THE INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

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NOVEMBER 2015 No. 935 CONTRASTS IN LIGHT RAIL: CHARLOTTE’S NEW MODE

NET Phase Two: Doubling Nottingham’s network

Low-floor fuel cell by 2017 Dublin relaunches LRT Awards mark excellence ISSN 1460-8324 £4.25 Mailbox special Ukraine 11 Your views on trailers Local innovation and coupled cars in and Kyiv 9 771460 832043

CONTENTS The official journal of the Light Rail Transit Association NOVEMBER 2015 Vol. 78 No. 935 www.tramnews.net EDITORIAL 434 EDITOR Simon Johnston Tel: +44 (0)1733 367601 E-mail: [email protected] 13 Orton Enterprise Centre, Bakewell Road, Peterborough PE2 6XU, UK 438 ASSOCIATE EDITOR Tony Streeter E-mail: [email protected] WORLDWIDE EDITOR Michael Taplin 442 Flat 1, 10 Hope Road, Shanklin, Isle of Wight PO37 6EA, UK. E-mail: [email protected] NEWS EDITOR John Symons 17 Whitmore Avenue, Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs ST9 0LW, UK. E-mail: [email protected] SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR Neil Pulling WORLDWIDE CONTRIBUTORS Tony Bailey, James Chuang, Paul Nicholson, Richard Felski, Ed Havens, Bill Vigrass, Andrew Moglestue, Mike Russell, Nikolai Semyonov, Vic Simons, Herbert Pence, Alain Senut, Thomas Wagner. NEWS 428 WORLDWIDE REVIEW 447 PRODUCTION New Australian PM offers hope for ‘paused’ Canberra light rail project likely to feature Lanna Blyth ligh rail schemes; Addis Ababa LRT opens; catenary-free sections; first rails laid for Tel: +44 (0)1733 367604 E-mail: [email protected] Oklahoma City orders ; Brussels’ tramline 9; approval given for DESIGN tramway reaches Hbf station; Light Rail Santiago metro feeder; Chemnitz tenders Debbie Nolan Awards recognises industry innovation. for further low-floor trams; Dallas confirms ADVERTISING second city alignment. COMMERCIAL MANAGER Geoff Butler CHARLOTTE GOLD LINE 434 Tel: +44 (0)1733 367610 E-mail: [email protected] Herbert Pence appraises the latest opening MAILBOX SPECIAL 453 PUBLISHER in North Carolina: the Gold line streetcar. Responses to vandalism – and plenty more Howard Johnston on the operation of trailers and coupled cars. Tramways & Urban Transit is jointly published by the UKRAINIAN DEVELOPMENTS 438 LRTA and LRTA Publishing on the third Friday of each Lviv finally realises the ambition of a fast TRAMS, TRAILERS AND TRAINS 456 month preceding the cover date. tramway line to Sykhiv, while Kyiv goes Scott McIntosh delves through the bulging LRTA WEBSITE AND DIARY domestic for its latest order. to look at more considerations for Brian Lomas Mailbox E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] tramway operations. LRTA MEMBERSHIP (with TAUT subscription) SYSTEMS FACTFILE: 442 Tramways & Urban Transit is sent free to all paid-up Neil Pulling explores this efficient northern CLASSIC TRAMS: DEPOT TO MUSEUM 460 members of the Light Rail Transit Association. German operation that has recently Mike Russell investigates a fascinating new SUBSCRIPTIONS AND MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES welcomed -equipped trams. use for a former tram depot in . LRTA Membership Secretary (Dept T06), 38 Wolseley Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK. Tel: +44 (0)117 9517785 SPECIAL REVIEW: NET PHASE TWO – BRINGING NOTTINGHAM TOGETHER BACK ISSUES August 2015 marked a milestone for the UK city of Nottingham, realising a long-held Tel: +44 (0)117 951 7785 ambition of doubling its tramway and linking many new passenger destinations. PRINT AND DISTRIBUTION TAUT speaks to the key figures responsible for delivering this most remarkable project. Warners (Midlands) plc, The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1778 391000. LRTA REGISTERED OFFICE c/o 138 Radnor Avenue, Welling, Kent DA16 2BY, UK. Private company limited by guarantee, No. 5072319 This is your platform, so keep the letters coming! in England and Wales. Anyone that has had the chance to ride the new Nottingham Express Transit LRTA CHAIRMAN lines to Clifton or Chilwell surely can’t help but be impressed. The dramatic Andrew Braddock infrastructure of these two routes is a credit to our industry and its ingenuity. E-mail: [email protected] Much has been made of the delays to the project, but given the scope of LRTA DEPUTY CHAIRMAN Phase Two I think that achieving such a complex installation – bear in mind Paul Rowen that this scheme includes just about every form of challenge possible for an urban rail LRTA PUBLISHING REGISTERED OFFICE c/o 8 Berwick Place, Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL7 4TU, system, including demolishing buildings, bridge construction, major utility diversions UK. Private Limited Company, No. 06169422 and dealing with sensitive neighbours – would have been almost impossible in three in England and Wales. years. Having said that, I agree that you have to set tough deadlines. Ask anyone in © LRTA Publishing 2015 Edinburgh if they would be happy with an eight-month delay... Articles are submitted on the understanding they may also Otherwise, the TAUT postbag and inbox have been bulging at the seams with later be used on our websites or other media. A contribution is accepted on the basis that its author is responsible for the comment on our recent series of technical and operational articles. So we have taken opinions expressed in it, and such opinions are not those of the opportunity to print many of them in an enlarged section, with author Scott LRTA Publishing or the LRTA. All rights reserved. McIntosh replying in detail, adding more thoughts on the potential for trailer and No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in coupled car operations. It all makes fascinating reading. any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and This month has also seen the ninth running of the Light Rail Awards, and it was a retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from pleasure once again for TAUT to be involved. With such a diverse range of entries from the copyright owner. Multiple copying of the contents of the around the world – everything from game-changing new materials to crucial safety magazine without prior written approval is not permitted. and passenger information innovation – it fills me with excitement to be part of such a COVER: Charlotte CityLynx streetcar 92 (left) and vibrant and innovative industry. Long may this continue… Simon Johnston, Editor Lynx Siemens S70 104 at CTC/Arena Station. P. Ehrlich

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org NOVEMBER 2015 / 427 News

Hamburg U-Bahn expansion Australian leadership is looking to invest more than EUR74m in planning change to favour light rail? for future U-Bahn lines – but precise details of delivery depend New Prime Minister John Turnbull raises hopes for ‘on hold’ LRT projects on whether the northern German city’s bid to host the Olympic Games in 2024 is successful. ight rail promoters in Schemes include extending line Australia are hoping that U5, with an approximately 6km the country’s change (four-mile), five-stop extension to of Prime Minister will Bramfeld by 2026-27. Work could makeL more money available begin in 2021. Also planned are for schemes. Tony Abbott, who extensions of U4 to Horner Geest favoured roads spending over (2024-25) and Kleiner Grasbrook public , was replaced either under or overground (2024). by Malcolm Turnbull as PM Work on the latter could begin in and leader of the Liberal party 2019 if Hamburg’s Olympic bid in September. That has raised is successful. A further U5 the prospect of a change in extension could take the line emphasis – which appeared to be westwards to Osdorfer Born, supported by Minister for Cities potentially by 2033. Jamie Briggs in an interview with Before all of these, a new stop is The West Australian. expected to open at Oldenfelde Mr Briggs said the federal in 2018. A decision on which city government was prepared to is to hold the 2024 Olympics is discuss schemes such as Perth’s expected in 2017. AUS1.8bn (EUR1.12bn) MAX The initial 13km (eight-mile) phase of the G:Link system opened in July 2014 and light rail project, which was put runs from University Hospital to Southport, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach. on hold after the 2013 election A shorter alternative route for the northern second phase has recently been when the federal government unveiled. F. Anzola Konya’s wire-free cut funding. However, Mr Briggs is reported as saying: “There’s second stage could take it from the Turnbull administration’s city centre no new pot of gold that we’ve the QEII medical centre to areas agreement in principle to support Catenary-free tramway operation magically discovered in the including that taken up by the the 7.3km (4.5-mile) northern has come to Konya, Turkey, with change of leader, the same University of Western Australia. extension in time for the 2018 the opening of the first section budget situation remains.” Separately, the Australian Commonwealth Games. of line using battery-operated Perth had previously deferred Broadcasting Corporation has Queensland’s Deputy Premier trams. Škoda 28T vehicles run the MAX project, giving an reported that South Australia Jackie Trad said: “We are really on battery power for the roughly opening date of late 2022, with could submit plans for an heartened by the constructive 2km (1.2-mile) section of route 2 construction starting in 2019. extension of Adelaide’s existing and positive discussions with the through the city centre. The idea is for a main north- tramway, as well as railway new Turnbull Government and The roof-mounted batteries south spine, with branches from electrification. based on this we can go to the can be recharged when the tram City Square to the QEII medical The first signs of the change in request for tender process. is running under overhead wires; centre in the south-west, and to attitude were seen on 1 October, “We now have a sympathetic Konya ordered 12 of the vehicles, the Causeway in the east. In total when tenders opened for the ear at a federal level and there has supplementing previous 28T the lines would reach 22km second phase of the Gold Coast’s been a significant shift since the trams not fitted with batteries. (14 miles), though a potential G:link light rail system following leadership change.”

Addis Ababa, the capital of 2011, with Chinese vehicle Addis Ababa opens first Ethiopia, celebrated the official manufacturer CNR Changchun opening of the first light rail delivering a fleet of 41 28.8m scheme in sub-Saharan Africa three-section 70% low-floor Sub-Saharan LRT line on 20 September when it trams. Trams are painted inaugurated passenger service green or blue, with the latter on of its 34km (21-mile) eventually operating line 1 system. This is a 16.9km (10.5- and the green ones . mile) north–south link from The vehicles were built with Menilik II Square to Kality special attention paid to with 23 stations. Line 2, a ultraviolet light, which is 17.4km (10.8-mile) east-west strong in the city 2400m above line from Ayat to Tor Hailoch sea level, and have tinted was to follow in October. windows. Some of the 136 tram The system is segregated drivers were trained in . and partly elevated; there is Chinese banks have financed one subway station. The two 85% of the USD474m project, lines share a common 2.7km and the Ethiopian government (1.7-mile) section between the remainder. CREC and Lideta and Stadium. Service is Shenzhen Metro Group have a provided 06.00-22.00 daily. USD116m five-year contract to China Railway Engineering maintain the standard-gauge This photograph from the opening day of the Addis Ababa light rail system Corp. began infrastructure system, operated by Ethiopian shows a blue car at the elevated junction in the city centre. A. A. Raldi construction in December Railways Corporation.

428 / NOVEMBER 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Oklahoma orders Inekon trams Czech supplier beats rivals to five-car USD23m order; option for another eight trams

klahoma City, which Delivery of the vehicles will run is planning a 7.2km from autumn 2017 to spring (4.5-mile) USD129m 2018; the tramline is due to open tramway loop to link in summer 2018. The project is Oparts of its downtown area, has funded by a one-cent sales tax confirmed that it will order five increase, and because federal trams from the Czech Inekon funding is not involved, ‘Buy Group. Inekon beat off bids America’ provisions do not apply. from Brookville Equipment The tramway scheme comes Corporation, CAF and Chinese under ‘Maps 3’, a ten-year company XEMC. USD777m city regeneration The trams will be built at programme adopted in 2011. in the , The tramway route is mostly and will include lithium-ion single-track in parallel streets, Inekon trams outside the depot of ’s line, awaiting clearance to be used in public service. R. Scheuerman battery propulsion to permit linking St Anthony Hospital off-wire operation. The contract, with the Bricktown district Inekon is to supply the 12T Trio Inekon trams have been delayed confirmed on 29 September, via the business district in four-axle articulated trams most in entering service, in part due to is worth around USD23m, the city centre. Trams will recently delivered to Seattle, a federal funding requiring local and includes training, spares run on battery power to cross 20.1m car with two bogies and assembly, but also due to them and maintenance as well as an under the BNSF railway viaduct three body sections with a 50% awaiting regulatory approval for option for a further eight trams. in Bricktown. low-floor area. Seattle’s latest the battery traction system.

LU postpones Driver assistance system enters service ‘Night Tube’ launch The planned launch of London An innovative anti-collision Underground Night Tube services system has entered service in on 12 September was postponed -am-Main (). to allow further talks with the Bombardier Transportation’s unions concerned. There had DAS gives tram drivers been several instances of strike warning of potential impact action in July and August by the unions, concerned that all-night with objects on the track such services would impose extra as pedestrians, cyclists and strain on operating staff. other vehicles. Linked cameras Meanwhile, the European identify and predict movement Investment Bank has agreed of objects, with audio alerts a GBP1bn (EUR1.4bn) loan for being issued to the driver investment in London’s as necessary, with the transport network. The 35-year potential for activation of loan will support projects A readout from the DAS system in use in Frankfurt-am-Main. Bombardier including upgrades at Victoria automatic braking. and Bank Tube stations, as Flexity Swift 272 is now in 2016 if trials are successful. The DAS platform was well as renewal of tracks, normal service following DAS is complemented by developed with technical points and drainage. driver training and the Bombardier’s recently- support from the Austrian remaining 73 trams of this developed BodyGuard airbag Institute of Technology, and Keolis and Masabi offer type could be fitted with system that inflates if struck by operator Verkehrsgesellschaft smart ticketing the equipment by the end of an obstacle on the track. Frankfurt-am-Main. Keolis and mobile ticketing provider Masabi have launched a partnership to incorporate Masabi’s mobile ticketing technology into an integrated The first nine-section bi-directional CAF Budapest welcomes first 56m CAF Urbos tram application as part of the transport Urbos tram was delivered to the Hungarian operator’s PlanBookTicket capital in late September. A 47-car order initiative for the French market. placed in 2014 was divided into 35 shorter The digital PlanBookTicket five-section vehicles (34m in length) for allows passengers to plan their line 3 and 12 56m trams, the longest in the itinerary, and book and validate world. The contract includes an option for a tickets on smartphones. further 77 trams. CAF Riyadh metro contract L&T Construction has been selected to build 63km (39 miles) of double-track for Riyadh metro lines 1 and 2 under a 40-month contract worth USD161.4m. The six-line metro project is being delivered by the BACS consortium, and is expected NEWS IN PICTURES to be finished in 2018.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org NOVEMBER 2015 / 429 News Light Rail Awards celebrate global achievements Ninth annual event welcomes 300 guests from across the industry

inners from products beyond its domestic review of NET Phase Two see the revenue targets, drawing support around the markets. Brookville Equipment special publication with this issue). from many areas for extensions. world came Corporation won an accolade Sharing the accolade with Colas Rail picked up the award together at the for technical innovation for its Nottingham for major projects for technical innovation in ninthW running of the Light Rail Liberty streetcar, a new low-floor was Transport for Greater infrastructure, for its ‘Greenway’ Awards, supported by First Tram LRV aimed at the American Manchester for the expansion track system as used the French Operations, in London on market. The Liberty is capable of Metrolink to Manchester ‘budget’ system in Besançon. 7 October. The biggest such event of running both on overhead Airport – a 14.5km (nine-mile) The Judges’ Special Award to date, the 2015 ceremony saw catenary and onboard lithium- scheme with 15 stops that this year was given to Geoffrey recognition of achievements ion batteries and was recently put included bridging major roads Claydon CB, a long-standing from as far afield as Israel, the into service in Dallas, Texas. and taking the tramway through and influential tramway USA, , France and Algeria The Jerusalem Transportation environmentally sensitive areas advocate and campaigner who is as well as the UK, with around Masterplan Team was recognised that was delivered under budget Patron of the Light Rail Transit 300 guests in attendance. in the category for environmental and ahead of schedule. Association, and a former UK The prestigious Manufacturer and sustainability initiatives, due Operator of the Year went to Government legal advisor. of the Year honour was given this to the role of the city’s tramway Edinburgh Trams, for a successful Former UK Under-Secretary of year to Pesa, a company that has in reducing air pollution in the debut year that has countered State Norman Baker hosted the transformed itself from having city centre by a remarkable 85%. the critics and banished much of evening, held in association with a purely heavy rail background UK winners included Tramlink the bad feeling left by the delays Tramways & Urban Transit. into one of the most recognised Nottingham for delivery of Phase and cost overruns associated Full details of all those names in light rail. The judging Two of Nottingham Express with the tramway’s delivery. honoured at the 2015 Light panel praised not only the Transit – a two-line expansion that Since opening in May 2014, Rail Awards will be given in a quality of the firm’s products, has more than doubled the size of Edinburgh’s light rail line has special review of the ceremony but also its success in taking its the system (for a comprehensive exceeded both ridership and in the next TAUT.

