THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE

www.lrta.org www.tautonline.com

FEBRUARY 2020 No. 986 2020 vision Our predictions for the new systems due to open this year

Hamilton LRT cancellation ‘a betrayal’ Tram & metro: Doha’s double opening China launches 363km of new routes

Berlin tramways Added value £4.60 Bringing Germany’s What is your tram capital back together project really worth? European Light Rail Congress

TWO days of interactive debates... EIGHT hours of dedicated networking... ONE place to be Ibercaja Patio de la Infanta Zaragoza, Spain 10-11 June

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

With presentations and exhibitions from some of the industry’s most innovative suppliers and service providers, this congress also includes technical visits and over eight hours of networking sessions. 2020 For 2020, we are delighted to be holding the event in the beautiful city of Zaragoza in partnership with Tranvía Zaragoza, Mobility City and the Fundación Ibercaja.

Our local partners at Tranvía Zaragoza have arranged a depot tour as part of day one’s activities at the European Light Rail Congress. At the event, attendees will discover the role and future of light rail within a truly intermodal framework.

To submit an abstract or to participate, please contact Geoff Butler on +44 (0)1733 367610 or [email protected]

+44 (0)1733 367600 @ [email protected] www.mainspring.co.uk

MEDIA PARTNERS EU Light Rail Driving innovation CONTENTS The official journal of the Light Rail 64 Transit Association FEBRUARY 2020 Vol. 83 No. 986 www.tautonline.com EDITORIAL Editor – Simon Johnston [email protected] 44 Associate Editor – Tony Streeter [email protected] Worldwide Editor – Michael Taplin 52 [email protected] News Editor – John Symons [email protected] Senior Contributor – Neil Pulling Worldwide Contributors Richard Felski, Ed Havens, Andrew Moglestue, Paul Nicholson, Herbert Pence, Mike Russell, Nikolai Semyonov, Alain Senut, Vic Simons, Witold Urbanowicz, Bill Vigrass, Francis Wagner, Thomas Wagner, Philip Webb, Rick Wilson Production – Lanna Blyth Tel: +44 (0)1733 367604 [email protected] News 44 systems factfile: BERLIN 64 DESIGN – Debbie Nolan Doha completes its metro and opens its first Neil Pulling returns to one his favourite Advertising tramway; China’s annual mega month of cities to look at tramway expansion in the COMMERCIAL Manager – Geoff Butler Tel: +44 (0)1733 367610 new openings; Sydney opens the first phase German capital. [email protected] of its South East line; Fury at Hamilton LRT cancellation; CRRC wins in Monterrey. WORLDWIDE REVIEW 70 Publisher – Matt Johnston São Paulo extends its monorail; Macau Tramways & Urban Transit a new era for uk light rail? 50 inaugurates a new light metro service; 13 Orton Enterprise Centre, Bakewell Road, TAUT reviews the transport promises made tramway extensions open across French Peterborough PE2 6XU, UK by the new UK Government and makes the cities; Würzburg places 18-tram order Tramways & Urban Transit is published by Mainspring case for moving quickly with investment. with HeiterBlick; Abidjan confirms metro on behalf of the LRTA on the third Friday of each proposals; Kraków receives first of 50 new month preceding the cover date. NEW TRAMWAYS FOR 2020 52 Stadler low-floor trams; St Louis’ Loop Michael Taplin presents his annual review Trolley closes due to funding shortfall. of the systems that could open this year. PRINT AND DISTRIBUTION MAILBOX 75 Warners (Midlands), Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH, UK Developments in denver 58 Dealing with disruption in Ottawa; Why the LRTA MEMBERSHIP (with TAUT subscription) Vic Simons explores the latest openings in 2020s will be the public transport decade. Tramways & Urban Transit is sent free to all paid-up Colorado as the RTD faces a labour crisis. members of the Light Rail Transit Association. CLASSIC trams: GOTHA 76 what is your tramway worth? 61 A small-town survivor, Mike Russell pays a LRTA WEBSITE AND DIARY Brian Lomas Reg Harman offers a critique of UK visit to the German tramway renowned for [email protected] [email protected] transport appraisal processes. its excellent celebration events. Subscriptions, MEMBERSHIP and back issues LRTA Membership Secretary (Dept T06), 38 Wolseley Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK. Tel: +44 (0)117 951 7785 Welcome to the second decade of the 21st Century [email protected] Website: www.lrta.info This month, one of our lead stories focuses on a Canadian city that had for CORPORATE Subscriptions VISIT planned its future around a new light rail system line – only to have spent www.mainspring.co.uk millions before having the rug pulled from underneath it. Once again, a transformational urban transportation project has descended LRTA REGISTERED OFFICE 8 Berwick Place, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL7 4TU, UK. into arguing about whose numbers were correct – the current administration, Private company limited by guarantee, No. 5072319 or the one which came before. Figures quoted to support the cancellation of the Hamilton in England and Wales. LRT scheme claim it would cost nearly five times the amount calculated just a few years ago LRTA Chairman – Paul Rowen – surely they couldn’t be that far out? Audits have been called and the lobbying continues… [email protected] Across the pond, the new UK Government has also set out a plan for investment in © LRTA 2020 transport unseen for generations. Tantalisingly, light rail and tramway schemes are Articles are submitted on the understanding they may also mentioned – so now it is time for them to deliver on the bold pre-election promises. We take later be used on our websites or other media. A contribution a deeper look at what this may mean on page 50. Fittingly, Reg Harman also offers a short is accepted on the basis that its author is responsible for the critique of the UK’s appraisal and development processes and asks if they are adequate in opinions expressed in it, and such opinions are not those of assessing the true benefits of long-term investment in tramways and light rail schemes. the LRTA or Mainspring. All rights reserved. Elsewhere, Mike Taplin takes a look at the prospects for new systems in 2020. Some are No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including re-entries, others are mega-projects that have taken years to reach fruition; they all have photocopying, recording or by any information storage and a few common drivers – addressing crippling urban congestion, reducing reliance on the retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from private car and preparing cities for planned population growth. the copyright owner. Multiple copying of the contents of the The second decade of the 21st Century will offer some of the greatest challenges we magazine without prior written approval is not permitted. have ever faced. It also offers some of the greatest opportunities. We have the technology to make the changes that society needs, but do we have the political will to come together COVER: The futuristic design of the new Alstom when it really matters? I am hopeful that we will make the right choices – it’s just a Citadis for Paris tramline T9, due to open to question of how quickly we can put those plans into action. Simon Johnston, Editor passengers later this year. Alstom / Toma-Atypix

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUAry 2020 / 43 News Double celebrations in Doha First modern tramway service opens in the Qatari capital as the state-of-the art metro is completed

ABOVE: The interior of the Avenio trams features large digital passenger information screens and colours described as ‘neutral and calming’. Qatar Foundation

LEFT: The Education City Tram features canopied stops with charging rails used to top-up the hybrid energy storage system of the Siemens-supplied vehicles. Qatar Foundation

he first section of the delivered by Siemens under a conditioning throughout known as the Education line, Education City Tram USD412m turnkey contract (with and sunshades to protect includes 11 stations on a mostly in Doha, Qatar, opened Middle Eastern construction the roof-mounted electrical underground route; 5.4km to passengers on partner Habtoor Leighton Group) equipment. The vehicles also (3.4miles) at the western end is T24 December. The Blue line awarded in 2012. This also saw feature Siemens’ Sitras hybrid on an elevated alignment. It is features seven stops, serving the supply of electrification, energy storage system of open to passengers 06.00-23.00 sites across the 12km2 (4.6 square signalling and communications supercapacitors and batteries, Saturday-Thursday and mile) education and research systems and an operations with recharging taking place via 14.00-23.00 on Fridays. complex development built by control centre and a depot. roof-mounted conductor rails Two extensions of the north- the non-profit Qatar Foundation Four of the 27.7m-long, at tramstops and in tunnels. south Red line opened on the to the east of the capital. Facilities 2.55m-wide trams – capacity Platform screen doors are same day, taking the system’s served include the Education City for 234 passengers, 60 seated – installed at four stops. longest line to 40km (25 miles) Stadium, Qatar Academy and are used for the initial service. Travel is free, with trams with 23.4km (14.5 miles) VCUarts Qatar. They have been adapted for the running 06.30-17.00 on underground. These include a A fleet of 19 three-section 100% local climate with insulated and weekdays and to a four-minute one-station spur from Oqba Ibn low-floorAvenio trams have been tinted windows, uprated air- headway at peak times. Nafie to Hamad International The Qatar Foundation’s Airport Terminal 1, and a Capital Projects Directorate has northern extension with three said other lines will open in the stations to Lusail; this route coming months, completing a features a station at Legtaifiya 11.5km (7.1-mile) network with that is yet to open but will provide 24 stations linking Education interchange with the Lusail tram City’s north and south campuses network when this opens later – including via a tunnel under this year (see page 52 for more on Al Luqta Street. Three multi-storey 2020’s tramway openings). park-and-ride sites offer free The Red and Green lines have parking for tram passengers. connecting stations at Al Bidda The line also offers and Msheireb, the latter also interchange with the automated providing interchange with the metro Green line that opened 14km (nine-mile) east-west Gold on 10 December. This 22km line which opened in November (14-mile) route between 2019. The latest openings all but Al Riffa and Al Mansoura, complete the metro’s first phase.

Sutton extension and new trams in London plans

Expansion of London’s tramway Light Railway (with an extension Separately, the latest version providing 100% renewable to Sutton and an expectation to Thamesmead), Underground of TfL’s draft Business Plan energy to its rail services by 2030 of new vehicles are included in and Overground networks. for 2020/21-2024/25 includes with plans including converting transport plans for the UK capital The plan includes provision for an expectation of orders Therapia Lane tram depot to released in late December. GBP16.7bn (EUR19.6bn) from being placed for new trams to solar power. Transport for London’s draft TfL towards the cost of delivery replace Croydon’s 23 original Additionally, the draft plan 20-year strategy anticipates of these schemes, but notes that Bombardier CR4000 vehicles. confirms the order for 43 new delivery of the long-discussed they would likely be delivered These will be 26 years old by the trainsets for the DLR, due in 2023 Sutton extension together with in co-operation with London end of the period. The authority from CAF, plus modernisation expansion of the Docklands Boroughs. has also committed to and extension of Beckton depot.

44 / february 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Hamilton LRT project is cancelled Controversy surrounds Ontario’s decision to remove support ahead of bidders’ responses

he light rail project for they continue to go forward with Hamilton (Canada) was this?’ They said they would, so cancelled in a shock the projects went forward.” announcement on An estimated 5000 workers T16 December, just months after from the Laborers’ International Ontario Premier Doug Ford Union of North America (LiUNA) confirmed that the scheme were expecting to work on the was included in the Province’s line, according to spokesperson budget. Transportation Minister Victoria Mancinelli, who Caroline Mulroney made the described the cancellation as a announcement in a statement, “slap in the face”. citing cost overruns and LiUNA was also critical of the inaccurate project estimates. figures, claiming the Province’s The cancellation was met estimate factored-in elements not with surprise as bids from three ABOVE: The Hamilton LRT project would have served 17 stops; in early January included in other LRT projects shortlisted consortia – CityLine the Province said that it would still consider a truncated form of light rail as it such as the new lines planned Transit Group, Ei8ht Transit allocated CAD1bn to transport projects for the city. for Mississauga and Brampton, and Mobilinx – to design, build, adding that the Province should finance, operate and maintain CAD5.5bn (EUR3.8bn). to connect Eastgate Square have waited until the RFP closed the 14km (8.7-mile) line were Her statement went on to claim shopping mall and downtown in early 2020. The union has expected in the Spring. that the previous provincial Hamilton with McMaster launched its own audit of the Hamilton Mayor Fred administration had failed to University. The City of Hamilton Province’s figures to challenge Eisenberger called the decision include a CAD1bn provision and Metrolinx have already estimates that include capital a “betrayal by the Province”, for long-term operating and spent a reported CAD80-100m costs of CAD2.8bn (EUR1.93bn) adding: “This will not only maintenance costs. (EUR55-69m) to acquire and operating and maintenance hurt Hamilton’s economy, but Former Liberal Transportation properties, with CAD165m costs that over 30 years add up to Ontario’s economy. The message Minister Steven Del Duca (EUR114m) spent on the project the claimed total of CAD5.55bn. to the world is that Ontario is responded in a statement saying in total. Ontario’s Auditor General an unreliable partner. Ontario that Ford had “been searching for Both City of Hamilton officials Bonnie Lysyk has confirmed that is not a place where you can do a way to kill the Hamilton LRT.” and local business leaders have she will include a full appraisal business because of the Ford Ms Mulroney added that the been highly critical of the of how reasonable the Province’s government. Their timing on Province is to pledge CAD1bn to cancellation decision. cost estimates for the Hamilton this is just outrageous. If they develop public transport services “It’s going to have a huge LRT project are as part of an were going to do this, they could in Hamilton for projects “that impact on the investment upcoming ‘value for money’ audit have picked a better way.” can be delivered quickly and in climate here,” said Keanin of Metrolinx. Observers suggest Ms Mulroney’s statement a fiscally responsible manner.” Loomis, President and CEO this may be a blow to Metrolinx’s emphasised that the previous Plans for these schemes are due to of Hamilton Chamber of other light rail ambitions. Liberal administration’s be reported in February and may Commerce in response to the Ms Lysyk confirmed the audit CAD1bn (EUR690 000) estimate still include elements of light rail. news. “The developers will in response to questions from did not reflect the project’s actual The LRT project, known as tell you, time after time, that local politicians as to why the cost and that an independent the Hamilton Street Railway in a it’s because of the LRT project stated cost-per-kilometre figures review commissioned by the reference to the street tramway and they paused when the new for the Hamilton scheme are Province showed that the that ran in the city over half government came in because significantly higher than the proposed line would in fact cost a century ago, was planned everyone was wondering ‘will Hurontario and Finch West lines.

NEWS IN PICTURES Far left: TTC 4001 at Russell Car House having just completed the final CLRV trip on 29 December, pictured with TTC employees, including the final CLRV streetcar operators from this day. Car 4001 was the first CLRV delivered on 29 December 1977 and is now part of the TTC historic fleet. A. Grahl

Left: The donation-funded ‘Streetcar named Toronto’ is a moving artwork to celebrate 40 years of CLRV service in the city; car 4178 is seen at Wolseley Loop on the final day. A. Grahl

Switzerland by SIG in 1977, was the ceremonial last The firstCLRV entered service on 20 September Canada’s CLRV retires car from Wolseley loop to Russell yard, filled with 1979 on the 507 Long Branch route and the TTC Toronto’s finalCLRV in revenue service was passengers who had their seats allocated after a purchased 196 cars of the type, supplemented in 1982-built 4193 in the early hours of 29 December. ballot. CLRV 4001 was one of four prototypes that 1988 by an additional 52 articulated ALRV variants. Earlier 4001, one of six prototypes built in survived in service until the summer of 2019. The ALRV was officially retired on 2 September 2019.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org february 2020 / 45 News New openings make Beijing metro the world’s biggest… December sees over 350km added to city metro networks across China

eijing’s metro became expand the line the world’s largest to 61.3km system with the opening (38 miles). Hohhot BEIJING of two extensions on Two separate 28B December, overtaking the openings took Tianjin CHINA extensive network in Shanghai. place during Jinan Qingdao Inauguration of the line 7 the month in Zhengzhou extension from Jiaohuachang Guangzhou to Huazhuang (16.6km/ (Guangdong): the Suzhou 10.3 miles) and the Batong Line second phase of metro Chengdu Shanghai suburban metro from Tuqiao to line 21 from Zhenlong Xi Chongqing Huazhuang (4.5km/2.8 miles) to an interchange with line 5 took the network to 699.3km at Yuancun (35.3km/ Guiyang (434.5 miles) with 405 stations. 21.9 miles) opened on the section Xiamen China’s capital followed up on 20 December, expanding the from 30 December with the opening metro system to 513km Shuangliu Guangzhou of Qinghe station on line 13 to (318.7 miles). On 28 December International Shenzen provide interchange with the line 8 expansion followed, Airport to Zhangjiakou high-speed rail line. with the opening of a 1.8km Xinping. However, another major month (1.1-mile) extension from As well as the openings in for Chinese metro expansion Fenghuang Xincun to Cultural Beijing, 28 December brought west to Bayan airport in the east actually began nearly three Park station. expansion in four other cities: on 29 December. Rolling stock weeks previously in Shenzen Suzhou (Jiangsu) added the Guiyang (Guizhou) extended has been supplied by CRRC (Guangdong province) on 8 45.3km (28.1-mile) line 3 from line 1 west by one station from Changke, with the manufacturer December, with the extension of Xinqu railway station to Weiting Xiamaixi to Dougan; Jinan claiming that weight reduction metro line 9 from Hongshuwan on 25 December, while Xiamen (Shandong) inaugurated the measures through use of South to Qianwan (10.8km/ (Fujian) inaugurated new metro new line 3 from Tantou to innovative construction 6.7 miles) that took the network line 2 from Wuyuanwan to Longdong (21.6km/13.4 miles); methods and materials save to 303.4km (188.5 miles). The Tianzhushan (41.6km/25.8 miles) Tianjin extended line 1 from ten tonnes across each six-car expanded line 9 is worked by 51 on the same day. The first new Lilou to Donggulu (a further unit. Line 2 (27.3km/20 miles) trains from CRRC Changchun. aluminium-bodied CRRC train two-station extension is under is expected to carry passengers Qingdao (Shadong province) for line 3 has also been unveiled. construction); and metro line 2 before the end of 2020. was next, on 16 December, Both an extension and a in Zhengzhou (Henan) was Finally, 30 December saw the bringing its 4.2km (2.6-mile) completely new line were opened extended by 10.3km (6.4 miles) opening of a further section of extension of line 2 west from in Chengdu (Sichaun) on 27 from Liuzhuang to Jiahe. the Loop Line orbital metro in Zhiquan Road to Taishan Road December. Linking Huagui Road Hohhot (Inner Mongolia) Chongqing, from Haixialu to into service, taking the system and Huilong the new line 5 runs began operations on China’s Erland (9.5km/5.9 miles), while to 28.4km (17.6 miles). Further for 49km (30 miles), while line 10 40th metro with the launch of line 1 was extended west by one extensions due to open in the has been extended by 25.8km its 21.7km (13.5-mile) line 1 station from Jiandingpo next two to three years will (16 miles) with the opening of from Yili Health Valley in the to Bishan. …while three Chinese cities welcome more trams

Amongst the massive metro (4.1-mile) Gaoming tramline expansion, three Chinese cities in the western suburbs brought also opened new tramways or into regular revenue service extensions in December. from Zhihu to Cangjiang Road The first to open, on on 30 December. Five three- 27 December, were a series of section CRRC Qingdao Sifang extensions almost tripling the trams powered by hydrogen size of the tramway in Chengdu fuel cells provide a ten-minute (Sichuan province). After a service. When five more trams year of operation on the initial are available, the line will be 13.5km (8.3-mile) section, T2 extended to 17.4km (10.8 miles); was grown by the inauguration this could take place in 2021. of three new sections taking the (Read more about Foshan’s new system to 39.1km (24.2 miles). tramway in TAUT 984). They are: Hexin Road – Chengdu Also on 30 December, West railway station; Chenguang Shanghai’s two-line Songjiang – Pixian West railway station; tramway was completed with the The latest tramway opening in Shanghai takes the city’s tram network to 31km and Xinye Road – Renhe. opening of the 3.9km (2.4-mile) (19 miles) and is operated by a joint venture of Shanghai Shentong Metro Group Foshan (Guangdong province) T1 extension from Xinmiaosan and Keolis. Shanghai Keolis saw the isolated ten-stop 6.6km Road to Xinqiao railway station.

