THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE

www.lrta.org www.tautonline.com

JULY 2020 No. 991 VIVE LA FRANCE!

Paying tribute to the cities that pioneered modern LRT TfL rescue deal is just a ‘sticking plaster’ Tianshui opens China’s latest tramway UITP: ‘Bounce back relies on transport’

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Rosehill Rail - TAUT Half page Ad_185x130mm_JULY2020.indd 1 04/06/2020 16:47 CONTENTS The official journal of the Light Rail 266 Transit Association JULY 2020 Vol. 83 No. 991 www.tautonline.com EDITORIAL Editor – Simon Johnston 253 [email protected] Associate Editor – Tony Streeter [email protected] Worldwide Editor – Michael Taplin 257 [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 News 252 systems factfile: ROTTERDAM 274 Tel: +44 (0)1733 367604 TfL agrees emergency rescue funds; Tianshui Neil Pulling explores the changing role of [email protected] tramway opens; New face mask rules for trams in the Netherlands’ second city. DESIGN – Debbie Nolan public transport; USD891m agreed for Advertising 12 US schemes; UITP projects EUR40bn WORLDWIDE REVIEW 279 COMMERCIAL Manager – Geoff Butler COVID-19 losses for European operators. Urban rail operators cautiously return to a Tel: +44 (0)1733 367610 ‘new normal’; Metro openings in Ningbo [email protected] THE NEW PATH FOR TRANSIT 257 and Shenyang; Passenger services begin Publisher – Matt Johnston Morgan Lyons looks at some of the potential in Cuenca; Turku reconsiders LRT plans; Tramways & Urban Transit longer-term effects of the global pandemic. New München coalition reveals ambitious 13 Orton Enterprise Centre, Bakewell Road, tramway expansion plans; Work restarts on Peterborough PE2 6XU, UK WHY RAILS DON’T LAST FOREVER... 260 Edinburgh’s Newhaven extension; Orange Tramways & Urban Transit is published by Mainspring Daniel Pyke describes some of the ways that County appoints future streetcar operator. on behalf of the LRTA on the third Friday of each rails degrade, offering a few pointers on how to extend the life of this key asset. MAILBOX 283 Your views on Tramlink – a great success, THE FRENCH TRAM PHENOMENON 266 but why is it still London’s only tramway? month preceding the cover date. Michael Taplin begins a detailed two-part PRINT AND DISTRIBUTION exploration of the circumstances that have CLASSICS TRAMS: LEIPZIG 284 Warners (Midlands), Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH, UK driven light rail development in France, as Mike Russell continues his detailed survey well as the key milestones. of the collection in the Leipzig museum. LRTA MEMBERSHIP (with TAUT subscription) Tramways & Urban Transit is sent free to all paid-up members of the Light Rail Transit Association. Strong leaders required as we seek to #BuildBackBetter LRTA WEBSITE AND DIARY Brian Lomas Politics. It’s an inevitable part of life – and at its best, it can achieve some [email protected] [email protected] amazing and inspiring results. Over the past few months we’ve seen hospitals built in weeks, trillions handed out in support for businesses and individuals, Subscriptions, MEMBERSHIP and back issues LRTA Membership Secretary (Dept T06), 38 Wolseley and countries coming together to develop possible vaccines. Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK. Tel: +44 (0)117 951 7785 That shows what can happen with consensus. There is, too, increasing [email protected] Website: www.lrta.info cross-party agreement that public transport is a truly vital service that benefits us all. That is the good side. While political debate, and even conflict, is an essential and for CORPORATE Subscriptions VISIT www.mainspring.co.uk healthy part of any free and open society, in recent weeks there have been instances where that’s taken place to the detriment of both systems and the travelling public. LRTA REGISTERED OFFICE For example, a deal to provide emergency funding for Transport for London was only 8 Berwick Place, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL7 4TU, UK. Private company limited by guarantee, No. 5072319 agreed at the eleventh hour and at the time of going to press Scotland’s networks were still in England and Wales. waiting to see whether they would receive crucial additional operating funding as their LRTA Chairman – Paul Rowen ridership has stayed at home. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called the deal for the UK [email protected] capital a “sticking plaster” (see page 252). Whatever the arguments on either side, sticking © LRTA 2020 plasters do not allow for good planning – and quite possibly not good outcomes either. Articles are submitted on the understanding they may also Moving just across the English Channel, we focus this issue on a country where later be used on our websites or other media. A contribution transport politics has had a hugely beneficial effect on society: France. Strong mayors, local is accepted on the basis that its author is responsible for the participation and a system that rewards timely delivery of schemes have brought about a opinions expressed in it, and such opinions are not those of light rail revolution that over the last 35 years has become a template for many others. the LRTA or Mainspring. All rights reserved. This debate is particularly pertinent right now. As the world continues to struggle with No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in the visceral and immediate demands of the pandemic, people are increasingly asking any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and what life will look like afterwards. Not just looking, but seeking to find silver linings to retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from make societies more sustainable. The campaign even has a name: #BuildBackBetter. the copyright owner. Multiple copying of the contents of the In the EU those ideas come with cash attached under a ‘Green Deal’ as politicians magazine without prior written approval is not permitted. strive to create the world’s first climate-neutral continent. Such concepts are gaining COVER: The city of Nantes launched France’s first momentum elsewhere, too – and prosperous cities, with light rail centre stage, must be modern light rail service in 1985; many more followed at the heart of this. Politics that truly deliver would be a start. Simon Johnston, Editor its example over the next 35 years. Neil Pulling

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JULY 2020 / 251 News Late-hour deal keeps London moving Mayor warns that emergency funding package is a ‘sticking plaster’ amid GBP3bn shortfall

n 14 May, the UK money by the end of the day. years, and with fares revenue model, which will involve Government agreed a “Being blunt, today is the last down “there simply isn’t enough either permanent funding from grant of GBP1.095bn day,” he said. money coming in to pay for our government or giving London (EUR1.22bn) and a A London COVID-19 taskforce services”, adding that “over the more control over key taxes so Oloan of GBP505m (EUR561.6m) with Government and TfL next few months we will have we can pay for it ourselves – or a from the Public Works Loan representatives will oversee to negotiate a new funding combination of both.” Board to support Transport for operational decisions during London (TfL) operations until the crisis, promoting traffic 17 October. Backdated to 1 April, management and active travel. NEWS IN PICTURES the agreement requires TfL to There is also to be an “immediate restore services to normal levels and broad-ranging” review of to help passengers follow social the authority’s financial position distancing guidelines. and structure. Two Government Bus fares will be reinstated and representatives will be allocated an increased congestion charge to TfL’s board, its finance introduced for driving into committee and its programmes the centre of the capital; both and investment committee. had been suspended in March. Since travel restrictions began Various forms of peak-hour in mid-March, TfL has seen a concessionary travel and free 95% reduction in Underground travel for under-18s were to be journeys, an 85% fall in bus temporarily suspended from travel and a 90% drop in income. 15 June; special arrangements are As a result, it predicts a funding to be made for children eligible shortfall of around GBP3bn for free travel to school. (EUR3.34bn). Services increased on all The funding agreement New TfL Commissioner Andy Byford was dubbed ‘Train Daddy’ in New modes from 18 May including: includes the Mayor agreeing to York and gained a great deal of support for his regular presence on the city’s Docklands Light Railway (80% increase fares in 2021 by RPI+1%, transit network engaging with passengers. Marc A. Hermann / MTA of normal services, providing ending a four-year fares freeze. approximately ten-minute Describing the deal as a Byford confirmed as TfL Transport Commissioner headways); London Trams (95% “sticking plaster”, Mr Khan said: Andy Byford was confirmed as London’s new Transport Commissioner on of normal services with ten- “I want to be completely honest 27 May, replacing Mike Brown MVO who announced his move to oversee the renovation of the UK’s historic Houses of Parliament in 2019. minute headways Wimbledon – and upfront with Londoners Mr Byford was President and CEO of New York City Transit until his Elmers End/Beckenham Junction – this is not the deal I wanted. resignation on 23 January, masterminding an ambitious USD40bn five-year and seven-minute headways New But it was the only deal the investment plan to renew the city’s transport system. Addington – Central Croydon); government put on the table and He brings 30 years’ experience to the role, including as Chief Executive and the Underground (75% I had no choice but to accept it Officer of the Toronto Transit Commission and Chief Operating Officer & of normal services and more to keep the Underground and Deputy CEO of New South Wales’ Rail Corporation. He will join TfL on 29 June, stations re-opened). buses running.” with Mr Brown leaving on 10 July. The rescue package came He emphasised that London Mr Byford said: “I am delighted to be taking up the role of Commissioner after months of discusssion was “the only major city in and to have been chosen to lead the organisation where I started my transport career over 30 years ago. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, all transport on the same day that London western Europe that hasn’t authorities around the world will need to reimagine how their services Mayor Sadiq Khan gave a radio received direct government and projects contribute to the safe and sustainable re-start of the social and interview indicating that the funding to run day-to-day economic lives of the cities they serve.” authority would run out of transport services” in recent UK increases emergency public transport funding In late May the UK Government had already been announced for cautioned that “with the advice which has been both modally announced that it wanted to London (see above). to avoid public transport still in compartmentalised and on a see public transport provision Pressure to provide funding place and reduced capacity, it ‘too little too late’ basis (with increase – alongside its message had come from the ‘M9’ group doesn’t look like there’ll be a swift the exception of national rail that such modes should only be of metro mayors and industry return to ‘normal’ operations.” services, which had all its costs used in the absence of alternatives. bodies. However, the sums The Urban Transport Group covered on the day lockdown An additional GBP283m committed will only provide has separately written to was announced).” (EUR315.6m) has been confirmed security for around two months Baroness Vere, Parliamentary for bus and light rail operators, of under current social distancing Under-Secretary of State for Potential emergency funding which GBP29m (EUR32.3m) was measures that limit capacity and Transport. In a letter on 15 May, for the Edinburgh Tramway allocated to light rail systems in therefore farebox revenue. the group that represents English and Glasgow Subway comes Greater Manchester (GBP13.3m/ The funding has been city region transport authorities under Transport Scotland (TS) EUR14.8m), Nottingham welcomed by trade body UKTram. suggested a need to move to rather than the Department (GBP3.5m/EUR3.9m), South Managing Director James integrated funding support, for Transport. Discussions are Yorkshire (GBP2.6m/EUR2.9m) Hammett described the money as arguing that “we need to move understood to be underway and West Midlands (GBP1.6m/ “a shot in the arm for tramways away from the fragmented between TS and both city EUR1.8m), plus the Tyne & Wear and light rail systems in England approach to funding public of Edinburgh Council and Metro (GBP7.6m/EUR8.5m). planning a return to pre- transport experienced during the Strathclyde Partnership for Separate funding agreements coronavirus service levels”, but lockdown phase. An approach Transport (Glasgow) on the issue.

252 / july 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org New dates for European Light Rail Congress Tianshui tramway opens New dates have been announced for the European Light Rail Congress, China’s latest modern LRT line launches its first phase to passengers postponed from 10-11 June 2020. The event, in partnership with with Tranvía Zaragoza and Fundación ianshui – the second- Ibercaja, will now be held at largest city in China’s Zaragoza’s Ibercaja Patio de la Infanta on 16-17 June 2021. north-west Gansu For more event details, visit Province, population mainspring.co.uk/eu-light-rail/ 3.5mT – opened the first 12.9km (eight-mile) phase of its new Jeantet dismissed as tramway on 1 May. Keolis Chairman Located in the valley of the In a surprise announcement on 2 June, international public transport Jie river, Tianshui is a major operator Keolis announced that industrial centre with an Executive Chairman Patrick important tractor factory. In Jeantet had been dismissed with order to relieve urban traffic, The first Tianshui tram, immediate effect, citing ‘significant the city launched its rail transit built by CRSC. CRSC strategic differences’. studies at the end of 2014 and Mr Jeantet had only been in in 2015 the Municipal Party Line 1’s first phase starts at Further construction is post since 1 February, replacing Committee and the City Council Wulipu in the western Qinzhou underway to take the line Jean-Pierre Farandou who moved to become President of national rail confirmed plans to build an district and runs via Xianjialu to 20.2km (12.6 miles) with operator SNCF in November. east-west light rail line, with village and Maiji bus station to 17 stations by extending to an investment of CNY3.1bn Tianshui railway station with 12 Tianshui No. 3 Middle School Civil unrest forces US (EUR385m). stops. A fleet of 17 five-section in the east, and from Wulipu to transit closures A ground-breaking ceremony 100% low-floorBoyue trams Qinzhou West Bus Station in the A number of US cities suspended was held on 18 October 2015, (capacity for 370 passengers, west, with a branch to Tianshui public transport service for periods between 28 May and 4 June, to with the city adopting a PPP 58 seated) have been delivered South railway station. This is the protect staff and customer safety as model to ensure rapid progress. by China Railway Signal & station for the high-speed line to protests and civil unrest related to Civil engineering was undertaken Communications Group to Xian, opened in 2017. the death of George Floyd in police by CRSC Construction Group provide a ten-minute peak service Two further lines are planned: custody in Minneapolis on 25 May using electrical and mechanical (15 minutes off-peak). Trams Line 2, Tianshui railway station swept cities across the nation. equipment from CRSC Shanghai run 06.30-21.30. They are the to Qilidun, via the Great Wall For example, in Minneapolis, the Engineering Bureau. The new first low-floor trams in China Electric Factory (16.1km/ten Metro Transit Blue line light rail line has taken two years to build, not built by one of the CRRC miles), and line 3, Qiliduncha service was suspended on 28 May, restored on 4 June. In Los Angeles, with commissioning and testing subsidiaries and feature hybrid East, via the Electrical Apparatus Metro service was suspended from beginning in November 2019. battery and supercapacitor Research Institute and 20.00 on 30 May as a response A dummy service was introduced power systems, recharged via Shimaping Bus Station, to the to civil unrest and curfews, but on 22 March 2020. pantograph at stops. university (7.25km/4.5 miles). resumed the following day. A 21.00 curfew was introduced from 30 May in Miami-Dade, with all transit services suspended until 1 June. Operators introduce face mask rules LRSSB confirms new Chair The Light Rail Safety and As more city and national In Paris, RATP and is trialling instead to generate anonymised Standards Board, established in authorities confirm regulations the integration of Artificial statistical data that will help 2019 to oversee safety across the related to the use of face Intelligence (AI) tools into anticipate future outbreak UK’s light rail sector, has appointed coverings when using public security cameras on the Métro to hotspots. Sue Byrne as its new Chair, a transport, operators have been collect data on which passengers The introduction of such logistics professional with nearly 30 years’ experience. trialling a range of messaging and are wearing face coverings, technology is a controversial An announcement on the enforcement measures to ensure mandatory since 28 April. A issue. The spread of AI- appointment of a new LRSSB Chief compliance from passengers. three-month trial at Chatelet- powered surveillance and Executive is expected shortly. In the UK, the use of face Les Halles station began in May, facial recognition in China Stockholm contracts coverings were to be a condition using technology developed by has concerned many privacy A CZK5bn (EUR188m) contract has of travel from 15 June with French startup DatakaLab. advocates, but given pandemic been awarded to Czech company volunteer ‘journey-makers’ Collected data is not designed conditions authorities may feel Subterra to undertake drill and employed to reinforce their use. to identify or punish those not that public health takes priority blast tunnelling for the 4.1km In an announcement on 4 June, adhering to the regulations, but over dangers to individual (6.6-mile) western extension of Transport Secretary Grant Shapps privacy and it is suggested that in the Stockholm metro Blue line said that “challenges” on public countries where mask-wearing from Akalla to Bakarby. Passenger transport were “increasing” is unfamiliar, such technology service is expected to start in 2026. as more people went back into can help authorities understand Siemens has won the EUR21m contract to electrify extensions to work and education as lockdown whether their messaging is the Blue and Yellow metro lines, measures are eased, adding “that convincing the public. including the design, installation, doesn’t mean surgical masks, Although both the UK testing and commissioning of which we must keep for clinical and France, like many other 15 rectifier stations, 28 network settings. It means the kind of countries, initially discouraged stations and laying of 33kV and face covering, you can easily the use of face masks in public, 750V cables. make at home. fines can now be applied In other news, Transdev has From 19 May, Zürich authority VBZ “There will be exemptions (EUR135 in France, varying been awarded the concession to began distributing free face masks, operate the narrow-gauge (891mm) to these rules for very young levels elsewhere) for anyone resuming normal timetables the week electrified Roslagsbanan for children, for disabled people before. To reinforce the message, found not wearing one on metro, 12 years from April 2021, replacing and those with breathing a number of the city’s Cobra trams trams, train and bus services, as incumbent Arriva. difficulties.” featured face mask nose liveries. VBZ well as in taxis in France.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org july 2020 / 253 News US commits a further USD891m to transit projects Latest FTA funding round covers 12 schemes

n 29 May the US l Lake County, IN – West Federal Transit Lake Corridor commuter rail: Administration USD100m towards a 12.6km LA’s Purple line extension received a Full Funding Grant Agreement in March (FTA) confirmed (7.8-mile) southern extension 2020 and now has an additional USD100m in FY 2020 financing. LA Metro USD890.5mO to advance 12 of the South Shore line between transit projects through its Dyer and Hammond. US tightens rules on US priority watch list. A list of Capital Investment Grants (CIG) USD99.99m in Small Starts rolling stock procurement nations that meet the criteria is programmes. Divided between funding has been allocated to New guidance has been issued yet to be confirmed, although its New Starts and Small Starts Tri-Met to extend the MAX Red to help transit agencies and some commentators believe this streams, projects must go through light rail line in Portland, OR, by manufacturers understand the is an escalation of the US trade a multi-year, multi-step process 12.6km (7.8 miles) from Beaverton prohibitions on FTA-funded restrictions aimed primarily at to be eligible for consideration. Transit Center to Downtown rolling stock procurements Chinese suppliers. New Starts grants have been Hillsboro and for improvements contained in the National Orders placed before 20 made available to: to enhance capacity and Defense Authorization Act December 2019 are exempt, as l Los Angeles, CA – Westside reliability on the route between (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2020. are options; existing agreements Purple line: An additional Portland International Airport The new NDAA restricts the for transit vehicles for Boston, USD100m towards this 4.2km and Beaverton. use of federal – and in some Chicago, Los Angeles and (2.6-mile) subway extension to Other Small Starts packages circumstances local – funds Philadelphia are therefore not Westwood/Veterans Hospital. will support the implementation to buy or lease vehicles from affected. The act applies to l Phoenix, AZ – Valley Metro of Bus Rapid Transit projects in any company that is “owned, any form of rolling stock, and South Central LRT: An Indianapolis (IN), St. Petersburg controlled by, is a subsidiary of includes contracts that specify additional USD100m for the (FL), Miami-Dade County (FL), or is otherwise related legally spares and maintenance. 8.9km (5.5-mile) route from Albany (NY), Ogden (UT), or financially to a corporation” For the latest guidance, see downtown Phoenix to South Vancouver (WA), Pittsburgh (PA) based in countries identified as a www.transit.dot.gov/funding/ Mountain Village. and Milwaukee (WI). non-market economy or on the procurement/ UITP data predicts EUR40bn losses for operators Eighty city transport leaders restrictions and safety measures. 1% of GDP, EUR100bn per year. and a common good we have to and manufacturers have UITP says that to limit the According to statistics from preserve. The sector is strongly signed an open letter that calls consequences of the crisis Germany, if all German public inter-linked with many other upon European institutions to – farebox revenues may not transport users were to go by sectors and develops economic prioritise urban transport in the recover for two years, it suggests – car, an additional 86.5bn benefits that are five times higher economic recovery programme exceptional measures need to be car-kilometres would be shifted than its own turnover. from the COVID-19 crisis. adopted at EU level and deployed onto the roads. “Moreover, the crucial The letter, sent on 13 May to rapidly, saying: “It is evident that “Urban and local public objectives of the Green Deal the Presidents of the European receiving not more than 10% of transport services in Europe will not be met without a Commission, European Council ticket revenues while maintaining contribute between EUR130- clear priority given to public and European Parliament, uses up to 100% of the service is not 150bn per year to the economy. transport. Consequently, public new data from UITP that suggests financially sustainable.” This is 1-1.2% of the GDP. transport and local mobility a EUR40bn shortfall in operator “Public transport is essential to “The COVID-19 pandemic systems are vital to the recovery revenues by the end of 2020 reduce traffic congestion, which has demonstrated that urban of the European economy, both as a result of pandemic travel costs the European economy public transport is essential in the short and long term.”

