks are due to the NTA for their soft ground and groundwater in an urban empty as a reminder of what could have assistance in the preparation of this article. environment. As Israeli companies lack such been). Details of this plan were presented to All images courtesy NTA unless otherwise stated.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org march 2019 / 103 Innsbruck

‘Sightseeing trams’ usually denote a special route – systems Neil Pulling explores Innsbruck’s austrIA combined Innsbruck factfile urban and rural system No. Innsbruck, and finds that this could 137 Austria apply to almost any journey...

nnsbruck is Austria’s fifth most For centuries Innsbruck has been The western line 3 Today’s metre-gauge system evolved populous city and the capital of a transport T-junction, due to direct terminus pictured from the steam-powered Innsbruck- Tirol federal state. Its location northern access being precluded by in summer 2016, Hall in Tirol railway of 1891 and and its name is owed to an the North Chain (Nordkette) mountain Höttinger Au is now an electrified street tramway that ancient crossing point of the Inn range. To the south via Brennero an intermediate stop began passenger service in 1905. for lines 2 and 5. river,I a Danube tributary. Although with (Brenner Pass) lay the difficult but viable As a well-defined transport hub for The bridge in the only around 133 000 residents, being route to the Mediterranean and what background carries the Axis powers, Innsbruck was a regional centre, university city and became the Italian state. By the later the ‘Karwendelbahn’ bombed intensively from December a year-round tourist attraction creates 20th Century, growing long-distance Innsbruck-Munich 1943. Tram operation was restored particular transport demands. railway and road traffic led to both railway. by late 1945, but for almost the rest Well over half of Innsbruck’s modes being diverted to avoid central of the century the system ran with administrative area lies north of the Innsbruck. A railway bypass of the the likelihood of full bus/trolleybus Inn and much of this and other space main station, Innsbruck Hbf, was replacement. is unsuited to habitation. It is however opened in 1994. More intrusive along Residents’ preferences, g reater ideal for outdoor pursuits, including the south of Innsbruck are motorways sensitivity over the environment the winter sports with which the including the junction for Brennero. and light rail improvements – as region is associated. The urbanisation Innsbruck’s tramway has broadly demonstrated elsewhere in Austria – and transport infrastructure is mostly followed the ‘T’ configuration, All pictures by Neil all helped to sustain the system. concentrated along the comparatively becoming even more so with Pulling except where An unusual closure was that of line 4, level east-west of the Inn Valley (Inntal). expansion along the Inntal axis. otherwise stated. prompted by road capacity needs for

104 / march 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org

THE FLEET

When the tramway’s future was uncertain in the late 1970s and its most recent trams (Lohner GT6) dated from the mid-1960s, IVB bought Düwag trams from Bielefeld, Hagen and Bochum. Some passed to third owners like Arad (Romania) and Łódź (Poland). As the Innsbruck project included better passenger access and stub termini, all new trams had to be bi-directional with level entry to low-floor space. Innsbruck’s initial 22 Bombardier five-sectionFlexity Outlook C trams with ELIN electrical equipment were ordered in 2005. Vienna-built, they developed from the fully low-floorCityrunner series used on Austria’s Graz and Linz systems. The first vehicles entered service from March 2008 and ten more were ordered. Numbers 301-324 were for the core system, with 325/6 and 351-356 fitted for the 18 km of STB line beyond Wilten. All cars feature the same two-tone red livery. With enhanced crash protection, new Flexity trams ordered for the enlarged system and general service expansion are slightly longer than the existing vehicles at 27.9m with capacity for 155 passengers, 44 seated. The order for 20 trams (plus options for a further ten) include a maintenance element; the first (327-335 and 371-381) was received in March 2018. Line 5 ABOVE: One of many upgrades during the tramway renewal programme and near the start demand may lead to use of the trams in coupled pairs. of the westwards extension, Marktplatz stop in April 2011.

ABOVE: The reconfigured Leipziger Platz stop on 17 September 2018, with the junction for the line 2/5 extension behind tram 307. Ray Deacon

LEFT: The Fulpmes station area recalls the line’s origin as a local railway.

RIGHT: The near-5km of line 1 has a high proportion of street running, as near Mühlauer Brücke on the single-track northern loop.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org march 2019 / 105 Innsbruck

2 Peerhofsiedlung

Luis-Zuegg-Straße Lahntalweg

Höttinger Technik West Technik Au/West 5 Lohbachsiedlung Ost Lohbachsiedlung Vögelebichl West

Flexity Outlook 307 at the Bergisel line 1 platform, with Wilten Basilica beyond. The line 6 platform for Igls is sited within the turning loop. Innsbruck Airport the main 1976 Winter Olympics site. fare structure. A forthright message on Conversely, the completion of that its website loosely translates as ‘Bring us event bequeathed space for public clean to the destination. Who still drives transport use in the southern Wilten a car, is to blame’. district. In 1995 some new track VVT also incorporates trains, was installed, but it was not until mainly those of national rail operator the new century that evaluation of ÖBB, regionally under the REX and Inn transport options brought substantial S-Bahn identities. The main train/tram renewal. This led to the still active interchange is Innsbruck Hbf. Station Tram/Regionalbahn project, the title rebuilding followed that of the bus and denoting a tramway programme and a tram platforms on adjoining Südtiroler reach beyond the city boundary. Platz, completed in 2004. Innsbruck With bus and trams as the future Westbahnhof also provides a close modes, the second of Innsbruck’s two tram transfer, with Hötting station trolleybus systems closed in 2007. about 500m from Höttinger Au stop. Public transport operator In recent years, up to January 2019, Innsbrucker Verkehrsbetriebe und the tram system comprised four lines. Stubaitalbahn (IVB) has 51% of its Lines 1 and 3 respectively provided shares held by the municipal utilities north-south and east-west cross-city group IKB, 45% by Innsbruck city and coverage; formerly the Innsbrucker 4% by Tirol. Mittelgebirgsbahn, the free-standing IVB rail operations are designated near-8km (five-mile) line 6 runs from by number except for STB for the city’s southern edge at Bergisel Stubaitalbahn. Bus lines are terminus, rising towards Igls village. 0 1 2 distinguished by letter, as with line F Although much of the STB’s overall Kilometres which may be familiar to travellers 22km (13.8-mile) service length is using Innsbruck’s international airport; rural, having Innsbruck Hbf as the IVB’s 200 buses cover around 340km northern terminus makes it part (212 miles) of route. This forms part of the urban provision. There is a network facts of the state’s association of transport mainly 30-minute STB service as far as operators, Verkehrsverbund Tirol (VVT), Kreith, with one per hour extending Opened: 1905 (electric trams) which has a zone-based cross-mode to Fulpmes which takes an hour Lines: 6 LEFT: Rebuilding Fleet: 32 + 20 delivered/on order Südtiroler Platz bus Depots: 2 and tram platforms A pprox. weekday hours: 05.30-22.30 preceded renewal of  Innsbruck Hbf (left), Line frequency: City services, together forming the 10 minutes main focus of public Gauge: 1000mm transport. Power: 750V dc, overhead supply C ity network/operator: Innsbrucker Verkehrsbetriebe und Stubaitalbahn – www.ivb.at R egional network: VVT – www.vvt.at H ungerburgbahn funicular: https://nordkette.com Tourist information: www.innsbruck.info C ivic information: www.innsbruck.gv.at

106 / march 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org

Alpenzoo To Hungerburg

1 Mühlauer Brücke

Hungerburgbahn Haydnplatz Hochhaus Sill Roßbachstraße Schützenstraße Claudiaplatz Radetzkystraße Schützen- Löwenhaus straße 5 Pauluskirche Piuskirche Jugendherberge Bundesbahndirektion Inn 2 Congress Josef- Mitterhoferstraße Kerschbaumer- Messe/Zeughaus Straße Ingenieur- Maria- Etzel-Straße Theresien- Museum- Rennerschule Straße straße Landes- museum Terminal Brunecker Straße Fürstenweg Marktplatz Höttinger Sillpark Anichstraße/ Gabelsbergerstraße Au/West Rathausgalerien Leipziger Platz 3 Defreggerstraße Höttinger Bürger- Haupt- STB Auffahrt Klinik/ straße bahnhof Universität Sonnpark Dr.-Glatz-Straße

Maximilianstraße Triumphpforte Rudolf-Greinz-Straße

Südring

Franz-Fischer-Straße Pradler Friedhof 3 Amras

Fritz-Konzert-Straße Philippine-Welse-Straße Westbahnhof Tummelplatz

Stubaitalbahnhof Schönruh Bretterkeller DEPOT 1 6 Bergisel DEPOT

Tantegert

Aldrans

Sonnenburgerhof

Mühlsee STB

Gärberbach Lans-Sistrans

Hölltal Lanser See

6 Natters Igls Bahnhof

To Fulpmes

LEFT: With a layout prepared for the western Regionalbahn extension to Völs, Technik West terminus in September 2018. Ray Deacon