46 / february 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Sydney opens South East Light Rail Central city line with ground supply section joins the network; Kingsford branch to open in March

ustralia’s largest city inaugurated the first stage of its South East Light Rail Line linking CircularA Quay in the city centre with Randwick in the south-east suburbs (L2) on 14 December. A branch to Kingsford (L3) should open in March, bringing the city’s tramway network, operated for Transport for New South Wales by Transdev Sydney, to 24.7km (15.3 miles). The cost of the South East LRT project has risen from AUD1.6bn (EUR1bn) to AUD2.96bn (EUR1.84bn), due to the outcome of a dispute with Spanish contractor Acciona (which received AUD576m (EUR359m) in compensation for utilities problems). Major The new tramway serves the city’s central districts; the route to Kingsford is due to open in a couple of months’ time. construction began on the 12km (7.45 miles) of routes in crossing near the Chinatown The service was fare-free for the when line L1 opened between October 2015, but was hampered stop (with connecting curves), first weekend, when the Sydney Central Station and Pyrmont. by poor knowledge about but there is no in-service Tramway Museum lent 1899 This was extended to Lilyfield in underground services, especially interoperability due to the two-axle tram 29 for display at 2000 and Dulwich Hill in March in the city centre along George respective specifications of the Circular Quay. 2014, bringing the length to St. This section (Bathurst St to Alstom and CAF trams used and Service is provided 05.00-01.00 12.7km (7.9 miles). The original Circular Quay) features Alstom’s the loading platform profiles. with eight-minute peak ADtranz Variotram rolling stock proprietary APS surface current New speed limits have been headways, using coupled sets of has been replaced by 12 33m CAF collection system; elsewhere introduced for highway traffic 33.5m Citadis X05; a 67m pair Urbos 3 low-floor trams built in overhead with pantograph where trams operate (on part of can carry up to 450 passengers. 2013-15 (2112/4-24). L1 carries current collection is used. George St the 40km/h limit has Although initial running times 11m passengers/year. Operating from a new depot been reduced to 20km/h). of 50 minutes were scheduled, A further 12km tramline at Randwick, 60 five-section Adult fares range from this is to be accelerated to 38 is under construction in the Alstom Citadis (001-60) have AUD2.90 (EUR1.80) to AUD6 minutes once the operation has suburban area of Parramatta been delivered for operation (EUR3.70), reduced to AUD2.24- bedded in. Bus services will not (Westmead to Carlingford) for in coupled sets to carry 13 500 AUD4.80 (EUR1.40-3) if an Opal to be cut back until March. completion in 2023. This will be passengers/hour/direction. stored-value card is used (there Standard-gauge trams returned worked by 13 45m CAF Urbos 3 Lines L2/3 cross line L1 at a flat is a AUD16.10/EUR10 daily cap). to Sydney on 31 August 1997 trams with wire-free operation.

New UK GBP4.2bn fund NEWS IN PICTURES could benefit light rail Light rail has been named by & Wear Metro and new heavy the UK’s new Government as a rail lines in the north-east; and potential beneficiary of a future extensions to the West Midlands GBP4.2bn (EUR4.9bn) regional Metro tramway, including transport fund. routes to North Solihull and Announced during the run- Birmingham Airport. up to the General Election in Nominated areas would December, which resulted in a have to bid for the funding, Conservative victory, the money which would also require local is expected to be made available contributions, although other Spårvägar / Göteborgs E. Lothman from 2022 and is intended for national funding initiatives may First new Flexity tram arrives in Göteborg transport projects outside London. also become available. Currently, Delivery of 40 M33 33m Flexity low-floor trams from the consortium of Specifically mentioned were: government funding of transport Bombardier and Kiepe Electric began with the arrival from Wien (Vienna) of A new metro or light rail system in the Greater London area is 490 in Göteborg (Gothenburg) during the night of 13 December. in West Yorkshire, including to almost 2.5 times greater per The consortium is supplying 30 single-ended and ten double-ended trams Dewsbury, Pudsey and the Spen person than in the provinces. under a contract placed in October 2016. A second is to arrive in the coming Valley; extensions to Greater months, with trials underway until the end of the year. Delivery of all 40 to the Manchester’s Metrolink light rail See our analysis of the new UK Swedish city is expected by the beginning of 2022. The EUR140m deal includes options for up to 60 further trams (to be ordered system, including to Stockport Government’s commitment to in minimum tranches of ten) until 2026; these can either 33m or 45m vehicles. and Bolton; upgrades to the Tyne transport on page 50.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org february 2020 / 47 News Flurry of orders defines European

An artist’s impression of the new double- tram competition ended ForCity variant for Bonn. Škoda Transportation Škoda, CAF and Stadler all win in December, while CRRC breaks into market with Porto deal

ate 2019 saw the Stadler followed up on an order announcement of several for 27 Tramlink cars for the Swiss large vehicle orders from capital, Bern, by winning a deal European tramways, for 11 new trams for the German andL showed which builders are city of Augsburg. A few years ago achieving success in market this would have been Siemens share in this important region. territory, but the German giant Škoda has confirmed an order had to be satisfied with an order for Bonn (26 double-ended for 12 Avenio from Nürnberg 30.6m cars), cementing the (plus an option for a further 75). Czech manufacturer’s progress Stadler’s success continued into Germany that started into 2020, with confirmation with Chemnitz and progressed on 6 January that it is to supply via the RNV in Mannheim/ 14 five-section 43m trams in a Ludwigshafen. The company is EUR62m order for Darmstadt. happy to customise its ForCity With options for 30 more, the for the customer; a double-ended first will enter service in 2022. tram (as opposed to Stadtbahn) Another German city, will be a novelty for Bonn. Würzburg, has for some years The CZK2.7bn (EUR106.4m) been contemplating new trams contract signed on 16 December to replace the last traditional includes spares and maintenance Duewag cars still operating in for 25 years and an option for a Germany, and has now chosen further 12 cars (taking the total HeiterBlick. Unlike its Stadtbahn The future CRRC Tangshan tram, seen on Porto’s Dom Luis I bridge. Metro do Porto to almost CZK4bn/EUR157.7m), cars for Hannover and Bielefeld, proving how important ‘add-ons’ the Leipzig manufacturer will be used to build the Porto cars. market, with an order for an continue to be for manufacturers develop a five-section low-floor car Škoda was the other bidder. additional 20 Citadis (33m) trams in securing future revenues. for the 18 vehicles to be supplied The order comes as Metro do for Angers in a EUR55m order. CAF, an aggressive challenger to Würzburg, with all axles driven Porto expands its tramway, while The vehicles will add to the 17 for recent orders, will supply to cope with the steep gradients. catering for an impressive growth that entered service on line A much-needed new trams for the Possibly the most significant in patronage following large fare in 2011. With capacity for 210 Portuguese capital, Lisboa. CAF development is the arrival of reductions designed to encourage passengers each, the new trams sold Carris six low-floor trams the Chinese in the western tram modal shift (see TAUT 985). As will be equipped with APS ground in 1995 that were to a Siemens market, with Portugal’s second a consequence, funding for the level power supply and will run design, but has since established city, Porto, ordering 18 four- EUR49.6m order comes from on lines B and C from 2022. itself with its Urbos. Lisboa will section low-floor trams from the Ministry of Environment & One name missing from the acquire 15 trams for coastal CRRC Tangshan. This subsidiary Climate Action’s Environment above is Bombardier, whose tramline 15 under a EUR45m of the state-owned equipment Fund; the contract includes five last order win was 30 cars for deal that includes a EUR5m supplier has delivered five trams years’ maintenance. Deliveries Dresden last August. maintenance element; the line is to the Turkish city of Samsun, are to take place in 2021-23 at the being extended at both ends, but and holds a Siemens licence rate of one per month. For a complete analysis of the the extra trams will also support (Siemens was one of the rival Alstom continues to maintain worldwide tram market worldwide, longer-term ridership growth. bidders). It is suggested this will its grip on the French tram see our April issue.

After a formal opening on Services are operated by Utihoflijn opens for service 14 December, and a weekend of Trenitalia subsidiary Qbuzz; its free rides, Utrecht’s EUR500m current four-year concession De Uithof tramway (line 22) runs to 8 December 2023. opened for revenue service on Work on the line began in late 16 December. The 8km (five-mile) 2016, with an opening for the line runs from the Dutch city’s nine-stop line set for July 2018. main station and Jaarbeursplein Completion was delayed by to the Utrecht Science Park at works around Utrecht Centraal De Uithof, serving UMC Utrecht, station and the final cost was Utrecht University and the HU EUR84m higher than forecast. University of Applied Sciences. The fleet of 27 five-section CAF Replacing bus line 12, ten Urbos trams is maintained at the trams/hour are provided at peaks, city’s existing depot, which has with 12 planned for later in 2020. been expanded and re-opened on Initially there is no weekend 29 November. Maintenance of service, with buses meeting the the CAF and original SIG-built limited university traffic on high-floor fleet is contracted to CAF-built 6007 was one of the trams used to open Utrecht’s De Uithof tramline Saturday-Sunday. The end-to-end Alstom for a four-year period, on 16 December. This section at the university is shared with buses. E. Swierstra journey time is 19 minutes. starting on 19 December.

48 / february 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Škoda signs Russian vehicle partnership CRRC contract completes Russian investment company Sinara Group has established a joint venture with Škoda Transportation to produce metro trains, trams Metrorrey fleet renewal and trolleybuses for the Russian market. The 50-50 partnership, named Sinara-Škoda, will be based Chinese LRVs will join refurbished U3 cars from Frankfurt am Main in St Petersburg. Sinara Group was founded in 2001, focused mainly on real RRC Zhuzhou has estate, transport engineering and been awarded a financial services. Its subsidiary contract to supply Sinara Transport Machines was 26 LRVs for the established in 2007 and has over MetrorreyC system in Monterrey, 30 000 employees. Mexico, with an option for five Bath Trams conference more. The Chinese manufacturer A conference that considers the beat competition from other potential of reintroducing trams bidders including CAF, Stadler to the UK city of Bath is being held Rail Valencia and Jiangsu on Saturday 8 February. The event will bring together Railteco Equipment Co. politicians, local stakeholders, The design chosen includes manufacturers and industry energy-saving elements such professionals for a day of as LED lighting and a variable presentations and open debate HVAC system that can be in seeking solutions to the traffic adjusted depending on load; congestion and associated such innovations are claimed pollution issues in the city, as to reduce energy consumption well as exploring trams’ role in improving social mobility and by 30-50%. A newly-developed encouraging inward investment wheel design allied to CRRC’s for the Somerset city and latest articulated bogie neighbouring communities. technology also promises a noise For more details see page 75 and reduction of 2-5dB. visit www.bathtrams.uk The new vehicles are in Chicago 7000 series addition to the 24 second-hand CRRC Zhuzhou Chairman Zhou Qinghe signs the agreement for 26 new LRVs metro cars on test Duewag LRVs already with Nuevo León state governor Jaime Rodríguez Calderón. State of Nuevo León Ten pre-series CRRC Sifang-built procured in a deal signed with 7000 metro cars for the Chicago Verkehrsgesellschaft Frankfurt passenger information and CCTV rail system that opened in 1991; Transit Authority have started am Main in November 2018. is reportedly costing EUR1.6m a second line opened in 1994, a year-long reliability testing These 25.7m U3 cars, built in per car. Talbot is subcontracting bringing the system to its current programme before delivery of the 1979-80 (with capacity for 246 some of these works to 32km (20 miles). first trains takes place at the end passengers and 64 seats), will be specialists Prose and Schaltbau A third line, 7.5km (4.7 miles) of 2020. Part of a base order for modernised by Aachen-based Refurbishment in Germany from Macroplaza to the 490 cars, options exist to take the contract to 846 cars. Talbot Services. before the firstU3 is shipped to metropolitan hospital in the The bulk of the production Many of the cars have been Mexico in August. eastern suburbs is nearing vehicles will be completed at out of service since 2010, A total of MXN2.4bn completion in infrastructure CRRC Sifang America’s plant in and modernisation with new (EUR113.7m) is being spent on terms and is due to open in the city’s Hegewisch district, using traction systems, wheels, air the 50 new LRVs. February 2021. Ridership on the components from more than 40 conditioning, passenger Wi-Fi, Metrorrey is a fully segregated system is then expected to reach specialised US suppliers. LED lighting, new interiors and 1435mm-gauge high-floor light 250 000 passengers/day.

UK failure to meet disability rules ‘deeply frustrating’

The UK Government is to allow in the Rail Vehicle Accessibility priority seats and provision for acquire new rolling stock, which light rail and metro vehicles that (Non-Interoperable Rail System) wheelchairs. While RVAR 2010 is often delayed. do not meet new accessibility Regulation 2010.” covers trams and non-main Exemptions have been given regulations to continue to run – She added that the “Secretary line vehicles such as those on for vehicles on the Glasgow but has written to the operators of State’s powers to permit the London Underground, Subway (until July 2022), Bakerloo affected to describe the situation non-compliant vehicles to heavy rail trains are covered by line (January 2022/January as “deeply frustrating”. continue in operation have not equivalent rules encompassed in 2024), Docklands Light Railway In letters to the Docklands been used lightly and should the EU-wide Persons of Reduced (December 2024), the Central Light Railway, Nexus (Tyne never result in detriment to the Mobility Technical Specification and Waterloo and City lines and Wear Metro), Strathclyde quality of disabled passengers’ for Interoperability. (January 2025), Tyne and Wear Partnership for Transport journeys” and that delivering an Most vehicles on the country’s (July 2026, for Metrocars 4001, (Glasgow Subway) and accessible service “must not be systems are now compliant, 4002, 4040, 4083) and Piccadilly Transport for London (London delayed any longer.” with further deliveries expected line (up to January 2027). Underground) sent in December, Under the regulations, new to replace the remainder Various dispensations have Parliamentary Under-Secretary vehicles from 2010 (and older that are not. However, some also been given across the UK’s of State for Transport Baroness vehicles on refurbishment) had observers have criticised the UK heavy rail network, including Vere wrote that authorities had to meet new rules making them Government stance, on the basis for the unpopular Pacer diesel “ten years to prepare for the more easily accessible – covering that the country’s rail systems multiple units that date from the 31 December 2019 deadline set aspects such as handholds, are reliant on central funding to mid-1980s.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org february 2020 / 49 Comment NOW IS THE TIME TO TURN WORDS INTO ACTIONS Simon Johnston and Tony Streeter assess the promises made by the new UK Government to transport investment in its pre-election campaigns

espite previous talk of the potential for a ‘hung hands in decades and could easily swing back if words aren’t parliament’, it is unlikely that the UK General Election backed by actions. Because of this it’s unlikely that we’ll see ‘more of result of 12 December will have come as a surprise the same’; after two years of political stalemate, the Conservatives to many. The 80-strong majority secured by the need to be seen to deliver the key projects touted in the run-up to Conservative Party in the country’s third election in the election. fiveD years is clear evidence of a ‘push-back’ against years of weak We have been promised an end to austerity and an “infrastructure parliaments, broken promises and a willingness to break the revolution”, financed by an increase in public borrowing. This equates, deadlock on Brexit that has been holding back decision-making and so far, to over GBP100bn (EUR117bn) for new rail, roads and other key investment that the UK desperately needs. infrastructure projects over the next five years – notably in Although it was clearly a one-issue election for many, the result so-called ‘red wall’ constituencies that switched their allegiance. stands to change far more than purely the country’s relationship But to achieve this, the spending initiatives hinted at in early with the European Union in isolation. Whether voters were EU December will need firming up quickly. There are plenty of ‘leavers’ or ‘remainers’, the evidence is that both shared a common plans out there waiting for approval, and councils are keen to frustration at the lack of progress from elected representatives. address their own priorities now that we have some headroom in Bickering between the benches and a lack of belief in the ability of Westminster and Whitehall following two years of starvation due to bi-partisan agreement for the benefit of the country has seen Boris Brexit and weak government. Johnson and colleagues gain the largest majority in nearly 20 years. The clock is ticking in another way too. The UK will formally There were regional variations, partly emphasised by the UK’s leave the EU at the end of January, but the real deadline – now being ‘first past the post’ system; the Conservatives lost seats in Scotland enshrined in law – is the end of the year. That is when the transition to the Scottish National Party (who increased their representation period during which the UK continues to follow EU rules, but in Westminster from 35 to 48 seats), retains automatic access to its markets and other parties gained the odd seat comes to an end. here or there – but fundamentally the “The way the electoral map What happens next is dependent UK has decided on five more years of on negotiations on everything from Conservative rule. has been redrawn is not freedom of movement, security, defence, So the nation has spoken. It turned simply the normal pendulum science, education, the environment to its back on an economically-radical developing a new economic relationship Labour manifesto that focused of politics; many of the seats with the EU. Depending on the way those on mass nationalisation, and also negotiations go (and what any trade rejected a divisive Liberal Democrat won have not changed hands deal looks like) this could either free up manifesto from a party that has never the Government to carry out its grand really recovered from its part in the in decades and could easily vision – or further constrain it; the next Conservative-Liberal coalition of 2010. 12 months are crucial to what the UK will Assurances from all the parties centred swing back if words aren’t look like in future. on taxation, national infrastructure The biggest infrastructure project the and the environment – and the backed by actions.” new Government will have to make Conservatives clearly made the most progress with, or not, is the planned HS2 convincing arguments to many. But words are one thing… high-speed rail project to link London with the north. Even now, now it must deliver. uncertainty remains. A draft version of the ‘Oakerveee Review’ into In seeking to woo voters, particularly in the traditional Labour the controversial project has already been leaked, suggesting that heartlands of the Midlands and north of England, the Prime the scheme should go ahead with only minor alterations. However Minister and his party were profuse in the weeks running up to Prime Minister Boris Johnson has suggested that delivering the the election to offer what people have demanding for decades – scheme in its entirety will entail a 12-figure bill to the taxpayer. investment. Investment in schools, investment in hospitals and the To complicate matters further, in December a group of over health service, and, crucially for us, investment in transport. 20 Conservative MPs wrote to demand an urgent meeting with Now the Conservatives have won the mandate from many of these the Prime Minister and the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps communities, they will have their feet held to the fire by councils to discuss the project. They argue that the business case for HS2 and sub-regional bodies to make good on their commitments. is “collapsing”. Significantly, many of them represent not the They still need to truly win the north, rather than just borrow it, traditional Tory seats in places like the Chilterns (which have long and wafer-thin majorities in some seats mean that it will only take a been at best ambivalent about the project), but those won from small swing to change the map back again. This scale of investment historically Labour-served constituencies who fear that the project and rebalancing of the economy also sends an important message is too reputationally-scarred. to those north of the border who will be pushing for another Carrying on without a clear vision, tight control on the reins and independence referendum to make that border very real… crystal clear better clarification of the benefits to the north will only further dent trust in a new Government that needs to work harder HS2, HS3 and LRT on delivering local priorities, they argue. The new Government can’t hang around. For the way the electoral Note too that in contrast to its so-far ambivalent stance on HS2, map has been redrawn is not simply the normal pendulum of the Government has already committed to delivering elements of politics; many of the seats won from Labour have not changed what has been dubbed HS3 – a new rail line across the Pennines.