New York’s cautious re-opening as new Subway fleet issues emerge

New York’s MTA resumed full To complicate matters further, safety concerns involving the York City Transit and Wabtec, Subway and bus service on 8 June just days before the MTA pulled new vehicles’ door mechanisms. the supplier of the link bar as the city entered ‘Phase 1’ of its fleet ofR179 subway cars out Interim NYCT President Sarah between the cars, to conduct its reopening after a mandated of service as it investigated an Feinberg said: “Customer and a detailed analysis and to COVID-19 stay-at-home order. incident in which a train became employee safety is New York City implement an inspection plan The authority still called for only separated between the sixth and Transit’s North Star. We will not for the entire R179 fleet. We will essential journeys to be made, seventh cars of a ten-car train on compromise one inch on safety. reserve additional comments and that face masks would be an A train service on 3 June. We will not return the fleet to until the results of these actions provided to passengers. While No injuries were reported. service without certainty and are known. We share New York their use is mandatory, MTA staff This is the latest in a series of validation that all cars are fit for City Transit’s highest concern for and the city’s police said they issues with the Bombardier-built passenger service – period.” passenger safety and are treating would not support sanctions for trains, with 298 cars removed In a statement, Bombardier this incident with the urgency those who did not comply. from service earlier this year over said: “We are working with New and attention it requires.”

254 / july 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org World tramway total reaches 422

ur German and Naumburg in Germany). Edmonton, Canada, in 1978, Between 1978-2020 a total contemporary A city with several unconnected a high-floor network based on of 201 new tramways opened, Blickpunkt and distinct tramways (such as Stadtbahn standards brought from and as our article in TAUT 986 Strassenbahn has Paris) is counted only once. Germany’s Frankfurt-am-Main. showed, 12 more could open in Opublished its world tramway International association of It is noteworthy that Edmonton 2020. The highest number of new cities list as at 31 December 2019. public transport UITP figures is now preparing to open its systems can be found in China, Now reaching a total of 422 say that trams and LRT systems Valley line tramway, which will France and the US. Since 2011 cities, it does not include guided carried 14.6bn passengers in 2019 employ low-floor trams. This 14 cities have lost their tramways, buses, museum tramways (some (although this is believed to be exemplifies the most important almost all in the former Soviet of which operate in the street) based on returns from members trend to level-boarding Union due to market forces and or segregated and automated only), an increase of 4.8%, on operation, which is generally lack of investment. Despite peoplemovers, but does cover 37 300 trams/LRVs, of which accepted began in Grenoble in this, Russia still has the greatest heritage tramways that provide 12 400 are low-floor vehicles. 1987 although some adherents number of tramway cities (59), regular public service (e.g. The first new system of the of the existing system in Genève followed by Germany (56) and Christchurch in New Zealand modern era was opened in may dispute this. the US (39).

Purple Line HF6 cleared for Rheinbahn service contractor to exit? On 14 May the Technical The consortium building Rheinbahn’s replacement for Oversight Authority (TAB) the Stadtbahn-B LRV is the HF6 Maryland’s Purple line light for the German Land of Bombardier Flexity. rail project has said it is to Nordrhein-Westfalen cleared Bombardier exercise an exit clause in its the Rheinbahn’s new HF6 Flexity contract in a dispute over unpaid high-floorStadtbahn cars to carry compensation related to delays, passengers on the Düsseldorf and saying it cannot complete the Duisburg network. project in the planned timescale. Bombardier is delivering 43 Purple Line Transit of these double-ended LRVs to Constructors (PLTC) Project the Rheinbahn (with an option Director Scott Risly said that for 16 more, converted to a firm delays caused by a lawsuit, land order last year) to replace Duewag acquisition, design changes and Stadtbahn-B cars that have been difficulties in obtaining state in service for 40 years. Duisburg environmental approvals had has ordered 18 cars (with an added two-and-half years and option for a further two). USD519m to the project. Initially ordered in March The 26km (16.2-mile) line 2015, the firstHF6 was delivered problems that meant the first two undertakings have already between New Carrollton in early 2018, but hit the cars (4301-7) were returned to indicated a requirement for and Bethesda is being built headlines when the local press Bombardier’s Bautzen facility in 91-133 more vehicles of this type for Maryland Department of described it as too big to fit Saxony for correction. (subject of a separate tender). Transportation and Maryland the tram subway. In fact this The HF6 is a 28m two-section The high-floorStadtbahn Transit Administration under a required some adjustment to car, 2.65m wide, with a contract vehicles are used on lines 36-year USD5.6bn public-private bogie ancillary equipment price of EUR194m for the 59 U74, U75, U77, U78 and U79 partnership (PPP) agreed in as revealed during the initial vehicles. Each has 68 seats and (Duisburg), and in future U81 spring 2016. gauging trials. More problematic space for 107 standees. Weight is to the airport, which all pass PLTC says it is working with have been software issues, and 39.95t and top speed is 80km/h through the Hbf tram subway – MDOT and MTA on an ‘efficient the start of driver training in (50mph). Delivery should be 20 LRVs of this type are also due and orderly transition’, expected 2019 revealed other teething completed in 2024, but the to be delivered to Köln (Cologne). to take between 60 and 90 days.

in your next PLUS... + L uc Koenot provides a detailed survey of the mixed fortunes of Russia’s tramways + Mike Russell celebrates the anniversary of Stuggart’s GT4 and the work of Maschinenfabrik Esslingen +  All the latest news, analysis, and system developments from around the world THE FRENCH SYSTEMS FACTFILE: PHENOMENON BUDAPEST Michael Taplin concludes his Despite declining resources, AUGUST 2020 issue comprehensive analysis of the Hungary’s capital maintains one of modern LRT renaissance in France. Europe’s greatest city tramways. On sale 17 July

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org july 2020 / 255 Advertorial making rails Safe for cyclists

ccording to a study by the University of Tennessee- Knoxville, 53 cycle accidents occurred on a busy four- lane street with tram traffic in Knoxville within two months in 2014. As 13 247 cyclists were counted along this route, this corresponds to an incident rate of 0.4%. ABerlin’s Ernst-Reuter-Platz is a traffic ‘hotspot’ with around 50 000 vehicles per day and 334 accidents per year, in turn corresponding to an accident probability of approximately 0.0018%. These figures show that even a known focal point for motor vehicle accidents is about 220 times safer than crossing a tram tracks for cyclists. These facts drove the development of our patented ‘VeloGleis’. After several development projects, among others at the VBZ in Zürich, we have combined our knowledge with new possibilities in FEM simulation and the participation of external partners – such as Künstler Bahntechnik GmbH – to develop this unique system. ‘VeloGleis’ is a metal construction with an extruded elastomer profile at its heart – this profile fills the track groove to enable safe and unimpeded passage for bicycles and pedestrians.

Security and function • A completely closed crossing surface for bicycles or pedestrians • Additional storage space for displaced foreign bodies (e.g. stones) • After more than 350 000 crossings, our test track shows no impairment

Standard components save costs • Normally rolled rail profiles can be used with the VeloGleis • Standard fastenings (ribbed plate & SKL) can also be used VeloGleis from SEALABLE (formerly DATWYLER Germany) Construction and installation offers the first financially and technically practicable solution for • There are no components in the conventional track channel permanently filling grooved rails in city centres, curves and on • The elastomer profile is attached outside the work area switches, while also enabling the easy passage of rail vehicles. • System drainage is supplied as standard Systems are installed already in Basel, at a large chemical company • Suitable for the tightest radii rail curves, switches and pull-out devices in Düsseldorf – known for its detergents – and this summer also in Köln (Cologne). Interest in the product is so great that we have many enquiries Maintenance and servicing from transport companies in Europe and around the world. • Enables simple rail changes without complex construction measures • Automatic flushing / cleaning is possible through dedicated openings • Rail repairs by simple reprofiling and welding are possible FIND OUT MORE

Approvals Matthias Klug, Managing Director of SEALABLE • Elastomer according to DIN EN ISO 5470-2 (abrasion behaviour) Solutions GmbH, will be happy to answer any • Box construction according to DIN EN 1433, load class D400 questions you may have about this system – • Stray current insulation according to DIN EN 50162 [email protected] • Tracking evidence, derailment report

Rail meets road. Bike-safe rail tracks

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SEALABLE_Anzeige_VeloGleis_184x75mm.indd 1 02.06.20 10:28 256 / july 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org The path to recovery a new destination for transit Morgan Lyons of Lyons Strategic analyses how the current pandemic might change the path of public transport long after the current restrictions are over.

he current pandemic has been something of a nuclear winter for transit operators. Their souls are bruised by employee deaths in the line of duty, depleted cash and creditT reserves, and ridership losses that they can only pray are not permanent. The prize for survival is hopefully – finally – a greater recognition that their services are ‘essential’. Now they need to convert this new public ‘wokeness’ (awareness) into the meaningful investment of funds that will help them restore service cuts and create a safe, welcoming, and efficient environment for customers and employees. This will not be a flip-a-switch recovery. The historic San Francisco cable cars and their riders do not just return overnight. New York City will think long and hard before restoring its subways to 24-hour operation. Transport for London will have some major challenges as it seeks to restore service levels with passengers still staying away. Stalled expansion projects around the world are not likely to pick up where they left off, or continue along their pre-existing San Francisco’s Market Street in late April 2020, devoid of streetcars and devoid of people; a scene that has path when the financial plans and ridership been mirrored in major cities around the world in the past few months. S. Hahn Darlin / CC-BY 2.0 models supporting them are obliterated. And how long will it take for customers to feel safe Transit provides mobility. There is simply no on a traditionally packed rush-hour train? “It will take lots of money, way to build enough roads to keep large cities It will take lots of money, bold thinking, bold thinking, and functioning. We figured this out in the 19th and visionary leadership to get us safely to the Century as urban rail systems and subway other side of this pandemic. Many industry visionary leadership to projects were launched. Younger, rather less observers think it might take years to recoup dense, but still rapidly-growing cities are their losses and create a clear ‘new normal’. get us safely to the other learning. As more than one transit planner has said, people don’t bring their roads with Organise your thinking side of this pandemic.” them when they move to a new city. The successful transit CEOs I have observed Second, transit connects people to basic are generally focusing their efforts on three will continue to do so as service is restored. services. Recent months have made this broad areas: programme, money, message. In Milan, morning and evening rush hours point abundantly clear as operators have Each of these can expand to suit the are being staggered to disperse passenger proved time and again that they are often an style of the boss and agency culture, but loads. In Wuhan, more people are returning essential link for a community’s residents everything ultimately comes back to those to the private car. Throughout the United to hospitals, grocery stores, and financial three. Organising one’s thoughts concisely States, cities are taking hard looks at sidewalk services. Hospitals are a great example. is particularly valuable in this asymmetrical widths to allow pedestrians more room, and Not only do people need them for treatment, environment; it helps everyone focus and giving new attention to more and larger but they are often major employment and should make it easier to communicate needs bicycle lanes. A quick Google search turns education centres. Both are vital functions. and expectations to staff and customers alike. up lots of articles on anticipated increases in San Francisco is being studied for its decision telework or telecommuting. to completely alter its routing in April to Remembering our purpose While the programme may be the same focus its efforts on essential services alone. The main job of any transit operator is to today as in January, it will be fundamentally Third, transit is a regional economic move people safely and efficiently. But current – and perhaps permanently – changed by the engine. Transit oriented development (TOD) ridership and service losses not only change events of the past months that have altered the has a multi-billion-dollar impact in countless the immediate programme, they profoundly customer’s perception of a safe trip. Essential cities. While we think of the new TOD change the length and scale of the recovery. or not, transit operators must explain why projects built around rail transit in places like External forces influencing ridership today they are still here and re-justify their existence. Dallas, Texas, or Portland, Oregon, or parts of

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JULY 2020 / 257 The path to recovery

ABOVE: Cleaning on the DART network in Dallas, US. The pandemic has meant a step-up in the need for confined spaces to be ruthlessly, and continuously, cleaned. DART

RIGHT: A thing of the past: We won’t see packed LRV carriages like this for some time as social distancing requires operators to limit the number of passengers per vehicle. TAUT

London, we do not have to go that far back many that will only help keep them afloat They want to know what their organisation in historyto consider cities that would not for a few months. An additional round of is doing and be able to take that message to exist but for access to rail. While transit short-term federal funding is being pursued. their neighbours. CEOs must give them critics, particularly in the US, discount the But there is no reasonable expectation that that message. value of TOD as a success metric, there is in a presidential election year Congress Having a shareable and memorable message ample research demonstrating its economic will do meaningful work on permanent will be particularly important as organisations impact in terms of employment and long-term funding. build support for renewed public investment expanded tax revenue. This is a global problem. While various in transit. Transit advocates need to take Transit operators, stakeholders and governments are making immediate cash the same message to elected leaders. The customers need to have hard conversations injections, there is simply not enough money establishment of new and evolving service about how to balance these elements to best to cover every element of society that is being levels will require frequent, clear and honest meet the needs of their community. It is adversely affected. It is true even in countries, communication from operators. It is an not one size fits all. I will also suggest, that unlike the US, with true national rail transit essential part of establishing trust. because of the anticipated evolving nature of policies. Further, governments do not know the recovery, the balance of those priorities how much they will need to invest to support ‘Do what you do’ will change – and perhaps frequently. the next level of ‘normal’ operations. The American football coach Tony Dungy Operators are having those conversations Operators and authorities are adjusting used to tell his players, “Do what you do. now, and if not then they should be. their budgets in real-time. But there is only Whatever it takes.” That is good advice in so much of that one can do and still run a this environment. A football match, whether ‘Remember the pennies’ service, so advocates must redouble their American or FIFA, is always changing. A family therapist friend taught me that efforts to secure substantial, sustained, and It requires players and their leaders to adapt. concept long ago. It is sound relationship predictable funding. It really is time for Coronavirus has created a new game for counsel, but it is even better when your national governments to put their monies transit operators and customers. Reaching organisation is bleeding cash and the bank where their mouths are when calling out agreement on safety – what it will take for is running dry. Successful CEOs know where transit as an essential service. people to feel comfortable sharing a crowded their pennies come from, how they are train, is a start. As they plan and carry out being spent, and how many they have to Manage the message their return, focusing on the fundamentals buy nice, new things like modern vehicles One enduring lesson from this crisis should of programme, money and message will help and service expansions. be the reminder that messages need to be them finish successfully. Unprecedented ridership drops and the concise, memorable, and honest. For example, resulting loss in passenger revenue is bad some version of “wash your hands”, “stay enough. COVID-19 is a double whammy home if you’re sick”, is likely burned into for those who depend on sales tax and everyone’s brain at this point. About the author other funding sources that are based upon Every CEO has their elevator pitch to Morgan Lyons is a recognised expert in consumer behaviour. Then there is the concisely describe their agency and how it crisis communications and media relations. impact of increased operating expenses for benefits their community. This is how the Transitioning from a career as an award-winning overtime, hazard pay, additional vehicle CEO reinforces and builds support for their journalist, he was Vice-President, External cleaning, more protective equipment for vision, it gets everyone on the same page. Relations, at Dallas Area Rapid Transit in Texas employees, and the list goes on. That is especially true in a crisis. Maybe even before opening his own communications But don’t fret. There is plenty of more so in a crisis like this one. consultancy, Lyons Strategic. government money to make up the Employees are looking for answers. Morgan has served as Chair of the Marketing difference. It’s OK. You can stop reading at They want to be safe. They want to be led. and Communications Committee for the American this point for a chortle, laugh, scream, or cry. They want to be part of the solution. After all, Public Transit Association, and as a member of the body’s Board of Directors. He is presently a Transit operators in the US are benefiting they are still coming to work every day! member of the Legislative Committee. Visit his from USD25bn in federal support as part of Employees want to believe in their leaders. website at www.lyonsstrategic.com the various trillion-dollar initiatives. But for They want to trust what they are hearing.

258 / JULY 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Advertorial THREE MYTHS OF STONE WOOL FOR RAIL SYSTEMS BUSTED ot all stone wool is the same. You’ll quickly realise this if you try using a piece of stone wool insulation to control the powerful N vibrations on a railway track. MYTH 1 Stone wool is only used for thermal insulation and fire protection When most people think of stone wool, they think of the insulation material used in buildings to protect against fire and extreme temperatures. But did you know it is also used as reinforcement in car brakes, in stormwater management systems, or as resilient mats to control potential ground-borne noise and vibration nuisances generated by tramways and light rail systems in urban environments? Stone wool is produced from diabase rock – a naturally abundant material which is both durable and recyclable. So although produced from the same starting material, stone wool mats differ substantially from their insulation counterparts and are engineered to meet the high-performance requirements of rail systems.

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www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JULY 2020 / 259 Rail masterclass RAIL masterclass: why rails don’t last forever In the second part of our series, Daniel Pyke explores some of the ways that rail degrades during its life, and also provides pointers on potential ways to extend the life of this key asset.

eplacing rails is expensive and disruptive. Whether you are an operator, a passenger or even a neighbour, rail replacement is something that should be Rminimised as far as safely possible, so in this article we look at some of the reasons rails degrade, what limits their life, and some ways we can perhaps extend it. Rail degradation depends upon many factors, including the relative hardness of the wheel and the rail, the choice of rolling stock and its upkeep, the environment in which the rails are installed and the wider maintenance regime for the track system. However, the main cause of rail wear is the passage of steel wheels over the rails, as each passage of a wheel removes microscopic amounts of material from the surface of both rail and wheel. As the traffic builds, eventually Corrugation is a particular material loss becomes visible and ultimately issue in urban transit reaches such a level that replacement of systems, most often the rail becomes necessary. seen in areas of heavy The amount of permitted wear varies acceleration or braking, significantly by network due to differing or sharp curves. vehicle types, and in some cases history where ‘main line’ rules have been applied (often conservatively) to light rail operations. “The rate of wear can vary significantly. Some rails may There are generally two types of wear seen in Vignole rails: last 60 years and some just six months depending on the •   Head wear: Where material is removed from the top of the rail e.g. straight track. traffic, track geometry, vehicle, and resistance to wear.” •   Side wear: Where material is removed from the gauge corner by the steering forces be reduced using friction modification, disruptive than grooved rail replacement, the required to steer the vehicle around a curve. essentially lowering the surface friction level only viable alternative. Typically, embedded The rate of wear can vary significantly. to similar to that of a wet rail; this can also grooved rail replacement costs five times more Some rails may last 60 years and some just result in small reductions in energy use. than replacing Vignole rail in ballasted track. six months depending on the traffic, track One slightly more unusual but notable Weld restoration therefore offers large savings geometry, the vehicle, and the rail’s resistance technique is used to tackle side wear on in terms of cost, as well as avoiding disruption to wear. embedded grooved rails and arrest wear of to passengers and both road and rail traffic by There are various strategies to minimise the keeper on the opposite rail. Long weld delaying the need for rail replacement. rail degradation: The vehicle itself plays a deposits are made in situ to replace lost significant part, with some vehicles and metal along the gauge corner in a technique Harder or softer? wheel profiles being more track-friendly than known as gauge corner repair. On sharp Rail wear can also be addressed with more others. Heavier, more powerful, and stiffer curves this can extend the life of the rail by wear-resistant steel grades. Although in general yaw suspension on vehicles all tend multiple times. Although time-consuming terms harder rails are more wear resistant, it to increase wear. in application, requiring skilled attention is worth noting that the relationship breaks Lubrication of the wheel/rail interface in to ensure a robust weld and a process that at very high hardness levels (e.g. >370HB) curves can be extremely effective at reducing avoids damage to the surrounding embedding and does not always equate to greater wear the side wear rate, either by vehicle or wayside material which can fail at high temperatures, resistance, something which many in the rail methods. In a similar way, head wear can gauge corner repair is far less costly and industry do not fully appreciate.