RIGHT: Tram 319 heads for Bergisel from Igls Bahnhof. Bi-directional trams on line 6 have made the Igls turning loop redundant.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org march 2019 / 107 Innsbruck

from Innsbruck Hbf. Important for Lines 2 and 5 will be extended, residents, the STB also supports the overall by about 12km (7.5 miles) local economy by being central to of new route. Line 2 will go further tourism. Not only giving access to into Olympische Dorf. Expanding sports and recreation sites, the STB is beyond both ends of line 5 (the one of the world’s great scenic public ‘Regionalbahn’) will take track beyond transport rides. the city boundary. Rum to the east and Underpinned by upgrades, the expanding commuter town of Völs extension and a larger fleet, IVB’s in the west should join the system by service substantially changed on 2022-23. This will create interchanges 26 January 2019. Line 3 was shortened at two more railway stations. by being turned as a loop around the Despite the light rail commitment, city centre, with its former western line 6’s future has been uncertain. ABOVE: STB line 353 pauses at Kreith for access to the single-track coverage taken by new lines 2 and 5. Closure and conversion to a heritage section on to Fulpmes. These replaced bus line O, at one time operation are amongst the proposals. a 10km (6.3-mile) trolleybus route. The high-maintenance infrastructure The new lines use the combined 2012 is mainly route winding through and 2017 extensions to two western forest. It only supports an hourly termini, Peerhofsiedlung (line 2) and service taking 21 minutes, yet Technik West (2 and 5); together they needs a vehicle that arguably has serve modern developments including greater utility elsewhere. Unlike the a university campus. The two lines communities with challenging road take different routes through central access along the Stubaitalbahn, Igls Innsbruck, but otherwise largely share is the only substantial outer line 6 the same tracks. settlement. Igls village enjoys a good To the east, lines 2 and 5 leave the bus service at stops that are better Amras line at a junction near the located than Bahnhof Igls, these reconfigured Leipziger Platz stop. serving more locations within New tracks extend north-east to Innsbruck and, unlike line 6, without termini at Schützenstrasse (line 5) a need to change vehicles. ABOVE: Representative of street-running and J. Kerschbaumer Strasse (2). Shared road space prevails in the and of the heavy shadows amongst closely- spaced tall buildings in central Innsbruck The latter is in Olympische Dorf, city centre and joint use of stops by - Anichstrasse Rathausgalerien stop. an expanding residential district trams and buses is widespread. originated for participants in the 1964 Single-track working is a feature of LEFT: Uni-directional Düwag GT6 39 at and 1976 Winter Olympics. The new line 6 and STB, also remaining at the Innsbruck Hbf in April 2006. Ex-Bielefeld Inn tram bridge built for the extension northern end of line 1 where a 840 is now part of the heritage fleet. adjoins the earlier Grenobler Brücke one-way loop turns trams around BELOW: The main IVB base by the road span. This is named after a streets via Mühlauer Brücke terminus. Stubaitalbahnhof, with a Fulpmes-bound French twin city – another Alpine This formerly gave a connection STB service. Bergisel Ski Jump is in the location with trams at the centre of with the original Hungerburgbahn background. public transport. funicular.

108 / march 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org LEFT: Replacing the old bridge and obviating a tunnel, a new Mutterer Brücke (or Mühlbachbrücke) opened in November 2017, slightly shortening the Stubaitalbahn. Ray Deacon

BELOW: Looking east along the Inn valley from the Hungerburgbahn upper terminus.

LEFT: Space Fleet maintenance and storage are for the extra undertaken at two sites in Wilten. The trams needed original facility near Stubaitalbahnhof under the Tram/ stop also handles buses and has STB Regionalbahn services passing through the compound. project is The IVB building’s natural finish theme provided extends to rusted exterior panels, a by the new contrast to the nearby Rococo Wilten Duilestrasse Basilica and Stift Wilten churches. depot. Ray Deacon Completed in late 2017, the new depot has space for 27 trams on eight tracks. It is on a redeveloped freight essential facts handling site at the Pastorstrasse- Duilestrasse intersection, about 200m Local travel: Central information away from the main facility. points: IVB at 2 Stainerstrasse and adjoining Innsbruck Hbf, VVT at 3 Sterzinger Strasse. Tickets are also Thanks to Ray Deacon and Manni available from machines, ÖBB stations, Schneiderbauer for their assistance. plus signed VVT and IVB outlets. Single tickets for within the VVT central RIGHT: Amras loop, replaced in 2012 by Innsbruck ‘Kernzone’ cost EUR2.40 or a stub terminus on a 300m extension along eight for EUR14.60; 24-hour passes cost Philippine Welser Strasse. Line 6 masts rising EUR8.10 and seven days for EUR21.80. in the Igls direction are in the background. Single tickets Innsbruck–Fulpmes are priced EUR5.40. Covering all Tirol BELOW: Flexity 307 leaving the Grenobler public transport, a VVT seven-day Brücke heading to Technik West on a line 5 (Wochen-Ticket) pass is EUR54.60. service, 26 January 2019. M. Schneiderbauer What is there to see? Most urban attractions are located around Maria Theresien Strasse – the pedestrianised section was used by trams until 2007 – and the Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof) building. The main tourist office is nearby, as is Hofburg Palace museum and the lower (Congress) terminus of the 1.8km (1.1-mile) Hungerburgbahn funicular. Opened in 2007 to replace a 1906-2005 predecessor, the upper station is near the foot of cable cars for the Nordkette mountain park. The Hungerburgbahn is not included within the transport fare structure, but the spectacular viewpoint near the upper terminus can also be reached by IVB bus J. A panorama from the Inntal’s south side is found at the Bergisel Ski Jump complex (www.bergisel). The Tirol transport museum in the old Stubaitalbahnhof building (tram 1 and STB) is open on Saturdays and heritage tram services connects the museum with central Innsbruck, May-October, with details found at www.tmb.at.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org march 2019 / 109 Worldwide Review

Gmunden museum tram 5 is now able to stretch its legs on the Yarra Trams (Melbourne, Australia) is now taking delivery of refurbished B-class Gmunden–Vorchdorf interurban (Austria). G. Mackinger trams; 2006 is seen in Elizabeth St in December 2018. M. Rowe

AUSTRIA Eglinton Crosstown light rail line HOHHOT. The first six-car metro the museum were already planned JENBACH. The Achenseebahn finally arrived in Toronto from train for the Inner Mongolian during the renovation of the has taken delivery of former the Kingston factory on 8 January. capital was unveiled at CRRC historical building. Appenzellerbahn BDeh4/4 11-15 They are single-ended with Changke Railway Vehicles on The last trams ran through and Bt 111-5 as part of the plan to doors on both sides and will run 13 January. the historic square – designated turn the light railway into a year- back-to-back. The manufacturer claims that a UNESCO World Heritage site – round electrified operation. TR The TTC will not take up the the aluminium bodyshells are in December 1980, and the new WIEN – BADEN (WLB). option with Bombardier for 60 the lightest of any metro train in plans are part of a complex Museum trailer 256 has been sold more low-floorFlexity trams, but China, saving ten tonnes per six- transformation that will to a catering company that has is preparing to issue a Request car set. The trains also feature a new incorporate traffic-free zones, opened a ‘pop-up restaurant’ in the for Proposals for 100 new cars for air-conditioning system that enhanced green space and former Wolfganggasse depot. BS delivery from 2024-25. can be more precisely adjusted pedestrianisation. Construction Delivery of Bombardier cars to passenger loadings, having could begin in 2020. BELARUS from Thunder Bay had reached the potential to reduce energy Delivery of Škoda 15T ForCity INDUSTRY. Belkommunmash 4524 by the end of January; 4521 consumption by 20%. trams has been completed with built just 18 trams in 2018, is the latest vehicle from Thunder The 23km (14.3-mile) line 1 the arrival of 9447-50. T3 7001 six 621.03 for Novosibirsk Bay to go into service. Car 4572 is should start carrying passengers of 1982 has been restored to (2016/129/30/58/74 and 2212) the first car from Kingston to enter at the end of this year, with the join the heritage fleet on line 23, and 12 for Pavlodar (157-68). BS service, on 11 January. second line due to open in 2020 replacing 1989 car 7275, which is Ontario has confirmed it is to take the network to 51km to be cannibalised to provide parts BELGIUM moving forward with plans to (31.7 miles). IRJ for the two ex-Liberec T2. ANTWERPEN. One of the take over the subway from the T3 5412/5/7 have been fitted ex-Gent double-ended PCCs was city council, though operation CZECH REPUBLIC with a supplemental pantograph used in passenger service on line could stay in the hands of TTC. BRNO. The last Vario LF-2 tram that can be used to apply 12 for the first time on 21 A special advisor is providing to be delivered in 2018 was 1128. anti-freeze to overhead wires. January. M. J. Russell the provincial government with The city is to mark 150 years of Radio Praha, BS, A. Prescott CHARLEROI. Jumet workshops advice; the city council has called tramway operation this year with is returning trams 7405/49/52, out for transparency in the process. a series of special events: 18 May EGYPT of use for some time, to service. External cameras were activated will see an open day at Medlánky EL QAHIRA (Cairo). China’s These are not included in the on surface vehicles from 28 January depot; on 17 August a plaque Exim bank has agreed the terms batch of 45 that are about to be and will help TTC investigate will be unveiled and a horse for a loan to the consortium that refurbished by Alstom. T-2000 incidents. D. Drum, P. Webb tram may operate at 19.00; on will construct a 66km (41-mile) LIÈGE. Work on the city’s first 31 August there will be a public automated light metro linking modern tramline is due to begin CHILE transport festival on Lidická St, Cairo with Ranmadan City. CRRC in May, for completion in July SANTIAGO. On 22 January the including a grand tram parade with Sifang will supply 22 six-car trains. 2022. It is hoped that passenger 21.7km (13.5-mile) 18-station both heritage and modern cars. Hyundai Rotem has been service can begin in October 2022. metro line 3 (Los Libertadores – M. J. Russell awarded a USD130m contract to The 11.7km (7.3-mile) route, Fernando Castillo Velasco) was OLOMOUC. The three single- supply 48 metro trains for line 2 90% of which is in reserved opened by President Piñera; 22 five- ended trams (with doors on both by 2021. IRJ lanes, includes 21 stops between car CAF trains provide service. RGI side) of type EVO1/o (121-3) Sclessin station to the south-west entered service in December. BS FINLAND and Herstal in the north-east via CHINA PRAHA (Prague). O n HELSINKI. The last day of the city’s central station and Place CHONGQING. On 8 January a 28 January, the city council operation of the Bombardier Saint-Lambert. metro train collided with protective instructed DPP to undertake Variotram low-floor cars was The city’s first-generation barriers at a station on the city’s design studies for the return of 28 December. The city’s 40 trams tramway closed in 1967, metro Loop line, killing the driver trams to Wenceslas Square to are now back under the ownership although routes to Seraing and and injuring three others. The remove congestion on other parts of Bombardier, which is trying to Flémalle Haute survived until remaining 30 passengers on board of the city’s tram network. sell them to other metre-gauge 30 April 1968. La Meuse were evacuated. The accident The proposed route would systems, so far unsuccessfully. is under investigation. The line reinstate services between the The planned Raide – Jokeri CANADA opened on 28 December 2018 National Museum and Vodičkova orbital light rail line linking TORONTO. The first Bombardier and is still in its trial phase. ulice; plans for a line running Helsinki and Espoo should start Flexity Freedom for Metrolinx’s South China Morning Post along Vinohradská ulice and past construction in June for completion

