THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE

www.lrta.org www.tautonline.com

MAY 2017 No. 953 KEEPING RUNNING IN EXTREME WEATHER

Los Angeles: Measure M funding boosts LRT expansion Terror targets the St Petersburg Metro US draft budget freezes out transit 14 hurt as Hong Kong tram overturns

UK tram-train Chaos theory 05> £4.40 Under scrutiny yet Making sense of the looking to 2018 Charleroi Metro 9 771460 832050 Phil Long

“A great event, really well organised and the dinner, reception and exhibition space made for great networking time.” Andy Byford – CEO, Toronto Transit Commission

MANCHESTER “I really enjoyed the conference and made some helpful contacts. Thanks for bringing such a professional event together.” 18-19 July 2017 Will Marshall – Siemens Mobility USA

Topics and themes for 2017 include: > Rewriting the business case for light rail investment > Cyber security – Responsibilities and safeguards > Models for procurement and resourcing strategies > Safety and security: Anti-vandalism measures > Putting light rail at the heart of the community > Digitisation and real-time monitoring > Street-running safety challenges > Managing obsolescence > Next-generation driver aids > Wire-free solutions > Are we delivering the best passenger environments? > Composite and materials technologies > From smartcard to smartphone ticketing > Rail and trackform innovation > Traction energy optimisation and efficiency > Major project updates

Confirmed speakers include: > Paolo Carbone – Head of Public Transport Capital Programmes, Transport Infrastructure Ireland > Geoff Inskip – Chairman, UKTram > Jane Cole – Managing Director, Blackpool Transport > Allan Alaküla – Head of Tallinn EU Office, City of Tallinn > Andres Muñoz de Dios – Director General, MetroTenerife > Tobyn Hughes – Managing Director (Transport Operations), North East Combined Authority > Alejandro Moreno – Alliance Director, Midland Metro Alliance > Ana M. Moreno - General Manager, Tranvía Zaragoza > David Hand – Divisional Director and LRT Group Practice Leader, Mott MacDonald > Peter Jones – Project Director, MPT Consortium > Dr Nick Mallinson – Programme Manager, > David Favest – Marketing Director, STIB-MIVB HVM Catapult, University of Warwick > Trevor Dowens – Principal Consultant, Ricardo Rail “Once again your team have proved your outstanding capabilities. > Derek Small – Engineering Director, SYSTRA The content was excellent and the > David Sidebottom – Passenger feedback from participants was great.” Team Director, Transport Focus Simcha Ohrenstein – CTO, Jerusalem LRT

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www.mainspring.co.uk CONTENTS The official journal of the Light Rail Transit Association MAY 2017 Vol. 80 No. 953 www.tautonline.com EDITORIAL 169 EDITOR Simon Johnston E-mail: [email protected] 13 Orton Enterprise Centre, Bakewell Road, Peterborough PE2 6XU, UK 172 ASSOCIATE EDITOR Tony Streeter E-mail: [email protected] WORLDWIDE EDITOR Michael Taplin Flat 1, 10 Hope Road, Shanklin, Isle of Wight PO37 6EA, UK. E-mail: [email protected] NEWS EDITOR John Symons 17 Whitmore Avenue, Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs ST9 0LW, UK. E-mail: [email protected] SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR Neil Pulling WORLDWIDE CONTRIBUTORS 180 Tony Bailey, James Chuang, Paul Nicholson, Richard Felski, Ed Havens, Bill Vigrass, Andrew Moglestue, NEWS 164 SNOW CLEARANCE... RUSSIAN STYLE 180 Mike Russell, Nikolai Semyonov, Vic Simons, St Petersburg bomb kills 14 and injures Mike Russell looks at how tramway Herbert Pence, Alain Senut, Thomas Wagner. 55 more; ‘Skinny budget’ presents a bleak operators cope when snow, ice and serious PRODUCTION Lanna Blyth future for future US rail funding; TfWM to sub-zero temperatures are a way of life. Tel: +44 (0)1733 367604 E-mail: [email protected] bring Midland Metro operations in house DESIGN in 2018; LA confirms CRRC metro order. SYSTEMS FACTFILE: CHARLEROI 184 Debbie Nolan Neil Pulling visits one of the world’s more ADVERTISING TRAM-TRAIN UNDER SCRUTINY 169 bizarre LRT systems – a hybrid light metro COMMERCIAL MANAGER The latest developments from the UK’s developed from a chaotic programme. Geoff Butler most high-profile light rail project. Tel: +44 (0)1733 367610 E-mail: [email protected] WORLDWIDE REVIEW 189 PUBLISHER LA LIGHT RAIL REVISITED 172 Montreal edges closer to full light metro Howard Johnston Vic Simons returns to LA to explore the funding; Foshan signs up for fuel cell- Tramways & Urban Transit is jointly published by the LRTA and LRTA Publishing on the third Friday of each latest Streetcar and Metro progress. powered trams; CRRC orders in Shijiazhuang, month preceding the cover date. Mashhad and Philadelphia; Olsztyn LRTA WEBSITE AND DIARY WHY THE WEATHER MATTERS 176 confirms plans for two new tram routes. Brian Lomas Scott McIntosh considers how climate E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] change is forcing a rethink on rail operations. MAILBOX 195 LRTA MEMBERSHIP (with TAUT subscription) Tram glazing, tram-train and technology. Tramways & Urban Transit is sent free to all paid-up MAGDEBURG REBUILDS 178 members of the Light Rail Transit Association. Tony Streeter revisits the German tramway CLASSIC TRAMS: WASHINGTON PT. 2 196 SUBSCRIPTIONS AND MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES devastated by flooding in 2013 – and finds Mike Russell continues his review of Yakima, LRTA Membership Secretary (Dept T06), 38 Wolseley Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK. that much is still to be done. which has now gained national recognition. Tel: +44 (0)117 951 7785 BACK ISSUES Tel: +44 (0)117 951 7785 Keeping moving in the worst of circumstances PRINT AND DISTRIBUTION It is with a heavy heart that the opening theme of the May 2017 edition is Warners (Midlands) plc, The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1778 391000. the same as that of May 2016 – terror attacks on a major urban rail system. LRTA REGISTERED OFFICE Although the city may have changed, the effects remain the same – 14 lives c/o 138 Radnor Avenue, Welling, Kent DA16 2BY, UK. were lost and countless more were changed forever by the events on the St Private company limited by guarantee, No. 5072319 Petersburg Metro on 3 April. Yet again the operator was powerless to stop it. in England and Wales. Terrorism is far from a modern phenomenon, but packed cities bring with them LRTA CHAIRMAN greater opportunities for wreaking havoc. Maintaining ease of access is a prerequisite Andrew Braddock for all mass transit, but without tighter security how else do you prevent such attacks? E-mail: [email protected] The last month has also seen transport services around the world cancelled or delayed LRTA DEPUTY CHAIRMAN by a very different kind of disruption – the weather. Planning for such events is a tricky Paul Rowen business as one day the sun can be shining and 24 hours later powerful winds, heavy rain LRTA PUBLISHING REGISTERED OFFICE c/o 8 Berwick Place, Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL7 4TU, and storms can be tearing timetables apart. This issue we have a number of case studies UK. Private Limited Company, No. 06169422 of the effects of extreme weather and also offer a few solutions – some involve advanced in England and Wales. technology, others just someone with a warm coat, strong boots and a big shovel... © LRTA Publishing 2017 Lastly, this month we were extended an invitation to meet with the project team Articles are submitted on the understanding they may also delivering the UK’s tram-train pilot. Here’s a little of what we learned: the vehicles are later be used on our websites or other media. A contribution is accepted on the basis that its author is responsible for the undergoing daytime testing on Sheffield’s tramway, so far with no major issues; the opinions expressed in it, and such opinions are not those of worksites we visited showed that large sections of infrastructure are nearing completion; LRTA Publishing or the LRTA. All rights reserved. operational planning and scheduling with heavy rail services are being fine-tuned. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in When it came to discussing where the delays have come in this long-running any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and programme to blend tramway and heavy rail, many of the answers could be predicted, retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from but a few were surprising. After nearly eight years of development, we look forward the copyright owner. Multiple copying of the contents of the to sampling the first operations in 2018 – and hope beyond hope that now the most magazine without prior written approval is not permitted. complex hoops have been navigated we will see a real future for the mode in the UK soon. The industry is watching with interest... Simon Johnston, Editor COVER: Magnitogorsk snowbroom hard at work at ulitsa Sovyetskaya on 7 February 2016. Maxim Zasov

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MAY 2017 / 163 News St Petersburg Metro attacks kill 14 Devastating terror attack hits early afternoon M2 service, second device disarmed

ourteen passengers were aftermath and security was killed and another 55 increased at major transportation injured in an explosion facilities across the country. on a St Petersburg M2 Surface transportation in Fmetro train travelling between St Petersburg was declared free Tekhnologischevsky Institut for the remainder of the day. and Sennaya Ploschad stations Although no immediate claim at 14.40 on 3 April. The train of responsibility was made, had just entered a tunnel Russian President Vladimir Putin between the two stations, when emphasised that it is likely it was the homemade bomb, filled a terrorist attack. A 22-year-old with shrapnel, exploded. The native of former Soviet state explosion was not powerful Kyrgystan was later named as the enough to derail the train, but principal suspect in the attacks. Following the closure of the St Petersburg metro following an explosion on 3 was designed for maximum The last major terrorist April, all surface transport was declared fare-free for the remainder of the day – casualties, authorities reported. attacks in a Russian city were in 71-631 low-floor tram 7412 is seen picking up crowds in Ulitsa Sadovaya. Misa A larger device, disguised as December 2013 when bombings a fire extinguisher, was found at a train station and on a bus in In February 2004 a bomb was Just over a year ago, more than at Vosstaniya Square later in Volgograd killed more than 30. detonated inside a train as it left 300 were wounded and 32 were the day but was disarmed, a In March 2010, explosions at Avtozavodskaya station, killing killed in terror attacks on the spokesman for the National two stations in central Moscow at least 39 people; that August, a Brussels Metro and the city’s Anti-Terrorism Committee told killed 33 people and six years suicide bomber killed nine in an airport on 22 March – 16 were Russian media. The metro system earlier the Metro was hit twice in attack on a station in the north killed in the blast at Maelbeek was shut and evacuated in the similar attacks. of the city. station.

14 injured in Hong Kong tram accident RNV tenders for 92 new Mannheim Police in Hong Kong are trams destined to be ‘world’s longest’ investigating excess speed as a possible cause of the accident Rhein-Neckar Verkehr, which workshops. If ordered, the 60m that saw a tram overturn at just operates the tramway serving cars will be the world’s longest after midnight on Des Voeux Mannheim, Heidelberg and trams indivisible in passenger Road Central on 6 April. Fourteen Ludwigshafen in Germany, service, and will probably be passengers were injured, eight has invited tenders for 92 new used to replace coupled sets requiring hospital treatment. trams – 80 30m cars and 12 60m used on the ex-OEG circular Double-deck 123, west-bound cars, with an option for a further service Mannheim – Heidelberg for Shek Tong Tsui, took an 46. The metre-gauge network is – Mannheim, and perhaps on the S-shaped bend before it derailed seeking to replace its Duewag Rhein – Haardt-Bahn interurban and flipped onto its left side; vehicles dating from 1994-95, RHB 1042, delivered in 1994, carries to Bad Dürkheim. some passengers climbed out of plus some surviving older cars a livery marking the centenary of the Delivery is required by 2028 the tram windows themselves, used in Heidelberg and on the interurban service linking Mannheim and a full-size mock up is to be while others had to be rescued by former OEG interurban. and Bad Dürkheim. C. Henseler delivered by the end of 2017 to the emergency services. The tender specifies 2.4m-wide permit detailed design elements The tram was lifted back onto double-ended cars with a floor height in the passenger to be tested. Mannheim has a the tracks at around 03.00 and working life of 36 years, mounted areas of 300mm. The 60m cars history of long trams that started towed to Whitty Street depot. The on bogies capable of swivelling should be capable of separation with the delivery of 12-axle area reopened to traffic at 05.00. up to 12° and with a maximum into two 30m sections in the Duewag cars for the RHB in 1965. Mechanical engineer and traffic accident investigator Lo Kok-keung told the South China Morning Post that the accident Abuja light rail project confirmed as ‘90% complete’ appeared speed-related, noting the slight slope on the bend. Construction on the light According to Bello, 13 In a statement, the Minister The 23-year-old driver, who rail project for the Nigerian railway bridges, 50 culverts, confirmed that the depot, passed a breathalyser test, was capital of Abuja is “90% there”, 15 flyovers and nine pedestrian communications and arrested but later released on according to Federal Capital overpasses and bridges are signalling works are also bail. Data from an onboard Territory (FCT) Minister also finished and ten of the 12 near completion and that he speed recorder was still being Muhammad Bello. stations are at advanced stages hoped the USD841.6m project examined as TAUT went to press. On a tour of construction of completion with painting would still be completed Hong Kong Tramways said it is sites on 13 March, the Minister and electrical installations in 2018. fully assisting in the investigation. confirmed that while the being undertaken. Works on The LRT line is one of The last tram to overturn in 72.7km (45.2-mile) double-track the system are in the hands of six facets of the FCT ‘rail Hong Kong was in 1983 when a alignment is complete there is the China Civil Engineering masterplan’ designed to concrete mixer hit a tram in Shau still overhead line work to do Construction Company promote greater connectivity Kei Wan, injuring 21 people. which stands at about “20%”. (CCECC). across the whole city.

164 / MAY 2017 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Trump’s draft ‘skinny budget’ calls for major transportation cuts LRT could be the big casualty in FY2018 plan that proposes massive reduction in FTA funding

n its FY2018 draft budget Southwest LRT under released on 16 March, the Republican challenge new US administration has A group of 84 Republicans allocated USD16.2bn for in the Minnesota state transportation,I meaning the legislature have written to new Federal Transit Administration US Transportation Secretary, would see its budget cut by 13%. Elizabeth Chao, asking her to Funding for new urban rail refuse a USD900m funding projects would be eliminated agreement for the proposed except for those where a 23.3km (14.5-mile) Southwest Full Funding Agreement is light rail line to connect already in place. downtown Minneapolis to The plan, which also reduces Eden Prairie. environmental and cultural In the 17 March letter, the programmes, medical research legislators cite a number of issues and Amtrak passenger rail funding facing the USD1.86bn project, is yet to be debated and approved claiming that the investment by Congress, which means that “would be counterproductive ‘pork barrel’ politics could still President Trump’s reduction in support for urban transit appears to directly to the state of Minnesota’s come into play. A desired 10% conflict with the policies of former President Obama, seen here visiting the transportation and (USD52bn) increase in military Minneapolis Green line depot with then Secretary of Transport Anthony Foxx. environmental interests, and and security spending is the main The Green line was built with Federal assistance. Metro Council would recklessly consume scarce reason suggested for the cuts. transit resources well into the In addition to overall cutbacks, city is the highest spender per Investment Generating Economic future for a project that fails on the FTA’s New Starts grant capita on transit of any US city); Recovery (TIGER) programme. so many counts.” scheme – responsible for funding the Purple Line Bethesda – New Launched by President Obama Amongst other charges, the many urban transit schemes and Carrollton light rail project in in 2009, TIGER has provided letter expresses concern about currently budgeted for USD2.3bn Maryland; the Tempe Streetcar; USD5.1bn for more than 400 state funds being used to operate annually to 2020 – would be cut Los Angeles Downtown Streetcar; road, rail and port projects. the planned 15-stop line, which entirely under the plan. Sacramento Downtown Riverfront The National Association of could open in 2021, questions Full Funding Agreements have Streetcar and light rail extension; City Transportation Officials has the validity of ridership been signed for the Los Angeles Santa Ana Streetcar; Fort called the draft budget a “disaster projections and cites a pending LRT Regional Connector and Lauderdale Streetcar; Baton Rouge for cities and their transportation lawsuit that challenges the Westside Purple line subway Streetcar; Minneapolis Southwest systems”, while Richard White, project’s environmental review. extensions; the San Diego LRT (see right), Durham – Raleigh Acting President and CEO of the The news comes as the Mid-Coast Corridor light rail; light rail; New York Second American Public Transportation Metropolitan Council prepares San Francisco’s Third St light Avenue Subway Phase 2; Seattle Association, said he was to submit its final funding rail project; the BART Berryessa Streetcar city connector and “surprised and disappointed” application to the FTA in July, extension in San Jose; Eagle expansion of the Tacoma Link given Trump’s commitment to with approval expected by commuter rail in Denver; Sun-Rail tramway. These projects assumed a USD1trn plan to improve the December. President Trump’s commuter rail phase II south in 40-50% Federal match funding nation’s infrastructure. APTA draft budget plan calls for the Orlando; Honolulu’s light metro, in their financing plans, and figures show that the Federal elimination of such grants from Boston’s Green line extension will now have seek to alternative Government currently covers 43% 1 October. and TEXRail in Fort Worth. methods if they are to continue. of all capital spending for public As of the start of the year, The biggest casualties of the The so-called ‘skinny budget’ transport and it is concerned around USD159m had been spent proposals are Seattle’s extensive also removes around USD500m that any cuts will only add to the on preliminary works for the light rail expansion plans (the from the Transportation shortfalls that already exist. Southwest LRT project.

Blackpool North tender Lyon reveals future metro and tram plans Blackpool Council (UK) has On 3 April Sytral President Annie Guillemot unveiled the design published a tender for a contract of the future Alstom trainsets ordered for lines B and D of the to extend its tramway to Blackpool Lyon metro. The 30 new rubber-tyred units are to be delivered in North station. The 550m double- conjunction with upgrades to raise capacity, including conversion track extension will branch off of line B to driverless operation and replacement of train control the existing line at a triangular equipment on line D. Options exist for a further 18 trainsets. junction at North Pier, running The project is to be completed in phases by 2023, by which time along Talbot Road (with a new a 2.8km (1.7-mile) line B extension from Oullins to St Genis will stop) to a terminus adjacent to the have been built at a cost of EUR394m. redeveloped Blackpool North. Also in development are a sixth tram route (T6), worth The GBP21.4m (EUR25m) project EUR161m, from Debourg to a hospital complex in the Bron area, is subject to funding approval by and a plan to put the central section of trolleybus route C3 on a Lancashire Enterprise Partnership NEWS IN PICTURES SYTRAL reserved alignment at a cost of EUR55m. (LEP), expected later this year.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MAY 2017 / 165 News TfWM to take over Midland Metro operations New combined authority to bring tram service in-house from October 2018

ransport for West of services required from the Midlands (TfWM) is to operator. That would lead to take over the day-to-day continuous and expensive running of the Midland commercial negotiations to agree TMetro tramway from October the price for the delivery of those 2018, when the current National network changes.” Express concession finishes. The WMCA has begun work The plan will enable TfWM, on a series of extensions which the transport arm of the West will see the UK system triple in Midlands Combined Authority size over the next decade; this (WMCA), to invest an estimated programme will be delivered GBP50m (EUR58m) in profits by the Midland Metro Alliance Trams returned to central Birmingham in 2016 and further plans will see a back into the network over the partnership of Colas Rail, Egis, network of Midland Metro extensions to the south, north and east. TAUT next 11 years to give best value to Tony Gee and Pell Frischmann. taxpayers, it is claimed. National Passenger numbers across the to Edgbaston by 2021. It also in the northern part of Solihull Express staff will transition expanded network are forecast confirmed funding of GBP59m Borough. over to a new wholly-owned to increase from around 6.5m at (EUR69m) towards the cost of In Wolverhampton, work subsidiary, Midland Metro Ltd. present to more than 30m. the extension. is set to start on an extension Laura Shoaf, TfWM Managing The planned expansion A TWA Order application has through the city centre as part Director, said: “The end of the of Midland Metro includes already been submitted for the of the GBP51.8m (EUR60.5m) existing concession provides extending the existing route from extension from Bull Street via Wolverhampton Interchange us with an ideal opportunity New Street Station to Centenary Albert Street and the forthcoming project. Trams will operate along to change the way we operate Square, with services expected to High Speed 2 rail station at Pipers Row, servicing the current services to better meet the needs start running in 2019. Curzon Street, then on to New bus station and continuing of passengers, the community At its meeting on 17 March the Canal Street, Meriden Street and to the railway station that is and ultimately the economy. WMCA board authorised TfWM High Street Deritend, serving being redeveloped as part of the “If we didn’t do this and and the Midland Metro Alliance Digbeth Coach Station and the project. The line is expected to instead outsourced operations to submit a Transport and Works Custard Factory. It is anticipated open in 2019. A business case to a private company at a time Act Order (TWA) application for this line could be open by 2023 is also being prepared for the of such major expansion it the Centenary Square line to be and has the potential to extend Wednesbury – Brierley Hill would be extremely difficult extended further along Broad further to Birmingham Airport line, which has been part of to accurately define the scope Street, past Five Ways and on and National Exhibition Centre expansion plans for many years.

