THE INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

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JUNE 2018 No. 966 ’s tech region ready to embrace lrt

Keeping the peace: Managing noise and vibration opens another 90km of lines ‘21st century’ transit plan for Auckland UK launches first wire-free services

E dinburgh EMC challenges 06> £4.60 Defying critics and Why OESS does not preparing for growth equal compliance 9 771460 832067 SUPPORTED BY

Manchester “I very much enjoyed theincreased informal networking opportunities 17-18 July 2018 in such a superb venue. The 12th Annual Light Rail Conference quite clearly marked a coming of age The UK Light Rail Conference and exhibition as the leader on light rail worldwide, as evidenced is the premier knowledge-exchange event in by the depth of analysis the industry. from quality speakers and the active participation of With a wide range of presentations, panel debates key industry players and suppliers in the discussions.” and unrivalled networking opportunities, it is Ian Brown CBE – well-known as THE place to do business and Director, UKTram build valuable and long-lasting relationships.

There is no better place to gain true insight into the workings of the sector and help shape Voices its future. V from the T o discuss how you can be part of it, industry… visit us online at www.mainspring.co.uk “I had a great time in or telephone +44 (0) 1733 367600 Manchester. Thank you for everything, the conference was a great success for us.” Ana M. Moreno – ORGANISED BY ORGANISED BY General Manager, Tranvía de Zaragoza CONTENTS 205 T he official journal of the Light Rail Transit Association JUNE 2018 Vol. 81 No. 966 www.tautonline.com EDITORIAL Editor – Simon Johnston [email protected] Associate Editor – Tony Streeter [email protected] Worldwide Editor – Michael Taplin [email protected] News Editor – John Symons [email protected] Senior Contributor – Neil Pulling Worldwide Contributors T ony Bailey, Richard Felski, Ed Havens, Andrew Moglestue, Paul Nicholson, Herbert Pence, Mike Russell, Nikolai Semyonov, Alain Senut, Vic Simons, Witold Urbanowicz, Bill Vigrass, Thomas Wagner, Rick Wilson 210 216 Production – Lanna Blyth T el: +44 (0)1733 367604 News 204 SYSTEMS FACTFILE: EDINBURGH 224 [email protected] The latest raft of Chinese metro and tram The UKʼs newest system has come in for DESIGN – Debbie Nolan extensions; Midland Metro launches UK criticism in recent years, but despite these Advertising wire-free era; Dortmund chooses Vamos; early issues it is now growing in strength COMMERCIAL Manager – Geoff Butler LRT plans for Cebu, Phillippines. and looking to begin work on an extension. Tel: +44 (0)1733 367610 [email protected] OPINION 209 W ORLDWIDE REVIEW 229 Publisher – Matt Johnston Johan Herrlin of Ito World examines how Brussels’ EUR840m tram order; ’s Tramways & Urban Transit technology is changing the way we travel. Metrolinx announces Finch West contract; 13 Orton Enterprise Centre, Bakewell Road, Referendum rejects Nashville’s transit plan; Peterborough PE2 6XU, UK ION: lrt to reshape a region 210 Design contract awarded for Porto light rail Tramways & Urban Transit is published by Mainspring With the first stage of the Region of subway; Salzburg’s Lokalbahn extension on behalf of the LRTA on the third Friday of each month preceding the cover date. Waterlooʼs LRT almost ready, TAUT explores approved. how the line will redefine the landscape. mailbox 234 managing NOISE & VIBRATION 216 Amsterdam’s tramway heritage under PRINT AND DISTRIBUTION The building of a new LRT line can bring threat; more on Sandilands and Sydney’s Warners (Midlands) plc, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH, UK varied objections to noise and vibration – Habour Bridge. LRTA MEMBERSHIP (with TAUT subscription) but this need not be the case... Tramways & Urban Transit is sent free to all paid-up CLASSIC TRAMS: BROOKS, OREGON 236 members of the Light Rail Transit Association. NO WIRES does not mean no emc! 222 Mike Russell visits Oregon with its LRTA WEBSITE AND DIARY Taking away the wires doesn t mean EMC Electric Railway Museum, home to some ʼ Brian Lomas compliance, argues Dr Rob Armstrong. wide-ranging exhibits. [email protected] [email protected] Subscriptions, MEMBERSHIP and back issues LRT A Membership Secretary (Dept T06), 38 Wolseley Technology not as a tool, but as an enabler Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK. Tel: +44 (0)117 951 7785 Many senior public transport figures will freely admit that our industry lags [email protected] Website: www.lrta.info behind when it comes to using the power of technology. for CORPORATE Subscriptions VISIT Private sector mobility providers seem better at raising money to develop www.mainspring.co.uk customer-centric services, either through advertising or commercial partnerships, mainly because they are investing far more in things like LRTA REGISTERED OFFICE 138 Radnor Avenue, Welling DA16 2BY, UK. Artificial Intelligence and ‘deep learning’ to really understand their users. They also Private company limited by guarantee, No. 5072319 seem better at harnessing ‘digital’ with the approach that computing power is not just in England and Wales. about tools to make our lives better or easier. The most forward-thinking are using LRTA Chairman – Paul Rowen technology as an active agent, interacting with customers, understanding them and [email protected] driving better and quicker decision-making. © LRTA 2018 The Managing Director of the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) Articles are submitted on the understanding they may also made a bold statement at UITP’s IT-Trans Conference in Karlsruhe in March: ʻYou need later be used on our websites or other media. A contribution to think like you are the Google of transport, or you will be dead.ʼ He was arguing that is accepted on the basis that its author is responsible for the many transport operators give away their open source data, so is it any surprise that opinions expressed in it, and such opinions are not those of others are monetising this valuable data to gain an advantage? the LRTA or Mainspring. All rights reserved. Our mindset needs to change. There is so much information about our passengers No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including and our assets that are siloed or – in the worst cases – still held on pieces of paper! photocopying, recording or by any information storage and How are we to draw this knowledge together efficiently to make useful decisions under retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from such conditions, ensuring of course that we stay compliant with rules such as those in the copyright owner. Multiple copying of the contents of the the EU’s new General Data Protection Regulation, which comes into force in May? magazine without prior written approval is not permitted. Those seeking to challenge the public transport market share know what their customers want, now and in the future – and they partner with complementary service COVER: Testing on the ION light rail project in the providers to add additional value to people’s lives. If we don’t change we will fall further Region of Waterloo (Canada) is well underway; Flexity Freedom 507 at the University of Waterloo behind, especially as public subsidies are drained even further… Simon Johnston, Editor on 3 May. Adamski Tomasz/Region of Waterloo