110 / MARCH 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org in 2024. A revised cost estimate (Alstom, 2007), 1451-68 (Solaris, puts the price at EUR566m, 2014), 7751/2/5/6/8 (LHB, 1977), including EUR110m for 29 Artic 8157/65 (LHB, 1981), 9551-62 XL trams from Škoda Transtech (ADtranz, 1995) and trailers 7471/5 and EUR69.5m for a new depot. (Duewag, 1974), 7771/2/5/6 (LHB, The cost increase is ascribed to an 1977), 8171/4/5/6/82 (LHB, 1981) increase in land values. and 8471 (LHB, 1984). The works transphoto.ru, RGI car is 482 (LHB, 1982). Preserved trams are 15 (LHB, FRANCE 1968), 35 (Duewag, 1962), 41 AVIGNON. The first powered (Duewag, 1973), 82 (Dessau, 1927), test run with an Alstom Citadis 103 (Herbrand, 1898), 113 (Credé, took place on 7 January. It is 1940) and trailers 201 (DWM, 1957) being debated whether to start and 250 (Uerdingen,1938). BS passenger service before or after DARMSTADT. Route 1 (Eberstadt this year’s Festival (4-23 July). – Hbf) is not operating from T-2000 22 January to 15 April due to a The German city of Chemnitz is now taking delivery of its Škoda 35T ForCity BORDEAUX. The APS surface shortage of trams, reportedly 100% low-floor trams. V. Dornheim current supply system for the caused by HEAG being unable tramway was damaged during the to recruit enough technical staff also the ex-Mannheim party tram LEIPZIG. New Solaris-built trams gilets jaunes protests in December for its depot. DS 322 as well as museum cars 29 up to 1018 had been delivered by when tyres were set alight as DRESDEN. Sunday 13 January (1897) and 23 (1928). the end of 2018. Tatra works car street barricades, interrupting was the last day of tramway From 6 January line 3 was 5034 has been transferred to the service for two days. Sud-Ouest operation on the 750m section renumbered 1 (Weinhübel – fire brigade training facility. BS PARIS. RATP has awarded CAF a through Wasastrasse and Franz- Neisse Park). The other route is MAGDEBURG. The northern EUR121.3m contract to refurbish Liszt-Strasse, marked by a parade line 2 (Biesnitz/Landeskrone – section of Leipziger Strasse 43 five-car M12N double-deck of museum trams. Bus replacement Am Wiesengrund). BS re-opened for tram operation from EMUs used on RER Line A. The is being provided until lines 9 and GOTHA. It is hoped the first of 3 December (line 9) after completion vehicles will get a new livery, 13 can start using the replacement the ex-Basel trams (206) will be of reconstruction work. BS a revised interior layout and section of tramway via S-Bhf ready for service in time for the MÜNSTER. The Fire Institute, new CCTV and passenger Strehlen this summer. transphoto.ru jubilee celebrations on 21-22 which has Düsseldorf eight-axle information systems; the first DÜSSELDORF. The Rheinbahn September. Tatra KT4D 304 has car 3101 on its premises for upgraded trains are due to enter launched what it described as a been given a version of the former training purposes, is to replace service next year. IRJ ‘quality offensive’ on 18 December, cream with red stripe livery. BS it with Hannover 6112. The STRASBOURG. With the delivery featuring a passenger forum, HAMBURG. The 1912 Düsseldorf tram will return to its of new trams completed, the first more frequent vehicle cleaning, Landungsbrücken U-Bahn station home town for restoration by the withdrawals have taken place of planned frequency enhancement, on line U3 will be closed from museum group Line D. DS the original batch of Eurotram renewal of the bus fleet, increased 20 May to 8 September to permit NAUMBURG. The heritage vehicles dating from 1994: traffic light priorities, recruitment modernisation work that will tramway carried 178 600 1004/9/12/4-7/9/20/5/39. The of more staff and an increase in cost EUR28m. Trains will reverse passengers in 2018, a new record second batch are due to undergo budgets. The 43 Bombardier- at St. Pauli and Baumwall. DS and 17% up on 2017. Gotha refurbishment. T-2000 built HF6 trams (25 delivered, but HANNOVER. Delivery of new tram 38 has been sent to IFTEC none in service) will be followed HeiterBlick-built trams reached Leipzig for overhaul. DS GERMANY by 16 more. BS 3108 by the end of 2018. NÜRNBERG. The first type G AUGSBURG. Stadtbahn-M 8004 FRANKFURT/MAIN. The Withdrawn are 6112/30/56. Siemens metro train was delivered has been sent to the Polish city 9 December timetable change saw leaving green Stadtbahn cars 6117- from Wien on 22 January; 27 of of Elbląg. Only 8005-7 remain in the resumption of tram service 21/6/7/40/2-9/63/4/70/7/87/94/ the 75m four-car sets are on order. service in Augsburg. BS along Kleyerstrasse/Rebstöcker 9-260 in service (and 6001/196 On 17 December restored BERLIN. Delivery of Bombardier Strasse (withdrawn in December on driver training duties); 40 of two-axle tram trailer 1023 (MAN Flexity Berlin trams had reached 2013), now served by line 14 from these are receiving light overhaul 1913) returned from restoration 9103 by the end of 2018. a terminus at Gallus Gustavsberg for continuing service. BS in Kraków. It will operate behind Tatra T4D 6066/84 were sent Platz via Hbf, Börneplatz and Zoo HEIDELBERG. On 20 December 1913 motor tram 701. BS to Lviv, Ukraine, in November; to Bornheim. Line 18 has taken the city council made a final OBERHAUSEN. Through 40 of these trams remain in service, over the section Allerheiligentor – decision on the future of the service between Mülheim and mostly on line M17, but are due Lokalbahnhof – Süd bhf – Louisa tram depot; the existing site in Oberhausen on line 112 resumed for replacement in 2020-21 formerly used by the 14. Stadtbahn Bergheimer Strasse will close to on 30 November following when 21 more Flexity cars arrive, lines U6 and U7 have exchanged be replaced by a new depot at rebuilding of the Thyssenbrücke.BS bringing the total to 231. termini: U6 runs to Hausen and Grossen Ochsenkopf, north of RUHRBAHN. The EUR17.5m U-Bahn line U55 is now operated U7 to Heerstrasse. SV the railway west of Hbf, accessed project to rebuild the dual- by F76 sets 2558/9, 2602/3 and FRANKFURT/ODER. The new from the tracks of line 5 (the gauge Essen Südstrecke began on 2622/3, with DL68 2246/7 in timetable from 8 December saw former OEG). BS 10 December, involving a third of reserve. The link to the existing the re-opening of the rebuilt KARLSRUHE. High-floor the platforms at subway stations line U5 is expected to be ready at 37m tramway bridge over the Stadtbahn cars still available being lowered by 240mm to the end of 2020, when Stadler-built Autobahn, permitting service on for service on 1 January were facilitate the introduction of low- IK20 5065-78 enter service. BS line 4 to Markendorf to resume 502/6/7/12, 513/7-20. 551-3/8-60, floor trams on the metre-gauge BOCHUM-GELSENKIRCHEN. after one year of disruption. BS 562-73/80-9, 801-3/5-8/10-7/9/20- tracks. Work will be completed in BOGESTRA has awarded a contract FREIBURG/BREISGAU. The 30/2-6 and 837-922. Delivery of 2021. Plans are being examined to Stadler Pankow to modernise opening of the final phase of Stadler NET2012 cars has given for the possible extension of U11 its 25 Duewag B80D Stadtbahn the Stadtbahn Rotteckring has the fleet 326-400. BS or U17 south of Bredeney to a cars dating from 1989-93 and to been fixed for 16 March. It will be KÖLN (Cologne). The latest park-and-ride site at Haarzopf. BS build six new high-floor LRVs. served by line 5. BS refurbished Stadtbahn-B LRVs SCHÖNEICHE. The second Artic Delivery of low-floor Variobahn GÖRLITZ. From 1 January the are 2401 (ex-2101) and 2424 from Helsinki was due for delivery trams had reached 131 by the end tramway has been served by (ex-2194). Tram 4005 has received in February. Once this is in service, of 2018. DS Görlitzer Verkehrsbetriebe (GVB), all-over livery to celebrate the life together with Tatra KTNF6 27, all BRAUNSCHWEIG. Trams in using 15 modernised Tatra KT4D of Jacques Offenbach (born in ex-Heidelberg high-floor trams service at 1 January were 0751-62 301/2/5/6/8-14/6-9 cars. There is Köln on 20 June 1819). BS will be withdrawn. BS