Łódź orders Stockholm links new housing to Swing ‘evolution’ In early April Polish operator public transport expansion MPK Łódź announced an On 30 March negotiations will see population growth investment in public transport agreement with Pesa for the concluded between the Swedish accommodated in 100 370 improvements. supply of 12 new Swing trams Government and Stockholm new-build apartments, to be Rail projects include a new for delivery in September 2018, County, together with five built by 2035 in parallel with north – south metro line from although the city is hoping that other municipalities, that SEK30.2bn (EUR3.15bn) of Fridhemsplan to Älvsjo costing the first cars can be delivered SEK12.6bn (EUR1.3bn), a new in the early part of the year. light rail line from Älvsjo to The total cost is quoted as Flemingsberg via Skårhomen PLN99.6m (EUR23.5m), made (SEK4.2bn/EUR438m), extension possible in part by European of the Roslagsbanan to Odenplan Union funding. and T-Centralen in the city centre Łódź already has 32 Pesa (SEK7.1bn/EUR740m) and a new trams (ten delivered in 2008 and metro station at Tapiola on the 22 delivered in 2015). The latest Yellow line (SEK1.2bn/EUR125m). order is an evolution of the 2015 SEK5.1bn (EUR532m) is planned cars with an extra ten seats and for rolling stock and depots. a redesigned interior with better Work will start in 2026, once access for those with reduced existing projects are completed. mobility. Other enhancements are featured in the cab layout, The 891mm-gauge Roslagsbanen influenced by feedback from will be extended from its 1885 terminus the system’s drivers. at Stockholm Östra into the city. A. Falk

166 / MAY 2017 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Samarkand Los Angeles joins the rush re-establishes tram service for Chinese metro cars The first trial operation on the new tramline in Uzbekistan’s Metro confirms Purple line order, CRRC’s third US order in 18 months third-largest city, Samarkand, began on 23 March using ex- fter Boston and Chicago, the highest-rated technical sources, including the proceeds Toshkent Vario LF 3204. Los Angeles is the latest offer and lowest price while of the sales tax approved last year On 29 March regular began US transit system to offering the most robust local under Measure R. on the 6.4km (four-mile) section place an order for metro employment program and In other news, on 16 March of line between Voksal (railway Acars with a subsidiary of Chinese highest US component content.” CRRC Sifang America held a station) and Sat Tepo, with a rail conglomerate CRRC. Stainless steel bodyshells will ground-breaking ceremony for nine-minute service using the Massachusetts-based CRRC MA come from CRRC Changchun its new plant in Chicago. The 18 VarioLF trams that came was selected as preferred bidder in China, shipped to CRRC MA 35 390m2 facility’s first order is from the tramway in the capital, for the order in December 2016 in Springfield, MA, for assembly from the CTA for 490 metro cars Toshkent, that closed in 2016. and LACMTA will get 64 HR400 and fitting out with traction as part of a framework agreement A further 5km (3.1 miles) from metro cars needed for the 6.3km equipment, HVAC and interiors signed in 2016 for up to 846 Vokzal to Siab Bazaar is under (3.9-mile) Purple line extension that are planned for delivery vehicles. The USD100m plant construction. from Wilshire/Western to La from a new factory in the LA area. will employ around 170 workers Samarkand, which has a Cienega planned to open in 2023. The first set is due for delivery and create almost 130 additional population of 500 000, previously As the extension will require 34 in early 2020, with all 64 in place construction jobs. operated trams from 1947 to cars, the other 30 are intended to by September 2021. There is an Production of the Series 7000 1973. The city is designated a replace the oldest units running option for a further 218 cars, cars is to begin in early 2019, UNESCO World Heritage Site. on the Red line between Union which if exercised will take the with entry into service for the Station and North Hollywood. contract value to USD647m. first trains programmed for 2020. An LACMTA statement LACMTA funding is coming Read more on the latest light rail concluded that CRRC MA “had from a mix of local and federal developments in LA on page 172. UK tram-train pilot under scrutiny On 24 March the UK’s National Stagecoach Supertram and Arriva- l The various points at which The first powered trial on the new Audit Office announced that it owned train operator Northern. the Department for Transport tramway in Samarkand featuring is to conduct an investigation The NAO report will look at decided to continue funding ex-Toshkent Vario LF trams, bought into the delayed Sheffield – management and delivery and the scheme and its rationale originally from Czech manufacturer Andsiz Rotherham tram-train pilot. the Department for Transport’s for doing so Pragoimex in 2011. The pilot scheme is being sponsorship of the scheme. The l The factors that have led to delivered by Network Rail and independent Parliamentary delays and cost increases, as the South Yorkshire Passenger body’s investigation will focus on: identified by reviews Transport Executive in l The history of the scheme, conducted or commissioned European funding for partnership with the Department changes to the delivery by the Department of Greek urban rail projects for Transport, tramway operator schedule and cost estimates Transport. The European Commission has announced a EUR1.3bn The planned tram-train funding package for transport Work on the Tinsley Chord that links the Network Rail-managed freight line and implementation will create a that includes EUR407m for the Sheffield Supertram system is nearing completion; as seen on 29 March. TAUT link between the 29km (18-mile) the automated metro under Supertram network, opened in construction in Thessaloniki 1994-95, and the heavy rail line and EUR361m for the extension to neighbouring Rotherham. of Athina (Athens) metro line 3 Once open, passengers will be able to Piraeus. to take one service from central The extension of the Sheffield via a new Meadowhall Athina tramway to Piraeus will receive EUR58m, while link over around 2.5km (1.5 miles) EUR18m is earmarked for of Network Rail line to Rotherham the implementation of a Central, then a further 1.6km common automated ticketing (one-mile) to Parkgate. system on all modes of public The latest completion date has transport in the capital. been given as summer 2018. Storm Stella disrupts

For a detailed update on the UK’s US transit tram-train pilot see page 169. Winter Storm Stella struck the north-eastern states of the US on 14 March, bringing heavy snowfall, high winds and blizzard CRRC wins LU order, while Watford Junction extension is delayed conditions. All above ground Transport for London has and ongoing technical support. delivered within the scope of rapid transit services were awarded CRRC Shandong a The order marks the first rolling its GBP284.4m (EUR332m) suspended in New York and light rail service in Baltimore was contract for 71 wagons to support stock contract for CRRC from a funding package; it suggests suspended from 09.45 to 13.15 track renewal and maintenance European metro operator. that the scheme may have to due to heavy snow. activities on the London Meanwhile, TfL has notified be dropped or delayed until a Read how operators around the Underground. The order, the London Assembly that the solution can be found to meet world deal with extreme weather on confirmed on 23 March, includes Metropolitan line extension the GBP50m (EUR58m) funding pages 176, 178 and 180. 66 open and five flatbed wagons to Watford Junction cannot be shortfall.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MAY 2017 / 167 News

Praha Tatra T3 survives NEWS IN PICTURES VW resumes CarGo freight tram services on heritage tramline The CarGo freight tram operation linking Volkswagen’s Dresden he delivery of over a thousand examples of logistics centre in Friedrichstadt with the firm’sGläserne one tram type to one city is unusual, but Manufaktur assembly facility the Czech capital of Praha (Prague) once in Strassburger Platz resumed operated no less than 1184 Tatra T3 trams, operation from 24 March in Ta 14m bogie car weighing 16 000kg, nominally readiness for the launch of built under PCC licence. production of the electric E-Golf. The prototype 6101, built in 1960, entered Three trips are made per day passenger service on 21 June 1961 and deliveries on the 4.5km (2.8-mile) route, from the Smichov factory continued until 1989. diverting the same load as carried by three 18m lorries onto the city’s In later years surviving cars were upgraded to 1450mm-gauge tramway. thyristor control and some were rebuilt with a Elsewhere, eight-axle low-floor low-floor section at the centre doors. The prototype tram 2625 has been painted in the was scrapped in 1985, but the first production car, livery of the original Tatra T4D 6102, survives in the city’s museum fleet. 2000 when it was delivered in 1967. The T3 and its derivatives were the standard tram selected by COMECON for Eastern Europe and systems in the Soviet Union, with more than 14 000 produced in total. Significant numbers remain in service, often as a result of activity in the One of the last unrebuilt T3 sets, 7269+7174, in service on second-hand market. the last day of normal operation in Praha (Prague). MHD86.cz With the withdrawal from regular service in Praha of the last unrebuilt T3 trams on 24 March, a 30 minutes 08.30-19.00 until mid-October. There heritage tramline 23 was introduced from 25 March was a parade of eight T3 trams on 25 March led where this type of tram can still be experienced. by 6102 with its distinctive split windscreen, and Each five-section CarGo tram Available for use are 7121/2/42/4/8/89/91, followed by 6340, 8085+8013, 7205+7282, 8155 can carry 60 tons of automobile 7205/34/5/62/75/82/90 and 8013/4/42/85. and 8255. One of the city’s newest trams, Škoda 15T components; after almost a year in storage, services resumed on the The new line links Královka and Zvonarka via 9355, joined the parade and was named after the Dresden network in March. Frize Malonstranská and Narodni triad with a tram every designer of the T3, Frantisek Kardaus.

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168 / MAY 2017 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org UK tram-train TRAM-TRAINS TO ROTHERHAM EDGE EVER CLOSER… As arguably the nation’s most high-profile light rail project, the UK’s tram-train pilot has been a long time coming. TAUT caught up with the project team to review progress.

he pilot programme to introduce a connecting tram-train service between Sheffield’s Supertram network and the neighbouring town of Rotherham using an under-usedT freight railway has been the cause of a great deal of frustration. Launched in 2009, the scheme has been highlighted by some as an example of over-engineering and confused project management from some of the partners. What is often neglected, however, is that Seven Citylink LRVs have been ordered for the UK’s pilot scheme; daytime trials began in March 2017. Next this was never intended as a scheme just year the wheel profiles on four will be changed for tram-train, limiting them to use as far as Cathedral. S. Cooke to introduce the mode to the UK. Instead, it forms a greater exploration of the After a two-year trial, if successful, the sufficient clearance for electrification, the road challenging of industry standards – as well tram-train will become a permanent fixture; bridge at College Road is to be demolished as the implementation of new principles for indeed, local project partner SYPTE is already and replaced with a new deck; an 18-week connecting light rail to the railway. investigating extensions – for example into programme is to begin on 14 April. The raising The tram-train concept isn’t new to the UK. the Lower Don Valley – as part of its current of this bridge is seen as the optimum solution The first two Manchester Metrolink lines consultations to extend the benefits of as lowering the tracks would involve costly employed trams on former rail lines between Supertram service into the wider region. additional works at Rotherham Central, as Bury and Victoria, and Altrincham and Lessons from each stage of the pilot’s well as increasing the risk of track flooding Piccadilly, with a street-running connection implementation are being shared with from the adjacent canalised River Don. through the city centre. Additionally, many promoters across the UK, notably in Glasgow, Two other bridges have required modest of the challenges associated with inter- South Wales and Greater Manchester. Simon track lowering. operability of light and heavy rail have been Coulthard, Network Rail’s senior project The route to Rotherham will be electrified addressed with the Tyne & Wear Metro sponsor, says: “The DfT has clear expectations as per the Supertram network at 750V dc. extension to Sunderland that opened in 2002. and our objective is to help feed our learning However, the requirement for a dual-voltage As a little history, a previous tram-train into other schemes where possible, hopefully vehicle was seen as essential in the early proposal on the Penistone Line between creating a path for others to follow.” stages of the pilot in anticipation of plans Huddersfield and Sheffield – driven primarily to electrify the Midland Mainline north of by a desire to replace ageing diesel main line Risks and approvals Sheffield by 2023 – although progress of this rolling stock – was abandoned in 2009 after it When the new service eventually opens in programme has since been delayed. was found that suitable dual-fuel tram-trains late 2018, passengers will be able to get onto Such future-proofing is a key component of would be too expensive due to the costs of a tram-train at Cathedral tramstop in central the pilot. Simpler solutions could have been developing a power pack that complied with Sheffield and travel to Parkgate shopping chosen for many of the more complex efforts, the latest emissions standards. This led to centre via Rotherham Central station. but early route engineering showed that the current pilot and the development of a Currently two trains per hour run between there would be too many costly challenges framework of technical standards for lighter Sheffield and Rotherham Central; the tram- in electrifying at the 25kv ac of the main line weight vehicles on the national rail network, train will offer three services every hour, seven network. Of course this also provides valuable examining operational practicalities, and days a week, with journey times for the 12km learning in terms of lower-cost electrification importantly to gauge passenger perception. (7.5-mile) route (7km of tramway and 5km of for Network Rail, an organisation which had With GBP60m (approx. EUR70m at 2010 railway) taking 25 minutes. The new fleet is little modern experience in 750V dc overhead. rates) in committed funding from the UK capable of 80km/h (50mph) on the tramway Around 80% of the stanchions are Department for Transport (DfT), the and 100km/h (62mph) on NR metals. now erected, of both single and twin- tram-train pilot is very much a collaborative Stagecoach will operate the service as part of track cantilever type. Although they look effort. National rail infrastructure its current concession that runs until 2024. heavy-duty for tramway use, it has to be manager Network Rail (NR) is leading on Despite its long gestation period, the remembered that this is also about looking infrastructure construction and development team delivering this pioneering scheme is forward to potential 25kv ac electrification. of relevant technical standards; Sheffield bullish about the future as infrastructure Installation of the overhead wires themselves tramway operator and maintainer construction nears completion. Within is due to begin later in the year but, unlike Stagecoach Supertram and its client the weeks of you reading this, the 160m physical on a new-build tramway on a segregated South Yorkshire Passenger Transport connection between NR-managed freight alignment, this involves temporary closures Executive are responsible for the operational tracks at Tinsley and the Supertram network of the railway so will be a more time- development and ongoing service provision. at Meadowhall South will have been consuming process. Main line rail operator Northern is a completed by lead contractor Carillion. As an example, over 40 ‘off-the-shelf’ supportive stakeholder as the facility owner Concurrently, the last major civil works will overhead line components are being adapted of Rotherham Central station. have begun in central Rotherham. To allow for a new purpose. Coulthard explains:

www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org MAY 2017 / 169 UK tram-train

TINSLEY BRT

Access road

M1 TINSLEY VIADUCT RIVER DON M1 TINSLEY VIADUCT

LEGEND Existing Supertram tramlines

RIVER DON Existing Network Rail freight line M Highways England E A crossing D New heavy rail line O W H A Tinsley Chord L L W Temporary ABOVE: Citylink 399 201 and Supertram 101 at A Y work site compound Nunnery depot on 29 March; retrofitted couplers New overhead have been added in Sheffield. TAUT Meadowhall South line structures Supertram stop RIGHT: The Tinsley Chord tramway-railway link.

“We maintain a catalogue of approved assets Simon Coulthard is keen to point out at Rotherham Central; a bus replacement and components, so as we are changing that while the delays are regrettable, he also service will be offered. use to 750V dc – and creating a few new reinforces the message that: “Delays are The signalling at the interface has been components, too – we need to go through obviously frustrating and there are some designed to ensure that the changeover our product approval process before they things we may have done differently, but we requires minimal interaction for both the can be added into the catalogue. A big part have deliberately taken on some complex driver and signaller; 25 new axle counters of that is demonstrating they are safe, both challenges with the pilot to make sure we have also been installed to provide immunity individually and as part of a system.” have as much relevant data as possible that from the effects of the electrification as These approvals take time. we can share.” the old track circuits would be affected by “The overhead line design has pushed Although many of those lessons relate to interference from the electric drives. the programme back, without a doubt,” he technical and operational considerations, continues, “but there are so many elements we Coulthard emphasises that “safety assurance Arrival of the Citylink hadn’t foreseen and this is about establishing is at the heart of everything we’re doing and Operationally, the new service poses its own technical standards beyond the pilot.” this cannot be rushed or shortcut. Many of challenges, as Dr Rob Carroll, Major Projects the elements of this scheme are new to the Manager for Stagecoach Supertram, told Permanent way completion railway, and vice versa for the tramway, so TAUT: “Drivers are receiving three dedicated Elsewhere, trackworks are largely complete, the approvals process is something which has days training with the new vehicles on the including the new turnback siding and inevitably had impacts on the programme.” Supertram network initially, with more tramstop at Rotherham’s Parkgate shopping Construction on the Tinsley Chord is to come once the Tinsley Chord becomes centre. Low-level platform extensions at nearing completion, and TAUT was granted available. Our drivers will be split into two Rotherham Central station are also underway. access to the worksite in late March. The pools, with 18-20 charged with regular Although both Network Rail and sinuous curve that joins tramway and railway operation of the new route to Rotherham.” Stagecoach Supertram tracks share a common offers an 80m curve radius to allow the As the most visible part of the pilot, the new 1435mm gauge, key differences have required vehicles to pick up speed before joining NR Stadler Citylink LRVs have been undertaking the development of a new wheel profile by tracks, with a tighter 25m curve giving access daytime trials across the Supertram system Huddersfield University’s Institute of Railway to the Supertram line near Meadowhall South since early March, following early testing and Research to allow safe through-running while at the other end. Adding another level of validation from Christmas 2015. minimising both wheel and rail wear. With complexity, the site of the chord (where 80lb Seven Citylink vehicles have been supplied a deeper flangeback, the new profile removes tram rails join 113lb rail tracks) is hardly ideal by Stadler (formerly Vossloh España) – a need the risk of derailment – particularly at for construction access, lying underneath a for four new trams was identified as far back switches and crossings – but this has required double-deck underpass for the M1 motorway. as 2010 to enhance capacity on the network the installation of check rails 50mm higher The land on which the new link sits belongs – and these are split into two groups, three than those normally found on NR tracks. to Highways England and a lease/sub-lease dedicated to tramway use and four with the As a non-standard profile it required approval arrangement has been negotiated between deeper tram-train wheel flange that allows from the UK’s Rail Safety and Standards this government body, Network Rail and running to Rotherham. Three tram-trains are Board – as described earlier, this process of SYPTE – the effective ‘owner’ of the tramway. required to provide the 20-minute service, deviations, approvals and safety assurance While Network Rail and its contractors are with one in reserve as an operational spare. has been one of the key drivers of delays. building the new link, as the tram-trains will Although passengers can’t ride on them Helen Plummer, Project Manager for be operated by Stagecoach it will effectively just yet (this is due to start in the summer Supertram (on secondment from Turner & be a tramway until it reaches the main line. on the existing network), the response to Townsend), explained that a rail replacement However, it was stressed by both partners the latest additions to the Supertram fleet as programme to address life-expired tram that they are “taking a common sense and they pass through Sheffield’s streets seems tracks has helped minimise longer-term practical approach to maintenance rather positive. The drivers like them too, as Helen disruption as it has allowed enhancements than saying the boundary is ‘here’”. Plummer explains: “The brakes are sharper to the tramway with a rail profile suitable Signalling works to allow safe entry onto and the acceleration is good, too – despite the for tram-train that features deeper grooves. the rail network will also begin in May; additional weight compared to a tram from the Around 22km (13.7 miles) of rail replacement this is one of the most crucial parts of the existing fleet.” For safe line of sight tramway has been completed already, but there is more project – and one that requires the greatest operation, magnetic track brakes on all bogies to do and this is a factor which currently safety assurances. In order to complete this provide deceleration rates of over 2.2m/s2. limits tram-train running to the convenient work safely, trains will be diverted between As the centre of gravity is higher than turnback at Cathedral. Meadowhall and Swinton and will not stop the incumbent Siemens trams due to an