Bombardier Berlin opens tram extensions to Hbf rejects offer for rail division Bombardier has rejected an offer from Beijing Infrastructure Investment Co (BII) to buy a majority stake in its rail business, Reuters reported in late September. State-controlled BII – formerly Beijing Subway Group, operator of 18 metro lines in the Chinese capital – wrote to Bombardier on 14 August, offering to acquire 60-100% of the Canadian firm’s Transportation arm. The letter from BII Chairman Tian Zhenqing valued the transportation business at USD7-8bn, but Bombardier Completion of tram service replied that it was not looking to Berlin’s Hauptbahnhof was to sell a majority stake. The marked by the appearance of latter is looking to raise capital the 100th Berlin, 9040. Manuel Euer/BVG by listing a minority stake in its transport unit to help balance overruns in its aircraft business. The tramway to Berlin’s turning circle. Meanwhile (BVG) Chair Dr Sigrid Evelyn Encouraged by the state, Hauptbahnhof has finally been further new tracks have been Nikutta, the Senator for Chinese firms are seeking to completed, almost a decade laid in Invalidenstrasse serving city development and the acquire market-leading western after the German capital’s new Nordbahnhof to permit more environment Andreas Geisel, technology companies to main station opened in 2006. tramlines to reach Hbf. State Secretary Gaebler and increase their global footprint. Trams on line M5 first reached The first tram to use the BVG general manager Matschke Bombardier’s share price has the area on a 1.8km (1.1-mile) 650m EUR27m extension to use the 100th Bombardier dropped almost 70% this year. extension in December 2014, Hbf was overhead observation Flexity to be delivered, 9040 The firm rejected an expression but the Hbf interchange stop KT4D car 4572 on 26 August, From 29 August routes M5, of interest from China’s state- was incomplete and trams followed by Flexity Berlin 4009. M8 and M10 were extended to owned rail giant CRRC earlier ran through on a temporary The opening on 28 August Hbf, and route 12 reverted to its in the year. single line to Lünebuger Strasse saw Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe former route via Nordbahnhof.

430 / NOVEMBER 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Hydrogen low-floor trams Foxtrot to Kyiv A Pesa Foxtrot low-floor tram is to undergo testing in Kyiv (Kiev) for three months, following to debut in Foshan in 2017 a memorandum between the Polish manufacturer and the Partnership between fuel cell specialist Ballard and CSR Sifang signed city’s mayor. Pesa is working together with Uraltransmash he reality of a hydrogen for the trial. fuel cell-powered In June 2013, Pesa won the low-floor tram in order for 120 low-floorFoxtrot commercial service trams for Moscow, but only 60 Tmoved a step closer in later trams have been delivered due September, with the signing to the fall in value of the Russian of an agreement between Rouble on global markets. Canadian-based Ballard Kyiv is looking to rejuvenate and CRRC Qingdao Sifang its tram stock, and is also taking Company (formerly CSR Sifang) vehicles from Electron (see page for the development and 438 for more on Ukrainian tram commericalisation of a developments). next-generation fuel cell. The new power system will be used for the under-construction Orange County tramway in Foshan (population approximately eight million). design awarded The deal will see Ballard develop ten FCvelocity fuel cells HNTB Corporation has been for CRRC to incorporate into the selected by ’s Orange low-floor trams next year. The County March 2015 saw the first trial of the Chinese-built hydrogen fuel cell tram; the first agreement has an initial value of to design the 6.6km (4.1-mile) of eight production versions are to go into passenger service in 2017. CSR Sifang approximately USD6m. The new OC Streetcar Project. State and fuel cell configuration will deliver The city in central Guangdong Xu Guo, Vice Mayor of Foshan/ federal environmental processes 200kW of net power for use in province is positioning itself as Yunfu said: “Our planned for the USD289m project were powering trams, with the first a leader in the construction and move toward clean mass transit completed in March, and eight vehicles entering service on mobilisation of fuel cells, last technology is being accelerated construction could begin in 2017. the Gaoming line in 2017. year investing USD72m in an with this announcement of The ten-stop line would In March 2015, a Ballard fuel agreement with CSR Sifang to fuel cell-powered trams as well run from Santa Ana Regional cell module powered the world’s manufacture trams locally for as our announcement of 300 Transportation Center through first hydrogen fuel cell-powered anticipated national contracts. fuel cell-powered in downtown and along a former low-floor articulated tram at an The two sides have gone further, Foshan/Yunfu. Railway right- event held at CRRC Sifang’s head with plans to create a national “We have complete confidence of-way to a new multimodal office, production and testing hydrogen fuel cell research that the consortium partners, hub at and facility in Qingdao. The tram centre; the city is also investing including Ballard and CRRC Westminster Avenue in Garden claims a refuelling time of just in hydrogen-fuelled buses, Sifang, will effectively deliver Grove. The line would have eight three minutes. powered by Ballard fuel cells. ground-breaking solutions.” trams, and could open in 2020. Rubber-tyred tramway Metro North to Dublin Airport Dublin Airport is to gain a unveiled in late September. fixed rail link under a revised The plan also says that DART reaches Venice plan announced by the Irish extension to Balbriggan will Services of rubber-tyred trams Government. start, and planning begin to in Venice () began on Construction of the 16.5km take DART to Maynooth and 16 September, after a ceremony (ten-mile) Metro North line Hazelhatch. marking completion of the is expected to start in 2021, It was previously announced 8.8km (5.5-mile) NTL Translohr with around half of the that the DART Underground line T1 extension from Piazzale alignment sited underground. – one of a number of Irish Cialdini in Mestre the previous Drumcondra, Ballymun and transport projects to have day. The new line runs across Swords will also be served, been shelved during the the Liberty Bridge causeway to a with journey times of 19 financial crisis – would not three-track terminus at Piazzale minutes between the city proceed as currently designed. Roma, operating every ten An STE4 vehicle at the new terminus centre O’Connell Street and Instead, it will be redesigned at Venezia Piazzale Roma. F. D. Laguna minutes from 06.06 to 23.51. the airport, and 31 minutes to reduce costs. The NTL cars can run at Passenger service in Mestre between O’Connell Street and The current proposal is for 70km/h (43mph) on the started in December 2010 Swords. The vehicles to be a mainly underground rail causeway line, which is shared and the system now totals used are described as “60m link from the Northern line with other traffic: line T1 has a 18.8km (11.7 miles); no further light metro vehicles” and just north of Connolly Station, commercial speed of 21km/h extensions are planned. headways are expected to be to Inchicore on the Kildare (13mph). Fifteen of the 20 32m The rubber-tyred system is 2.5 minutes, rising to two line; the estimated cost of the NTL STE4 double-ended cars guided by one central rail, and is minutes with demand. current design is EUR3bn. are required to operate lines also used in Clermont-Ferrand, The proposals for the new, The EUR27bn infrastructure T1 and T2 (which runs within Paris, Tianjin, Shanghai, Padova lower-cost, Metro North were plan also includes further Mestre only – Panorama mall to and Medellin. Since 2012 the announced in the EUR27bn investment in rail and Piazzale Cialdini). system has been marketed as NTL. infrastructure plans for Dublin networks, and roads.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org NOVEMBER 2015 / 431 News

TfGM gets creative against vandalism Tel Aviv LRT growth debate Transport for Great Manchester’s TravelSafe Unit has launched a Conflict between Finance and Transport Ministries over future construction competition for schools aimed at educating people about the consequences of anti-social sraeli financial media has ministry who claim the demand lines at 39km (24 miles), 4.5km behaviour and evasion on the reported that the nation’s for is much (2.8 miles) of which will be city’s Metrolink light rail network. Ministry of Finance is higher than forecast: “The underground. Children aged 9-14 are being considering stopping intention is not to cancel the In response, Minister of invited to create a film or audio constructionI work on all but lines, but to adapt them to a Transport Yisrael Katz told Globes: advert covering the topic, with the scheme forming part of TfGM’s the Red line of Tel Aviv’s light reality that has changed. The “The light rail project in Tel Aviv response to a recent wave of rail project, due to likely project light rail project was planned will be carried out as planned. vandalism on the system. overruns and out-of-date decades ago, and so is not No-one can stop it… it will be projections. Work on the 24km appropriate to today’s demands. operational in 2021 as planned, Škoda and Scomi join forces (15-mile) Red line which runs In any case, it will take NTA six and the rest of the lines planned builder Scomi has signed south from the central railway years to complete the Red line, so for the Tel Aviv metropolitan area a collaboration agreement with Škoda to develop rail vehicles, station in Petah Tikva to Bat Yam there is plenty of time to plan the will be built exactly in accordance enabling the Malaysian firm to bid – 11km (6.8 miles) of which will other lines anew. This has to be with the timetable set down.” on a wider range of transit projects. be underground – began in early done right first time, or not at all.” The Ministry of Finance Škoda envisages the agreement August, and is expected to take Two months ago, the plan for denies the accusations, and says will provide it with opportunities six years. the central part of the Green that what is on the agenda is a in south-east Asia, India and Brazil, Daily financial news outlet line was approved. This is the substantial expansion of the while Scomi seeks to explore the Globes reports sources in the longest of the eight planned existing project. European market. Scomi has also signed a deal with subsidiary Škoda Electric to market the Czech firm’s products in the Brazilian and South-East Asian places major Avenio order markets, including rail vehicle traction solutions, auxiliary power With eight Siemens Avenio equipment and Train Control vehicles already in the Monitoring Systems (TCMS). Munich (Germany) fleet now Astra to go it alone in service again, Münchner Romanian rail manufacturer Astra Verkehrsgesellschaft has placed is reportedly working on its own a further order for 22 more for tram design for both domestic and delivery in 2017-18 at a cost of international markets. The firm’s around EUR70m. There is an only existing customer is the city option for up to 124 more cars, of Arad, to which it has supplied to replace all the existing fleet six low-floorImperio vehicles in collaboration with Siemens. of older trams and allow for expansion of the network. New ticketing partnership The 22 trams on order will be Scheidt & Bachmann and the of different configurations: Octopus Applications subsidiary nine two-section, nine three- of the firm that runs Hong Kong’s smartcard have formed section and four four-section; MVG Siemens Avenio 2803 passes the city’s Max monument. A. Rauch a partnership to offer systems two and three-section trams using a range of contactless fare will operate in multiple on lines yielding a source of spare parts 38 between Scheidplatz and media including operator-issued 20 and 21 as 48m trains. The for the 55 that will remain. Grosshesseloher Brücke, running smartcards, bank cards, corporate existing order will see the start In September two trains of to replace all or part of lines cards and mobile devices. of replacement of the oldest type 1960s P-type cars were still in 15/25 and 17 during trackwork R trams dating from 1994-95, service on replacement service due to last until late November. Kochi metro unveils preview of Cambridgeshire Guided Busway Alstom Metropolis train design legal action on hold pending surveys Design drawings for the Work has started on a series legal action in regard to these 27 Alstom Metropolis metro of night-time investigations concerns. The two parties have trains that will run on the into the construction of the now agreed to jointly fund a 25.6km (15.9-mile) standard- Cambridgeshire Guided Busway; series of investigations and gauge elevated line in the the work is jointly funded surveys into the behaviour of the Indian city of Kochi were by contractor BAM Nuttall guideway. The county council unveiled on 4 September. and Cambridgeshire County have agreed to put their legal The line is to open in 2016. Council. action on hold pending the Alstom’s Design & Styling Design drawing for the Alstom metro In a joint statement, the parties outcome of the surveys.” department in Saint- car for Kochi. Alstom said: “The county council has Passenger numbers on the Ouen, France, worked in raised a number of concerns... guided busway reached 12.5m collaboration with operator Work on the Kochi metro about the construction of the by early summer with numbers Kochi Metro Rail Ltd and TATA began in June 2013. The guided busway which centre increasing from 179 000 in Elxsi; the design includes front rolling stock contract was around movement of the August 2011 when the busway LED lights in the shape of to be awarded to Hyundai foundations and the joints opened to 310 000 passengers a elephant tusks. A three-car Rotem/Changchun, but was between the guideway beams. month and rising. This is despite set is 65m long with 136 seats re-tendered in 2014 when the “In 2014 the county council park-and-ride passenger numbers in each train and capacity for design width of the cars was gave notice to BAM Nuttall decreasing following the 975 passengers. increased from 2.7m to 2.9m of its intention to commence imposition of parking charges.

432 / NOVEMBER 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Our rail milling know-how for your perfect rail wheel contact

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LINMAG wall_Anzeige_v2.indd 1 02.10.2015 09:07:10 Passengers scramble for a seat on the first CityLYNX streetcar on 14 July. Courtesy of CATS

GOING FOR GOLD IN CHARLOTTE Herbert Pence reports on the opening of the CityLYNX Gold line streetcar service, which adds another light rail variant to the operations in a pioneering US city.

Gomaco-built cars 91 and 92 meet at Central Piedmont Community College, the principal passenger generator for the new line, on 20 August. In its first month, CityLYNX carried over 1500 riders each weekday. P. Ehrlich Charlotte CityLYNX

treetcars, light rail and ABOVE: CityLYNX services leave the light rail Enthusiast to professional passenger rail operations combine facility at New Bern and operate, without passengers, In order to differentiate between the private to make Charlotte, North Carolina, to CTC/Arena Station, where they switch to a track non-profit , Inc. and a growing rail transit city. The latest that runs around the Time/Warner Cable Arena to the city-owned Charlotte Streetcar, two of these services, the CityLYNX Trade Street. CityLYNX is passing East/West Blvd names are used. station on its pullout trip on 20 August. P. Ehrlich GoldS line streetcar service commenced The story of the Charlotte Streetcar begins operation on 14 July 2015. at Atherton Mill. A group of electric railway The Gold line is the culmination of 13 enthusiasts formed Charlotte Trolley, Inc. years of planning, political squabbles and (CTI) to develop a museum operation. The funding crises, but it is a further step in the Norfolk Southern, a mainline railroad, had implementation of the Metropolitan Transit a disused route near the Charlotte Trolley’s Commission (MTC) Corridor System Plan car barn, while a derelict streetcar from of 2002. This plan was reaffirmed in 2006. Charlotte (Duke Power Co.) was discovered Charlotte’s Mayor, Daniel Clodfelter is the being used for itinerant labour housing. current Chairman of the MTC. The group undertook the rebuilding of the In the US, cities and their surrounding streetcar in 1988 after purchasing it from its counties often compete for residents, owner of more than 35 years. businesses and financial resources; this When researching the car’s patrimony, competition can significantly slow civic it was discovered that it was 85, the last development, as the two governmental streetcar to operate in Charlotte on Monday subdivisions contend for population and 14 March 1938 – this gave the CTI group the commercial strength. Forward-thinking additional cachet of preserving local history. ABOVE: US Secretary of Transportation, and former communities have merged into vast organised Mayor of Charlotte, Anthony Foxx presided over the The streetcar was rebuilt and placed into areas for governmental purposes. The largest opening of the CityLYNX Gold line, downplaying service, limited to weekends. For electrical 2 of these is Jacksonville, Florida, at 2265km critics who have claimed that the Streetcar is a “line power, a welding generator on a small (874sq. mi.), while other significant merged to nowhere”, adding that “this line is about building a four-wheel section gang (civil works crew) city/counties are the City of Indianapolis– new fabric… a new future for Charlotte”. USDoT flatbed car was coupled; cables connected the Marion County, Indiana, 953km2 (368sq. welding generator’s output to the streetcar’s mi.) and, to a lesser extent, Charlotte- The MTC Corridor Plan calls for a variety motors. The historic Trolley was so well Mecklenburg County at 769km2 (297sq. mi.). of modes to meet the specific transportation executed that the Norfolk Southern railroad Charlotte-Mecklenburg County has merged demands of residents, in this context light extended the initial lease arrangement and many functions, including transportation. rail, streetcar and motorbus. The LYNX this setup provided a major catalyst for the With one overarching government, light rail service that opened in city’s light rail development. planning becomes somewhat simpler. November 2007 now caters for almost 16 000 The Charlotte Streetcar is designed to There are always the agendas of individual passengers per day and has been reported have a 16km (ten-mile) east-west route and elected officials, but consolidated planning on extensively in previous editions of TAUT. will be built in three sections: a 2.3km policy is certainly improved. Charlotte has So the establishment of a more localised (1.42-mile) starter line, Phase Two extensions become the USA’s largest banking centre streetcar operation is designed to attract at both ends and finally the complete project. outside New York City and as bankers tend non-transit riders; passengers are able to Today’s metals are laid in Elizabeth Ave to be pragmatic people, ongoing functional walk to a stop, negating the need for an and East Trade St, with a short hook into mergers are taking place. automobile to access rail. Hawthorne Lane. There is a non-revenue

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org NOVEMBER 2015 / 435 Charlotte CityLYNX

The Gold line serves a valuable purpose for the city’s core, linking with the Blue line LRT at CTC. Phase Two could extend the line six-fold by 2019, including interchange with the planned Red line commuter service. Courtesy of CATS

connection at East Trade St and Caldwell St, service is offered to 15-20 minute intervals 85 and it was initially envisaged they would on Caldwell St turning into East 5th St to the Monday-Thursday 06.00-23.00. Friday’s operate on a limited basis, interspersed with LYNX light rail private-right-of-way. These service is extended by one hour to midnight LYNX rolling stock. Experienced managers metals are in an exclusive reservation. The while on Saturdays the streetcars operate realised that the height of the floors was not streetcars are maintained in the Charlotte 08.00-0.00 and on Sundays 09.00-19.00. the same on the LRVs and the Gomaco cars Area Transit System’s (CATS) South Boulevard Construction was under the supervision and there is a potential for overriding where Maintenance Facility, located between of Charlotte’s Engineering and Property the car floors do not match. There is also the Scallybank and New Bern stations. Management Department (E&PM), and now weight difference and mass of the cars, that it is in operation, responsibility for the which played a role in the decision of CATS to Providing the service service is the purview of CATS (Charlotte bar the heritage designs from operating with Presently, the Gold line receives power at Area Transit System), also a department of the modern LRVs, 650V dc from two substations, but when the City. Construction of Phase Two will be non-revenue pull-ins and outs excepted. Phase Two is complete, the overhead will be managed by E&PM, while operational costs Car 85 is another story. It lacks cab signals energised at 750V dc from seven substations. of the Gold line are held within the City’s as a rebuilt trolley from an original 1928 At that time, the Gomaco streetcars currently budget and not those of CATS. vehicle. Under contract between CTI and used will be stored and a new order of modern Cab signal-equipped cars 91-93 were built CATS, 85 is limited to two days’ service per LRVs will be placed into service. Fare-free by Gomaco in 2010, following the design of year. Whilst the car numbers indicate the two differing types, their trim is an obvious visual giveaway as 85 sports a red trim around the windows and doors while the Gomaco cars have yellow or gold trim and doors. This fits well with the name of the streetcar service.