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org march 2019 / 111 Worldwide Review

procedures and operating NORWAY instructions made following the OSLO. Tramlines 11, 17 and 18 investigation of an incident on resumed their normal route via C.J. the railway on August 4, 2017 have Hambros plass from 2 December. significantly improved the levels From the same date the Storo – of safety on Mountain Railway Kjelsas section of lines 11 and services. However, investigation 12 was replaced by buses, for 18 of the incident by an independent months, to permit sewer work. BS railways engineer has identified that the installation of a fail to POLAND safe braking system would be a KRAKÓW. MPK has awarded reasonably practicable measure.” Stadler Polska a contract for 15 No tram will be allowed to more 33.4m, 2.4m-wide Tramino enter service in 2019 unless a vehicles, an option in the report demonstrating successful agreement for 35 trams placed commissioning has been in 2018. The contract is worth completed and supplied to the EUR25.4m, with finance from HSWI. Passenger services cannot the European Union. TR The shorter version of Siemens’ low-floor Avenio can now be seen on the streets of begin until at least two trams have MROZY. The horse tramway München (Munich). F. Buchleitner been successfully fitted; work will operate on 5-12 May, 9 June, STUTTGART. On 8 December NOIDA. The 29.7km (18.5-mile) is currently ongoing to install a 14 July, 11 August and a new peak-hour line U16 was metro serving suburban areas east fourth braking system in addition 8 September. BS introduced from Fellbach to of Delhi opened on 25 January. to those already fitted. POZNAŃ. The first Moderus Giebel via Bad Canstatt. Named the Aqua line, it offers Gamma low-floor tram from On 14 December it was interchange with the Delhi metro ITALY Modertrans, 601, entered service announced that the order for Blue line at Sector 71 station. MILANO. The 12.8km (eight- on line 16 on 20 December. three new rack trams had been The line is operated by 19 four- mile) extension of automated Modertrans has also completed placed with Stadler; they will car EMUs supplied by CRRC. metro line M5 from Bignami to the delivery of a replica two-axle replace the 1982 cars 1001-2 A consortium of Ansaldo STS and Monza is to go ahead thanks to a tram set 15+305 (using some in 2021-22 and feature an 8m ZTE has supplied signalling, train EUR900m grant from the Italian original parts) representing a low-floor centre section. Each will control and communications Government. Tunnel works and Bergische Stahlindustrie motor have 54 seats. Three bicycle trailers systems, using ATO adopted from station excavation are to begin tram of 1898 and a Carl Weyer will also be delivered (capable the metro in Wuhan, China. in 2021, with completion planned trailer of 1905. infotram.pl of carrying up to 21 cycles). SV On 4 December the Greater for 2026. Milano Today ZABRZE. Works are to begin this WOLTERSDORF. Reconstruction Noida Industrial Development ROMA. A EUR425m deal between Spring on a PLN150m (EUR35m) of Schleusenstrasse during 2019 Authority approved a 15km the city and Italy’s ministry of project to relay tracks along will result in frequent tramway (9.3-mile) eastward extension to infrastructure and transport ul. Powstańców Śląskich, ul. bus replacement between the project. RGI was signed on 22 January for Religi or ul. Wolności as well Thälmanplatz and Schleuse. BS modernisation of infrastructure as the section of line 3 from WÜRZBURG. Tenders have been IRELAND and rolling stock on metro ul. Dygasińskiego to the tram invited for 18 new 36m trams, with DUBLIN. Public transport lines A and B. The agreement terminus in Mikulczyce. The city is an option for nine more, to replace journeys increased by 19 million includes EUR184m for station contributing PLN33m (EUR7.7m). the remaining Duewag cars. BS in 2018, a rise of 7%. Luas carried improvements and upgrades to The track relaying is part of an ZWICKAU. With 125 years of almost 44m passengers over the fire safety and power supply upgrade to infrastructure that is tramway operation due to be year, an 11% increase, helped by systems as well as EUR5m for new estimated to take two years. celebrated on 11-12 May, KT4D the extension of the Green line to train control systems and passenger Lines through Zabrze form 947 has been repainted in a special Broombridge in December 2017 information displays. part of the vast Tramwaje Śląskie livery, featuring traditional red and the introduction of seven Rolling stock spending will see network that operates 12 lines and ivory colours. BS longer trams last year. Work on EUR236m invested in new trains in 12 cities across the Upper extending current Luas trams to and maintenance for the oldest Silesian region. infotram.pl HUNGARY 55m will continue in 2019. and most unreliable vehicles. IRJ BUDAPEST. December saw the Extension of the underground RUSSIA entry into service of ex-Hannover section of the proposed MetroLink NETHERLANDS MOSKVA. A total of 230 of the Stadtbahn cars 1620-23, with beyond Ranelagh is expected to AMSTERDAM. On 30 November 300 71-931 low-floor bogie trams 1624 to follow once repairs delay publication of the revised the contract was signed with on order had been delivered by are complete; these trams are route until February/March, CAF for the purchase of 30 three- the end of 2018 (31001-31230). ex-Üstra 6125/59/61/88/95. BS according to the Irish Times. car metro sets. OR Just 56 KTM-19K remain in service DEN HAAG. Tenders are being after 103 were sold to seven other INDIA ISLE OF MAN prepared for the purchase of 60 cities; LM-2008 4910 has been AHMEDABAD. Hyundai Rotem DOUGLAS. Horse tramway trams to complete the withdrawal earmarked for the museum fleet. has delivered the first of 32 three- tracks have been removed as part of the high-floor fleet. The new The 1.8km (1.2-mile) extension car metro trains, for trial operation of the Promenade redevelopment stock will be 35m long and 2.65m of metro line 11 from Petrovsky on 20.7km (12.8-mile) line 1. IRJ which will see the 2019 route wide and should run on lines 6, Park to Savyolovskaya opened LUCKNOW. When the first truncated to run between Derby 12 and 16 from 2024. on 30 December, ten days after north-south metro line between Castle and Broadway. The current tram scrapping Belmorskaya station at the north Transport Nagar – Charbagh SNAEFELL. An improvement programme came to an end on end of line 2. N. Semyonov opened in September 2017 trains notice has been served on Isle of 2 January with the breaking up of YENAKIEVO. Tram traffic was were manually driven, with ATP. Man Railways obliging it to fit GTL 3001 (no longer considered suspended from 4 to 14 January From 21 January 2019 full ATO ‘fail to safe’ braking on Snaefell for preservation) and PCC works following heavy snowfall and has been introduced. Mountain Railway trams by car 1139. OR, digitaletram.nl consequent road blockages that Lucknow Metro Rail Corp 31 March following the over-run ROTTERDAM. It is hoped that prevented snowploughs operating expects to commission extensions incident at Bungalow in 2017. metro operation to Hoek van in the normal way. transphoto.ru north to Munshipulia and south to The Health and Safety at Work Holland will start at the end of Charan Singh International Airport Inspectorate (HSWI) notice March, but software problems SINGAPORE in the near future, completing states: “Significant improvements on level crossings were still being MASS TRANSIT. The Land the 22.8km (14.2-mile) line. RGI to equipment, maintenance addressed in January. OR Transport Authority announced