170 / MAY 2017 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org ABOVE LEFT: The sweeping curve that will bring extra 12 tonnes in overall weight – much of Next steps tram-trains onto Network Rail tracks, with the which is on the roof – a pneumatic secondary Responding again to the questions of Highways England crossing in the foreground. P. Abell suspension system is fitted that also lowers delays, Simon Coulthard repeats his earlier the ride height slightly. New systems include suggestion that while lessons learned along ABOVE AND BELOW: The Meadowhall Tinsley air-conditioning, the ABB-supplied the way have extended the infrastructure Chord junction is complete, seen laid ready to install dual-voltage traction package and an onboard delivery programme, this is far from a simple following the final utility relocation works. TAUT passenger counting system. scheme: “People have suggested that you The new vehicles are 2.7m longer than can just pick up technology used on the the existing trams at 37.2m, which in part continent and implement it here, but it really has driven modifications at Nunnery depot; isn’t that easy. We use different signalling these include additional stabling, stores and and protection systems and have significant training facilities, as well a new crane and differences in track standards. We hope that extended gantries to allow easier access to the we have identified the main challenges to Citylink’s roof-mounted equipment. introducing tram-train schemes in the UK Onboard the new three-section articulated and this will inform future schemes.” LRVs, care has been taken to ensure Dr Rob Carroll adds with a smile: “We’re continuity with the existing roster as far as creating a template of things to avoid as much is practical. Aside from slightly narrower as a guidebook of how to do it. Everything gangways, the main difference is a reduction we’re doing is documented for the benefit in internal steps; while you still have a single of others and we’re in regular contact with step (unavoidable due to an additional Manchester, Glasgow and South Wales.” powered bogie necessary to cope with Renfrewshire Council, the Glasgow City Sheffield’s steep gradients), the transition for Region Cabinet and Glasgow City Council, passengers is easier on the new vehicles. in partnership with Glasgow Airport, are Each Citylink has a capacity for 88 seated and looking to introduce tram-train in preference 150 standing and two wheelchair spaces. to a conventional light rail link between The majority of the South Yorkshire order Glasgow Central station and Paisley Gilmour is described by Carroll as being ‘off the Street. Meanwhile, the South Wales Metro shelf’, although as a run-on from an order for promoters have mooted a mix of heavy rail, Karlsruhe (Germany) this gives slight oddities street-running light rail and tram-train as such as a lack of driver’s cab doors that part of a new intermodal mix for the Cardiff means operator access through the passenger City Region. Transport for Greater Manchester saloon. Elsewhere in the cab the differences has long-held ambitions for tram-train are obvious. Firstly, two high-definition connectivity to increase capacity on regional monitors connected to external CCTV rail routes serving the north-west; Transport cameras replace the need for side mirrors, for the West Midlands has shown keen interest; ABOVE: The new stop at Rotherham Parkgate is at the western end of Stonerow Way, the road that runs then you have the traction/brake lever and aspirations exist for potential application behind Parkgate Shopping retail park. The bespoke which is on the other side of the operator’s between Nottingham and Derby as well. So raised check rails are visible in the foreground. P. Abell chair. Otherwise the main difference is in once the pilot proves its worth, the promise for the Train Protection and Warning System tram-train in the UK could be game-changing. BELOW: A Northern DMU service passes under (TPWS), On-Train Monitoring Recorder and A recently-announced National Audit Rotherham’s College Road bridge, showing tight GSM-R communications system necessary Office investigation into the reasons for the clearances. P. Abell for operation on the UK main line railway. extended delivery schedule for the pilot isn’t Although the TPWS is active at all times, distracting any of the partners. Coulthard drivers will be required to manually activate concludes: “The NAO has the best interests of the GSM-R system as they pass from tramway the taxpayer in mind and we’re fully engaged to railway. with them. Otherwise we remain head down Testing recovery procedures, bespoke and focused on delivering the scheme as couplers have been created and retrofitted at safely and effectively as we can.” Nunnery depot to allow for any stranded tram-train to be recovered by an existing Thanks to Simon Coulthard, Alan Beattie and tram. Carroll adds that while it is “always Carl Scattergood of Network Rail, Helen Plummer preferable for recovery to be undertaken by a and Dr Rob Carroll of Stagecoach Supertram, Citylink in the first instance, adaptor couplers John Lawson and Lee Butler of Carillion, are also being specified for any main line loco Paul Abell and Tim Kendell for their assistance with a draw hook to recover one if necessary.” in the preparation of this article.

www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org MAY 2017 / 171 Kinkisharyo P3010 128 ready to depart for LA from Santa Monica on 6 February 2017. LA LIGHT RAIL ON THE MOVE Since our summer 2016 visit to Los Angeles, plans for the new urban streetcar have moved forward considerably and the recently-approved Measure M sales tax will act as a significant project accelerator for many other LRT schemes. Vic Simons reports.

os Angeles famously has some LA area; this will also have a beneficial effect its planned construction start date of 2018. of the worst traffic congestion of on air quality in the city, judged as amongst Ongoing operational funding for the next 30 any city in the world. Gridlock the worst in the nation for ozone and fine years is estimated at USD295m; this will come on urban highways often delays particulate emissions. from the 2008 Measure R tax revenues. commuters for hours at a time and The cost of the full installation is estimated aL recent study found that the average driver at USD282m, for a projected 2020 opening, Development of the Streetcar wasted over 100 hours in queuing traffic reduced by USD15.6m if the Grand Avenue LA Streetcar Incorporated (LASI) is a during the busiest peak periods in 2016. spur (see below) is not included in the project not-for-profit organisation founded by LA This equates to a penalty for the same driver scope. Of the capital cost, USD100m may businesses and stakeholders with a significant of over USD2400 in wasted fuel and lost come from Federal Transit Administration interest in improving the city’s downtown core. productivity and negative impacts on the city Small Starts funds with the balance being Modelled on similar arrangements in both as businesses and leisure sites lose custom. raised locally, although the future of the Portland and Seattle, LASI is acting as scheme As outlined in TAUT 944 (August 2016), former grant funding programme has been promoter and while not part of the City of Los the LA Streetcar is a planned 6.4km (four-mile) cast into doubt in recent weeks (see News). Angeles the new agency works very closely urban light rail circulator linking various Part of the local contribution will come with it. LASI and the City are also looking at city centre neighbourhoods with existing from a special tax district in downtown LA. a Public-Private Partnership to design, build, subway and Metro LRT services at the Known as the Communities Facilities operate and maintain the system. 7th/Flower interchange. The project is District (CFD), this local measure will raise Eight vehicles will be required to operate aimed at assisting the revitalisation and up to USD85m towards the project cost. the planned route, providing a seven- reinvigoration of Downtown LA with its bars, A significant contribution of USD200m minute peak headway and 10-15 minutes restaurants and theatres as well as improving will come from Measure M – a countywide at other times. The vehicles will be much journeys to work. ‘Leave your car in one sales tax approved in the November 2016 lighter weight than the existing LA Metro spot and use the Streetcar to get around’ ballot to fund major transportation projects LRVs, likely to be more akin to those used in is the mantra of the project with the aim of – but there are timing issues which must be Portland, Seattle and Dallas for their streetcar removing cars from much of the downtown resolved for the project to proceed and meet operations and those planned to be in service

172 / MAY 2017 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org in Detroit later this year. In its publicity, LASI is modelling the system on the very successful Portland Streetcar which uses United Streetcar vehicles. This option is not available to LA as the United Streetcar plant in Oregon has been mothballed since December 2014, although LASI confirms that it has been in touch with a number of manufacturers; these include Inekon of the Czech Republic (upon whose designs the United Streetcar vehicles were based an built under licence). Shane Phillips, LASI’s Project Director, told TAUT that the vehicles will be at least 70% low-floor, with station platforms designed to accommodate level boarding. He also confirmed that LASI is looking at off-wire solutions; whilst there is no aesthetic need for such a facility, if cost savings can be achieved by such an implementation then it will be seriously considered. The planned panhandle-shaped route starts at the 7th/Flower Interchange near the Financial District and runs for four blocks before turning north along Hill Street to 1st Street, six blocks away. On 1st Street the alignment heads east for one block to Broadway where it then turns south through the Old Bank, Historic Downtown and ABOVE: Although LASI is yet to tender for a Fashion Districts to 11th Street. Here it heads supplier of low-floor streetcars, discussions have west and continues to Figueroa Street. been held with a number of manufacturers, including METROLINK TO PERRIS It then turns north and runs for four blocks Inekon, builder of the Trio cars used in Seattle. to 7th Street where it turns east back to the The mid-2016 opening to allow overnight of the 39km (24-mile) stabling for the early 7th/Flower Interchange. BELOW: The LA Streetcar route has been designed with multiple interchange options for both subway line 91 extension of morning commute into The route is one way in this direction. Metrolink commuter LA and the evening An additional spur is planned at 1st Avenue, and LRT connections; a Purple line subway service at Union Station. rail to Perris fulfils return. There are only which would run west along 1st Street for two a 20-year ambition. occasional services blocks to Grand Avenue where it will then It marks the first between the peaks head south to a terminus at 2nd Street in the expansion of the and at weekends. Bunker Hill district. A north-south city block system that serves Sadly, the timetable in downtown LA is 226m, with an east-west Southern California as set up means it is city block being around 98m. since the mid-1990s. not possible to visit The latest addition has the Orange Empire The alignment as designed will be largely four new stations, two Transport Museum in single-track, although spurs would be of which are in Perris, Perris by rail. created to deal with layovers and for taking and opens up new The purchase of streetcars out of service in an emergency. rail-based commuting Metrolink tickets via As it is all within the existing downtown to both central LA and mobile device was LA one-way system, the wide streets should more locally within rolled out in spring not cause major construction or operational Riverside County. 2016, following difficulties. If the Grand Avenue spur is built A small depot has successful trials been built just south beginning at the start it will be entirely double-track, although the of the Perris terminus of the year. recent announcement of the reopening of the Angels Flight funicular, planned for Labor Day – 7 September – has led to this necessity a facility there could well be savings for both to frustrations over the lack of funding being re-evaluated (see page 175). the developer and LASI. confirmation, but is otherwise enthusiastic Streetcar stops will, said Phillips, be up to When asked about whether LASI would and confident that the streetcar will be built the usual Metro LRT standards with covered develop a second spur to Union Station to in the projected timeframe and that it will be accommodation and seating. Ticket vending significantly improve connectivity with a great addition to the city’s multi-modal mix. machines will be onboard the vehicles rather other mass transit services, Phillips told than at stops. Although the final fare system TAUT that while this is being considered Metro’s future plans is still being evaluated, Phillips reiterated the longer-term it is not a current priority as Although there are many ongoing stated goal of “full integration with all trains the streetcar’s immediate goal is to link enhancement programmes, three major light and buses in LA, minimising barriers to downtown with LA Metro and take people rail projects are now in advanced planning or travel”. Interestingly, Phillips is one of those out of their cars. Drivers should only need to under construction that will greatly enhance rare LA citizens who does not own a car, park their cars once and use light rail to travel public transport alternatives in LA County. relying primarily on public transport for his into the city, he believes; then they can use Firstly, the biggest enhancement to the own journeys with the occasional use of Uber the streetcar and buses to get around. As such Metro LRT network is the shortest in terms private hire cars as a backstop. there will be no park-and-ride on the new of distance – the 3km (1.9-mile) Regional In such a constrained city environment, system. This also avoids the practical issue of Connector linking the Blue and Expo lines a major challenge is car maintenance and finding suitable available space in the city, with the Gold line. This USD1.55bn project is storage. LASI is talking to the site developer in which carries a high premium. expected to open in 2021 and will extend the the city block bounded by 2nd, Hill, 3rd and The LA Streetcar will bring rail-based tunnel at the existing 7thStreet/Metro Center Broadway about the possibility of including a transport back to the streets of downtown Station terminus (the future interchange car barn/depot as part of a joint development Los Angeles after a 57-year gap. Whilst in LA, with the Streetcar) underneath Flower Street to include residential, commercial, and/ TAUT met with LADOT’s Streetcar General to 2nd Street. From here it will turn east or hotel uses. As yet no agreement has been Manager Seleta Reynolds, who was bullish towards the existing Little Tokyo/Arts District reached, but if the car barn is housed in such about the system’s progress. She admitted Station. Here it emerges to the surface to join

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MAY 2017 / 173 Los Angeles

“Five Kinkisharyo P3010 LRVs are being delivered per month… as many as 235 could be in service over using proceeds of the approved Measure M the next decade if all options are exercised.” sales tax increase which comes into operation in July 2017. Six new stations are planned, the existing Gold line in both directions. Fairview Heights. The route will be a mixture with connections to the Metrolink commuter The Regional Connector will tie together the of underground, overbridge/viaduct and rail system in Montclair and Claremont. Blue, Expo and Gold lines via twin tunnels at-grade sections and includes Southwestern Metro has inaugurated the NoHo to that will allow faster rides to and through Yard, a new 70-vehicle repair and Pasadena Express, Line 501 − an express bus downtown LA with fewer transfers. maintenance facility near the airport at service that utilises HOV (High-Occupancy Next up and planned to open in 2019 is Aviation Boulevard and Arbor Vitae. Vehicle) lanes on the CA134 freeway to the USD2.06bn Crenshaw line linking the News on the third LRT project, the ongoing connect the North Hollywood Red line Expo line at the existing Expo/Crenshaw Gold line extension to Montclair, is less station with the Gold line in Pasadena. Station with the Green line at Aviation LAX. positive. Completion appears to have been Although it’s possible the line will eventually This new route is seen as vital in improving put back from 2023 to 2025 as various tasks be converted to light rail, linking with the connectivity with Los Angeles International now have to be undertaken in series rather Orange line to Chatsworth, initial ridership Airport (LAX), achieved by means of a than in parallel, although utility relocation levels for the express bus service have been peoplemover built by LAX owner Los work is still expected to begin this October. disappointing. Metro CEO Phil Washington Angeles World Airports, with a connection at The financial impact of these programme has said the agency is undertaking further Aviation Boulevard and 96th Street. changes is projected to increase the overall marketing to boost passenger numbers. The Crenshaw line will also link the cities of cost by USD118m to USD1.37bn. USD70m of Upon riding the line, the biggest issue Inglewood and Westchester to Los Angeles the funding will come from San Bernardino appears to be freeway entry and exit as the and will feature a major park-and-ride at County, the balance being met by LA Metro express lanes are next to the median and it is necessary to cross four busy traffic lanes ABOVE: to join and leave the freeway. An unsolicited Two P3010 Kinkisharyo LRVs proposal has been received to convert the and a Siemens Orange line to light rail by means of a PPP; P2000 Green line this is currently being evaluated by Metro and car in the yard would be a major accelerator of the project. of the new Santa The Expo line opened on 20 May 2016 Monica depot and and ridership has significantly exceeded maintenance facility. expectations, leading Metro to explore the RIGHT: A line-up operation of three-car trains for most of of the latest P3010 the day to expand capacity. Washington LRVs within the explained that such a service enhancement Santa Monica facility cannot be undertaken until more rolling on 8 February 2017. stock arrives. Kinkisharyo LRVs are currently being delivered at a rate of five vehicles a month from a contract signed in 2012 that could see as many as 235 new LRVs in service over the next decade if all options are exercised.

174 / MAY 2017 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org LEFT: Platform In a February 2017 visit, TAUT was given gates at Santa access to the 3.9ha (9.7-acre) Santa Monica Monica station maintenance facility where John Sanchez, on the Expo line; Expo line Director for Rail Transit Operations such gates are explained that there were challenges in becoming more opening a new line and maintenance facility prevalent on with new rolling stock and utilising new the LRT system, staff, which had been successfully met. particularly at Sanchez praised The City of Santa Monica for those stations with the recognising the lack of station car parking heaviest usage. and recasting its bus routes to feed into the Expo line, resulting in more efficient use of the available parking space. Three types of LRV are maintained at the Santa Monica site: the original P865 class (Nippon Sharyo – 1989-90), the P2550 (AnsaldoBreda – 1996-99) and the new Kinkisharyo P3010 units. Although there were some Green line Siemens P2000 cars in evidence in the depot around TAUT’s LEFT: A visit, these were exceptional as the P2000s coupled two-car are generally restricted to the Green line formation bound with its automatic train operation. Due to for Azusa on a extraordinary ridership demands, the Expo Gold line service line operation will probably need to store and at Del Mar in Pasadena. operate additional trains out of the Blue line yard near Long Beach.

Measure M: A game-changer Washington explained that in addition to many new projects, as a result of Measure M there may well be significant acceleration of those already mentioned. Washington cites the Purple line extension as a prime example. Whilst the first stage of the eventual 14.5km (nine-mile) extension to VA Hospital – 6.3km (3.9 miles) with three new stations as far as Wilshire/LA Cienega is underway, funding and approval has now been received for stage two to take the Purple line 4.2km (2.6 miles) westwards with ANGELS FLIGHT two new stations through Beverly Hills to Century City. USD1.6bn has been obtained Following a four-year closure, the 116-year-old from Federal sources, including USD1.2bn Angels Flight funicular in downtown Los Angeles confirmed from the New Starts programme, is to reopen in September 2017. This follows the conclusion of negotiations for a public-private USD300m from the Transportation partnership between the City of Los Angeles, Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act the Angels Flight Railway Foundation and ACS (TIFIA) initiative and just under USD200m Group to modernise, operate and maintain the line from the Federal Congestion Mitigation and for a 30-year period. Dragados USA is the main Air Quality programme. contractor for the refurbishment work, with its The third phase is planned to take the project partner Sener Engineering. Purple line a further 4.2km (2.6 miles) with Opening on New Year’s Eve 1901, the Angels Flight two new stations to Westwood/VA Hospital. was built to allow travel between Hill Street and The total estimated cost for all three phases is Oliver Street for residents of the wealthy Bunker Hill neighbourhood to get to and from the business USD7.8bn. Whilst not in the current project district near the Plaza. The 762mm (2ft 6in) scope, the longer-term ambition is to extend funicular uses two counterbalanced cars, named the subway to Santa Monica. Sinai and Olivet, each seating 38 passengers. On 23 March, LACMTA confirmed that it The line was designated a Los Angeles has placed a firm order with CRRC MA for 64 Historic-Cultural Monument in 1962, but new railcars for the Red and Purple lines, with redevelopment of Bunker Hill saw the line close on an option for a further 218 that could take the 18 May 1969. The two original cars and much of the order value to USD647m. original infrastructure lay in storage for almost 27 years before being rebuilt a few hundred metres to The contract marks CRRC’s third major US the south, adjacent to California Plaza. subway win; vehicle bodyshells will be built Re-opening on 24 February 1996, the funicular in Changchun in northeastern China, with has seen troubled times in the 21st Century. final assembly in Springfield, Massachusetts. A fatal accident in 2001, caused by a malfunction The Angels Flight in September 2015, showing A new LA facility is planned for components, in the drive mechanism that saw Sinai descend the two original cars halted mid-way on the tracks; including traction and air-conditioning the track at speed and collide with Olivet, saw the the system is due to resume service in September systems. The first cars are expected in 2020. system closed for nine years for a comprehensive 2017 following a major upgrade. Boris Kasimov rebuild. It re-opened again in March 2010, although Grateful thanks are given to LASI’s Shane further safety issues saw brief closures in 2011. The latest full-scale modernisation includes A derailment in September 2013, with no serious comprehensive safety upgrades whilst retaining Phillips; Seleta Reynolds and Russell Hassan passenger injuries, closed the system again and it as much of the original infrastructure as feasible . from LADOT and Phillip A. Washington, has remained so since then with the two cars sat Having carried more than 100m passengers over Pauletta Tonilas, John Sanchez, Jose Ubaldo, Kim mid-way on the tracks. Vandals targeted the two its 116 years, it is hoped that Sinai and Olivet will Upton and Joni Goheen from LA Metro for their cars in 2016 with graffiti. run again in time for Labor Day on 7 September. assistance during the preparation of this article.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MAY 2017 / 175 Extreme weather KEEPING MOVING, COME RAIN OR SHINE With extreme weather events becoming the ‘new normal’, Scott McIntosh looks at the challenges for tramway operators – and some solutions.

t is an ‘inconvenient truth’ that climate change is dramatically altering our planet and our way of life in the 21st Century. The UK Climate Change Act 2008 requires operators of national Iinfrastructure to report publicly on the effects of climate change and the mitigation measures they choose to adopt. UK Climate Projections (UKCP 09) have given estimations for urban rainfall and temperature in the future; the medium emission scenario has Exceptional rainfall levels in early June 2013 saw line closures on Prague's tramway network, and precautionary shown the below risks by 2050: metro station closures as the river Vltava's water levels rose to their highest for a decade. Robert Mara • Higher summer temperatures, the average summer day being 2.7°C warmer, Since more than 80% of the Melbourne Many first-generation electric tramways and very hot days 6.5°C warmer than the tramway operates in mixed traffic, the bought off-the-shelf snowbroom cars and baseline average. interaction between other road users and the particular requirements of conduit track • Warmer winters, with the average winter trams is important. A change in rainfall or meant they were used in London until 1952. day being 2.2°C warmer, and a very warm temperature may encourage some passengers I doubt that many systems in Western winter day 3.5°C above the baseline. to use their cars instead, with increased Europe could make a case for such dedicated • Rainfall in the summer to be lower than congestion and extended travel times for equipment today. Snowploughs have been it is now, with the average summer 19% both car and tram. Lower operational speeds used, but they are usually modifications of drier and the driest summer 39% drier during rainy and flooding conditions is obsolete cars – few modern systems have such than the baseline average, with the another reason for longer tram travel times. cars, yet even where they do it is doubtful average winter 15% wetter and the worst For example, every additional millimetre of that modern low-floor cars would be suitable 33% wetter than the baseline average. rain during the morning peak increases for conversion. This leaves us with road-rail In a 2015 report, Transport for London travel time by around eight seconds for vehicles as a possible alternative, but they said: “In the short to medium term for each trip conducted during the period. lack the ‘heft’ to tackle severe snowfalls, flooding and high temperatures there is likely particularly on unpaved track. to be increased frequency and consequence “Weather-induced Many systems run trams after hours to e.g. flooding from increased frequency and keep tracks clear of snow build-up so that intensity of winter storms. High temperatures reliability issues do have trams can operate during service hours. are more likely to become common in the However, drifting snow and ice can frustrate summer months from the mid-21st Century… an effect on a system’s these efforts as it only takes relatively small For low temperature snow and ice events, amounts of either to block the operation there is likely to be increased severity when economic performance.” of turnouts and interfere with substations, such events occur, although they may not signalling equipment, ticket machines be as frequent.” [1] Research generally concludes that ‘adverse etc. Deteriorating conditions thus make it weather conditions do have significant important to install point and equipment Does it really matter? effects on ridership’ [3] and ‘recognition of heaters to keep equipment going. As well as Some say, ‘Yes, things may get a little weather impacts on transit performances will ice on the overhead lines themselves, heavy more difficult, but does it really matter?’. provide authorities with useful knowledge snow and ice can accumulate on trees and The clear answer is: ‘Yes, it does’. when considering improvements to or branches causing them to hang or fall onto Ignoring catastrophic consequences investments in transit infrastructure’. [4] the track or OLE. This should not result in such as those in New Orleans after the 2005 So, weather-induced reliability issues do wholesale removal of trees ‘just in case’, but it flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane have an effect on the economic performance does require good tree husbandry. Katrina – it took over two years to restore of systems which have knock-on implications Where trams cross roads or share traffic services to some sections of the city’s streetcar that further damage the environment – and lanes with road vehicles, there are often operation following repairs to damaged tracks in turn seriously affect future investment. problems with skidding or crashed motor and rolling stock – even more mild changes Critics in the UK might argue that ‘a few vehicles obstructing the tram’s path. can cause problems for transport operators. inches of snow bring everything to a stop Unfortunately, many local authorities use salt A recent study into tramway performance here, whereas in Canada they deal with feet or chemicals as an easy way to de-ice roads, in Melbourne[2] showed the effects of of the stuff every winter’. But in Canada snow but its corrosive effect on tramcar structure extreme weather conditions on its network, falls every year – in the UK it is an infrequent must be taken into consideration. Bogies including heat and rain. On hot days, trams occurrence. It is therefore relatively easy can also suffer the effects of salt and water require increased maintenance to address to make a case for high performance snow accumulation at interfaces with equipment mechanical faults, while on wet days, traffic clearing equipment in colder countries with on the bogie. Areas exposed to splash need to conditions and flash flooding can cause predictable snowfall, but in Britain this be arranged so that salty water cannot wick up services to be delayed or altered. would rarely pass the economic tests. into interfaces such as side and door panels.