50 / febrUARY 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Of course, HS2 is just one All positive words, but now we component of an urgently-needed must wait for the actions to reinforce overhaul of Britain’s transportation them... after all, there have been false network. The full proposal consists dawns before. of three lines radiating from Birmingham – spurs to Manchester Recreating the ‘London effect’ and Leeds and one south to the capital Local Mayors will have the final say – and proponents argue it on where the money will be spent, will increase capacity across the entire but the Government has said that network by removing express trains light rail and tram networks could from lines that are currently be at the centre of the new funding at capacity to free up space for package. This pledge will likely be much-improved regional services. key in retaining the faith placed in Many light rail and tramway the Conservative party by northern advocates point to the fact that seats, targeted so heavily by all the these new high-speed lines will drive parties in the campaigning ahead of demand for new light rail links to the election. and from the new HS2 stations, As we all await the results from delivering efficient, green, the DfT’s ‘Call for Evidence’ on the end-to-end connectivity. future of light rail and rapid transit West Midlands Metro Director Peter Cushing and TfWM Managing Director Laura Shoaf at the launch of the extension to in the UK – released almost a year Leeds is back in the headlines Centenary Square in December 2019. Will the new Government ago – it is tempting to think that the The Conservative pre-election bring more investment in light rail in the Midlands? TfWM Government is one step ahead in its promises also offered teasing snippets thinking and has already earmarked of investment in new light rail schemes across the Midlands and some of this GBP4bn-plus pot for new schemes that can be delivered north of England. In an announcement just before the election, the quickly. Is that wishful thinking? Tories pledged GBP4.2bn (EUR4.95bn) from 2022 for local transport The Conservative plans have already come under some scrutiny, projects in the main combined authority or Mayor-controlled areas with Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, Andy McDonald, – including money for light rail and tram schemes. saying that the announcement is a “pathetic attempt to cover up The statements made even went so far as to announce what some the government’s disastrous and incompetent failure to invest in of these schemes might be: enhancements to the Tyne & Wear public transport.” Metro, realisation of further West Midlands Metro lines to the To back up this claim, Mr McDonald pointed to figures that airport and North Solihull, and a ‘Phase 4’ for Greater Manchester he said showed that the north is set to receive GBP2389 (around Metrolink, including to Stockport and Bolton. EUR2820) less per person that the capital in terms of transport Cynics will claim that some of these schemes are already in the investment. This imbalance needs to be remedied and in the run-up works and that the Government’s funding package is merely a to the general election, Boris Johnson repeatedly made the case ‘rubber-stamp’, but the most tantalising announcement is arguably that he wanted to deliver the kind of investment and resulting the confirmation of a rapid transit project in West Yorkshire. prosperity he achieved during his time as Mayor of London. In the Queen’s Speech debate on 19 December, Prime Minister While the success of some of his ideas was questionable, many of Boris Johnson seemed fairly clear, reiterating his commitment from these schemes that were completed have undoubtedly benefited the earlier in the year to deliver a mass transit system for Leeds, saying: capital and will continue to do so for decades to come. Other towns “We will remedy the scandal that Leeds is the largest city in Western and cities want to see this replicated where they are. Europe without light rail or a metro.” Of course we all have our own wish-lists. Whether it’s a The West Yorkshire Combined Authority has already launched commitment to funding NET Phase 3 and the creation of a its consultations to bring light rail, tram-train or bus rapid transit regional light rail network for the East Midlands to include Derby; to the city by 2033. Preliminary plans for three routes have already investment in tramway or light rail to support economic growth been revealed, linking Leeds to neighbouring areas – but they need in Merseyside; further expansion of Tyne & Wear Metro services to financial backing from the Government to once and for all put reinvigorate the North-East; development of tramway proposals for the disappointment of the failed tramway and trolleybus schemes Bath, Bristol and the South-West, completing more of the original behind them and deliver the improved transport that the people of Edinburgh Tramway; or further tramway lines in London. These are Leeds have been waiting for for over two decades. just a few of the schemes we would all like to see come to fruition While many of these schemes are predicated on HS2 reaching under a new Government that might have more breathing room to Yorkshire in the 2030s to reach their full potential, they are all valid make the key decisions. in their own right. So the billions announced before Christmas must be spent Now authorities across England are back to the stage of bidding wisely, but they also need to be ring-fenced quickly. The imperatives for their share of this pot of promised cash. Almost certainly local over air quality, social mobility and economic prosperity are just as funding input would be required for each scheme as four billion urgent as they were on 11 December, and we all must now look to a won’t actually go very far, but there will also likely be other local government that we take action. growth initiatives over the next five years that could be tapped into So the transport landscape has opened up once again and Boris to make the pot bigger. Johnson has put some cash on the table. It is possible that this Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said that “these plans will Government could be the most radical in a generation. Arguably, if change the face of local transport in towns and cities across the it is to succeed, it will have to be. country… They will kickstart the transformation of services so Lots of promises have been made, but can the new Government they match those in London, ensuring more frequent and better actually get any new urban transport schemes built in the next services, more electrification, modern buses and trains and decade for the cities that so desperately need a step-change? contactless smart ticketing.” We must remain hopeful, and the voters are watching…

“Local Mayors will have the final say, but the Have your say... Where would you spend Government has said that light rail and tram networks money on light rail? could be at the centre of the new funding package.” [email protected]

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org febrUARY 2020 / 51 new tramways for 2020

The first of 22 Alstom Citadis X05 trams arrives in Orly on 22 November 2019; it is part of a framework order for lines T9 and T10 in the Île-de-France region. Île-de-France Mobilités

he past year was certainly a early in the New Year, although no date has good one for the opening of new Michael Taplin looks been confirmed. tramways around the world, with The Cádiz tram-train project in Spain 11 new cities inaugurating their at the prospects failed to achieve passenger service in 2019 first lines. Some of those that (again) and is therefore rolled forward openedT in 2019 faced delays (ranging from a into our 2020 list. This seems to be the few months to years), while others – notably for new tramway victim of institutional problems to do with those in Australia – seemed to meet their introducing lines in new environments, and opening targets and budgets and hit the openings this year, is now running several years late, despite ground running from day one. extensive testing during that period. The full 2019 listing was: Canberra, with new lines After a busy few years (12 systems opening Newcastle (Australia); Ottawa, Waterloo – between 2015 and 2019, four alone in 2018), Kitchener (Canada); Foshan, Sanya (China); around the world North America is taking a break in 2020, but Cuenca (Ecuador); Avignon, Caen (France); is expected to return to the listings in 2021. Port Louis – Curepipe (Mauritius); due to open – There were no significant tramway closures Utrecht – Uithof (Netherlands). in 2019, just the Łódź interurban in Poland, It is worth noting that the inauguration and right at the end of the year (hopefully of the 10.2km (6.3-mile) line in Cuenca, and a few hanging temporarily) the Loop Trolley in St Louis, Ecuador, should really only be treated as a USA. A USD90 000 loan in November 2019 soft opening. The new standard-gauge line over from 2019. kept the troubled 3.5km (2.2-mile) loop line, from Parque Industrial to Control Sur – with which opened in November 2018, operating a 4km (2.5-mile) catenary-free section in until the end of the year and it is hoped the city’s historic city centre using Alstom’s City authorities are also still negotiating that negotiations between the city and APS ground supply technology – carried with other urban transport providers on Bi-State Development – the agency which invited passenger groups in 2019, but with how to best integrate the new tramway into already oversees the city’s MetroLink light no fares charged. Indeed, this issue is one of the existing public transport network, rail system – may find a solution to funding the key barriers still to be overcome before while final regulatory sign-off and the future operations. full service can begin. The fares suggested by agreement of a maintenance contract with We have identified 12 new tramways that three separate reports are too high, the city Alstom – or perhaps an alternative supplier – could open in 2020. They cover some far argues, but it is yet to agree the framework of are reportedly close to conclusion. flung parts of the globe and also include a multi-year subsidy agreement. It is hoped that opening can be achieved two or three in Europe.

52 / february 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org ALGERIA Algerian tramway development was covered in our recent two-part series (TAUT 983-984) and the next to open should be in Mostaganem (population 250 000), a hilly port city on the country’s Mediterranean coast around 80km (50 miles) east of Oran. Although works on 14.5km (nine miles) of lines have been underway since 2013, delays can be ascribed to bankruptcy of the original contractor, flooding and subsidence. A roster of 25 Alstom Citadis 402 43.9m double-ended trams with all bogies motored have been delivered from the CITAL joint venture factory in Annaba. Photographs show the infrastructure approaching completion, and it is hoped to carry passengers before the end of 2020. The city of Annaba itself (population 260 000), is another seaport in the north- east, close to the Tunisian border. As well as hosting the joint venture tram factory ABOVE: The since 2015, the city has long planned a new tramway in two-line 21.7km/13.5-mile tramway of Mostaganem will its own (a large loop and a branch to the use a fleet of 25 railway station and northern suburbs) – 72 Alstom Citadis 402 trams will be required. Progress has been trams, delivered slowed by national financial difficulties from the CITAL resulting from the fall in oil prices, but the factory in Annaba. tramway is still under construction. Tramway de Batna, 120km (74.5 miles) inland with Mostaganem a population of 290 700, used French LEFT: Work consultant SYSTRA to develop plans for a on the depot in 15.5km (9.6-mile) east–west line between Mostaganem was Cité–Hamla via Université and Gare SNTF. well underway Work began in 2014, but was suspended in in the summer of 2015 for financial reasons. Despite some 2019. Tramway de realistic computer-generated images, a Mostaganem completion date is unclear.

Work began in August 2017, with tracklaying and civil BOLIVIA engineering works undertaken by Spanish construction specialist The fourth-largest city in Bolivia, Cochabamba lies in an Andean JOCA and project management handled by Swiss company valley and has a population of 630 500 who enjoy the ‘eternal Molinari Rail. Credit Suisse is providing the project finance. spring’ climate. Although served by a comprehensive bus network Stadler Rail was awarded a build and maintain contract for 12 and with high public transport usage (over 50% of the estimated 33.76m three-section trams, built in the company’s factory in Minsk, two million daily journeys), city streets are still described as Belarus, to the Metelitsa design (that can already be seen operating ‘suffocating’ from traffic congestion. in Sankt Peterburg). Each can carry 221 passengers (66 seated). In August 2017 work started on a USD447.6m, 42km (26-mile), After delivery through the port of Iquique in Chile, trial runs light rail system known as Mi Tren. The project connects the six started in September 2019 and passenger service should begin municipalities of Sipe Sipe, Vinto, Quillacollo, Colcapirhua, Cercado in 2020, possibly on 26 August, after the 6 August Independence and Sacaba and consists of three lines with a common city terminus Day holiday. It should be noted that this project started under the at the main rail station: Red (5.3km/3.3 miles) to the University sponsorship of President Evo Morales, who recently left Bolivia for of San Simón; Yellow (7.7km/4.8 miles) to El Castillo, and Green Argentina; the consequences of which are still uncertain. (27.4km/17 miles), partly on elevated infrastructure to Suticollo. Cochabamba’s first-generation tramway closed in 1948.

above: Interior and exterior views of the Stadler-supplied Metelitsa low-floor tram for Cochabamba; ABOVE: As the first trams arrived, work on the depot built in Belarus, they started arriving in Bolivia in September 2019. Note the extra large roof-mounted in Cochabamaba was underway in late summer passenger information screens. Stadler staff will maintain the fleet for three years. Stadler Rail 2019. Autonomous Government of Cochabamba

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org february 2020 / 53 New tramways

CRRC Qingdao Sifang is supplying two-section 100% low-floor trams for the China Railway Signal and Communication is another new entrant to the high-altitude tramway in Delingha. CRRC Qingdao Sifang low-floor tram market, supplying its Pioneer design to Tianshui. CRSC

province) where a four-line tramway totalling 62km (38.5 miles) is CHINA under construction at a cost of CNY6.6bn (EUR845m) to serve the The development of rail schemes in China is always rather opaque, population of 330 000. Debugging trials were in progress in 2018. with news of openings often only available days in advance. Regular passenger service was supposed to start in 2019 using 34 Delingha is the capital of the Haixi Mongal Tibetan autonomous CRRC-supplied trams, but 2020 now seems more likely. prefecture, with a population of 80 000 and built 2982m above Tianshui started building its 12.9km (eight-mile) tramline in sea level; due to its altitude it is served by trains equipped with summer 2018 and the first test runs were carried out on a 600m oxygen supply. A 14.4km (8.9-mile) two-line tramway is under section of line in March 2019. Opening is predicted for 2020. Rolling construction and CRRC Qingdao Sifang is building two-section stock is coming from China Railway Signal and Communication, 100% low-floor 168-passenger trams featuring supercapacitor and which will supply 17 five-section cars of itsPioneer design. This 100% battery energy storage specially adapted for the high altitude. low-floor car can carry 370 passengers (58 seated) and uses onboard After missing earlier deadlines, a 2020 opening is now possible. energy storage with a pantograph recharging the vehicle at stops. We have already illustrated (TAUT 945) trial operation in The project seems to be a PPP joint venture between the city and Mengzi City/Honghe (population 417 000 in south-east Yunnan CRSC, valued at CNY2.5bn (EUR320m).

FRANCE The tramway revival in Paris began in July 1992 with the opening of line T1. The network has expanded steadily since, now reaching 104.7km (65 miles), but mostly with the addition of standalone lines. Even where a track connection exists (T1/T2), incompatible rolling stock means there are no through passenger services. December 2020 will see the addition of another such line with the inauguration of T9, 10.3km (6.4 miles) from metro station Porte de Choisy to Orly Ville (Place Gaston Viens). Its introduction will relieve RATP’s second-busiest bus line (183, Porte de Choisy – Aéroport d’Orly, terminal Sud) by giving non-airport riders a choice for local journeys in the fast-developing suburbs. T9 will also connect with T3a at Porte de Choisy, and RER line C at Choisy-le-Roi. ABOVE: Tracklaying underway on Paris tramline T9 in summer 2019; the new 10.3km line is due to open When the Grand Paris Express orbital towards the end of 2020. Île-de-France Mobilités metro line 15 opens, it will cross line T9 at Vitry Centre. A future link may run from the outer terminus to a connection with T7 (Villejuif – Athis-Mons). Competitive tendering has seen the 66-month contract to operate T9 (and seven local bus routes) awarded to Keolis – making it the first tramline in the Île-de- France region not to be run by RATP. In November 2016 Île-de-France Mobilités awarded Alstom a EUR70m contract for 22 air-conditioned Citadis X05 trams for T9, with delivery starting in November 2019. The seven-section 45m trams can carry up to 314 passengers with The new Citadis X05 for Paris T9/T10 has a The spacious interior of the new T9 cars. C-L. eight double doors each side. The new striking wraparound light design. Alstom Havet / Île-de-France Mobilités design is reportedly 99% recyclable.

54 / february 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org QATAR The tiny Gulf state of 2.8 million is using its vast resources of liquefied natural gas (the country is one of the world’s leading exporters, recently announcing plans to increase production by 64% within the next decade) to fund massive infrastructure development – including public transportation projects. A key driver of this investment is also the nation’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup football tournament. After a long gestation period, the Education City Tram in Doha opened at the end of 2019 (see page 44). The next major project to open for passenger operation is the Lusail tramway, designed to serve new waterside development (eventual population 200 000) in the northern suburbs of the Qatari capital. The new tramway will join the expansive driverless metro, the first phase of which was completed with the opening of the third (Green) line in December. A 20-year concession to operate the 28km (17.4-mile) four-line standard-gauge light rail system (7km/4.3 miles in subway and ABOVE: Lusail’s modern tramway system will join the city’s new automated 1km/0.6 miles on viaduct) has been awarded to RKH Qitarat, a metro early in 2020. Qatar Rail joint venture of Hamad Group and French transport companies Keolis/RATP Dev. The system’s at-grade stops feature various platform configurations, while the underground stops all utilise platform screen doors. As with other Gulf rail projects, manufacturers have had to deliver materials and products that will be resilient to the operating climate of the country’s hot, desert environment. Alstom was awarded a EUR750m contract that includes the design and supply of electrification systems and the delivery of 28 100% low-floor 33mCitadis X05 trams (with an option for 32 more). APS surface current collection is used, except in the subway, which employs rigid fixed overhead, and in the depot which uses traditional overhead contact lines. The first tram rolled out of the La Rochelle factory at the end of January 2018 and arrived at Hamad Port in March. Test running – including official rides for dignitaries – started in June the same year. The system will connect with the metro at Lusail and ABOVE: The new tram depot in Lusail has been designed for expansion and Legtaifiya stations. will stable the system’s 28 Citadis trams. Qatar Rail The five-section trams are capable of 60km/h (37mph) and feature both ‘family’ (24 seats) and ‘commuter’ (40 seats) carriages. Transit (ART) – supplied from China in 2020, making it the most Tickets will be available from vending machines at stops, with interesting Gulf city to visit for transport purposes. The ART fares also payable via contactless bank cards and through a system, developed by China’s CRRC Zhuzhou Electric Locomotive dedicated mobile app. Institute in 2017, was given its first overseas trial in the Qatari Minor delays have been experienced due to the Qatar blockade, capital in July 2019. but project sponsor Qatar Rail has managed to mitigate many of these by helping to facilitate co-working between its network of “The tiny Gulf state is using its vast global design and construction partners with local companies. Qatar has a third tramway, a simple 2km (1.2-mile) loop resources of liquefied natural gas using battery trams provided by Californian manufacturer TIG/m. It serves the MDD (Msheireb Downtown Doha) property to fund massive infrastructure development zone and has achieved the highest environmental certification for its design and construction. development, including The capital may also see ‘trackless trams’ – in reality rubber- tyred optically-guided buses, described as Autonomous Rail Rapid public transport.”