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JUNE 2018 / 203 News China’s bumper month of openings Five cities introduce new metro and tramway services, adding over 90 and 45 new stations

he incredible growth by almost 30 seconds. A 14.2km the rest of the line is elevated. of the exemplars of Chinese of Chinese LRT and (8.8 miles) southern extension is A 1.6km (one-mile) extension economic growth, added metro development planned to open in 2020. is planned at the city end, with 19km (11.8 miles) and 14 stations was marked by another The city’s network is expected another four-station projection to metro line 6 on the same bumperT month in April, with to reach 100km (62 miles) this at the Jimo end. day. The south-eastern route over 90km (56 miles) of new lines year with the opening of lines 9 Qingdao’s first metro line from Nancuiping to Meilinlu, and 45 stations added to systems and 10. Another new line, 4, is opened in December 2015. takes line 6 to 45km (28 miles) in five cities. Almost 400km due to open in 2020. The opening of Line 11 takes the in length, served by six-car (250 miles) of new lines were Following the opening of the total length of the network to Type B trainsets. opened across the country in first 20.4km (12.7-mile) phase 102km (63.4 miles). A further five Although minor compared December 2017. of metro line 2 in December, lines are under construction. to the metro growth, the New The first came in the capital of the coastal city of Qingdao added Three days later, openings District Tramline in Suzhou Liaoning Province, Shenyang, as a new 57.8km (36-mile) metro took place in both Tianjin and – Jiangsu Province, about the largest city in north-eastern line (11) on 23 April. Forty 80m Guangzhou on 26 April. 100km (62 miles) north-west China added 5.3km (3.2 miles) to four-car trains supplied by CRRC The 1.2km (0.7 mile) addition of Shanghai – added a 7.6km metro line 2, taking the north- Qingdao Sifang are used. Trains to Guangzhou line 3 links its (4.7-mile) extension from south route to 31.9km (19.8 miles), reach up to 120km/h (75mph) on southern and northern airport Longkanglu to Xiyang Mountain with trial operations on 8 April. the largely elevated alignment. terminals and opened on the on 28 April. The extension is Shenyang opened its first Starting from an interchange same day as the inauguration of mostly segregated and at-grade, metro line in 2010 and although with line 2 at Miaolinglu, close Terminal 2 at Guangzhou Baiyun with two underground sections. development has remained to Laoshan Bay, the new line International Airport. The airport The initial section of the city’s static for the last four years, the runs northeast to Jimo, with will also be served by the first modern tramline opened new northern route coincided 22 stations. The first 3.8km planned line 18 in 2020. in 2014, using a fleet of 18 with enhancement of service (2.4 miles) through the city runs Tianjin, on the country’s low-floor trams produced by on the line, reducing headways underground with four stations; north-eastern coast and one CRRC Nanjing Puzhen to a licensed Bombardier Flexity 2 Route Length New stations design but fitted with onboard S henyang line 2 (extension) Hangkong Hangtian Daxue – Putian Lu 5.3km 4 energy storage to allow Qingdao line 11 Miaolinglu – Jimo 57.8km 22 catenary-free operation. Guangzhou line 3 (extension) Airport South – Airport North 1.2km 1 A second 18.5km (11.5-mile) line is due to open in August, Tianjin line 6 (extended) Nancuiping – Melinlu 19km 14 featuring an interchange with Suzhou New District tramline Longkanglu – Xiyang Mountain 7.6km 4 the existing line at Longkanglu.

Luton DART work begins Construction has officially Melbourne to study ‘missing link’ started on the 2.1km (1.3-mile) DART (Direct Air to Rail Transit) project connecting Luton tramline to south-eastern suburbs Airport with Luton Airport Parkway The Victorian Government has station. The GBP225m (EUR256m) announced that it is to commit automated peoplemover is expected to serve the UK airport AUD3m (EUR1.89m) to fund from 2021, running 24 hours a day design and planning of an 18km from Bartlett Square alongside the (11-mile) tramway extension from station to the Central Terminal Area, Caufield (on line 3) with the option of a stop to serve the to Monash University’s Clayton airport’s mid-stay car park. campus and on to Rowville in the The DART is intended to reduce south-east suburbs. The proposal travel times between London’s would mark the first major St Pancras station and the airport terminal to around 30 minutes. addition to Melbourne’s network Civil engineering is undertaken since the 3km (1.86-mile) by a VolkerFitzpatrick-Kier joint extension of route 75 to Vermont venture, with the transport system South in 2005. delivered by Doppelmayr. The funding will cover the München wayfinding app study of potential alignments, A smartphone app to help visually- stop and park-and-ride locations, impaired passengers navigate journey times and ridership the city’s metro network is being forecasts – this work will begin trialled by MVG at Münchner “immediately”. Preliminary East, before reaching the alignment of the Rowville Freiheit station. Bluetooth studies suggest the route could intersection Blackburn Road and railway line, dormant since it beacons provide location details, transport up to 3000 passengers Wellington Road where a stop was first proposed in the 1969 enabling the user to receive voice per hour in the peak. will be built to serve Monash Melbourne Transportation Plan. notifications to assist wayfinding as The first stage would involve University’s Clayton Campus. The Victorian Government well as offering departure times. The six-month programme an eastward line between Stage two would continue along has also committed AUD60m is supported by the EU-backed Caulfield railway station, along Wellington Road to Rowville. (EUR37.7m) for the creation of an Civitas Eccentric project. Dandenong Road to Chadstone The scheme would involve additional 2000 parking spaces Shopping Centre and Oakleigh laying tram tracks along the at Melbourne railway stations.