Small, but perfectly formed The streetcar will call at the under-design Charlotte Gateway Center, a concentration of public transit that will bring together Greyhound intercity buses and Amtrak’s passenger services ‘The Palmetto’ (daily, two return journey Raleigh – Charlotte trains) and ‘The Carolinian’ (daily, New York – Raleigh – Charlotte) call here; The Piedmonts are financially supported by the State. The Gateway Center will be in the Uptown area, somewhat removed from Charlotte’s commercial centre, so the Gold line will be an important transit link in its success. The 2006 MTC Plan called for Norfolk Southern Railroad (NSR) metals to be used in a joint goods/passenger operation, Car 92 sits in the Trade Street Stub as ‘faux-trolley’ 320 passes. As the Gold line is extended westwards, the provisionally titled the LYNX Red line. Rolling rubber-tyred service will be removed. P. Ehrlich stock has not been decided, but if LRV-type

436 / NOVEMBER 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org vehicles are used, due to Federal Railroad Administration safety requirements, goods and passenger operations must be temporally separated. This is to avoid accidents between rolling stock of different configurations, much like the restrictions on the use of class 91-93 streetcars on the Blue line. There is no such restriction if DMUs or locomotive- hauled rakes of passenger carriages are used. The NSR has had second thoughts about CATS’ use of the 35km (22-mile) line to Mooresville, suggesting that it may wish to use the route in the future for increased freight services. Goods traffic is burgeoning in the US, leading to yard congestion and route delays – and as such the Red line plan is under review as a parallel route may increase the infrastructure cost by hundreds of millions of dollars. The Gold line serves significant traffic generators – at the eastern end are the Novant Presbyterian Hospital and Central Piedmont Community College, while at the ABOVE: Car 92 makes a sweeping turn onto BELOW: Car 92 has reversed at the Charlotte Hawthorne Lane from Elizabeth Ave. Charlotte’s Transportation Center. The white viaduct in the rear temporary city end of the line is the Charlotte distinctive skyline is in the distance. Courtesy of CATS carries the Blue line over the street . Courtesy of CATS Transportation Centre (CTC), a huge arched building, reminiscent of the great train terminals of yesteryear. Here CATS focuses all of its bus services for easy transfer and is the city centre destination. Adjacent to the CTC, the Blue line has a covered station. When the additional metals for Phase Two are laid, Johnson & Wales University – with specialisms in catering – will receive service. Further on is the Johnson C. Smith University at French St, with its enrollment of 1400 students (today CATS faux-trolley Red line buses serve this high ridership area). With the construction of a fixed infrastructure, it is expected that passenger ridership will grow. Ultimately, the Gold line will reach the Rosa Parks Transportation Center, a focal point for west suburban area transit services. Ms. Parks will be remembered as the woman who started the Montgomery, Alabama, bus boycott, eventually leading to the desegregation of local transit in the US.

A catalyst for growth At the Gold line’s dedication ceremony, the featured speaker was Anthony Foxx. While his current title is US Secretary of Transportation, local residents know him better as a former Mayor of Charlotte. While he led the city, he supported and promoted the idea of the Gold line streetcar so it is appropriate that he was able to see his handiwork rolling down the street. Transit Oriented Development (TOD) is a rallying cry for rail transit supporters in the State, and indeed the nation as a whole. Ever since the filmField of Dreams was released in 1989, factions promoting infrastructure improvements have paraphrased the most famous line from the film, “Build it, they will come.” In the case of the Gold line, the cry may well be true. At the dedication, the Federal Transit Administration’s Acting Administrator Therese McMillian predicted the City and USD6.5m from a ‘pay-as-you- is experiencing a slide of 4% in passengers. that in 20 years a potential revenue stream go’ Capital Fund. Phases One and Two are However, by contrast, in its short existence from property taxes along the expanded budgeted at a very respectable USD150m. the Gold line is carrying 67% more passengers route could amount to USD7m annually. This With the inauguration of the CityLYNX than projected. Yet again, those who believe is an attractive start to a financial return on Gold line, life is looking up for CATS. The in city rail transit have a proven case. an initial USD37m outlay. combination of sliding gasoline prices and The financial investment supporting a 10% base fare increase has undoubtedly Grateful acknowledgement is due to Krystel construction of the Gold line was paid for by impacted ridership (gasoline is around a dollar Green of Charlotte Area Transit System for her a FTA grant of USD24.99m, USD5.5m from less than a year ago per gallon) and CATS assistance in the preparation of this article.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org NOVEMBER 2015 / 437 Lviv FAST LINE TO SYKHIV… NEW TRAMS FOR KYIV Two new Electron trams at Lviv's Railway station terminus. Martyn Janduła

Despite the tense political hough in many cases tramways Sykhiv, with its high-rise flats, is a large in Ukraine struggle on, residential district in the south of the city; situation in Ukraine and providing a service despite the alongside intensive development in the area ongoing conflict in the appalling state of infrastructure, in the 1980s, the first plans were drawn up it is encouraging that new to build a fast tramway connection to the Donbass region, new Tinvestments are also appearing. A promising city centre. This was envisioned as part of a tramway development example is in the city of Lviv in the west of system of new tramlines, with underground the country, population almost 760 000, sections in the city centre, but during the is proceeding in other where construction of a tramline to Sykhiv fall of the such intensive regions of the country. continues with the help of the European investment proved impossible. In 1987 only Bank for Reconstruction and Development one ‘fast’ tramway line was partially finished By Witold Urbanowicz. (EBRD) and German grants. and opened, on Knyahyni Olhy Street.

An unfinished road/tram viaduct on Knyahyni Olhy. Martyn Janduła Construction on Vasyla Stusa Street; tracks here were laid in 2008. Martyn Janduła

438 / NOVEMBER 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org However, ambitions for a fast tram network with a much-needed connection to Sykhiv did not disappear in the independent Ukraine Lviv after 1991 – and with the passing years became more realistic. In the meantime, 7 Tatarbunarska 5 Torfiana 6 Mykolaichuka before the arrival of the tramway, in 1997 4 Horodnytska Sykhiv was connected with a Yanivskyi Cemetery Factory 'Dynamo' Factory 'Svitanok' line on Sykhivska Street to Sykhiv cinema. (request stop) Finally, construction of a new line began in Horodnytska Tram Depot 2008, although only 180m of tracks were Shevchenka–Levandivska Pidzamche Volynska laid on Vasyla Stusa Street close to Akademia Railway Mystetstv terminus before a lack of funding Yeroshenka Haidamatska Station Promyslova halted works. The tramway also resulted in the 6 Hnat Khotkevych Ostrianytsi Turianskoho Palace of Culture suspension of a trolleybus route on Snopikvska, 10 Railway Pid Dubom Vasyla Stusa, Karbysheva, Uhor’ska, Heroiv 1, 9 Station St. Anna Church Staryi Rynok Krut, Ternopilska, Panasa Myrnoho, Teatralna Lesia Ukrainka Puppet Theater Kozelnytska, Ivana Chmoly steets (line 1). Theatre Nalyvaika Pidvalna Alhough only a short section of tramway College of Law Ruska was built, the trolleybus didn’t return to Chekhova Shevchenko Grove 10 2 these streets. The overhead wires have been Suburban Rynok Square Station St. Olga and partially dismantled, but in many places Elizabeth Kotyka Pasichna Doroshenka 3 11 Mytna Medical remain in situ. The other reminder of the Church Square University Soborna Main Post Office plans was the Sykhiv bridge over the railway, 1 Square where a tramway alignment was left. 11 Rusovykh Lychakivskyi With construction again delayed, the Bandery Cemetery Shopping Lviv Polytechnic Shukhevycha trolleybus line that opened in 1997 was Mall University extended in 2011 along Chervonoy Kalyny 'Skrynia' 9 Prospekt to Santa Barbara market, covering Pogulianka Kyivska the final section of the planned tramline. Levytskoho 7 Zelena The trolleybus connection – line 25 – is to be Hospital #5 retained once the line is completed. Horbachevskogo Franka Square Sakharova Melnyka Park of “Sykhiv, a large residential Culture Stryiskyi Rynok Horbachevskogo district in the south of Lviv, Zalizniaka Stryiskyi Park saw intensive development Shumskogo Hordynskykh 4 in the 1980s, with the first Arkasa Konovaltsia 2 11 Academy of Arts plans to build a tramway Boichuka link to the city centre.” 3 The new line to Sykhiv extends Aquapark 5 south-east from the bottom of line 4

Works finally start A green light for the long-awaited connection finally shone when external funding was obtained in 2011 and work on the route to Sykhiv began in July 2014. The new 5.4km (3.4-mile) line, consisting of 11.5km (7.1 miles) of track and ten new stops in each direction, is an extension of line 4 to Akademia Mystetstv terminus. The tram continues from Sventsitskoho Street along Vasyla Stusa Street and Chervonoyi Kalyny Prospekt to the Santa Barbara market at the very end of the avenue. Three intermediate turning loops are planned, at the intersections of Stusa and Sventsitskoho Streets, Uhorska Street and Chervonoy Kalyny Prospekt, Sykhivska Street and Chervonoy Kalyny Prospekt. Along most of the route (around 80%) the tramway is separated from other road traffic. According to estimates, journey times to the city centre will be 25 minutes. As of July 2015, works – carried out by Turkish construction company Onur – were evident on most of the route, with sections of track laid and traction poles erected. The section from Sventsitskoho Street to Uhorska Street has already seen the diversion and renewal of utilities, installation of the roadway and laying of tram plates. On the section from Uhorska Street to Vernadskoho The temporary terminus for the fast tram line on Knyahyni Olhy proved to be not so temporary. Street works are underway on laying the Martyn Janduła

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“We invite every operator to Lviv. See the conditions in which our trams need to operate and see the production process.”

The ‘temporary terminus’ for the fast tramline on Knyahyni Olhy; the poor quality of some of Lviv’s infrastructure is clear. Martyn Janduła

BELOW LEFT: The Santa Barbara market at the end of the planned line awaits relocation. Witold Urbanowicz

BELOW: A visit in August 2015 by TAUT contributor Mike Russell saw partially-laid track and the intermediate turning circle under construction. M. Russell

foundations and tram rails, explained 150 000; current buses and trolleybus the qualification criteria will be invited Yaroslava Dubenska of LCE Lvivavtodor, services can only carry around 3000-4000 to a clarification meeting and to the second the communal company responsible for passengers per hour in one direction, whilst stage, which will include updated technical investments in the city. the overall capacity of the tramway – with conditions for the contract. A common concern was operating noise each tram able to transport up to 200 As of now, there are only two new, from the tramway, an issue on older parts passengers – reaches up to 12 000 per hour. 100% low-floor trams in service in Lviv – a of the Lviv network. However, modern five-sectionElectron T5L64 and a shorter technologies are used to mitigate this, Lviv looks for new trams… three-section T3L44 variant. These were including open noiseless PK-type plates The expansion requires new rolling stock delivered in 2013 and 2014 respectively by and closed PKP- and PKPM-type plates and LvivElektroTrans, Lviv’s electric Electrontrans, founded in 2011 as a joint with further tiling of the track with figural transport operator (trams and ), venture of Electron (Ukraine) and TransTec elements. Green track technology is not announced a tender for five three-section Vetschau (Germany). provided, says Dubenska. trams with an option for a further two. The trams are of a new design, and the ride It was intended that works would last eight This is subject to EBRD budget availability. is very smooth, despite the parlous state of months, but due to an unplanned-for need The tender specified fully low-floor trams some of the infrastructure. As well as modern to reconstruct utilities, an additional year is built to the Lviv metre-gauge with a width low-floor trams, the firm has also developed required. Completion of construction is now of 2.3m and a length determined at 19-25m, trolleybuses, with initial examples delivered planned for the end of 2015. Unfortunately, with a minimum passenger capacity of 160 to Lviv and Khmelnitski, and has announced not all matters have yet been settled, as passengers, including 30 seats and at least plans for electric buses; it is also to deliver Dubenska explains: “We currently face two one wheelchair space. The expected delivery new trams to Kyiv (Kiev). main challenges: difficulties with the laying period is seven-and-a-half months from of a new collector and relocation of Santa receipt of the first advance payment. …and will Kyiv show the way? Barbara market.” The market is located at the Conditions for bidders included an average The order for Ukraine’s capital Kyiv is for end of Chervonoy Kalyny prospekt, where annual turnover over the last three years seven trams, and worth nearly UAH184m a turning loop is planned. This is currently of EUR7.5m or equivalent and proof of the (around EUR6m). It is to be fulfilled by the under the remit of the municipality and successful delivery of at least three contracts end of this year. officials accept that this could affect the worth a total of EUR5m for rail vehicles (rail, Kyiv’s tramway looks back on a long construction time. metro, tram), including at least two contracts history, initial electric services having run The overall project cost is EUR17.2m, for trams similar to those now ordered by Lviv. in 1892 as the very first in what was then the with the city receiving a EUR6m loan from Offers are to be submitted in two stages. Russian Empire. Today, much of the tramway the EBRD and a grant from the German The first stage consisted of a technical is a legacy of the Soviet era and this extends government for EUR5m; the remainder is proposal only, without any price reference. to the vehicles, most of which are still those covered by the municipal budget. The EBRD Manufacturers could list any deviations to supplied by CKD Tatra. (For more on the loan was granted for a seven-year period, for the technical and commercial conditions city’s tramway, see TAUT 913 – January 2014). repayment in 12 equal tranches every six set out in the tender documents or suggest The Lviv-based manufacturer has offered months, with a one-year grace period. alternative solutions. The deadline for its five-sectionT5B64 Electron and the There are high hopes for the tramway. this stage passed on 10 July. Following vehicles will be similar to those in Lviv. The population served by the line is around evaluation of initial entries, those meeting The key difference is the gauge, which in

440 / NOVEMBER 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Manufactured in Lviv, the Electron range offers many state- of-the-art features, and the company is actively promoting itself to the wider European market. M. Russell

Kyiv is 1524mm rather than Lviv’s metre explains: “Some solutions in this tram are of rail vehicles, and are “coping well” with gauge. The 30m trams specified will be able to unique, both regarding the construction of track irregularities. accommodate 287 passengers. the chassis and of the floor. This tram is built “At the moment they are among the best Yuri Bubes, head of Electron, says he of stainless steel, each wheel is suspended on the market because they allow the tram considers this contract award as marking separately and is controlled separately. to have a 100% low-floor. Differences in floor a turning point in the approach taken by This allows us to save tracks, electricity, etc.” height are never greater than 4%.” officials; previously the criterion had been Describing the design as “truly low-floor,” Although reluctant to disclose names, price, with low requirements for technical Mr Michailovsky added, “a wheelchair can Mr Michailovsky said there is “a lot of interest solutions or in terms of passenger comfort. pass through the entire length of the vehicle. from different cities” for the Electrontrans As a result, investments in rolling stock “The tram is a modular design – it can tram offer. The company had previously been often ended up with supplies of used or add less or more sections. It is also worth interested in, among others, the contract refurbished cars. Under such changed market noting that we use electronics from different for Łód in Poland that ended up being conditions the manufacturer anticipates companies... Ukrainian, as well as Russian. awarded to Pesa. Mr Michailovsky said that further successful bids. We are also talking with Siemens.” Electrontrans did not ultimately submit a bid Yuri Michailovsky is the vice president of The bogies have been key to the new trams’ for Łód because the tender specified rigid JI Service, which represents Electrontrans successful performance in Lviv. These were bogies: “If someone did not at this stage want in Poland. The experience of Electrontrans’ developed with TransTec and come from a more modern solutions, there is no point designers means the switch from bus company in Dessau (Germany) with a long in pushing our solutions. We are a normal manufacture to trams was not hard, he history of bogie manufacture for a wide range company and adhere to the principle that we do not want to be where we are not wanted.” Although Many cities specify that to qualify for a bid, the T3L44 three-section a manufacturer must already have produced trams for a certain number of vehicles. Isn’t that an Lviv are obstacle for a newcomer like Electrontrans? single-ended, “Look at the first Solaris tram... is their Electron can tram operating? Yes. You can make various also offer artificial restrictions, but public procurement varying law and European regulations insist on one lengths and thing: to allow competition on the largest bi-directional possible scale. cars, and the “If someone wants to have a proven tram, latest order they should go to see it. We invite every for Kyiv also meets operator to visit Lviv. See the conditions in the wider which our trams need to operate and see the 1524mm production process. You won’t find a drop of gauge. oil on the floor of the factory, we use modern M. Russell machines and the crew is properly trained. We have the knowledge and experience.”