ABOVE (LEFT AND RIGHT): Qatari dignitaries onboard the ART demonstration vehicle that was trialled in Qatar in July 2019. Qatar MOTC

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org february 2020 / 55 New tramways

SPAIN The three-section CAF tram-train vehicles have completed thousands In Cádiz, one of the oldest continuously-inhabited cities in of kilometres of testing on the new western Europe (population 117 000), the Bahia de Cádiz infrastructure between San Fernando tram-train project dates from 2008. It involves 10.3km (6.4 miles) and La Chiclana; passenger of shared track with RENFE broad-gauge trains from the city services should begin in 2020. Junta de Andalucia station at Plaza de Sevilla to La Ardila (Río Arillo), then 13.7km (8.5 miles) of new tramway through San Fernando to La Chiclana (with a depot at La Hoya). CAF has supplied seven 38.1m three-section dual-voltage (750/3000V dc), 1668mm-gauge cars, capable of 100km/h (62mph) running. With a 55% low-floor, they were delivered in 2016 and tested in north-east Spain. Different door heights (760mm/380mm) accommodate both the railway platforms and street stops. The service will be operated by RENFE and it was hoped to carry passengers before the start of summer 2017. However, despite 16 hour/day testing there have been significant delays, and additional expenditure of EUR116m, mostly focused on the interoperability over the ADIF section of track, where Thales has been retained to complete the adaptation of interlocks. This was due to be completed in December 2019. Since the line was built using EUR134.6m from the EU’s European Regional Development Fund, but has as yet failed to carry passengers, an argument has developed between the promoter Junta de Andalucia and the EU about repaying the funding. In the meantime a TAUT reader who visited in November found everything complete, but no sign of a date for entry into revenue service. Will 2020 produce results? Looking further ahead, there are plans for a second line linking to Jerez airport (Cádiz does not have its own airport).

“Despite 16 hour/day testing, delays mostly focus on interoperability over the ADIF section of track.”

SWEDEN

Lund is a city of 121 500 inhabitants in the southern Swedish province of Skåne, famous for its towering cathedral and its highly-respected university. The population is expected to increase ABOVE: An artist’s impression of the to 160 000 by 2040 and so in 2015 the city CAF Urbos for the new tramway in Lund; the took the decision to aim for completely first vehicles are due to arrive in March. Spårväg Lund pollution-free traffic by 2050. As part BELOW: Works on the new depot have been delayed and may affect the planned August 2020 opening date, of that plan it was decided to build a although no new official date has been given. Lund Municipality tramway to replace buses on the city’s most heavily-patronised corridor. Today the buses using routes 6 and 20 between the city centre and the science village research facility (ESS) in the north-east suburbs are marketed as Lundaläken, carrying about 7000 passengers/day. In August 2020 they should be replaced by trams running every 7.5 minutes Lund CS–ESS. Construction of the tramway began in February 2017 by contractor Skanska in what will be the first new tramway city in Sweden since 1911. The SEK776m (EUR91m), 5.5km (3.4-mile), standard- gauge line will run on the surface (along St Laurentiigatan), mostly on non-signalled reserved track, with 40 000m2 of grass laid where possible plus 300 new trees, and with 750V dc overhead. Nine stops with 35m platforms are being built. Finance is being split between the Municipality of Lund and the Swedish Government.

56 / february 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org tramway extensions While it is easy to focus on new tramways, to Bouscat in December 2019. The additional with over 400 existing systems worldwide, 6.3km (3.9 miles) should open in February. modernisation and expansion is a constant The German city of Chemnitz is also building process, particularly in Europe (where the last 2.2km (1.4 miles) of new tramway to permit weeks of 2019 were extraordinary for new lines). further expansion of its tram-train network, In the UK, Manchester Metrolink trams will while in Freiburg-im-Breisgau a new tramway start carrying passengers on the 5.5km (3.4-mile) link will form a connection to Messe (Exhibition branch to the Trafford Centre in April (for more Halls). Karlsruhe is also due to open a 1.5km on this see TAUT 980) and the coastal resort of (0.9-mile) extension of line 2. Blackpool may even open its extension to North In Greece, trams should start running on the Station in late 2020 (provided agreement can be extension of the Athina (Athens) system from reached with the tenant of the store currently Faliro to Akti Poseidonos; the Turkish city of standing in the way of the new terminus). İzmit is also expanding its tramway in 2020. On the other side of the world, the Australian In the USA, plans to extend The Hop streetcar in city of Sydney will open the Kingsford branch of Milwaukee have run into difficulties. Two short its new South East Light Rail line early in the new extensions of 0.65km (0.4 miles) apiece were due year, while the Japanese port city of Toyama to open in 2020, but while infrastructure works will open a link between its Portram light rail on the lakefront line are in progress, delays with system and the city tramway in May. a major private development have seen this slow In France, Bordeaux will complete line D of significantly. Plans for the line to the convention its tramway to Eysines-Cantinelle, following the centre, alongside a proposed route to Bronzeville introduction of the first 3.5km (2.2-mile) section and Walker’s Point, are still on the drawing board.

LEFT: The first Citadis test tram on Bordeaux tramline D (France) in October 2019. Sébastien33 / CC BY-SA 4.0

Service will be provided 05.00-24.00 by seven five-section 33mUrbos 100 LEFT: Main trams (2.65m-wide) ordered from CAF infrastructure for SE175m (EUR16.8m), working from works for a depot at Brunnshög beyond the outer Metrolink’s terminus. They will carry up to 218 Trafford Park passengers (70 seated), giving a capacity Line (UK) were of 1300 passengers/hour/direction. completed at the end of 2019; full line “An opening date testing is now in progress ahead of 16 August 2020 of the April 2020 opening. TfGM was announced, but construction delays may see this pushed LEFT: Two back to October.” short extensions to Milwaukee’s The fleet is due to be delivered in modern March-June, but completion of the streetcar (US) depot is the critical path for the opening; were due to infrastructure work along the line was open in 2020, completed on 16 December. The line will but delays have stub termini, requiring to adjacent double-ended trams. developments may put these An opening date of 16 August 2020 plans in was announced, to coincide with jeopardy. the start of the university term, but Vic Simons construction delays may see this pushed back to October. A future extension from Brunnshög to Dalby is being considered. Lund did not have a first-generation tramway.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org february 2020 / 57 Denver

uild it and they will come. This mantra is often applied to rail projects, building upon the UPS AND DOWNS reputation of fixed infrastructure as a key driver of investment Band economic prosperity. Nowhere is such a philosophy more evident than in the in DENVER Coloradoan city of Lone Tree. It was incorporated as a city in 1995, when Vic Simons provides a short update from a visit in 2019. the population of this community to the south of Denver was around 3400. By 2019 it had grown to 15 000, but was still somewhat isolated from the growing metro area to the north. The opening of the latest extension of the Regional Transportation District’s light rail system on 17 May 2019 is seen as a catalyst of big things to come. The 3.7km (2.3-mile) Southeast Rail extension brings the three lines from their previous terminus at Lincoln – the E line to Union Station, the F line to the downtown loop and the R line to Peoria, where it connects with the A line to Denver International Airport – to a new facility at RidgeGate Parkway. Bringing with it a certain weight of expectation, the project forms part of the RTD’s multi-billion dollar FasTracks programme. It cost USD233.1m, with the City of Lone Tree contributing USD28m (including land donations valued at USD3m), USD101m from Federal sources and the remainder generated locally in Denver. The new infrastructure takes the rail offering of the RTD to a new southern extremity, constructed through 2000 mostly green acres (810 hectares) on the east side of Interstate 25, allowing for 360-degree development. Although the new terminus at RidgeGate Parkway is therefore currently in somewhat of a greenfield setting, thousands of acres in the RidgeGate subdivision, annexed in 2000, are earmarked for ABOVE: R line trains pass on the approach to the new RidgeGate Parkway terminus. development. The Mayor of Lone Tree has promised major construction projects worth millions of dollars within the next five years “A new 400-acre urban core is centred on the new light around the three new light rail stops. rail station in Lone Tree, with walkable blocks of retail A new 400-acre urban core is to be centred on the new light rail stop at Lone Tree and housing that will serve as the city’s ‘downtown’.” City Center, with walkable blocks of retail and housing that will serve as the city’s ‘downtown’. This dense mixed-use RidgeGate Parkway, urban neighbourhood will be akin to the showing the station layout thriving neighbourhoods in downtown and large multi-storey car Denver, albeit situated in the south suburbs. park in the background. Coventry Development Corp., the developer leading this new vision, donated substantial parcels of land to enable construction of the light rail line. Businesses in the south metro area added a combined USD40m in cash, land, permits and in-kind contributions towards the new LRT line — 16.5% of the total pricetag, according to the RTD. Coventry’s plans include up to 10 000 new residential units that will double the population of the northern Douglas County city within three new residential ‘villages’. The multi-decade vision also includes up to 1.1m sq. metres (12m sq. feet) of office, retail and medical space; more than 600 acres of parks, trails and wildlife habitat; and 145 acres of land dedicated to schools and civic facilities, including a new civic centre for Lone Tree. Major corporations such as Kiewit and Charles Schwab have already staked their claim to prime new office locations near

58 / FEBRUARY 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org E line services at RidgeGate Parkway on 30 June 2019; the land surrounding this new terminus is slated for major development in the coming years.

the recently-opened line, bringing many “The A line is averaging staff retention is a major problem; the paper thousands of jobs to the area. claims that in the previous 33 months, 791 Park-and-ride sites are an important 20 600 passengers/day, new bus drivers were hired, but 710 were lost. component of the new line, which began Over the same period, RTD hired 177 construction in 2016, with 1300 new with four-car trains rail operators, but, significantly, lost 201. parking spaces created alongside the two Proposals are there to make cuts, including new intermediate stops and the terminus. introduced a full year halving the service on the R line, which Parking was initially offered free at RidgeGate provides travel between Peoria and Lone Parkway, although fees came into effect as of ahead of schedule.” Tree, to two per hour. D line service between 21 October 2019. The first 24 hours are free, Littleton and downtown Denver would be with USD2 charged per day after that for spaces have been provided along the new eliminated at the weekends, while Saturday vehicles registered within RTD boundaries line at seven of the new stations. Siverliner V frequencies on the H line would be reduced and USD4 for those registered outside the area. trains (identical to the A line stock) have been from 15 to 30 minute headways. supplied by Hyundai Rotem, with two-car The next steps for the transit agency are Resolving the commuter rail issues trains operated as interconnected married to present its proposals in more detail to Elsewhere in Denver, the 17.6km (11-mile) pairs. The stainless steel-bodied railcars were the public through a series of meetings in eight-station G commuter rail line out to assembled in Philadelphia and will also be January and February, before making its Wheat Ridge, to the west of the city, opened used on the North Metro line (designated N) recommendations in March. Any changes in April 2019 – some two years late. This that is planned to open in 2020. would come into effect in May. travels from Denver through Olde Town With the operational issues associated with No commuter rail lines — like the new Arvada and up to Wheat Ridge, proving the A line now behind it, the RTD reports A and G lines — are being contemplated popular for commuters living in the that ridership is averaging an impressive for cuts. northwest region of the Denver metro area. 20 600 passengers/day. In January 2019, The bus routes slated for reduction or The delays were caused largely by the same four-car trains were added a full year ahead of removal largely service the metro area’s issues related to crossing gate software as schedule, doubling the line’s capacity. suburbs and include the 16L on West Colfax, those experienced with the A line (reported the 55 in Arvada, the 99L in Lakewood, the in TAUT 958). The opening was conditional Staffing shortages 157 to Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, the on flagmen being provided at level crossings; All of this recent expansion and longer-term 236 in Boulder and the 403 that runs along most of the line’s outer section has a parallel optimism is tempered by the worst driver Lucent Boulevard in Highlands Ranch. freight line which uses the same crossings. shortage in the agency’s 50-year history, RTD removed the flagmen from each of the 16 however. The issues have become Grateful thanks are due to Pauletta Tonilas crossings on the G line in early August once so critical that a meeting of the RTD board of the RTD for her input into this article. federal approval was given for the software in December heard from outgoing CEO All images taken by Vic Simons. that controls the timing of its crossing gates. Dave Genova – a 24-year RTD veteran RTD’s contractor, Denver Transit Partners, who also announced his retirement had been paying the bill for the flagmen in December – that plans are under Have your say... since the opening. consideration to reduce bus and light rail Is LRT investment driving Generally, a 15-minute headway is operated services across the region. growth in your area? (reduced at weekends) and the end-to-end As well as difficulties in hiring new  [email protected] running time is 27 minutes; 2300 parking employees, The Denver Post reports that

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2020 / 59 AS UNIQUE AS YOUR CITY!

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Neil Pulling returns systems to one of his favourite cities and considers the changes to berlin www.lrta.org factfile Germany’s biggest www.tautonline.com tramway as it GermaNy No. Berlin, develops, reflecting the policies of a FEBRUARY 2020 N O. 986 Germany 148 once-divided city. Subscribe now! 2020 VISION Our predictions for the new systems due to open this year Now in its 83rd year, Tramways & Urban Transit is the world’s leading monthly publication dedicated solely to

ormally restored as the – borders Berlin’s south-western edge. capital of Germany in 1990 The area around Potsdam has the biggest of the four be a significant system in many other and the seat of national Eberswalde Strasse’s tramways which are physically discrete contexts. Berlin’s tramway distribution Government by 1999, Berlin elevated U-Bahn from that in Berlin, yet are included in relates to the political circumstances is also a federal state. station exemplifies the Berlin ticketing zones. All of these summarised below. Despite only Thef population of the capital’s 12 a city of distinct tram operations, local bus services, neighbourhoods. partial coverage of the city’s 892km 2 bezirke (districts/boroughs) was 3.67m , ferries, and local and regional trains Konnopke’s it is nonetheless Germany’s largest at the start of 2017 and it maintains are within Verkehrsverbund Berlin- currywurst kiosk is tramway. The scale is exemplified by light and urban rail developments. a slow increase. The central Mitte Hamilton LRT cancellation ‘a betrayal’ Brandenburg (VBB), an association visible behind the the 23km (14.4 miles) ‘as the crow flies’ district includes many of the city’s with a common tariff since 1999. tram; another Berlin between Alexanderplatz – the main landmarks and attractions for the institution, the The tramway is largely sited in central transport concentration – and Tram & metro: Doha’s double opening city’s visitors. It also contains some Prater beer garden, the city’s north-east quadrant. Alt-Schmöckwitz in the south-east. key points on an immense multi-mode is nearby. Comparatively a minor outlier, there Given the alternatives in BVG’s journey public transport network. Berlin is China launches 363km of new routes is also a presence in the south-east planner, few might attempt the wholly surrounded by another state, journey by tram with on-foot transfers, £4.60 centred on Köpenick (incorporated Words and pictures Brandenburg, whose capital – Potsdam but such a trip would involve five tram with Berlin in 1920) that would alone by Neil Pulling. Berlin tramways Added value lines and take around three hours. What is your tram Bringing Germany’s 64 / february 2020 www.tautonline.com. www.lrta.org capital back together project really worth?

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Please complete this form and send it with your payment to: LRTA Membership Secretary (Dept T06), 38 Wolseley Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK 2020 FEBRUARY Appraisals

Reg Harman offers a short critique of the current planning What’s your and development processes tramway for UK light rail schemes. really worth?