204 / june 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Approval Midland Metro launches for Hasselt – Maastricht the UK’s wire-free tram era express tramline Retrofitted tram enters passenger service, other conversions underway A final vote by Maastricht riday 20 April saw the City Council (Belgium) on first use of a modern 6 March saw approval of battery-operated tram in the international light rail passenger service in the project, now expected to carry FUK; Midland Metro Urbos 3 passengers in 2023-24. 18 now uses onboard power for The proposed express route part of each journey despite between Hasselt Station and the current 21km (13-mile) Maastricht Mosae Forum is Birmingham – Wolverhampton around 33km (20.5 miles) line being equipped with long, with the majority on the overhead lines. The CAF-built Belgian side of the border; only tram has been retrofitted with 3.8km (2.4 miles) of tracks are two roof-mounted lithium-ion on the Dutch side. Featuring 13 cells, recharged from the wires. stops, the current plan Catenary-free sections are envisages a fleet of 12 vehicles to include the city centre offering an end-to-end journey extensions in Birmingham Midland Metro 18 ‘pan down’ on its first day in passenger service following the time of 37 minutes with vehicle (due for completion in 2019) retrofitting of OESS battery packs (seen in the extended cowl above the cab). TfWM speeds of up to 100km/h and Wolverhampton (2020), (62mph) outside the cities. with later wire-free running to completed at Wednesbury depot The drop in passengers is largely This controversial project come on the lines to Edgbaston with the first conversion being ascribed to the closure of Bilston saw an initial agreement (2021) and Birmingham Eastside undertaken on car 31. Road for renewals between June signed between the Belgian (2023). The future Wednesbury The latest figures for the and December 2017. and Dutch transport ministries – Brierley Hill route may also network report a 9% decrease in The WMCA report also in 2008, with Flanders feature wire-free sections. passenger numbers for the month revealed that punctuality had Government approval in Retrofitting of tram 18 was of January (597 326 in 2018 worsened in December and 2011, but technical, financial undertaken by CAF in compared to 653 035 in January January due to ‘driver availability and zoning issues have seen in 2017, but the rest of the 2017). Over the full year, ridership issues’; six new drivers have been the construction repeatedly 21-strong fleet will have the work across the network was down 1%. undertaking training in response. delayed. Three become one for German metre-gauge order On 25 April Cottbus City The tendering process is The new fleets are to replace fleet availability and this has Council () approved expected to begin this month ageing Tatra KTNF6 cars that become a significant challenge. the joint procurement of 20 for the 30m vehicles, with a date from the 1980s in both Additionally, changes to the trams in co-ordination with requirement for a 60% low-floor Cottbus and Brandenburg that law require full accessibility of the transport undertakings in design and a passenger capacity are becoming increasingly public transport in Brandenburg Brandenburg an der Havel and of 150. All three cities have maintenance intensive. from 1 January 2022; the Land Frankfurt/Oder. metre-gauge tramways, which Frankfurt/Oder is likely to take of Brandenburg has committed Cottbusverkehr is to order seven are electrified at 600V dc. a similar approach, removing EUR48m for investment in barrier- trams with an option for a further It is anticipated that an order some of its 1980s KT4D cars. free public transport by this date. 13; Brandenburg requires four, can be placed later in 2018 with As 75% of Cottbusverkehr The order could be worth with an option for eight more. the first deliveries beginning passengers use the tram, more EUR120m if all the options for Frankfurt/Oder will order 13. in 2020. intensive services rely on up to 45 trams are exercised.

NEWS IN PICTURES Interior designer transforms tram into ‘moving salon’ One of the more unusual installations at April’s prestigious Salone del Mobile furniture and interior design fair in Milano () saw a ‘reimagining’ of a Class 1500 tram by designer Cristina Celestino. Ms Celestino transformed the interior of the 1928-built car into a ‘travelling salon’ inspired by early 20th Century cinemas and ‘the theme of the journey’. As such it featured two compartments:

a foyer and a screening room. TramCorallo.com The design project was supported by Milano operator ATM and completed in collaboration with boutique fabric and materials

TramCorallo.com specialists.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org june 2018 / 205 News Auckland transport plan includes light rail New Zealand’s largest city to use LRT to double public transport usage

NZD28bn (EUR16.5bn) The NZ Government is transport plan for already financing the NZD1.4bn Greater Auckland was (EUR822m) 3.4km (2.1-mile) launched by Transport City Rail Link from Britomart AMinister Phil Twyford and Mayor under the city centre to Mount Phil Goff on 26 April, heralding Eden. This will convert the the country’s biggest ever civil suburban rail system to a through engineering works programme. operation rather than terminating Christened ATAP 2018, the at the Britomart stub station. plan is “intended to create a 21st Electrification will be extended Century transport system for the south from Papakura to Pukekohe. city region” said Mr Twyford. The light rail proposals include Mr Goff said he hoped “to double a line from the city to the airport the use of public transport over a (but designed to serve more than short period of time”. airport traffic) and another to of NZD1.8bn (EUR1.06bn). In the contributions (NZD8.45bn/ Included in the package is serve the Northwest Corridor longer term there is potential EUR4.96bn), a regional fuel tax NZD8.4bn (EUR4.93bn) for rapid (City – Lincoln Rd – Kumeu). for light rail to the north shore (NZD4.4bn/EUR2.6bn), the transit, including commuter Both are designed to support (Albany and Orewa). Design National Land Transport Fund rail enhancements, a light rail population and employment work is already underway. (NZD16.3bn/EUR9.58bn) and system and a busway linking growth, and relieve congestion, Funding for the plan will come Crown Infrastructure Partners Panmure and Botany. with recommended investment from rates and development (NZD360m/EUR211.5m).