176 / MAY 2017 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org ABOVE: Flooding in Calgary in June 2013 closed LRT and bus services as three city tunnels were left ABOVE: Enclosed stations keep passengers cool in Dubai while they wait for vehicles that have been specially completely underwater. Without electricity, LRVs designed to cope with the heat; sand in the tracks can also pose issues in this hot and dusty climate. Alstom were moved by road-rail vehicles. City of Calgary

Equipment ventilation should be arranged can be used for these purposes. As such, and hotter it is instructive to look at new such that snow or salty moisture does not ice-breaking pantographs are sometimes tramways in more extreme climates. enter any electrical equipment, including added to existing rolling stock. In Dubai summer temperatures can reach traction motors. We do not want to The effect of wind on passenger 50°C, with humidity reaching 100% – experience ‘the wrong type of snow’ again. infrastructure must also be remembered. all within a sandy, corrosive atmosphere. Ensuring doors can open and close reliably It does not matter how good the tramcars The Citadis tram that serves Dubai’s in severe snow and ice is also vital; there are and service are if passengers have to stand lines was redesigned to cope with these few things worse for rail passengers than in adverse weather with wind blowing at high temperatures, with the electronic having to deal with a late or cancelled service them – or with wet feet. The farce of the infrastructure made more robust and because of faulty doors. multi-award-winning, but blow-away, with improved comfort from uprated air shelters on the Dutch Zuidtangent busway conditioning in the cab and passenger Wind and rain must not be forgotten. saloons. Even the switchboxes that power Buffeting of trams on exposed track sections Gales can blow roofs from buildings, the live rail are air-conditioned. UV-resistant can be uncomfortable, but cases of rail damage trees and dislodge branches and, as paint, glue, decals, cabling and electronics, vehicles being blown over are comparatively with snow, careful trackside tree husbandry and UV protected windows are also used. rare in the British Isles. However on shared is required. Wind can also blow sand onto the One of the advanced aspects of the sections of road there are always risks from tram tracks, effectively isolating the tram from Dubai tram system is the provision of high-sided vehicles toppling, or small cars or its safe earth return (a potentially hazardous fully enclosed, air-conditioned stations. cyclists being blown into the trams’ path. situation for passengers and tram), blocking This enclosure is vital in hot or humid There are also risks to overhead equipment grooves in the rail and increasing wear on conditions – and is also useful in freezing, from wind. Wires can be blown sideways so moving parts. It can also ‘etch’ and stain cars snowy and wet conditions. Whilst other that pantograph heads slip off the wire and and structures. Installing wind deflectors can systems may not need to go to the extremes become entangled, tearing down equipment help to keep the sand away and it is surprising employed in Dubai, it is clear that climate and immobilising the tram. The amount that such measures have not been applied on change will necessitate a significant of windage created by elaborate masts and the South Promenade in Blackpool. improvement over the inadequate and catenary overhead can result in blow-downs, Rain is more penetrative than snow, slowly ineffectual shelters currently being provided particularly if single centre line columns are leaching through gaps between the rail in some cities. used. This should indicate the use of single and road surface to weaken the structure, trolleywire, supported by spanwires attached penetrating equipment cases, switch motor to buildings or to trackside columns in a enclosures and so on. It can, of course, also REFERENCES defensive design. render surface contact systems inoperable. Winter storms can play havoc with Heavy rains on small urban streets with old 1. TfL – Providing Transport Services Resilient to Extreme Weather and Climate Change 2011, 2015 overhead wire systems. Ice accumulation stormwater systems have damaged reliability can cause arcing of current, which damages in cities such as Bordeaux. This led the city 2. Mesbah, et al – “Weather” transit is reliable? Using the pantographs and can even go as far as to replace roughly 1km (0.6 miles) of APS AVL data to explore tram performance in Melbourne, to cause ‘snags’, which in the worst case tramway with overhead wires in streets with Australia”. Journal of Traffic and Transportation scenario could rip the pantograph off the chronic flooding. Maintenance initially Engineering. Vol. 2, Issue 3, June 2015 roof of the car or pull down the wire. It is cost more on the small portion of APS track 3. P. Arana, et al – Influence of weather conditions not uncommon for operators to schedule than on the rest of the conventional tram on transit ridership: A statistical study using data non-revenue ‘ice runs’ ahead of normal network combined. from smartcards. Transportation Research Part A: service just to clear the wire of ice and snow. Policy and Practice, 59 (2014) Some systems employ specialist cars with New schemes for hotter scenes 4. Z. Guo, et al Impact of weather on transit ridership ‘sleet-cutter’ pantographs to help clear the Even relatively benign climates such as that in Chicago, Transportation Research Record, 2034 wires, but modern tramway systems, built of Melbourne have an effect on services (2007), pp. 3–10 down to a price, often lack works cars that and ridership, but as the summers get drier

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MAY 2017 / 177 Magdeburg rebuilds MAGDEBURG STILL FEELS FLOODING PAIN

This city in Saxony-Anhalt has now largely completed repairs to major tramway damage caused in 2013 – but there is still no date for the last of them. Tony Streeter reports.

hat which floodwaters can destroy It was part of a much bigger picture, which The three out-of-use sections were in an instant, may take a long time saw floodwaters spread not only across parts Messegelände – Herrenkrug (which at that to repair or replace. The truth of of Germany, but through large areas of point had no service); the Anna-Ebert-Brücke, such a statement is dramatically Central Europe. The effects this had on some a bridge across the Alte Elbe (Old Elbe) where illustrated by the German city of tramway systems were substantial – and were tram replacement services were in operation; MagdeburgT where, even now, no firm date can covered in detail in TAUT 908 (August 2013). and Neue Neustadt – Barleber See (which yet be given for completion of dealing with In terms of the former East German city’s also had tram replacement services). the aftermath of devastating flooding that extensive tramway, the immediate effect was Now, in 2017, one of those three still took place in June 2013. drastic: all but two routes were disrupted; two represents a challenge: Barleber See. For while This city of around 200 000 people in depots were cut off and the third flooded; 70 the ideal solution for the route to Herrenkrug Saxony-Anhalt was particularly hard hit by vehicles were evacuated. The drama unfolded on the Elbe’s eastern bank (served by the floodwaters nearly four years ago; the Elbe over some days as the rising waters spread, lines 5 and 6) was considered to be raising – one of Germany’s major rivers on the sides with the worst disruption coming on 9 June. the formation by 1m-1.5m, the sensitive of which Magdeburg sits – broke its banks, As a result, Magdeburger Verkehrsbetriebe environment in this area alongside the river sweeping through surrounding low-lying (MVB) resorted to stabling vehicles on the meant this was ruled out. Instead, the line areas and causing millions of Euros worth West- and Südring road, a dual carriageway was repaired, with the choice being to rely on of damage. At its height on 9 June, the water thoroughfare that has the tramway running Magdeburg’s own flood defences which were level measured nearly 7.5m – against a more down its centre on reserved formation. themselves to be improved. The Anna-Ebert normal average of around 2m, and the roughly Unsurprisingly, the disruption cost the MVB bridge was also returned to tramway use. 6.7m of the ‘flood of the century’ in 2002. ridership: the 2013 figure of 60.8m passengers Magdeburg had already been living in was 370 000 down on the year before. Reduced services emergency conditions since 4 June, as the Nevertheless, most of the effects were The line to Barleber See in Magdeburg’s north- river levels rose. The effects were substantial: dealt with quickly after the water receded: east, a route bounded by lakes alongside the whole areas of the city evacuated; schools, by the start of July 2013, all but three Mittellandkanal waterway, was also repaired – the university, old people’s homes abandoned; sections of the tramway had been restored, but initially only in an interim fashion. train services suspended. Thousands of people although line 5 remained out of use due to the Before the flooding, line 10 services ran were in action, with sandbags and barriers temporary tram stabling which at that point every ten minutes during the day between trying to protect property. was still taking place on its route. Sudenberg and Rothensee, with every second

178 / MAY 2017 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org ABOVE: Lindenhof/Flugplatz in the south of the city on 24 March 2013. Four months ABOVE: Universitätsplatz on 30 June 2012. Magdeburg’s university would later extreme flooding was seen on parts of the MVB network. Bernhard Kußmagk temporarily abandon teaching during the flooding of 2013. Bernhard Kußmagk

LEFT AND INSET: Flood water and floating debris caused significant damage to Magdeburger Verkehrsbetriebe’s operations and maintenance facility at Betriebshof Nord, which had to be evacuated on 8 June 2013. Sections of the system were impassable for weeks after the waters resided. MVB NEW CONNECTIONS… service continuing through to Barleber See. depot were evacuated (and so avoided That gave Barleber See a 20-minute service; but damage) before the Elbe’s waters arrived – in peak times this was increased to a tram every although one of the most symbolic pictures ten minutes. Post-flooding, the ten-minute of the disruption was surely that of a vehicle service has been cut back from Rothensee to raised on jacks inside the depot building, Neue Neustadt (six stops before Rothensee). perched above the water below (see left). Beyond that, there is only a 20-minute service Betriebshof Nord was returned to operation – unreinforced at peak times. in 2014, but this was only on a provisional The reason is simple: it is a reflection of the basis; the particular challenge here is that damage from 2013, which has not yet been the depot is situated on land lower than that completely overcome. For while repairs to the of the surrounding area, making it particularly running lines themselves were carried out so vulnerable to flooding. that trams could return to service relatively As a more permanent solution, the idea quickly, the same was not true for either is for a new depot to be constructed here, the turning circle at Rothensee (damage to designed with the intention of making it less which included an embankment washout), vulnerable to the elements. Planning for this or the electric supply. In bureaucratic terms, is currently underway, but as yet the money given the extensive nature of some of the has not been finalised; Germany has an work needed to revitalise this section, it was established ‘flood fund’ at federal level – MVB officially tendered through theOfficial Journal the Hochwasserfonds des Bundes – and Developments in Magdeburg are not all about of the European Union. MVB is currently in discussions with the returning the tramway to how it was before the Now, almost four years on, the power Saxony-Anhalt regional state authorities Elbe broke its banks in such a devastating manner. supply is still a key limiting factor on the level with the aim of accessing funds. By 2019 it is intended that the MVB system will of service that can be offered – and although Once again, Magdeburg demonstrates how have grown by 13.8km (8.6 miles) through the the end is now in sight, it will not be for the damage that flooding can quickly create creation of a second north-south connection a little while yet. MVB expects that a new can take a long time to put right; and this through the city – albeit this was a scheme already rectifier substation built in the turning circle against a backdrop that extreme weather events in progress before the flooding took place. at Rothensee will be connected in 2018. The are considered to become more common. Mooted in the 1990s, this long-term project boost to the power supply it will bring is the However, despite the fact that Magdeburg is broken down into sections and has been last remaining technical obstacle to restoring is even now still having to deal with the underway since 2000 when work started to bring a ten-minute service; it will have taken around effects of the ‘high water’ of 2013, there the tramway to the Europaring. This initial section five years to reach that point however. is at least some good news. In 2014 it was was finished in 2004. In total the scheme creates new infrastructure Even this will not be the complete end estimated that the cost of overcoming all that serves Kannenstieg, Birkenweiler, Neustädter of work: more is expected to take place the the tramway flood damage would be more Feld, Reform, Buckau, Sudenberg, Stadtfeld and following year with repairs to the line than EUR100m. Following these estimates Neu-Olvenstadt; it encompasses 37 new stops. between the stops at Schule Rothensee and more detailed planning work has taken place That, MVB estimates, brings the tramway within the terminus at Rothensee. But this is and that figure has since been reduced to reach of another 44 000 additional people; the dependent on the success of a planning around EUR70m. That number includes saving in travel time from the complete project is application, which was expected to be the expected cost of the new depot at estimated at 250 000 hours each year. submitted in March. Betriebshof Nord. The circa EUR135m expected cost of the scheme That may be some consolation, but it does is being covered 60% from Federal Government No date for ‘Nord’ not change the disruption caused by those sources, 30% by the regional state of Saxony- In terms of routes, these repairs should finally floodwaters of 2013 – and even though the Anhalt, and 10% by the MVB. bring the MVB system back to ‘normal’. figure for overcoming it may have dropped, Also underway is the major reconstruction of the area outside Magdeburg Hbf (main station) However, even now, no date can be given for this is money the MVB would surely prefer not that will see a reorganisation of this important when the effects will be overcome of what to have to spend at all. interchange, including putting motor vehicles was perhaps the most dramatic aspect of the into a new tunnel and creation of a new tram stop flooding: the inundation of the northern For more, see TAUT 908 (August 2013) and and pedestrian areas. depot, Betriebshof Nord. Trams from this TAUT 924 (December 2014).

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MAY 2017 / 179 Snow clearance DEALING WITH THE RUSSIAN WINTER Mike Russell explores how tram operators keep going in the most extreme conditions.

ramways that operate in latitudes operated rubber-tyred tractors to perform the where winter snowfalls and work for them over certain sections. deep sub-zero temperatures Snow clearance operations on the bigger may be expected must take Russian tramways are well-honed from years precautionary measures to ensure of experience and those in the know can thatT operation can continue even in the most predict quite reasonably where and when adverse climatic conditions. snow clearance cars can be seen at work. Most western European tramways have Increasingly, however, road-based trucks are or had, depending on network size, one or being used for snow clearance. In Samara, for more cars dedicated to snow clearance, but in example, the entire city centre area is now recent years their use has been less necessary. cleared by this method, and even on smaller In these regions, the preponderance of systems and on some reserved-track sections snow with high levels of moisture leads to of the larger systems, trucks are now used. The duty pointsman at Novosibirsk’s Michurintsev a preference for the use of snowploughs, Garden loop on the city’s north-side tramway has the whereas further east and traditionally also Snow and ice removal in practice task of keeping the pointwork clear for both through in the United States, the more powdery, dry The general principle is for snow cars to and terminating cars. Mike Russell snow results in a preference for snowbrooms, appear just after a snowfall has begun; they matters are organised. There are two basic with rotating wire brushes. remain in operation throughout and also, schedules. The more intensive is determined The one tramway nation where snow in extreme winter conditions, whenever ‘heavy risk’, where three snow cars from each clearance remains an article of faith is Russia. large accumulations of snow are to be found depot are in use; the lesser is the ‘medium risk Almost all Russian tramways, and indeed alongside tram tracks or roads even though scenario, involving two snow cars. across the former Soviet Union generally, snow may no longer be falling. In Moskva Snow cars leave their depots between contain within their rolling stock rosters and other large cities, the snow cars have 23.00 and 23.15 nightly (about an hour a fleet of purpose-built snow clearance pre-determined schedules and follow these before the finish of regular passenger cars of varying antiquity and design, with strictly in order to cover all sections and avoid services) and return at around 06.00 the consequently different clearance capabilities. duplication of resources. Most snow cars following morning. As services start between Some cars are multi-faceted. Only a handful of operate at night, it being standard practice to 04.30 and 05.30 daily, this allows passenger the smallest tramways, such as Krasnoturinsk keep a system open by operating continuously services to begin without problems. In harsh and Volchansk, both in the north Urals region, around the clock when temperatures are low conditions the cars run continuously, but in no longer retain their own snow clearance and there is a risk of snowfall. other cases they travel to the most remote cars, although it should be said that some The highly-disciplined operation in point on their route and wait there until bigger undertakings rely upon municipally- Moskva is instructive in the way that such around 03.00 to commence cleaning.