The French city of Tours is often used as a model of optimal collaboration between transport planning and wider land usage policies. R. Harman the transport business case for the project. However, this too is primarily influenced by he history of the development of the major focus is on economic results, values the (numeric) rate of return. tramway and light rail schemes for non-monetary aspects (e.g. values of in the UK is littered with the time) being attributed by defined procedures Beyond the monetary value remains of plans whose transport based upon modelling operations and traffic. Tramways and light rail projects offer a range business cases were deemed Indeed, paragraph 2.5.1 of the Guidance for of substantial benefits, repeatedly spelt out tooT poor to allow their implementation. the Senior Responsible Officer states “…the by trade and campaigning bodies such as the Others remain on the drawing board because transport appraisal framework has been built Light Rail Transit Association, UKTram, and of concerns that their results might also on a cost-benefit analysis approach”. the APPLRG (All-Party Parliamentary Light prove too low when appraised through the Originally introduced (as the New Approach Rail Group), and identified for particular Department for Transport’s Web-based to Appraisal, or NATA) by the 1998 transport schemes by their proponents. These include Transport Analysis Guidance (WebTAG). White Paper, WebTAG has been regularly high-quality access; supporting denser This reflects the requirement that analysis developed, with a major ‘refresh’ in 2009 and commercial and residential development and appraisal using WebTAG is used for all further updating in 2019. The principles and with reduced car usage; much better transport development that requires central processes are set at several levels, including accessibility without a car for everyone; government approval, including light rail. guidance sets for senior managers and several enhancing quality of life and reducing Effectively these criteria enable government technical papers on modelling, including spending on social welfare; reduced pollution to determine the value for money of all travel choice factors. This modelling and improved air quality, improving the significant transport projects. concentrates on operational performance health of urban communities and at the same and trip attraction, measured in numerate time reducing associated healthcare costs. WebTAG (monetary) terms, enabling the generation of Tramways are proven to bring a step-change WebTAG is based on the Treasury Green a rate of return against the capital cost. in travel patterns, something that is regularly Book, which constitutes binding guidance Guidance is given on measuring at the top of aims in transport strategies. on all departments so that projects across impacts such as environmental, social and So how and where do these ‘softer benefits’ different policy fields can be compared. distributional effects outside the transport show up in a WebTAG appraisal? Let’s look at WebTAG is defined by the Ministry model where cash-oriented modelling three examples of such benefits. of Housing, Communities and Local cannot provide direct numbers. All these By moving large numbers of people fairly Government as a multi-criteria analysis impacts – monetised, quantified, or qualified rapidly in a small space, tramways can (MCA) approach, and its text covers the – are summarised and presented in the support denser residential development assessment of environmental, social and form of an Appraisal Summary Table (AST). and denser grouping of commercial and distributional impacts. However in practice The information in this is used to create public facilities. WebTAG has for some years

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org february 2020 / 61 Appraisals

primarily on the production of monetised “The best way to optimise the link between high-density values used to compile the single rate of return. The final project decision is therefore transit and high-density development is to co-ordinate based on the transport business case (value the planning and implementation of both.” for money) assessment. While this reflects the AST and supporting statements on non-monetarised items, it too remains included an element for agglomeration Environmental and public health issues are strongly influenced by the cash rate of return. benefits, which includes a valuation of user now major factors in public debate and policy In 30 years, the UK has seen six tram benefits approximated by the land value uplift statements – climate change is a universal systems built and one modernised – with a of sites whose development is dependent issue. Transport is recognised in the UK as still few extensions in hand. Over the same period, on construction of the transport project. offering severe challenges to the resolution France has seen over two dozen new systems However, the proposer has to make the case of both issues, yet the WebTAG appraisal emerge and widespread expansion continues. for including particular development and the effectively limits the potential impacts of The French approach is based on a process is a one-way calculation leading to an environmental gains from transport projects consistent strategy for developing urban extra line in the monetary totals on which to one-liners in the AST; they do not appear transport networks against clear aims for the single rate of return figure is based. in the all-important monetary returns. future city structures and lifestyles. The Yet the best way to optimise the link Changing travel behaviour now forms principal mechanism for this is the urban between high-density transit such as a a widely-shared policy ambition; and new transport plan (PDU), regularly updated by tramway and high-density development is to tramways usually have a significant impact. city region authorities, usually incorporating co-ordinate the planning and implementation For example, the typical impact in French detailed and disciplined analyses and of both. There are various ways to achieve cities has been to increase overall public proposals. Once adopted, PDU strategies, this, used widely across Europe. For example, transport usage by around one third, while including new tramway lines, are usually in the French city of Tours the formal rules for reducing car traffic on the corridors served by taken quite quickly through formal processes implementation that constitute Part 3 of the trams and also increasing city centre trade. and implemented. Subject to formal approval 2011-12 PLU (city development plan) allow Tramway traffic often then increases in the by government (déclaration d’utilité publique, higher densities of residential and commercial following years as people change homes, DUP), the major responsibilities and powers occupation, coupled with lower limits for jobs and education to use the tramway more for this lie with local authorities. parking provision, in planning zones along (‘asymmetric churn’). This effect is not In theory, WebTAG supports clear the tramway route. The argument in Britain limited to France: the London Trams system development of options. In practice however, is that land use planning and transport in Croydon is now carrying nearly twice the British transport strategies are produced in are managed by district and sub-regional number of passengers as it did for its first full an almost nebulous state, too often based authorities respectively; yet France has the year, despite no major network additions. on wordy documentation, and ignoring same divide of formal duties. The WebTAG processes however are based urban structures and network effects. Tramways create far less pollution than on modelling the effects of proposed projects Implementation of projects which emerge other forms of motorised movement, for two against a database of current travel patterns relies heavily on Government approval based reasons. Firstly, the lower friction coefficient and factors, with short-term forecasts of on their WebTAG transport business case. of steel wheel-on-steel rail means much lower growth and change. But this database, Hence any new tramway scheme is likely energy consumption per passenger than and hence the forecasts, are themselves to be left in limbo or, more probably, be buses or cars. They are powered by electricity, based on travel patterns reflecting previous converted to a supposedly cheaper busway. increasingly from non-fossil sources. development and current transport provision. Sadly this seems unlikely to change while Additionally, they do not generate particulates In consequencesignificant new travel patterns WebTAG remains at the heart of regional from the interaction of rubber tyres on asphalt which do not apparently improve the and local transport decision-making. or concrete surfaces (non-exhaust emissions, effectiveness of existing movement may not NEEs), now identified as a substantial part of show up as positive gains. road traffic air pollution. As a consequence, Have your say... they reduce local air quality degradation, Implications Are UK appraisal thus supporting improved health in the area, Although the extensive WebTAG processes fit for purpose? and they reduce carbon output, thus helping documentation considers assessment of [email protected] tackle climate change. wider aspects, the methodology focuses

references

Department for Transport - Transport analysis guidance – www.gov.uk/guidance/transport- analysis-guidance-webtag Department for Transport (2018) – Transport Analysis Guidance: Guidance for the Senior Responsible Officer – DfT, London Department for Farming, Rural Affairs & Agriculture, Air Quality Expert Group (2019): Non-Exhaust Emissions from Road Traffic - DEFRA, London H. Dimitriou, R. Harman & E. Ward (2010): Incorporating Principles of Sustainable Development within the Design and Delivery of Major Projects (OMEGA 3) – OMEGA Centre, University College, London T. Bolden & R. Harman: Transport in the UK – Planning for an electric future, Energy World (June 2018)

The tramway serving Croydon and its neighbouring communities is one of Britain’s success stories, carrying over 30m passengers each year. N. Pulling

62 / february 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org in your next issue of

REBUILDING IN SYSTEMS FACTFILE: BLACKPOOL’s BUCHAREST STRASBOURG HERITAGE trams After decades of austerity, Romania’s From having no trams, in under Mike Russell begins a detailed capital is struggling with crumbling 25 years Strasbourg has installed one of two-part exploration of the heritage transport infrastructure and crippling France’s biggest systems – now with an fleet and operations of the UK’s great congestion. TAUT assesses the current international reach. Neil Pulling explores survivor – now often overlooked tramway and metro situation. this urban transformation. following its modern LRT makeover. MARCH PLUS... 2020 issue + The latest news and analysis, rolling stock orders, system developments, transport policy announcements and industry On sale comment from around the world 21 February

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Rosehill Rail - TAUT Half page Ad_185x130mm_JAN2020.indd 1 16/12/2019 14:12 Berlin

Neil Pulling returns to one of his favourite cities and considers systems Berlin the changes to Germany’s biggest factfile tramway as it Germany develops, reflecting No. Berlin, the policies of a 148 Germany once-divided city.

ormally restored as the – borders Berlin’s south-western edge. The area around be a significant system in many other capital of Germany in 1990 Potsdam has the biggest of the four Eberswalde Strasse’s contexts. Berlin’s tramway distribution and the seat of national tramways which are physically discrete elevated U-Bahn relates to the political circumstances Government by 1999, Berlin from that in Berlin, yet are included in station exemplifies summarised below. Despite only is also a federal state. the Berlin ticketing zones. All of these a city of distinct partial coverage of the city’s 892km2, neighbourhoods. FThe population of the capital’s 12 tram operations, local bus services, it is nonetheless Germany’s largest Konnopke’s bezirke (districts/boroughs) was 3.67m ferries, and local and regional trains currywurst kiosk is tramway. The scale is exemplified by at the start of 2017 and it maintains are within Verkehrsverbund Berlin- visible behind the the 23km (14.4 miles) ‘as the crow flies’ a slow increase. The central Mitte Brandenburg (VBB), an association tram; another Berlin between Alexanderplatz – the main district includes many of the city’s with a common tariff since 1999. institution, the central transport concentration – and landmarks and attractions for the The tramway is largely sited in Prater beer garden, Alt-Schmöckwitz in the south-east. city’s visitors. It also contains some the city’s north-east quadrant. is nearby. Given the alternatives in BVG’s journey key points on an immense multi-mode Comparatively a minor outlier, there planner, few might attempt the public transport network. Berlin is is also a presence in the south-east journey by tram with on-foot transfers, wholly surrounded by another state, centred on Köpenick (incorporated Words and pictures but such a trip would involve five tram Brandenburg, whose capital – Potsdam with Berlin in 1920) that would alone by Neil Pulling. lines and take around three hours.

64 / february 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org

THE FLEET

With single-car T6A2 and trailers, also KT4Dt (all withdrawn by July 2014), the 18.1m two-section KT4D ensured ČKD Tatra stock was the system’s mainstay into the 21st Century. Due for withdrawal by the end of 2015, then 2017, there remain about 40 modernised KT4D in service two years later. Commonly used in multiple, those remaining were built between 1980-86, with a 1990s modernisation programme at Waggonbau/DWA Bautzen (later Bombardier) and renumbering in a 6001-series. Despite deliveries of low-floor vehicles, their survival is due to there otherwise not being enough stock for timetable demands. Many ex-BVG Tatras have gone for use on other systems. Derived from MAN/AEG trams built for the Bremen tramway, the Adtranz GT6N was Berlin’s first low-floor stock, with the first four (then as 1001-1004) delivered for testing in August 1994, later made standard with the production series. Four batches were received up to 2003 totalling 150 examples, latterly as Bombardier products. The final batch (now 2216-2245) Bombardier Flexity Berlin 9049 draws away from U Alexanderplatz (Tram), one of several are distinguished by a continuous roofline. All have been stops around this public transport focus. Tram coverage was removed here during the 1960s, modified, reclassified and renumbered. Barring some accident as part of a perceived modernisation for East Germany’s capital. withdrawals, all remain in service. In three sections, they are 26.5m long and 2.3m wide. Most are single-ended: 45 with a ‘Z’ identification indicates the bi-directional version. Developed by Bombardier with BVG and Berlin-based IFS Design, three variants of Flexity Berlin have together become the fleet’s most numerous type. Four 2.4m prototypes were received from Bautzen in 2008, two had five sections (30.8m long) and two had seven sections (40m). For each length there was a uni-directional and a bi-directional version. Three prototypes were rebuilt to match the respective series specifications. The uni-directional ‘short’ variant was not pursued, with 3001’s sections redeployed in 8026 in the 40m, uni-directional 8001-series. Nos. 4001-34 are five-section and uni-directional. The most numerous variant is the seven-section, bi-directional 9001-series for which deliveries continue. Entering public service in September 2011, the production series trams have been assembled at Bombardier Hennigsdorf, Brandenburg, immediately north-west of Berlin. Depending upon variant, capacities are around 180 (30.8m) and 240 (40m) with 75-88 seats. Exercising its final options under present arrangements, BVG ordered a further 21 trams for EUR71m in February 2017. Two bi-directional 30.8m Flexity Berlin were introduced on the Berlin Hauptbahnhof, showing the part-covered Hbf tramstop in the road median; BVG Strausberg line in 2013. identifies about 50km (31 miles) of the system as having grassed track.

Once administratively separate from Berlin, Köpenick has a convergence of routes in the south-east: GT6N-U 1552 at Rathaus Köpenick on 31 July 2019.

ABOVE: Rebuilt to standard specification, ‘short’ bi-directional prototype 4001 near U Naturkundemuseum. North of here, track to U Schwartzkopffstrasse was removed following service closure in August 2013.

LEFT: Needing bi-directional trams, the S+U Warschauer Strasse extension opened in 2000. Oberbaumbrücke is visible in the background.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org february 2020 / 65 Berlin

Horse-drawn trams began services runs 156 regular ‘day’ bus lines and in Berlin in 1865, then as the capital six ferry services. The former East and of Prussia; the city assumed that West both used trolleybuses, with a role for Germany under the 1871 collective presence between 1933-73. unification. Lichterfelde in the south- BVG reported 563m U-Bahn journeys west hosted the world’s first electric during 2017. The tramway, 190km tram service, a 2.5km (1.6-mile) (119 miles), carried 197m tram metre-gauge installation by Werner passengers during the same period. von Siemens opening in May 1881. Boarding is from platform, pavement Electrification covered all the city and road level, the latter including tramways by 1902 and 1435mm-gauge some in the centre of four-lane roads. became the standard. The many lines Like much in Berlin, public transport in private and municipal ownership and its administrative arrangements were combined as Berliner Verkehrs- were shaped by the post-World War Aktiengesellschaft (BVG) in 1929, Two divide. Germany’s administration TOP: Identified as the first border crossing to open on 11 November passing into city ownership by 1939. in military zones also applied within 1989, Bösebrücke on Bornholmer Strasse was without a tram service Title changes allowed for retaining the Berlin. Neither were truly sovereign. between 1953 and 1995. Westbound 9027 is on interlaced track, used established BVG identity. Two new countries were formed, due to limited space on the bridge deck. The tramway reached 634km both existing between 1949-90. East (396 miles) in length by 1930, but a Germany (DDR) was a satellite regime slow reduction came with bus and of the Soviet Union and West Germany trolleybus replacements. The suitability (Bundesrepublik Deutschland) of trams for a sprawling city, and being aligned with the western powers. able to continue during fuel shortages, Berlin’s American, British and French meant that it remained a major carrier, zones – becoming West Berlin and not albeit with reducing coverage. constitutionally part of West Germany The 2018 Deloitte City Mobility Index — thereby became a political island. for ‘Greater Berlin’ (includes parts of Surrounded by Soviet-controlled Brandenburg contiguous with the territory, it was externally connected by urbanisation) gave a modal split of controlled road, rail and air corridors. walking 31%, private car 30%, public With division came physically and transport 22%, bicycle 13% and ‘other’ organisationally distinct transport at 4%. The level terrain and measures networks: the East’s BVG-Ost (later to encourage cycling and walking BVB) and the West’s BVG. Track ABOVE: 1984-built 6094 leads a KT4D pair terminating at have encouraged the popularity of cutbacks and layouts to turn back Schöneweide station on 31 July 2019. An under-construction line from these modes. Berlin’s size means that trams were made on both sides. The Karl Ziegler Strasse will connect near here. national railway services are significant 155km (97-mile) border around West TOP RIGHT: for local travel, with even long-distance Berlin became best known for the Expansion during trains using several stations within approximately one-third within the the 1970s-80s the city. Covered by VBB ticketing and city termed the Berlin Wall (Berliner focused on serving many more stations, regional Mauer). The August 1961 installation of construction in outer trains are popular for longer trips this ultimately 3.6m-high barrier came districts, with tracks within Berlin and Potsdam. after the tramway’s division. Breached and stops often set Although sharing some alignments, with international news coverage in road medians, the 15 lines of the 330km (206- on 9 November 1989, the Wall was as at Brodowiner mile) S-Bahn are separate from officially dismantled from June 1990. Ring in Marzahn- Hellersdorf. main line tracks and use a different The convenient East-West distinction power system; the S-Bahn is run by a obscures the old border’s many turns RIGHT: Seen a subsidiary of national rail operator – establishing relative positions in the month after opening Deutsche Bahn (DB). In addition to the two ‘halves’ now is not always easy. in October 2011, tram network, BVG is responsible for To bolster Berlin’s identity as final works were ten U-Bahn (metro) lines with 146km East Germany’s own capital, a new continuing on the Adlershof-Karl (91 miles) of route that combines focal point was created away from Ziegler Strasse line, narrow and large profile formats on the previous key locations near the the first phase of a a common 1435mm gauge. BVG also Wall such as the Brandenburg Gate, Schöneweide station connection. LEFT: New network facts connections on

Invalidenstrasse Opened: 1865 (electrification from 1881) have improved central tram Lines: 22 (night network, 9) coverage. Length: Approx. 190km (119 miles) Passages at Approx. weekday hours: 04.30-00.30 Nordbahnhof Line frequency: Wide variations station (in the background) house Gauge: 1435mm displays concerning Power: 600V dc, overhead supply the years of division. Fleet: Approx. 360 City network/operator: Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe – www.bvg.de Regional network: Verkehrsverbund Berlin-Brandenburg – www.vbb.de Civic information: www.berlin.de Tourist information: www.visitberlin.de

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The system’s most easterly point, the turning loop at Rahnsdorf Waldschänke is just over 1km from Rahnsdorf S-Bahn and the western Woltersdorf tramway terminus.

Left: On 19 May 2011, bi-directional Adtranz 2008 (now as GT6ZO 2208) turns from Bernauer Strasse towards Nordbahnhof, then a terminus. The Berlin Wall Memorial is in the right background.

Right: Am Kupfergraben stop includes route used by horse-drawn trams. Access via Friedrichstrasse station was restored in 1997.

Below left: Friedrichstrasse has Cold War associations, including being the location of Checkpoint Charlie.

Below right: Different Flexity Berlin lengths at Allee der Kosmonauten Rhinstrasse, a Metrotram intersection.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org february 2020 / 67 Berlin

Potsdamer Platz and the triumphal Berlin’s senate committed to avenue, Unter den Linden. Prior to modernising and expanding the restoring Nicholaivierteal near the tramway during 1993; investment Town Hall to represent ‘old Berlin’, in the early post-reunification years nearby Alexanderplatz and the was however proportionally small Fernsehturm (broadcasting tower) compared to heavy rail funding. which opened in 1969 were intended Reinstating high-capacity S-Bahn and as a showcase of modernity. As such, U-Bahn operations was logistically tram tracks were removed from here sensible and a tangible expression of and other central areas. urban unity. In the national context, East Berlin retained its tramway rail connections with ‘the West’ however, becoming a base for later were a small if politically important expansion. With big gaps between presence. Zoologischer Garten (‘Zoo’) railway coverage, tramlines were had become West Berlin’s main built to serve housing estates and station, an awkward station for such industry in the north-eastern suburbs. a role. Post-1989, the reinstatement Berlin’s east-west core railway route which includes Alexanderplatz Increased capacity came from 1976 of through-services saw Ostbahnhof and the Hauptbahnhof uses the 12km (7.5 miles) of Stadtbahn with new Czech-built ČKD Tatra became a temporary main station dating from 1882. ODEG Stadler KISS with a regional service passes stock. Long stretches on broad avenues until huge investment created today’s Jannowitzbrücke S-Bahn station alongside the River Spree. radiated from around the centre and Berlin Hauptbahnhof (Hbf). Very on some outer orbital roads. Proving close to Germany’s then-emerging the suitability and acceptability government district, the Hbf is a split- of trams for longer journeys was a level crossing of main lines. These legacy upon which today’s system are the east-west axis on the historic has built. Opened in 1985 to support elevated Stadtbahn and the much the BVB modernisation, Marzahn newer in-tunnel north-south route. remains BVG’s newest and biggest Restructured tramline identities of its five active depots. The next in the 1990s (which extended newest is Lichtenberg, opened in to Brandenburg state’s Potsdam, 1913, albeit much expanded. History Strausberg, Woltersdorf and has necessarily shaped the location Schöneiche systems) were modified by of maintenance and storage facilities, the BVG 2005 plus plan. Rather than something which will need addressing being separate operations, transport with the delivery of expansion projects. modes became presented to users in Tram services remained on the west an integrated manner. Lines in the of the political divide, but from the new Metrotram category that would mid-1950s operations were reduced in approximate to U-Bahn and S-Bahn Szczecin’s many visitors from Berlin are likely to encounter some favour of buses and private vehicles, service levels gained an M-prefix. The familiar trams. Still in BVG colours in July 2019, Tatra T6A2 stock is at plus expanding U-Bahn coverage. most frequent regular services with Wyszyńskiego. Although isolated, West Berlin was at least a ten-minute main interval prosperous and car ownership far are (in 2019) nine lines in the series S-Bahn Class exceeded that in the East. West Berlin’s M1-M17. Higher frequencies apply 485 stock (former DDR Class 270) last trams ran on 2 October 1967 in the peaks and over core sections. at Messe Nord on a north-western route including Metrotram is also in BVG’s night ICC (Witzleben) the once-separate city of Spandau. network, running at 30-minute on 1 August This is an area now amongst several intervals. Fifteen other lines are 2019. Originally longer-term projects for expanded numbered between 12-68. Witzleben, the tram operations. The official vision Just east of Berlin but as separate station closed for more public transport schemes is entities, Woltersdorf tramway is 87, during the 1980- contained within the 2019 document Schöneiche-Rüdersdorf is 88 and 1993 suspension of Nahverkehrsplan Berlin 2019-2023. Strausberg is 89. The substantial Ringbahn services.