260 / JULY 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org LEFT: The classic S-shaped cracking present on the active gauge corner of the rail is often referred to as gauge corner cracking, or rolling contact fatigue, although there are many other types.

both measure and control. The usual control methods are to grind or in severe cases mill away the rail’s surface to control the crack depth; in some cases rail replacement is the most cost-effective solution. ‘Squats’ are the exception to the rule as they are discrete defects (although sometimes clustered) and can be repaired using an aluminothermic weld repair process before they grow enough to cause a broken rail. “Left unchecked, such cracks can grow in service and Preventing RCF involves controlling the contact stresses in the wheel/rail interface, a can cause the rail to fail, sometimes catastrophically.” subject which some people spend their whole careers trying to best understand! Rail profiles Joining heat-treated steel to non-heat-treated Wear rates are often measured in fractions may be altered to reduce the contact stresses rail can be challenging and also result in of millimetres per million gross tonnes (mm/ between wheel and rail, either through inconsistent properties across the connection. MGT), and because wear rate is usually quite grinding/milling or even selection of the new So despite what rail supply companies may tell linear once the track has ‘bedded in’, it allows rail profile or steel itself, e.g. 60E2 rails rather you – harder is not always better. reasonably accurate lifetime predictions to than 60E1 rails. For grooved rails specifically, not all be generated from historic measurements for On the vehicle side of the interface, the wear-resisting grades are compatible with asset replacement planning purposes. wheel profile and how it is maintained gauge corner repair. Due to its relative simplicity to measure, can also be optimised. Although vehicle There is an interesting disparity between predict and control, wear is often the preferred characteristics are not as simple to change, the approach of some tramway systems to degradation method for infrastructure owners they can have a significant effect on RCF. this: some specify harder rails for sharp curves and maintainers although it may not generate It has been observed many times that the to better resist wear, while others specify the lowest lifecycle costs in many cases. introduction of a new fleet to an existing softer rails, perceived to be easier to repair route has suddenly precipitated an increase in situ. Which option delivers the lowest Rolling Contact Fatigue in observed track defects due to its different cost depends on the timescales used for As steel wheels traverse the surface of a rail, characteristics. comparison and is often a function of how they exert extremely high stresses. Imagine an Whilst track geometry is rarely practical the networks are funded. average motor car balancing on a quarter of a to change, the most common areas for RCF When discussing the use of harder rail postage stamp – this is the sort of pressure put are shallow curves; this may at first glance grades, it is common to come across the myth on the rail by each tram / LRV wheel. Under appear counterintuitive, but a perhaps that the use of harder rails will wear vehicles’ the right (or rather wrong) conditions, this oversimplified explanation is that there wheels faster. This is not true. An independent repeated application of high stress can cause are two factors at work, in competition, to study disproved this myth; indeed, some fatigue cracks at or near the surface of the rail degrade the rail: evidence found that, in certain circumstances, to initiate. Left unchecked, such cracks can •   Wear – i.e. removal of the surface of it was beneficial to wheelset life, but still the grow in service and ultimately can cause the the rail myth persists in some areas. rail to fail, sometimes catastrophically. •   Rolling Contact Fatigue – i.e. initiation and The use of harder steels can massively alter There are many types of Rolling Contact growth of cracks into the surface. the rail wear rate, differing by a factor of ten Fatigue (RCF) with names such as gauge corner On the sharpest curves the contact stresses between the worst and best wearing grades cracking, shelling, snake-skin etc. Classic RCF are so high that wear dominates as the surface available. Because of this huge difference, is usually visible as a series of ‘S’-shaped cracks is removed faster than cracks can initiate it is not surprising that changing the rail around the crown to gauge corner of the rail, and grow. On tangent tracks the contact grade wear may also change the dominant but there are many other types and different stresses are low so there is not enough energy degradation type. If you massively reduce the regions use different terminology. ‘Head provided to grow cracks into the surface of wear rate, other issues, such as rolling contact checking’ is another common description, but the rail. However, in shallow curves there is fatigue, may limit the rail’s life instead. this is usually slightly further towards the rail enough energy to initiate and grow cracks, but This may also introduce new issues into the crown/top than gauge corner cracking. not enough to cause rapid wear removing the network to manage and maintain to get the Rolling contact fatigue is a complex surface, resulting in the cracking we observe longest economical life out of the rail. subject, which requires significant efforts to in these areas.

LEFT: During welding multiple weld beads are stacked to replace worn away material.

ABOVE: An etched cross section for illustration after the repair process is complete.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org juLY 2020 / 261 Advertorial Harsco targets UK with specialist RAIL grinder nfrastructure maintenance specialist Harsco Rail has extended its service offering with the launch of the RO-V 149 road-rail grinding machine, designed to dramatically improve Ithe condition of rail networks in the UK. Development and deployment has been handled under a partnership with German plant manufacturer Möser Maschinenbau. Based in the UK, the grinding machine is aimed at tram and light rail operators who in the past have generally relied on importing equipment from Europe, meaning that vital rail grinding operations can now be performed at much shorter notice. With typical noise emissions of 75dB and

CO2 emissions of around 60kg/h, the RO-V 149 is well-suited to urban networks. Its compact design enables it to operate within a restricted loading gauge and narrow streets, also enabling works to take place while the adjacent track or road space remains open for traffic. were maintained to the highest of standards ABOVE: The RO-V 149 ’s compact dimensions, low The RO-V 149 can be used for re-profiling and they pushed themselves to working limits emissions and ease of transition between road and as well as removing corrugation and mill until they were satisfied with the job they were rail make it perfect for urban environments. scale, and to grind turnout switches, check completing to provide an excellent service” BELOW: The new road-rail grinder has recently rail curves, grooved rail and road crossings “The machine itself will be a great addition to undertaken its first work in the UK on Nottingham’s to create the optimal wheel/rail contact and maintenance and it seems to have done a very tramway. prolong the lifespan of the track. good job of the bad areas on the system.” Images courtesy of Harsco Rail UK Capable of operation on gauges between 1000mm and 1667mm, the machine can be TECHNICAL DATA switched from road to rail mode in under two minutes and employs six independently- Dimensions (mm) 5152 x 2020 x 2577 adjustable spindles, four of them for cup Max weight (kg) 6500 wheels and two disc wheels to enable work on the groove bottom and check rail. Max axle load (on road – kg) 3 900 The RO-V 149 has recently completed a Max axle load (on rail – kg) 3 300 project for Nottingham Trams. An engineering Max speed (on road – km/h) 20 spokesman for the operator said: “Rob, Kev and Sam [Harsco Rail Möser operators] were an Max speed (on rail – km/h) 20 absolute pleasure to work with for the week. Operating speed (km/h) 0-5 Their professionalism and safety concerns

Harsco ad strip DRAFT.indd 1 03/06/2020 15:17 262 / july 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org ABOVE: Not traditionally referred to as RCF, but ‘squats’ initiate due to rolling contact fatigue creating a discrete track defect requiring repair/replacement of the affected area.

LEFT: Under some conditions RCF cracks grow beneath the surface before joining up with other cracks. This allows material to flake/spall away from the rail surface, creating a snakeskin effect.

Foot fatigue (Base defect) and flow away from the high stressed areas. In steel with a higher yield point / hardness or Similar to the rail head, under the right extreme examples steel can be smeared almost perhaps even one with a lower elongation to conditions fatigue cracks can grow from like butter, resulting in lips of material on stop the material flowing under high stresses. the rail foot. This area is in the greatest the rail which can pose both operational and The lipping on the example was eliminated by tension during use and any damage, whether safety hazards. using a higher hardness rail steel. mechanical or from corrosion, can raise the The image (below right) shows tongues stress locally further to the point where a crack of steel being ‘smeared’ from the rail head. Corrugation can begin and start to grow. Often due to their Whilst an extreme example, this issue is Corrugation is the formation of a cyclical location and size, these cracks are undetectable more commonly seen on a smaller scale change in profile, often seen as a ‘ripple’ or until the rail fails so this is incredibly around switch and stock rails where the lips ‘wave’ along the length of the railhead of challenging to manage as there are no reliable of material created can prevent the switch alternating bright/dark patches – typically ways to monitor this type of issue. Over 50% opening or closing correctly. the wavelength is in the region of 30-300mm. of the rail failures in UK networks originate At best it causes the annoyance of noisy (or from the rail foot, although in part that is due “At best corrugation causes ‘roaring’) rails, at worst it can significantly to improved management of the rail head. reduce track life and cause vehicle damage. The only current way to minimise this the annoyance of noisy Corrugation can be partially related to serious issue is to avoid creating stress points plastic flow, as the rail head is deformed on the foot of the rail. Mechanical damage (or ‘roaring’) rails, at permanently along its length, but it can also may occur during installation, subsequent be a result of accelerated localised repetitive maintenance, or from damaged sleepers/pads. worst it can significantly wear due to stick/slip of the wheel; often both Corrosion damage can occur particularly factors are present together. under the pad area with pitting corrosion reduce rail life and cause Corrugation is most often seen in areas of common when using dimpled pads in wet heavy acceleration or braking or on sharp areas of track. To minimise this type of failure, vehicle damage.” curves, where energy input through the rail/ there is currently no simple solution – just wheel contact patch is greatest. It is therefore attention to detail at every stage of the rails’ Several possible solutions can be a particular issue in urban transit systems. It life. Where corrosion-related failures are considered. As the condition is caused by is the author’s belief that single vehicle type common then the use of corrosion-protected overloading the rail, either the load must be fleets are more likely to suffer with accelerated rail may become justified. reduced, or the rail must be strengthened. corrugation damage compared to those with Whilst the former may not sound feasible, a mixed fleet, due to the matching resonant Plastic flow in a few cases – particularly mixed traffic frequencies of the oscillating wheelsets Rail vehicle wheels often have a contact patch railways – the cant excess experienced by reinforcing the corrugation effects. smaller than a small coin. All this weight slower-moving freight vehicles around sharp The resulting ripple along the rail head concentrated on a small area can generate curves can be reduced or eliminated allowing leads to further degradation of the rail, immense stress on the rail: too much stress better load sharing between high and low rail. trackbed and components as well as the and the steel can start to plastically deform In urban railways the solution is to use a rail vehicles themselves due to the elevated

ABOVE: A broken rail caused by foot fatigue. The semi-circular fatigue crack can be seen originating from the rail foot. Under high loads the fatigue crack does not need to be large to cause the entire rail to fracture.

RIGHT: Tongues of steel being smeared from the rail head. This issue is more commonly seen around switch and stock rails, and can prevent the switch opening or closing correctly.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org juLY 2020 / 263 Rail masterclass

ABOVE: Corrugation is the formation of a cyclical change in profile along a ABOVE: The rail head appears quite new, whereas the foot is massively corroded length of rail, often seen as a ripple or wave. requiring replacement of the entire rail. levels of vibration. Noise and ground-borne Corrosion an elegant but unusual solution in low traffic vibration can also be an issue for both Rail is one of the few steel products used areas is to use a rail which has an integral passengers and nearby residents. in open environments without any extra stainless steel crown produced when the rail Once present, corrugation will almost corrosion protection. Corrosion can cause is made. always continue to grow and the amplitude different track issues, so we will briefly of the wave along the railhead will increase in explore each type: Foot corrosion severity. Although corrugation rarely reaches Rails may need to perform in some extremely levels that impact safety it may breach noise Crown / Head corrosion: aggressive environments. Not all tunnels are or vibration level limits or cause complaints This can be a significant issue where track- dry, many level crossings trap moisture, salt that require action to be taken. The cure is circuit signalling is used as this relies on good and dirt, and coastal areas may be subjected to grind or perhaps even mill the rail flat electrical contact between vehicle and track. If to sea spray contamination. There are even along its length, but mass is lost with each the rail head is corroded, oxidised, or features areas where stray electrical currents drive treatment: this consumes rail life and is an a build-up of debris, this electrical contact can corrosion to extreme levels. Most rails do expensive and noisy process. be lost, leaving the signalling system unable not have their life limited by corrosion, but Repeated treatments reduce the rail’s to detect where a train is with obvious effects in some areas environmental factors can height, eventually creating a ridge on on performance and safety. accelerate the usual slow corrosion of rails to embedded track that could create a hazard for This type of corrosion tends to happen unacceptably high levels. Rails should wear cyclists and pedestrians as the running surface in infrequently-used lengths of track such out, not rust away. sinks lower into the road. as emergency crossovers, station termini Prevention is always more effective Corrugation therefore presents engineers and areas where the railhead can become than cure, but removing the corrosion- with a dilemma: if left, then corrugation contaminated with foreign matter. Whilst it accelerating environment may be impractical gets worse at a rapid rate, but each time the is fair to say that this problem does not affect or uneconomical in many cases, so it is no rail is ground you reduce its life. the majority of track, signalling reliability is surprise to see corrosion-protected rails In some cases, particularly for Vignole rails, it key to a high performing rail system. available from a few manufacturers, may be more cost effective to replace the rail. The traditional response, beside changing using differing approaches to lengthen In practice, corrugation usually requires the signalling inputs, is to manually weld a the useful service life. something to start the wheelset oscillation, zig-zag bead of stainless steel across the rail whether that be a bad weld or a dipped joint. head to ensure electrical contact in problem Conclusion Eliminating such track features can help resist areas. This process is slow, expensive, prone Many issues can degrade rail during its life, corrugation initiation. More wear and plastic to failure, introduces extra noise, imposes and here we have hopefully highlighted some flow-resistant rail grades can be used to slow low speed limits for trains and puts people of the key ones to be aware of. The author the rate of growth and extend the time between on track for extended periods. It is therefore hopes you have enjoyed a brief trip though maintenance requirements. Installation of far from ideal. Other solutions use automated the rail ‘hall of shame’ to appreciate how to harder grade rails has reduced corrugation welding equipment to weld a stainless strip build better rail systems that deliver the safe growth by two-thirds in one monitored site as along the railhead which has the potential and reliable performance needed to keep our an example of what can be achieved. to give better longevity / less variability, and towns and cities connected.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Daniel Pyke is a technically- focused marketing manager, most recently working for British Steel. With a strong background in rail, steel and materials science, metallurgy, product development, manufacturing, quality assurance and certification, he helps infrastructure owners, maintainers, installation contractors and operators in building stronger and safer railways by using the right rails in the right place.

LEFT: A zig-zag weld is one response to potential rail corrosion – however much of it here has failed in service.

264 / JULY 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org

Twenty years after the January 1985 inauguration, Nantes TFS 337 is at Commerce stop on the original THE section to open. N. Pulling FRENCH TRAMWAY PHENOMENON part 1 24 new tramways in 35 years is a remarkable achievement, and in this Paris Strasbourg two-part special Michael Taplin explores the circumstances that have Nantes driven light rail development in France, as well as the key milestones. FRANCE

rban transport in France was in The shock of the 1973 oil crisis, when war ‘un véhicule terrestre Grenoble the doldrums by the late 1960s. in the Middle East led to the price per barrel de transport de Most cities had replaced their increasing by a factor of four, and increasing voyageurs, guidé, trams with buses or trolleybuses pollution on city highways, made public électrique, pouvant by 1958 (Valenciennes lasted opinion favourable to a different approach. circuler sur la voirie untilU 1966), leaving just three small systems In 1971 the concept of the versement transports banale et en site réserveé’ (a (totalling 35km/22 miles) that all had particular (VT) was introduced in Paris, a 2.6% urban surface vehicle for passengers, guided, electric characteristics that ensured their survival. payroll tax on companies with more than 11 and able to circulate in the highway and on In Lille the interurbans to Roubaix and employees, hypothecated to public transport. reserved sites). Tourcoing provided a fast service on mostly In 1973 this was extended to all urban regions These semantics did not last long reserved track; in Marseille one line reached the with a population over 300 000 (100 000 from fortunately, but when Secretary of State for city centre using a tunnel; in Saint-Étienne one 1974), with the level set locally (generally 1.75% Transport Marcel Cavaillé wrote to the mayors line could serve the core north–south demand if significant infrastructure is planned). VT has in eight provincial cities (Bordeaux, Grenoble, in a linear city hemmed in by geography. subsequently generated hundreds of millions Nancy, Nice, Rouen, Strasbourg, Toulon and Only the capital, Paris, had built a metro, of Francs (later Euros) for public transport Toulouse) on 27 February 1975 asking them constructed in the final years of the 19th investment, including new tramways, and is to study new solutions for urban transport Century and with the first line opening in increasingly used also for revenue support. – based on the existing highway, with a 1900. Elsewhere passenger numbers were minimum of new infrastructure and with the in decline as bus systems received little A question of semantics promise of state finance to cover up to half the investment and the buses suffered from the The government of Jacques Chirac (Prime cost – the word tramway was quite deliberately privations of increasing traffic. Road traffic Minister 1974-76 under Valéry Giscard avoided. Nevertheless, the groundwork for the was increasing relentlessly as more and more d’Estaing) took a different approach, one that modern French tramway was laid. commuting took place by private car, and sought to make urban transport more attractive Today, all these cities except Toulon boast noise and congestion increased, even though with an intermediate mode between bus and a modern tramway (in Nancy a rail-guided the years of Georges Pompidou (1962-74 metro. As seen subsequently in other countries, rubber-tyred trolleybus is to be replaced by a Prime Minister and then President) were of course it could not be called a tramway, tramway from 2023), and many more besides, driven by the philosophy ‘Il faut adapter la which French people associated with the noisy, bringing the total to 28. It is an impressive ville a la voiture’ (‘it is necessary to adapt the uncomfortable and dangerous system they had statement of sustainability for a country with city to the car’). just got rid of. So it became known as a population in 2020 of just over 65 million.