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With renewal under Rostock way at national SYSTEMS reunification, Rostock continued to expand and upgrade FACTFILE infrastructure. GERMANY Fleet modernisation No. Rostock, reached a new 98 Germany stage in 2015.

bout 230km (143 miles) being concentrated there. At the end of Vossloh-Kiepe is from the Rostocker Strassenbahn north-west of Berlin, World War Two, Rostock needed much Tramlink 6N2 607 title; this was adopted in 1904 when Rostock was founded restoration before attention could turn in a local housing electrification replaced horses on a in the 11th Century to longer-term matters. With oil at a association livery three-line system with origins in 1881. and is the principal premium and without at Steintor on RSAG now designates 21 bus lines, 6 May 2015. portA on Germany’s Baltic coast. It is mass car ownership, new tram routes three crossings and six regular also the largest city in Mecklenburg- were instigated to connect industrial tramlines numbered 1-6. Vorpommern, by population around sites with new housing around the Of these, two have their eastern twice the size of the state capital, city’s edges. Such projects straddled coverage in common, but operating Schwerin. Federal statistics showed Die Wende, the political turning point times are mutually exclusive and their 227 000 Rostock residents in 1995, of 1989-90, with new funding in a western route differs. Line 3 runs but in a characteristic of many former unified Germany for modernising during evenings and weekends, with East German cities, it had fallen to infrastructure and stock, as well as to line 4 Monday to Friday, daytime only. 203 000 by 2013. This particular continue with extensions. It is a uni-directional system featuring indicator of decline does not translate The administrative districts of very long turning loops with separate to the experience of visiting Rostock Rostock mainly cluster around the arrival and departure platforms. however, for it is a well-maintained long estuary of the Warnow that Over 90% of track is in dedicated regional centre with a broad-based meets the sea at the resort town of space, much on ballasted alignments. economy and much to support its Warnemünde. It is around about 16km RSAG is part of the Verkehrsverbund significant tourist trade. (ten miles) from central Rostock to the Warnow (VVW) transport association Rostock’s tram history is not that Baltic shore. Most of the tramway’s Words and pictures created in 1997. Characteristic of of a system depleted by bus and car coverage is south and west of the by Neil Pulling – Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in general, competition. Now as in the early Warnow, with other areas served by all images taken much of the VVW area is sparsely days, the tramway is one that passes bus or heavy rail. The city-owned May 2015 unless populated. Serving longer distance through the city centre rather than transport operator's RSAG branding otherwise stated trains, the main station Rostock

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THE FLEET

Today’s operational depot opened in 1956. Featuring a handsome frontage along Hamburger Strasse, it is between Kunsthalle and Reutershagen stops. All trams are uni-directional and carry ticket vending machines. Most are in RSAG's mainly blue livery; some of both types have all-over advertising. RSAG's Düwag/Waggonbau LEFT: City-bound Bautzen/Siemens/ABB 6N1 are a version of a first-generation, 70% 6N2 604 on the low-floor type widely used in Germany. Numbered 651-690, they Toitenwinkel branch are 30.4m long, 2.3m-wide with three sections. near Dierkower The first supercapacitor-equipped Vossloh-KiepeTramlink 6N2 Kreuz. entered service in July 2014, with all 13 (601-613) received by the year’s end. Built at Albuixech, Spain – an Alstom plant until 2004 – BELOW: they were part of a EUR37.6m contract. They are air-conditioned, The junction have five sections and are 32m long; extra space comes from near Schröderplatz extending to 2.65m wide above platform edge level. Except for with Kröpeliner Tor, two seats on a step at the non-driving end, they are fully low- previously used floor; capacity 210, 71 seated. by tramway, to the right.

“Now as in the early days, Rostock’s tramway is one that passes through the city rather than being concentrated there.”

Between the long platforms at Dierkower Kreuz, the main eastern interchange. The southern branch of the junction at Doberaner Platz.

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LEFT: Of the more numerous RSAG type, 6N1 671 with a northbound service passes the depot on Hamburgerstrasse.

RIGHT: Rostock's southern housing was in development well before the tramway connection was built: Südstadt Center stop on 6 May 2015.

Hbf is also the hub of a three-line Withdrawn in 2014, S-Bahn service, with a fourth to the T6A2M 706 with Bombardier trailer with eastern area abandoned in 2012. the Rathaus (city hall) in Including a core service that connects the background on Rostock and Warnemünde, the DB 2 June 2005. operated S-Bahn began upgrading with new Bombardier Talent 2 EMU stock in 2013. The tramway provides the most important city link with the Hbf, also the site of the long distance , which is located well south of the commercial centre. Today’s system consists of several arms extending from a wide circuit of track that has the city centre to the north and the Hbf in the south. All lines use at least part of the circuit, but there is no complete orbital service. The tramway originally ran west from opposite the Rathaus (city hall) in the main city square, Neuer Markt, passing along the main street, Kröpeliner Strasse. This included going through an arch of a city wall remnant, the Kröpeliner Tor. In 1961 this section was replaced by tracks along Lange Strasse, a parallel course just to the north. This is now representative of the tramway overall, characterised by clear runs under substantial overhead equipment along or next to broad roads. The eastern arm leads from near another city wall remnant, the much restored Steintor. The lines to three termini diverge after Dierkower Kreuz, an important tram-bus transfer warranting a staffed RSAG customer service point. From a project begun in 1948, the present lines expanded as housing grew, with extensions up to 1990. The northern Toitenwinkel branch to Hafenallee ends very close to the old Gehlsdorf route that was replaced by buses in 1974. Completed in 2003, the longest of the tramway arms is west of the Warnow, ending at another well arranged bus interchange, Mecklenburger Allee in Lichtenhagen district. The start of this northwards push was in the 1930s, with industrial developments prompting a tram service as far as Marienehe. A depot here is now the base of Depot 12, a preservation group caring for heritage vehicles: for open events see www.depot12.de. Further north is the

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Improving access and a gateway to the southern extension, the Hbf tram tunnel opened in 2003.

NETWORK FACTS Opened: 1881 (electrification 1904) Lines: 6 Distance: 35.6km (20.6 miles) Depots: 1 (plus heritage fleet depot) Approx. weekday hours: 04.30-00.00 (wide line variations) Line frequency: 12-15 minutes Gauge: 1435 mm Power: 750V dc overhead supply Fleet: 53 Regional authority: Verkehrsverbund Warnow (VVW) City network/operator: Rostocker Strassenbahn AG (RSAG)

INFORMATION City network: www.rsag-online.de Regional network: www.verkehrsverbund-warnow.de Civic and tourist information: www.rostock.de

ABOVE: T6A2M works car conversion 551 pauses at Neue Markt.

LEFT: The southern ramp of Rostock Hbf tunnel; the straighter northern ramp emerges onto a street.

RIGHT: Near Warnow-allee in the residential Lütten Klein district. Xxxx

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“The most recent system addition, between a pair of delta junctions at Stadthalle and including the new Schröderplatz and Goetheplatz stops, opened in October 2006.” most imposing example of Rostock’s the Stadthalle sports and congress ABOVE LEFT: Near the Mecklenburger Allee and Neuer tramway growing to service demand centre. Near a shopping area amongst Schröderplatz stop Friedhof and a non-revenue connection from outlying housing. Opening Südstadt Center's apartment blocks, on the most recent for depot stock movements. in July 2001, the prominently sited the line splits to two termini. Beside a system extension. Around reunification Rostock had tramway passes between long rows of link road from the autobahn, Südblick a mix of East German vehicles and TOP: The interior apartments in the Lütten Klein district at the city boundary has a turning of an RSAG was upgrading with new CKD Tatra that was developed from the mid- loop encircling a park-and-ride site. Tramlink 6N2. trams. The GDR stock was withdrawn 1960s. The southern end of the 1930s Mensa serves a cluster of University of as three batches of an eventual 40 expansion displays a less open aspect Rostock properties. The most recent ABOVE: In the mainly low-floor6NGTWDE entered than most of the tramway, passing system addition, including the new eye-catching 'Molli' service in 1994-96. Now classified as the zoo and through woodland before Schröderplatz and Goetheplatz stops, steam railway livery, 6N1, these are RSAG's more numerous ending at a cemetery, Neuer Friedhof. opened in October 2006. It is between 6N1 687 at Graf of two active types. To extend low- Stauffenberg Strasse, Previously the trams running to the a pair of delta junctions at Stadthalle floor accommodation across the Toitenwinkel. Hbf station, where the main buildings and near Kröpeliner Tor. With the system, Tatra T6A2M were paired with are sited between the tracks, turned Hbf tunnel section, this short link new Bombardier trailers from 2002. in front of the northern entrance. completed the city circuit and added a With all of the 13 Vossloh Tramlink Since 2003 they have used a 300m new connection with the southern arm. 6N2 in service, the last Tatras were tunnel (1.1km/0.7 miles with ramps) On a commercially smaller scale officially withdrawn in April 2015. which crosses beneath the broad than Kröpeliner Strasse, but with a Redundant trailers have been sold for span of platforms. The new structure bustling concentration of shops and service in Kassel and . was integral with developing the eating places, Doberaner Platz is a new southern arm. After a curving good place to see the system at work. System map in German and English at rise from the Hbf it heads south near It contains the junction between www.rsag-online.de

ESSENTIAL FACTS Local : RSAG information attractions to public transport membership of the medieval Doberaner Platz. Warnemünde is a offices are on the upper Hbf level coverage: from EUR12 for 24/48 Hanseatic League, still proudly cheerful resort with a fine beach and and just off Doberaner Platz. hours. There are also versions with celebrated in the city's official title the picturesque Alter Strom inlet, All-mode in RSAG's area are extended regional coverage – see Hansestadt Rostock. The main also views of shipping from the river EUR1.90 for a single ticket, while day www.rostock.de for more details. tourist office at 6 University Platz frontage and RSAG vehicle ferry tickets are EUR4.70. Ticket machines is also the place to book tours of near the railway terminus: S-Bahn can be found at stops and onboard What is there to see? Restored Rostock Brewery, a prominent from Rostock Hbf or bus 36 from trams. The Rostock Card adds many buildings and quays recall feature by the tramway near Mecklenburger Allee tram terminus.

446 / NOVEMBER 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Worldwide Review

AUSTRALIA LIEGE. After long negotiations BENDIGO. The three with Eurostat, the Walloon W class trams rebuilt as W8 in the Government has submitted a Bendigo workshops are 946, 957 revised plan for the EUR380m and 1010. TW project for approval, with a CANBERRA. The 3.2km (two- different financial arrangement mile) Russell section of the including the transfer of risk to planned tramline is likely to the private sector contractors in feature catenary-free operation to the Mobiliege consortium. If meet National Capital Authority approval is received, it now seems guidelines. Canberra Times unlikely the 11.7km (7.3-mile) line will open until 2020. T-2000 AUSTRIA OOSTENDE. Kusttram articulated GRAZ. Trams on route 1 to car 6030 has been scrapped some Schloss Eggenberg used tracks in months after receiving accident Alte Poststrasse for the last time damage, leaving 47 cars available on 10 July. The new alignment for service. T-2000 A new tram for Tokyo, 8901, was built by Alna Sharyo. TMTB along Laudongasse opened on 12 September. This is the first stage of CANADA completion. CSR Zhuzhou has trams were Transtech, Vossloh plans that will see line 3 extended HAMILTON. The mock-up of a delivered 26 double-ended four- and CAF. Eliminated at this stage to Reininghausgründen and line 6 Bombardier Flexity Freedom LRV section 100% low-floor trams were Skoda and PESA. R T to Smart City. was displayed to the public by with to allow SGP-built 1963 six-axle Metrolinx on James St North on off-wire operation. IRJ FRANCE articulated tram 267 has joined 11 September. RTH NINGBO. Passenger service on the BORDEAUX. The administrative the museum fleet. EB MONTREAL. Daytime testing 28.4km (17.6-mile) north-south tribunal has set aside the 2014 LINZ. Bombardier is delivering of the first nine-car set of metro line 2 (Qingshuipu – Lishe decision of the préfect cancelling Flexity Outlook 083-088. BS Bombardier/Alstom Azur rubber- International Airport; interchange the declaration of public utility WIEN (Vienna). Three tramway tyred metro trains started on with line 1 at Gulou) was for tram line D (9.8km/6.1 miles extensions totalling 5.2km (3.2 1 September. The consortium is inaugurated on 26 September. Quinconces – Eysines) and the miles) and costing EUR100m were due to deliver 468 cars by the end urbanrail.net tram-train du Médoc. Line D announced on 7 September, with of 2018. GRN should be ready by the end of 2018, line O to be extended north from TORONTO. The regional transit COLOMBIA and the 7.2km (4.5-mile) line from Leystrasse (planned terminus) to agency Metrolinx has decided MEDELLIN. The first section Place Ravezies to Blanquefort will Friedrich-Engels-Platz, line 33 from to purchase an integrated train of the Ayacucho rubber-tyred now go ahead for the tram-train Wallensteinplatz to Laystrasse and control system from Alstom for tramline was due to open on 30 for completion in late 2017. A. Senut line 36 from Wallensteinplatz to EUR113m. The Iconis system will September. Economic Times LILLE. Delivery of 27 new four- Friedrich-Engels-Platz. Opening look after all and car VAL metro trains from Alstom is planned for 2020. A1 129, the light rail services in the greater CZECH REPUBLIC started on 28 July. They are 300th Siemens ULF tram, was Toronto and Hamilton area from PRAHA (). 140 years numbered from 201. T-2000 delivered on 21 August. Summer the end of 2018. of tramway operation were LYON. The Meyzieux depot of tramcar withdrawals were E1 4506, Metrolinx is seeking expressions celebrated over the weekend of the RhônExpress light rail line is 4755 and 4850, and c4 1344/8/9. of interest for a DBFM contract for 19-20 September, with a grand the latest resting place of ex-Wien No less than 74 trams and the CAD1bn (EUR660m) Finch tram parade on the Sunday two-axle class M tram 4098. It buses took part in the 150th West LRT project from Keele featuring: 351, 1875 horse tram was due to appear at a transport anniversary of tramway operation subway interchange to Humber 90, 200, 500, 88, 109+526, exhibition at Eurexpo from 30 parade around the Ring on College. The 11km (6.8-mile) line 275+624, 297+638+728, 357+1314, September to 2 October. T-2000 27 September. EB could open in late 2021 and will 444+999, 2222+1111+1219, PARIS. Work to extend tramline include a depot for 75 LRVs. 2294+608, 2239+1523, 3063+1580, T1 from Noisy-le-Sec to Val-de- BELGIUM The opening date for the 19km 3083+1583, 5001, 6002, Fontenay finally started at the ANTWERPEN. 7307 was the first (11.8-mile) Eglinton light rail line 6149+6102, 5500, 6340, 8084, end of July after months of Bombardier Flexity to enter service, has been put back to September 7292, 9048, 4053 + three wagons, obstruction by local mayors. on route 15 on 7 September. The 2021. RGI 4217, 4092, 5572, 5525, 8382, 8716, Completion is planned for 2019. library/café/theatre tram 6242 9094, 9127, 8255, 9325 and 9328. Transport authority STIF has (Ex-Gent PCC) will operate on CHILE A. Prescott agreed terms with RATP and SNCF 18 October, 1/15/29 November SANTIAGO. On 24 August, to fund public transport operations and 13 December departing government and the city council in the French capital in 2016-20. from Groenplaats at 16.00, 18.00 finally gave the go-ahead for a 9km ISKANDARIYA (Alexandria). RATP will get EUR11bn and SNCF and 20.00 for a 90-minute trip. (5.6-mile) tramway project feeding Ramleh line double-deck tram 221 EUR9bn. Extra staffing at stations Tickets (EUR8) must be reserved in into metro line 1 at Manquehue has been fitted out as the Lemon is included in the new contract, advance at www.infocultuur.be from the suburb of Las Condes. Café on the top deck, entering and 100 more stations will become T-2000 It is hoped to open the line in 2017; service on 23 September to mark fully accessible. BRUSSEL/BRUXELLES. The 25 trams will be required. BS Eid al-Adha. Cairo Post The project management first rails for the future line 9 were contract for the planned 35km laid in Ave de ‘Arbre Ballon in CHINA (21.7-mile) orbital metro line 18 mid-September. By 2018 they BEIJING. In September work . Trackwork on lines has been awarded to a consortium should reach metro Simonis. began on three new metros, the 2 and 4 was completed in early led by SNC-Lavalin. A. Senut La Libre 22km (13.7-mile) east-west line September. Eleven CAF low-floor ST-JEAN DE COMMIERS CHARLEROI. A r t ic u late d 3, the 29.6km (18.4-mile) line 12 trams are in service on line 4. – LA MURE. With service trams 7439 and 7449 are being across the northern suburbs and Tatra KT4D 108/19/22/34/7/9 have suspended since October 2010 refurbished to return to service; the 49.7km (30.9-mile) express been scrapped. BS due to landslips, it is hoped a new 7439 has not carried passengers north-south line 17. RGI operating company will offer a since being damaged in an accident HUA I’A N. The 20.3km (12.6- FINLAND service on the 16km (9.9-mile) 56 days after delivery by BN in mile) tramline from City TAMPERE. C o m p a n i e s upper section to La Mure in the March 1982. T-2000 Stadium to Chuzhou is nearing shortlisted for the order for new 2016 season. EA