The return of trams since 1998 is such that track encircles Alexanderplatz DB station. Osloer Strasse Prinzenallee stop on the 1995 re-opening to Louise With service changes in place due to infrastructure work, this is S+U Alexanderplatz Schroeder Platz on 19 May 2011. Leading KT4D 6059 remains in BVG service Bhf-Dircksenstrasse in July 2019. (late 2019); 6012 went to Oradea, Romania.

68 / february 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org LEFT: Due for replacement by new stock, a small profile A3L71 U-Bahn train is on Oberbaumbrücke in July 2019. Intended for an early extension into the former West, never-used tram tracks on the lower deck were due for removal because of road works.

ABOVE RIGHT: Then in prototype form for evaluation, 9001 is in public service at Spandauer Strasse- Marienkirche in May 2011. Adding this route to Hackescher Markt was part of Potsdam system uses numbers Hauptbahnhof, track continues west the central tramway between 91-99. Overall where on Invalidenstrasse until turned reinstatement. tramstops coincide with railway to arrival-only Lüneburger Strasse. RIGHT: stations, the name incorporates Further on the return loop is space for A Bombardier S, U and Bahnhof as appropriate. stabling trams. Eastbound services Flexity Berlin. Historically Berlin is a uni-directional begin by way of a single platform On-board ticket project will improve tram to train system with terminus and interim stop, Clara Jaschke Strasse, before machines are transfers with a short extension, reduce turning loops. The S+U Warschauer rejoining track at Hauptbahnhof. standard across the road traffic conflicts and remove Strasse extension in May 2000 and a Such arrangements would change fleet. the limits created by the present need for temporary termini during with another westward extension, single-track sections. Construction is rebuilding has led to the fleet having with Turmstrasse U-Bahn as the initial expected to start by 2022. a higher proportion of double-ended target for further westwards extension, stock. Never-used modern tram tracks thereafter towards Jungfernheide on For detailed maps of Berlin’s on Leipziger Strasse (for a 3km/1.9mile the S-Bahn ring line. tramway and metro see Potsdamer Platz-Alexanderplatz line) Tegel Airport in north-west Berlin www.bvg.de/en/Travel-information and on Oberbaumbrücke (bridge) never received a fixed transport link. showed advance planning far ahead Its expected closure when Berlin- of implementation. Although road Brandenburg Airport opens – the latest works prompted removal of tracks on of several targets is October 2020 – essential facts the bridge, they will need replacing should free more land for re-use. An Local travel: BVG information points at U-Bahn stations include if Oberbaumbrücke is used for an airport that has closed, Tempelhof in Alexanderplatz, Zoologischer Garten, Rathaus Spandau and extension to Hermannplatz. 2008, is a potential site for a new depot Warschauer Strasse. The small format map Liniennetze S+U Amongst reinstatements in former that would be needed to provide for Bahn Tram is recommended, arguably better for navigation than West Berlin, the first and longest southern and western system growth. web-based alternatives, although BVG’s journey planner is very was completed in two stages by The south-eastern area near useful. Single tickets with a two-hour validity (excluding return trips) cost from EUR2.80. October 1997. It runs west from Schönefeld Airport (the upgraded Zone A covers the area within and including the S-Bahn ring Björnsonstrasse, a turning point on runways will be used by Berlin- line. Zones A-B-C cover those Berlin area tramways mentioned Bornholmer Strasse, to Virchow- Brandenburg Airport) is another in this Factfile. Day tickets are available in various duration and Klinikum. Tram services over development location. In September group formats: Single-person zones A-B ticket (includes Tegel Bösebrücke near Björnsonstrasse 2011 a new tram route opened Airport buses) EUR7; A-B-C – EUR7.70 (also includes rail/bus for had ceased with the tracks removed between Adlershof S-Bahn station and Schönefeld Airport). There are also many street stop and station following the splitting of tram a terminus amongst research centres at ticket machines. Tickets bought from machines on trams or from operations in 1953. Bösebrücke is Karl Ziegler Strasse. The second phase bus drivers are valid immediately; tickets bought otherwise need validation at boarding. Revenue protection is via mobile checks. regarded as the first border crossing is being implemented to add 2.6km The DB Brandenburg Berlin Ticket costs from EUR29 and covers to have opened on 9 November 1989. (1.6 miles) with five new stops between both states, trams in Berlin, Potsdam, Brandenburg, Frankfurt Nearer the city centre, Bernauer Karl Ziegler Strasse and existing track (Oder) and Cottbus. It also includes regional trains to Szczecin, Strasse has a section opened in 2006 at Schöneweide station. Poland, and trams/buses in that city (prices as at December 2019). which lies immediately north of the Once with the prospect of being

Berlin Wall memorial park, thereby removed from the system, Pankow What is there to see? A 1.2km (0.8-mile) radius from the intersection of Unter den briefly in ‘the West.’ This route used in the north had an extension Linden and Friedrichstrasse includes much of interest for the first- by M10 became integrated with an in 2000 and is being studied for time tourist: the Brandenburg Gate, Reichstag building, Museum extension opened in 2014 – years greater coverage. Improvements and Island and Cathedral, Checkpoint Charlie, Alexanderplatz, Spree later than intended – which added replacement of existing infrastructure river trips and bar/restaurant concentrations like Nicholaivierteal Berlin Hbf to the tramway. are exemplified by a planned 1.2km and tram-served Hackescher Markt. With greater public When opened in 2006, Berlin Hbf (0.8-mile) section for bringing trams transport use, such diverse settings as the 1936 Olympic Park, was a structure standing in relative closer to Ostkreuz, a key eastern Charlottenburg Palace, Treptower Park Soviet War Memorial and isolation, in respect of transport interchange completely rebuilt with several Berlin Wall/Cold War locations may be added. Going to tramway extremities at Rahnsdorf Waldschänke connections beyond its own services. the station remaining operative or Alt-Schmöckwitz, or on the railway towards Wannsee and Befitting status and high demand, over several years. At Berlin’s eastern Potsdam, conveys the scale of Berlin’s forests and lakes. Repeat Hauptbahnhof stop with covered edge, tram arrangements south of visitors are also likely to return for more abstract qualities, platforms is substantial by system Mahlsdorf S-Bahn have not kept pace perhaps sampled in Berlin’s many atmospheric neighbourhoods. standards. Avoiding a turn-back at with changed conditions. An in-study

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org february 2020 / 69 Worldwide Review

AUSTRALIA MELBOURNE. With 81 out of 100 E class low-floor trams in service, tests have been undertaken with a view to their use on line 58. At present they are used on lines 11, 86 and 96. West Coburg tram terminus is to be rebuilt with a 33m DDA-compliant platform between 15-22 February with trams cut back to Bell St. Railway Digest, P. Nicholson

AUSTRIA WIEN (Vienna). This year’s cemetery service on 1 November was the least since 1945, with no special routes or extensions, and just a reduced headway on line 71. The Bombardier Flexity loaned to Graz, 306, is now in service in Wien. EB

BELGIUM ANTWERPEN. The new network from 8 December has a peak run-out of 156 sets, or 190 trams when 34 coupled sets of PCC cars are taken into account. A total of 263 trams are available in the fleet (including 117 PCCs). Single Estadio station on the new Macau elevated light metro on 16 December. The 9.3km (5.8-mile) Taipa line covers 11 stations and is PCCs are used on lines 11 and 12. fully-automated, using rubber-tyred cars supplied by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Howard Pulling CHARLEROI. Tram service between Fontaine l’Évêque CANADA in 2020 to extend the line from the search for new designs for and Anderlues resumed on TORONTO. At the end of 2019 Oceano to Barra. benches, litter bins and bicycle 8 January after several months of Bombardier Flexity low-floor trams Macau Light Rapid Transit racks. The winning designs are infrastructure work. T-2000 4600-03 were outstanding from Corporation, a subsidiary of now installed in Stromovka Park, BRUXELLES/BRUSSEL. the latest order, plus 4401 being Hong Kong’s MTR, has a ten-year Petřín, and Strossmayer Square. Renewal of tram tracks on line 39 rebuilt to production standard. franchise to operate and maintain Radio Prague International to Ban Eik was to be completed The original contract required the system. GCR Asia on 28 February, permitting the delivery to be completed in 2017. YIBIN. A 17.7km (11-mile) FRANCE resumption of normal service. Bombardier laid off a further optically-guided rubber-tyred bus BORDEAUX. The first tram on On 12 December the city 120 workers at Thunder Bay on operation has been introduced, tramline D left Quinconces at approved a project to convert the 21 December. with three three-section articulated 10.00 on 14 December, running current road tunnel on Avenue An order for 60 more cars is cars, partly as a demonstration over new APS-equipped tracks de la Reine near the Gare du planned, but currently unfunded. project for manufacturer along Ave de la Libération Nord station to tram operation. The consortium building CRRC Zhuzhou. DS Charles de Gaulle to Mairie du The decision has been taken as the 19km (11.8-mile) Eglinton Bouscat. A further extension the existing Thomas tram tunnel Crosstown light rail line has told CZECH REPUBLIC is planned for 20 February to to the north – used by lines 25, 55, Metrolinx it will be delivered PLZEŇ. The 1.4km (0.9-mile) Eysines-Cantinolle. In the 62 and 93 – is at capacity; upon seven months late (May 2022) extension of tramline 4 from Bory other direction, line D shares completion of the works lines 62 and CAD330m (EUR227.3m) over to Univerzita carried passengers tracks with line C to Gare and 93 will use the new alignment. budget, although Metrolinx has on 16 December. urbanrail.net St-Jean, offering a combined Public space around the two said the leaked report containing PRAHA (PRAGUE). A new three-minute headway on the tunnels will be improved, with new these details is merely “assessing tramstop design is being common section. lineoz.net bicycle lanes in the tunnel de la the risks” and “in no way represents evaluated in Palacký Square. GRENOBLE. It is confirmed that Reine being added to existing ones the final results.” D. Drum The prototype was chosen the 1km (0.6-mile) extension that will be renewed in the Thomas following a competition launched of tramline T1 to Pont-de- tunnel. T-2000, The Brussels Times CHINA in 2018 by the Prague Institute Claix/L’Étoile was opened on MACAU. The automated light of Planning and Development; 21 December. urbanrail.net BRAZIL metro was inaugurated on 10 following six months of testing MARSEILLE. Metro line 2 was SÃO PAULO. On 16 December December (several years late and and passenger feedback, any extended from Bougainville to monorail line 15 was extended over budget by a factor of three), modifications will be made before Geze on 16 December. urbanrail.net from Jardim Planalto to São with free travel until the end of a tender is launched for a supplier. NICE. At 10.30 on 14 December Mateus, taking the line to 13km the year. The 9.3km (5.8-mile) As not all public transport the final section of tramline T2 (eight miles). Services initially ran elevated Taipa line links Oceano shelters are currently owned by the was opened through the subway on weekdays 10.00-15.00, with full and Taipa Ferry Terminal city, there are many ageing designs to a new open-air terminus at Port operation beginning in January. via the airport and operates and the city has no control over Lympia (Porte de Nice). An order A one-station extension from every five minutes at peaks. any advertising they carry or the has been placed with Alstom São Mateus to Jardim Colonial is Mitsubishi has supplied revenue this generates. This new for 13 Citadis 405 trams to to open next year; a further six- 55 two-car rubber-tyred trains design will remedy that situation. increase the capacity of line 1 station eastern extension to Cidade named Ocean Cruiser. A further The initiative to unify city street (operated by Citadis 302 trams at Tiradentes is planned for 2022. RGI 7.7km (4.8 miles) should open furniture began in 2017 with the moment). lineoz.net

70 / FEBRUARY 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org PARIS. The branch of SNCF- for the three-section Siemens operated line T4 to Clichy- Avenio trams (2751-9) to be used sous-Bois and Montfermeil across the network. The same was brought into use from organisation has finally approved 14 December. It includes sections use of the 21 Siemens C2 U-Bahn of street running, unlike the main sets delivered in 2013. DS line which was a conversion POTSDAM. It is planned to issue of a railway. tenders for 14 new trams in 2020 (with an option for five more), with GERMANY delivery required from 2024. DS BIELEFELD. Line 3 resumed WÜRZBURG. Eighteen new operation to Stieghorst on five-section 36m single-ended 7 December, after eight months low-floor trams with all-axles of bus replacement. DS motored have been ordered from BONN. On 22 December HeiterBlick for EUR65m. Delivery passengers on a line 66 service had will be in 2022-24. IRJ to break into the driver’s cab to stop ZWICKAU. Due to the poor state a runaway tram after the driver of the track, tramway operation suffered a medical emergency. between Georgenplatz and the The opening of Geneva’s cross-border tramway to Annemasse in France took place on 14 December. TPG Just before 01.00, police received railway station (Bhf) was suspended calls from passengers onboard the after operation on 13 December. DS of 24 weeks and is not expected to car Metropolis trainsets, along tram heading into the city centre be completed until August 2021. with the CBTC, signalling and from Siegburg after it passed several GREECE Details have also been released telecommunications and depot stops without slowing – despite ATHINA (Athens). Further for various events. For full equipment. pulling the emergency brake. testing on the new 5.4km timetables and event information Operations and maintenance After it became clear that the (3.4-mile) tram loop through see www.rail.im will undertaken by Keolis. RGI driver was unresponsive, two men Piraeus took place in November MANX ELECTRIC RAILWAY. broke the cab door, with operator and December. TR New proposals could see the MAURITIUS SWB giving instructions on how former Laxey substation become PORT LOUIS – CUREPIPE. to bring the tram to a halt at INDIA a museum. The building, close to After another inauguration Adelheidisstraße. NEW DELHI. Proposals have Laxey MER depot, still contains on 22 December, free passenger Systems designed to send alerts been released to introduce an its brass switch gears, marble service was offered from if a driver loses consciousness optically-guided bus service control panels and two mercury Port Louis to Rose Hill on appear to have malfunctioned. using onboard energy storage on arc rectifier bulbs. 27 December, marking another General Anzeiger two loop routes in the heritage The Laxey Substation Group stage in the gradual inauguration BREMEN. Windoff has delivered Chandni Chowk area. The plans feels there is a unique opportunity of the first 12.4km (7.7-mile) a new sf50 works tram for rail replace those to introduce trams, to preserve and display this phase of the new light rail line. scrubbing and grinding. deemed to be too expensive and equipment as an example of The full 26km (16.2-mile) route GERA. In a political compromise, infrastructure-intensive. Both the the island’s heritage. Recent to Curepipe is planned to open by the number of new trams to be proposed routes, 7km (4.3 miles) talks with the Department of September 2021. O. Doyle ordered has been reduced from and 5km (three miles), will begin Infrastructure have been positive, 12 to six. DS at Rajghat and will serve Jama but funding of around GBP15 000 NETHERLANDS HAMBURG. The new U-Bahn Masjid, Chawiri Bazar, Red Fort (EUR17 600) will have to be raised DEN HAAG. Yellow preserved station Odenfelde was opened on and Old Delhi Railway station. by the volunteers. PCC 1321 will join the tourist 9 December, on line U1 between Work on the Chandni Chowk tram operation in 2020, repainted Farmsen and Berne. redevelopment project began in ITALY in traditional cream with a On 15 December the new December 2018 and is scheduled MILANO. Modernised six-axle green stripe (a livery it never S-Bahn station at Elbbrücken for completion in the coming trams dating from 1960 are carried in service). digitaletram.nl was brought into use. DS months. The new ‘trackless tram’ 4717/20/4/8/31/2, used on line 2, INDUSTRY. De Lijn is switching KÖLN (Cologne). The Stadtbahn-B service, modelled on those in and sometimes line 19. Funding to contactless-only payments on modernisation programme operation in China, is expected to has been agreed for the extension bus and tram services from July. continues as 2411 (ex-2111) be introduced after that project is of metro line 5 by 12.6km Tickets will still be available at re-entered service before completed to avoid congestion of (7.8 miles) from Bignami to vending machines and shops for Christmas. It was followed by the area. Hindustan Times Monza. The project should be those who wish to buy them in 2415 (ex-2115). DS PUNE. The first of 102 aluminium- completed in 2027. B. Martin, TR advance. The Flemish transport MANNHEIM-LUDWIGSHAFEN bodied metro cars (34 three-car operator is in the process of (RNV). To meet a tram shortage trains) being built by Titagarh IVORY COAST installing new contactless pending the arrival of new Škoda Firema was delivered at the end ABIDJAN. Proposals for a terminals across its vehicles, cars in 2021, RNV has reactivated of December. Service on lines 1 EUR1.4bn elevated metro have with travel passes also available three 1963 Düwag tramsets for and 2 is planed for 2021. IRJ been approved, with a 37.5km via the De Lijn mobile app. The regular passenger service, former (23.3-mile) first line to be built price will be standardised at Rhein–Haardt-Bahn 1015+1055, ISLE OF MAN and equipped by French interests. EUR2.50 per trip, regardless of the 1017+1057 and 1018+1058; they GENERAL. Isle of Man Railways Line 1 is to run from Anyama payment method. can normally be seen on line 6. has published its 2020 timetables. Centre in the north of the capital Services in Ludwigshafen had The (steam) Isle of Man Railway to the airport in the south, serving PHILIPPINES to be temporarily revised from operates 6 March-5 November; 18 stations; it is designed for up to MANILA. The ground-breaking 22 November when ‘concrete the Manx Electric 13 March- 500 000 passengers/day. ceremony for the country’s first cancer’ was identified in the 1 November; Snaefell Mountain Civil engineering will be underground metro took place at Hochstrasse Süd elevated Railway 24 March-1 November; undertaken by consortium the depot site in Barangay Ugong motorway, with the danger of parts and the Douglas Horse leader Bouygues Travaux on 21 December; this is also the falling on the tramway below. SV Tramway provisionally 20 April- Publics, with track systems location of the line’s future East MÜNCHEN (Munich). In 21 September. The latter operates and electrification supplied by Valenzuela Station. readiness for the new timetable between Derby Castle and Colas Rail. Construction is due It is hoped to open the first phase from 15 December, the Technical Broadway, subject to progress on to begin later in the year, subject in 2021 serving Ninoy Aquino Regulation Board (TAB) for the Promenade reconstruction – to land acquisition and permits. International Airport; ridership is Oberbayern issued approval which is currently carrying a delay Alstom is to provide 20 five- projected at 370 000/day for the