Zürich gets its first look at new Flexity design A full-scale mock-up of the The exterior and interior front two sections of the 43m design was developed by Bombardier Flexity 2 tram Bombardier and VBZ in design for VBZ was unveiled at collaboration with Milani Design Altstetten works on 24 April. & Consulting of Thalwil, using The wooden mock-up will be high-quality natural material, used to consult with staff and including Zürich’s traditional passengers to finalise all aspects wooden seats. A striking external before delivery of the first two feature is LED lighting strips each prototypes (4001/2) at the end of side of the headlights as turn 2019 (in time for the Christmas indicators and each side of the The Marconi site has industry-leading environmental credentials. STIB lights according to VBZ director doors, which will pulse green at Guido Schoch). stops and red to indicate closing. STIB inaugurates Marconi tram depot Fleet delivery and passenger Handrails are polished steel. service with the single-ended There are 91 seats and space for The official opening of the new Developed as part of the cars will come in 2020, with the 187 standing and each tram will 27 000m² Marconi depot in European Tramstore 21 order completed in 2021. VBZ has have two areas for wheelchairs the southern Brussels district sustainability project, systems ordered 70 of the seven-section or buggies. Seats will have USB of Uccle took place on 27 April. can recover enough rainwater trams for CHF358m (EUR300m), charging points. Drivers will Financed by the Capital Region, to satisfy 80% of the site’s needs with an option for a further 70. benefit from the assistance the EUR80m facility will house and 625 photovoltaic panels system developed by Bombardier vehicles operating premetro provide up to 120mW of power to warn of track obstructions. route 4 and tram routes 32, for administrative buildings. Delays during the evaluation 82, 92 and 97, which had been To minimise disturbance to and placing of the order (tenders operating from the site for some surrounding premises, an anti- were first invited in 2019) mean weeks before the inauguration. vibration mat has been installed that the city’s Tram 2000 cars The 14-track covered depot under the southern entrance as have had a three-year reprieve; can accommodate 75 trams; well as a 140m noise barrier. withdrawal will now start in the adjacent servicing area has Part of STIB’s ongoing depot 2020. However the extension of capacity for ten further vehicles strategy, a further site in the north The full-scale mock-up of two line 2 from Farbhof to Schlieren in and provides cleaning and of the city is under development, sections of the future Bombardier December 2019 will require two maintenance facilities, including and a new metro depot at Erasme Flexity for the Swiss city of Zürich. VBZ vehicles from the reserve fleet. wheel reprofiling. will open in 2019.

206 / june 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Indian partnership Vamos chosen for Dortmund to ‘leapfrog’ Second German city opts for HeiterBlick’s high-floor LRV design smartcards for mobile payments he public transport expand capacity on the system further 30mm to improve access. operator DSW21 and replace the ex-Bonn cars. There will be new and improved Leading m-ticketing developer (Dortmunder There is an option for two more passenger information systems. Masabi has announced a Stadtwerke) in the Ruhr new LRVs. The modernisation programme partnership with Indian journey cityT of Dortmund has been To be modernised are 43 is to be completed in 2028. planning technology company seeking to modernise and/or six-axle and 21 eight-axle HeiterBlick, which occupies Chalo to develop mobile fare replace its 75 Duewag Stadtbahn-B Stadtbahn-B, which will part of the former Leipzig collection and journey standard-gauge high-floor LRVs, include new floors that will be tramways central workshop, planning applications for the which date from 1986-1994 20mm lower than the existing is also building Vamos LRVs Indian market. (but with eleven 1974 examples 1000mm, and with the ability for the metre-gauge system in The project will integrate second-hand from Bonn). to pneumatically lower by a Bielefeld. Masabi’s Justride SDK into new As in Bonn and Köln (Cologne), apps, allowing passengers to it has been decided to choose purchase and display tickets; a mixture of both approaches, Chalo will also license Masabi’s but rather than trying to carry validation software. out modernisation in its own Indians spend over workshops to an extended EUR61bn/year on bus, metro, timescale, has chosen to place an train and taxi fares, with 91% order with HeiterBlick/Kiepe for of this total spent on local both new cars and rebuilds. transport. “With this partnership A contract worth EUR195m we can leapfrog to mobile has been awarded to the ticketing, bringing us ahead of consortium to supply 24 new many developed markets, and double-ended high-floor saving the entire investment Stadtbahn cars and modernise 64 required for smartcards,” said from the existing fleet. Chalo CEO Mohit Dubey. The first new cars will arrive Earlier in the month, Masabi in 2020, using the Vamos design announced that it is to work developed by HeiterBlick at its with Uber to integrate public Leipzig works, with electrical transport tickets into the latter’s equipment from Kiepe. They will Artist’s impression of the new HeiterBlick Vamos for Dortmund. HeiterBlick app. Masabi will again supply its Justride software development kit, which allows third-party applications to request fares, Services have restarted on Lisboa and driver training started on make payments and deliver The return tram line 24, which linked Cais the partly steeply-graded route visual and barcode mobile tickets do Sodré and Campolide and last where motormen had to to a smartphone. ran in August 1995. It was then re-familiarise themselves with of Lisboa the latest symbol of the decline the technique of taking a in the Portuguese city’s tramway two-axle remodeladas to and from Sydney CSELR tramline 24 system, removing a service that Campolide. It was thought that started in 1905 (then Rossio – passenger service would start in legal challenges Campolide). May, though perhaps not along The builder of Sydney’s 12km Ostensibly the service the whole line. (7.5-mile) CSELR light rail line is was suspended to permit The re-opening was brought launching legal action against the construction of a car park forward and on 24 April route NSW Government for AUD1.2bn underneath Praça do Campolide, 24 started carrying passengers (approx. EUR755m) over its but as the years went by, and again on the 4km (2.5-mile) refusal to authorise payment for track along the route was between Praça Luis de Camões change orders. removed during roadworks, local and Campolide. The Mayor, Contractor Acciona is alleging people despaired that their trams Fernando Medina, turned it was provided with inadequate would never return. In 2017 one up at 09.30 to take a ride on and incomplete details of the of two bus lines serving the area 574, declaring: “23 years after utilities that would need to be was removed, creating further suppressing one of Lisboa’s relocated during construction difficulty. But 2017 also saw the favourite rides, 24 returns to the of the tramway and that it is transfer of tram and bus operator city and to celebrate on 24 and incurring significant extra cost in Carris from the state to the city 25 April the trip on the tram is identifying these locations. council, a body with effective free for everyone”. The government is countering passenger transport as one of its Service is provided seven days with claims that there was an priorities. What followed was a week: Monday-Friday 07.00- agreement that it could provide talk of new trams and extensions 20.30, Saturdays 07.30-19.40 and maps of the locations of only half to the much-depleted tramway – Sundays 10.30-18.30. The line of the utilities and the contractor and the return of line 24. serves the upper terminus of the would have to find the rest. Work soon began to Elevador de Gloria funicular, Construction work has slowed rehabilitate the tracks and make offering the opportunity of an as a result of these delays, putting sure the overhead was in good interesting round trip. the planned 2019 opening date Carris two-axle remodeladas tram 574 carries the ‘driver training’ notice order. Finally, on the night of When new trams arrive there beyond achievement. in its windscreen as it waits during a 10-11 April Carris track scrubber should be enough rolling stock crew break on line 24 on 17 April. Z-1 was seen putting the final to permit line 24 to be extended Read more about Sydney light rail J. Barata touches to the refurbished tracks, further into the city. projects in TAUT 964.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org june 2018 / 207 News