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in mid-September after award MEXICO of a construction contract to GUADALAJARA. Tenders Adhi Karya. It is hoped the first have been invited for 12 LRVs on automated metro line will be line 1 to be increased from two to completed in time for the Asian three cars; platforms are also being Games in 2018. Globe extended to 90m. IRJ

IRAN NEW ZEALAND TABRIZ. Trial operation on the AUCKLAND. Recruitment has first phase of metro line 1 started started for a light rail operations on 28 August, with free travel specialist to lead the LRT project for three months. The 7km (4.3- delivery team. B. Efford mile) line runs from El Goli to Ostad Shahryar, and is worked by five-car Chinese built trainsets. AMSTERDAM. Metro operation Line 1 is due to extend to 17.2km on lines 50/51 returned to normal (10.7 miles). RGI from 16 August after completion of TEHRAN. Metro line M3 was infrastructure work. OR extended 18km (11.2 miles) DEN HAAG. Track replacement Los Angeles’ Gold line Azusa light rail extension is complete and ready for north-west from Shahid Beheshti on line 9 to Scheveningen started training runs prior to opening within a couple of months. A. Weeks (Interchange with M1) to Ghaem on 24 August and will last until TOULOUSE. Tram traffic was by the end of August. The on 22 September. urbanrail.net mid-December. At Madurodam 27% in June compared with 2014, remaining DT2 sets were due to be a new stub terminus for Avenio helped by the opening of line withdrawn by the end of October. BS ISLE OF MAN trams is being built. Delivery of T2 adding 272 000 passengers/ KASSEL. The 850m of re-laid tram DOUGLAS. Douglas Borough these cars had reached 5035 in month. Line T1 carries 578 000 tracks in Friedrich-Ebert-Strasse Council has welcomed a new mid-September. OR passengers/month. A. Senut were inaugurated in a ceremony website devoted to the horse tram ROTTERDAM. Duewag six- at 14.00 on 5 September. DS service which has been created axle tram 1629, usually allocated GERMANY KÖLN (Cologne). The first of by the community group Friends to driver training, was hired by BERLIN. Tatra KT4D trams eight refurbished -B cars of Douglas Bay Horse Tramway. Microsoft for five weeks in August provide all services on line 61, to enter service was 2402 (ex-2102) The site www.friendsofdbht.org, and decorated for the launch of and sometimes can also be seen on 3 September. DS traces the history of the service Windows 10. The first 60Citadis on lines M5, M13, 18, 37 and 67. LEIPZIG. The city council has from its origins in 1876 and trams are to be retrofitted with Their use will cease once all confirmed the closure of line 9 provides details of the tramcar air conditioning. OR 142 Flexity Berlin are delivered from Klemmstrasse (Connewitzer fleet and the horses, and includes by the end of 2017. The first IK Kreuz) to Markleeberg at the end a gallery of images. Stadler U-Bahn train (1025+1026) of November. This section has Controversy over plans to move OSLO. EUR300m has been entered service on line U12 on lost 25% of its patronage since the the tramway from the roadway allocated for the purchase of 2 September. BS cross-city S-Bahn tunnel opened. of Douglas Promenade continues. 87 new trams to replace all the BOCHUM-GELSENKIRCHEN. MANNHEIM (RNV). Tenders are existing rolling stock by 2019. The EUR110m contract with being invited for 50 new trams, and ITALY Route 13 resumed running to Stadler for 42 Variobahn trams the refurbishment of 35 16-year old MILANO. Gerusalemme station Bekkestua from 10 August. 1958 (plus eight options) was signed on Bombardier Variobahn cars. BS on the western section of metro Hoka bogie tram 249, returned 28 August. The first should arrive MÜLHEIM/Ruhr. Tramline line M5 opened on 26 September. from Stockholm, has entered in Q4 of 2016. On completion 110 was closed on 3 October and urbanrail.net service as a party tram. BS the metre-gauge Variobahn fleet replaced by new bus line 128. Route ROMA. The 950mm-gauge will total 87. The first of the 104 was diverted to Hauptfriedhof Centocelle line was cut back to PANAMA 1992-4 Duewag low-floor cars to to cover the southern section of Giardinetti from 3 August, and is PANAMA CITY. Twenty-one be scrapped was 435. DS 110, while line 112 took over the now only 5.5km (3.4 miles) long. TR five-car Metropolis metro trains . The Strassenbahn der southern section of line 104. have been ordered from Alstom Zukunft plan looking forward to Preserved Grossraumwagen 227 IVORY COAST for line 2, expected to open in 2025 predicts the extension of operated special trips between ABIDJAN. A 37km (23-mile) 2019. They will be built at the line 2 from Sebaldsbrück to the depot and Friesenstrasse on north-south metro is to be built company’s Spanish factory in Bahnhof Mahndorf, an extension 3 October to mark the closure. BS by a consortium of Bouygues, Santa Perpetua. RGI from Gröpelingen to Oslebshausen, . Tatra K T4 D HyundaiRotem, Dongsan extension of line 8 to Universität 123/4/41/2/4/6/7/62 and 246 Engineering and Keolis. Passenger PHILIPPINES and a new link from Weserwehr have been sold to Alexandria in service should start in 2020. BS MANILA. LRV 3101, the first of along Malerstrasse. BS Egypt and were shipped from 48 to be delivered by CNR Dalian CHEMNITZ. Tenders have been Hamburg in September. BS JAPAN for line 3, arrived on 3 September. invited for ten 30m double-ended OSAKA. The 200m branch to Daily Inquirer 100% low-floor trams with an HUNGARY Sumiyoshi-Koen will be closed at option for four more. Delivery is BUDAPEST. CAF-built 34m low- the end of January. The 60-year old POLAND required by the end of 2017. floor trams 2201/2 entered service infrastructure is in poor condition GDANSK. The 3.6km (2.2-mile) DARMSTADT. The disruption on route 3 on 17 September. DS and sees just nine trams/day extension from Siedlce to Bretowo to tram service between the city at peak periods. BS railway station (on the new airport and Alsbach came to an end INDIA TOKYO. The first two of a new line), with an 800m branch to on 7 September when trackwork DELHI. The 13.9km (8.6-mile) batch of trams from Alna Sharyo Migowo, was inaugurated on was completed. BS Violet line 6 metro extension for the 12.2km (7.6-mile) Arakawa 26 August, with regular service DÜSSELDORF. The opening south to Faridabad (Escorts line, 8901/2, were delivered on on routes 10 (Bretowo) and 12 of a new centre island stop in Mujesar) was opened by Indian 24 August. Six more are expected. (Migowo) from 31 August. Neither Uhlandstrasse on 24 August Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Mitsubishi has delivered the of the new termini has a turning means that routes 703, 712 and 713 6 September. RGI first 330-series lightweight rubber- circle, so both routes must be must now be operated by double- tyred metro set to the Nippori– operated by the five new PESA ended trams. BS INDONESIA Toneri Liner automated guideway Jazz Duo (1051-55) or the ex-Kassel HAMBURG. Delivery of DT5 JAKARTA. Work on the LRT line. The five-car train entered Stadtbahn N trams modernised U-Bahn sets had reached 337 project started in east Jakarta service in October. RGI, BS by Modertrans. RGI

448 / NOVEMBER 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org KATOWICE. The first of 12 RUSSIA ZÜRICH. VBZ and ZVV are 4 September, 50 000 more than three-section partly low-floor . Tramline 3 jointly seeking a new consultant over the same period last year. Moderus Beta MF16 trams to be to the railway station Yushniy to evaluate the offers for new Patronage figures are ahead delivered was 691. TR Voksal was closed in early July, trams, which have been the subject of predictions set out before KRAKÓW. Monday 31 August leaving just line 5 operating. BS of continuing disagreement operations began. saw the opening of the 2.2km (1.4- MOSKVA. Metro line 7 was between the operator and the Consideration is being given to mile) tram link in Ul. Wielicka and extended south by 1.6km (one Verkehrsverbund, which must increasing the number of trams Ul. Liska in the south-east suburbs, mile) from Zhulebino to Kotel’niki pay for them. Switzerland’s first in service at peak periods and for with stops on a new bridge at on 21 September. The city now has articulated tram, Be6/6 1802 a trial period between 19 October Plaszów railway station, used by 197 metro stations. (delivered by SWS as 1701 in 1960) and 29 November services will lines 9, 11 and 50. All KTM-23 t ra m s have has been scrapped. It was last used start earlier, with the first tram The opening marked the been allocated to depot 2 and as the Gastrotram. BS from the airport at 04.46 introduction into public service renumbered 2601-66. The (previously 06.15) and from York of the first of 36 (901-36) 42.8m LM-2008 trams are at depot 4 and Place at 05.00 (previously 05.29). low-floor PESA Krakowiak trams. numbered 4901-23. BS . The first metro trains Services will also be increased The tram and bus fleet has been SANKT PETERBURG. Ten 27m for the 23.5km (14.6-mile) Purple on Sundays from the present renumbered, affecting trams three-section 71-931 low-floor line left their builder in Japan on 12-15-minute to ten as follows: 050-053 Konstal trams have been ordered from 7 September. JR East subsidiary minutes during the the day. 105Na training cars (ex-1515-20); PK Transporttnye Sistemy of J-Trec, with Toshiba electrical To meet complaints that 101-174 ex-Wien E1B (ex-101-174, Tver and the first three (0100-2) equipment, is supplying 21 trams are too hot when external 208-55 not in order); 201-293 have already been delivered. J IR three-car trains in time for the temperatures reach 25°C, one (ex 794940, YAROSLAVL . Plans have been opening in March. IRJ vehicle has had its windows 401-480); 301-328 ex-Düsseldorf announced for two light rail lines, covered with ultraviolet-resistant GT8S (ex-3038-65), 401-433 one linking the railway station in UNITED KINGDOM film. Other options, including ex-Wien E6 (ex-3005-3037); 451- the city centre and the airport, BELFAST. Northern Ireland’s installing more ‘hopper’ windows, 461 ex-Nürnberg N8 (ex-3071-81); the other a north-south line with Department for Regional are being investigated but retro- 462 ex-Essen N8 rebuilt Protram 13.7km (8.5 miles) of new tracks. Development has said the fitting air conditioning would (ex 3082); 502-565 ex-Wien 30 new trams will be required. RGI provision of a system cost GBP60 000-GBP80 000 Lohner trailers (ex-535-596); linking east and west Belfast has (EUR81 000-EUR108 000) per tram 601-650 Bombardier NGT6 (ex- SINGAPORE now been pushed back to August which is thought to be too costly. 2001-50); 701-723 Konstal 105Na MASS RAPID TRANSIT. The 2018. The bus-based system GREATER MANCHESTER. (ex-370-492); 801-824 Bombardier Land Transport Authority has replaced proposals for a rail-based Transport for Greater Manchester NGT8 (ex-2051-74); 899 Nevelo ordered 12 six-car metro trains line on cost grounds but although has pledged its commitment to Nevag 126N (ex-2205); 901-936 from a consortium of Kawasaki/ originally due for completion in smart ticketing following the PESA Krakowiak (in delivery); CSR Qingdao Sifang under a autumn 2017, there has been no termination of a contract with 999 Protram 405N (ex-4001). SGD136.8m (EUR85.3m) contract progress on its implementation Atos in August; for Metrolink it OLSZTYN. The first powered test due to be fulfilled in 2019. on cost saving grounds. will introduce a smartphone app, runs on the new tramway were Global Rail News BLACKPOOL. With the enabling passengers to buy and made on 21 August using Solaris annual Illuminations running download tickets, and upgrade Tramino cars 3001/2. Inauguration SLOVAKIA 4 September-8 November tram ticket machines to allow use of is planned for 15 December. RV BRATISLAVA. By September services were revised from contactless bank cards. SZCZECIN. On 29 August the Škoda had delivered single-ended 5 September to provide a daytime With construction continuing 4km (2.5-mile) tramway extension 29T 7401-12 and double-ended 12-minute headway Mondays- on the Second City Crossing, the beyond Basen Górniczy to 30T 7501-15. Tramway operation Thursdays, increasing to a section between Victoria Station Turkusowa was opened, served to the railway station resumed on ten-minute headway Fridays, and Exchange Square will open by lines 2 and 8. Work cost 1 September (line 2). BS Saturdays and Sundays. this winter allowing an improved PLN188.5m (EUR44.5m), with Evening services comprise a Shaw & Crompton to Exchange PLN86.2m (EUR20.3m) coming SOUTH KOREA 30-minute headway through to Square service to operate. from EU funds. BUSAN. Jeungsan station on Fleetwood daily with a ten-minute The Metrolink Airport line Trams last operated on the right the northern part of metro line 2 headway between Starr Gate and won ‘Civil Engineering bank of the River Odra in 1945; 22 was opened on 24 September. Bispham Mondays to Thursdays Achievement of the Year’ at the five-section low-floor urbanrail.net and a 7.5-minute headway to 2015 National Rail Awards, while trams (801-22) were acquired. Bispham at weekends. Heritage the work of TfGM’s Disability A further 2.4km (1.5-mile) trams and the illuminated trams Design Reference Group secured extension will be built by 2020. DS STOCKHOLM. MTR Corporation were to operate evening tours the ‘Putting Passengers First’ award. WROCLAW. On 17 August the has been awarded a six-year daily; a full heritage tram service A new-style network map has first three (3201-3) of eight PESA extension to its operations with special events took place been installed at all tram stops. Twist trams on order entered contract on the metro, taking it over the 26-27 September LONDON (DOCKLANDS). service on line 3. up to 2023. weekend to celebrate 130 years of Docklands Light Railway the electric tram system. increased services from 23 August SWITZERLAND After a long campaign by local on a number of routes. Changes CR AIOVA. Tramway operation BASEL. Federal approval has residents the at Norbreck include: a third more trains was due to resume at the end been received for the extension North is to be reinstated over Stratford – Lewisham during of October after over two years of tramline 3 by 3.4km (2.1 the winter at an estimated cost Monday to Friday morning of reconstruction work. The miles) across the French border to of GBP180 000 (EUR244 000). peaks, with a train every four fleet comprises ex-Berlin KT4D St Louis. The CHF98m (EUR89.7m) The stop was deleted in 2012 minutes Stratford – Canary 101/5/6/8-10, ex-Dresden T4D project is due for completion in during the conversion to light rail Wharf; increased frequency 220/3/4 and nine ex-Rotterdam, December 2017. By early September operation leaving a 1km (0.6-mile) between Stratford and Canary ex-Wien six-axle cars. BS delivery of new trams had reached section with no point. It Wharf Monday to Friday off-peak; IASI. The 10km (6.2-mile) vehicle 5007 for BVB (Bombardier is hoped that it will be operational twice as many weekend trains east-west tramline re-opened on Flexity) and 177 for BLT (Stadler by next Easter. between Stratford and Canary 1 September after completion of Tango). Duewag trams can be seen EDINBURGH. Edinburgh Trams Wharf 08.30-22.00 Saturday and EU-funded upgrade work, followed on line 2 peak extras. IRJ, BS carried almost 3.6m passengers 10.30-19.30 Sunday; and twice on 1 October by the 8.2km (5.1- BIERE – MORGES (MBC). from January to early September as many trains between Bank and mile) PodulRos – Combinatul de Stadler delivered Be4/4 31 and 32 this year with 1.55m using the Lewisham on Saturdays 19.30- Utilja Greu line. RGI to Morges on 18 August. EA service between 31 May and 22.00. The current Beckton to West