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The last days of operation of Bochum-Gelsenkirchen line 310 through the woods to Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham at the controls of Metrolink 3105 on one Witten with the soon-to-be-withdrawn Duewag Stadtbahn-M tram. GU of the first test trips along the full length of the new Trafford Park line.Chris Bull / TfGM 15-station line. Finance is coming KRASNODAR. The first of carriageway with trams in the Platforms across the network from Japanese sources. IRJ four new three-section 71-631-03 central reservation. R. Holliday have been lengthened in readiness trams from Ust-Katav (202) was for the arrival of the new fleet.RGI POLAND delivered on 15 December. SOUTH KOREA GORZÓW. The suspended transphoto.ru SEOUL. Metro line 6 was SWITZERLAND tramway operation is now MAGNITOGORSK. Delivery extended by 1.3km (0.8 miles) GENÈVE. The CHF1.8bn expected to start carrying started in late December of ten from Bonghwasan to Sinnae on (EUR1.66bn) Léman Express passengers again at the end of new tram bodies built by 21 December. commuter rail service was March. DS NPP Gorizont that will be An order for 448 metro cars launched on 12 December at a GRUDZIĄDZ. Modertrans was fitted with bogies and electrical has been placed with Hyundai ceremony involving CFF and the only company to submit a equipment from KTM-5 trams Rotem under a contract worth SNCF; services started on bid to supply four single-ended to produce a 71-605 model. The USD550.4m. They will be used 15 December. Six lines serve 45 low-floor trams, with a price of include a new matt finish livery. on lines 1, 3, 4 (ten-car sets) and stations, with six trains/hour on PLN25.3m (EUR5.96m). infotram.pl Service on the new tramway the Bundang line (six-car sets). the core section. KRAKÓW. The first of 50 new in Ulitsa Zeleny Log started on Delivery should be completed The network is operated by Stadler Polska-built 33.4m 31 December, with 71-623 3176 by 2023. IRJ Lémanis, a joint venture of the three-section Lajkinik trams used as the the first tram. two national rail operators, using was delivered on 13 December. transphoto.ru SPAIN 40 Stadler FLIRT EMUs and 17 The unit price is PLN7.27m MOSKVA. Four new metro BARCELONA. On 23 November Alstom Coradia Polyvalent. IRJ (EUR1.7m). The first two units depots are to be built in the next the seventh station on metro ZERMATT – MUSTÉR (MGB). from the order will be equipped five years, with the first two at line 10S, Ciutat de Justicia, opened, The new MGB station at Fiesch, with battery systems to allow Stolbovo and Yuzhnoye. proving surface interchange with offering direct interchange catenary-free operation up to The 20km (12.4-mile) FGC line 8 (whose own station, with the Fiescheralp cable car, 3km (1.9 miles); the others will alignment of the first phase Ildefons Cerda, has been renamed was opened on 7 December, have the capability of being of the Biryulyovsaya metro to match). The next station to open 400m north of the previous retrofitted at a later date. line from ZIL to Biryulevo on line 10S will be Zona Franca in station. TR A tender for a further 60 trams Zapadnoe has been approved the first quarter of 2020. attracted just one bid, from Stadler with completion expected Further to last month’s news, THAILAND Polska, though a contract has still in 2025. TR the 42 new metro trains will be BANGKOK. On 4 December to be signed. The 70 high-floor NOVOCHERKASSK. More built locally by Alstom at a cost the elevated Sukhumvit metro Konstal 105N and 70 ex-Wien E1 ex-Moskva KTM-19 trams to of EUR268m for delivery in late line was extended by 3.3km (two trams should all be gone by the be delivered are 4314/44/64, 2020-22. They will have miles) from Ha Yaek Lat Phrao to end of 2022. infotram.pl 30811 (ex-4345) and 30248 aluminium bodies and be 91% Kasetsart University. The system Ł ÓDŹ . MPK has awarded (ex-2130) of 2007-08, which recyclable. R. Felski marked its 20th anniversary on Modertrans a contract for 30 five- arrived on 5 December. VITORÍA-GASTEIZ. The first of 5 December. urbanrail.net section Moderus Gamma trams for transphoto.ru seven seven-section 44.2m 100% PLN268.5m (EUR63.3m). Delivery TOMSK. Five KTM-19 trams low-floor double-ended CAF UNITED KINGDOM will be in 2022. infotram.pl have been transferred from Urbos 600 trams was delivered on BLACKPOOL. The three Fylde POZNAŃ . Delivery of 50 Moskva and were delivered on 10 December, with testing local authorities are expected to Modertrans Moderus Gamma low- 9 December. transphoto.ru beginning on the evening of apply for funding under the Future floor trams (30 single-ended and ULAN UDE. Delivery of 15 17 December. High Street Fund for a feasibility 20 double-ended) was completed 71-911 Lionet low-floor bogie Three trams were initially study into extending the current on 18 December. infotram.pl trams (01-12/4-6) from PK ordered by Euskotren for the tramway. Envisaged is expansion TORUŃ. Tenders have been Transportnye Sistemy was 7.8km (4.8-mile), two-line at each end to take in the Preston issued for five low-floor completed on 25 November. metre-gauge network in late to Blackpool South railway line five-section single-ended trams for transphoto.ru December 2017, including a as far as Kirkham & Wesham, delivery in 2022. infotram.pl VLADIVOSTOK. Ex-Moskva provision to lengthen the existing and the currently closed railway SZCZECIN. It is planned to order KT-19 trams 5019/21/30/4/49/65 vehicles from five to seven from Fleetwood to Thornton a small series of double-ended and 5337/8 dating from 2001-02 sections to increase their capacity and Poulton. This would take low-floor trams to permit have arrived. transphoto.ru from 270 to 400 passengers. into account local initiatives to services to be maintained during In May 2019, this contract was revamp these lines as light rail, as track work. infotram.pl SERBIA modified to include a further put forward by local groups over BEOGRAD. The southern end four seven-section trams. several years. The proposal needs to RUSSIA of line 3 has been cut back to The new vehicles have eight be ratified by the Blackpool, Fylde KONOTOP. Six Tatra T3 trams Topcider, with replacement pairs of doors, 58 fixed and and Wyre Economic Prosperity have been delivered from Riga buses running to Knezevac, as six tip-up seats, and additional Board in January and is likely to in Latvia. transphoto.ru the road is being rebuilt as a dual space for prams and wheelchairs. cost GBP2m (EUR2.4m).

72 / FEBRUARY 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org The Wilko store at Blackpool From 1 February, concessionary North station will close in March bus pass holders will be required with demolition expected shortly to pay an additional GBP10 after. This will allow completion (EUR11.75)/year for unlimited of the Talbot Road tramway off-peak travel on trams and extension to a temporary terminus, trains across the region for free. probably by early 2021. Progress on Currently, the passes allow free construction of the hotel which is off-peak travel for buses across to occupy part of the Wilko site England and for trams and trains will provide a permanent across Greater Manchester. terminus for the tramway closer to The additional fee will not apply Blackpool North station, probably to concessionary passes for those in 2022. The extension has yet to with disabilities. be equipped with overhead line. LIVERPOOL. Merseytravel is to EDINBURGH. Construction commission a feasibility study work on the tram extension into improving connections from to Newhaven paused between the city centre and John Lennon The Noorderlaan extension in Antwerpen started carrying the trams of new line 1 20 December and 6 January, with Airport, with the authority on 8 December. digitaletram.nl footpaths reinstated to enable assessing all options, including WEST MIDLANDS. The UK’s April to permit work to start on the the free flow of pedestrians along revisiting elements of the first tramway built to operate with northern extension. the route of the new line over the Merseytram proposals that were battery-powered trams opened The new Orange line CRRC- Christmas and New Year holidays. formally cancelled in 2013. on 11 December, three days built subway cars had to be Edinburgh Trams has achieved The closest rail link to the later than expected. Trams on withdrawn from service in ServiceMark accreditation, the airport is currently Liverpool South West Midland Metro’s 840m December due to premature first UK light rail operator to do Parkway station; opened in 2006, Centenary Square extension wear on a bogie component. so. ServiceMark is awarded by this is located some 5km (three use battery power from Grand They returned to service in the Institute of Customer Service miles) from the airport and still Central to the new stops at early January. R. Barrows based on customer satisfaction requires a shuttle bus transfer. Town Hall and Library. LOS ANGELES, CA. The feedback and an assessment of NOTTINGHAM. The city’s A six-minute headway is LACMTA (Metro) is exploring employee engagement with an Workplace Parking Levy (WPL) provided in the peaks, with an funding models to help deliver its organisation’s customer service is to be increased from GBP415 eight-minute headway at other ambitious programme of rail strategy. In the customer survey, (EUR487) to GBP424 (EUR498) busy times and a ten-minute projects in time for the city’s Edinburgh Trams scored 87.1%, per car parking space from service at evenings and on hosting of the Olympic and 15 points higher than the UK 31 March. The levy, introduced Sundays. Construction on to Paralympic Games in 2028. transport average. in 2012, is a form of congestion Five Ways is continuing, with The decision comes as Members of the Scottish charge where employers with opening expected next year. construction bids for a number Parliament have adopted more than ten parking spaces are When the two-phase extension is of the planned schemes have legislation that allows councils charged per space; motorcycle complete it will grow the network come in above estimate, to impose Workplace Parking parking is excluded. by 2km (1.2 miles) to Hagley including the extension of Levies, as used in Nottingham The WPL has so far contributed Road in Edgbaston. the Gold line east of Azusa. to help fund that city’s tramway around GBP61m (EUR71.7m) Work started in 2017 on the Bids for this project were 38% and other local transport towards the expansion of the first section of the Westside higher than expected, forecasting enhancements. Edinburgh and city’s tramway, redevelopment of extension, which is being a total project cost of USD2.1bn. Glasgow have said they plan to the railway station and supporting delivered by Midland Metro To stay within budget, the LRT introduce levies. the Link bus network. Currently, Alliance (MMA). At the time of line has been reduced by 4.8km GREATER MANCHESTER. more than 40% of journeys into opening only two trams (26/27) (three miles) and will now The first tram to operate over the the city centre from the suburbs were not equipped with batteries, terminate at Pomona, although entire length of the new Trafford are made by public transport, but this work was expected to this has brought forward the Park line was 3018 on the night while car usage since the tramway be completed early in 2020. opening by two years, to 2025. of 8-9 December. Whole line opened has fallen by 7%. If additional funding – estimated at testing has now begun with a view Fares were to be revised from USA USD465m – can be found this to public service starting in early 6 January with zoned GBP1 BETHESDA – NEW year, the original terminus at April. This is seven months earlier ‘short hop’ tickets becoming CARROLLTON, MD. T he Montclair and an additional stop than originally expected. available across the entire network Maryland Department of at Clairmont, will be reinstated. The 5.5km (3.4-mile) extension instead of only in the central Transportation Maryland Transit Metro has scheduled at least runs from a junction with the area. The adult single purchased Administration (MTA) has five new project openings in the Eccles line at Pomona and serves from a platform machine will confirmed that the first section next decade, including the 14km the Trafford Centre plus stops at increase by GBP0.10 (EUR0.12) of the 26.1km (16.2-mile) Purple (nine-mile) Westside subway Wharfside, Imperial War Museum to GBP2.40 (EUR2.82) and the line to open will be from the extension between Wilshire/ North, Village, Parkway and tram Day Ticket by GBP0.20 eastern terminus at New Carrollton Western and Westwood; twin EventCity. It is expected that a (EUR0.24) to GBP4.20 (EUR4.94). to College Park by late 2022. 3.1km (1.9-mile) tunnels new service will run from SOUTH YORKSHIRE. Temporary A second phase of the USD5.6bn forming the downtown Regional Crumpsall through the city centre withdrawal of the Stadler Citylink project will take the line to Connector and a 14.8km to Trafford Park but this will be fleet for work on a hydraulic Montgomery County in 2023. (9.2-mile) LRT line along Van dependent on the delivery of the fault between the evening of The first CAF Urbos LRV is Nuys Boulevard to the San current order of 27 trams. 13 December and afternoon currently undergoing dynamic Fernando Valley. All of these The Trafford Park Line is the of 17 December led to testing in Elmira, NY, and is due to schemes face budget shortfalls. final project to be delivered suspension of tram-train be delivered in late 2020. Other projects Los Angeles under Transport for Greater services; they initially resumed at Measuring 43.2m, the five-section Mayor Eric Garcetti is pushing for Manchester’s GBP2bn (EUR2.3bn) two trams per hour (tph). LRV will be the longest delivered completion before 2028 include ten-year expansion programme, The service had already been to any system in the country, a rail line to Artesia, an Eastside which has extended the network reduced to 2tph while other capable of carrying 431 passengers, extension of the Gold line and to 97.5km (60.6 miles) to serve rectification work was carried 80 seated. prolongation of the Green line to East Didsbury, Ashton-under- out by Stadler, but it had been BOSTON, MA. MBTA will close Torrance. To meet the deadline, Lyne, Rochdale via Oldham, and announced as returning to 3tph the Green line station at all of these need to be under Manchester Airport. from 15 December. Lechmere for about a year from construction by 2023, Metro says.

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September but is not expected The promotion was offered as to return until autumn 2020. part of new service plans related to The overhaul of the Type 2 cars the reorganisation of services. will include replacement of the SAN RAFAEL – SONOMA, CA. HVAC system, whereas in the The SMART diesel light rail service Type 3 cars that equipment is was extended to Larkspur and only being refurbished, so TriMet Novato from 14 December after specified two separate prototype a ceremony the previous day. overhauls. The plans to carry A new timetable with increased out the remaining 77 overhauls service is offered. Larkspur offers in the Portland area (at the former interchange with the Golden Gate United Streetcar facilities) have ferry service to San Francisco. been dropped, and the entire R. Callwell overhaul programme will be now be carried out at Siemens’ McClellan VIETNAM Park facility in Sacramento that HANOI. Construction and opened in 2016. equipment of the 13km (8.1-mile) Meanwhile, the 26 new S700 metro line 2 (the first metro in LRVs for TriMet (Type 6) are being Vietnam) was completed in late The Russian city of Krasnodar has taken delivery of four 71-631-03 trams from built at Siemens’ older Sacramento December, with trial running Ust-Katav. This is 202 shortly after unloading.N. Nishchenko site, on French Road. S. J. Morgan expected to lead to public service The agency borrowed heavily in PORTLAND, OR. The first ST LOUIS, MO. The Loop Trolley early in 2020. Work on the the bond market in the 1980s and SD660 LRV to have completed the heritage tramway was shut down elevated line started in 2011, 1990s to build its first LRT lines ‘mid-life overhaul’ being carried after operation on 29 December with opening dates repeatedly and by the end of the century, out by Siemens Mobility under a as the non-profit operator ran delayed due to financial and debt service was its single largest seven-year contract encompassing out of money. The Bi-State construction difficulties. IRJ expense – consuming more all 79 such cars in TriMet's fleet, Development Agency is than 30% of the operating budget. Type 3 car 315, returned from considering taking over the MUSEUM NEWS By the end of 2019 the 13.6km Sacramento on 22 December. USD51m operation, otherwise BALLASALLA (IM)/DUBLIN (8.5-mile), USD2.058bn, Crenshaw It is the first MAX car to wear the federal funding will have to (IRL). Former Lisbon tram 350 line (Expo – LAX) was 93% new livery of all over-blue with be returned. is to move from the Isle of Man complete, with passenger service semi-vertical orange stripes. Farebox revenue was predicted to Dublin to join ex-Lisbon 305 planned for June 2020, about For the Type 2 cars, 215 was at USD 394 433/year but fell below as a tram cafe. The tram was used six months later than originally chosen as the prototype for the USD 2000/month. The third as a shelter at Derby Castle (Manx forecast. LA Times, StreetsblogLA work. It left Portland in late tram (003, ex-Melbourne 512 via Electric Railway) before being sold Seattle) never entered service, so to a resident of Ballasalla who the planned expansion to daily/ converted it into a bar in his garden. all-day service never occured. The property is now affected by A new livery has been launched a road improvement scheme. for MetroLink and MetroBus A site for the tram cafe is currently services, replacing the red, white under negotiation with Dublin and blue with a single light blue City Council. The project is likely colourscheme. Three of the to cost the new owner EUR150 000. system’s Siemens LRVs feature the new colours and fonts, but CONTRIBUTORS it will only be applied to new Worldwide news items for LRVs and buses as they replace inclusion should be sent to older vehicles. S. J. Morgan Michael Taplin at Flat 8, Roxan SAN FRANCISCO, CA (Muni). Villa, 33 Landguard Manor Rd, Line E and F trams have been Shanklin, Isle of Wight PO37 cut back to Pier 39 on the 6EA, UK. Fax: +44 (0)1983 862810 ANNIVERSARY Embarcadero since 21 October or e-mail [email protected] to permit the Jefferson UK and Ireland items are Streetscape Improvement welcomed by the Home Project phase II to go ahead. News Editor, John Symons, A shuttle bus runs to Fisherman’s 17 Whitmore Avenue, Werrington, Wharf for about a year. Stoke-on-Trent, ST9 0LW, UK. SAN JOSE, CA. From E-mail [email protected]. 28 December the Almaden Acknowledgements are due shuttle was discontinued, to Brussels Times, digitaletram.nl, the first abandonment of any Drehscheibe (DS), Edinburgh Evening second-generation light rail News, Eisenbahn (EB), GCR Asia, trackage (it was opened in 1987) General Anzeiger, Hindustan Times, in the USA. The Blue line was infotram.pl, International Railway cut back to Baypointe station and Journal (IRJ), Irish Independent, the Green line to Old Ironsides. la.streetsblog.org, lineoz.net, Liverpool A new Orange line was introduced Echo, Los Angeles Times, Manchester between Mountain View and Evening News, Milenio, Nottingham Alum Rock, replacing portions Evening Post, Progressive Railroading, of the Blue and Green lines, but Radio Prague International, Railway offering interchange at their new Age, Railway Digest, Railway Gazette northern termini. International (RGI), Stadtverkehr Free rides were offered on all (SV), Today’s Railways (TR), Tram- VTA buses and light services 2000 (T-2000), transphoto.ru, between 28 December and the urbanrail.net, and Wolverhampton early hours of 1 January. Express & Star.