Subway satisfaction Overall satisfaction with the Plans underway for Cebu LRT Subway in the UK city of Glasgow was 97%, according to figures from Transport Focus; 95% were satisfied Former capital plans the nation’s second mass transit system with punctuality, and 80% with value for money. Transport Focus polled consortium of local and international almost 500 passengers between companies is working with the Department September and December 2017. of Transportation to develop plans for a Tramway stables saved mass transit system in Cebu, the former The Isle of Man’s Tramway Terrace APhilippines capital (population 2.8m). Cebu is an stables have been bought for earthquake-prone city that is the tourist gateway to IMP600 000 (EUR682 000) from central and southern Philippines, and a centre for Douglas Borough Council by the shipping. Studies are expected to be completed this Department of Infrastructure. The government body has said this year with construction following in 2019. supports its plans for the Douglas Metro Cebu Light Rail Transit is likely to be Bay Horse Tramway’s operation a DBOM project and is said to be endorsed by and for the regeneration of the President Rodrigo Duterte. Chinese interests are Promenade in the Island’s capital. though to be the most likely participants for the A planning application for elevated line (with a subway through the central temporary facilities on the business district). Up to 48 000 passengers/hour Summerland site was approved in will be carried on the trains. 2017, but the DoI said that following The 16.5km (10.3-mile) first phase will cover a review of options it is considered more cost-effective to buy the the Metro Cebu area, including the airport with existing building, which will also a bridge to Mactan Island. Phase 2 will benefit retain heritage infrastructure. greater Cebu. Passenger service could start in 2022. Cebu had previously looked at Bus Rapid Transit, a favourite of the mayor, but this was put on hold in success 2017 and the Duterte-backed rail system currently prompts changes holds sway. The current capital, Manila, has had an elevated French transport group Keolis, light rail system since 1984, and is still expanding A Kinkisharyo light rail train on the Manila elevated line 1 which employs 63 000 people its network. approaching EDSA station. T. Schmidt and achieved record revenue of EUR5.4bn in 2017, has announced significant changes to its corporate structure and board, including the creation of a Metro and tram growth in Algeria New Mobilities business unit. The new unit, headed by Extensions to both ends of elevated section. Intermediate The 15.2km (9.4-mile) Laurent Kocher, sits alongside the single metro line in the stations at Les Ateliers and tramline in the central the and International Algerian capital of Alger Gué De Constantine are not Algerian city of Sétif was due Business Units, supporting the (Algiers) were inaugurated on yet completed. to open on 8 May (a symbolic development of Keolis Santé 9 April by President Abdelaziz The metro line is now date marking a massacre in (medical transport), Kisio (digital Boutefli; full passenger services 18.5km (11.5 miles) long 1945), although it is not clear services), LeCab (private driver began the following day. and a 9km (5.6-mile) south- if full passenger service services), NAVYA (autonomous Construction of the 1.7km eastern extension from El would be provided from this vehicles) and VIA Technologies (1.1-mile) southern extension Harrach to the airport is under date. Cital has delivered 26 (shared mobility). Six operational from Tafourah-Grande Poste construction, planned to open Citadis 402 trams, and the units include metro and tramway to Place des Martyrs began in in 2021. The metro is currently line should reach 22.4km operations and engineering, 2009, but has been delayed operated with a fleet of 14 CAF (13.9 miles) in due course. IT, purchasing and the KeoLife by extensive archaeological six-car trainsets, dating from Work started in 2016 on the corporate programme. excavations. A 3.7km (2.3-mile) the line’s opening in November DZD38bn (EUR270m) line, Keolis now provides passenger branch from Haï El Badr to Ain 2011; an additional 12 CAF connecting the eastern suburbs transport services in 16 Naadja opened at the same time, Inneo six-car trainsets were and city centre with the countries. including a 1.4km (0.9-mile) ordered last year. university and sports stadium.

Bipartisan support and the need to invest in maintenance and renewal This 2018 World Metro Congress figures from Transport for GBP3bn [EUR3.4bn] to run each Leanne Redden of Chicago’s opened its doors at the exhibition London, Los Angeles County year with fare recovery being RTA said that her city does not centre in Bilbao on 18 April. Transportation Authority (Metro) 120% of operating costs,” he have the luxury of greenfield Supported by Mafex, the Spanish and the Chicago Regional Transit said. “But we want to reach 140% expansion and is “eking out what Railway Association, this year’s Authority – this is crucial for with 2-4% cost-savings a year.” we have.” The city is investing two-day event saw key themes schemes that span more than one Representing one of the a fraction of the USD3bn it that included sustainability, term of office, delegates heard. world’s most congested cities, needs each year to maintain and technology, modal integration Mark Wild, Managing Director Phillip A. Washington, CEO of improve its rail and bus systems, and the increasing demands of of the London Underground, the LA Metro said that while she said, but added that licences passengers in a digital world. spoke about the fare freeze current projects are clearly a step for shared mobility providers The importance of bipartisan brought in by London Mayor in the right direction, the city is such as Uber and Lyft are support for major transport Sadiq Khan and how flatlining still playing catch-up. Metro has generating valuable investment schemes and ongoing operational traffic has made it harder to grow 28 projects slated for completion revenue for public transport. financing was echoed across revenues and achieve tougher by 2028 in time for the city’s The event returns to Bilbao on a keynote debate with senior financial targets: “The Tube costs staging of the Olympics. 6-7 March 2019.