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body and renumbered 224. New San Pedro heritage tramway ran electrical equipment will reduce for the last time on 27 September. energy consumption by 40%; 44 of The two Pacific Electric type Red the 80 high-floor KT4SU delivered Cars have been put into storage for in 1980-1990 remain in service and at least 18 months. E. B. Havens it is hoped that the next rebuild MINNEAPOLIS-ST PAUL, MN. could also feature the addition of Both light rail lines topped one a low-floor centre section. DS million monthly ridership figures during the summer, with the UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Green line averaging 37 654 DUBAI. The start of Friday passengers/day (up 20% on metro service was moved from summer 2014) and the Blue line 13.00 to 10.00 from 2 October. 33 859 passengers/day (up 8%). On the tramway the Marina loop E. B. Havens service was withdrawn, reducing NEWARK, NJ. The programme the running time from 54 to to add two additional centre 45 minutes, and boosting the sections to ten of the 21 The city of Donetsk in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine has been under frequency to eight minutes. RTA Kinkisharyo LRVs has started, as separatist control since the start of the civil war. Tramway operation continues part of the same contract to extend under difficult circumstances. D. Yagodin USA the Hudson – Bergen LRVs. Ham service will now terminate at Work to refurbish Newcastle’s CHARLOTTE, NC. CATS is adding J. W. Vigrass Canning Town; last train times Central Station began in August. USD20m to its budget for the Blue NEW ORLEANS, LA. Full will be earlier on some routes into The GBP6m (EUR8bn) project is line extension linking 9th St and service on the St Charles tramline central London by up to 30 minutes. expected to take 11 months and the University of North Carolina resumed on 6 September after LONDON (TRAMLINK). The involves evening station closures. in order to provide a bigger depot the completion of five months of second tram (2561) of the current WEST MIDLANDS. The draft at North Yard, and pedestrian flood control work. E. B. Havens order for four West Midlands Region Strategic bridges. The extension is due PORTLAND, OR. An estimated vehicles was delivered to Therapia Transport Plan shows the Walsall to open in summer 2017. The 40 000 rode the new MAX Lane depot in September; the – Wolverhampton and Brownhills Gold line was carrying over 1500 on its opening day, low-loader returned with 2556 for – Walsall – Stourbridge routes as passengers/day during the summer, 12 September. repair at Stadler’s works following ‘rapid transit’; it is understood that compared with pre-opening The final timetable for the an incident earlier in the year ‘rapid transit’ would not preclude estimates of 1100. E. B. Havens line includes just one morning that saw its torn off. light rail operation. Sandwell and DALLAS, TX. DART and the city peak and one evening peak trip SOUTH YORKSHIRE. Some Dudley councils remain in favour council have agreed a second light turning at , at early morning journeys on the of Dudley and Brierley Hill being rail line through the city centre 08.09 and 17.08. The Orange line Blue route were to be removed served by Midland Metro, while using Young and Jackson streets. includes MAX’s first-ever railway from 5 October in favour of the Walsall – Wolverhampton DENVER, CO. Powered testing on level crossing, on Tilikum Way an additional round trip on route would be largely duplicated the A Line rapid transit from Union at Southeast Water St, adjacent to the Yellow route to combat by re-introduction of rail services Station to Denver International the Oregon Rail Heritage Center overcrowding. With every tram to the line between the two towns, Airport started on 11 September. museum. The Oregon Pacific in the current fleet committed to with new stations proposed at E. B. Havens Railroad is a lightly-used line service or maintenance, it is only Willenhall and Darlaston. EL PASO, TX. Brookville with just a few freight moves each possible to make minor timetable The draft plan is on display for Equipment Corporation has been month, and Saturday passenger amendments until the new Vossloh consultation; it is based on the awarded a USD18.6m contract to excursions hourly 12.30-16.30. tram-trains become operational public transport connectivity rehabilitate six 1938 ex-San Diego By 12 September all but the last next summer. expected to be required after the PCC cars that have been in open two (537+538) of the 18 Siemens SWANSEA. TramForward has arrival of the HS2 high-speed rail storage for many years. There is an Type 5 LRVs had entered service. argued that Swansea should line and promotes improvements option for a seventh car. S. J. Morgan build a tramway to serve the including re-opening freight The construction contract for SACRAMENTO, CA. The first of city, complementing a recently- railway lines to passengers, new the planned tramline has been 21 ex-San Jose UTDC-built LRVs to announced GBP3bn (EUR4bn) stations and a network of Sprint awarded to Granite Construction, be refurbished by Siemens (301-21) package of major construction express bus routes. the same company that built the at its local factory entered service projects. The campaigning arm of Opening of the revamped Tucson modern tramway. Work during September. The high-floor the Light Rail Transit Association Birmingham New Street station on the USD97m 7.7km (4.8-mile) cars, built in 1986-7, have been in suggests a starter system with took place in September. The tramline should start in January. storage for ten years and the full- a north-south stem linking extension of Midland Metro E. B. Havens scale mechanical and electrical Morriston Hospital and the DVLA from Snow Hill to New Street is HUDSON – BERGEN, NJ. The refurbishment is intended to give area with the Liberty Stadium and not yet complete but it is hoped programme to add two additional them another 15 years of life. RGI City Centre. services will begin by the year-end. centre sections to 25 out of the ST. LOUIS. MO. A contract An east-west line would link Seventeen of the new CAF Urbos system’s 52 Kinkisharyo LRVs to rebuild the two ex-Portland the new University campus trams are now in use, leaving 17, has begun. J. W. Vigrass Gomaco-built Brill replica trams at Crymlyn Burrows with the 34, 36 and 37 yet to enter service. KANSAS CITY, MO. After testing for the Loop Trolley heritage city centre, and the existing at its Elmira, NY, factory, CAF tramway was won by Gomaco, university campus and hospital at UKRAINE was due to deliver the first of four and cars 511-2 were transported to Singleton Park. LUHANSK. A limited tram trams on 29 October. RGI Gomaco’s plant in Iowa in August, TYNE & WEAR. Nexus has service has been operating again KENOSHA, WI. Newly- where work is now under way for reported that it has carried out an since 5 June. BS refurbished 1951 ex-Toronto PCC completion sometime in 2016. Air- initial assessment of future depot NIKOLAYIV. Eleven 4617 has returned to service in conditioning will not be added. needs, as part of preparing the case trams have been acquired from San Francisco green-and-white The contract covers only those for a new Metro fleet. Refurbishing Plzen in the Czech Republic ‘wings’ livery, but still carrying two cars. the existing depot at Gosforth is (215/6/21-3.5-8/41/2). BS fleet number 4617. J. F. Bromley The earlier plan to include one of one option, with another being ODESA. Eleven Tatra T3 trams LOS ANGELES, CA. The 18.5km the two ex-Milano Peter Witt trams a new depot at a location such as have arrived from Riga (5107/22/ (11.5-mile) Azusa Gold Line light has been dropped, on cost grounds. Heaton or Hebburn. A new fleet 9/41/2/53/4/67/88/91/2). BS rail extension has been completed These two cars have been on display could be brought into service VINNITSYA. Tatra KT4SU tram and handed over to LACMTA for outdoors for a decade, and it was between 2020 and 2025. 208 has been rebuilt with a new commissioning and training. determined that deterioration

450 / NOVEMBER 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org from exposure has raised the WASHINGTON, DC. Speaking until after the museum re-opens storage. The project was funded estimated cost of restoration to a on 18 September, Mayor Muriel in the last week of March. by a GBP50 000 (EUR67 500) prohibitive amount. S.J. Morgan Bowser predicted that the H St/ CRICH (UK). Recently overhauled Heritage Lottery Fund grant and , UT. UTA Benning Rd tramline would open Liverpool ‘Liner’ 869 returned to National Museums Liverpool, with plans to spend USD3m on “before the end of the year”. service at the National Tramway support from Wirral Council. double-tracking two sections of Her predecessor made the Museum’s TMS60 event in the Sugar House Streetcar line to same prediction 12 months ago. September. Work on the tramcar CONTRIBUTORS permit the service frequency to be A transformer fire at Stadium- has included manufacturing four Worldwide items should be sent to improved from 20 to 15 minutes. Armory substation new axles and an overhaul of the Worldwide Editor Michael Taplin Sunday service on the line has on 21 September resulted in electro-pneumatic control gear, at Flat 1, 10 Hope Road, Shanklin, been extended to match TRAX headways on the Orange and Silver as well as renewing upholstery. Isle of Wight PO37 6EA, UK. operating hours. E. B. Havens lines increased from six to eight The tram was expected to join the Fax: +44 (0)1983 862810 or e-mail: SAN FRANCISCO, CA minutes to avoid overloading the operational fleet for the remainder [email protected] (BART). BART has awarded system. Repairs are likely to take of the 2015 season as well as being UK and Ireland items Cubic Transportation Systems a six months.From 29 September available for the Ultimate Tram are welcomed by the Home USD12.6m contract to bring its during peak periods only Blue line Driving Experience. News Editor, John Symons, revenue management systems trains stopped at Stadium-Armory; HEATON PARK (UK). The 17 Whitmore Avenue, Werrington, into a state of good repair. The Orange and Silver line trains passed re-launch of Hull 96 at Heaton Park Stoke-on-Trent, ST9 0LW, UK. project will extend the life of the through without stopping. after its restoration was scheduled E-mail: [email protected]. equipment and add functionality E. B. Havens, R. Barrows for 11 October. Acknowledgements this month to deal with contactless bankcards WIRRAL (UK). Former Liverpool are due to Mike Ballinger and and mobile payment. RGI MUSEUM NEWS ‘Green Goddess’ 245 returned to Eric Pounder, plus BS Blickpunkt SEATTLE, WA. M o n d a y CARLTON COLVILLE (UK). service on 12 September following Strassenbahn, Canberra Times, 28 September saw the peak headway Tram operation at the East Anglia restoration by the Merseyside Cairo Post, Daily Inquirer, DS on the light rail line increased to Transport Museum has been Tramway Preservation Society, Drehscheibe, Edinburgh Evening every six minutes, coinciding with restricted to a single car since early operator of the Wirral Tramway. News, EA Eisenbahn Amateur, the start of trial service on the July. This follows the discovery of The four-wheeled 70-seater Economic Times, EB Eisenbahn, GRN northern extension to University a broken rail on the approach to streamliner is the last surviving Global Rail News, IRJ International of Washington and Capitol Hill. the terminal sidings, allowing Liverpool ‘Baby Grand’ in Railway Journal, Irish Independent, By the end of September an opening only one of the two lines to be used. preservation. It entered service in Jakarta Globe, La Libre, Manchester date for the First Hill Streetcar Rail replacement cannot be carried 1938 and took part in the parade Evening News, Nottingham Evening had still to be announced, and out while the museum is open to mark the end of Liverpool’s Post, OR Op De Rails, RGI Railway local press speculation was to visitors meaning it will have tramway operations on 14 Gazette International, RTA, TR pointing to early 2016. Penalties to be deferred to January-March. September 1957. Since then the Today’s Railways, Tram-2000, TW on Inekon had reached Dependent on weather, it may not vehicle, owned by National Trolley Wire, urbanrail.net and USD750 000. E. B. Havens be possible to reinstate the track Museums Liverpool, has been in Wolverhampton Express & Star.

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452 / NOVEMBER 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Letters

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

Further combatting the menance of anti-social behaviour I very much appreciated your article on vandalism and anti-social behaviour in the latest issue of TAUT. It gave a number of enlightening approaches to dealing with this most pernicious of social influences on mass transit systems. I applaud Manchester Metrolink Director Peter Cushing when he says “we should not accept or tolerate” anti-social behaviour, but sadly the ‘zero tolerance’ approach he suggests is being taken hasn’t had the desired effect in recent months. If you believe the situation on the Rochdale line reported in local media, Metrolink drivers are “too scared” to work such services. One driver quoted, who understandably wished to remain anonymous when speaking to the media, said: “This has been going on for months, trams are getting smashed every night and they’ve got no protection whatsoever. There is all sorts of anti-social behaviour - it’s lawless.” While I have the utmost sympathy with any public transport employee who has to work in such an environment, I would question whether enough is being done to Many of the broken tram windows suffered by Manchester Metrolink safeguard both equipment and passenger safety? There is over the summer were as a result of children throwing stones. Following an an implication that the situation worsens during school investigation by the TravelSafe Unit five youths were identified and dealt with by way of restorative justice. TfGM holidays, but what we have seen in Manchester recently goes beyond schoolboy mischief as services are being severely and customer service employees and customers who use the disrupted and passenger safety is being put at risk. system every day. Sadly Manchester is hardly unique. When you read figures “Since this sudden spate of vandalism, we moved quickly to of 9700 acts of vandalism across the public transport system put measures in place to increase security presence on the system in , you see just how much of a problem that anti- as well as joint operations with Greater Manchester Police and social behaviour can be – and trams, buses and trains are our Special Constables. We know from experience this can result sadly an easy target. I was particularly impressed by the new in a significant reduction of incidents of this nature and we’re campaign to provide an SMS number where passengers can confident we will see this happen. report instances of trouble without drawing attention to “We also have a dedicated team of employees who have been themselves and potentially putting themselves in harm’s way. tasked with addressing this issue and we are currently working Perhaps this is something that all systems should employ. with the police to share intelligence and CCTV footage of the Also contrast this with the zero tolerance strategy individuals responsible for these acts of vandalism. We take these employed in Jerusalem that is mentioned in the same article matters extremely seriously and we will take every step to ensure and it shows that, even in the most charged atmosphere, that the offenders are identified and prosecuted.” clean and safe systems can be delivered to a high level. Transport for Greater Manchester recently launched a Mr Ohrenstein maintains that in 2014 there were just 97 competition aimed at educating young people about the effects of instances of vandalism, and this includes 27 of chewing anti-social behaviour and on Metrolink (see News). gum – hardly the worst of social evils. The pictures used to Peter Cushing, Metrolink Director, said: “To some, not paying illustrate the piece of guard dogs and armed security officers for a ticket or throwing a stone may seem like a lark, but there are must have an effect – not that I’m suggesting semi-automatic consequences that perhaps they don’t consider at the time. If you weapons for Metrolink staff, of course! commit anti-social behaviour you could end up with a criminal E. Hamlin, by e-mail record and that can have big repercussions further down the line – anything from getting a mobile phone contract to travelling We approached Metrolink for comment on the recent spate of abroad or getting a job. vandalism since the article in last month’s in TAUT and received “And rather than going into schools to talk at children, we this response from Chris Coleman, Managing Director at RATP want to try and change behaviour. We hope to do that through Dev Manchester via TfGM: “We have a zero tolerance approach education and engagement, so that if they find themselves in to vandalism and anti-social behaviour on the Metrolink a position where they’re being egged on to commit anti-social network and we do everything in our power to protect our drivers behaviour then perhaps they’ll think twice.”

A question of current leakage leak into the metallic tunnel linings,” but he could be synchronised? Life would then be I congratulate you on a series of interesting didn’t go into any other explanation of this simpler for electrical engineers in cities such articles on various technical aspects of seemingly important technicality. If this is as Linz (Austria). modern LRT operations in recent months. the case, why isn’t the equivalent for trams to M Swallow, London James Snowdon (TAUT 930) covered the use a two-wire system so all currents are up in somewhat complex matter of stray currents the air away from all those things that might Scott McIntosh: On the LU a third conductor comprehensively, but at the end I was left be damaged by rampaging stray currents? rail is energised at −210V dc and a rail with a niggle. Under a picture of a ‘Tube’ It also occurs to me, would this also then outside the running rails at +420V dc, giving train on page 233, the caption read: “TfL uses allow trolleybuses and trams to share power a potential difference of 630V so no traction a four-rail system to avoid traction current supply systems, assuming voltage issues currents pass through the running rails.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org NOVEMBER 2015 / 453 Letters

This system was pioneered on the efficiency of public transport, yet we hear car was to keep the same length as the Swiss Metropolitan and District Railway in 1898 and read little about the actual energy Standards, the consequence would be to and was probably introduced to avoid the consumption of the solutions we advocate. shorten the tapered ends. need to bond the running rails to improve There is reason to believe savings could So the so-called ‘Karpfen’ car was put return conductivity and to avoid interference be made by operating smaller units when into service at the end of the 1950s (motors with the signalling system [1]. demand is low; but the cost of doing or not 1416-30 and their trailers); this fulfilled the The UK Parliament imposed strict earth doing this should be transparent. requirement of having all doors aligned to current leakage restrictions on urban Nevertheless, I think more is necessary to the platform edge, but because of the short electrification and the system was adopted put his suggestion into practice. For quite tapered ends its swept path was much wider. on the Inner Circle electrification and later some time, light rail operators – and the So at the start it could only operate on line 14 became the London Transport standard, same goes for railways, at least in Western and it was realised that a large campaign of replacing operation on the City & countries – have sought to improve efficiency widening track distances in curves across the South London and Central Lines. The Wirral by streamlining their infrastructure and network would be necessary. This took Railway used the same system to counter wet services, often to the point where possibilities several decades to achieve. conditions in its under-river lines. to do anything different from the everyday When the underground tramway plan was Some tramways also used a similar service are very limited. defeated in a referendum, it became clear system, notably those in Havana, Cuba, and In this situation, shortening and that a new solution was required to renew Cincinnati, USA. It was also used on the lengthening trains in places other than depots the rolling stock with cars having all doors Woolwich – Eltham line of the London County and at times other than those reserved for aligned with the platform edge. Platforms Council Tramways to meet the concerns about light maintenance and the like, immediately were increasingly introduced due to the rising magnetic interference with equipment at the poses numerous practical questions: Where motor traffic causing safety issues. After Royal Observatory, Greenwich. The LCC also should this take place? Who is available to testing prototypes, the solution identified used two conductors in the conduit system, do this? Where can the vehicles put aside be was the so-called Mirage (motors 1601-1726) with unbonded running rails. left safely? What disruptions result from this at the end of the 1960s. The Mirage cars were Light metro systems and peoplemovers for the remaining services? How is passenger early examples of short multi-articulated using rubber tyres also have a ‘closed’ supply information to be organised? cars, having the same overall length as a circuit with positive and negative conductors. Martin Schiefelbusch, by e-mail classic Düwag single-articulated car, but with A twin-wire system is used for all 400- two articulations. This somewhat expensive plus of the world’s trolleybus systems and “There is reason to believe solution allowed all doors to align with in the early days of the development of platforms, having short tapered ends and Nottingham’s tramway system I suggested a savings could be made by still keeping the swept path within the limits twin-wire system to counter opposition based set by the Swiss Standard cars. This leads to on the fears that earth current leakage could operating smaller units my first key argument: multi-articulated cars lead to interference with sensitive equipment make better use of the space within a given at the University or in the Queen’s Medical when demand is low; but swept path width. Centre along the route. In the event, the With the next generation of cars in system promoters were able to demonstrate the cost of doing or not the mid-70s, the track distance widening that their proposed trackform would programme was about to be finished and minimise earth current leakage. doing this should be therefore the Tram 2000 cars could make do It is well-known that the UK HM Railway with one articulation in the same lengths as Inspectorate is unhappy for a system transparent.” the Mirage cars. operating in a public place to use an overhead The story becomes even more interesting line voltage of more than 750V dc. It was Operating lessons from Zürich one generation later. When design of the considered during the 1980s and ’90s that Scott McIntosh’s article on trailers and Cobra low-floor (Be 5/6 3001-88) car began, potential cost-savings could be achieved with coupled cars reminds me of the same the multi-articulated platform was given a higher line voltage, such as the 1500V dc discussion that took place in the early 1980s – from the start as the only design allowing used by the Tyne and Wear Metro. It was without a conclusion then either. the fitment of running gear under the seats considered that it might be possible to use His article is missing a number of key without having to provide space for large a twin-wire system with the two wires at arguments, the same ones that were missed lateral movements of the wheels. This, in +750Vdc and -750Vdc, giving 1500V on the more than 30 years ago. Furthermore the turn, led to an increase in body width from car, however the complications were thought changes in economy during the last decades 2.2m for all previous generations to 2.4m for to outweigh the benefits. have somewhat shifted the discussion. the Cobra, without having to move any track, Trolleybus and tram systems have shared All this can be easily exemplified when allowing the move from 2+1 seating to 2+2 wires and rail returns. Bradford used to considering the last decades of tramway seating. This leads to the next key argument: operate trolleybuses (and a trolley lorry) over history in Zürich. Looking across central as the multi-articulated car makes better use tram routes with one trolley on the wire and Europe it is easy to see that the same of available space, a multi-articulated car can a skate trailing behind in the groove of the arguments apply for more or less all legacy offer more capacity for the same length than tram rail. Conversely a tram could be run tramway networks dating from before World a classic car. It would be stupid to miss out under trolleybus wires – provided that it is War Two – they also apply to new networks this advantage on a heavily-loaded network. fitted with a trolley-pole and collector head that have been fitted into historic city centres. The story goes on. As passenger numbers compliant with the trolleybus specification. I start my considerations in the 1950s, are increasing, platform lengths at major However, a problem might arise where the when the municipality of Zürich considered squares and intersections like Central trolleybus system is ‘floating’, with, say, one putting its tramways underground. The and Bellevue become a limiting factor for wire at +300V dc and the other at -300V dc, most modern cars at that time were the capacity; in such locations it is simply not whereas the tram would expect to operate well-known Swiss Standard cars, which had possible to lengthen the platforms. Now if with the overhead wire at 600Vdc and the the characteristic of having two out of three you look closer at a train of one or several return rail at 0V dc. sets of doors at the tapered ends as conflicts motors and a trailer, you will see a lot of lost Notes: J Graeme Bruce, Steam to Silver – between staircases and bogies had to be space for passengers – namely the length of London, 1970 avoided. This meant that most of the doors the couplers, the tapered ends and possible were not aligned with the platform edge. additional driving cabs. The long multi- Trailers deserve more consideration This was not a major issue while there were articulated car allows you to make best use Scott McIntosh’s suggestion of using few platforms, but would become serious of the available platform length in terms of coupled sets of shorter vehicles and/or once the tramway ran underground. passenger capacity. Again, it would be stupid trailers (TAUT 934) deserves more thought. Therefore the tramway undertaking began to miss out this advantage, so the undertaking Much use is made in the policy debate of development of a bogie car with all doors intends to procure its next generation of the environmental friendliness and energy aligned along a potential platform. If the rolling stock as a multi-articulated car with