BELOW: It is hard to imagine a more forbidding tramscape than the surroundings of line 2 in Achinsk, a Siberian city whose economy revolves around aluminium smelting; KTM-5 car 73 is seen on this 5.2km (3.2-mile) uninhabited section on 5 February 2016, against a background of snow-covered slag heaps of bauxite waste. Mike Russell Pedestrians tramping through the snow-covered woods stand well clear as Novosibirsk snow car SD-7, a type VTK-24 example, brushes the accumulated snowfall from tracks in ulitsa Petuchova in February 2014. Luc Koenot

LEFT: The diminutive tramway at Krasnoturinsk no longer has any functioning snow-clearance cars. On 27 January 2014 depot staff are de-icing pointwork in temperatures of around -32oC to allow KTM-5 car 1 to take up the evening peak service. Mike Russell

RIGHT: Most of the Volchansk tramway in the north Urals is laid on reserved track and rural sections must be cleared by hand. Car 3, the only KTM-19 car in Russia with a bow- collector, on its way to Lesnaya Volchanka village. Mike Russell

Their duties are primarily to clean all up of points, clearance of stopping places and practice of some systems in merely adding tracks, including special loops and junction keeping the overhead wire free of ice. a snowplough attachment to the front of connections, but also points and passenger Ice on overhead wires can cause major a works – or even passenger – car is not stops. Each Moskva depot has a fourth snow challenges for tramway operators. Even a practised in Russia. This is of course more car, whose duties involve the clearance of relatively small 2-3mm build-up of ice can difficult with the increasing adoption of depot tracks; a fifth is held in reserve as an act as an insulator, interrupting the current lower-floor cars. It should be borne in mind engineering spare. flow and causing both disruption to services that in Russia it is not usual to spread Some systems keep snow cars on standby and damage to electrical infrastructure. anti-snow or anti-frost products on a road at remote locations for most of the day. The ice is cleared from the overhead wires surface to encourage melting; the preference This is a feature of the Irkutsk tramway in by means of pantographs that scrape the is for the physical removal of snow or for it eastern Siberia and is also the case at the overhead using a special copper pantograph to be ploughed into mounds at the edges of southern terminus of line 1 in Moskva. plate; the use of heated pantographs is not the carriageway. The same principles are equally valid when thought to take place in Russia. There are three basic types of snow temperatures fall but snow is not forecast. clearance tramcar in operation. The If values are predicted to fall below -4°C, the Dedicated equipment oldest (GS-4) is of classic design and one medium risk plan is put into operation, whilst The intensity and duration of winter snowfall of a series produced in the Gorky (today the three-car heavy risk formula is adopted in Russia means that specially-designed Nizhniy Novgorod) wagon repair works. when below -10°C is expected. In these equipment is really necessary to effect regular The designation GS stands for Gorkovsky circumstances, the objectives are the freeing- and reliable cleaning. The western European Snegoochistitel (snow-cleaner from Gorky)

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and the original models were GS-1, GS-3 and GS-4. All featured a double-ended layout with wooden bodywork mounted high above the trucks and snow-clearance gear in the form of rotating brushes. Cars of this type are less common now but can still be found on some provincial systems, including some in Ukraine. Subsequently, the Gorky works produced types GS-5 and RGS-2. These were again fitted with brushes but also a double-bank of rotors (huge metal bars fitted with screw-like blades), which were better for use on reserved-track sections or in conditions of particularly heavy snowfall. It was also found that the rotors required less frequent maintenance than brushes; the latter are today fitted with plastic bars which quickly deteriorate and shorten with use. Nevertheless, brushes remain favoured for clearing street-track sections, especially as wet snow is unusual in Russia. Rotary brushes are capable of coping with the undulations and irregular surfaces of street-track sections much better than ploughs, which can also leave behind a thin film of snow or ice that presents a further danger. Furthermore, brushes remove the snow well clear of the tracks, whereas ploughs tend to create a ridge of cleared snow between the track and the rest of the carriageway, creating an obstacle for the free movement of road vehicles across tram tracks or wishing to ABOVE: Stand well clear as Novokuznetsk type VTK-24 bogie car S-1 of 1989 proceeds to redistribute the snowfall from the city’s prospekt Druzhby on 3 February 2014. Mike Russell “In extreme conditions of heavy snowfall and sub-zero temperatures, tramcar driving demands exceptional skill to avoid collisions and derailments.” gain access to premises. Some cars equipped ABOVE: A potentially serious situation in Osinniki ABOVE: In extreme conditions, manual with ploughs, however, are fitted with a on 4 February 2014, where in daytime temperatures intervention remains an essential feature of keeping compressed air mechanism that ensures that of -33oC the track-brake mechanism of RVZ-6 car tramways running. Prospekt Mira in Komsomolsk- snow is fully removed and ejected far away 33 has frozen up. The driver attempts to release it, na-Amure, in Russia’s Far East region, on 29 January from the cleared tracks. unsuccessfully, and the car must retire from service 2016, sees a young employee charged with freeing as the presence of a steep hill on reserved track track grooves of compacted ice and snow in A more modern, rather more utilitarian, would render its operation unsafe. Mike Russell temperatures around -30oC. Mike Russell metal-bodied design (VTK-01) appeared later. It was built at Kuibyshev (today Samara) A total of 52 cars were constructed and 2016 by the Tihoretsky wagon works and features one brush and one rotor, and distributed throughout Russian tramways; (see also TAUT 952); it is the first new snow was the last Soviet-built two-axle design of these have ploughs and compressed air car for the capital since 1995 and represents snow clearance car. These two-axle cars have blowers whose power, when used on lying the first non-Soviet design since the days the great merit of simplicity of operation snow, can create a fearsome impression of of the PKB (see panel, right). Car 0310 is when clearing multiple tracks, including approaching doom. The hot wind expelled designated ROST and a feature is that the loops and sidings, at termini, or when large from the blowers is especially useful to centre of the car contains vacuum cleaning accumulations require more than one pass to clean points. Some VTK-24 cars also have equipment; as a result, it will also be used keep a particular section of track adequately brushes, mounted under the driver’s cabin. in summer for cleaning dust from tram cleaned. Both types (GS-4 and VTK-01) are A feature of some of these cars is that the tracks. The Tihoretsky works has experience equipped with large curved metal deflectors plough is additionally equipped with a brush of other tramway work and has completed at each end to prevent brushed show from to clean stops. This is mounted outside the the modernisation of both Tatra T3SU and unduly obscuring the driver’s visibility. car body and can be rotated at 90° to clear Ust-Katav-built KTM-5 passenger cars for the A third type is a bogie version, constructed the passenger area of the stopping place of progressive tramway of Krasnodar, in the using KTM-5 bogies and some body parts, treacherous snow and ice. north Caucasus region. as a result of which it can wrongly give the It should be noted that several tramway impression of a demoted KTM-5 passenger undertakings have made their own Manual intervention car. The special VTK-24 car was designed in a modifications to these basic designs of The treatment of points and junctions building that housed the PKB offices in part snow clearance cars to reflect local conditions requires special attention. This is the only of the Voronezh works of that city’s former or operating requirements. instance where some de-icing product may tramway and the production batch was built Now, Moskva has taken delivery of a be used in order to assist in freeing-up the in the Novosibirsk works. completely new snow clearance car, built in movement. During the operating day, most

182 / MAY 2017 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org developed systems deploy cleaning staff with greater caution than in the more at all main junctions, or sometimes taking favourable conditions experienced in responsibility for a group of junctions. the summer months. The flexibility and Very often a small cabin is built by the adaptability demanded of all members of tramways at these junctions in order to operational staff and that expected of rolling provide some shelter from the bitter outdoor stock in these wide extremes of temperatures conditions and allow staff to warm up should not be underestimated. between sorties outside. Western visitors can be excused for not Iced-up rails and track grooves encrusted wishing to experience at first-hand the by compacted snow present something of a rigours of a bitter Russian winter, but nightmare for tramway operators in extreme actually witnessing the military-like conditions; it should be borne in mind that efficiency of the snow clearance operation values as low as -30°C are commonplace on a Russian tramway is to see an operational ABOVE: A modified GS-4 snowbroom clearing depot under a Russian winter and Novosibirsk, feature completely lost from the western tracks in Achinsk in February 2016. Luc Koenot which reputedly suffers the lowest winter Europe of today; itputs a whole new temperatures of the well-inhabited regions perspective onto the huge diorama of the of the country, frequently experiences values world tramway scene. as low as -40°C. At these times, manual intervention can be necessary, and it is not Grateful acknowledgement is given for the unusual to see tramway staff chipping away considerable assistance of Luc Koenot of at encrusted grooves with point-irons, spades Bruxelles, who spent a period living and working and even more substantial implements. in Russia in recent years, for his extensive In these conditions, tramcar driving operational observations, and Vladimir demands exceptional skill to avoid collisions Pashchenko of Moskva for detailed engineering and derailments and it is noteworthy that and historical information on Russian snow- driving staff proceed at slower speeds and clearance tramcars.

ABOVE: On 25 March 2013 the duties assigned to VTK-01 car 0415 of Moskva’s Oktyabrskaya depot amount to the comprehensive clearance of the access and internal tracks. Luc Koenot

ABOVE: The tramways of Nizhniy Tagil were formerly two independent systems, linked by a sparsely-populated rural section; car 81 kicks up lying snow as it speeds along the reserved-track section in ulitsa Kulibina on 30 January 2014. Mike Russell

LEFT: Shortly before 23.00 on 13 January 2014 the snow cars are preparing for their nightly activity at Moskva’s Apakov depot; 0112, a GS-4 (GVRZ) model of the old design, stands outside the gates whilst the more modern GS-4 0115 prepares to leave. Luc Koenot

THE PKB AND ITS TRAMWAY PRODUCTS The Projektno-Konstruktorskoye-Bureau the Voronezh tramway company, though (PKB), which can be translated as the it was constituted as a separate company. Moskva 0515, type VTK-01 Bureau of Design Engineering, was Snow car VTK-01 was the first of these built in 1988, in the city’s formed in late 1980 under the auspices specialist cars. The initials VTK translate Ivanteevskaya ulitsa on of the Russian Ministry of Housing approximately as Temporary Creative 24 January 2015. Luc Koenot and Communal Services. It remained Team and do not have any specific in existence until 2004, with a peak of tramway connotation. In all about 90 activity around 1990-91. projects were designed, though not all During the 1970s, the Ministry created were tramcars: depot and workshop a centralised design team for tramway equipment also featured, together with equipment and specialist works cars for rubber-tyred vehicles for overhead a variety of functions for Soviet tramway maintenance. Examples of its designs undertakings. The intention was that its are VTK-09, a hopper car for conveyance designs would be produced in a number of sand, broken stone, etc, and VTK-11, a of new tram and trolleybus repair works copper wire cutter for overhead repairs. throughout Russia; these turned out to be Although the passenger tramways those in Novosibirsk, Perm, Prokopyevsk, of Voronezh are no more, interesting Samara, Ufa, Voronezh and Yekaterinburg specialist tramcars designed on its (present day names). The PKB’s main premises can still be seen on tramways office was located within the building of throughout Russia.

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Today’s metre-gauge SYSTEMS light metro is a BELGIUM hybrid system of improbable FACTFILE Charleroi contrasts that has resulted No. Métro de from a chaotic 115 Charleroi, Belgium stop-start project.

he biggest city in Belgium’s Charleroi was already an industrial Westbound 7410 March 2017 issue of our sister journal Wallonia (Wallonie) region giant when its first tramways opened emerges from the Tramway Review) and with Liège’s tram and Hainaut province, in 1881. Lines with a longer reach metro tunnel into project delayed, Métro de Charleroi is Charleroi (population were added by La Société Nationale bright sunshine TEC’s only rail operation. 200 000) is the capital des Chemins de fer Vicinaux (SNCV), near Pétria on Following extensions in 2012-13, 17 October 2016. ofT neither, with Namur and Mons created in 1884 to bring local services the system has four lines (M1-M4), respectively in those roles. It lies outside the scope of the main railways. designations which replaced those around 60km (38 miles) south of Excepting the SNCB/NMBS national carried over from SNCV. Three Brussels. Belgium’s francophone network, each region took over outward-reaching arms circle the south (Wallonia/Wallonie) and the existing public transport operations city centre, two running clockwise capital had dominated the national from January 1991. By then, SNCV and two anti-clockwise. Not only administration and identity since resources around Charleroi had been extending coverage, the bigger system the country’s inception, but heavy incorporated in the métro léger (light brought improved operating hours industries that had underpinned the metro), the outcome of a project begun and frequencies. economy were declining by the 1960s. in the 1960s. Even before World War Two, bus As Belgium moved towards The metro became and remains part and car use had depleted city trams becoming three largely autonomous of the region’s transport arm, Société (finally as STIC) and SNCV services, regions – Brussels, Flanders and Régionale Wallonne du Transport but in the 1960s a new metro format Wallonia – the latter became the (SRWT). Administered by five area was devised to segregate light rail economic poor relation. Smaller than groupings, SRWT services are branded from road traffic. As in some other Wallonia (which includes German- Transport En Commun (TEC). Mainly industrial boom cities, rapid growth speaking areas), the more populous concerned with buses, aside from brought a tangle of roads and Dutch-speaking Flanders was owning resources of the Han-sur-Lesse tightly-packed housing around recording over twice the amount of tourist line (for a detailed history of Words and pictures industrial sites, here mainly related gross domestic product by 2013. the Grottes de Han tramway, see the by Neil Pulling to coal mining, steel production

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THE FLEET Usually as single vehicles but with some paired use, all services use a bi-directional version of the two-section LRV. Most of the production series was built 1981-82 by La Brugeoise and Nivelles (BN, later Bombardier) with ACEC electrical equipment. Originally 6100-6154 and in SNCV orange and cream colours, Charleroi’s stock was renumbered from 7400 and gained TEC’s red, grey and yellow livery. They are 22.9m long and 2.5m wide with capacity for 192 passengers, 44 seated in a 2+1 layout. Facing seats are very close together – sitting sideways seems commonplace – but otherwise the internal space is better suited to longer trips. Each side has four pairs of folding doors with a central hand-rail, an arrangement that can impede passenger access, even where level boarding is possible. The original fleet was depleted by accidents and having to cannibalise some vehicles for components. Water ingress has caused damage, particularly to electrical equipment, but extra covered space at Jumet depot has arrested this problem. A EUR17.6m rebuilding programme for 35 LRVs will also address the access limitations of the present layout; the first refurbished vehicle is expected to be reintroduced into service by the end of 2017. Over the longer-term a new fleet will be required, reportedly to an estimated budget of EUR120m. Although contemporaries, Kusttram’s uni-directional LRVs ABOVE: Looking south on Chaussée de Bruxelles, near Puissant. (scheduled for replacement) look different from Charleroi’s fleet with white livery, restyled ends and a low-floor central car. BELOW: Track past the main Charleroi-Sud entrance was added for completing the boucle centrale and also forms part of the replacement turning loop at the interchange.

“It was projected that eight rail arms would radiate from a circuit around the city hilltop site, totalling 52km.”

LEFT: Replacing the original incomplete and partially covered stop, Sart Culpart on the 2012 Soleilmont extension.

RIGHT: With original number and livery and on the now-removed turning loop outside Charleroi-Sud, 6104 (now 7404) on 21 June 2007.

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7410+7447 turn towards Beaux NETWORK FACTS Arts; the western line passes through a slag heap landmark Opened: City tramway 1881; and viewpoint, Terril des Piges. métro léger 1976 Lines: 4 Length: 33.3km (20.6 miles) Depots: 2 Approx. weekday hours: 05.00-22.00 Line frequencies: 10-15 minutes Gauge: 1000mm Power: 600V dc, overhead supply Fleet: Approx. 45

INFORMATION Operator: Société Régionale Wallonne du Transport (as TEC) www.infotec.be City network: TEC Charleroi Civic and tourist information: www.charleroi.be

“Announced in 2016, and starting on the central loop, TEC is adding ticket M3 Faubourg de barriers, renovating infrastructure and Bruxelles Rue du Chemin de Fer replacing tracks, due for completion by 2020.” Bruyerre Emailleries Calvaire

Gossellies City Nord Léopold Chausée de Fleurus Courcelles Carrosse

Madeleine DEPOT Rue Berteaux

Roux Chausée de Gilly

Puissant

Saint Antoine

Marie Curie

Deschassis

La Planche Samaritaine Sacré Madame Dampremy Providence Waterloo Anderlues Piges Beaux Janson Moulin Ouest Arts Pétria Parc Monument Surschiste Paradis Villette M1 Tirou Fontaine De Cartier DEPOT Coron du M2 Berger Charleroi-Sud Morgnies Rue de la Route de M1 M2 Station Thuin Leernes Fontaine- M3 M4 Jonction l’Évéque

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ABOVE: and ceramics. The infrastructure styling reflects the era of the metro’s Soleilmont to support these activities and creation, but a vandalised city tram interchange has accumulations of industrial waste and trailer exhibit reflect the city’s separate arrival and have literally shaped the landscape. less agreeable side. Regularly used by departure platforms, Going above or below such obstacles, the former operating arrangements, Faubourg de a park-and-ride site Bruxelles and (left) storage new roads and light rail routes would an underground loop allowed services sidings. be the future of Charleroi’s transport. to turn if arriving and departing Rue du Chemin de Fer It was projected that eight rail arms from the more open western end of TOP RIGHT: Emailleries Fleurus (antennae) would radiate from a circuit the platforms. Amongst the most In wholly industrial (locally boucle centrale) around the city oppressive of several gloomy locations, surroundings, the City Nord hilltop site, totalling around 52km Waterloo is below a central road Brussels South elevated Providence (32.5 miles). At the most southerly and intersection. A ballasted but trackless Charleroi Airport stop next to the Sambre river is due lowest point just across the canalised platform face is a reminder that the for much-needed Sambre River, this included the system is not as intended. remedial work. main railway station, Charleroi-Sud. A route east of Waterloo was largely Initially with modified SNCV stock, a completed, opening as far as Gilly in Jumet ABOVE RIGHT: short section opened in June 1976. 1992. Other sections were installed, One of the three It rose from Sud to a viaduct crossing some to a near-operational state, but metro park-and-ride the Sambre at high level and these went into decay rather than sites, Madeleine is incorporated Villette stop, thereafter into service. The approximately 14km near a motorway using existing lines. Progress on viaduct (8.7-mile) western line through an junction and Brussels South and underground infrastructure was industrial district became metro format slow, with openings to Waterloo by to Pétria from 1986. Thereafter it Puissant Charleroi Airport. 1992 and Parc in 1996. By this time, a continued on a combination of little- Soleilmont fleet of over 50 articulated LRVs had Saint Antoine been in service for around 15 years. Soleilmont Not quite completing the circuit FAR RIGHT: to Sud, Parc remained a terminus Marabout M4 Near Monument for about another 15 years, time Sart- terminus, Anderlues. enough for waiting passengers to Culpart Trams are held Gazomètre appreciate the murals celebrating Gilly between services Samaritaine on a stub of a former the local cartooning heritage. Taking SNCV line besides the name of a nearby arts venue and Châtelet the Intermarché a focal point of the system, Beaux Waterloo supermarket. Arts is an elaborate structure. The

Janson

Parc

Tirou

Sambre

RIGHT: About to start a service to Charleroi from nearby Jonction, 7422 at the exit from the depot in Anderlues.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MAY 2017 / 187 Charleroi

ABOVE: Opening onto a viaduct and integrated with a tunnel portal, the large Beaux Arts stop is north of central Charleroi. BELOW: Route de Thuin on a single-track section, the type of SNCV installation due for upgrading at the system’s western end.

ABOVE: changed SNCV single and double- the metro plan originally intended Charleroi-Sud and their termini, with Incorporating an track sections. Extending to the town existing road bridge, to eradicate. Opened in June 2013, the Soleilmont equivalent being of Anderlues, Monument terminus is the new Sambre the northern arm carrying M3 partly about 20 minutes. beside the main Charleroi-Mons road. span between Tirou follows a previously non-revenue route Announced in 2016 and starting TEC’s Anderlues tram and bus depot and Sud. where tram tracks were retained to on the central loop, TEC is adding is near the junction with the closed BELOW LEFT: supply LRV stock from Jumet depot in ticket barriers as part of a wider line to Thuin, the town now hosting Faubourg de northern Charleroi. M3 includes areas upgrading that includes stop the Vicinal museum collection – see Bruxelles terminus to have been covered by a branching renovation and track replacement, www.asvi.be. Anderlues’ stops have a at the end of the metro line joining the main system due for completion by 2020. Many minimal presence, with boarding at Gosselies section. at Waterloo, where the unused stub is original stops have a stark surface road level, a great contrast with the LRV 7444 heads visible. From a junction and ramp at presence and internally poor lighting metro platforms on the same route that south towards the Villette, the rebuilt double-track line and concealed spaces; a slightly ultimately handled the same services. off-road section follows the long northward rise along sinister ambience when few other leading to Rue du Many relics will go under a SRWT Chaussée de Bruxelles. Most follows passengers are around is little offset by Chemin de Fer. project for doubling tracks, rebuilding roads on raised paving that may be crackly piped music at some locations. road sections and improving stops. To BELOW RIGHT: crossed with care by other traffic. With favourable reception to the Upgrading in enable these works, lines M1/M2 will Between Carosse and Faubourg de post-2013 system including increased progress at Piges be cut back to the metro section for an in October 2016. Bruxelles terminus in Gosselies there TEC Charleroi network use and a sense expected 18 months from spring 2017. The M1/M2 and M3 are separate uni-directional tracks. that the city has reversed decline, The metro’s usefulness and tunnels through Depending upon the direction of there are calls to open the derelict ridership grew with expansion Terril des Piges are travel, each of the two longer lines easterly Châtelet antenna, completed supported by 2007 European Union just beyond 7418. take around 35 minutes between as far as Centenaire in 1985. funding. The 2012 eastern extension for M4 partly uses previously derelict infrastructure; Sart Culpart and Soleilmont terminus illustrates lessons learnt from the early days, with open layouts in sharp contrast with the previous bunker-like terminus, Gilly. Outside Charleroi-Sud station, different phases of the system are clear. West of Sud interchange lies the original section to Villette, but a contemporary turning loop has gone. It was replaced by new uni-directional tracks, the eastbound of which passes immediately outside the station entrance. Stock still turns at Sud, but the loop is now integrated with street- level track bringing westbound LRVs ESSENTIAL FACTS from central Charleroi. Opened in Local travel: Staffed offices Zone-based, TEC cross-mode What is there to see? Tourism February 2012, just under 1km include Sud, Tirou and the TEC ticketing is permitted, validations information (office inside (0.6 miles) of new track completed the Charleroi building near Villette, but are required. One-day tickets: Charleroi-Sud) is diverse and of circuit by way of a new bridge over the may lack print materials such as Horizon+ ticket at EUR8.50 high quality, as exemplified by Sambre. The added Tirou stop is near maps and timetables. Some tickets covers all of the metro; most of it the excellent Charleroi-Petria line – the tunnel portal, connecting with are available from tram and bus is within zones 1-2, for which Unusual journeys by elevated metro drivers (no change given above Next costs EUR5. TEC runs a leaflet. Charleroi has leading arts underground track formerly used for EUR10), but also from multilingual direct twice-hourly bus service museums and industrial heritage turning back from Parc. machines; ticket coverage may not between Brussels South Charleroi sites like Le Bois du Cazier mine. An irony of the system’s revival be readily apparent so research in Airport and Sud interchange The hilly city centre is punctuated has been the addition of on-street advance is recommended. taking 20 minutes. by various interesting buildings. running, essentially a format that