208 / june 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Comment REBOOTING PUBLIC TRANSPORT Johan Herrlin, CEO of Ito World, explores how technology is driving significant changes in the way we travel – and the challenges still holding us back.

e’re on the verge of a revolution in the way we live The obvious next stage and travel. Ownership was long considered the Journey planning app providers like MaaS Global and Moovit are pinnacle of societal ranking – and in some ways, it still moving towards becoming all-encompassing MaaS platforms, W is. Buying a house or a car has traditionally been a rite introducing aspects such as the option to buy tickets within their of passage, a way to mark one’s success. But things are changing. apps. However, this can only be accomplished if they have relevant, In the current economic climate, renting has become the norm for rich and accurate data from all the relevant sources. Private younger people and buying a car is beginning to seem like a waste companies have taken the lead so far, but it looks likely that we’ll of money when increasingly there is a shift towards urban living. see an increasing public sector and operator presence in 2018. A 2017 survey of 800 automotive executives by KPMG found that We’re already seeing businesses working on a variety of 74% thought that more than half of today’s car owners would not solutions to augment existing services and fill gaps in the want to own a vehicle in the future; 85% added that their companies public transportation network. Chariot, owned by Ford, offers saw a future shift in revenues towards providing digital services, pseudo-scheduled bus services in various US cities (with plans to from selling cars alone. Sharing economy firms like Uber and begin operations in London in 2018) that are based on passenger Airbnb have taken advantage of this change in mindset. demand. They could have a service running only during peak It is a shift we are seeing clearly within the transport sector – and commuting hours in one location and move to where demand is Mobility as a Service (MaaS) is the catalyst to push us over the edge. higher during other times of the day, thus ensuring that their buses This will be enabled by blending public and private transportation are always full and operating where people want them. In 2017 providers and offering a single-access interface for managing trips. Citymapper launched its own London night bus service, as well as It is already a brave new world out there. More and more car partnering Gett for shared taxi commuter routes (for a similar price clubs are popping up, bike sharing is increasingly popular, and to a public transport journey). Many of the mobility organisations autonomous shuttle buses are being trialled – all added to the providing these types of services use real-time data to determine surge of investment in driverless cars we’ve seen in the past year. the best routes and times of day in which to operate. In December, French automaker Renault bought a stake in a media Cities, and in particular transit agencies, are realising that they company, preparing for a future in which driverless cars are just have to engage better with private organisations in order to stay another vehicle for entertainment (no pun intended). All of these relevant. This means they have to deliver higher quality data that things have started to fundamentally change the fabric of cities. can be more easily integrated with other transportation providers.

The evolution of the ecosystem What is holding MaaS back? Access to open data has enabled MaaS to “Cities and transit Public transportation agencies are uniquely become a huge factor in urban development. agencies are realising positioned to augment existing routes with It impacts across a number of areas, including demand-based systems since they have a lot the rise in the sharing economy, demographic that they have to engage of data related to usage patterns; however, changes, urbanisation, electric or autonomous embracing this approach requires innovative vehicles and mobile technology. But in order better with private leadership and a data-driven mindset. for MaaS to truly become a reality, there must Yet existing transportation providers and be access to accurate and timely transit data organisations in order automotive manufacturers are also not the that reflects real-life customer experience. best equipped to leverage technology to their Imagine booking a multimodal journey on to stay relevant.” advantage. These are typical conditions for an app and being dropped off at a tram or bus disruptive innovation, where it’s very difficult interchange or rail station by a ride-sharing for incumbents to change their business and service. If the connecting service is significantly delayed or operational models to adjust to new threats and opportunities. cancelled, the promise of MaaS falls apart. The information used Moreover, not all companies feel sufficiently incentivised to share routinely by transit authorities is currently designed to manage the their data openly. For private providers, there is often an inherent movement of vehicles alone. In order to ensure a seamless journey fear about the possibility of losing proprietary IP. Private mobility and participate in newer transportation innovations, authorities providers are making significant investments in mining data to need to move away from providing operational level data, to predict demand, set real-time pricing, and much more. This data providing passenger level data. could even be considered their main strategic asset. MaaS blends data from the many different streams that make Manufacturers are trying to better understand customer up a transport ecosystem, but its foundations are predicated upon behaviour via connected cars and, increasingly, semi-autonomous the idea that if all shared transportation options were available vehicles. All data generated is still viewed as proprietary and to view and book in one place, people would probably use them there are no current forums for sharing it; even for seemingly more frequently. For example, if you were visiting Manchester for non-strategic data assets related to safety, such as hazardous road the weekend, a Zipcar service might serve you well; yet you might conditions. There is still uncertainty about how the market will not want to sign up and download a new app just for a couple of evolve, so many companies are being conservative and holding days. If this were an option via your MaaS app however, it could be on to all data assets in case of future opportunities. something you would consider. So we still have a way to go in terms of a fully-fledged MaaS For such a scenario to become likely, the transport ecosystem first network, but the wheels have been set in motion (pun intended). needs to fundamentally change. There are many factors involved Public transport is due for a reboot. At the same time, car ownership in this, such as enhanced trust in public transport, ease of use for is dying and Mobility as a Service will rise from its ashes. bike and car sharing networks, and improvements to the current infrastructure. For the traveller, it all hinges on access to and Johan Herrlin is CEO of Ito World, a company that delivers real-time transit data compilation of accurate data. If we look ten years down the road, to millions of people everyday along with a platform for transit authorities and we can see that cities will have to evolve in order to accommodate operators. By combining sophisticated algorithms with transport professionals, the coming revolution in transportation technology. Ito World’s data is as close to the real-life experience as possible and serves clients ranging from MaaS startups to Google Maps – www.itoworld.com