74 / FEBRUARY 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Letters

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Questioning where it has all gone wrong in Ottawa Following Vic Simons comprehensive article on the transit 2. The operator wasn’t as involved in the testing phase as it situation in Ottawa (TAUT 984), it was most disheartening to perhaps could have been read in the following edition that the new Confederation line 3. Given the well-publicised delays to the project, the has performed so disappointingly since opening in September. opening was perhaps rushed for political motives. I note that further problems delayed services on New Year’s We are all subject to outside factors that affect us and impose Eve – what should have been a chance to restore faith in deadlines that may be sooner than we would wish – I have the new LRT system by offering free travel turned into a PR seen many over the years. But with such a flagship and disaster. ‘Dirt and grime build-up’ caused traction power issues widely-touted project it would surely have been better to hold and a loss of power to the LRVs – hardly unforeseeable issues! the opening back to ensure a robust programme was in place to Mr Simons’ article set out the teething issues with the new cater for the worst before removing the existing bus services. technology, but the outlook the city has for basing its future Parallel running is common in any business introducing a growth around rail-borne transportation is impressive. With major change in systems or processes. While expensive and other projects underway, the Confederation line should have intensive in terms of both equipment and manpower, if there been the foundation stone. Sadly, it has turned into a major PR were any doubts in the new LRT technology, the advantages issue that will knock confidence in delivery – this is where the of having a ‘fall back’ cannot be underestimated. When issues finger-pointing and blame game begins. did occur there would be an obvious ‘Plan B’ for travellers As a former transport manager, it is beyond me how many and confidence in the transport system as a whole would be of these issues weren’t spotted during testing. There are a few maintained with far less reputational damage. potential scenarios one can deduce from your coverage and It will now take far longer to achieve acceptance of the new that given in the past few weeks by local media: service and there will be a stain on the new light rail that will 1. The systems weren’t tested as extensively with worst-case take months to remove. scenarios before the opening as would have been desirable Name and address supplied

Trams offer true freedom dwellers now have a genuine Taking up the points of previous 24-hour choice, and this choice is correspondents (There’s still a lot increasingly not the motor car. of fight in the ‘demon’ car industry – This therefore is another trend TAUT 984, and Deep pockets buy a that needs to be a focus of those lot of influence – TAUT 985), I feel campaigning for improved public the 2020s will see a genuine shift transport. The concept of ‘lost away from private travel. I would time’ associated with travel is go so far as to argue that the car diminishing and is arguably never industry is all too cognisant of this. more prevalent than when behind TRAMS* While car (and motorcycle) the wheel of a car – whether your ownership have shown dramatic own, or borrowed. increases in Asia and Africa, there So while the car industry may seems to be a genuine shift in have deep pockets, I would argue BEAT perception in today’s teenagers in that it is now under threat like the ‘developed’ world. Whereas never before. car ownership used to represent A. Bernard, by e-mail freedom, it now represents a JAMS significant financial burden. Santiago metro damage Whether your vehicle of choice is Like others I have been appalled powered by a combustion-engine at the effects of the mass unrest or a battery, the cost of motoring in Chile (Santiago repairs to cost is only increasing. There are many EUR339m – TAUT 985), not only in and can provide pollution solutions in more options for the modern terms of the human cost, but also Bath, Radstock, Frome and Bristol youngster, and our connected world how the country’s infrastructure means that more and more people has been so devastated. It is ironic no overhead wires I speak to are losing their belief in that the destruction of large parts All are invited to make their views known at a 1-day conferencein historic on Bath these old-fashioned concepts. of the capital’s metro was sparked Tram, bus and train travel by a rise in fares! Saturday 8th February 2020 represents a continuation of their I would describe such actions as At Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution, social space – whether this is for little short of terrorism. Vital links 16-18 Queen Square, Bath BA1 2HN interacting with friends via social have been cut, removing travel Admission £15 including tea/coffee/light lunch media, reading, working or simply options for millions, and expansion Doors open 9am enjoying their time without of the metro network has had to be – just turn up, or preferably book at Presentations from the shackles of having to worry delayed – by years in some cases. www.bathtrams.uk or by email industry professionals about congestion, parking, fuel The effects on the economy will to [email protected] and politicians from prices etc. More and more people ultimately be significant. 10am-04.30pm are realising this. Most urban M. Rolson, Adelaide (Australia) *Integrated with buses.Trams emit much lower carbon and tyre dust emissions than buses and revitalise city centres

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org february 2020 / 75 Classic Trams gotha’s double 1 anniversary Special events on the Gotha tramway in Thüringen (Thuringia) enjoy a reputation for excellence. So it was with great expectations that Mike Russell attended a dual anniversary celebration.

otha is one of those small-town events supported by Gotha’s own heritage fleet. percentage of centre-road single-track street- tramways in the former DDR (East Both days were bathed in glorious early running and affords connectional facilities at Germany) that has somehow autumn sunshine and this brought out an the terminus with local railway services. managed to survive against encouraging number of visitors. Saturday The enthusiast body had advertised an difficult odds. Before 1989 several included a depot open-day, plus celebratory all-day excursion over the line using several littleG towns had retained small tramway journeys over both town routes. These cars; at EUR40 it was not cheap, but well networks, kept going by a combination are line 1, from the Hauptbahnhof to subscribed. A feature was intensive operation of fares revenue from decent volumes of Waltershäuser Strasse, Sundhausen and the along the Waltershausen shuttle during the passengers and local and national subsidies. Kreiskrankenhaus (regional hospital). The middle period of the day, allowing the many After the political earthquake of November latter is reached via an extension opened in photographers to obtain coverage of the 1989 and subsequent German reunification March 2002 over a short section previously various cars operating in a street section that in October 1990, their continued operation served only by the Thüringerwaldbahn, but in part retains the character of the DDR era. seemed to be under threat. After all, in what with a new terminal loop slightly remote from A preserved Trabant car enhanced the became the post-1945 Federal Republic (West the TWB tracks to serve the hospital. Line 2 is historical perspective. These special journeys Germany), virtually all tramways of similar the subsidiary line, at weekends with only one had to be carefully timetabled so as not to size and scope had been swept away in the tramcar in operation, linking Hauptbahnhof impede the scheduled service, requiring the nationwide closures of the 1950s and 1960s. with Ostbahnhof by way of a steep street- use of double-ended rolling stock (there are It is therefore remarkable that these small running single-track section in Nelkenberg, on turning or reversing facilities at each end tramways in the former DDR survive, having which recently-enhanced traffic management but these are no longer regularly used). The reinvented themselves for changing economic measures have now effectively given the trams timetabled service is operated by one of two circumstances. The last complete closure was an element of priority and quasi-reserved track. ex-Erfurt Tatra KT4 cars (316/317) converted of the Dresden metre-gauge line in December There is nominally a third urban line (3), used in 2010 and 2012 to double-ended layout in 1977, well before 1989’s ‘Wende’. Even the only by those few depot journeys between the company’s own workshops. little tramway at Halberstadt, under threat of Ostbahnhof and the depot on Waltershäuser The TWB’s length results in relatively closure for many years, prevails. One has only Strasse or vice versa. Those wishing to see the infrequent operation, the days of extensive to look at today’s slender passenger loadings short sections of freehold track in use need to duplication to cater for hordes of hikers to wonder how such a transformation can consult timetables carefully. having largely disappeared, so the enthusiast have been achieved and Gotha is a shining Saturday’s events began with a cavalcade of group produced a special timetable available example. The increased importance attached historic cars between the depot and railway online to assist those who wished to take to environmental concerns has certainly station, featuring Nordhausen 23; Gotha lineside images. It was all over by 17.00, and played a big part in Germany. 39, a bi-directional ET55 model built at the shortly afterwards the depot premises resumed It was with pride in September 2019 that local factory (in the historic fleet since 1997); their customary weekend somnolent pose. the Gotha tramway celebrated a double 215, built in 1967 and one of a series of 16 An excellent atmosphere and warm anniversary: the 125th of the opening of single-ended two-room-and-a-bath G4-61 welcome was evident throughout the event. the urban tramways in 1894, and the 90th cars, seven of which were specifically fitted Those who care for these small German birthday of the long rural line known as the for service on the TWB; and 43 and 93, a tramways should keep an eye on the website Thüringerwaldbahn (TWB), extending south- coupled pair of Gotha T57/B57 motor and for details of future special events here – lesser west to the surrounding villages and foothills. trailer cars built as double-ended prototypes in scale, but no doubt equally well organised. The tramway has a well-organised, keen and in 1956 for the ensuing production series See www.thueringer-waldbahn.de enterprising band of supporters in Gothaer and in 1974 converted to single-ended form. For now at least, the uncertainty hanging Straßenbahnfreunde e.V. The group operates The historic cars then took up operation as over the Gotha tramway seems dispelled. successful special tours and events, and is an relief cars, mostly to provide duplication to In 2017 there was an attempt by Steinbrück, active supporter of the tramway company’s the advertised service on line 1 and the TWB a commercial bus operator, to obtain the moves to remind the people of Gotha of the between the railway station and the depot. concession for operation of the TWB by motor benefits they enjoy in possessing a tramway. A small number of trips were also operated to bus, which would have resulted in closure of and from the Ostbahnhof. The depot open- the line. However, this was defeated and the Four-wheel visitor day was of customary German style, with local authorities of Gotha, Waltershausen, The last major anniversary fell in 2014, when non-operating cars on display, an opportunity Friedrichroda and Tabarz came out in support several visiting metre-gauge museum cars to inspect former Basel low-floor trams due to of the tramway, so tram operation is now came to operate special journeys to mark the be introduced in 2020, and food and drink. guaranteed until 2024. The operator is now 120th anniversary of the opening of the urban Also in evidence was Partytram 111, a Tatra a full partner in the VMT Mittelthüringen, tramway (TAUT 925). The events of 2019 were KT4D acquired from Gera in 2012 that with extensive fares integration with other no mere re-run, and whilst it is difficult on originated in Berlin in 1985 as 9366. regional tramways, bus operators and local a small system to vary the proceedings, the railway services, whilst retaining its own lower organisers disguised their limitations well. Celebrating line 4 fares for local journeys. With delivery of six On this occasion there was just one visiting The Thüringerwaldbahn was the focus on second-hand, eight-axle Schindler low-floor tramcar, but a newcomer to Gotha. This was Sunday. Today it runs as line 4 between Gotha cars from Basel (BLT) to augment the existing Nordhausen 23, a four-wheel car built in 1934 and Tabarz, with a connecting shuttle (6) three vehicles acquired from Mannheim in by Wismar that has been in the Nordhausen from a junction at the appropriately-named 2011, a more optimistic feel can be discerned. heritage fleet since 1986. Now carrying a dark Gleisdreieck (track triangle) to the village of Let us hope these encouraging signals are not green livery, it was a full participant in the Waltershausen. This latter line features a high misplaced.

76 / FEBRUARY 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org 1. During one of the small number of extra journeys operated to and from Ostbahnhof on line 2, ET55 car 39 of 1955 begins the ascent of Nelkenberg. This line is now protected on both sides by low-level barriers, creating a tram reservation zone.

2. Nordhausen 23, visiting Gotha for the anniversary, passes through the reverse curves in Waltershausen alongside a nicely-restored Trabant automobile.

3. Several of Gotha’s former fleet of 16 two-rooms-and-a- bath G4-61 articulated cars survive as examples of this model of the DDR years, but only 215 remains on its home system. Here it is taking part in Saturday’s inaugural parade at the crest of the hill between Friedrichstrasse and Bahnhofstrasse.

4. Service on line 6, the Waltershausen shuttle, is 2 now customarily provided by one of two Tatra KT4D models that retain single-sided layout but were converted to bi-directional configuration in Gotha. This is 316 in Goethestrasse, Waltershausen.

5. No.47 was the last two-axle motor vehicle delivered to Gotha. This double-ended T57 dating from 1963 was retained as a shunter until 2016, then restored for the heritage fleet, and was displayed on the depot track-fan during the open-day. 3 4 6. The intermediate passing- loop at Reinhardsbrunn on the TWB is the location for this view spanning the decades, with G4-61 articulated car 215 from the Gotha heritage fleet heading back to town on the Sunday excursion, whilst ex-Erfurt KT4 315 pauses on its way to Tabarz terminus.

7. Rolling stock variety on the Gotha depot stabling tracks: on the right is Nordhausen 23, the visiting 1934 Wismar two- axle car, with one of the three serviceable ex-Mannheim 5 6 GT8N low-floor articulated cars behind. To the left is ex-Basel (BLT) 204, one of six Schindler low-floor articulated cars destined for future TWB service after renovation.

8. The twin set of Gotha ET57 cars numbered 43 and 93 were the 1956 prototypes of the following year’s production series, examples of which found their way to many DDR tramways. Here they are seen at the crest of the hill between Friedrichstrasse and Bahnhofstrasse during 7 8 Saturday’s opening procession.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2020 / 77 NEWS FROM THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT ASSOCIATION A year of opportunity for light rail?

Paul Rowen is optimistic for the future after the General Election planning conferences later this year) where light rail could make a real difference. ith a comfortable UK Government Last month The Times reported that The Environment Bill will be interesting majority in Parliament that will Treasury rules on value for money on – will the Government tackle the problem W deliver Brexit, the Queen’s Speech infrastructure schemes were to be loosened, of PM2.5? These are the micro-particulates before Christmas set out an ambitious benefiting smaller towns countryside areas produced by tyre and road surface wear and domestic programme. Three measures outside London and the south-east. This is brakes, shown to be the most damaging. mentioned provide significant opportunities excellent news for those promoting light rail, They are especially prevalent from buses and for transport, including light rail: as it is those same rules that have been used to lorries. I expect the bus and road transport • Prioritising investment in infrastructure scupper schemes in Leeds and Southampton. lobby will have a lot to say on this issue. • Giving communities more control over The second priority is a clear nod to those Rest assured, the LRTA will be lobbying how investment is spent Conservative MPs newly-elected in Labour’s hard, together with other campaigners, for • Enshrining legally-binding former ‘red wall’ and gives renewed hope those targets to include action on PM2.5. environmental targets in law, including to a host of towns like Bath and Blackpool So 2020 is a year of opportunities; can the those on air quality (where campaigners, including the LRTA, are light rail sector take advantage? We shall see.

Malawi and Portugal, and at rugby and hockey and was also Obituary: Andrew Steel (1946 – 2019) home he contributed to the a keen walker. He met his wife, The death occurred on in Railway Systems Engineering development and maintenance Jill, at a local rugby club and they 2 November 2019 of Andrew from Sheffield University in 1999. of the Docklands Light Railway, were married in 1973, spending Steel, a leading contributor to the On leaving university, he Manchester Metrolink, Dublin their lives, depending on Andy’s development and maintenance gained a place on a training Luas, London Trams (including work, in locations including of rail systems and tramways scheme with British Transport Croydon Tramlink) and the Tyne Essex, Crewe, Derby, York and throughout the world. He died Engineering Ltd (BREL) and & Wear Metro. From 2000-04 Glasgow. They had two children, unexpectedly of a heart attack at later became a Member of the he was General Manager of Alex and Kirsty; the latter his Midlands (UK) home, aged 73. Institution of Mechanical Midland Metro, seeing the initial unfortunately died in 2003. Always known as Andy, Engineers and a Chartered line through a critical phase He had two grandchildren. Mr Steel was born in Govan, Member of the Institute of in its development. He later Andy was a man of firm Glasgow, on 8 October 1946, the Transport and Logistics. He moved on to work on the design views, yet diffident and softly son of a tax inspector. Within also attended the General and delivery of the Edinburgh spoken – while retaining a mild 18 months he moved with his Management course at the British tramway. Scottish accent – who carried his family to the West Midlands and, Transport Staff College in 1982. On retirement, he worked expertise lightly. at the age of 11, relocated again to With these qualifications, as a volunteer at the National He will be long remembered Manchester. There he attended Andy was to hold numerous Tramway Museum at Crich, and for his enormous contribution to the William Hulme School, later positions in the transport on the Black Country Museum’s so many transport enterprises, gaining a BSc in Mechanical industry. Overseas, these included transport systems. He was also an his good humour and for his Engineering from Glasgow appointments in Taiwan, Hong enthusiastic tramcar modeller. capacity to form numerous firm University in 1968 and an MSc Kong, Korea, Thailand, Kenya, Andy enjoyed sport, played friendships. GBC

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

January 2020 rail system in south-west Ontario, Tuesday 4. Southampton 19.30. – Sheffield Tram-train, Karlsruhe, Canada. (TLRS) Stephen Bigley: Tram depots in Mannheim and Belgian Kusttram. Saturday 18. Taunton 14.00. AGM Saturday 25. Garstang 14.00. Britain. (LRTA/SEG) Thursday 27. Manchester 19.00. plus David Edwards: Algeria. (TLRS) Richard Hargreaves: Trams and light Monday 10. Thames Valley 19.30. Mike Crabtree: Algeria. Saturday 18. Northampton 14.00. rail on film, with rare footage. (TLRS) Eddie Dawes: ‘All change please’, Friday 28. Edinburgh. 19.15. Call 01865 370634 for details. (TLRS Thursday 30. Manchester 19.00. London’s tram termini. (TLRS) Cllr. Lesley MacInnes: Edinburgh’s Oxford & Chilterns) Paul Abell: Steam trams – Pioneers of Wednesday 12. Brighton 19.45. transformation. Tuesday 21. London 19.00. Graham mechanical traction on the roads. AGM plus Terry Russell films. (TLRS) Friday 28. Leicester 19.30. David Dolan: Ripples in time – Greenwich Friday 31. Edinburgh. 19.15. TBA. Friday 14. Glasgow 19.30. Donald Witt: European contrasts – Romania, Power Station and Royal Observatory. Stirling: The transport world – Italy, Alsace and Poland. (TMS) Friday 24. Leicester 19.30. John February 2020 yesterday and today. (STTS) Saturday 29. Beeston 14.00. Lessells: 60 years of Crich. (TMS) Saturday 15. Taunton 14.00. Modelling – Bring your project. (TLRS) Saturday 25. Beeston 14.00. AGM Saturday 1. Birmingham 14.00. Members’ slides/videos. (TLRS) Saturday 29. Garstang 14.00. and photo competition, followed Mike Ballinger: Algeria 2019. Tuesday 18. London 19.00. John Workshop on modelling trams in by Keith Ballinger: ION – A new light (LRTA/TLRS/ERS-TMS invited) Laker and Keith Spillett: HD video various scales. (TLRS)

For more information on the Association and its activities visit www.lrta.org Bookshop

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