188 / MAY 2017 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Worldwide Review

ARGENTINA MENDOZA. The Empresa Provincial de Transporte de Mendoza (EPTM), the government agency that built the Metrotranvia light rail line and had been its operator since its opening in 2012, was dissolved at the end of 2016 and replaced by Sociedad de Transporte de Mendoza (STM), a publicly-owned company. Construction of the 5.4km (3.4- mile) extension of the line northwards from Mendoza central station to the Las Heras district (terminus station Panquehua) has been underway since 2014, but is still only 55% complete. The reason for the delay is that 20 homes are still standing within the right-of- way, but government funding promised to their owners to assist in relocating has yet to materialise. The extension, with ten additional stations, was originally One of a number of nostalgic liveries applied to German trams is the green and yellow Albtalbahn colourscheme carried by Karlsruhe car 355, seen alongside preserved tram 12 (see also overleaf). C. Hensler due to open in mid-2016, but the earliest possible opening date is the current northern termini of the Eglinton Avenue light rail only just about to start and it is not now March 2018. S. J. Morgan Stade, Heysel and Esplanade, line. However, there is still a clear whether the 2014 contract connecting lines 3 and 7, and the CAD220m (EUR153.5m) funding between CRRC Dalian and Hitachi AUSTRALIA new line 9, together with a new gap on the estimated CAD3.35bn Rail Italy (formerly AnsaldoBreda) BROADBEACH – SOUTHPORT. depot near Palais 12. Most of the (EUR2.34bn) project cost. to supply Beijing with 31 Sirio Plans have been revealed for the work will take place in 2019-20. Metrolinx has confirmed it is low-floor trams and theTramwave Stage 3A extension of the Gold T-2000 talking to another supplier for its surface contact system is still in Coast tramway, from Broadbeach CAD770m (EUR537.5m) order for force. china.org to Burleigh Heads, estimated to CANADA 182 LRVs, as it argues in court with FOSHAN. A contract has been cost AUD600m (EUR425m). This CALGARY. The city is increasing original supplier, Bombardier, signed with CRRC Sifang for the would be followed by stage 3B, its order with Siemens for new which appears incapable of delivery of eight hydrogen fuel extending to Coollangata. LRVs from 63 to 69 thanks to delivering the fleet to the Eglinton cell-powered trams for operation Gold Coast Bulletin leveraging federal and provincial cross-suburb line during the on a 17.4km (10.8-mile) tramline. MELBOURNE. The first of the funds, with additional help from required timescale. D. Drum The fuel cells will be supplied by second batch of 20 E-class trams the insurance payout for the effects VANCOUVER. The Provincial Ballard Power Systems. RGI was completed at Bombardier’s of the 2016 Tuscany derailment. Government has agreed to match SHIJIAZHUANG. CRRC has Dandenong factory on 23 March. D. Drum the federal government’s 40% been awarded contracts worth All 20 will be in service by the MONTRÉAL. T he Q ueb e c funding of the ten-year transit CNY6.5bn (EUR537.5m) to finance end of 2018, bringing the fleet of provincial budget is expected to plan, including extension of and build two metro extensions: these trams to 70. Global Rail News commit more than CAD1.2bn SkyTrain to the west side and the 12.7km (7.9 miles) on line 1 (by (EUR837m) towards the 67km planned Surrey rapid transit line. 31 December 2019) and an 8.1km AUSTRIA (41.6-mile) light metro planned Provincial elections are due on (five-mile) addition to line 3 GMUNDEN. Stadler delivered by Caisse de Dépot et de Placement 9 May. E. B. Havens (by 1 December 2020). RGI Tramlink low-floor articulated car du Québec. The total project cost is VICTORIA. The BC Government 129 to the Gmunden tramway on now CAD6bn (EUR4.19bn), with has commissioned a study of CZECH REPUBLIC 13 March, and the first operation CAD1.7bn (EUR1.19bn) coming options for a commuter rail service BRNO. The last four modernised with passengers over the tramline from federal sources. D. Drum on the 15km (9.3-mile) disused Tatra K2R trams have been gifted took place on 27 March. DS TORONTO. The 8.6km (5.3-mile) rail line out of Victoria. RGI to the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. VORCHDORF – GMUNDEN. Yonge - University subway 1028/53/64/6 ran in their home The tenth Stadler Tramlink car extension was powered for the CHILE city for the last time on 4 March. DS was delivered to Stern & Hafferl at first time on 27 March and it is SANTIAGO. The new 21km (13- OLOMOUC. Tatra T3 134/45/6/77 Vorchdorf on 2 February. BS hoped to start passenger service mile) commuter rail service to have been sold to Kharkiv in WIEN (Vienna). When the U-Bahn to Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Nos was inaugurated by President Ukraine. BS extension of line U1 to Oberlaa before the end of the year. Bacheler on 17 March, using 12 OSTRAVA. Tatra T 3 opens on 2 September, tramline Bombardier delivered Flexity Alstom X-trapolis EMUs. RGI 901/13/5/8/24/6//51 have departed 67 will be cut back by 2.3km (1.4 4433 on 22 March and it entered for Kharkiv, leaving just 31 trams miles) to Reumannplatz, removing service on 1 April. CHINA of this type in the fleet; Inekon trams from Favoritenstrasse. EB The 501 Queen Street tramline BEIJING. After two years with 210 prototype 1700 has been will be replaced by buses from May very little news emerging on the renumbered 1550. BS BELGIUM to September because of multiple city’s tramway plans, it has been PLZEN. Tenders have been invited ANTWERPEN. The northern construction projects. Mayor John announced that two lines will be for 16 low-floor trams for delivery extensions of routes 6 and 7 were Tory and his allies forced through built in the Fengtai district. in 2018-22. IRJ postponed to 3 June due to the plans for a 6.2km (3.9-mile) Line T1 will run from Beijing discovery of faults with the newly- one-stop subway extension to Garden Expo Park North to EGYPT laid track in Noorderlaan. T-2000 Scarborough on 28 March, Daotian metro station (line 14), EL QAHIRA (Cairo). The metro BRUSSEL/BRUXELLES. Plans denying requests for a value for and line T2 will be a branch off fare was doubled from 24 March to have been published for the money comparison with the T1 to Qinglong Lake. The news try to stem losses incurred amidst new tram tracks that will link original plan for an extension of release implies construction is the country’s fiscal crisis. Gulf News

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Stadtbahn-M tram 329 has been MÜNCHEN (Munich). Tram scrapped, leaving 13 of this type service between Hbf and Pasing available for service. BS was suspended from 27 February DÜSSELDORF. A total of 27 to 5 March to permit extensive of the 90 Stadtbahn-B cars with trackwork. aluminium bodies was withdrawn The last type P trams can still be from 20 January when cracks were seen on Monday-Fridays on line found in floor supports, leading 15 as they approach their 50th to many cancelled journeys and birthday. BS increased use of 40-year-old GT8SU NAUMBURG. The heritage sets. The problem had not been tramway that provides a public solved by mid-March. BS service saw a 30% increase in ESSEN. The section from Hbf to passengers in 2016. The 125th Bredeney is to be rebuilt for metre- anniversary of the tramway will be gauge low-floor trams, which means celebrated on 15-17 September. BS at the subway stations shared with NÜRNBERG (Nuremburg). Stadtbahn service to Gruga the The extension of U-Bahn line U3 present compromise platforms to Nordwestring is due to open on will be rebuilt with sections in two 22 May. heights (220mm and 920mm). The DB has ordered 27 Alstom Austria’s smallest tramway, in the lakeside town of Gmunden (around 230km work is to cost EUR4.3m and be Coradia Continental trains for west of Vienna), takes delivery of Austria’s longest tram type, the Stadler completed in 2022. S-Bahn services; delivery is planned Citylink 129. Stern & Hafferl EVAG has decided to keep guided for 2020. BS, IRJ buses running to Kray rather than POTSDAM. The first Tatra set FINLAND NICE. Public consultation for reverting the line to a tramway, refurbished in the Hostivar HELSINKI. In March HKL started a new railway station 500m despite opposition from Green workshops in Praha, 148+248, trials with a mock-up of a 34.5m from the existing Saint-Augustin Party members on the city council. re-entered service on 17 January, tram; 29 are on order from Škoda has started, together with an FRANKFURT-AM-MAIN. carrying an inscription looking Transtech for delivery from 2019. RGI interchange with tramline 2 Planning has started for an orbital forward to 50 years of service from 2021. Stadtbahn line from Bad Homburg (1974-2024). The livery is white FRANCE PARIS. On 22 March STIF to Neu-Isenburg via Eschborn and green rather than light grey ANGERS. The Declaration of approved a EUR3.5m study for and Flughafen; the plans have not and green. Public Utility for tramline B was the extension of tramline T8 excluded it forming a tram-train Cars 156+256 have since arrived approved on 20 February. The to Rosa Parks RER station service. The northern 16.5km back from the Czech Republic, 9.9km (6.2-mile) line will link (1.5km/0.9 miles). Tram traffic in (10.2 miles) would be built first. BS while 157+251 travelled in the Belle-Beille and Montplaisir via the city increased by 7.8% in 2016 FREIBURG/Breisgau. The first opposite direction. BS the city centre, where it will share to 276m passengers. A. Senut of six more CAF Urbos trams (307- RHEIN-RUHR. The first Siemens tracks with line A. Work will start STRASBOURG. A dummy service 12) was delivered from Spain on Desiro HC carriage from the order this year, for completion in 2020. on the cross-Rhein tramway to Kehl 28 February. DS for 82 EMUs for the RRX service A fleet of 18 new low-floor trams started on 28 March in readiness GÖRLITZ. The tram fleet operated was delivered on 31 March. The will be ordered in readiness for the for the inauguration during by Transdev since 1 January five-line network is designed opening in 2022. A. Senut the weekend of 29-30 April. BS comprises KT4D 301/2/5/6/8-14/6- to supplement existing S-Bahn BORDEAUX. The frequency of 19, party tram 322 and museum services with limited stop regional tramline C, which serves St-Jean GERMANY cars 29 and 23. Tatra 303 is in the services. railway station, has been boosted BERLIN. Tatra KT4D 6021 and workshops, used as a source of VRR has awarded an 11-year in readiness for the arrival of TGV 6156 were shipped from Hamburg parts. BS contract to Transdev to manage its Atlantique services on 2 July. This to Alexandria at the end of March, HANNOVER. Delivery of new ticketing system from 1 December is expected to increase passengers joining 6038/9/60/8/139/45/52 Stadtbahn cars from Vossloh/ 2019. The operator will look after from 11 to 18m/year; tram traffic that were sent in February. HeiterBlick had reached 3045 by ticket machines, customer service, increased by 8.5% in 2016. A. Senut Feasibility studies are in the end of February; 6128/85 have the online shop and call centre. CLERMONT-FERRAND. The progress for the extension of been withdrawn, and accident RGI, IRJ Translohr rubber-tyred tramway U-Bahn line U8 to Märkische damaged 6165 sent to Budapest WOLTERSDORF. Heritage trams will be replaced by conventional Viertel and U9 to Pankow. Restored for spare parts, leaving 124 will be operating during the fire buses from 3 July to 27 August to D57 U-Bahn sets 2000/1+2020/1 TW 6000 available for service. BS brigade festival on 27 May. BS permit infrastructure repairs. entered service on line U5 from 1 KARLSRUHE. NET 2012 LRV WÜRZBURG. Tenders are to be A. Senut March. After two weeks they were 355 from Stadler was delivered invited for 18 low-floor trams, the MARSEILLE. Newly-elected due to be transferred to shuttle in the green-and-cream livery of first to join the fleet since 1996.BS politicians have set out plans for service U55. BS the former Albtalbahn to mark 60 the following tramway extensions BRAUNSCHWEIG. T h e years of the operator. C. Henseler HUNGARY by 2025: Arence – Guéze – St- tramway extension plans have KÖLN (Cologne). Plans are being BUDAPEST. The first of the André – La Castellane; Castellane been unveiled as follows: 1.2km prepared to put the Heumarkt Russian metro trains modernised – Dromel – La Rouviere; Place de (0.7 miles) to Volkmarode-Nord, – Rudolfplatz section of the east– by Metrowagonmash entered Rome – 4 Septembre. The link 3.4km (two miles) to Rautheim, west city line in subway, but the service on line M3 on 20 March; to the Aubagne tramway has been 3.4km (two miles) from Hbf to project has still to be costed. BS 222 cars are being modernised. RGI put off to after 2025. A. Senut Heidberg via Bebelhof and 4km MAINZ. A rebuild of MONTPELLIER. Work on (2.5 miles) to Querum. Work will Bahnhofstrasse started on 1 INDIA tramline 5 will start in 2019-20. run from 2020-30. The EUR200m March and will last until October. DELHI. On 31 March the Gurgaon A. Senut plans were adopted by the city During this time the tramway elevated metro was extended south NANTES. On 24 March the council on 8 February. BS routes are as follows: 50, Finthen by 7km (4.3 miles) to Sector 55-56. community council approved BOCHUM-GELSENKIRCHEN. Römerquelle – Hbf; 51, Finthen urbanrail.net the start of the tender process for The extension of line 302 from Poststrasse – Hbf – Lerchenberg; 61 new 45m trams, estimated to Laer to Langendreer will open 52 Hbf – Bretzenheim; 52, IRAN cost EUR234m. Deliveries will in October. A study is in progress Gautor – Hechtsheim Am MASHHAD. CRRC Changchun start in 2021 and a new depot for the feasibility of extending Schinnergraben; 53, Gautor – will deliver 20 five-car metro and workshop will be built at line U35 from Hustadt to Hechtsheim Bürgerhaus. Buses run trains for the extension of line 2, Babiniere. A. Senut Langendreer. between Gautor and Hbf-West. BS due to open this year. RGI

190 / MAY 2017 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org IRELAND To celebrate 60 years of state DUBLIN. Ireland’s National ownership several vehicles have Transport Authority was to hold a been painted in the green market awareness day on 5 April, ‘nationalisation’ livery adopted ahead of a planned call for tenders briefly by the new Board and for the new contract to operate resurrected occasionally since and maintain Dublin’s Luas light then. These include winter saloon rail lines. The existing five-year 21 and crossbench tram and trailer contract held by Transdev ends in set 32+62, although over the the fourth quarter of 2019. winter trams 6 and 16 have been The next contract is to run until repainted in traditional liveries. 2025, with an option for up to a further five years. The contract has ITALY an estimated value of EUR45m/ CATANIA. The 3km (1.86-mile) year, subject to any plans to extension of the metro from Borgo expand the system during the to Nesima opened on 31 March, period of the new contract. with two days of free travel. A. Steel With completion of the main NAPOLI. A visitor in March found construction activity for Luas no tram service operating due Cross City in Dublin’s centre, to road and trackworks closing The first two 100% low-floor trams from the consortium of Metrowagonmash and heritage features removed during the link to San Giovanni depot. PK Transportnye Systemy for Moskva were unveiled on 17 March. Mosgortrans the work are being reinstated. It is not known how long this These include Trinity College’s situation will last. P. Stevens NORWAY from Parc Bazilescu to Straulesti granite footpath, the Lady Grattan PISA. The 1.8km (1.1-mile) OSLO. The new tram tracks in opened on 31 March. urbanrail.net Fountain at St Stephen’s Green Leitner peoplemover linking Prinsens gate were brought into and Rotunda hospital railings. Galileo Galliley Airport and the use from 27 February, replacing RUSSIA The Molly Malone statue was railway station was inaugurated the tramway in Tollbugata. From MOSKVA. Friday 17 March saw the removed from its Lower Grafton on 18 March. Service is provided the same date the line via Aker opening of the western extension Street site in 2014 and, following 06.00-24.00 with two three-car Brygge was closed until June due of metro line 8A, 7.3km (4.5 miles) repairs, was installed in nearby rubber-tyred sets. RGI to infrastructure work. from Park Pobedy to Ramenki. Suffolk Street, but the city council The tender for new trams The first two 71-931 Vityaz-M has yet to determine its final KAZAKHSTAN attracted bids from Alstom, CAF, trams from a consortium of location. The Thomas Moore ALMATY. Talks have been held Skoda and Stadler; 87 33m cars Transmashholding subsidiary statue, placed in College Green in with the European Bank for are required with an option for Metrowagonmash and 1857, has been refurbished and is Reconstruction and Development up to 60 more. BS PK Transportnye Systemy entered to be put back near its original on the construction of a 22.9km TRONDHEIM. LHB-built service on line 17 on 17 March; location. The Cross City line is to (14.2-mile) light rail line. IRJ articulated tram 92 has been 13 were delivered by the end of open this December. scrapped, reducing the fleet to March. Prototype 0207 has MALAYSIA eight operational trams. BS been renumbered 31001; the ISLE OF MAN KUALA LUMPUR. A further production batch is numbered DOUGLAS. The horse tramway tranche of 27 four-car light POLAND 31 002 upwards. season runs 8 April-5 November metro trains have been ordered OLSZTYN. The EU is providing Saturday 8 July is Moskva’s and was expected to be operated from Bombardier for the Kelena PLN144.9m (EUR33.7m) towards transport day; a parade of trams from a temporary depot close to Jaya line, with final assembly in a PLN208m (EUR48.3m) project is planned. N. Semyonov Derby Castle. The facility includes Malaysia by Hartasuma. RGI that will add two new routes to SAMARA. Construction of a a tram shed, stables, staff welfare the 11km (seven-mile) system that subway under Moskovskoe Shosse facilities, parking and vehicular MAURITIUS opened in December 2015. for the tramway extension to the access. Planning permission PORT LOUIS – CUREPIPE. A double-track alignment is to football stadium being built for was granted at the end of February Work began in March on an be built from the junction of al the 2018 World Cup has been for a four-year period. approximately 26km (16-mile) Piłsudskiego and ul. Kościuszki to delayed by property disputes. Ust- The future of the Strathallan light metro along the alignment ul. Wyszyńskiego; from here it Katav is supplying 20 71-633 100% horse tram depot building remains of the former railway line closed in would turn south to a new low-floor trams. N. Semyonov in the balance; access to it is 1964. It is hoped to open the new terminus at Pieczewo. Two routes restricted. line for service in 2021, and later will be created: line 4 will extend SAUDI ARABIA MANX ELECTRIC. The season extend it by a further 11km (6.8 at the northern end to serve the RIYADH. The first of 69 automated began on 9 March and the line now miles). RGI city’s main railway station, while metro trains was delivered by terminates at a temporary stop in line 5 will join line 1 to reach the Alstom in early March. They will Ramsey, short of the road crossing MEXICO existing eastern terminus at be used on lines 4, 5 and 6 from prior to the access to the main GUADALAJARA. LRV 049, Wysoka Brama. A wider PLN255m 2019. IRJ station building. The area has the first of 12 Bombardier-built (EUR59.3m) project includes been created close to the former 29.6m six-axle vehicles for light road and traffic signal upgrades. SPAIN depot building, which was metro line 1, was delivered from Work is to begin later this year; BILBAO. The 5.9km (3.7-mile) demolished in late 2016. Sahagun on 18 March. RGI passenger service is planned for metro line 3 (Etxebarri Norte – This demolition, and that of the autumn 2019. The city plans to Mastiko) opened on 8 April. It is former goods shed in the main NETHERLANDS buy 14 new trams to add to operated by Euskotren rather than station area, has been criticised by AMSTERDAM. A further 30 M7 its existing fleet of 15 Solaris Metro Bilbao. BS the Manx Electric Railway Society metro sets are to be ordered to Tramino vehicles; tenders are GRANADA. A new date for the but defended by the Department replace the BN-built 45-69 cars. OR expected in May. start of revenue tram service is of Infrastructure on the grounds ROTTERDAM. Work to convert 15 July, though limited free rides that both buildings had reached the 24km (14.9-mile) Hoek PORTUGAL may be available before then. BS the end of their life and were van Holland rail line to an PORTO. The 2017 tram parade beyond economic repair. extension of metro line B started is confirmed for 6 May. M. J. Russell SWEDEN A revised scheme for the on 1 April. The EUR312m project GÖTEBORG (Gothenburg). redevelopment of Ramsey station will see passenger services ROMANIA The contract with Ekova Electric/ as a transport interchange has planned to resume in September. BUCUREŞTI. The 2.1km (1.3- CEGELEC to refit 79 M31 trams yet to be formulated. digitaletram.nl mile) extension of metro line 4 with new electrical systems and