454 / NOVEMBER 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org the same length as the platforms at key years and most trams are operated as coupled trailer cars to increase peak capacity at less locations, namely around 42m. pairs. For this reason, the operator, DPP, finds cost has the downside of reducing the power- Now let’s look a little bit closer at multiple it more economical and efficient to acquire to-weight ratio of such consists, and therefore car operation. In Zürich, the main routes like 30m articulated trams to replace the coupled slowing acceleration and operating speed, 2, 7, 11, 13 and 14 were operated with two sets. In Prague there is rarely a ‘quiet off-peak’ requiring more trams (and drivers) to provide Mirage or Tram 2000 cars in multiple, giving a to justify downsizing consists and this would the peak frequency. Using powered trailers, as train of around 42m. Originally, one car only apply to many large systems. in Prague, will hardly change operating costs. was operated on Sunday mornings and during A good example for considering coupled In the UK bus industry, staffing represents the late evening. However, shortening and sets is Dallas, the subject of an article in the about 60% of operating costs, since buses lengthening the trains required additional same issue. We often criticise BRT for building must be depreciated and replaced from staff to drive the cars from the depot to the expensive infrastructure, only to run small- revenue, and fuel (DERV) is a much high coupling location or from the uncoupling capacity buses on it, yet here is some expensive proportion (c. 10%) than is power for trams. locations to the depot. This operation was infrastructure with a tram (the Brookville The most cost-effective way to provide abandoned in the 1980s as the additional staff Liberty) that has no more capacity – and even additional capacity on trams is by more were too expensive. Modern trams do not fewer seats – than an articulated bus. Of standing space, as seen on London’s ‘Tube’. require that much maintenance – wages are course, the principle is that the infrastructure Smooth-riding trams make standing safe. high and energy is cheap. This meant that the has the potential to host much larger capacity Even UK buses have increased standing from multiple units were running permanently. in the future and, if this growth does occur, typically five passengers per bus 30 years ago Most tramways have dropped the coupling then the operator could couple additional to over 20 today, despite standing being a or uncoupling of cars during operation due cars to meet the patronage growth. very uncomfortable experience. to such considerations. The same is valid for As Scott has mentioned, Pragoimex is The idea that small vehicles reduce costs is many small suburban railways with limited perfectly positioned for this scenario and also not new. Post-1986 UK bus deregulation, track space at termini. For a railway with indeed this is how smaller Czech systems minibuses were seen as a way of reducing well-developed infrastructure, coupling and such as Plzen and Ostrava operate. Other costs. More recently the Parry uncoupling cars is still an option, because manufacturers, including Brookville, should has been promoted on the same basis. Yet at termini the driver can drive to a stabling be thinking along these lines as well. until robotic trams catch up with self-driving track, couple or uncouple units and then Tony Prescott, Australia cars, staff is going to be the most significant drive back to the platform. This avoids the operating cost. In this case, as Scott related to use of any additional staff for this activity. “The success of the long German staff shortages in the 1950s and ’60s, To conclude, one can say that the success larger vehicles with more capacity are the of the long multi-articulated car in Western multi-articulated car in most economic solution – this is why most Europe is due to its facility of making the urban rail systems run long trains throughout best use of the available length and width, Western Europe is due to the day, allowing all off-peak passengers to and that coupling and uncoupling of cars in sit, even if many choose to stand. operation has been abandoned. its facility of making the Most UK tram systems run six-minute The bus trains given as an example in frequencies 07.00-19.00, because the inter- Scott’s article have proven a mixed blessing; best use of the available peak volume is higher than on buses, as Lucerne introduced them around 20 years people who normally drive find trams an ago and is now dropping them in favour of length and width.” acceptable alternative. That demand can be double-artics for the reasons explained above. demonstrated. About 35% of bus passengers They seem more appropriate for rural lines Frequencies and standing on trams travel free (pensioners passes etc.), whilst the with extreme peaks for transporting students. Scott’s article on trailers was certainly eye- figure for UK trams is 11%. Does this mean On such lines, there is sufficient time and catching with beautiful photographs that pensioners do not like trams? What it shows space at the termini for the driver to do all the must please tramspotting readers. is that four times as many people will pay for parking and coupling manoeuvres by himself. Yet he more than most will be aware that a tram ride in contrast to the bus. This surely Dieter Schopfer, Berne, Switzerland cost structures in other EU countries are is the strongest argument for trams, but different from the UK. The biggest cost in UK only if the ridiculous construction costs are Coupling for small, or growing, systems tram operations is the staff (c. 80%) since all reduced to EU levels of around EUR13.5m/km. Scott McIntosh offers some valuable thoughts UK systems are ‘capital free’, so there is little Prof Lewis Lesley, by e-mail on the use of trams made up of smaller, or no depreciation of assets in the operating coupled units. I agree with the general idea costs. Electricity costs are very small, Turkey correction that this is a valuable approach for smaller typically under 2%, a fact stressed by electric On page 389 of the October issue in a story on and new-start systems that are building up carmakers in comparison to the poor mpg Izmit, you incorrectly state that Istanbul is patronage over a period of time, but it is not and much higher cost of petrol. the capital of Turkey. The capital is Ankara – relevant to many existing systems. For many operators there is less economy it was moved there from Istanbul in 1923. For example, I note that Prague is referenced in traffic between the peaks and inter-peaks Charles McLeod, by e-mail for its use of coupled sets, but in fact the use of than 30 years ago, thanks to a 24/7 and single cars has diminished there over recent zero-hour contract economy. Unpowered Ed: Apologies for this error.

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

OCTOBER Thursday 29. Manchester 19. 00. and members’ slides. (LRTA/SEG) Friday 13. Glasgow 19.30. Alan Ian Dougill: Leeds Tramways. Thursday 5. Liverpool 13.30. Millar: Buses and trams. (STTS) Monday 19. Liverpool 19.30. Martin Saturday 31. Beeston 14.00. Members’ pictures. Saturday 14. Sutton Coldfield 14.00. Jenkins: Merseyside Transport – Pt 2. Mike Skeggs: Tramway films. (TLRS) Monday 9. Thames Valley 19.30. Modelling Meeting. (TLRS) Rathbone Room (TLRS) Friday 30. Edinburgh 19.30. Graham Ed Humphries: Trams of Hampstead Monday 16. Sheffield 19.30. Alan Monday 19. Wickham 19.30. Clem Whiteley: GDR Memories in 1971. and Highgate (TLRS) Yearsley: Dijon, Orleans and Paris. Fallows: Driving at Seaton. (TLRS) Saturday 31. Garstang 14.00. Brian Tuesday 10. Cardiff 14.00. Alan Monday 16. Wickham 19.30. Carl Tuesday 20. London 19.00. Graham Yates: Geneva and Belgium. (TLRS) Wilkins: TBA. Isgar: Ruhr in the 1970s. (TLRS) Jellett: France in the 21st Century. Wednesday 11. Brighton 19.30. Mike Tuesday 17. Leeds 19.00. Ian Friday 23. Leicester 19.45. Brian NOVEMBER Russell: Back in the USSR. (TLRS) Dougill: Leeds Trams Remembered. Edwards: in New Zealand, Thursday 12. Dartford 19.30. Geoff Tuesday 17. London 18.45. ERS AGM. Hong Kong, Dubai and UK. (TMS) Tuesday 3. Southampton 19.30. AGM Lomas: Tramways on celluloid. (TLRS) 19.15. Michael Bunn: Paris RER (ERS)

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org NOVEMBER 2015 / 455 Mailbox special

Scott McIntosh responds to some of your views TRAMS, TRAILERS on his previous article, looking in detail at the issues of coupled units AND TRAINS and trailers on a modern FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS LRT system. am pleased that the current series of Danske Statsbaner (DSB) in train-making and required. This can be achieved either by articles discussing various aspects breaking in service should be studied. rerouting motor traffic to allow for longer of tramway design are attracting trains – even the UK’s Manchester Metrolink responses and filling theTramways & Swiss comparisons can manage 60m trains – or by increasing Urban Transit mailbox. It is important Dieter Schopfer raises a number of issues service frequencies and allowing less green thatI ‘received wisdom’ is questioned and that that have arisen in Zürich; albeit the time at traffic signals for private transport. active debate is engendered within the wider problem of providing doors that align Frequency is a potent driver of demand for tramway community. closely with a platform are not exclusive public transport and a more regular service The recent article on the use of trailers to Switzerland’s largest city, or indeed to can put the operation into a virtuous circle of and coupled cars has drawn a great deal bogie cars. There are solutions, including ridership gains and city decongestion. One of interest from correspondents around the bridging plates deployed in France and only has to look at the dramatic effect that the world, so we have chosen to round up elsewhere, and it must be recognised that the ‘enhanced service’ recently introduced some of the more pertinent and interesting if the goal of stepless/gapless boarding is by Nottingham Express Transit has had on viewpoints for further discussion here. to be achieved there may have to be track the transport offering for evidence of this. realignment on existing lines, not only The waste of space at car ends can be Making and breaking trains because of a change in swept path but also to mitigated by careful design, efficient Martin Schiefelbusch raises a number of provide the length of tangent track required automatic coupler configurations and valuable points: it is true that some of the for the platform and the run-in and run-out. the space-saving layout of the minimum environmental advantages of tramways are Dieter claims the Mirage cars demonstrate number of driving cabs; these are being lost as a result of over-elaboration and that “multi-articulated cars make better use challenging issues, but any good designer remarks have already been raised about rail of the space available within a given swept and engineer relishes challenges. vehicles ‘carrying around a lot of fresh air’ in path width”, whilst acknowledging that they Dieter raises the same issue as Martin the off-peak period and the car-weight are more expensive – expenses that include concerning the management of coupling and per person transported at average load. both Capex and Opex. The question is not uncoupling and the provision of storage. He Adjusting train lengths would provide answered as to whether this was an efficient also repeats the 1980s perception that ‘wages a partial solution to this problem, but, use of money – an issue that we will return to are high and energy is cheap’, but I believe equally as importantly, it should reduce the in the case of the later Cobra cars. that energy will not be as cheap this century perception that tramway operations are He also maintains that the Cobra – in either financial cost or environmental inefficient. Reduced train lengths will save benefitted from track realignment to allow impact – and its use must be minimised. But traction current, reduce track wear and a wider car and that a 2.4m width allows there is the additional outlay of maintaining allow vehicles to be inspected and given 2+2 seating. This may be possible with more complex articulated cars and their high minor repairs during daytime hours when svelte passengers, but changes in body- capital cost, to say nothing of increased track staff are more readily available and do not shape mean that a 21st Century car needs to wear and the lower operating speeds arising earn night-time premiums. provide a seat width of around 500mm – so from the appalling ride often seen through It is also true that train-making and train four seats, plus the width of the car sides, will curves on many modern articulated cars. assembly will require careful organisation give an impossibly narrow gangway in a car I am afraid that the Zürich example and the provision of suitably located storage that is 2.4m wide. shows a logical line of development, based facilities and staff. However, this is not The problem with the limitation of overall upon flawed and out-dated premises – it is beyond the ability of efficient tramway train length in historic cities is recognised, all too easy to follow the frontiers of operators and the practical experience of but if the tramway is carrying such large knowledge on all fours with a hand lens; heavy rail operators such as the Southern numbers of passengers then increased once in a while one must stand up and look Electric (UK) and Danish state railway provision of space for public transport is around the horizon.

ABOVE: The Be4/6 Mirage formed the mainstay of services in Zürich, ABOVE: The Cobra is the current rolling stock choice for Zürich. It could well Switzerland for four decades; many motorcars and trailers later found a useful remain an ‘orphan’ product however, with Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich maintaning second life in Vinnytsia, Ukraine. Neil Pulling that future orders will be placed from a platform proven in other cities. Neil Pulling

456 / NOVEMBER 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Modern low-floor articulated cars have more “Energy will not be as of single cars, but that is not necessarily a difficulty in dealing with tight and twisty city tracks, like-for-like comparison. The comparison I necessitating slower speeds on curves to maintain a smooth ride. Škoda's 15T ForCity is one of the better cheap this century – in was making is between a new articulated car examples, using pivoting bogies under its articulated and a new train. The prototypes now being sections; this is 57169 in Riga. Neil Pulling either financial cost or delivered by firms such as Pragoimex show that it is possible to produce a very attractive, The sad end of the Zürich obsession environmental impact simple bogie car – and at an attractive price. has been the protracted development and Moreover it can have all the doors on the delivery programme for the Cobra cars. Now – and its use must be straight bodyside. they are delivered it can be seen that they minimised” are overly complex and expensive; they are Demanding infrastructure unfortunately doomed to become an ‘orphan Tony Prescott supports some of my product’ which no-one but Zürich will buy. if “they could move to another part of the arguments, but omits to say that Prague Beautiful engineering, but unmarketable vehicle without impediment if they needed continues to operate many coupled sets anywhere else. The same shortcomings to”. I would counter this by saying that and is interested in buying more. This can be seen with other, similar developments there is very little safe space that can be put operator clearly sees the large articulated – dare one mention Vienna’s ULF cars in between any passenger and an anti-social car as part of its commercial offering but this context? hooligan in a 40m tram and that security is not as the universal panacea. As with the better provided by CCTV, a good and regular other commentators, he recognises the Making trams attractive passenger-driver intercommunication and potential advantage of adjusting train size Jerry Swift (TAUT 934) puts forward some security patrols. to suit demand, but misses many of the interesting ideas and it is my firm belief Jerry continues to make the point that other advantages of moving away from large that perception is very important in the conditions are different “on a virtually empty articulated cars, which were mentioned in ‘marketing’ of a tramway – both in selling ‘last tram’”, but that is precisely the problem. the initial article. the idea to often less than uninformed Passengers feel better huddled together at Articulated cars require a much more politicians and to the general public. what are thought of as more ‘dangerous’ parts carefully – and expensively – laid-out As mentioned earlier, in this century, of the day – strength in numbers – and that infrastructure and are not as good at coping energy efficiency and financial efficiency is why some operators in the Netherlands with track twist and successive curves. will be important selling points. Showing gate off part of their large trams and buses These alignments can impose all sorts that the trains of coupled cars can be adjusted at night. However, this only serves to of unexpected stresses in the body and to meet the needs of the traffic goes a emphasise the transport of redundant space articulation joints, which can shorten the long way to counter some of the (largely and equipment. The perception of safety lives of the cars or necessitate a more robust spurious) claims about ‘flexibility’ offered argument also falls when large articulated (and so costlier and heavier) structure. by bus promoters. cars are coupled together; only Hanover has The example of the body integrity problems Jerry makes the point that “security attempted to provide connections between experienced with the early cars through an improved view from the driver articulated cars in long trains. should always be a salutary warning. (and any other single crew member) is clearly It must also be recognised that a modern Bogie cars can manage more demanding flawed for the reasons [Scott] outlines”, but articulated car will seem more attractive alignments and the twist problems should suggests that passengers will feel happier to a potential passenger than an old train be managed at the coupler, rather than being