266 / JULY 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org A second competition, which did use the word tramway, invited manufacturers to present concept designs for a uniform French tram (Tramway Français Standard – TFS), attracting bids from Matra, La Brugeoise et Nivelles, TCO and Alstom/Francorail-MTE. The latter were declared the winners in June 1976 with a 28.5m, double-ended, two-section articulated car on three bogies (two motored), drawing power from an overhead line and with a high floor, as was the norm at that time; 168 passengers could be carried. In addition to the availability of funds from VT and central government, another important factor in the success of the mode in France is the Urban Local Transport Plan (Plan de déplacements urbains – PDU). A requirement for each metropolitan area (the agglomération, a pool of communes including the city and its suburbs) of 100 000, the PDU is a compulsory 5-10 year plan, subject to local consultation, which must take account of safety, air pollution, noise, traffic congestion, parking and (since ABOVE: The first tram for Nantes on display in the 1996) reduction in traffic. The authority is line from Haluchère to Bellevue with a budget city centre in August 1984. T. Assa charged with the choice of investments and the of FRF400m; the national government offered definition of the bid, as well as taking charge of to meet 30% of the costs. Supported by Michel the selection of the public transport operator Bigey, Director General of the Syndicat “The shock of the 1973 oil for its network. In 1999 the Chevénement Intercommunal des Transports Publics law created the structure of the agglomération, de l’Agglomération Nantaise (SEMITAN), crisis, when the price per whereby a city and its surrounding project management was put in the hands of barrel increased by a facor independent communes act in an integrated SOFRETU for the design and construction, and way – particularly in respect of transport. SEMALY for the rolling stock. of four, and increasing The authority is led by the mayor of the The concept was for a surface ‘metro’, a city, who becomes the most important figure tramway based on the road network but with pollution on city highways, in driving the project forward, and is usually reserved tracks created by taking out traffic also president of the agglomeration. Mayors in lanes (including some bus lanes). An architect made public opinion France are elected every six years, so a mayor was brought in to design everything from the promising a tramway to electors has six years stops and shelters to the overhead poles, to favourable to a different to deliver the vision, including planning, integrate the new system sympathetically into financing and construction. There will the urban environment. Civil engineering approach for transport.” need to be a public inquiry lasting one or work began in 1981, the first rails were laid BELOW: The two latest generations of Nantes two months, following which the préfect in 1982 and it was hoped that passenger rolling stock seen at Hôpital Bellier in November will give a decision through the issue of the service could be scheduled for 1983, but the 2016; ADTranz (now Bombardier) Incentro vehicles Déclaration d’Utilité Publique (DUP); further municipal elections saw the defeat of (right) were ordered in 1997, while CAF Urbos 3 planning permission is required for the depot/ Mr Chenard and his successor, Michel Chauty, deliveries began in 2012. N. Pulling workshops. Project management will need to be determined and contractors selected and supervised. Cities such as Lyon have demonstrated that this can all be accomplished in as little as four-and-a-half years (May 1996 to December 2000 for a two-line tramway). Over two issues we will look at each city in chronological order of opening, including the three systems that survived into the modern era, albeit heavily modernised. The first systems to open receive more extensive coverage as they set the pattern – and often the technologies and processes – for those that followed. Nantes The ‘mayoral factor’ probably explains why none of the eight cities that received the 1975 Cavaillé letter entered the competition – their elections were in 1977, so there was no time to achieve a vision during that timescale. However one city excluded from the list did respond: Nantes, the city of 300 000 on the Loire (its 2020 population is over 677 000), 50km (30 miles) inland from the Atlantic coast. Its first-generation tramway closed in 1958. In the 1970s, planned road construction that would destroy more of the urban fabric caused a public backlash, and studies for a tramway were put in hand. The city’s Mayor, Alain Chenard, made the installation of a tramway his grand project for 1977-83; an east–west

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One of the tram trains used on the A referendum was held to seek public Nantes – Châteaubriand service approval for future extensions to the network alongside a city tram. J-P. Masse between 1995-2005, with the tramway plans attracting a 95% approval rating. Expansion included construction of a third line from Sillon de Bretagne in the north to Hôtel Dieu in the city centre and in the meantime line 1 was extended from Bellevue to Saint-Herblain (François Mitterand) on 28 August 2000. More trams were required for the third line, and this time, after evaluation of the tender results, the order for 33 100% low-floor cars went to ADtranz with its 36.4m Incentro. Launched in Nantes, the Incentro design had a short life in the sales catalogue as Bombardier took over ADtranz in 2001 and preferred to sell its Flexity low-floor design. In practice some Flexity owe more to the Incentro design (the Berlin examples, now numbering over 200) and this may have something to do with the firstIncentro for Nantes being tested on the Berlin system. A third depot was built at Saint-Herblain to “The mayor admitted he had accommodate the expanding fleet. Line 3 opened on 5 April 2004 to link Sillon was an opponent of the tramway and ordered made a mistake and soon de Bretagne with the city and on 29 August works to cease. He soon realised that the 2006 line 2 was extended from Trocadière project was too far advanced, however, and approved a 2.2km extension.” to Neustrie. As the length of line 2 led to the cost of cancellation would land the city irregular running, line 3 was extended from with an enormous liability that it would be The mayor admitted he had made a mistake Hôtel Dieu over the existing tracks to Neustrie unable to meet. Twenty TFS had been ordered and soon authorised a 2.2km (1.4-mile) via Trocadière with line 2 cut back to a new from GEC-Alstom, running from a depot at extension to be built from Haluchère to Stade terminus just south of the river at Gare de Rezé Dalby (site of the former Brissonneau et Lotz de La Beaujoire (home of the FC Nantes football Pont Rousseau. On 5 January 2009 line 3 was locomotive works), with the first delivered in club), which opened on 22 April 1989. By this extended at its northern end from Sillon de summer 1984. Proving the public support for time 65 000 passengers/day were being carried. Bretagne to Marcel Paul. the scheme, when it was put on show in the The success of line 1 led to plans for a second, October 2012 saw a new branch for line 1 in city centre, 55 000 people came to see it! a north–south route from Orvault Grand Val the north-east, 800m (half a mile) to Ranzay, Tramway service was inaugurated on to 50 Otages in the city centre and then across the first stage of a link to line 2 in Orvault. A 7 January 1985 between Commerce and the river to Trocadière in the southern suburbs network reorganisation meant more new cars Haluchere, without any ceremony involving (where a second depot was built). The southern were needed, and this time the order went to a mayoral presence, and with snow on the section opened on 26 September 1992, this CAF, which delivered 12 Urbos 3 trams, 37m ground. Commerce – Bellevue followed on time with appropriate pomp and ceremony, in length and built to a similar design to the 18 February, creating a 10.4km (6.5-mile) line. and the northern on 26 August 1994. A further Incentro cars. The network had now reached The out-turn budget was FRF403m. Within 26 TFS trams were delivered by Alstom, but this 44.3km (27.5 miles) and carries over 400 000 18 months 40 000 passengers/day were being time with a centre section featuring a low-floor, passengers/day (72.5m/year). carried, with customers attracted by the high extending the length to 37.5m. The first 20 Ranzay station offers interchange commercial speed of 25km/h (15.5mph). vehicles were similarly rebuilt. possibilites with the Nantes – Châteaubriant SNCF railway service. From 15 June 2011 this had become a tram-train service (first to redefining the nantes tramway Clisson, then reaching Châteaubriant on 28 February 2014). The 24 42m SNCF Alstom Design agency RCP has worked on many urban Citadis Dualis (750 V dc/25 kV ac) run into transport projects in France, specialising in detailed the platforms at Nantes SNCF. There is no examination of the passenger experience to deliver track connection to the tramway, although in high-quality, attractive and sustainable solutions. theory putting one in would permit a through The company was selected by the city of Nantes service to the city centre. to design its future tramway vehicles and, similar to its work in Tours, has defined the design code of the In order to achieve a link between lines 1 tramway’s stops, as well as the interior and exterior and 2 plans are being made to extend design of the future vehicles ahead of the appointment tramline 1 to Babinière in Chapelle-sur-Erdre, of a rolling stock manufacturer. across La Jonelière bridge, and including a Régine Charvet Pello, CEO of RCP design global, new depot and workshop. explains. “We have redesigned the urban journey, On 3 January 2017, 32 years after the working with 40 local citizens, experts in urban life, to create a tram opening of France’s first new tramway of the that takes part in the real, imaginary and symbolic landscape of the modern era, Johanna Rolland, socialist mayor city to better provide for people living and cohabiting in Nantes. of Nantes, and President of Nantes Métropole, “The new tram will enter the next decade by re-inventing the travel experience, in particular boarding the new vehicles with entrances announced that the decision had been made that are easier to identify – especially for those with reduced mobility to go ahead with a fourth tramline, hoped to or a visual impairment – but also adapted to the consequences of the open in 2023. This will diverge from line 1 at health crisis.” The first tram will enter service in 2022. Quai de la Fosse to run south across the islands RCP is also working with Île-de-France Mobilités on the new T9 via the Pont Anne-de-Bretagne and then the and T10 tramlines in the Île-de-France region. For this project, the Pont des Trios-Continents to a terminus in company has responded to the major challenge of unifying the Rezé by the university hospital (CHU). www.rcp.fr image of the transport network while giving a particular Parisian The city is to order 61 100% low-floor suburb its own relationship to the tram. RCP’s ‘Tram of Lights’ concept features design codes that define a common approach for all project 45m trams (with further options) to service stakeholders, in particular the rolling stock manufacturer. the new line and replace the original 46 high-floor AlstomTFS trams from 2022.

268 / JULY 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Grenoble A city in south-eastern France at the foot of the Alps, at the confluence of the Drac and Isère rivers, Grenoble has a city population of 158 000, but serves a much larger agglomeration of 688 000 residents; it is also an important European scientific centre. The city’s first-generation tramway closed in 1952, and the city favoured trolleybuses from 1947. As long ago as 1965, the socialist mayor, Hubert Dubedout, issued a white paper covering the urban environment that envisaged a network of modern tramways. The city was pre-occupied with hosting the 1968 Winter Olympic Games, but in 1973 the Société d’Economie Mixte des Transports de l’Agglomération Grenobloise (SEMITAG) was created to operate the network in the city and its surrounding communes. With Mayor Dubedout successful in renewing his mandate in the 1977 elections, Grenoble became the first city in receipt of the Cavaillé letter to respond with plans for a modern tramline. In 1982 a mock-up of a Nantes TFS was displayed at the Grenoble Fair and in 1983, with tramway plans causing local controversy, it was decided to hold a ABOVE: A perfect referendum. On 22 June tramway proponents illustration of how won with a narrow 53% majority, approving tramway infrastructure an 8.8km (5.5-mile) line linking Fontaine in can be skilfully inserted the west with the Gare SNCF, the city centre into historic city centres; and south to the Grand’Place development Grenoble Citadis 6017 in (built around the former Olympic Village). June 2009. N. Pulling The line was intended to reclaim the city for pedestrians and public transport and LEFT: For the opening included operation in narrow streets, while of Grenoble’s tramway, Alstom created the at the railway station sharp curves were TFS-2 variant which necessary to get it to a stop at the entrance and included a low-floor then in subway under the tracks. Grenoble centre section; 2051 is at introduced the practice of façade-to-façade the La Poya terminus of street renovation as part of the tramway line A in June 2009. construction, an approach that became a N. Pulling notable feature of the French tramway revival. Tenders were invited for 20 new trams and Alstom offered its TFS, as delivered to Nantes, but politicians insisted on a design without entrance steps to ensure rapid boarding “Grenoble has a 30-year plan for the development of and alighting, while making the tramway accessible to those with disabilities. Alstom’s its tramway, with planning for up to five more lines.” designers went back to the drawing board and came back with the TFS-2, an articulated tram By now the route through the city centre used for the inauguration of line C. In the with two powered bogies and a carrying bogie was becoming saturated, so thoughts turned meantime, 38 TFS-2 vehicles were given a with a dropped frame under a short centre to a line C on an independent alignment mid-life refurbishment, emerging with a new section. This permitted a low-floor through bordering the southern edge of the central grey livery with black ends. 70% of the tram, including all doorways. area. A highway carrying 60 000 vehicles/day, Line D opened on 6 October 2007, but this Showing this could be done was to have a where residents were suffering from terrible was a 2.6km (1.6-mile) tangential line in the profound effect on all future tram orders, pollution, was subsequently reclaimed for eastern suburbs from Les Taillées to feed both in France and elsewhere in Europe. The public transport. The 17.6km (10.9-mile) line B at Saint Martin d’Heres and continue to politicians also chose an attractive silver livery line C, from Seyssins to Saint Martin d’Heres the centre of the village, aimed at university with blue bands. (Condillac Universités) opened on traffic. In 2014 line B was extended from Line A opened on 5 September 1987, and 20 May 2006 and at the same time line B was Cité Scolaire Internationale to Polygone in October extended from Grand’Place to extended over line C tracks to Condillac and Scientifique, replacing a bus service that had Alpexpo exhibition halls. The tramway was then onto a new alignment further east to become inadequate for demand. It coincided an immediate success, prompting studies for Gières Plaine des Sports. with the opening on 28 June 2014 of line E a branch from Gare SNCF to the university As line C required more trams, the from Saint Martin le Vinoux to Gare Louise district of Saint Martin d’Heres. This was inadequacies of the TFS-2 on a network Michel (4.8km/three miles), followed on inaugurated on 26 November 1990 as line B with increasing traffic were obvious. 13 July 2015 by a further 11.5km (7.1 miles) with 15 more TFS-2, followed by three more With a maximum load of 178 passengers to Fontanil. Fifteen more Citadis were in 1992 as traffic grew. A 4.8km (three-mile) they were too small, and having all the doors delivered by Alstom. extension from Grand’Place to Echirolles in the low-floor section did not provide On 21 December 2019 line T1 was extended followed in December 1997, while line B, for an efficient passenger flow at each end. south by 1km (0.6 miles) from Echirolles to which initially terminated at Gare SNCF, was Technology had moved on, and Alstom was Pont-de-Claix/L’Étoile. extended to Palais de Justice on 29 November by now offering its Citadis design, so a Grenoble has a 30-year plan for the 1999 and Cité Scolaire International on seven-section, 43.7m fully low-floor tram was development of its tramway, with up to five 2 May 2001. A further 15 TFS-2 trams arrived able to carry 274 passengers (82 seated) and more lines, with trams reaching Sassenage, in 1995-96, bringing the fleet to 53. offer doors at each end – 35 arrived in 2005, Meylan, Pont-de-Claix, St Egreve and Eybens.

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LEFT: Alstom TFS-2 117 and 122, the same design delivered to Grenoble, at Paris T1 stop Saint-Denis in 2015. T1 opened in December 1993. N. Pulling

BELOW LEFT: The capacity of extended Paris T2 was boosted by a second series of Alstom Citadis running as coupled sets. Porte de Versaille, the only street scene along the line, shows the short missing link to line T3 in the background. J. Greene

fit with the 25kV suburban electrification out of St-Lazare in 1977-79 and carried just 5000 passengers/day when service was withdrawn in May 1993, making way for the tramway conversion. Work cost FRF620m, including the purchase of 16 TFS-2 trams from Alstom. Opened on 2 July 1997, the line was an immediate success, carrying 30 000 passengers/day after three months. As traffic continued to grow, it was clear that larger trams operating in multiple would be needed, so 26 32m Alstom Citadis were put into service in 2002-04, and the TFS-2 moved over to line T1. On 21 November 2009 a 2.3km (1.4-mile) extension was opened at the south end of the line to Porte de Versaille, and the first of 34 extraCitadis entered service. The new terminus was less than 50m from the tracks of line T3 (see below), but there was no connection. T2 has 65m trains using 2.4m-wide trams, while T3 has 43m trams that are 2.65m-wide. The next extension was north from La Défense to Pont de Bezons (4.3km/2.7 miles) that included a new depot and workshop at Colombes. Passenger service began on 17 November 2012 and traffic on the full 17.9km (11.1-mile) line soon reached more than 200 000 passengers/day. With the northern and western suburbs served by tram, attention turned to the southern and eastern inner suburbs. At one time there were ideas for new technology using the Petite Ceinture disused freight railway, however studies showed that there would be much more traffic generated on a street- based tramway using the wide Boulevards Maréchaux (then served by articulated buses on line PC1). The public inquiry took place in spring 2003 and the DUP came a year later. Work started straight away on line T3, 7.9km (4.9 miles) from Pont du Gargliano to Porte Paris to accommodate the 16 Alstom TFS-2 trams, d’Ivry in order to achieve completion before The French capital has a dense metro the same type as delivered to Grenoble. the 2007 elections. Passenger service began on network, much of which was built in the The west end of the line reached Saint- 16 December 2006 using 21 Alstom Citadis 402 early years of the 20th Century. Following Denis on 21 December and by 1993 around operating from a rather cramped depot in Rue the streetscape due to its cut-and-cover 55 000 passengers/day were being carried. du Commandant Lucotte. Proving the vagaries construction, and with stations close together, This had increased to 80 000/day by 2000, in creating accurate passenger projections, it is rather like an underground tramway. requiring three more trams to be delivered. 91 000 passengers/day were predicted… on the Perhaps it is unsurprising then that the city’s On 15 December 2003 T1 was extended east first day 160 000 passengers were carried. first-generation tramway system had by 2.9km (1.8 miles) to reach Noisy-le-Sec, A 13.5km (8.4-mile) extension from Porte disappeared by 1938. It is also not surprising and on 15 November 2012 west to Asnieres- d’Ivry around the eastern side of the city to that when thoughts turned to reintroducing Gennevilliers to offer interchange with metro Porte de La Chapelle and costing EUR650m trams, the planners looked at orbital bus line 13 at Les Courtilles. By this time all 35 (France adopted the Euro from 1 January routes that were becoming overcrowded TFS-2 trams were concentrated on the now 2002) was planned, with work starting in due to the success of the Carte Orange ticket 17km (10.6-mile) T1. Plans are currently being 2009 and passenger service beginning from introduced in 1975. worked up for another extension, 8.5km 15 December 2012. Paris and Île-de-France Bus route 173 from Porte de Clichy to (5.3 miles) southwards from Noisy-le-Sec to transport authority RATP realised that a 22km Bobigny was the premier candidate and plans RER Val de Fontenay. The TFS-2 vehicles will (13.7-mile) tramway passing through scores were firmed up for a 9.1km (5.7-mile) Saint- be replaced by 32m Alstom Citadis in the of junctions would be highly susceptible to Denis – Bobigny tramway in the northern coming years as they reach life expiry. disruption, so the service was split with T3a suburbs in 1981. The FRF535m project was Paris’ second new tramline was very running from Pont du Garigliano to Porte de formally adopted in 1983. Elections in 1988 different, the conversion of a century-old Vincennes, and T3b from Porte de Vincennes caused delays, but work began in 1989 and 11.3km (seven-mile) suburban rail line to Porte de La Chapelle. on 6 July 1992 trams returned to Paris for along the River Seine through the inner- The success of the tramway encouraged the first time in 55 years as line T1 started west suburbs from La Défense to Issy les plans for a further 4.7km (2.9-mile) extension carrying passengers between Bobigny and La Moulineaux. The line had been electrified of T3b to Porte d’Asnieres, approved in Courneuve. Bobigny metro depot was adapted using the third-rail system in 1928, but did not October 2014 with a cost of EUR211m,

270 / JULY 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org LEFT: Paris line T3 serves the wide Blvd Marechaux, permitting the use of 2.65m-wide trams. F. v. Dam