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org june 2018 / 209 ION: RESHAPING A region Designed as the first stage of a region-wide network, T J Flynn of with 19 new stations. Powered testing began in December 2017 and progressed to the full the Region of Waterloo and Ian Cushion of Keolis Grand River line in early January this year. walk us through the creation of the ION light rail project. BRT picks up where LRT leaves off, running from Fairview Park Mall to Ainslie Street Terminal in Cambridge (17km/10.5 miles) he Region of Waterloo has always The Region assumed responsibility for but, ever thinking ahead, Stage Two would had a reputation for innovation public transport provision in 2000 and see this converted to LRT, meaning a seamless and forward-thinking. Although saw ridership more than double by 2015. 36km (22.4-mile) journey with 26 planned perhaps unknown to many outside This belief in the power of public transport stations between Waterloo and Cambridge. of North America, the region is saw plans for the current ION project to The communities themselves are gravitating oftenT referred to as “Canada’s Silicon Valley” knit together the region’s biggest cities – to and reshaping themselves around this new and since the 1980s has seen enviable growth Waterloo, Kitchener and Cambridge – begin multi-modal system, intensifying and better in technology start-ups that are attracting the in June 2003 when the Regional Council utilising the immediate urban area rather best and brightest minds in industries from unanimously adopted the Regional Growth than sprawling outwards into the farmland software development to aerospace. Management Strategy (RGMS). This long-term that is so important to the area. An entrepreneurial spirit and progressive strategic framework identifies where, when Flynn continues: “We’ve seen over CAD2bn urban planning policies have led the and how future residential and employment (EUR1.3bn) of development along our LRT population to grow by 7% since 2010 growth is to be accommodated. route over the past couple of years, even (currently around 575 000), with projections Focusing closely on future land usage, before the service launch – that’s something suggesting that this could increase to almost the RGMS clearly identified that highway we’re very proud of. We’re proving that this 745 000 in the next 25 years. The home of expansion was not sufficient to cope with concept of urban intensification through technology giants such as BlackBerry, the the intensive growth forecast for these rapid transit is working in Waterloo Region.” Region is also made up of prime agricultural communities. Without ION (Greek for ‘going’), This urban intensification is something land that gives it economic diversity but at the it is estimated that the region would require other cities across North America are taking same time presents a number of challenges a further 500 lane-km (over 300 lane-miles) close note of. Flynn adds: “We were seeing when it comes to linking communities. of roads over the next two decades, costing in cranes going up alongside our alignment T J Flynn, Manager of ION Community excess of CAD1.4bn (EUR910m) and causing throughout construction, indicative that Relations from the Region of Waterloo disruption and environmental damage to these developers and investors shared our belief explains: “The first concept for a regional thriving and expanding neighbourhoods. that LRT was going to work. So, coinciding rapid transit system was presented back in the So, when we talk about using light rail to with construction there was a sense that the 1970s, so it’s been key to how we’ve planned reshape a community, in the case of the first community was changing, being reshaped as the region in the intervening decades. Waterloo – Kitchener line, this is a literal case. a result of LRT, and that the disruption was “Obviously moving people is a key objective, eventually going to be worth it.” but the other main goal was to use rapid Pioneering at all levels Core bus routes, too, have been reorganised transit incentives to limit urban sprawl and Stage One forms an LRT ‘spine’ that runs to integrate with the new LRT route, freeing concentrate developments in the downtown for 19km (11.8 miles) on largely segregated, up both vehicles and drivers to supply other, core areas. This allows us to protect the standard-gauge alignments from Conestoga perhaps previously neglected, areas of the farmlands that lie on the edges of our cities – Mall in the City of Waterloo through to region. As Ian Cushion, General Manager some of the finest in south-western Ontario.” Fairview Park Mall in the City of Kitchener, of operator Keolis Grand River, points out:

210 / june 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Waterloo – Kitchener

TOP: Ground-breaking for the ION light rail project in August 2014.

LEFT: Extensive reconstruction on Charles Street, Waterloo, in 2016.

RIGHT: Street alignments are built on a slab track foundation with concrete infill.

“That has further expanded the Grand River Transit service, which is one of the most well-developed networks in Canada. “All users of transit in the area, even if they’re well away from the ION route, are going to see a rise in the frequency and accessibility of the overall network. So it’s not just the people that are close to the new line that are going to benefit, everyone will.” This feeling of common-sense growth of their legacy buildings now accommodate closely with the municipalities where we and future promise, a branched network of the technology-based industries that form have already implemented LRT and where cascading benefits, is also proving of interest today’s regional backbone. we are expanding our LRT system into to other cities, with Flynn describing the “We’re well-positioned for future Cambridge. So there is overlap in terms of our Waterloo Region as something of a ‘poster generations,” he says, “The whole ION consultation process, and also in terms of how child’ in its usage of efficient public transport concept really feeds into that ethos and how we carry out the work to create the system.” as a tool to incentivise development. “We are we want to help reshape the community.” Ian Cushion elaborates: “Funding is split definitely making waves and the Province one-third each way between the Region, the looks towards the Region as one of the more Small roots for a bigger plan Province, and the federal government. But it’s progressive areas of Ontario. From the RGMS, Environmental Assessments a little bit different to other projects around “It’s fair to say that other communities are were undertaken in 2006, with the steel Toronto, as the Region of Waterloo has a lot looking at the benefits we’re already seeing. wheel-on-steel rail option confirmed as the more control over the project than others I recently met with a group from the City preferred option in 2009; LRT was deemed as you may compare it to, for example where of Hamilton, also in the process of building being ‘more likely’ to achieve the objectives Metrolinx or Infrastructure Ontario takes an LRT system in their city. I toured them of the Region’s growth strategy, carrying a lead. The Region has done a great job of through the route and they were amazed at further-reaching benefits and proving a integrating both the need for the system and some of the developments taking place.” greater catalyst for inward investment. its delivery into its wider vision.” This sense of dynamism is innate to the In February 2012 the Regional Council GrandLinq was chosen as the 30-year PPP region as Flynn points out that even in the approved a Design-Build-Finance-Operate- partner for Stage One in March 2014, with 1900s, Waterloo was one of the first regions Maintain (DBFOM) approach with a Public- works beginning shortly after in August to write down its urban planning strategies Private Partnership (PPP), itself unusual in 2014 and the BRT section opening in 2015. to create structures around an urban centre. the context of Canadian LRT. While there GrandLinq is made up of five key partners: “Waterloo Region has a long-standing are many projects underway throughout Plenary Group and Meridiam (infrastructure reputation as being very progressive in terms the country, ION is the first DBFOM model – investors and managers); Aecon and Kiewit of how we plan and develop. It’s something although likely not to be the last, as Cushion (design and construction); and Keolis that’s embedded here,” he says. points out. “It’s a model that’s also being (operations and maintenance). It has meant that instead of seeing such used close by, for example in the just-released Keolis has brought together both severe periods of growth and then decline, RFP for the City Hamilton’s light rail project. international and local expertise for the Waterloo Region has been able to adapt to We’re leading the way in this area.” ION project. Ian Cushion transferred from economic change and move with the times Of the working structure and governance, Yarra Trams in Melbourne, while Operations better than most. Like most areas it has gone Flynn expands, “We have a two-tier Director Peter O’Brien and Project Manager through periods of intense industrial activity structure in Waterloo Region; the Region Alvin Tong came from G:Link on the Gold and then manufacturing, but although is the higher tier. We have three cities Coast, – a similar network in both those sectors may have now slowed many and four townships, so we are working scale and PPP delivery arrangements. This