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org NOVEMBER 2015 / 457 Mailbox special

Single-section low-floor bogie cars, like new EVO 1 from Pragoimex, present attractive solutions for small-start systems while still offering modern cars with the latest passenger refinements. Courtesy of Pragoimex

dissipated through the car structure. plundered to provide the councils with funds increased standing, despite standing The poor curving ability of many articulated for ‘Rates Relief’ (i.e. unfunded spending being a very uncomfortable experience. cars should also be considered; this has elsewhere) and capital reserves for renewal The results can be seen in the UK Department resulted in the reduction of service speeds were small or non-existent, hence the for Transport’s statistics; bus ridership and the lengthening of journey times on collapse of many small municipal tramways continues to decline outside London, where many systems. Slower journeys means a less in the UK in the 1920s. Improvements or people seem to tolerate poor conditions. commercially-attractive service and can renewal of the assets will require further His last paragraph attempts to point out result in a larger fleet requirement. The poor central government grants and these may the greater attractiveness of the tram and ride quality of these cars is also resulting in not be forthcoming if the obsession with that trams are an effective way of achieving a increased track wear; repairing or replacing ‘austerity’ continues to blight our finances. modal shift from the motor car. I would agree track is expensive and results in frequent There is a further claim that “electricity that the evidence supports this contention complaints from the public. This is all bad costs are very small”, however I do not and would endorse Lewis’ wish that news for the operator of existing systems recognise the claim that it is only 2% of “ridiculous tramway construction costs are and the promoter of new lines. Opex. As I have pointed out above, the reduced”. There are many ways this can be financial costs of electricity will rise during achieved; some may be only minor savings, Costs and funding this century and the environmental costs will but cumulatively they could result Lewis Lesley claims that “cost structures in become a significant consideration. While in reducing costs to a level that can be funded other EU countries are different from the I agree that unpowered trailers will reduce by Local Authorities as central government UK”. I don’t believe it is true that underlying performance and may slow peak service, this continues its retreat from funding public costs differ, it is just that the absurdities of is arguably less of a problem than the slowing works. One way to reduce costs is to examine the various Private Finance Initiatives have currently required by the poor curving whether current received wisdom as to the disguised true cost. performance of some articulated cars referred type and size of tramcars is appropriate to He also maintains “the biggest cost in UK to above. Performance of multiple unit trains, current and future needs. tram operations is the staff (c. 80%), since all with all cars powered, will not be impaired. I hope this series of articles continues to UK systems are ‘capital free’, so there is little The question is then asked how this will provoke thought and responses from within or no depreciation of assets in the operating improve fuel economy, yet if the lead car the tramway community. The coming costs”. If by ‘capital free’ he means that grants is in revenue service for 18 hours a day and decades will be challenging and we must from central government have been the the second car for only ten hours, then the be willing to discuss all aspects, for the principal source of funding for UK projects, second is not consuming power (or wearing question is not only ‘How can we improve with small amounts of loan capital and out the track) when it is idle, whereas the the industry?’, but ‘will we have an industry vanishingly small amounts of equity capital large articulated car is using full power and at all?’ forming the balance then I would agree. wearing out the track all day. It is also true that many of these projects Lewis claims that increased uplift capacity seem to make very little provision for can be achieved by reducing seating and replacing capital assets, far less improving the increasing standing capacity. Public HAVE YOUR SAY... assets, during the life of the concession. transport is in a competitive market and We welcome you thoughts and opinions on any This is a fundamental flaw, but I am afraid decreasing passenger comfort will drive of the articles and news features that appear in that it was often also the failing of municipal people towards private modes. This is not TAUT – contribute to our Mailbox pages by post operation of ‘first-generation’ tramways. what the world needs to experience. He is or email (see p458 for more correspondence). The profits made in the good years were right in saying that the bus industry has

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CYBERSECURITY SPONSOR: Book your free on-fl oor pass: www.SmartRailUSA.com Classic Trams A NEW FUTURE FOR TRAM DEPOTS Uses for old tram depots are varied, yet the Polish port city of Szczecin has created an exciting technical museum in one such redundant facility. Mike Russell reports. 1

or most of the post-World War for three years but owing to the need for port city has always been a top priority in Two era, the tramway in the further technical restoration work now winter and an extensive fleet of snow-brooms northern Polish port of Szczecin resides on static display in the museum in and snowploughs was created for the purpose. (formerly Stettin, Germany) has close proximity to a standard N2 four-wheel On display are snow-broom VII and plough operated from three tram depots, motor car, 114, of the early post-war period. LIV, again both in works car orange. Fall of which dated from the years of German The latter dates from 1951 and originated in It is to the credit of the museum authorities operation. Those at Golecin and Pogodno Warszawa as 669, arriving in Szczecin in 1967 that prominence has been given to such often remain in use, but the large facility at along with many other similar cars. N-class unsung heroes of a tramcar fleet; it is surely Niemierzyn became surplus to requirements cars were handed on to provincial tramways essential that visitors learn at first-hand in 2004 and careful consideration was given for fleet replacement following the delivery of the importance of the role played by these to its future. The building is a spacious and large numbers of 13N bogie cars to the capital. specialist vehicles in keeping a city moving. well-lit facility, adjacent to but set back With the exception of the unique survivor One further tramway exhibit is the from the tram route to Las Arkonski in the in Upper Silesia (line 38 at Bytom), Szczecin, restored driving cabin of 105N bogie car north of the city, with a large track fan along with Elblag, was the last operator of 674, now fitted out as a driving simulator. leading to a multi-lye shed. standard four-wheel N-class motor and trailer It claims to be the first publicly available Operation on the Las Arkonski line cars in Poland; cars of this basic type had example anywhere in the country. was suspended in 2001 owing to the poor ensured the survival of most Polish tramways The addition of this facility is all of a piece condition of the track, but more recently after the destruction of World War Two. with the general thrust of the museum it has been completely reconstructed as In Szczecin, the last were replaced in January display, harnessing examples of former street-running double-track with raised 1996 in the form of second-hand acquisitions technology with current best museum carriageway tables to provide level access of Düwag articulated cars from Düsseldorf practice, making use of interactive displays to the new low-floor cars that now provide and bogie trailers both from there and and computer-based programmes to part of the service on the line. Frankfurt-am-Main. These did not enjoy a encourage the interest of younger visitors. It was decided that Niemierzyn depot long service life in the city but provided a Although outside the scope of this article, would become the Szczecin Museum of significant interim upgrade and two examples this museum includes much more of general Technology and Transport, which reopened have been restored and displayed. transport interest. Examples of Polish its doors in 2012. Its displays are imaginative The GT6 motor car is 919, former motor cars, motorcycles, buses and other and include examples of transport modes Rheinbahn 2420 dating from 1958, one of commercial vehicles are all displayed, and on from right across the spectrum. Appropriately 19 of the type operated from Golecin depot the first floor there is a welcoming cafeteria in a former tram depot, tramcars play an during their period in Szczecin, whilst the B4 with reasonably-priced refreshments. important part in the display and no fewer trailer is 551, formerly Frankfurt-am-Main The Szczecin tramways today are enjoying than eight examples are exhibited. A ninth 1236, one of four of the type stationed at a much-deserved renaissance. Visitors will example, bogie car 713, Niemierzyn and thus now exhibited in its be overwhelmed by the volume of ex-Berlin stands on part of the external track fan and former home. Both cars retain the liveries of Tatra KT4 articulated cars and T6 and B6 is unfortunately in rather poor condition, their original German operators. bogie cars that now provide the backbone of presumably awaiting restoration. In 1971, Szczecin received the first ten city services, whilst the numbers of Polish- of an eventual 30 type 102Na articulated built Konstal 105N bogie cars in all their Tourist service cars produced by Konstal at Chorzów; these manifestations are now in decline. A fleet of Szczecin has operated a tourist tram service provided a significant improvement, both PESA low-floor articulated cars supplements on summer Sundays for many years; TAUT in terms of capacity and performance, and the high-floor fleet. Extensive track rebuilding reviewed this in October 2004. At that time, were in service for over three decades. One on the Potulicka line is currently in progress, the local enthusiast group aimed to persuade of the first delivery, 606, has been restored to whilst the trunk service to Basen Górniczy is the authorities to allow two lyes of the soon- traditional livery, exhibits destination displays suspended for trackworks in connection with to-be-decommissioned depot for storage for Niemierzyn depot and also carries the a major route extension. Meanwhile, the city’s of the existing museum fleet and further commemorative emblem of 50 Years of Polish main railway station is undergoing major intended acquisitions. What has transpired is administration seen on the cars in 1995. reconstruction and the station building has arguably better, as a home is now provided for been closed for the duration. one of the older members of the historic fleet Works cars Those visiting to see the current state of no longer used on the tourist service. Szczecin was always a system where works tramway operation are well advised to allow This is 144, one of 20 trams (133-152) built car operation was prolific, with an extensive an hour or more for a visit to the Museum of by Nordwaggon of Bremen in 1926 for part fleet of cars all numbered in a separate series Technology and Transport. It can be reached of the upgrading of the Stettin tramway; of Roman numerals. The museum has done by trams on routes 3 and 10 bound for Las between the two World Wars, the city’s this aspect of tramway operation proud in Arkonski, with a stop right by the entrance. tramways enjoyed an enviable reputation displaying no fewer than three different The museum is closed on Mondays but opens amongst German undertakings for adopting examples, all nicely restored and painted in at 10.00 on all other days, closing at 16.00 on progressive policies, with high-speed cars and the later orange works car livery. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, 15.00 on pantograph current collection introduced Salt car V is an example of the works cars Tuesday and 18.00 on Friday and Saturday. well in advance of most other systems. formed by conversion of former Bremen Normal admission is PLN10 (PLN5 for seniors Car 144 was restored by the tramway and Dessau-built Nordwaggon cars from the and children), with free admission on Tuesdays. company in its workshops and made its first between-wars period and the configuration Historic cars used on the summer heritage appearance on the city’s streets in summer of the platform windows clearly displays its service remain with the tramway undertaking, 2001; it was used on the historic tram service provenance. Snow clearance in this northern stabled at Golecin and Pogodno depots.

460 / NOVEMBER 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org 1. The Nordwaggon ancestry of works car V is evident from the platform window arrangement. This example, one of several that ended their days in the works fleet, became a salt car. The raised platforms permit visual inspection of the interior arrangement without physical entry into the body.

2. The oldest passenger tramcar in the museum is Nordwaggon-built Bremen car 144 dating from 1926. It was originally restored by the tramway undertaking and used for a short while on the city’s Sunday heritage route. A welcome, if unusual, feature of this museum is the encouragement given to visitors to inspect the interior of the tramcars.

3. Motor car 114 is of the ubiquitous Polish standard N-type. This 1951-built N2 example was cascaded from Warszawa, where it had been 669, and arrived in Szczecin 2 in 1967. Szczecin maintained extensive operation of two-axle cars long after most other Polish undertakings had converted to bogie or articulated cars and the last were replaced by Düwag cars in the early days of 1996.

4. Replacements for the last two-axle cars came in the form of a series of GT6 articulated cars rendered surplus by the Rheinbahn in Düsseldorf. Tram 919 was numerically the last of 19 allocated to Golęcin depot; 13 similar cars operated 3 4 from Niemierzyn. 5. Former Rheinbahn and Frankfurt-am-Main B4 bogie trailers were attached to several of the GT6 motor-cars on busy routes, and 551 was one of four examples allocated to Niemierzyn depot. It originated with the Frankfurt undertaking as 1236 and retains that organisation’s livery.

6. Perhaps not the most welcoming of artefacts to display on the entrance track fan to entice prospective 5 visitors is this rather sad- looking Konstal 105N bogie car, 713 in the Szczecin fleet, which is presumably awaiting restoration and display.

7. Snow-broom VII is a more substantial reconstruction of one of the members of the pre-war passenger fleet, and the Szczecin fleet included several such examples. The quality of the restoration work on the broom mechanism is noteworthy.

6 7 All photography by Mike Russell.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org NOVEMBER 2015 / 461 BOOKSHOP Order online from lrta.info/shop – or by post from: LRTA Publications, 31 Ashton Road, Wokingham RG41 1HL Postage & packing – Any UK address: add 10%; All addresses outside UK: add 20%. For Airmail despatch outside Europe: add 30% – minimum & maximum values no longer apply.

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£38.00 plus postage & packing as shown above. £110.00 plus postage & packing as shown above. IN YOUR NEXT ISSUE OF S.J. Morgan S.J. SYSTEMS FACTFILE: PORTLAND’S NEW RISE AND FALL IN BOSTON LRT ADVENTURE UPPER SILESIA The MBTA operates public transport Saturday 12 September marked another Earlier this year another tramway across an area that houses two-thirds of momentous day in the development of disappeared from the Upper Silesia the entire pollution of Massachusetts. light rail in the city of Portland, with the region, this time in Ruda Slaska. Witold Light rail, Streetcar and commuter rail all MAX system opening a new line that Urbanowicz reports on why this was a come under its umbrella – and expansion bridged the Willamette River to reach the surprise – given EU investment into the is well underway. Vic Simons reports. city of Milwaukie in Clackamas County. vast network – but also, why it was not. PLUS... DECEMBER + Prague at 140: Mike Russell on another great tramway anniversary ISSUE + The latest news, rolling stock orders and movements, system developments, transport policy and leading industry comment on sale from around the world 20th November

THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE Rostock

With renewal under systems rostock way at national reunification, Rostock continued to www.lrta.org expand and upgrade www.tautonline.com factfile infrastructure. SUBSCRIBE NOW! GERMANY No. Rostock, Fleet modernisation NOVEMBER 2015 N O. 935 98 Germany reached a new stage in 2015. CONTRASTS IN LIGHT RAIL: CHARLOTTE’S NEW MODE Now in its 78th year, Tramways & Urban Transit is the world’s leading monthly publication dedicated solely

bout 230km (143 miles) being concentrated there. At the end of north-west of Berlin, World War Two, Rostock needed much Vossloh-Kiepe is from the Rostocker Strassenbahn Rostock was founded Tramlink 6N2 607 title; this was adopted in 1904 when restoration before attention could turn in a local housing in the 11th Century electrification replaced horses on a to longer-term matters. With oil at a association livery and is the principal premium and East Germany without three-line system with origins in 1881. portA on Germany’s Baltic coast. It is at Steintor on mass car ownership, new tram routes RSAG now designates 21 bus lines, also the largest city in Mecklenburg- 6 May 2015. were instigated to connect industrial three ferry crossings and six regular Vorpommern, by population around sites with new housing around the tramlines numbered 1-6. twice the size of the state capital, city’s edges. Such projects straddled Of these, two have their eastern Schwerin. Federal statistics showed to light and urban rail developments. Die Wende coverage in common, but operating 227 000 Rostock residents in 1995, , the political turning point of 1989-90, with new funding in a times are mutually exclusive and their but in a characteristic of many former unified Germany for modernising western route differs. Line 3 runs East German cities, it had fallen to infrastructure and stock, as well as to during evenings and weekends, with 203 000 by 2013. This particular continue with extensions. line 4 Monday to Friday, daytime only. indicator of decline does not translate It is a uni-directional system featuring NET Phase Two: Doubling Nottingham’s network to the experience of visiting Rostock The administrative districts of Rostock mainly cluster around the very long turning loops with separate however, for it is a well-maintained long estuary of the Warnow that arrival and departure platforms. regional centre with a broad-based Low- oor fuel cell trams by 2017 meets the sea at the resort town of Over 90% of track is in dedicated economy and much to support its Warnemünde. It is around about 16km space, much on ballasted alignments. significant tourist trade. (ten miles) from central Rostock to the RSAG is part of the Verkehrsverbund Dublin relaunches airport LRT link Rostock’s tram history is not that Baltic shore. Most of the tramway’s Warnow (VVW) transport association of a system depleted by bus and car coverage is south and west of the Words and pictures created in 1997. Characteristic of competition. Now as in the early Light Rail Awards mark excellence Warnow, with other areas served by by Neil Pulling – Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in general, ISSN 1460-8324 days, the tramway is one that passes all images taken much of the VVW area is sparsely £4.25 bus or heavy rail. The city-owned through the city centre rather than 11 transport operator's RSAG branding May 2015 unless populated. Serving longer distance otherwise stated Mailbox special Ukraine trains, the main station Rostock Local innovation 9 771460 832043 Your views on trailers 442 / november 2015 www.tautonline.com. www.lrta.org and coupled cars in Lviv and Kyiv We deliver comprehensive news and analysis,

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05/10/2015 14:43 05/10/2015 15:09 425_TAUT1511_cover.indd 1 incisive technology features and key interviews with leading industry figures each and every month. Either in print or online, don’t miss out Subscribe today!

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