RIGHT: Paris T2 began as a conversion of a heavy rail alignment; street-running sections at either end of the original line were added in 2009 and 2012. N. Pulling

including a further 14 large Citadis trams, through the tunnel on 28 May 2016. Rolling tramway line (T8) was approved in December bringing the total to 46. Revenue service stock comprises 28 46m Translohr STE6, each 2007 to carry 55 000 passengers/day from started on 24 November 2018. The campaign accommodating 252 passengers, with traffic of Saint-Denis Porte de Paris (metro line 13) to for city elections in 2014 proposed that 82 000 passengers/day. The EUR35m takeover Villetaneuse University and Epinay sur Seine the tramway be extended again to form of Translohr by Alstom in 2012 ensured the (RER line C). The cost was EUR244m. Although a complete circle, but initially plans were EUR137m vehicle order was fulfilled, but in T8 has a flat crossing with T1 at Saint-Denis, approved for a 3.2km (two-mile) extension to 2017 – with just 130 Translohr vehicles sold it is self-contained with its own depot at Porte Dauphine. worldwide – Alstom switched its design efforts Villetaneuse for 20 32m Alstom Citadis that Not to be outdone by RATP, national rail to the ‘tram-like’ low-floorAptis electric bus. were ordered at the same time as those for authority SNCF was next with the conversion SNCF was still promoting its interest T7. Service started on 16 December 2014 and of its railway from Aulnay-sous-Bois to Bondy in tram-train, now on a section of the passengers have already reached to run as a tram-train. This 8km (five-mile) Grande Ceinture freight railway that last saw 62 000/day; it is hoped to extend the line south line dated back to 1875, providing a link passengers in 1939, designated Tangentielle to RER Rosa Parks by the time of the 2024 between the Nord and Est suburban lines. Nord. A 28km (17.4-mile) line linking Olympic Games, serving the Olympic village. The line closed from 12 December 2003 to Sartrouville with Noisy-le-Sec was proposed The next new tramline in Paris will replace permit conversion and modernisation and and it was hoped to achieve a commercial one of the most heavily-loaded suburban bus re-opened as tram-train T4 on 20 November speed of 50km/h (31mph) and carry 160 000 routes, 183, that carries 17m passengers/year. 2006, using 15 Siemens Avanto and with a passengers/day. Originally priced at A public inquiry in 2014 examined the case 24km/h (15mph) commercial speed. In 2009 for a 10.3km (6.4-mile) line T9 from Porte de consultation took place on the idea of a 6km “The next new tramline in Choisy to Orly – Gaston Viens, estimated to cost (3.7-mile) street-based branch from Gargan EUR330m. Rolling stock will cost EUR46.5m to Hôpital de Montfermeil costing EUR270m. Paris will replace one of and consists of 22 trams from a batch of 68 Work on this began in October 2016 and 43m long and 2.65m-wide Alstom Citadis 15 dual-voltage (750 V dc/25 kV ac) Alstom the most heavily-loaded 405 ordered or optioned for lines T9 and T10. Dualis were ordered at a price of EUR6.7m each Once again this will be another self-contained to provide a Bondy – Montfermeil service. suburban bus routes, tramline with its own depot/workshop, an Inauguration took place on 14 December 2019. expensive feature of the adoption of tramways Back in Paris, plans for the period 2000-06 183, that carries 17 million in Paris, which are anything but a network. confirmed a 6.6km (4.1-mile) line from Saint- Unlike the other lines, T9 will not be Denis to the RER station at Garges-Sarcelles. In passengers/year.” operated by RATP or SNCF, but by Keolis, on a 2004 different systems were evaluated, with five-year contract that also includes five local supporters of the rubber-tyred, rail-guided EUR335m, by 2007 costs of EUR493.5m were bus routes. It is hoped to carry passengers in Translohr system claiming all the advantages given for a reduced 10.6km (6.6-mile) section December 2020. Line T10 will be a link from of a tramway, but at reduced cost. Politics from Epinay to Le Bourget. Work started on Croix de Berny to Clamart Place du Garde. came into play, with the Government arguing this central section in December 2010, and It will require 14 trams to start with in 2023 that Translohr needed a prestige project line T11 started carrying passengers on 1 July and will be another isolated line. in Paris to help sell the system elsewhere 2017, using 15 42m Alstom Citadis Dualis from (particularly abroad) at a time when the future the order for 62 placed by SNCF for the Île-de- Below: Paris T7 Citadis 2017 at Orly Airport; a short of the Alsace company was in the balance. France region. SNCF is now working on the southern extension to Juvisy is to open in 2021. So Translohr was chosen for line T5 with a Tangentielle Ouest line T13 between Saint-Cyr A further 12 trams will be required, as well as budget of EUR163.3m (in reality no different and Saint-Germain-en-Laye, with ten Alstom expansion of the depot at Vitry. N. Pulling in cost/km to a steel-railed tramway) and Citadis Dualis planned to run from 2021. 15 STE3 three-section vehicles were ordered Continuing its promotion of suburban for EUR51m, each with a capacity of 127 tramways, the 1994-2000 plan included an passengers. This route opened on 29 July 2013 11.2km (seven-mile) tramway in the southern and currently carries 50 000 passengers/day. suburbs from metro Villejuif Louis Aragon to Another line in this plan period was to cover Athis-Mons via the Orly-Rungis employment the 12.4km (7.7 miles) from metro Chatillon zone (including airport freight facilities). The Montrouge to Vélizy and Virofaly, including project was costed at EUR318.3m and 36 000 a 1.6km (one-mile) tunnel under the Seine. passengers/day were expected. Line T7 opened Consultation took place in 2005 and the DUP on 16 November 2013 using 19 32m Alstom was granted in February 2006. The EUR389m Citadis and in February 2015 approval was T6 was always planned to be a Translohr given for a 3.8km (2.4-mile) extension south line, on the basis that the access ramps for to Juvisy costing EUR198m. Due to open in the Seine tunnel were, at 10%, too steep for 2021, this will require 12 more trams. a tramway. Chatillon – Vélizy opened on 13 Attention now switched to the northern December 2014, and the line reached Viroflay suburbs, where a Y-shaped 8.5km (5.3-mile)

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rolling stock to come out of York before that factory closed, after ADtranz became part of Bombardier Transportation. Popular success meant that every commune now wanted a connection to the tramway. On 1 September 2000 11.9km (7.4 miles) of new routes opened with line B to Hoenheim and line C to Esplanade and the university. Mme Trautmann was defeated as mayor in the 2001 elections, and her sucessor, Fabienne Keller, tried to row back on some of the traffic management aspects that ensured the success of the tramway. Following a torrent of public protests, the status quo remained. But more passengers meant a requirement for more trams, and this time Alstom was successful in winning the tender for 41 43m cars, adapting its Citadis design to match the Eurotram features, including a bogie under the cab. Extensions continued with 7.9km (4.9 miles) of new route opening on 25 August 2007 (line C, Esplanade – Neuhof; line D, Etoile-Polygone – Aristide Briand; line E, Baggersee – Robertsau- Boecklin). On 30 January 2008 line B was extended from Elsau to Mairie d’Ostwald and on 22 May to Lingolsheim-Tiergartel, adding another 4.9km (three miles). Traffic reached 300 000 passengers/day. ABOVE: The two newest vehicle types (both Saturday 27 November 2010 saw 800m evolutions of the Alstom Citadis) pictured at Homme (half a mile) of new track in the city centre to de Fer in central Strasbourg on 2 April 2019. N. Pulling permit line C to reach the Gare SNCF on the LEFT: Strasbourg’s international tramway vision surface; this was intended to facilitate a was realised in April 2017 with the opening of a line D tram-train project that was later dropped. On extension across the River Rhine to Kehl in Germany. 30 November 2013 line D was changed to Citadis 3004 wears a special livery that shows the serve Poteries by an extension from Rotonde flags of both nations. N. Pulling and line A was extended from Hautepierre to Parc des Sports. By now the network had a modern tramway, but mayor from 1983, reached 38km (23.6 miles) and there were ten Marcel Rudloff, was an ardent advocate of P+R sites. On 23 April 2016 line A was finally the VAL automated mini-metro. In the 1989 extended by a further 1.8km (1.1 miles) to the elections, his opponent, Catherine Trautmann, centre of Graffenstaden, a proposal that had won with a promise to build a tramway rather been discussed with local residents for ten than a rubber-tyred VAL system and combined years. This enabled line E to be extended from that with heavy restrictions on the use of Baggersee to Campus d’Illkirch. private cars in the city centre and four new The ambition to turn the system into an park-and-ride sites along the tramway. The international tramway was achieved on Communauté Urbaine de Strasbourg (CUS) 28 April 2017 when line D was extended by decided to proceed with a tramway scheme on 2.8km (1.7 miles) on new bridges across the 30 April 1989. harbour and the River Rhine to reach Kehl in The first line was to run for 9.8km (six miles) Germany; firstly to the Bahnhof, and from from Hautepierre to Baggersee, including a 23 November 2018 the Rathaus. A further 22 1.2km (0.75-mile) subway under the Gare Citadis were delivered from 2016, with the first SNCF. The mayor wanted the tramway to look 12 homologated for operation in Germany. unique to the city (and CTS light rail project In 2011 the CUS started planning a link manager Georges Muller needed all bogies from Vendenheim to Wolfsheim, and some powered to enable it to climb the 8% subway politicians started talking up the locally- gradients) so Alstom lost out to ABB, which produced rubber-tyred Translohr, even Strasbourg contracted the manufacture and assembly of though it would be incompatible with the rest Strasbourg is the capital of the Grand Est 26 air-conditioned 33.1m Eurotram vehicles of the system. The public soon made its voice (formerly Alsace) region, built on a plain with 100% low-floor, a first, to Italy’s SOCIMI. heard and the project will be a traditional bordering the River Rhine in north-eastern Styling was by Belgian Philippe Neerman with tramway. A declaration of public utility for France, with a border with Germany that has wide doors, large windows and panoramic cabs. 1.7km (1.05 miles) to Koenigshoffen was come and gone over history. It is the seat of the Line A was inaugurated on 25 November issued in November 2017 as the first stage, to European parliament and numbers 494 000 1994 and extended by 2.8km (1.7 miles) to be used by line F. residents in the city itself and 786 000 in the the suburb of Illkirch on 4 July 1998. After a Work has also been agreed to concurrently wider agglomération. Its first-generation tramway few weeks, 45 000 passengers/day were being extend line E by 1.4km (0.9 miles) at survived until 1 May 1960, when a closure carried, but this soon reached 60 000, and after Robertsau. The flat crossing in the city centre ceremony attracted 100 000 residents. A couple a year 90 000. More trams were required and at Homme de Fer has reached saturation point of years earlier Ateliers de Strasbourg, which in 1996 a further 27 Eurotrams were ordered, so plans are being developed for a new 2.8km was building PCCs for the city of Saint-Étienne, ten to same specification as the existing (1.7-mile) line from Place de Haguenau via wanted to test one on Strasbourg tracks, but cars and 17 as longer 43m variants. Because Gare SNCF to link with line B to Elsau; this permission was refused by the mayor. SOCIMI had gone bankrupt, manufacture would be fed by new lines to the northern It was politics that similarly resulted in the was switched to the ABB (by now ADtranz) suburbs. Seventeen more 45m Citadis are return of trams 34 years later. Receipt of the former British Railways works in York (UK), on order to reinforce service. Cavaillé letter prompted a study of options by with some input from Derby. Ironically these consultant SOFRETU, which recommended super-modern European trams were the last Continued in our next edition.

272 / JULY 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org KUSEC SECTION INSULATOR – SAVING TIME AND MONEY

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The tramway’s systems importance in the NetheRlaNds the Netherlands’ dynamic second www.lrta.org factfile Rotterdam city is widely www.tautonline.com accepted, although No. Rotterdam, its role in a future overall network JULY 2020 N O. 991 153 The Netherlands may be changing. Subscribe now! VIVE LA FRANCE! Now in its 83rd year, Tramways & Urban Transit is the world’s leading monthly publication dedicated solely to

ET is Rotterdam’s main lines came within three years of its public transport operator, Adjoining Blaak 8.1m residents. Notions of distinct creation, with motor bus replacements stop and above becoming a public being made around the system. Gaps in local and long-distance travel are limited company in 2007, main line and metro today’s RET tram line numbers (2-25) stations, the 1970s not convenient distinctions here. which is now owned by result variously from deleting or Kubuswoningen Relatively short distances and journey theR city and metropolitan region; its merging services, with some numbers (Cube Houses) times apply between major centres current contract for tram and metro of closed lines being reused. symbolise modern like Den Haag, Utrecht and the Dutch operations runs to December 2026. Paying tribute to the cities that pioneered modern LRT Rotterdam’s major population Rotterdam. The 1996 capital, Amsterdam – about 60km The RET bus concession (58 lines) growth began with increases in Willems railway (38 miles) to the north-east. light and urban rail developments. TfL rescue deal is just a ‘sticking plaster’ extends into 2034, with commitment tunnel project the 1980s, becoming around Since December 2014, Rotterdam to forming a zero-emission fleet. removed surface rail 645 000 by 2019. It is expected to has been amongst 23 Zuid-Holland Combining private venture and bridge crossings reach 732 000 by 2035, and to add province municipalities in Tianshui opens China’s latest tramway horse trams initiated in 1878, and on Rotterdam 50 000 new residences up to 2040. Metropoolregio Rotterdam Den electric trams introduced from 1905, Centraal’s southern Adding to very localised conditions, approaches. Haag (MRDH); its remit includes Rotterdamse Elektrische Tram became UITP: ‘Bounce back relies on transport’ transport demands also relate to commissioning regional and urban a municipal concern in 1927. Words and pictures public transport. Contracts with RET £4.60 the city being in the Randstad, an The tramway’s peak length with 25 urban agglomeration with over (unless noted) cover trams, metro, buses and ferries in by Neil Pulling. Rail masterclass Rotterdam an area extending beyond Rotterdam’s Adapting the role of 274 / JULY 2020 www.tautonline.com Why light rail track . www.lrta.org doesn’t last forever... a big city tramway

274-278_TAUT2007_SF Rotterdam.indd 274

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The tramway’s importance in systems the netherlands the Netherlands’ dynamic second

Rotterdam city is widely factfile accepted, although its role in a future No. Rotterdam, overall network 153 The Netherlands may be changing.

ET is Rotterdam’s main lines came within three years of its Adjoining Blaak 8.1m residents. Notions of distinct public transport operator, creation, with motor bus replacements stop and above local and long-distance travel are becoming a public being made around the system. Gaps in main line and metro not convenient distinctions here. stations, the 1970s limited company in 2007, today’s RET tram line numbers (2-25) Relatively short distances and journey Kubuswoningen which is now owned by result variously from deleting or (Cube Houses) times apply between major centres Rthe city and metropolitan region; its merging services, with some numbers symbolise modern like Den Haag, Utrecht and the Dutch current contract for tram and metro of closed lines being reused. Rotterdam. The 1996 capital, Amsterdam – about 60km operations runs to December 2026. Rotterdam’s major population Willems railway (38 miles) to the north-east. The RET bus concession (58 lines) growth began with increases in tunnel project Since December 2014, Rotterdam extends into 2034, with commitment the 1980s, becoming around removed surface rail has been amongst 23 Zuid-Holland to forming a zero-emission fleet. 645 000 by 2019. It is expected to and bridge crossings province municipalities in Combining private venture reach 732 000 by 2035, and to add on Rotterdam Metropoolregio Rotterdam Den Centraal’s southern horse trams initiated in 1878, and 50 000 new residences up to 2040. approaches. Haag (MRDH); its remit includes electric trams introduced from 1905, Adding to very localised conditions, commissioning regional and urban Rotterdamse Elektrische Tram became transport demands also relate to Words and pictures public transport. Contracts with RET a municipal concern in 1927. the city being in the Randstad, an (unless noted) cover trams, metro, buses and ferries in The tramway’s peak length with 25 urban agglomeration with over by Neil Pulling. an area extending beyond Rotterdam’s

274 / JULY 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org

THE FLEET

Since withdrawal of the Düwag-built ZGT 701-series in 2015, a wholly Alstom Citadis 302 fleet has run all normal services.A n early and major customer for the type, Rotterdam received the first of an order for 60 trams in October 2002, with services beginning in 2003. Numbered 2001-60, these became distinguished as Citadis I. Single-ended, fully low-floor with five sections, they are 31.3m long and 2.4m wide. A three-tram collision (working lines 2, 20 and 25) near Breeplein in March 2014 led to 2035’s withdrawal and partial re-use within 2029. With original RET Citadis specified in respect of TramPlus lines, the Citadis II (2101-53) delivered in 2011 and 2012 brought new stock to routes with less generous clearances. As such, they are around half a metre shorter than the earlier type. They added air conditioning, better seats and information displays, features retrofitted toCitadis I. Both feature capacity for around 180 passengers, with the Citadis II having 56 seats as opposed to the initial type’s 63. The RET tram livery is silver and grey with sloping red and green bands: blue replaces the green on some metro and tram vehicles. The main variety comes with many promotional all-over wraps and white RandstadRail livery on most metro stock working Slinge-Den Haag services. A group styled as Above: Rotterdam’s multiple intersections contribute to often slow progress: RoMeO maintains a heritage fleet, some used on seasonal tourist line 10, trams and other vehicles cross near Vasteland stop. also for hire and training use. The group’s museum base is at the former BELOW: Citadis 2133 in RET livery with a blue stripe rather than the usual Hillegersberg RET depot: see www.stichtingromeo.nl green. Built in 1968 by Werkspoor, Utrecht and in near-original condition, GT6 608 awaits a tour group at Erasmus Universiteit.

BELOW LEFT: Tram 2107 descends the Erasmusbrug’s northern ramp towards the city centre on 15 March 2016. Some shipping movements need use of a short lifting section of the bridge deck.

BELOW: Bombardier Flexity Swift 5517+5507 in Randstadrail livery approaches Maashaven with a Den Haag-Slinge service. This viaduct was part of the initial metro opening in 1968.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JULY 2020 / 275 Rotterdam

network facts

Opened: 1878 (electrified 1905) Full service lines: 9 (metro 5) Depots: 2 Approx. weekday hours: 05.00-23.30 Line frequency: 10-15 minutes Gauge (tram and metro): 1435mm Power: 600V dc, overhead supply (metro 600V dc overhead and third-rail) Fleet: 112 (metro 167) Regional authority: Metropoolregio Rotterdam Den Haag https://mrdh.nl City network/operator: RET – www.ret.nl Civic information: www.rotterdam.nl Tourist information (English): https://en.rotterdam.info

LEFT: Restyling Rotterdam Centraal as a city gateway involved moving tram platforms to the south-east corner. Alstom Citadis II 2128 heads south onto Kruisplein on 7 November 2019.

LEFT: The elevated metro line E terminus at Den Haag Centraal. Gates are badged to show RET Metro in territory otherwise served by Den Haag’s HTM.

RIGHT: Citadis I 2012 near Randweg: in the background is the site of the 2014 three-tram collision that caused many injuries and led to withdrawal of 2035.

AbovE: For traffic continuity, tracks cross both ends of Parksluizen AbovE: Keizerswaard tram and bus interchange (to the left, just (Park locks). Tram 2136 is seen on Westzeedijk lifting bridge. Opened behind Citadis II 2139) is in a southern housing district and adjoins a in 1941, the nearby Maastunnel has been considered for tram use. shopping centre. LEFT: Trams pass beneath Melanchthonweg metro station, a point where stock on the Rotterdam-Den Haag line changes from overhead to third-rail supply.

RIGHT: Advertising- liveried 2104 joins Coolsingen near Beurs where the main axes of the metro cross beneath Rotterdam’s city centre.