112 / march 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org An open day is to take place at the the outcome of the accident of Rigby Road home of the heritage 30 November”. The RAIB says fleet on 25 August. Other events it has “suggested that UKTram include decoration of a Balloon consider whether guidance for the for Easter (20-21 April). placement of such supply poles in EDINBURGH. Over 7.3 million close proximity to roads which journeys were recorded on the cross tramways is required.” tramway in 2018, an increase Improvements to the junction of 10% on 2017. This has been have already been undertaken; helped by the introduction of these include adding new signal additional trams during peak lights and signage. periods allowing services to run at SOUTHEND. Funding amounting up to three-minute intervals. to GBP3.25m (EUR3.7m) has been GLASGOW. Glasgow MSP provided for the construction of Johann Lamont has sought a a new fleet and improvements commitment from the Scottish to the line on Southend Pier, Government that it supports the which should be carried out in proposed Glasgow Airport Rail 2020-21. The current vehicles Another view of the Green Mountain tramline in Taipei, Taiwan, showing the Link. The plans have been on on the UK’s longest pier were junction where trams use battery power to avoid the need for overhead. Y. Hanafusa hold following concerns raised in introduced in 1986. the alignment for the first 29km 17km (10.6-mile) light rail line a report about the impact on the WEST MIDLANDS. Tram 31 (18-mile) phase of the Cross for construction in 2019-25. Phase wider rail network; the potential was named Cyrille Regis MBE on Island line on 25 January. With 1 would include 16 stops on a link tram-train line could run from 18 January, after the former West 12 stations, the line will run between Fort and Malabe IT Park. Glasgow Central to the airport. Bromwich Albion football player from Aviation Park in the east to In 2016 the Japanese SHEFFIELD. The Rail Accident who died in January 2018. Bright Hill in the west and offer Government agreed to a loan to Investigation Branch has interchange with the East-West build a 25km (15.5-mile) elevated written to Sheffield City Council USA line at Pasir Ris, the North East line light rail line, the first phase of a recommending a “risk-based BOSTON, MA. MBTA put the at Hougang, the North-South line planned 75km (47-mile) seven- review” of the city’s Staniforth first of 24 CAF-builtType 9 LRVs at Ang Mo Kio and the Thomson- route network. RGI Road junction “and the road (3900-23) into service on the Green East Coast line at Bright Hill. traffic signals”. The RAIB has also line on 21 December. The new Work is expected to begin in 2020, SWITZERLAND written to industry body UKTram fleet will help provide service on for completion in 2029. RGI AARAU – MENZIKEN/ regarding the positioning of an the 6.8km (4.3-mile) northern SCHÖFTLAND (WSB). The overhead line pole, which it says extension from 2021. Rollsign SLOVAKIA first of five ABe4/12 Stadler cars “had the potential to worsen CHARLOTTE. The Charlotte BRATISLAVA. A new depot for was delivered on 18 January, 25 trams is to be built at Devinska and should enter service after a Nova Ves, on the extension ceremony on 18 May. IRJ planned beyond Dubravka, with BERN – WORB (RBS). The first a repair shop and wash facility. BS Worbla LRV, 02, entered service was on line S7 on 21 December. BS SPAIN MEIRINGEN – BARCELONA. Approval has been INNERTKIRCHEN (MIB). given to tender for a fleet of 42 Be2/6 EMU 13 (ex-MVR 7004) is new metro trains, to replace type now in service, putting Be4/8 8 3000 and 4000 trains dating from into reserve. TR the 1980s. TR ENLLAÇ – MANACOR. TURKEY Electrification of the SFM metre- ISTANBUL. Hyundai Rotem has gauge network on the island delivered the first of 75 automated of Mallorca was completed on metro trains for the 24.5km 8 January when it was extended to (15.2-mile) first phase of line M7. the line from Enllaç to Manacor. Passenger service is expected before The project included six new 1.5kV the end of the year. IRJ dc substations, four on the Manacor line and two on the Sa Pobla line. UNITED KINGDOM The switch to electric operation is BLACKPOOL. Work to connect expected to cut CO2 emissions by the Blackpool North extension to 60% and reduce operating costs by the existing line was not completed EUR1m a year; 50% of the cost was in January, with the Promenade financed by the EU. IRJ closed to other traffic. Work is not GRANADA. Two more trams expected to be finished until the are to be ordered to help relieve end of February. Tracklaying in overcrowding on the new tramway. Talbot Road is complete but with The city’s 15.9km (ten-mile) no temporary crossover installed north-south tramline serves at Blackpool North it is unlikely 26 stations and includes a 3km services will begin until demolition (1.9-mile) city centre tunnel with of the Wilkinson store takes place three underground stations. BS towards the end of this year. Following last month’s news on SRI LANKA the report from Trams to Lytham COLOMBO. The Japan supporting a potential extension International Co-operation Agency to St Anne’s and Lytham via is providing a 40-year JPY200.4bn the South Fylde railway line, (EUR1.6bn) loan towards the a 3000-signature petition has JPY246.6bn (EUR2bn) cost of a been collected.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org march 2019 / 113 Worldwide Review

Aberdeen & District Preservation VERVIERS (BE). On 14 December Trust or loaned to other heritage former Verviers trams 37 (1919) sites for operation. and 82 (1937) were transferred BEAMISH (UK). Manchester 765 from the Natalis museum in from the Heaton Park Tramway Liege back to a site in Verviers for was to move to the museum at the eventual restoration. T-2000 end of January for a six-month loan period. It is to take part in CONTRIBUTORS the Great North Steam Fair on Worldwide news items for 11-14 April and then be used at inclusion should be sent to weekends until late June. Michael Taplin at Flat 8, Roxan HEATON PARK (UK). The Villa, 33 Landguard Manor Rd, 2019 operating season is to be Shanklin, Isle of Wight PO37 Sundays from 17 February to 6EA, UK. Fax: +44 (0)1983 862810 mid-November, depending on or e-mail [email protected] conditions, and Saturdays from UK and Ireland items are 4 May. Special events include welcomed by John Symons, 17 The first CAFType 9 entered service on Boston’s Green line on 21 December. MBTA ‘Season Startup’ on 7 April and Whitmore Avenue, Werrington, Area Transit System is now are options for up to 886 ‘Tramtastic’ on 7 July. Stoke-on-Trent, ST9 0LW, UK. recommending a surface LRT additional cars. CRRC of China MOOSKAMP (DE). The E-mail [email protected] alignment along the city’s northern was the only other bidder. Delivery Dortmund tramway museum has Acknowledgements are due to edge rather than the previously will start in 2023. Railway Age received metre-gauge Stadtbahn-M Blickpunkt Strassenbahn (BS), CBS suggested city centre tunnel. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK. The 1101 (Duewag, 1979) from Essen, Los Angeles, Charlotte Observer, Future plans include extending new city tramline carried 86 390 with the intention of re-gauging digitaletram.nl, Drehscheibe (DS), the Blue line south to Ballantyne passengers in its first three weeks, and restoring it as one of the series Edinburgh Evening News, infotram. and Pineville and a new western including 7692 on Saturday Dortmund 101-54, none of which pl, International Railway Journal LRT line west to Charlotte 22 December. This has resulted have survived for preservation. BS (IRJ), Irish Independent, La Meuse, Douglas International Airport in discussion about extending SEATON (UK). Pre-booked Manchester Evening News, Mass and across the Catawba River to regular operations to Sundays depot tours, which will also give Transit, Mike Russell, Milano Belmont. With other BRT and rail (Sunday service was due to end participants an Explorer day Today, Op de Rails (OR), Radio plans, estimates for the full 2030 on 27 January). ticket for the tramway, are to Praha, Railway Age, Railway transit programme range from Under the operations contract, cost GBP14.95/EUR17 (GBP3.95/ Gazette International (RGI), Rollsign, USD5-7bn and will require some 5% percent of operating hours EUR4.50 more than the cost of Sud-Ouest, Stadtverkehr (SV), level of federal involvement. were allocated to Sundays, to an Explorer). Tours are to run Today’s Railways (TR), Tram 2000 The second phase of the Gold cater for event-driven service in twice per month May-October (T-2000), transphoto.ru, urbanrail.net line streetcar – a USD150m the city. The December-January (except August). and Wolverhampton Express & Star. extension from Central Avenue trial was used to gauge support to Johnson C. Smith University is for a seven day a week service to under construction, for completion establish if it justified the cost. Rail Holidays in 2020. Charlotte Observer Ice on the overhead lines on FORT WORTH, TX. Tex Rail 3 January also saw the streetcars of the World started passenger service on its running on only battery power, 43km (27-mile) commuter rail with a reduced schedule. line linking the city and DFW J. Marinoff, Mass Transit airport on 10 January with an PHOENIX. Ridership on the hourly service seven days/week. light rail system was down 4.4% The service was free until 31 in 2018 (15.8 million, down from January, when a USD2.50 single 16.5m in 2017), a decline Valley fare and USD5 day ticket were Metro attributes in part to a strong introduced. Stadler has supplied economy and low fuel prices. eight four-car FLIRT-3 diesel light SAN FRANCISCO, CA (BART). Trams, Trolleys & Steam Escorted Holidays! rail units. The USD996m project A USD125m design contract has Tramways of Romania ~ was 50% funded by the FTA. RGI been awarded to a joint venture of Departs 14 June 2019 - 12 Days from £2,295pp LOS ANGELES. A section of the Mott McDonald and PGH Wong A unique opportunity to explore Romania’s various tram networks, including old systems that Blue line between 103rd Street/ Engineering for the second stage of could soon disappear. A comprehensive, specialist escorted tour for tram and city transport enthusiasts that visits Sibiu, Timişoara, Arad, Oradea, Cluj Napoca and Iaşi. Includes transport Watts Towers and Downtown the San Jose BART extension, 10km passes for independent sightseeing and chartered journeys. A chance to discover Romania’s Long Beach Station closed on (6.2 miles) from Berryessa to Santa cities and its scenic Carpathian Mountains too. 25 January for a four-month Clara University, including an Southern Sweden - Steam, Trams & Trains ~ period to allow renewal of the 8km (five-mile) subway under San Departs 13 July 2019 - 12 Days from £2,880pp line’s track, power supply and Jose’s central business district. The A specialist transport holiday that takes you by train into Germany and north to Sweden, signalling. The USD350m project route will include four stations passing through stunning scenery. Travel on two steam railways, vintage tram, a steamboat includes the installation of four (three underground and one at cruise and Stockholm’s famous artistic subway. This informative tour also visits heritage and transport museums and includes informative guided tours of Hamburg and Stockholm. new crossovers. A bus replacement surface level) and a maintenance service is in operation for facility. A request for federal Swiss Rail Adventure ~ commuters. CBS Los Angeles funding to finance construction Departs 12 September 2019 - 15 Days from £2,775pp This escorted tour is a chance to experience Switzerland’s railway engineering excellence, MANITOU, CO. The Manitou work is expected in 2020. Passenger steam and tram heritage and its stunning mountains and cities. Enjoy steam excursions on & Pikes Peak rack railway service is scheduled for 2026. IRJ the UNESCO Rhaetian Railway, Furka Bergstrecke & Brienz Rothorn Railways, a private (14.3km/8.9 miles) has ordered charter on the Bern Steam Tram plus the Bernina and Glacier Express Trains. There will be time to explore Chur, Brig and Thun and surrounding area. three motor cars and nine trailers MUSEUM NEWS from Stadler. Service is currently ABERDEEN (UK). Aberdeen Full tour details at www.ffestiniogtravel.com suspended to permit infrastructure 15, stored in Dundee since being Call: 01766 512400; Email: [email protected] modernisation. IRJ rescued from a house in the city, has ABTOT NEW YORK – NEW JERSEY. been transported to the Grampian ASSOCIATION OF 5050 BONDED TRAVEL ORGANISERS TRUST NJT signed the contract with Transport Museum at Alford for No: 5220 Ffestiniog Travel is owned by a charitable trust and profi ts go to support Bombardier for 113 commuter restoration. It will then be on static the world famous Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways rail EMU cars on 9 January; there display at the Alford Museum of the