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being installed, located in the park- platform for eastbound District and-ride sites at Brooklands and and Circle line services. The ticket Whitefield. Construction at both hall and gate line will be expanded sites began at the end of March. and a new emergency exit to the Metrolink marked its 25th road bridge leading onto Thurloe anniversary on 6 April. Since Square bridge will be opened. opening in 1992 the network has Subject to planning permission, trebled in size, to become the UK’s work could start early next year. largest light rail system. LUTON. The automated transit The Guided Busway between system being promoted by Luton Leigh and Manchester that opened Borough Council to link Luton in April 2016 has already Airport with Luton Parkway carried more than two million station has now reached tender passengers, according to operator stage. The 2.1km (1.3-mile) route First. It is expected that an can be rail or rubber-tyre based. extension to the Oxford Road Two contracts have been corridor will be completed by the tendered, one for civil engineering end of April. works at a value of GBP115m LONDON (DOCKLANDS). (EUR134m) and the other for a Taiwan’s fourth largest city, Taoyuan, opened its new metro in March; Chang Transport for London’s business design, construct, operate and Gung Memorial Hospital Station on 17 March. Howard Pulling plan provides for procurement maintain contract for a period of of 43 fixed formation train sets five years with a five-year option low-floor centre section was Alibeykoy Cep Otogari, essentially equivalent in length to current for extension. The overall cost of completed on 7 March. a branch from line T1 to the future three-car formations, over the GBP140m (EUR163m) and ongoing metro line M7. It should be ready period 2022-24. These would costs of GBP2m (EUR2.3m) per year SWITZERLAND to carry passengers in 2019. replace a proportion of sets are to be met by council borrowing. MONTE GENEROSO. The rack Tenders have been invited for 50 delivered 1990-92 but would also NOTTINGHAM. UK Chancellor railway closed since 2014 for four-car metro trains, with a 50% allow for passenger growth. Philip Hammond launched the renovation work was re-opened domestic value requirement. IRJ The new fleet is expected to cost ‘Midlands Engine Strategy’ on on 8 April. TR IZMIT. Testing on the new 7.2km GBP186m (EUR217m). The 9 March. Public transport will be ZÜRICH. T h e C H F 5 0 0 m (4.5-mile) Akçaray east-west line network currently carries 103m a focus of transport arm Midlands (EUR468m) contract for 70 began on 23 March, connecting passengers a year but this is Connect, which has been tasked 100% low-floor trams (with an Otogar to the Seka ferry terminal. expected to rise to 115m. with identifying transport option for 70 more) was signed The first three of 12 five-section LONDON (TRAMLINK). improvements for the region. A with Bombardier on 2 March. 33m Durmazlar low-floor LRVs Ridership figures prepared by project team is expected to report Delivery will start at the end of have been delivered to the city. Transport for London for the in 18 months on extending 2019. IRJ The start of passenger services 12-month period to 4 February Nottingham’s Toton Lane tram has been confirmed for June. show that a million fewer trips than route to the new HS2 station and TAIWAN forecast were made on Tramlink – on to East Midlands Airport. TAIPEI – KEELUNG. On 18 March UKRAINE 24.9m compared to 26m. Some of On the existing network, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen KONSTANTINOVKA. Trams this reduction can be attributed to redevelopment of the Broadmarsh announced the construction of a have not operated since 26 November’s Sandilands accident bus station and multi-storey car tram-train system to link the capital December after thieves stole 2km and its aftermath, which saw park will be assisted by GBP10m and its port, a project estimated (1.2 miles) of overhead wire; the services curtailed for a period. (EUR11.7m) from Government. to cost SNT8.13bn (EUR250.5m). city cannot afford to repair the TfL has begun admitting The plan includes a new tramstop The 19km (11.8-mile) line should damage. At the end three KTM5 liability in relation to linking to a transport interchange open in 2022. IRJ trams were operating on one line.BS compensation claims for those and additional retail units; it is TAOYUAN. The new 53km KYIV. Thirteen Tatra T3 from injured and affected by November's hoped it will be completed by 2020. (32.9-mile) metro linking the Kosice in Slovakia are entering Sandilands tram derailment. A Construction of the walkway airport with Taipei City opened service, with 5543, 5654/68, 5727, number of survivors and families link from the Queen’s Medical on 2 March. Serving 24 stations, 5833 and 6013 the first noted with of the victims have launched legal Centre to the nearby tramstop has with two more to open at a later Kyiv fleet numbers. BS claims against TfL and operator now begun. stage, the alignment includes VINNYTSA. A second KT4UA Tram Operations Ltd (TOL). SOUTH YORKSHIRE. Notices 13km (eight miles) underground. tram is 225, while 109 is a rebodied In a letter from the law firm have appeared around the system Kawasaki has supplied 38 Tatra T4 (now T4UA). BS handling the case of one of the indicating the daylight operation stainless-steel trainsets that draw victims, insurers for TfL and TOL of the new fleet of Stadler Citylink power at 750V dc from a third rail. UNITED KINGDOM said the letter was an “admission LRVs for test and training purposes. BLACKPOOL. The tramway has of liability for the purposes of your Over half (26 out of 48) of THAILAND recorded five million journeys client’s civil claim”. Sheffield’s tramstops have received BANGKOK. The southern since April 2016, the highest LONDON (UNDERGROUND). additional seating. extension of the Sukhumvit number since 1994. Passenger Transport for London is hoping TYNE & WEAR. Metro operations Skytrain line from Bearing to satisfaction is also up, with 96% to enter into a joint venture were taken back in house by Samrong was opened on 3 April. surveyed saying they enjoyed the partnership to restore and develop Passenger Transport Executive A Mitsubishi-led consortium experience in the latest figures South Kensington Tube station Nexus on 1 April. The PTE has has been awarded a turnkey by the Department for Transport. including the provision of step- appointed Chris Carson, formerly contract for electrical and Two additional Flexity 2 trams free access to the District and Circle Operations & Safety Director of mechanical systems for the 41km will join the fleet this year to cater line via a new station entrance previous concessionaire DB Regio, (25.4-mile) Red commuter rail for the increase in traffic and the on Thurloe Street. The scheme is as its new Metro Services Director. line; Hitachi is to supply the extension to Blackpool North also to deliver step-free access to The GBP6m (EUR7m) revamp of rolling stock. The metre-gauge line station. the pedestrian subway leading to Metro’s Newcastle Central station, will open in 2020. urbanrail.net, IRJ Early summer timetables began various destinations including the which has taken 18 months, is on 2 April; the basic frequency is Science Museum, Imperial College, now complete. The project has TURKEY increased from a tram every 15 the Natural History Museum and been funded with a GBP3.5m ISTANBUL. Construction has minutes to one every ten minutes. the Victoria and Albert Museum. (EUR4.1m) contribution from started on a new 10km (6.2- GREATER MANCHESTER. Two Separately, TfL is continuing to the GBP350m (EUR409m) Metro: mile) tramline from Eminonu to new Metrolink substations are progress plans to rebuild a disused all change programme and a

192 / MAY 2017 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org GBP2.5m (EUR2.9m) grant from with a morning ceremony at the extension of The Tide LRT line following day. Warm Springs the North East Local Enterprise the Penske Technical Center to the Naval base. Virginia Pilot has a 2082-space park-and-ride Partnership’s Local Growth Fund. and public rides in the evening. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK. facility. Revenue service from 13 May will The purchase of a seventh tram This is the first BART extension USA see the Woodward Avenue line from Brookville Equipment since 2003; further extension to AUSTIN, TX. Stadler is delivering carrying passengers 06.00-23.00 Corporation has been approved San Jose is scheduled for 2018. four more diesel LRVs to Capital Monday-Thursday, 06.00-24.00 by the city council, at a cost of SAN FRANCISCO, CA (Mona). MetroRail, supplementing the Fridays, 08.00-24.00 Saturdays USD4.5m. Refurbished PCC 1051 was existing fleet of six. With additional and 08.00-20.00 Sundays. PHILADELPHIA, PA (SEPTA). dedicated to gay rights pioneer passing loops, they will permit KANSAS CITY, MO. The Streetcar A USD137.5m contract has been Harvey Milk in a ceremony at a 30-minute service between Authority is considering buying awarded to CRRC Sifang for 45 17th St/Castro on 15 March; 1051 Austin and Leander. D. Drum two more trams to boost the fleet double-deck commuter rail cars for is the first of PCC F-line Picks BOSTON, MA. MBTA is to from four to six to meet growing delivery in 2018. The company has being overhauled by Brookville spend USD7.9m in 2017-19 on demand, especially at weekends. an assembly plant in Springfield, Equipment Corporation. overhauling and refurbishing the E. B. Havens MA, and is building another in The state Supreme Court has ten PCC cars used on the Ashmont LAS VEGAS, NV. State and Chicago (ground-breaking for this removed the last legal obstacle to – Mattapan line to keep them local government officials have was on 16 March), based on rapid the planned Muni Metro loop at running until the 2020s. R. Barrows presented a legislative plan to transit car orders already received 18th/19th/Mission Bay, and it CHARLOTTE, NC. The extension underpin a light rail system as part from Boston and Chicago. should be ready for short-turn of the Lynx Blue light rail line to of a package that includes other Fares on transit services will be workings on line T to start in 2019. UNC Charlotte will not open in innovative transportation such as increased on 1 July with a single Plans to replace rail in the August as planned, and may not driverless cars. E. B. Havens ride costing USD2.50. E. B. Havens Twin Peaks Tunnel have been carry passengers until March LOS ANGELES, CA. The Angels ST LOUIS, MO. Non-powered postponed from mid-April to July. 2018, due to delays in moving Flight funicular will re-open at the testing on the Delmar Loop Muni is about to award contracts utilities. However it has been end of September, with additional heritage tramway started on for the overhaul of cable line recorded that the USD1.16bn safety features. The line has been 26 Marsh using red car 001 (ex- machinery that will require project is USD87m under budget. closed since 2013. Portland 512); 002 (ex-Portland cable car service to be suspended Plans to extend platforms on MIAMI, FL. The first of 68 two-car 511, the blue car, was delivered on individual lines at different the existing line to permit three- metro train sets built by Hitachi on 30 March. S. J. Morgan times over the next three years. car sets to be operated have been Rail Italy was delivered to Lehman SAN FRANCISCO, CA (BART). It is likely that the California St delayed for budgetary reasons. workshops at the end of March. The 8.7km (5.4-mile) BART line will be closed from October E. B. Havens E. B. Havens extension from Fremont to 2017, followed by the Powell line DETROIT, MI. The opening date NORFOLK, VA. Consultant HDR Warm Springs/South Fremont in spring 2018, Mason line in for the USD142m QLine tramway has been awarded a USD1.4m was inaugurated on 24 March, autumn 2018 and the Hyde line has been announced for 12 May, contract for a feasibility study of with passenger service from the in spring 2019. P. Ehrlich, sfbay.ca

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SANTA CLARA, CA. Siemens has took place in March; Blackpool BUCKOW (DE). A new arrival STOCKHOLM (SE). T h e been chosen by the VTA to renew 31 arrived at Beamish as part of alongside the preserved ET279 Spårvågsmuseet referred to in last the 27-year-old electrification the loan agreement. Car 147 had set is the 1920 BDe4/4 13 of the month’s report will now stay open of the Guadalupe Corridor light its dark green paintwork restored Orbe – Chavornay light railway daily until 10 September. rail line which will provide and some bodywork attention in Switzerland. BS D-E Göransson advanced diagnostics and reduced before the transfer but will DRESDEN (DE). Saturday 3 June maintenance. Commissioning is require work on its trucks before marks 25 years of Strassenbahn- CONTRIBUTORS scheduled to start in November. it can re-enter service as part museum Dresden eV, a group Worldwide items for inclusion SEATTLE, WA. At 06.07 on of the Blackpool heritage fleet. founded by 15 people in 1992 to should be sent to Michael Taplin 1 March Inekon-built 405 on Car 31 is now stored pending look after 19 preserved trams. at Flat 1, 10 Hope Road, Shanklin, the First Hill line lost power due reassembly and deep cleaning, The group is now 140 -strong and Isle of Wight PO37 6EA, UK. to the circuit breaker activating, possibly including a re-varnish. looks after 40 trams, mostly at Fax: +44 (0)1983 862810 or and ran away downhill for two It will not operate in service Trachenberge, the former tram e-mail: [email protected] blocks when the wheels locked. until it has been re-tyred. The workshops. BS UK and Ireland items are The driver and two passengers depot shunt as a consequence NORTH EASTERN ELECTRICAL welcomed by Home Editor, John were uninjured, but service on of the transfer of the two cars TRACTION TRUST (UK). The Symons, 17 Whitmore Avenue, the line was immediately to Blackpool saw the Newcastle Trust is continuing to develop its Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent, ST9 suspended and remained so & Gosforth horse tram moved Sunderland site and most of its 0LW, UK. E-mail [email protected] while the fleet was inspected into the tram depot for continued trams are now located in the new Acknowledgements are due to and the problem diagnosed. restoration. depot structure. Its annual Trams Blickpunkt Strassenbahn (BS), china. Service resumed on 20 March, BLACKPOOL (UK). Blackpool and Transport Open Day will be org, David Clarke, digitaltram.nl, with mandated safety stops on Heritage Trust has acquired held on 13 August. Drehscheibe Strassenbahn (DS), downhill sections. E. B. Havens two unique vehicles, Paisley & SCHÖNBERGER STRAND (DE). Edinburgh Evening News, Eisenbahn District tramcar 16 of 1904 (later The VVM museum group will (EB), Fora.ie, Friends of Douglas VIETNAM Glasgow 1016), and the Blackpool mark the 50th anniversary of the Bay Horse Tramway, Gold Coast HANOI. The first of 13 four-car Illuminated Hovertram 735 of West Berlin tramway closure on Bulletin, Global Rail News (GRN), metro trains built in China by 1963. An appeal for donations 2 September 2017 by unveiling Gulf News, Mike Haddon, CRRC for the 13km (eight-mile) has been launched to secure their restored TM36 centre-entrance International Rail Journal (IRJ), Irish line 2 was delivered in March. RGI restoration to the operating fleet. car 3495 of 1927. On 4 September Times, Paul Jackson, Manchester The Hovertram is still owned by the tram will be taken to Berlin Evening News, Nottingham Evening Museum News the North Eastern Electrical and placed on temporary tracks at Post, Op De Rails (OR), Eric Pounder, BEAMISH (UK). The transfer of Traction Trust, but has been the former Hakenfelde terminus Railway Gazette International (RGI), Blackpool 147 and 703 (which has offered to the trust to purchase, for in Spandau, to be joined at the sfbay.ca, Today’s Railways (TR), masqueraded as Sunderland 101 which it is hoped to raise GBP3500 end of September by museum T-2000, urbanrail.net, Virginia Pilot at Beamish) to their home town (approx. EUR4000) car 3566. BS and Wolverhampton Express & Star. PMP Transport Films MEETINGS & EVENTS Check out our website for recent releases and new locations. The full list of the year’s meetings and meeting places Still serving electric traction enthusiasts worldwide – can also be found at www.lrta.org and yes, we are happy to supply those with no internet access. 2620. Basel and Neuchatel. Switzerland. Trams, Trolleybus- 2665. Algiers, Algeria. Light Rail/Tram, Buses. September es, Buses. July 2013. The first volume from our tour of the 2013. A unique visit to the rarely covered country of APRIL 2017 history and how they were tram and trolleybus systems around Switzerland. Algeria, which is leading Africa’s light rail revolution. modelled for the centenary of their London 19.00. Martin 1901 electrification. (TLRS) 2621. Beil, Bern and Chaux De Fonds. Switzerland. Trams, 2666. Oran. Algeria. Light Rail/Tram, Buses. September Tuesday 18. Trolleybuses. July 2013. Volume two of our Swiss adventure. 2013. Algeria’s port city on the Mediterranean coast, with Eady: New Orleans and Boston. Wednesday 10. Brighton 19.40. the second of the country’s new generation tramways Saturday 22. Taunton 14.00. Martin Petch: Southampton. (TLRS) 2654. Innsbruck and Graz. Austria. Trams, Buses. August to open. Mark Blackstone: 1231 - The Penhall Saturday 13. Birmingham 14.00. 2013. The first part of this short late summer tour of Austrian light rail, tram and trolleybus systems. 2667. Constantine. Algeria. Light Rail/Tram, Buses. Road story. (TLRS) Modelling meeting. (TLRS) September 2013. The eastern city which has the new Monday 24. Wickham 19.30. Saturday 13. Norfolk (Holt) 14.00. 2655. Vienna and Bratislava. Austria and Slovakia. Trams, tramline with the most hills and bends, also local buses. Tim Morton: Northern Irish Cedric Greenwood: Professional Trolleybuses. August 2013. The second part of our late Railways today. (TLRS). tram films 1945-53. (TLRS Norfolk) summer tour, taking us to neighbouring capitals. 2668. Setif. Algeria. Buses. September 2013. We take in Constantine’s buses before moving to Setif, which will Thursday 27. Manchester 19.00. Monday 15. Liverpool 19.30. AGM 2656. Mariazellerbahn. Austria. Narrow-Gauge Rail. August eventually join the list of Algerian tram cities. Arthur Dawson: Germany and model night. (TLRS Merseyside) 2013. A wet but thrilling day with 60 miles of 760mm-gauge. and Rotterdam. Monday 15. Sheffield 19.30. Tony 2669. Algeria. Trucks. September 2013. The first ever 2657. Linz and Salzburg. Austria. Tram and Trolleybus. truck film from Algeria – taken in the dock area of Oran. Friday 28. Leicester 20.00. Bob Williams: Metrolink developments. August 2013. The final part of this short tour with another Lots of older French makes for great variety. Bracegirdle: Belgian Vicinal and Monday 15. Wickham 19.30. Brian super value long running look at two very different cities. its raison d'être. (TLRS) Boddy: The transport ‘bug’. (TLRS) 2670. Oran. Algeria, Trucks. September 2013. We take in Saturday 29. Beeston 14.00. Bob Tuesday 16 London 19.00. Alan 266. Sheffield. UK. Light Rail. 1994-5. Lineside video and great afternoon views of lorries passing through the city Supertram cab rides – includes the opening of Phase 2. of Oran, naturally sunny and never boring – a first. Bracegirdle: San Francisco and a Pearce: Pacific North West 2016 (pt 2) . little bit of Seattle. (TLRS) Tuesday 16. Barnstaple 11.00. Travel the world of trams, you can even travel back in time with the PMP archive. Saturday 29. Garstang 14.00. Nigel Jackson-Stevens' garden Alan Catlow: Queensgate, our tramway. Call Mark Blackstone for Hundreds of titles always available – please visit our website and follow our blog. spitiual home (Burnley Corporation details – 0117 962 3288. (TLRS) A SELECTION OF FILMS FROM OUR EXTENSIVE RANGE, SENT POST FREE WORLDWIDE. depot); area AGM. (TLRS) Saturday 20. Beeston 14.00. DVDs £15 EACH, TWO OR MORE £12 EACH. CREDIT CARDS WELCOME. TLRS National AGM at Friends MAY 2017 Meeting House, 40 Bull Street, PMP, 17 BIRCHWOOD DRIVE, LOWER PEOVER, Birmingham B4 6AF. (TLRS) CHESHIRE, WA16 9QJ Tuesday 2. Southampton 19.30. Thursday 25. Manchester 19.00. Tel: 01565 722045 Fax: 01565 722038 Doug Cross and Peter Hall’s Brian Yates: Porto, Alicante and Note new email: [email protected] worldwide tram tour. (LRTA/SEG) Bremen. Monday 8. Thames Valley 19.30. Saturday 27. Garstang 14.00. www.pmpfilms.com The tramways of Kew: Their Modelmakers workshop. (TLRS)

194 / MAY 2017 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.

What is the best, and safest, solution for tram glazing?