276 / JULY 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org own boundaries. Extending to Europe’s biggest port. Considered in BELOW: Citadis I districts. The present 20-series lines adjoining Barendrecht and Schiedam, the reconstruction, a Nieuwe Maas and II cross on and line 2’s renewal stem from the trams carry about 160 000 daily tram tunnel plan was dropped in the Bergse Dorpsstraat 1990s ‘TramPlus’ scheme. Bringing passengers. Heavy rail also provides 1950s. Between closure of the old in the north-eastern some but not all of the planned new for journeys wholly within the Willemsbrug (bridge), which carried Hillegersberg district and upgraded routes, the project on 7 March 2020. metropolitan area. Amongst several the tram connection up to 1968, C. F. Isgar aimed to improve access and shorten city stations, Rotterdam Centraal is the and opening the high-level, 802m journey times. Opened in 2004, line main transport interchange, combining Erasmusbrug in 1996, Rotterdam 25 is the longest service, being just national rail, metro, buses and a had two separate tram operations. under 20km (12.5 miles) and taking convergence of seven of the system’s Three lines (20, 23 and 25) now using around an hour between termini. nine normal tramlines. The rebuilt Erasmusbrug are on both sides of the The system has significant stretches Centraal officially opened in March river. The 11km (6.9-mile) east-west of non-revenue track, including 2014 with a style described by the line 2 is wholly south of the Nieuwe the rebuilt formation at Centraal’s architects as “outspoken with a certain Maas; its route includes Maashaven less dramatically-styled northern majesty and allure.” On the southern, metro station but not the other key entrance. All trams display their line city centre side which has the tram southern interchange, Zuidplein. destination area rather than the name services, it is indeed difficult to miss. The tramway’s most recent of the terminus. A long tramway history is reflected expansion has been in the southern Despite a high level of reserved where tracks use some narrow streets and north-western residential space for trams, multiple road in the centre and in the older suburbs. Rotterdam’s central area was largely destroyed as a key focus of the 1940 German invasion of the Netherlands. Demolition took much of what remained, with reconstruction characterised by renewal, not replication. Simpler road layouts and widened thoroughfares saw tram tracks repositioned, but the system retained a strong central presence. The later addition of metro coverage and sustained heavy tram loadings indicates the compatibility of the modes in high demand areas. The system has much more intensive coverage north of Rotterdam’s dominant feature, the Nieuwe Maas. Part of the Rhine’s fragmented outfall entering the North Sea at Hoek van Holland 25km (15.6 miles) west of the city centre, it is central to

Willemsplein line 7 terminus is on a mainly single-track turning loop. The Nieuwe Maas is to the left, with the Euromast tower to the right.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JULY 2020 / 277 Rotterdam

intersections make reducing journey ABOVE LEFT: times difficult to implement or Museum car 2101 sustain. This is highlighted in the carrying an original metro has become the city’s main south-eastern suburbs, Beverwaard RET logo in training Openbaar Vervoersvisie Rotterdam high-capacity mode and the service depot opened in 2011. Next to P+R use at Kruisplein. 2018-2040 (Public Transport Vision With its present is organised as five lines, A-F. Evolved Beverwaard stop, it was one of the Rotterdam 2018-2040) published by number duplicated as north-south and east-west routes EC-supported TramStore 21 project MRDH and Rotterdam municipality, on a RET Citadis, it (previously designated Erasmus and depots intended to represent sound which also cites the lack of fixed was originally 404, Caland lines respectively), these cross environmental features. The former link river crossings as obstacles to built by Allan of below ground at Beurs station. This RET Hillegersberg depot housing improvement. Spreading coverage and Rotterdam in 1929. cross configuration is supplemented by Rotterdam’s tram museum near line 8 reducing reliance on the Erasmusbrug line C’s more westerly tunnel crossing Kootsekade stop is the operating base and the metro tunnel beneath it ABOVE RIGHT: of the Nieuwe Maas and the three for the heritage fleet. Hoek van Holland (approaching full capacity) will take a Haven station six branches in the eastern suburbs. RET occupied premises used by great deal of both time and money. weeks after the Metro growth included the the Allan rolling stock company – Re-engineering the Maas Tunnel start of RET metro conversion of two former heavy an early supplier of Rotterdam trams – (near the Euromast) or the present services here in rail routes. The old Hofplein line’s following closure in 1959. The site was Willemsbrug for tram use would September 2019. Rotterdam-Den Haag section later cleared to create a new workshop compromise road capacity; a tunnel The site (left) will transferred to metro use in 2006, for trams and metro vehicles. between Feijenoord and Kralingen be used for the becoming re-routed for integration With tram access near the line 8 has been considered for new access extension to Strand with line E via Centraal Station in terminus on Kleiweg and with new (beach) station. from the centre’s eastern side. 2011. Designated as RandstadRail direct metro access from the south, The renewal of intensively-used and overlapping with line D, line E the facility opened in 2019. infrastructure is a continuing feature operates between Slinge and Den in central Rotterdam. Haag Centraal where a dedicated The 2018-2040 vision suggests that elevated terminus opened in 2016. The essential facts trams, in the Rotterdam context, Schiedam Centrum Hoek van Holland would be better suited to feeding line reopened as a metro in 2019: this Local travel: Trialled on the Rotterdam main line and metro stations rather project should be completed by 2022 metro in 2005, the now nationwide than being, as now, providers of with the opening from Haven station OV-chipkaart system applies to RET services with cards available from comparatively long trips. Currently a (a ferry and bus interchange) to Strand, BELOW: Including machines at metro stations and signed uni-directional system with overhead a terminus serving the beach area. outlets. Anonymous, time-limited supply, a future with more but shorter rooftop park There is a tram depot on each side of -and-ride space, formats are best for intensive RET services may involve using onboard the Nieuwe Maas. Tightly bounded by Beverwaard depot users: EUR4 for two hours from first energy storage, perceived as less costly was created under other buildings and a river channel, validation; EUR8.50 for one day (not than overhead equipment and its the terms of the Kralingen depot – which opened in 24 hours). If combining Den Haag and maintenance on lightly-used sections. TramStore 21 1905 – is just off revenue tracks near Delft with a Rotterdam visit, seehttps:// Growing from a 5.8km (3.6-mile) environmental Avenue Concordia stop. By contrast touristdaytickets.nl for one-day tickets at line which opened in 1968, Rotterdam’s project. in a spacious compound in the EUR14.50, covering Zuid-Holland public transport, excluding trains. Revenue protection is carried out by mobile teams. Prices as of May 2020. What is there to see? Tourist information points: Centraal Station (south entrance) and Coolsingel (near Beurs tramstop) also have OV-chipkaart points. Some windmills visible from trams are amongst Rotterdam’s few stereotypical picture-book Dutch images. Reconstruction began a continuing pursuit of distinctive contemporary architecture, as with Markthal (market hall) and the Cube Houses at Blaak tramstop. The Maritime Museum opens to the street between Beurs and the Erasmusbrug. Euromast (eponymous tramstop) for an overview of the city and river traffic; boat tours from near here and by the north side of Erasmusbrug. Other systems (Den Haag, Amsterdam and Utrecht) are a short journey from Rotterdam.

278 / JULY 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Worldwide Review

AUSTRALIA CANADA NEWCASTLE. Transport for TORONTO. TTC 4401, the first NSW has invited Expressions of (and last) of the batch of 204 Interest for a solution to mitigate Bombardier Flexity trams, finally or eliminate the risk posed by the entered service on 9 May, six years, flangeway gap in light rail tracks. ten months and 27 days after This follows an incident when a being first delivered in June 2013; cyclist fell and died while crossing 4471/8 are still undergoing the tracks of the city’s new light repair at Bombardier’s Thunder rail system in July 2019. A. Weston Bay plant. PERTH. Tunnelling for the 8km A 15% reduction in service (five-mile) airport rail link was frequencies took effect from completed on 20 April. IRJ 10 May due to reduced traffic during the coronavirus pandemic. AUSTRIA From 25 May the 511 streetcar INDUSTRY. ELIN Motoren, which route was diverted due to employs 1000 in its Linz factory, rehabilitation of the Bathurst has been sold to the Voith Group. BS Street bridge, track renewal projects SALZBURG. Lokalbahn articulated on Bathurst Street and utilities LRV 48 returned with a new renewal between Front Street In the Czech Republic the city of Brno is assembling EVO2 trams in its own low-floor centre section from and Queen Street. The works are workshops from parts supplied by Allianz TW/Krnov/Pragoimex/Cegelec; Krnov on 18 March. BS expected to be completed at the 1822 was one of the first to carry passengers on 26 April. Kiv WIEN (Vienna). All Bombardier end of the year. D. Drum, P. Webb PRAHA (Prague). A new stub TAMPERE. The first of 19 37.3m Flexity trams were back in service has been built at the Barrandov double-ended 100% low-floor by 6 March. Reduced coronavirus CHILE terminus loop as the first sign Škoda ForCity Smart trams was timetables were in force from SANTIAGO. Metro de Santiago of the extension to Slivenec; delivered on 25 May. Opening 16 March to 13 April. BS has issued tenders for the first tram services were cut back date for the first 15km (9.3 miles) section of its USD2.9bn east-west to Smíchovské nádrazi from has been fixed for 9 August 2021. AZERBAIJAN line 7. Bids are due by 26 August, 14 March to 1 June. Reconstruction TURKU. After considering BAKU. The first of 12 five-car with the winning bidder expected of Starohornická started on alternatives, such as enhanced bus Metrovagonmash 81-765.4B/ to be confirmed in February 18 June, with line 7 cut back to services, on 20 April the city council 766.4B metro trainsets has been 2021. Opening in 2028, the Strasnice depot, cancellation of backed plans to re-introduce delivered; the remainder are due 25.8km (16-mile) line 7 (Vitacura line 13 and diversion of line 26. trams (the first-generation system to enter service by 2023. The new – Renca) will parallel line 1, Work is due to last until 31 August. was closed in 1972). Two lines trains feature an automatic air which is close to saturation. RGI Museum tramline 41 restarted are planned, estimated to cost disinfection system, USB charging from 16 May (but initially not EUR284m. A final decision is sockets, wider gangways and CHINA calling at Stresovice tramway expected in 2024, with the new doors and multi-purpose areas for NINGBO. The 5.6km (3.5-mile) museum; this was due to re-open system opening in 2029. RGI passengers with reduced mobility, extension of metro line 2 from from 13 July). A. Prescott, J. Spousta pushchairs and bicycles. RGI Qingshuipu to Congyuanlu FRANCE opened on 30 May. A further 2km ECUADOR AVIGNON. Tram service resumed BELGIUM (1.2 miles) to Honglian is expected CUENCA. The new 10.7km on 18 May with an 11-minute ANTWERPEN. More trams were to open in 2022. urbanrail.net (6.6-mile) tramway, which has service between 06.00 and 21.00. put into service from 20 April, SHENYANG. Metro line 10 (the been carrying invited passengers LYON. The first Alstom but social distancing measures city’s fourth metro line) opened for several months, opened to the Citadis 405 seven-section trams meant reduced capacity. T-2000 on 29 April, running 27.2km public 06.00-20.00 from 25 May, (893-97) were put into service on BRUXELLES/BRUSSEL. Services (16.9 miles) from Dingxianghu with free travel until 12 July. line T3 from 4 May. Later in the returned to normal from 4 May. to Zhangshabu. Together with Because of the coronavirus month the city’s 100th Citadis Due to infrastructure line 9 it forms a circular line pandemic only 30% of seats can (900) was delivered. The batch renovation in rue Jules Lahaye around the city’s suburbs. Rolling be used. Alstom has supplied 14 will run to 907. lineoz.net and rue Fransman from 4 May, stock is formed of 27 six-car trains Citadis 302 32.4m trams, which MULHOUSE. Timetables line 62 trams were cut back to from CRRC Dalian. urbanrail.net use APS current collection in the reverted to school holiday times Liedts and line 93 to Bockstael. historic city centre. from 11 May, including late Höpital Brugmann – Stade CZECH REPUBLIC evening services. lineoz.net remained served by line 51. LIBEREC. Ex-Olomouc 1987 FINLAND PARIS. Métro and tram services From 28 June De Lijn was to Tatra T3R.P trams are 11-15, HELSINKI. Responsibility for the returned to normal from 25 May. introduce a so-called ‘Trambus’ entering service in April; under-construction Raide – Jokeri A EUR71.4m contract has between Jette and Zaventem T3R.SLF 32 is a rebodied Tatra LRT line has been transferred been awarded for track design airport. The company says this with a low-floor centre section. from HKL (city transport) to HSL and installation on the 14km is a precursor to the planned Tram service beyond Vratislavice (regional transport authority). (8.7-mile) southern extension of tramline, work on which could to Jablonec nad Nisou was The 25km (15.5-mile) line is due rubber-tyred métro line 14 from start in 2022. T-2000 replaced by buses from 14 March to open in 2024. Plans are being Olympiades to Villejuif and Orly for infrastructure work. BS drawn-up for a second suburban Airport, due to open in 2023-24. BRAZIL OLOMOUC. An order has been light rail line, 12km (7.5 miles) An Egis-led consortium has been SÃO PAULO. The line 17 Gold placed with Pragoimex for one from Viikki to Malmi Airport. awarded the project management monorail project is back on track low-floor, single-ended but double- HSL has awarded the ten-year contract for the three metro lines after a contract was signed with sided Vario LF+ bogie tram costing EUR36m/year contract to operate of Grand Paris Express, lines 15 Chinese group BYD Skyrail on CZK43.1m (EUR1.62m). infotram.pl commuter rail services from South, 16 and 17. lineoz.net 27 April. The 17.7km OSTRAVA. A EUR1m contract 27 June 2021 to state rail company STRASBOURG. Cross-border (11-mile) line will be worked has been signed with Stadler to fit VR, beating an alternative bid service on line D to Kehl resumed by 14 five-section GOA4 a collision-warning system to the from Go-Ahead; 81 Stadler FLIRT on 26 May. Opening of the new automated trains, linking 40 Tango NF2 trams, starting with EMUs will be used. RGI tracks for line F at Koenigshoffen Congonhas airport and the city two in September and completing For more detail on the Raide – Jokeri has been delayed until centre. IRJ the whole batch in 2024. BS light rail project, see TAUT 983. September. lineoz.net

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JULY 2020 / 279 Worldwide Review

LEIPZIG. NGT10 XL tram has been arranged for 29 July- 1024 arrived on the night of 2 August. The dates for the 2021 15-16 April, but further delivery festival are 28 July-1 August. of the batch up to 1061 was likely During the enforced closure of to be delayed due to Poland the Manx Electric and Snaefell closing its borders. BS lines, winter works programmes MAINZ. Tramline 59 did not have been brought forward with operate during the period of trackwork improvements carried the coronavirus pandemic from out on both lines. Isle of Man 16 March to 10 May. BS Railway workshop staff resumed MÜNCHEN (Munich). City work in May. elections on 15 March saw the SPD/CSU coalition replaced by ITALY one of Green/SPD persuasion, TORINO. The EUR63.4m contract which immediately issued with Hitachi Rail Italy for 30 new plans for many tramway 28m air-conditioned low-floor extensions to be built by 2050. trams was signed on 15 May, There are plans for a large new funded entirely by the Ministry The CAF-built trams for GVB Amsterdam are now starting to enter passenger tram depot at Schwabing-Nord. BS of Infrastructure & Transport. service. GVB NAUMBURG. The tramway The city and GTT are hoping to continued its normal operation assemble finance for a further 40 GERMANY In a surprise move, tram service during the coronavirus trams. Delivery will start at the end AUGSBURG. Coronavirus between Crengeldanz and Heven pandemic, despite an 80% drop of 2021. The design is an evolution reduced timetables were in force was to be restored from 21 June. in patronage. BS of the AnsaldoBreda Sirio. from 16 March to 3 May. BS BRAUNSCHWEIG. The first RHEIN-RUHR. From 1 May The city has approved the BAD SCHANDAU. Daytime of seven new Stadler Tramino S-Bahn service on line S9 was economic and technical feasibility tramway service was re-introduced low-floor trams (1951) entered extended from Wuppertal- study for a 28km (17.4-mile) from 27 March (evening services service on 6 May, replacing high- Vohwinkel to Hagen. BS metro line 2 linking Rebaudengo from 25 April). BS floor cars 7761+7773. Services ROSTOCK. To permit new tracks in the north with Anselmetti in BERLIN. Normal public transport returned to normal on 18 May. BS to be laid in Rosa-Luxemburg- the south and interchanging timetables resumed from 4 May, BREMEN. Night-time tests with Straase from 22 June to 2 August, with line 1 at Porta Nuova. The bringing the remaining high- the first Siemens Avenio (3202) lines 3 and 4 were withdrawn, estimated cost is EUR2.25bn. RGI floor TatraKT4D trams back into started on 4-5 May. DS line 2 became Südblick – service. The latest Flexity Berlin to COTTBUS. Trams ran at a K-Schumacher-Ring, line 5 JAPAN have been delivered is 9126; 200 reduced timetable from 19 March Mecklenburger Allee – Dierkower HIROSHIMA. Low-floor trams of these trams have now been to 26 April, with normal service Allee and line 6 Campus Südstadt 5203-4 entered service in April, delivered with another 31 due. resuming on 27 April. BS – Neuer Friedhof. BS replacing more ex-Osaka cars The first Stadler IK20 U-Bahn DESSAU. Trams were operating SAARBRÜCKEN. Regular (only 913 remains). BS (5065) was delivered in June. The again from 4 May. BS timetable resumed on the Saarbahn MATSUYAMA. Friday 6 March series will run to 5078 in 2020, DRESDEN. A normal ten-minute from 4 May, but still terminating saw new trams 5005-6 enter with 5079-84 expected in 2021. service resumed on tramlines from at Henweiler. Cross-boundary service; 1957 car 57 remains in Lines U1 and U3 were cut 4 May, apart from lines 8 and 9 service resumed on 16 May. BS peak-hour service. BS back from Warschauer Strasse (20-minute service) and 10 and STUTTGART. Normal timetables OSAKA. The new Alna Koki to Kottbuser Tor for a year from 12 (15-minute service). resumed from 4 May. On 10 March three-section low-floor tram 14 April to permit complete The freight tram service paused DT8 set 3523/24 was named ‘Kairo’ delivered to the Hankai tramway infrastructure reconstruction. from 19 March to 27 April due by the Egyptian consul using water is 1101. Trolley Lines Articulated buses fill the gap. to the closure of the VW factory. BS taken from the River Nile, marking Ground-breaking for the 2.7km DÜSSELDORF. Normal service 40 years of city twinning. DS NETHERLANDS (1.7-mile) tramway extension to resumed on 27 April. The new HF6 AMSTERDAM. GVBA Adlershof II took place on 18 May. Stadtbahn cars from Bombardier ISLE OF MAN strengthened its timetables in Tram 60 will be replaced by buses are still to enter service, with DOUGLAS. Work to extend the stages on 28-29 April, 4 May and for about a year from 8 June. 4308-10 in use for training. The horse tramway as far as Broadway 11 May as patronage increased Tenders are invited for two use of earlier vehicles for driver is to take place by next March, but and travel restrictions were eased; more groups of S-Bahn services, training is reported to have reconstruction of the Promenade tram 11 returned from 18 April. North-South and East-West, revealed teething troubles; two is to be suspended in 2021 in order Combino trams are now restricted together with supply and have been returned to Bautzen to maximise tourist opportunities. to a maximum of 40 passengers maintenance of rolling stock. for refitting. DS The government is still hopeful and work all services except line Contracts will run from January FRANKFURT-AM-MAIN.Regular that the whole of the line would 5, where some 11G cars also run. 2021 to December 2035. BS timetables resumed on 4 May. be constructed in the 2021-22 The final phase of rebuilding BOCHUM-GELSENKIRCHEN. A feasibility study is to be winter period, but suggestions that the tram loops at Centraal Station Due to the fall in passenger traffic carried out for the 5.5km it might instead be completed in runs from 30 March to 10 August; all tram service in Witten was (3.4-mile) extension of line 17 from 2022-23 have caused concern during this time lines 13 and 17 withdrawn from 1 April, with bus Neu-Isenburg to Bhf Dreieich, amongst tramway supporters who run from a temporary terminus replacement between Langendreer estimated to cost EUR110m. fear it would not be built on cost in Prins Hendrikkade (Victoria and Heven Dorf. This marked An order has been placed with grounds within this timeframe. Hotel). The new underground tram the end of Stadtbahn-M cars in Windhoff for a three-car dual- The new horse tram depot at station for line 5 at Kronenburg passenger service. The new line, power works unit for 2022. FAZ Strathallan is now expected to be opened on 9 March, replacing the on an alternative alignment, is to HANNOVER. Üstra timetables handed over by mid-June. surface stop at Biesbosch. OR open in the autumn. returned to normal from GENERAL. In view of the closure UTRECHT. Light rail service Car 142, the last Stadler 11 May, including night services of the island to all non-residents, between Utrecht and Nieuwegein/ Variobahn from the third series at weekends. DS July events including the Heritage IJsselstein is being replaced by buses to be delivered, arrived at INDUSTRY. Stadler Pankow is Transport Festival have been in stages from 30 May to 20 August Engelsburg depot during the night building a new competence centre cancelled. However, following to permit stops to be rebuilt for of 6-7 May. The fourth series, eight for bogies at Schönwalde-Glien, the success of the ‘Virtual Rush the switch from high to additional trams, is expected in north-west of Berlin, part of an Hour’ on Facebook earlier in the low-floor operation. Through- mid-2021. 11 000m2 factory. BS year a ‘Virtual Transport Festival’ running with line 22 will not