114 / march 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org TAUT 30 01.indd 1 25/01/2019 17:19:06 Letters

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

Why isn’t public transport investment taken seriously? I note the recent letters about the cost of UK tramways. Another In the UK there have been recent calls to make hospital thing which is different is the attitude of the general media and car parking free, but no-one is suggesting making the bus or politicians to public transport. Railway passengers are invariably tram to the hospital free. It’s interesting that taxpayers’ referred to as ‘commuters’ as if they are the only type of traveller, money spent on roads is described as ‘investment’, but money usually accompanied by a bemoaning of a lack of investment spent on public transport is ‘subsidy’. Of course any move to despite all the new trains on order. Light rail is rarely mentioned change that would be met with hostile headlines about a ‘war anywhere. Many people outside the immediate operating area on motorists’. probably don’t even know that trams exist in England. It seems to me that those in charge of policy often have British Government policy doesn’t help (the devolved ‘not invented here’ syndrome, despite the many examples of administrations in Scotland and Wales seem slightly better in good practice around the world. Of course there are lots of that respect). Fuel tax has been frozen for years now, mostly to good things going on in the UK too, but it is patchy and we satisfy the road lobby, making motoring cheaper. Yet public are still too far behind in building new tramways, not just transport users, unless they happen to be elderly or disabled, extending existing ones, welcome as that is. are expected to pay more and more towards the cost of the Buses and light rail need to be treated by media and service, which takes no account of the wider environmental politicians as a serious way to combat pollution, congestion and social benefits to all those who use local public transport. and climate change, and of course to keep towns and cities Why can’t we have tariff unions like those seen in Germany mobile, not just some sort of extension of social services. or Austria – one ticket valid everywhere, regardless of operator? Colin Brazier, by e-mail

A reply on the UK barriers to light rail know as I have repaired the consequences of We all know that this has been ‘talked I was expecting comments on my article as such leakage. The second insulator is usually about’, and discussed politically, for upwards I knew the realism of my analysis would be part of the registration arm assembly and thus of eight years. Yes, eight years. And the unpopular with some. adds little extra cost; ac systems, particularly talkers will doubtless able to give perfectly I see that Mr Gibson (Mailbox, TAUT 974) the earthing and bonding arrangements are valid reasons why every one of those is challenging the cost conclusions I made very different and this causes severe problems discussions was absolutely necessary. based upon my observations and the UKTram where they meet, such as at Farringdon. I know I would be told, ‘But you don’t report I cited. I regret that suggesting Consultants are used as there is insufficient understand, Mr Gilbert.’ And it is true, I don’t. unrealistically low costs for new tramways work to justify employing permanent To me it seems simply that in the UK we are will only bring the industry into disrepute designers. In fact there is not enough work content with a slothful, pedantic bureaucracy, with the authorising bodies when costs rise in the UK to justify consultants having burdened with age-old practices in political as projects develop. This is why Merseytram specialist tramway designers. What we need circles and woe betide anyone who tries to and other schemes were cancelled by Alistair is railway engineers who understand the speed things up. ‘We’ve always done it this Darling as Transport Secretary. needs of heavy rail, metros, light rail and way, so that is how we must always do it…’ This inability of new British tramways and tramways, then we have a chance. Wouldn’t it be nice to see some evidence other projects to keep within budgets is why Tim Kendell, by email that the UK is snapping out of these turgid Treasury approval is required and a 66%-100% thoughts at last? Instead of, pace Mr Alastair ‘optimism bias’ is applied to estimates in the The key UK barrier is prejudice Darling in 2004-05, cancelling tramway early stages of project development. I read the article UK Barriers to Progress schemes in Liverpool, Leeds and the The new line 2 in Ulm at EUR270m for (TAUT 974) with dismay, though it comes Portsmouth area? Especially considering that 9.8km (6.1 miles) with 1km (0.6 miles) shared as no surprise to me. One has only to think Liverpool and Leeds are both larger cities with line 1 (also TAUT 974) gives EUR31m/km, that in the years since – say – 1980, over 25 than Sheffield and Nottingham, both of which is comparable with Nottingham when new tramways have opened in France (which which have somehow overcome the ‘British you consider that Ulm uses metre-gauge track slaughtered its first-generation tramways just as barrier’ to build new tramways... to say and narrow trams. When you compare this we did in the UK) as against, pace Mr Kendell’s nothing of Manchester’s amazing success. on a like-for-like basis, English costs are on a article, just seven in the UK. Clearly something So when, and how, are we really going to par with Europe. As regards Edinburgh, we is wrong with our thought processes. get rid of not just slothful practices, but, more await the conclusions of the Hardie Inquiry. Mr Kendell analyses the issue coolly and difficult, slothful thought-processes? Answers Mr Gibson’s remarks on track construction forensically, but with much more kindness on the proverbial postcard to TAUT perhaps? take little account of the underlying ground; than is deserved. Of course it is difficult to John Gilbert, by e-mail a concrete slab would be required to support trace the problem clearly, despite his article. the blocks he suggests on, say, clay or gravels Why? Because, as I see it, it is really the fault Tim Kendell: I agree in many ways with Mr and concrete is cheap. There are some of a built-in mental issue. The powers-that- Gilbert. I worked on Thameslink 2000 in the opportunities to make savings, but that would be seem to be unable, incapable, of cool early and mid-1990s and it has only recently require clear guidance on both the loadings ‘through’ thought and are beset by all sorts been completed. Likewise, 11½ years for the to be used and the ability of the rail and track of prejudices, not least of which is the fact tram-train pilot that was initiated in 2007. slabs to span variations in ground stiffness. that nothing can ever be allowed to happen Politics, short-termism, eternal Likewise, Mr Gibson has some quickly in British bureaucracy, whether at optioneering, interference from other misconceptions of the cost drivers behind dc Town Hall or, especially, Westminster level. projects, availability of resources, NIMBYs electrification design. The double insulation As an example, take Blackpool’s efforts to and the short tenure of Ministers/senior is there to mitigate against stray dc leakage build a tramway extension to North station. officials account for most delays. into the environment where even small Eminently sensible and just under half-a-mile There were eight Transport Secretaries in currents can rot metal structures and pipes; I (around 1km) long, so no vast undertaking. the nine years I served at the DfT...