Dave Holliday’s letter in the April edition (TAUT 952) raises the key advantage of laminate is that it does not shatter but it the important question of what window glass to use on LRVs. is very difficult to break. This presents the challenge of what It is always difficult to discuss instances such as this when is the likelihood of a vehicle roll-over compared to an accident family and friends of those involved in the Croydon accident that renders the doors inoperable? We decided that the grieve over their loss, but as professionals we must take a step number of vehicles landing on their side was significantly less back and examine the issues involved. than collisions that rendered the doors inoperable. We also We faced exactly this problem in Blackpool when we had to consider the possibility of a fire onboard that meant started to make major updates to the old trams as they were that doors were inaccessible. fitted with plate glass. At the time there were no regulations The PSV solution and the provision of break hammers was for trams for up to date glazing. After discussion with the the best one for passengers to free themselves. It is also easier Railway Inspectorate we decided to follow the PSV regulations for the emergency services, or indeed a concerned member for buses – i.e. laminate for the widescreens and toughened of the public, to break toughened glass from the outside. glass for side windows. The rationale was exactly that for Laminate is even difficult to break for the emergency services buses – laminate windscreens to prevent people being thrown with the equipment they have. through the front in the event of a frontal collision. Although we await the final RAIB report, we must always try Side windows are more complicated. Laminate may stop to solve the cause of the accident rather than just mitigate the people being thrown through side windows in a side collision, results. In this case there would appear to be a clear cause. or as in Croydon, when the vehicle lands on its side. However, Bill Gibson, by e-mail

What do we mean by tram-train? Will we see 21 new systems in 2017? nature of Mr McCullagh’s Comment piece in It is interesting to see the increasing amount Michael Taplin’s round-up of tramway TAUT 952, we must be careful not to ignore of new schemes listed as tram-trains, but are openings made for useful reading again, but the travelling passenger who lacks access we using the correct terminology? After all, does anyone really expect all 21 this year? to a smartphone in our march to make life it appears from the description of some of Many mentioned are delayed from previous simpler for the majority. these schemes that in reality they are just years and it is a sad indictment that we seem It is not good enough for those who say express interurban tramways or even just unable to build things to time and budget that ‘everyone must adapt’ – public transport trawmays that run outside city limits. anymore – or is it perhaps that over-ambitious should be accessible by all. For many the use So what is a tram-train? In my opening dates are given by politicians? of buses and trams for urban journeys are understanding, tram-train (certainly in the He makes the point that while technically necessity and not choice (due to advancing age, European context) is the extension of urban we have the solutions to build city tramways, lower incomes etc) and these people may well street-running trams onto heavy rail lines, it is politics, bureaucracy (and often litigation) not have access to the latest ‘smart’ technology. involving track-sharing with other services. that get in the way. It is a shame that these are I am all in favour of progress, but we Obviously the technology varies often the most difficult obstacles to overcome must remember that technology cannot depending on location – with different in the implementation of tranport schemes. simply supersede all that has gone before vehicles, electrification, signalling and inter- Name supplied, by e-mail without a suitable period of transition and operability standards – so is this just another clear communication – also catering where case of common terms lost in translation? No passenger group left behind possible for the 5-10% exception to the rule. W. Activara, by e-mail While I appreciate the forward-thinking R. Bailer, by e-mail

His interest in trams was gained during owned by the MTMS and Manchester City Obituary: Bob Hill family visits to Sunderland and Sheffield. Council to oversee the operation of the The death occurred on 12 February of He became a keen tramcar modeller, with Heaton Park tramway. During his time as Bob Hill, a long-serving member of the his models appearing over several decades Chairman he also undertook the role of LRTA and a leading figure in the Heaton at the Christmas Exhibitions run by the Chief Engineer, with responsibility for the Park Tramway in Manchester, both as an Manchester Model Railway Society. He depot workshop, to which he contributed administrator and engineer. He died of was also involved in full tramcars, being several improvements. pneumonia exacerbated by cancer of the the project leader for the restoration of He met his wife, Joan, at a model railway oesophagus at the age of 76. Stockport 5, which ran for many years exhibition in 1965. They married in 1966. Robert James Leigh Hill was born in in Blackpool A later project was the Joan took an active role at Heaton Park and Bowden, Altrincham, on 12 December 1940. completion of Eades horse tram L53, with at one time ran the museum shop. They had He attended the village school, and later its revolving turntable. twin sons, Graham and Jonathan, born in Bradbury Boys School, lviing in Bowden After serving as a committee member of 1968, and two grandchildren, Edward and for the whole of his life. His working career the Manchester Transport Museum Society Georgina. began as an apprentice with Metropolitan- (MTMS), he was Chairman from 1994 He will be remembered as a quiet, Vickers. He became an electrical fitter until 2009 and again from 2012 until 2016. gentlemanly person, always friendly and and stayed with the company until being On retirement on the second occasion, he welcoming. His legacy is his fine models, made redundant in the late 1960s. He then was appointed MTMS President. He was two major tramcar restorations and the worked for Newton Tesla until early also a director of the Manchester Tramway esteem of those privileged to know him. retirement in 1997 due to poor health. Company, the organisation jointly JV & GBC

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MAY 2017 / 195 Classic Trams

WASHINGTON’S PART TWO OF A KIND TWO Mike Russell continues his review of the Yakima operation in Washington State, a remarkable survivor which has now gained national recognition. 1

n reaction to the city of Yakima’s In 1983 the tourist service was transferred reserved-track section of North 6th Avenue demands that the Yakima Valley to the Yakima Interurban Lines Association, leading to the temporary terminus just north Transportation Company was obliged but in 2001 it was taken over by newly- of the Naches River bridge. Although trams to provide network-wide passenger formed Yakima Valley Trolleys. After 1985, can operate under wire for the street-running tramway service, following attempts UP donated the entire infrastructure of the section, a generator is attached so that the Iin the 1920s to replace trams with buses lines, rolling stock and power supply system entire journey is made under power provided (TAUT 952), the company ordered three Brill to the city; UP initially retained ownership by this source. A Federal grant of USD50 000 Master Unit cars to replace outdated vehicles. of the depot and leased it, but in 2000 it was has been obtained to replace the stolen wire. Entering service on 9 March 1930 with leather purchased by Yakima City. Thus it is that the A small truck with an automotive diesel upholstery, electric heating and low-step original YVT depot of August 1910 continues engine directly coupled to a modern entrances, the new fleet reversed ridership to serve Yakima tramcar operations today. industrial alternator and rectifier unit decline even in the face of increasing car Although the two ex-Porto cars have been mounted on it is used to provide electric ownership. Interurban traffic, however, the mainstay of operations since 1974, after power to operate trams. For the speeds on continued to fall and the last interurban the death of Bob Hively the two Master Units, tourist operations a power of approximately passenger service (Selah) closed in May 1935. 21 and 22 (the latter non-operational), were 100kW is provided for the intermittent The situation on the city lines worsened purchased and returned to Yakima in October demand and the wheeled truck can be safely again during World War Two. Then in a 1946 1989, car 21 operating from 11 November. pushed or pulled for bi-directional operation. deal with the city passenger service was Porto 254 and 260 were numbered 1776 The engine runs at constant speed to provide discontinued, the last cars running on and 1976 respectively in Yakima, denoting around 600V to the tram, which is operated 1 February 1947. Most of the fleet was broken the city’s bicentennial project, and painted in identically as from an overhead supply. The up but in 1948 the three Master Units (20-22) a red/white livery based on the Lisboa tourist truck is permanently wired to the tram at were sold to the Portland Traction Company, cars. In October 2001, 1776 was repainted in Issaquah but at Yakima there is provision operating until 1958. Thereafter, 21 and yellow to replicate the original YVT colours to change to overhead supply using plug 22 were bought by enthusiast Bob Hively of 1908. From 2000, car 1976 was loaned couplers inside the tramcar. The truck has and removed to the Snoqualmie Railroad to Issaquah for 18 months to launch that a high level of sound insulation to quieten Museum, where they were repainted in operation before it acquired a car of its own. operation in Issaquah town centre, and it is former YVT livery and one at least operated fitted with a control and monitoring console briefly using a generator trailer. Venerable vehicles to make it self-contained, so only the power After 1947, the YVT advanced at least six The depot contains two venerable operational feed and return are connected to the tramcar. separate proposals to replace electric traction freight and works vehicles. Locomotive 298, The Yakima historic tramcar operates on the remaining freight operations by diesel a steeple-cab electric locomotive fitted with 10.00-15.00 at weekends from late May power, but each was rejected by the city. After twin trolley-poles and built by General through September. Departures are from its hours of operation on street-track sections Electric in 1922, was the workhorse of the outside the depot at Third Avenue/Pine Street, were restricted at the 1983 franchise renewal, former freight operations. It was originally with tickets purchased in advance from Union Pacific (UP) decided to give up the lines purchased to supplant steeple-cab Baldwin within the depot. The cost of the ride varies – and operations ceased on 18 November 1985. locomotive 299 and was the preferred power USD10 for a return journey on the truncated unit for 63 years. Even older is works car A, Selah line and USD6 on the Pine Street line, Tourist rebirth delivered from Niles in 1910, converted to a with reductions for children and seniors. Meanwhile, moves had been taking place line car in 1922 for a multitude of track and Fares include access to the depot, where amongst enthusiasts and local politicians to overhead line tasks and which is still called out-of-service rolling stock may be viewed, establish a tourist service and in 1973 two upon to perform them today. as well as the old electrical plant with rotary Porto tramcars were obtained. These were The scope of the Yakima tourist operation converters retained and displayed, though 254 and 260, identical members of the 12 was greatly reduced after 1985 through the main traction supply is now via rectifiers. The Carros Italianos built in the Porto workshops lifting of the western lines beyond Nob Hill, museum shop sells souvenirs including copies in 1928-29 with semi-convertible bodywork and further diminished in September 1993 of Yakima Valley Transportation Company by and clerestory roof but with eight windows when tracks within Selah were given up under Dr Kenneth G Johnsen (Arcadia, 2010). instead of seven. They thus resembled the pressure from the authorities. The present For those visiting Washington State at earliest YVT passenger cars to a degree. operation involves part of the Selah line (the the right time of year, a visit to Yakima is After a sea voyage and railway transport track now terminates at Fassett Road on the recommended. The journey from Seattle from Houston, Texas, they arrived in Yakima edge of the town) but is currently impassable is lengthy but easily undertaken, with two on 28 August 1974 and the first trial run beyond the Naches River bridge owing to a daily return bus services from the city centre took place the following day. Regular service rockfall at Selah Gap, a narrow ridge on which (single journey around three hours) and more started on 12 October of that year, with the single-line was laid. A second line, along from Sea-Tac airport. Car hire is an option inauguration carried out by the President West Pine Street to Holton Avenue, was and there are also direct flights. of UP, which had been supportive of the also not useable in 2016 owing to seized The Yakima lines are a remarkable survival, venture. For the next years, regular services pointwork. Plans have been discussed for and as the last remaining example of the were operated over the full extent of the extensions reconnecting with some old typical North American interurban have surviving network, including lines to the severed lines, including proposals to reach been awarded the accolade of entry on the US west that were the subject of a reversionary Yakima’s historic centre in Front Street. National Register of Historic Places. lease through private land and which had The most serious restriction on current to be lifted after the 1985 abandonment of operations has been theft of running-wire, With grateful acknowledgments to Peter freight services. first detected in 2005, on the roadside Haseldine, Steve Morgan and Alan Pearce.

196 / MAY 2017 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org 1. Car 1976 returning from Selah towards Yakima and crossing the main road at Fassett Road. In 1993 operation within Selah was given up under pressure from the local authority and the limit of the line is now more-or-less where the photographer is standing. Peter Haseldine

2. When this view was taken on 8 September 1988, the tourist service was operating through to Selah. Here car 1976 is negotiating the single-track at Selah Gap; a rockfall in this vicinity has in recent times necessitated truncation of operation to the Naches River bridge. Peter Haseldine

3. Car 1976 (ex-Porto 260) proceeding north along North 6th Avenue on 10 September 2016 using power provided by the generator trailer.

4. After the return of the two Brill Master Unit cars from the Snoqualmie railway museum, car 21 operated for several 2 years over Yakima tracks once again. On 16 September 1990 it undertook an enthusiasts’ tour and is seen here heading southbound on 6th Avenue. Steve Morgan

5. Brill Master Unit 22, one of two original Yakima cars returned from the Snoqualmie railway museum, is stored out of service in the depot.

6. Car 1976 and generator attachment kicking up the dust from the rails in North 6th 3 4 Avenue. 7. A collection of freight and works cars seen outside the YVT depot on 4 August 1985. Line car A is on the left, with steeple-cab locomotive 298 partially hidden by 297, a lighter-weight Baldwin steeple-cab locomotive of 1923 that, immediately following the YVT closure on 18 November 1985, left for preservation at the Orange Empire Trolley Museum, Perris, CA. Steve Morgan 5 6 8. Operation under power from the overhead wire is still possible over part of the line, as illustrated here by car 1976 on West Pine Street on 10 September 2016, but normal operation is currently by generator attachment owing to wire theft at the outer end of the route.

7 8 Photography by Mike Russell unless otherwise stated.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MAY 2017 / 197 BOOKSHOP Order online from lrta.info/shop – or by post from: LRTA Publications, 31 Ashton Road, Wokingham RG41 1HL Postage & packing – Any UK address: add 10%; All addresses outside UK: add 20%. For Airmail despatch outside Europe: add 30%.

Maidstone Trams and Trolleybuses Los Tranvías de Valladolid The story of electric public transport in A detailed history in words and pictures Kent’s county town from 1904 to 1967. of the tramway in this Spanish city Always a compact system and with a from 1881 to 1933, which operated generally well-run fleet of trams that horse-drawn and steam-powered were replaced with trolleybuses by 1930, passenger and freight services prior to Maidstone Corporation was a typical electrification in 1910. Spanish text. British municipal undertaking. > 270 x 210mm softback; 168 pages, > A4 hardback; 96 pages, illustrated in black & white with 100 fully-illustrated in black & white pictures, numerous maps and line and colour with several maps. drawings.

£19.50 plus postage & packing as shown above. £21.50 plus postage & packing as shown above.

Tram Atlas Mitteleuropa / Central Europe Tramvies i Troleibusos de Tarragona i Reus The latest in Robert Schwandl’s popular In one of the places which received second- series, covering the Czech and Slovak hand London Q1-type trolleybuses it must Republics and Hungary, with a have seemed odd to have two double-deck pen-picture of every tram and trolleybus vehicles plying their trade on a long interurban system in 28 cities and towns. English route. An interesting book which weaves that and German text. surprising history into a detailed account of local transport provision. Catalan text. > B5 softback; 158 pages, 300+ colour pictures and 40 maps. > 270 x 210mm softback; 160 pages, 29 colour and 113 black & white pictures, 41 maps and several line drawings.

£17.50 plus postage & packing as shown above. £22.50 plus postage & packing as shown above.

Metros & Trams in Japan Tranvías y Funiculares de El Escorial 2: Nord- & Zentraljapan / North & Central Japan A history of the tramway and funiculars Part two of Robert Schwand’s built to serve the religious site of San comprehensive coverage of Japan takes Lorenzo de El Escorial, north-west of us to Northern Honshu and Hokkaido, Madrid. An interesting range of realised detailing urban rail networks in 16 cities. and proposed transport links is covered. English and German text. Spanish text.

> B5 softback; 144 pages, 300+ colour > 270 x 210mm softback; 144 pages, pictures and 23 maps. 68 black & white pictures, 18 maps and several line drawings. £17.50 plus postage & packing as shown above. £21.50 plus postage & packing as shown above.

Les transports publics en Belgique / Trolejbusy v České a Slovenské republice Het openbaar vervoer in België 3: Typy Vozidel 1970-1980: Les années d’espoir / De hoopvolle jaren The third in a series of DVDs covering The third part of Jacques Peeters’ scholarly trams and trolleybuses in the Czech and history of Belgian public transport since the Slovak Republics. This edition deals with Second World War, covering the “decade a wide variety of trolleybuses seen in 18 of hope” of tramway modernisation and the cities. abandonment of much of the remaining Vicinal interurban network. French or Dutch text. > 55 minutes running time,  > A4 hardback; 344 pages, 300+ colour and Czech commentary. black & white pictures plus maps and tables. £18.00 (including VAT) plus postage & £41.50 plus postage & packing as shown above. packing as shown above.

Please bear in mind that we often advertise books before stock is received from publishers so delivery can take some weeks. IN YOUR NEXT ISSUE OF

KEEPING ON THE BLACKPOOL: FROM SYSTEMS FACTFILE: RIGHT TRACK TRAM TO LRT KREFELD David Holt explores the challenges Five years on since one of the most A city with a strong rail heritage, known of modern tramway infrastructure important events in the British tramway’s for mechanical engineering excellence, planning and construction, arguing long history, TAUT meets with Blackpool and an outpost of the Rheinbahn the case that good design and smooth Transport to assess the progress, role and network, Krefeld has consolidated and running can go hand-in-hand when future of this distinctive seaside system modernised its metre-gauge tramway in art meets engineering. that integrates modern and heritage fleets. recent years – as Neil Pulling discovers. PLUS... JUNE + Mike Russell considers the legacy of Gent’s PCC cars ISSUE + The latest news, rolling stock orders and movements, system developments and transport policy and leading industry comment on sale from around the world. 19 May

Magdeburg rebuilds THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE Magdeburg still feels flooding pain www.lrta.org www.tautonline.com

MAY 2017 N O. 953 SUBSCRIBE NOW! KEEPING RUNNING IN EXTREME WEATHER

this city in saxony-anhalt has now largely completed repairs to major tramway damage caused in 2013 – but there is still no date Now in its 80th year, Tramways & Urban Transit is the world’s leading for the last of them. tony streeter reports.

hat which floodwaters can destroy It was part of a much bigger picture, which in an instant, may take a long time saw floodwaters spread not only across parts The three out-of-use sections were to repair or replace. The truth of of Germany, but through large areas of Messegelände – Herrenkrug (which at that such a statement is dramatically Central Europe. The effects this had on some point had no service); the Anna-Ebert-Brücke, illustrated by the German city of tramway systems were substantial – and were a bridge across the Alte Elbe (Old Elbe) where MagdeburgT where, even now, no firm date can tram replacement services were in operation; covered in detail in TAUT 908 (August 2013). yet be given for completion of dealing with and Neue Neustadt – Barleber See (which the aftermath of devastating flooding that In terms of the former East German city’s extensive tramway, the immediate effect was also had tram replacement services). took place in June 2013. Now, in 2017, one of those three still This city of around 200 000 people in drastic: all but two routes were disrupted; two depots were cut off and the third flooded; 70 represents a challenge: Barleber See. For while Saxony-Anhalt was particularly hard hit by the ideal solution for the route to Herrenkrug the floodwaters nearly four years ago; the Elbe vehicles were evacuated. The drama unfolded over some days as the rising waters spread, on the Elbe’s eastern bank (served by – one of Germany’s major rivers on the sides lines 5 and 6) was considered to be raising monthly publication dedicated solely to light and urban rail developments. with the worst disruption coming on 9 June. of which Magdeburg sits – broke its banks, the formation by 1m-1.5m, the sensitive sweeping through surrounding low-lying As a result, Magdeburger Verkehrsbetriebe (MVB) resorted to stabling vehicles on the environment in this area alongside the river areas and causing millions of Euros worth meant this was ruled out. Instead, the line of damage. At its height on 9 June, the water West- and Südring road, a dual carriageway thoroughfare that has the tramway running was repaired, with the choice being to rely on level measured nearly 7.5m – against a more Magdeburg’s own flood defences which were Los Angeles: Measure M funding boosts LRT expansion normal average of around 2m, and the roughly down its centre on reserved formation. Unsurprisingly, the disruption cost the MVB themselves to be improved. The Anna-Ebert 6.7m of the ‘flood of the century’ in 2002. bridge was also returned to tramway use. Terror targets the St Petersburg Metro Magdeburg had already been living in ridership: the 2013 figure of 60.8m passengers emergency conditions since 4 June, as the was 370 000 down on the year before. Nevertheless, most of the effects were Reduced services US dra budget freezes out transit river levels rose. The effects were substantial: The line to Barleber See in Magdeburg’s north- whole areas of the city evacuated; schools, dealt with quickly after the water receded: east, a route bounded by lakes alongside the the university, old people’s homes abandoned; by the start of July 2013, all but three sections of the tramway had been restored, Mittellandkanal waterway, was also repaired – 14 hurt as Hong Kong tram overturns train services suspended. Thousands of people but initially only in an interim fashion. were in action, with sandbags and barriers although line 5 remained out of use due to the £4.40 temporary tram stabling which at that point Before the flooding, line 10 services ran 05> trying to protect property. was still taking place on its route. every ten minutes during the day between UK tram-train Chaos theory Sudenberg and Rothensee, with every second 178 / MAY 2017 www.tautonline.com Under scrutiny yet Making sense of the 9 771460 832050 . www.lrta.org looking to 2018 Charleroi Metro

178-179_TAUT1705_Magdeburg.indd 1

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