280 / JULY 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org start until 2021 due to the SINTRA. The Sintra Atlântico be two-car sets (motor+control Due to open in 2021 is the 2.7km complications of rebuilding the heritage tramway introduced trailer) acquired from the (1.7-mile) Gold line peoplemover link at Utrecht CS. DS its summer service from 1 June, Waldenburgbahn in Switzerland linking Krung Thonburi (on the carrying passengers at 50% of (seven BDe4/4 and ten Bt 4 BTS Silom line) and Prajadhipok NORWAY its capacity, with departures dating from 1985-93). UTM Road. Bombardier will supply OSLO. The city’s shortest-lived from Sintra at 10.20, 14.00 and INNOVIA APM 300 cars. RGI, IRJ tram route was line 16, linking 16.00 (additional on Saturdays/ SPAIN Grefsen and Skøyen via Sinsen Sundays/feast days 12.00, ZARAGOZA. Normal timetables UKRAINE and Aker Brygge, introduced on 15.00 and 17.00). P. R. Costa resumed from 1 June. KYIV. Public transport services 26 March and running for the last returned to normal from 12.00 time on 31 March as measures ROMANIA SWITZERLAND on 23 May. Face masks are to respond to the coronavirus ARAD. Ex-Bielefeld BASEL. Normal timetables required. Metro service in Kharkiv pandemic took effect. These (ex-Mannheim) 1962 Düwag resumed from 11 May. and Dnipro resumed on the involved lines 11, 12, 13, 17, 18 tram 304 was destroyed by fire BLT has invited tenders for the same date. transphoto.ru and 19 running every 15 minutes at FAP Frumos terminus in the delivery of 25 low-floor trams, ODESA. Tenders have been instead of every ten minutes. LTF early hours of 4 May. L. Richter with an option for a further 15, invited for 14 32m 100% CLUJ-NAPOCA. The city has for delivery in 2023-25. They low-floor trams for delivery from POLAND launched a feasibility study for will be used to replace the 2021, funded by an EIB loan. CZĘSTOCHOWA. The first Pesa the development of a metro remaining Schindler trams From 12 May the tramway Twist II low-floor tram entered network and upgrading the east– dating from 1978-81. DS, UTM network is operated in two parts service on 13 May. infotram.pl west rail line to commuter rail GENÈVE. The first trams were due to reconstruction of Ulitsa GDAŃSK. Delivery of Pesa Jazz standards. RGI moved to the new d’En Chardon Novoshchepnaya Ryad; 980m trams 1056-70 was completed in TIMIȘOARA. A 500m tramway depot in March. Initially it was (0.6 miles) of new track will be June; 15 more are due in 2021. branch off line 7 has been built used to store surplus trams from laid. Lines 3, 10, 13, 26, 27 and Tests on the rebuilt line to Stogi from Veteranilor to Shopping the reduced timetables due to the 31 operate from depot 1, all other started on 25 May. Passenger service City and is due to be served by coronavirus pandemic. Normal lines from depot 2, except line 11 was expected in June. traminfo.pl an extended line 2. BS services resumed on 11 May. that is cancelled. Work will last GRUDZIĄDZ. The second A CHF1.25m (EUR1.16m) until July 2021. transphoto.ru tender for four 26-29m low-floor RUSSIA project is underway to increase the bogie trams again attracted just CHEREPOVETS. The first commercial speed of tramline 15 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES one bid, PLN22.77m (EUR5.2m) low-floor car in the fleet of to 18km/h (11mph) by installing DUBAI. Tramway service resumed from Modertrans, but as this 58 trams is 71-407 391 from barriers to segregate the tracks. tram on 13 May, operating 07.00- exceeded the PLN22.18m Uraltransmash. BS LAUSANNE. The judicial review 23.00 Saturday-Thursday and (EUR5.04m) budget no contract KAZAN. Tunnel-boring for the of plans for the new tramline to 10.00-23.00 on Fridays. was awarded. infotram.pl second metro line was launched Renens has finally been resolved. KRAKÓW. On 29 April MPK from the future Sakharova station Rue de Geneve will be given UNITED KINGDOM signed the contract with on 23 April, and will dig to Fuchika over to the new line, which should BLACKPOOL. Blackpool Stadler Polska for up to 60 new (a line 1 interchange). transphoto.ru be ready to open in 2024. tram Council has been allocated trams (firm order 35, value MOSKVA (Moscow). NEUCHÂTEL. Delivery of the GBP520 000 (EUR584 000) from PLN293m/EUR66.6m) for Reconstruction of tracks at fifth ex-Trognerbahn car and the Emergency Active Travel delivery from 2022. They will be Paveletsky Voksal this summer reduced frequency meant that Grant initiative to support the the Lajkonik Tango model will affect lines A, 3 and 39, and no older trams were operating local economy by improving (825-874 already under delivery see the reinstatement of line 38. from 17 March. The reserve light rail and facilities for from a previous order) and should Low-floor trams will appear on fleet comprises 501+552, 502, cycling. The grant will also fund complete the replacement of the south Moscow network again. 503+551 and 504+554. tram investigations into re-opening the high-floor fleet. infotram.pl NOVOKUZNETSK. Ust-Katav ZÜRICH. A referendum has the Poulton – Fleetwood rail POZNAŃ. Tram services returned has delivered the first three new approved a credit of CHF203.5m line, to which Government to normal from 25 May; line 11 trams of type 71-623-04 (362-4); (EUR188.6m) for reconstruction has pledged GBP100 000 remains suspended and line 3 and seven are on order. transphoto.ru of Hard depot to permit new (EUR112 000). 4 run Monday-Friday peaks only. ORSK. Tramline 5 linking the Flexity trams to operate from Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours Tenders have been issued to city centre and the tractor-trailer there; 193 apartments will also has been honoured with the refurbish Tatra RT6N trams 399 factory (OZTP) was withdrawn be provided as part of the project. Queen’s Award for Voluntary and 400, acquired from Brno to from 1 April. The line was built A three-year programme to train Service, the highest award for a join ten of the same type delivered by the factory in 1985, but has all 980 drivers on the Flexity voluntary group in the UK and in 1996-97 (already modernised). carried few passengers. BS started in April. The second of these one that recognises outstanding infotram.pl PERM. New 711-911EM Lvyonok trams arrived on 12 March. tram work that benefits local TORUŃ. The only response to a bogie trams from PK Transportnye communities. tender for five single-ended five- Sistemy entering service in April TAIWAN There is no indication as to when section 100% low-floor trams were 5872-78. transphoto.ru TAIPEI. On 1 June New Taipei heritage operations will restart, came from Pesa with a price of YEKATERINBURG. Network Metro Corporation introduced but workshop projects continue. PLN46.4m (EUR10.5m). infotram.pl testing of a new three-section a 50% discount for passengers The ‘Western Train’ has been WARSZAWA (Warsaw). tram design from Uraltransmash travelling on the Danhai Light repainted after remedial Tenders have been invited for the began in May. The 27.8m Rail service who pay their fare bodywork, and the illuminations supply of new powertrains for the low-floor vehicle has capacity by mobile phone. The offer ends fixtures are being refitted. fleet of Pesa120Na trams. infotram.pl for 320 passengers. IRJ on 31 August. Focus Taiwan CAIRNGORM. The Cairngorm National Park Authority has PORTUGAL SLOVAKIA THAILAND approved the planning application LISBOA. Coronavirus timetables CIERNY BALOG. This 16km BANGKOK. T h e 4 . 3 k m for repairs to the funicular line, from 30 March saw tramlines (ten-mile) 760mm-gauge line at (2.7-mile) northern extension of which could cost GBP10m 24 and 25, and the three cable present provides tourist service the Sukhumvit (Green) SkyTrain (EUR11.2m). However, funicular tramways, closed. Route 24 with steam trains. However it line from Kasetsart University owner Highlands and Islands resumed on 18 May. BS, M. R. Russell is planned to provide regular to Royal Forest Department and Enterprise has said a final decision PORTO. Heritage tram services passenger transport by 2025, Wat Phra Sri Mahathat opened on whether to proceed will depend 1, 18 and 22 were withdrawn by which time it will have been on June 5. A further extension to on a detailed business case which from 6 April, but resumed electrified between Podbrezova Ku Kot, with seven stations, is must be approved by the HIE Board operations from 6 June. BS and Dobroc. Rolling stock will expected to open in December. and Scottish Government.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org july 2020 / 281 Worldwide Review

06.30-20.00 Mondays-Saturdays. However, no tram service, catering Sunday and late services remain or toilet facilities were provided. at 15-minute intervals. No charge was made, but it was Phase 1 of the reconstructed hoped that visitors would make a railway station at Wolverhampton donation. opened on 25 May; completion of The museum is closed until Phase 2 in early 2021 will allow at least 4 July. The Model Tram, delivery of the Piper’s Row tram Bus and Railway Exhibition extension, terminating in front Event on 15-16 August has been of the station building. postponed until 21-22 August 2021. USA LILLE (FR). Amitram has restored CHICAGO. IL. The 2020-24 Basel two-axle tram 182 of 1926 capital budget includes funding to take over the operation of to permit work to start on the its Marquette-lez-Lille museum extension of the Red line from tramway from ex-Neuchâtel 74 95th St to 130th St. ERA (running since 1995). tram EL PASO, TX. Trams were out on SEATON (UK). The tramway test runs on 11-15 May in readiness was live on Facebook on 8-12 June Stadler’s Polish factory has started delivery of a new batch of trams to the city of for a resumption of service. with behind the scenes operations Kraków. I. Schischkin KANSAS CITY, MO. Tram service and on 11 June started a streamed COVENTRY. The West Midlands The proposals cover the next returned to normal from 18 May. 24-hour continuous tram trip Combined Authority is to provide 25 years, and include tram-train The city council has approved back and forth along the line. GBP1.5m (EUR1.7m) in funding services linking Long Eaton, new contracts for pre-construction People donating were entered into for the Coventry Very Light housing development and the East work on the planned 5.75km a prize draw. A ‘Hero’ ticket has Rail scheme. Undertaken by the Midlands Gateway logistics site. (3.6-mile) Main St tramway also been launched which can be University of Warwick, the project The historic Trent Bridge depot, extension from Union Station redeemed as an All-Day Explorer is working on a new track design which dates from 1901 and to 51st St. An application for ticket when operations resume. that can be installed quickly and operated trams until 1920, has USD174m in federal funding Stuttgart (DE). The tramway cheaply, and is easily removeable been granted Grade II Listed status. is pending and the line could museum and heritage line 23 for access to utilities. The track SOUTH YORKSHIRE. From open in 2025. ERA re-opened on 7 June. M. R. Russell would support lightweight 6 June-24 July trackworks will PHILADELPHIA (SEPTA). WEHMINGEN (DE). A new battery-powered light rail vehicles. move to the White Lane and A ‘Lifeline Service Schedule’ arrival is München (Munich) Testing is expected within Norton Avenue section, followed was introduced from 9 April, three-axle tram 2420, acquired the next year, although an by Gleadless Town End to the returning to normal timetables as from a private individual. The up-and-running line is not Manor Top/Spring Lane curve employee availability permitted. museum re-opened on 31 May. DS expected before 2025. (25 July-1 September) and Ten stations remained closed WIEN (AT). The tramway EDINBURGH. Work on the Crystal Peaks bus entrance to on the Market-Frankford rapid museum at Erdberg re-opened Newhaven tram extension, Crystal Peaks Office entrance/ transit line, and eight on the Broad on 30 May. From 18 May, E1 class paused during the height of Elcroft Gardens (2-25 September). Street line. Tramlines 15 and 34 trams have returned to service, lockdown, restarted on 1 June. TYNE AND WEAR. A nearly- are not operating, neither is Red mainly in rush hours, now fitted GREATER MANCHESTER. normal service was introduced Arrow line 102 (replaced with with a plexiglass panel behind the Monday-Saturday frequency on from 18 May with 12-minute buses), though this resumed driver for protection. S. Grahsner all lines was improved from 20 to headways on all routes and, at peak on 31 May. The tram subway is 12 minutes from 26 May, with as times, a train every three minutes closed with passengers required to CONTRIBUTORS many services as possible operated between Pelaw and Regent Centre transfer from tram to rapid transit Worldwide news items for by double units. However, free and from Pelaw to Monkseaton. at 40th Street. ERA inclusion should be sent to travel for health and care workers, Saturday times remain at every SAN FRANCISCO (BART). Michael Taplin at Flat 8, Roxan and use of concessionary passes 24 minutes on each route, giving With just 7% of normal passenger Villa, 33 Landguard Manor before 09.30 on weekdays, has a 12-minute frequency in the loadings, services were reduced to Rd, Shanklin, Isle of Wight been withdrawn. These measures central area. On Sundays and after every 30 minutes from 8 April. ERA PO37 6EA, UK. Fax: were introduced at the start of 20.00 during the week there is a SAN FRANCISCO – SAN JOSE, +44 (0)1983 862810 or lockdown to enable essential 30-minute service on each route. CA.The first Stadler EMU for the e-mail: [email protected] workers and pensioners to access On 22 May a freight train Caltrain electrification was tested UK and Ireland items are work or shop at quieter hours. brought down the overhead on under power at the Salt Lake City welcomed by Home Editor, Transport for Greater the shared underground section factory at the end of May. W. Vigrass John Symons, 17 Whitmore Manchester has begun an exercise through Sunderland station. SAN FRANCISCO (Muni). Avenue, Werrington, Stoke- to assess technology that could While repairs were undertaken Although several bus routes on-Trent, ST9 0LW, UK. automatically intervene if a tram Metro trains terminated at offered improved frequencies from E-mail [email protected] approaches a higher risk location St. Peters with replacement buses 16 May, the Muni Metro system Acknowledgements are also at a speed which could result in from there to South Hylton. remained suspended, probably due to: Blickpunkt Strassenbahn derailment, and also to monitor A detailed business plan is until August. The August Muni (BS), Drehscheibe (DS), Edinburgh the attentiveness of tram drivers. being prepared for the reopening Heritage Weekend is postponed Evening News, Electric Railroaders NOTTINGHAM. Extending of the Northumberland rail line. to spring 2021. Association (ERA), Focus Taiwan, tram service to Toton Lane is This would enable residents of SANTA ANA, CA. The Orange Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), proposed as part of the first phase Ashington, Bedlington, Blyth and County Transportation Authority infotram.pl, Irish Times, International of a GBP2.7bn (EUR3bn) transport Seaton Delaval to connect with has awarded Herzog Transit Railway Journal (IRJ), lineoz.net, blueprint for the East Midlands. Metro services at Northumberland Services a USD45m contract to Lokaltrafikkhistorisk Forening The extension from Long Eaton Park, with the rail line then operate its new tramway, due to (LTF), Manchester Evening News, would include two new stops, continuing to Newcastle Central open in 2022. J. Hayward Nottingham Evening Post, Op de Rails one serving the proposed Toton station. The project is likely to (OR), Railway Gazette International High Speed 2 rail interchange. cost GBP162m (EUR182m). MUSEUM NEWS (RGI), Stuart Cooke, tram, traminfo. With road improvements and WEST MIDLANDS. Service levels CRICH (UK). The National pl, Tram-2000, transphoto.ru, improved bus and rail services, on West Midlands Metro were Tramway Museum opened its Trolley Lines, urbanrail.net, Urban the extension could be delivered increased from 15 May, with a 12 outside spaces on a trial basis Transport Magazine (UTM) and within the next decade. rather than 15-minute headway over the Spring Bank Holiday. Wolverhampton Express & Star.

282 / july 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Letters

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Why is Croydon still London’s only tramway?