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MARCH 2019 / 115 Classic Trams PRAHA’s double line heritage The Czech capital’s tramway has joined a select number to feature more than one heritage operation. Mike Russell describes the genesis and operation of the new route 23. 1

owhere could be more also some examples extended by one bay to and on Mondays-Fridays during the main appropriate for a heritage route incorporate a low-floor centre section, mostly tourist season (May-October). The service operated by classic T3 bogie painted in a maroon and silver livery. is provided from Hloubetín and Strešovice tramcars than Praha (Prague). The genesis of the new service has depots; the current standard depot allocation It was here that these cars were apparently been the heritage Routemaster is one set from Strešovice and the remainder developedN and built, a process carried out bus operation in London (UK), with which from Hloubetín, but the plan is for Strešovice in the Andel works that had been home to several of the staff of Dopravní podnik eventually to provide three sets. railway and tramcar carriage building since it hlavní mesta Praha (DPMP) were familiar. Various T3 specifications are among the was set up by Franz Ringhoffer in 1852. This convinced them that a special route, 25 cars set aside to work the service and they At that time the city was the Bohemian integrated with the standard network and normally operate as coupled sets. There are capital within the Austro-Hungarian empire. with standard fares, but operated by heritage two authentic T3 vehicles: 6892 and 6921. Trams continued to be built here during tramcars and serving principal tourist Car 7001 is the sole representative of model Czechoslovakia’s inter-war democratic attractions, could be viable. Line 23 was born. T3SU. Most numerous are examples of type period, the days of wartime occupation and The route number was doubly appropriate, T3SUCS: 7121, 7122, 7142, 7144, 7174, 7188, then the Communist era, until the political not only because the service was to be 7189, 7191, 7205, 7234, 7235, 7262, 7275, clouds lifted at the end of 1989 to usher in the superimposed on the busiest section of trunk 7269, 7282, 7290 are in service; 7256 and blossoming Czechia that we know today. route 22 but also because there had earlier 7273 are in reserve but serviceable at Hostivar. The T3 was the signature product of the been an all-day route 23 operating over the There are four cars of type T3M, with works and kept scores of tramways across great majority of the new route, but extended thyristor control: 8013, 8014 and 8085 in Europe in business after older rolling stock in an easterly direction to Vršovice. service, plus 8042 currently undergoing expired. The low-floor revolution is steadily Line 23 began operation on 25 March maintenance at Hostivar. All, except for 6892, reducing their ranks, even in the former 2017 – the day after the last normal service 6921 and 7001, were the last examples in Soviet Union; within a few years, non-rebuilt with T3 cars, when the final set of resistor- operational condition and were kept aside examples are unlikely to be found in regular equipped T3SUCS cars, 7269+7174, operated from others due for sale to Ukraine at the service anywhere. So for Praha to honour this on route 24. The route starts from a reversing last minute; all had basic maintenance over product by introducing a completely new triangle at Zvonarka in Vinohrady district; winter 2016-17. Their enforced retention dedicated heritage route is entirely fitting. this has been in place for many years but for meant that there was no opportunity to draw most of the period was only used irregularly. from a wider selection of cars. All will be put Second heritage line Arriving trams set down passengers in through a general overhaul at Hostivar – 7001 Praha has had a heritage tramway operation Záhrebská and then reverse into U Zvonarky, and 8042 are pilots for this work to establish since 1991, when special line 91 first operated where a back-shunt exists just long enough to the optimal technology for overhauls for in recognition of the centenary year of an accommodate a two-car T3 set. heritage service. At present, all cars have experimental electric tram line to the city. Trams then travel along Belehradská before some retro components and a livery free There have since been variations to its joining the trunk line at I.P. Pavlova along of external advertisements, with old-style operation and the route has been renumbered Žitná to Karlovo námestí. The route here is fleet numerals and Praha symbols. For the 41, operating hourly on Saturday, Sunday in company with route 22, one of the city’s launch of route 23, car 8085 was prepared as and public holiday afternoons during busiest along the tourist trail. In that respect a ‘representative’ vehicle and features many the tourist season on a route linking the the new 23 provides invaluable relief facilities original components from an old T3. tramway museum at Strešovice depot with at times when route 22 is heavily in demand. Strešovice depot has cars 6892, 6921, 7121, the fairgrounds, Výstavište, in Holešovice The itinerary takes cars past Národní 7122, 7174, 7269 and in future will also have district. A variety of traditional two-axle divadlo and across most Legií, one of the 7001. The remainder are based at Hloubetín. motor and trailer cars is used on this service bridges spanning the river Vltava served Cars 6892 and 6921 formed the Strešovice and many have been beautifully repainted by trams. A right turn at Újezd takes the depot commercial T3 set, preserved in 2011 in red and yellow or red and cream liveries, line through Malá Strana before reaching but hardly ever used afterwards; now they reviving memories of older Praha tramways. Malostranská metro station. The trams have returned to regular service on route 23! Members of the museum fleet are available then climb the steeply-graded Chotkova There are plans for some changes to line for private hire and to stand in the vicinity before attaining the high ground on which 23 rolling stock. Some T3SUCS cars will be of Malostranská metro station on a busy the castle and St. Vitus cathedral are built. replaced by renovated genuine T3 cars such as summer weekend is to witness a steady Well away from the hustle and bustle of the 6312 and 6400, returning from the training procession of vintage trams snaking down commercial city centre, this area abounds in and tourist car fleets. A project to acquire and the hill from the castle district. tourist activity. Route 23 terminates at a large renovate two T2R cars from Liberec (18+19, The catalyst for the introduction of the turning loop at Malovanka with a multi-track formerly 26+27, acquired from Ostrava as 613 second heritage line (23) was the withdrawal, layout built to serve the Strahov stadium. and 694 in 1996) has been progressed after in March 2017, of the last T3 tramcars from the end of T2R operation in Liberec on normal service. Visitors to Praha today might Seven-day service 17 November 2018. These will be another remark that there appear to still be many Taking its cue from London’s Routemasters, tribute to the famous Tatra works stylist examples of T3 cars in service, but those line 23 operates during the daytime seven Frantisek Kardaus (1908–1986), who was an are actually clones, with refurbished bodies days a week. The winter weekday service author of the most successful Tatra type T3. and new IGBT transistor control built in the operates to a 30-minute frequency, using tramways’ Hostivar workshops and partly three tram-sets, with a six-set 15-minute With grateful acknowledgement to Robert Mara the Pars nova plant at Sumperk. There are service at weekends and public holidays of Praha.

116 / MARCH 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org 1. At weekends, and also on weekdays in the summer, heritage line 23 operates to a 15-minute frequency and two sets of cars may often be found on parallel tracks taking layover time at Malovanka terminus. Here are 8085+8014 and 7205+7282 in October 2018.

2. Autumnal mist surrounds the landscape bathed in seasonal tints as T3SUCS cars 7205+7282 ascend Chotkova on 13 October 2018 with the spires of St. Vitus cathedral visible. This snaking road provides the tramway link from the old lower town at Malá Strana to the castle district.

3. A meeting of the generations at Malovanka terminal loop on 22 August 2018. On the left, taking layover between journeys on line 23 are T3SUCS cars 7191+7290. On the right is the set comprising 351 (Ringhoffer, 1915, restored from snowplough 4213) and Ringhoffer-Tatra centre- 2 entrance trailer 1562 of 1946, on a driver training exercise from Střešovice depot.

4. The T3SUCS set 7262+7275 crossing most Legií westbound on 13 October 2018, with views over the river Vltava and part of the city’s Old Town visible.

5. The coupled set of 7191+7290 performs its out-of-service terminal manoeuvre at Zvonařka on 22 August 2018 as it reverses into the back-shunt of the reversing triangle, where passengers may board for the 3 4 trip to Malovanka. 6. On 14 October 2018, T3SUCS cars 7269+7174 pass the portals marking the western end of most Legií, the bridge used by route 23 cars to cross the river Vltava. The tracks in the background and on the embankment serve the circumference of the city’s historic Old Town.

7. Line 23 crosses the river Vltava by means of most Legií. T3M cars 8085+8014 are shown heading east against the hilly 5 6 landscape of the city’s western quarters on 13 October 2018.

8. The stop at Pohořelec is an important setting-down point for tourists visiting the castle and cathedral. On 13 October 2018 the two-car set of T3SUCS cars 7205+7282 is about to depart for the final part of the journey to Malovanka.