I much enjoyed the article on Croydon Tramlink. I grew up this in Britain, except in London, hence our failure to really in the Dundonald Road area, so I knew the West Croydon understand the full benefits of tramway development. line well as part of the neighbourhood. Our family used it on What is sad is the failure to even extend the Tramlink system, occasion and for some years my mother was a rare commuter let alone develop any further tramways in London. There has from Merton Park to Morden Road, both then defined as halts. been no lack of proposals, as the article shows, they just haven’t She was fascinated by the two-car electric trains and especially progressed. So with 28km (17.4 miles) open in May 2000, in the handing over of the single line token at Merton Park (the May 2020 London still had just 28km of tramway. In contrast only time I was encouraged to talk of trains at home!). Paris had 20km (12.4 miles) of tramway in 2000, despite having Partly because of this, I have followed the system’s opened its first section in 1992. Today it has nearly 120km development closely and visited whenever possible over the (74.5 miles), plus about 40km (25 miles) under construction years, particularly to travel between Croydon and Wimbledon. and a further 80km (50 miles) at various phases of planning. The growth of traffic on this line has been noticeable. What In our great independent state post-Brexit we will need to be has also stood out from my visits is that travel has evolved, far quicker on our feet to maintain anything like a decent level from trips between suburbs and the two main urban centres of economic and social living; and the current experience of to a pattern of boardings and alightings all along the line. The COVID-19 suggests that pollution-free local public transport tramway provides accessibility of a nature that didn’t exist has a much larger part to play than we allow it at present. when I was young, along a dense suburban corridor. Finally, a piece of history which I think is also relevant. I attribute this to people gradually changing short and The section from Croydon to Mitcham runs along the former longer-term habits, such as shopping destinations and job alignment of the Surrey Iron Railway, the world’s first public locations respectively (the phenomenon termed ‘asymmetric railway, opened (as freight only) in 1803. This was closed in churn’ by researchers at the University of the West of England’s 1846 and in the 1850s the section to Mitcham became part Centre for Transport & Society). They show that the effects of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway’s West of tramway construction can be deep and long but are also Croydon to Wimbledon branch, now the Tramlink line. rooted in economic, social and geographic factors; hence they This line has over 200 years of service in various forms. Our grow most effectively where transport planning is plugged Georgian ancestors would be proud of this. It’s a pity we seem so into spatial (land use) planning. Which is, of course, what reluctant to follow their confidence and vision in local railways. most of our Continental neighbours do. But we do not do Reg Harman, by e-mail

LRTA advocacy in Croydon worldwide. I was also directly involved with distance from the main line RENFE station. I enjoyed reading the ‘20 years of Tramlink’ the timetabling implications for the Tyne and A replacement bus was indeed operating special last month (TAUT 990), and it evoked Wear Metro extension to Sunderland when from outside the station to Asunción- memories of the early 1990s when the LRTA working for British Rail/Railtrack. Universidad (a new halt with two sidings, made efforts in the background to ensure the In June 2018, I took part in a 15-day in a massive development on the outskirts scheme was adopted. organised tour of Northern Spain with the of León). Some 13 new ‘request’ halts were Dennis Coombs, who was still titled intention of travelling firstly on the superb constructed in 1993, by agreement with FEVE Borough Surveyor I believe, had been given modernised narrow-gauge EuskoTren network and the Castilla y León autonomous regional LRTA material and was particularly taken with between Hendaye and Bilbao and then to government, for the western end of this very the booklet Light Rail Today that Peter Walker cover five narrow-gauge long-distance diesel long route to Bilbao, and it has been a success. and I had produced. I had several meetings unit RENFE (FEVE) Regionales and ‘Cercanias’ Sadly, an ambitious property-dominated with him to provide more information, suburban narrow-gauge services, both electric plan for the existing narrow-gauge rail route including one in my home in Gloucester and diesel, that operate in Bilbao, Santander, in central León, to be in tunnel and possibly where he drove on a matter of some urgency Gijon, Oviedo, Ferrol and León. extended to the main station in León, is when he was making efforts to keep the The situation in León shows the difficulties ‘in limbo’. It is similar to a tunnel plan for politicians on message. when correct understanding of the EuskoTren in San Sebastian/Donastia. Jack Wyse and I also attended one of the tram-train concept does not occur. This was Our two-car diesel train had broken windows public meetings to feed support ‘from the also revealed in my city, by the route change and hauled a graffiti-damaged single car at floor’. I suspect Dennis is no longer with us, from Meadowhall – Barnsley / Huddersfield to the start of its long, complex journey to FEVE but he deserves a lot of the credit from the Tinsley South – Rotherham/Parkgate. works at El Berron, near Oviedo. I observed Croydon Council side. Rob Carroll says a tram-train development, large numbers of broken and damaged FEVE Michael Taplin, TAUT Worldwide Editor planned in León was cancelled on ‘cost diesel/electric units there, both old and new. grounds’, even though new vehicles to replace I am pleased to read that attempts to fund new Spanish tram-train development the existing FEVE diesel units were built. units are being investigated. The article by Rob Carroll (TAUT 989) ‘Can The Summer 2019 European Rail Timetable Table However the real debate in Northern Spain Tram-train fill the gap?’ was informative, but 683 states “The 1350 Leon-Journey may be a about tram-trains is not about gauge, platform sadly failed to explain fully why tram-trains bus between León and Asunción-Universidad, heights, electric/diesel units or new tunnels, have not been introduced in León. due construction of a new tunnel.” but the cost of security. It was quite clear in I have been a resident of Sheffield since We discovered that the original narrow- Bilbao that on the EuskoTren network, the 1966, but my childhood involved visits to gauge FEVE terminus at León Matallana had new tramway and two metro routes that the Holborn tram tunnel in London and I been superbly restored, with a modernised security was paramount, and that finance had have always taken special interest in all train, brand-new, three-track layout plus platforms. been made available to allow this to occur. tram, tram-train and train-tram developments It is in the centre of the city, but some David Wrottesley, by e-mail

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JULY 2020 / 283 Classic Trams splendid saxon 1 survivors Mike Russell continues his survey of the comprehensive rolling stock collection in the Leipzig museum and PART outlines when it can be visited and seen in operation. TWO

n TAUT 989 we surveyed Leipzig’s the municipal GLSt’s new Heiterblick works type, with two car bodies from CKD and two remarkable surviving tramcars dating and fitted with enclosed platforms. Car 134, motor cars and one trailer ex-Dresden. The from before World War One. The next an example of this reconstruction (type 58), track fan at Wittenberger Strasse offers an ideal group are vehicles from the inter-war was acquired in 1974. In 1929-31 Heiterblick opportunity to parade examples, of which years, from which five motor cars and turned to a similar modernisation of 58 of the motor car 1602 (type 33) from 1969 is now in Itrailers have each been preserved. Readers remaining Lindner type 55 trailers, equipping the museum fleet along with contemporaneous who visited Leipzig in the DDR era will recall them with lengthened and enclosed trailer 520. Added subsequently is Tatra KT4D many of them, for the last of the iconic platforms. An example of the rebuilt version short articulated car 1308, one of the initial type 22 Pullman tramcars, built in 1925 by (341, type 55II) was recovered from a garden in series of eight trialled in Leipzig in 1976, three manufacturers, survived in service 1983. When restored and attached to cars of transferred to Berlin in 1984 and retrieved in until November 1987. All were rebuilt and types 27 and 58 it will illustrate a characteristic 1997. Also in the collection are Tatra T6A2 renumbered, sometimes several times, in the 1930s Leipzig tram-train. Trailer 285 (type 1001 + B6A2 trailer 801. course of their long lives. 54II), however, is a 1932 Heiterblick works Leipzig works cars have always been prolific Car 1463, built by Waggonfabrik Busch modernisation of a type 51 car. It became a and many have yielded precious examples of of Bautzen, was one of the last examples to garden house in 1968 and, though now in the older passenger cars with which to assemble retain its original bidirectional layout as works museum collection, is presented in that form. a remarkably complete historic fleet. Some car 5046 and will be returned to passenger The 100 type 61 trailers, built by Christoph special cars retain that form, including a condition to illustrate the standard pre-war & Unmack at Niesky in 1928 following receipt mobile ticket sales office of 1926, a tower Pullman car form. Car 1464 is designated type of the four prototype type 57 trailers, were a wagon of 1958, a purpose-built two-axle 22s, reflecting that it was one of 26 vehicles two-axle version of the type 29 bogie cars, with railgrinder of 1968, a ballast-tipping trailer rebuilt and equipped with track brakes and drop-centre entrance and fitted with Peckham of 1949, a crane trailer of 1960 and flat truck fitted with a new Heiterblick-built steel body radial trucks; the saloons were divided into 5545 of 1996. At the other end of the historical with V-shaped windscreen in 1972. Trailer car smoking and non-smoking sections. They spectrum is a replica horse car built on the 608, one of 200 type 56 cars built by Sächsische were customarily attached to the bogie motor frame of a former horse car after its relegation Waggonfabrik of Werdau in 1925 to a design cars (type 29) and, later, to Pullman motors; to use as a salt trailer. It carries fleet number matching the motor cars, is also present. they were last in service in 1974 and 2012 is 95 and represents a type 3 built by Herbrand In 1926 the Leipzig tramways ordered two the restored survivor. of Köln in 1884, in service until closure of the low-floor centre-entrance bogie motor cars Examples from the post-war DDR era last horse-drawn line in April 1897. and four matching trailers: one train from include the prototype LOWA motor car In addition to the tramcars, the museum the WUMAG (Waggon und Maschinenfabrik 1601 and trailer 803 (types 30 and 62) built at conserves two trolleybuses, various motor AG) of Görlitz and the other from Niesky. Werdau in 1951. These were the first types of buses and a taxi. Sadly, neither of the two motor cars (originally new tramcar built in the DDR and Leipzig’s The new Leipzig tram museum is accessed 1601/2, later 1376/7) survived, but in 1986 examples, 15 motor cars and 86 trailers, were from Apelstrasse and is normally open one of the trailers was recovered from use as the only ones built as single-ended. Leipzig 10.00-17.00 on the third Sunday of each a garden shed in Wiederitzsch and will be was the recipient of Gotha-built two-axle month from May to September inclusive. restored as motor car 1376. In this way have T57E cars, some transferred from Berlin and It also opens on selected other dates (for the remains of type 57 trailer 2002 facilitated Dresden. Car 1623 of 1960 exemplifies this details see www.strassenbahnmuseum.de). the re-creation of a pioneer type 23 motor car. once ubiquitous model; 483, model B57E, For EUR3 (children EUR1.50) visitors can Another rebuilt motor car represents formerly Berlin 1803, is the matching trailer. enjoy this wonderful collection spanning type 27, comprising rebuilt and modernised Next came the two-rooms-and-a-bath three- the history of one of Germany’s greatest examples of the LESt type 16 series (913-1009) section Gotha G4 cars, of which Leipzig was by tramways. Almost all cars are in working order of 1913. The rebuilding involved provision far the greatest recipient, operating 120 such and can be hired for excursions 1 April- of enclosed platforms to replace the original units; 1206 of 1967 is one of the second series, 30 September. The museum includes a unvestibuled design. Works car 5098 was a refitted with a seated conductor’s desk. well-stocked shop, proceeds from which go surviving example, and will be restored as 981 One further trailer (830, type 66) is an towards restoration work. to the form to which it was rebuilt in 1929-31. example of the Rekowagen, with new four- Regular tram route 9 to Thekla stops at the Finally from the inter-war years comes car window bodywork built on recovered old end of Apelstrasse (alight at the stop named 1043 of type 29, some 56 centre-entrance bogie trucks by the Reichsbahnausbesserungswerk Historischer Strassenbahnhof), but for a motor cars sourced from three manufacturers at Berlin-Schöneweide in the early 1970s and premium single fare of EUR3 visitors can travel (in this case Linke-Hofmann-Busch at supplied to many DDR tramways. Leipzig on Zubringerlinie 21E, linking the museum Bautzen) in 1929/30. Several migrated to had no need of such motor cars, but took 38 with the Hauptbahnhof hourly during the Strausberg line near Berlin after their trailers in 1971. These were often found in use museum opening hours; on such days some of Leipzig days finished, but 1043 remained in behind type 22s Pullman cars from 1972 on. the oldest cars operate this service and other Saxony and received historic designation in special trips. 1972. Such was its condition that for years Long-lived T4D The Leipzig electric tramways will be 125 afterwards it was sometimes pressed into Last year marked the 50th anniversary of years old in April 2021 but current special service at times of rolling stock shortage. the introduction of Tatra T4D bogie cars event planning focuses on the 150th tramway to Leipzig, and it is a tribute to their robust anniversary, which falls on 18 May 2022. Modernised trailers construction that many are still in daily Starting in 1926, some 53 of the LESt type 55 service; Leipzig eventually operated no fewer With grateful acknowledgment to Rolf-Roland Lindner trailers of 1908 were modernised at than 598 motor and 273 trailer units of this Scholze of the Leipzig tram museum.

284 / JULY 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org 1. The classic Leipzig two-axle motor car of the inter-war period is represented by 1464, albeit this example is one of the 26 rebodied in 1972 with new all-metal bodies built at Heiterblick works. It is shown at Wilhelm-Liebknecht-Platz operating on the special museum Zubringerlinie.

2. 2019 was the 50th anniversary of the introduction of Tatra tramcars to Leipzig and many later deliveries of types T4 and B4 remain in service. A Tatra parade was formed on the track-fan in front of Wittenberger Strasse museum on 15 September. From left to right are 1600, converted from car 1797 to the most recent form of Offener Leipziger sightseeing car; driver training cars 2147 and 500; and 5091, formerly 1618 and now an LVB railgrinder.

3. Prototype LOWA motor car 1601 leaves the loop at Elli-Voigt-Strasse, with centre- entrance trailer 2012 behind. 2 4. Several DDR tramways took delivery of the Gotha-built two-rooms-and-a-bath three- section articulated G4 cars. Car 1206 represents this type and is shown on the track-fan in front of Wittenberger Strasse depot.

5. Car 2012 represents the series of type 61 centre-entrance trailers from 1928, some of which remained in service until 1974 and were traditionally coupled to drop-centre bogie cars of type 29. It is seen entering Elli-Voigt-Strasse 3 4 behind LOWA motor car 1601. 6. The most modern car is Tatra KT4D short articulated car 1308 of 1976. Eight operated in the city from 1976 to 1984 but then transferred to Berlin, from where this example was repatriated in 1997. It is shown emerging from Apelstrasse onto Berliner Strasse.

7. One of only a few replica cars in the collection is horse car 95, exhibited in the former Möckern premises. The bodywork was built on the 5 6 truck frame of a former horse car after it was retrieved from use as a salt trailer. The body represents a type 3 car of 1884, built by Herbrand of Köln.

8. 1601 and 803, the prototype LOWA motor and trailer cars of 1951, coupled to form a homogenous pair. These were the first new trams built under DDR auspices; Leipzig’s were the only examples built as single-ended.

7 8 All photography courtesy of Mike Russell.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JULY 2020 / 285 NEWS FROM THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT ASSOCIATION Backing green transport Removing the barriers to VLR

stated aim on the UK Department for Transport’s website is to “encourage Apeople to choose greener forms of travel when coronavirus restrictions are lifted”. What does that mean for the Very Light Rail (VLR) project being developed by Coventry City Council? Its lower-cost battery tram solution is aimed at smaller towns and cities; it will also feature tracks using a shallower excavation that can be easily moved to allow access to utilities. The cost? An estimated GBP10m/km (EUR11.2m/km), compared with the GBP35-60m/km (EUR39-67m/km) for conventional systems. A computer-generated image There are at least 20 UK cities and towns of the future Coventry VLR system. interested in urban VLR, many of which the WMG, University of Warwick LRTA has been providing advice to. However, many significant legal and bureaucratic have been rebuffed by the powerful utilities obstacles remain that may prevent their “Many significant legal lobby. The code needs urgent revision. implementation. These include: 4: TWAO – The current Transport and Works 1: Support from central Government in and bureaucratic obstacles Act Orders are robust and necessary for heavy terms of policy, subsidy, investment and remain that may prevent rail. A simplified ‘TWAO light’ is needed for regulation. Investment in research and VLR, otherwise millions will be spent that development to change the way we travel. the implementation of could render such schemes unviable. The Coventry VLR project has the support 5: A stated aim of the Coventry VLR scheme of the West Midlands Combined Authority further VLR schemes.” is eventual autonomous operation. and the Coventry and Warwickshire LEP, However, that will require new laws but will need further funding to achieve a system to more accurately capture the and regulations – do we have to wait for Proof of Concept. Will HM Government benefits and value of clean air, health and legislation to catch up with technology? provide this to allow the project to be well-being and climate change. Coventry aims to have its first demonstrator opened up in the other 19 towns and cities? 3: Statutory undertakers powers and the ready for testing in autumn 2020, with the 2: WebTAG – the instrument used by the DfT NRSWA Diversionary Code of Practice can system operational in 2024. If successful it to evaluate the viability of transport schemes cripple planned schemes, with the transport could provide a cost-effective system for use in in line with the Treasury Green Book needs promoter having to foot the bill for most towns like Bath and Bristol. urgent revision. As Reg Harman’s excellent utility diversions. Previous attempts by Can the DfT step up to the plate? We need article in TAUT 989 illustrated, we need the LRTA and Ministers like Norman Baker action rather than words.

Tramway Review at 70 Keep in touch – Further to last month’s ‘teaser’ information, we e-mail updates are delighted to confirm further details of our forthcoming 148-page anthology that celebrates 70 We believe that keeping in touch with years of the LRTA’s historical journal, Tramway Review. the latest news, campaigns, meetings, When Tramway Review was first published in 1950, and publications from the LRTA is the tramway industry – in Great Britain and many important, and we would like to further other parts of the world – appeared to be in terminal strengthen the links with our members decline. As such, the ambition of this journal was and supporters. to record for posterity, while there was still time, the Therefore please take a few minutes history of lost and dying tramways. to let us have (or update) your e-mail Edited by Geoffrey Skelsey and Martin Dibbs, this address on our new website and let us special publication revisits some of the highlights of know if you are a member or supporter: the many historical studies and archival illustrations www.lrta.org/update-email-details from the magazine’s illustrious history. To be published in September 2020 to coincide All LRTA regional meetings have with the publication’s 70th anniversary, the cost for been cancelled until further notice – this special anthology will be GBP14 plus P&P (look out for LRTA member and TR subscriber discounts). stay updated at www.lrta.org Bookshop

Order online from www.lrta.info/shop – or by post from: LRTA Publications, 38 Wolseley Road, SALE, M33 7AU (Please provide phone contact details and quote LRTA membership number if appropriate) Please note: the coronavirus pandemic is impacting on many nations’ postal services and this can result in delays to items despatched from the LRTA and other publishers.

Tramways & Stadtbahnen in Hannover

New from the LRTA. Believed to be the first history of the system to be published in English, this book relates the pioneering nature of the extensive network in and around the city from the 19th Century through the conversion of most routes to the modern light rail lines of today, with several underground axes.

The author, the late Reverend Richard Buckley, was editor of Tramway Review from 2008 to 2017.

> A4 softback; 232 pages, fully-illustrated in colour and black & white plus several maps. £35.50 (UK addresses) £42.50 (outside UK) £47.50 (Airmail beyond Europe) LRTA Members: £3.25 discount

U-Bahn, S-Bahn & Tram in Paris Iconische 4-assers in Rotterdam Urban Rail in the French Capital | Städtischer Schienennahverkehr in der französichen Hauptstadt Third in the series of books describing the most numerous post-war tram types in the New edition in this popular series - city, some of which still operate the summer an excellent guide to the extensive sightseeing tour. Full details are given of the and growing tram, RER and metro design, history and operation of these fine networks of the Paris region. cars. Dutch text. English and German text. > 255x205 mm hardback, landscape format; 132 pages, 47 colour and 54 black & white pictures, several diagrams. > B5 softback; 160 pages, 300+ colour pictures and several maps. £30.00 (UK addresses); £33.00 (outside UK); £38.00 (Airmail £20.00 (UK addresses); £22.50 (outside beyond Europe), LRTA Members: £2.75 discount UK); £25.00 (Airmail beyond Europe) • Still available: Düwag trams in Rotterdam; Schindler trams LRTA Members: £1.80 discount in Rotterdam – see online shop.

Order direct from the publisher as shown

The London Feltham Tram Balade en tram vicinal à Lobbes & Thuin The evolution of a classic tramcar design Guide visuel de la ligne touristique de l’ASVi

Tells the story of the development Full-page images make up of these famous tramcars by the this lovely album of the LUT and MET and their operation museum line in Belgium on in the capital and Leeds, and of which an array of former prototype centre-entrance car 331 SNCV stock operates in in Sunderland. electric, steam and diesel modes. French and Dutch > A4 hardback; 152 pages, text, plus English and 194 black & white and 11 colour German summaries. pictures. A4 softback, landscape format; 96 pages, 100+ mainly colour £20.00 – www.pen-and-sword.co.uk > pictures and a route map. EUR20.00 – www.photorail-collection.com 2020

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