7 8 All photography by Mike Russell.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MARCH 2019 / 117 NEWS FROM THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT ASSOCIATION Ambitious tramway AGM – now heading for plans for the Fylde Coast Nottingham he campaign to extend the Blackpool tram MP Paul Maynard. Mr Maynard proposes creating In the last edition of TAUT we network further along the Fylde Coast a tram loop on the Fylde Coast by utilising the announced plans to hold the T recently got a boost with the publication currently disused Fleetwood to Poulton railway as 2019 LRTA AGM in Mannheim, of two reports. well as converting the Blackpool South – Lytham Germany, in conjunction Trams for Lytham, led by the LRTA’s Sam Flynn, line. He says the project has been costed by a with Ian Longworth tours. published a report in January on the case for potential operator. Unfortunately for operational extending the tramway to Lytham. He said that Both plans are, however, controversial with reasons it has not been possible “travelling between Blackpool and South Fylde is local train user groups, the heritage rail Poulton to go ahead with this plan. difficult and lengthy, and neither the hourly train and Wyre Railway, and with Labour politicians The AGM will now be taking service to Blackpool South nor the often unreliable opposing the plans. place in Nottingham on the buses are satisfactory. Converting the rail line LRTA Chair Paul Rowen said: “We welcome the 21-23 September. Events to light rail would provide a modern, integrated debate on extending light rail along the Fylde planned include a tour of the transport system”. coast with the possibility of replacing an hourly Nottingham Express Transit This report was followed by a much more train service with trams running at ten-minute tram system, the AGM, a dinner ambitious one put forward by Blackpool North intervals. That has got to be progress.” with a guest speaker and a visit to the Great Central Railway in to preston Kirkham & Loughborough. Thornton Poulton Wesham These dates coincide with Hillhouse Wrea Green Enterprise the 60th Anniversary of the Zone Moss Side formation of the National Burn Naze Lytham Tramway Museum at Crich, and Three Lights Ansdell & we’re also planning a visit there. Layton Fairhaven Freeport St Annes Members wishing to join the Dock Street Blackpool Airport Longworth tour to the continent Fleetwood Enterprise Zone Ferry will be able to do so, as this is Fisherman’s Blackpool Starr Gate Walk North not leaving until 24 September. Little Gynn Pleasure Broadwater Bispham Square Beach Full details and a booking Cleveleys form will appear with a future Bispham North Central South Pier Anchorsholme Pier Pier edition of TAUT as well as on Sam Flynn: 2018 Global Light Rail Awards. the LRTA website.

Compiled by the LRTA. For a full list of the year’s events and MEETINGS & EVENTS meeting places please visit www.lrta.org

February 2019 Friday 22. Edinburgh 19.00. countryside and beyond. Monday 18. Wickham 19.30. Tim Kendell: Integrated ticketing. (LRTA/TLRS/ERS (TMS invited) Group AGM plus model competition. Saturday 16. Taunton 14.00. Friday 22. Leicester 20.00. Tuesday 5. Southampton 19.30. (TLRS Solent) Andrew Hunt: France 2018, and John Lessells and David Witt: John Laker: Tramway cine film. Tuesday 19. London 19.00. Keith Walton: Last year in Austria. Transport in Zurich. (TMS) (LRTA/SEG) To be advised. (TLRS) Saturday 23. Beeston 14.00. Saturday 9. West Midlands 14.00. Friday 29. Edinburgh 19.00. Monday 18. Liverpool 19.45. Modelling. Bring along your latest General modelling meeting. (TLRS) John Wilson: Achievements in Alan Smith: The work of the London project. (TLRS) Monday 11. Thames Valley 19.30. Strasbourg and Karlsruhe. County Council Tramways Trust. Saturday 23. Garstang 14.00. Alan Holmewood: Poland. (TLRS) Friday 22. Leicester 20.00. (TLRS Merseyside) Peter Stephenson: Melbourne and Wednesday 13. Brighton 19.40. Bob Bracegirdle: Wanderings in Monday 18. Wickham 19.30. Australia. (TLRS) Mike Skeggs: Chasing classic trams. North America. (TMS) Models, slides, sticks – part 2. Thursday 28. Manchester 19.00. (TLRS) Saturday 30. Beeston 14.00. (TLRS Solent) Alan Murray–Rust: Tramways of the Saturday 16. Taunton 14.00. Paul Abell: Steam trams. (TLRS) Tuesday 19. Leeds 19.00. DDR (East Germany) in 1974. Gordon Bartlet: Calcutta to Cuba and Saturday 30. Garstang 14.00. Mel Reuben: The last picture show Slapstick Trams USA. (TLRS) Arthur Dawson: Zurich in G scale of the late Keith Terry MBE. March 2019 Monday 18. Liverpool 19.45. and 12in:1ft. (TLRS) Tuesday 19. London 19.00. Sharon Brown: Transport exhibit Thursday 28. Manchester 19.00. Geoff Tribe and David Connor: Saturday 2. Birmingham 14.00. stories from the Museum of Tony Young: New tramways and Trams by the seaside – part 2. Geoffrey Tribe: Trams in the Liverpool. (TLRS Merseyside) light railways worldwide.

For more information on the Association and its activities visit www.lrta.org Bookshop Order online from lrta.info/shop – or by post from: LRTA Publications, 31 Ashton Road, Wokingham RG41 1HL Postage included (2nd class UK; Airmail Europe; Economy rest of world).

Wege aus Eisen in den Straßen von Wien Stockholm’s Mustangen Zur Geschichte der Wiener Straßenbahn Vacker, smidig och snabb – En antologi om en älskad spårvagn A wonderful collection of images from the Austrian capital’s vast Detailed history of this distinctive type of network, covering the changing bogie car in Stockholm. Richly illustrated scene from the 1950s to the present. to trace its widespread contribution to the German text. cityscape. Swedish text.

> 240x205mm hardback, landscape > 270x215mm hardback; 240 pages, format; 128 pages, 42 colour and 67 122 colour and 292 black & white pictures, black & white pictures plus system map several line drawings plus two maps. and images of tickets. £31.50 (UK addresses); £35.50 (outside £20.00 (UK addresses); £23.50 (outside UK); £27.0 0 (Airmail UK); £38.50 (Airmail beyond Europe). beyond Europe). LRTA members: £1.75 discount. LRTA members: £2.50 discount.

Die Rittnerbahn – Bilder Buch Bogen Die Altenburger Straßenbahn Altösterreichisches Bahnjuwel in Südtirol Historie und Technik

A potted history of this iconic interurban The story of a small German town tramway is followed by an album of colour tramway which closed in 1921, but views from the last two decades, showing is still represented by a historic car the fantastic scenery through which it in the Halle fleet. German text. passes. German text. > 245x225mm hardback, landscape > A4 hardback; 160 pages, 294 colour format; 96 pages, 32 colour and 78 pictures plus route map. black & white pictures, five maps. £39.00 (UK addresses); £44.50 (outside £15.50 (UK addresses); £19.50 UK); £50.00 (Airmail beyond Europe) (outside UK); £22.50 (Airmail LRTA members: £3.60 dicount. beyond Europe); LRTA members: £1.30 discount.

Zeitreise durchs BOGESTRA-Land Amsterdamse Tramlijnen 1975-2018 Band 2: Die Geschichte der Linie 302 (Bochum – Gelsenkirchen) Deel 2: Nieuwezijdslijnen

Tells the story of the longest tramline The second in a new series of four books in the Ruhr area from which the that illustrate the city’s tram network tram company takes its name, with prior to the opening of the Noord-Zuid atmospheric views of this heavily- Metro on 22 July last year. This one covers industrialised region. German text. lines 1, 2, 5, 11, 13 and 17 from the west side of Centraal Station. Dutch text. > 240x220mm hardback, landscape format; 132 pages, 67 black & white > A4 hardback; 152 pages, 222 colour and and 172 colour pictures, track-plan 66 black & white pictures plus route map. and seven maps. £37.50 (UK addresses); £45.00 (outside £26.50 (UK addresses); £30.00 (outside UK); £33.50 (Airmail UK); £50.00 (Airmail beyond Europe) beyond Europe). LRTA members: £2.40 discount. LRTA members: £3.50 discount.

Von Hohenlimburg nach Hemer und Altena Himmelblau Die Geschichte der Iserlohner Kreisbahn – Die neue Wuppertaler Schwebebahn Band 1: Der Straßenbahnverkehr City landmark, historical monument Richly-illustrated history of the metre- and wonder of the modern world, this gauge tram network to the east of Hagen amazing suspension railway has been which operated between 1900 and 1964. completely modernised with new German text. rolling stock, which is the subject of this splendid book. German text. > A4 hardback; 184 pages, 300+ colour and black & white pictures plus 15 maps. > 300x235mm hardback; 224 pages, £37.50 (UK addresses); £45.00 (outside UK); 300+ pictures, mainly in colour. £50.00 (Airmail beyond Europe) £37.50 (UK addresses); £45.00 (outside LRTA members: £3.50 discount. UK); £50.00 (Airmail beyond Europe) LRTA members: £3.50 discount. “I am delighted that the UK Light Rail Conference is coming back to Greater Manchester in 2019. “Metrolink forms a key backbone of sustainable travel for the region as it continues to grow, so this important two-day event offers an invaluable chance to network with peers from around the world and share knowledge and best practice as we all aim to improve the way we plan, build and deliver exceptional light rail services to passengers.” Manchester Danny Vaughan 23-24 July 2019 Head of Metrolink – Transport for Greater Manchester “An excellent event, providing a stimulating and varied two-day programme addressing current The industry’s premier exhibition and knowledge-sharing and future issues pertinent to Voices event returns to Manchester for 2019! today’s light rail industry” V from the Clive Pennington With unrivalled networking opportunities, this invaluable Technical Director – Light Rail, industry… two-day congress is well-known as THE place to do Amey Consulting & Rail business and build long-lasting relationships. There is no better place to gain true insight into the workings of the sector and help shape its future. “I thought the whole conference was great – there was a great energy about it.” To discuss how you can be part of it, visit us online at Dr Stuart Thomson – Head of Public Affairs, Government and www.mainspring.co.uk or call us on +44 (0)1733 367600 Infrastructure, BDB Pitmans

SUPPORTED BY ORGANISED BY