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org june 2018 / 211 Waterloo – Kitchener

ST JACOBS expertise is combined with local knowledge LAKESHORE from Maintenance Director Roy Dowdall, Northfield LAURELWOOD formerly with both the TTC and Bombardier. Research & Technology Although the BRT service is performing The 201 above expectations, the light rail line is yet Boardwalk 202 TO LONDON VIA University of to open, despite being “physically complete”. STRATFORD Waterloo WESTVALE Flynn outlines the construction timeline: Conestoga 201 “We began in August 2014, working on the 202 202 OMSF in Dutton Drive in Waterloo – that Laurier-Waterloo Park was less than four years ago. Construction in earnest started in April 2015, taking the EASTBRIDGE HIGHLAND WEST 85 Highway Willis Way Waterloo approach that we would carry out works Public Square 202 across the majority of the route at the same 204 time with the aim of finishing as quickly, and Allen MARY ALLEN 201 LEXINGTON creating as little disruption, as possible. Grand River “Now, understandably, 19km of FOREST Hospital HEIGHTS construction is never an easy thing for any BECHTEL Highway 7/8 204 MOUNT HOPE PARK KIWANIS community, but we’ve been very fortunate Central Station PARK (Innovation that we’ve had some great community District) Kitchener FOREST City Hall partnerships throughout the Waterloo Region, HILL Victoria municipal partners, and business associations 205 Park that have been great to work with. We also Queen BRIDGEPORT MEINZINGER PARK Frederick worked very hard with our partners at Kitchener GrandLinq to forge those relationships and WILLIAMSBURG Market ensure that there was ongoing, two-way 204 Borden communication with the community.”

Highway 7 BINGEMANS Some quick figures speak of the sheer scale ALPINE Mill ROSEMOUNT of the project: 36km (22.4 miles) of LRT track, 56km (34.8 miles) of underground utilities 205 2 201 Highway 8 requiring relocation, 56 000m of new COUNTRY HILLS HERITAGE sidewalk (pavement), and installation of over PARK Block Line 700 poles for the overhead catenary system VANIER STANLEY PARK TO TORO that provides electrification at 750V dc. Mr Flynn adds, “The above ground stuff N Fairway BRAMPTOTO VIA G is the tangible bit and from a community

IDLEWOOD BRESIAU perspective people can see the tracks and N UE LPH, stations are complete, all of the items that are

205 required for service… [but] in a comparatively GRAND RIVER SOUTH short period we’ve also replaced and CENTREVILLE- CHICOPEE HIDDEN upgraded infrastructure that dated back BRIGADOON VALLEY to the late 1800s, that’s the stuff buried underground that people don’t see.” REGION OF “Every time you dig you find something DEER RIDGE WATERLOO INTERNATIONAL new!”, Cushion adds, repeating a story AIRPORT Sportsworld DOON Conestoga College CAMBRIDGE BUSINESS PARK

Highway 401 203

203 PRESTON HEIGHTS SILVER BLAIR VILLAGE HEIGHTS Preston GRAND RIVER

PRESTON CENTRE LEGEND

ION Stage One Pinebush HESPLER VILLAGE ION Stage Two Cambridge ION BRT Stage One Centre Mall Highway 401 iXpress Routes Can-Amera Stop Intercity Transit Hub BLAIR L. G. LOVELL ROAD INDUSTRIAL Intercity Rail 203 PARK Connections Delta

SOUTHWOOD TO TORO FIDDLESTICKS R E N (F TO VIA MILTO D RIV U N T U Ainslie St R GRA E Terminal ) EAST GAIT N

ABOVE: Stage Two of the ION alignment is still to be finalised, for updates, visit www.Stage2ION.ca RIGHT: The OMSF (Operations, Maintenance and Storage Facility) under construction. The Dutton Drive site in Waterloo features three key structures, the biggest being a 7000m2 maintenance and operations centre.

212 / june 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org ABOVE: The first Bombardier Flexity Freedom LRV arrives in Waterloo in February 2017. Above right: Dedicated rights of way feature heavily on the 19km Waterloo – Kitchener line. BELOW RIGHT: A 19th Century corduroy road found while preparing the foundations on King Street, Waterloo. familiar to promoters and constructors of the bones of the system are now complete and ATP control, while in the city-running transit schemes all over the world… vehicle deliveries are becoming more regular, section the route is operated on traditional Some of these issues (construction albeit with slower than anticipated progress. line-of-sight principles with the benefit of variations, along with vehicle delivery delays, Looking back from near the finish line advanced traffic signal priority. of which more later) have lent to an increase it sounds simple, but it wasn’t always in construction costs by CAD50m, with the straightforward. Cushion discusses the route Bigger, better – but also later total cost rising to CAD868m (EUR565m). and some of its complications: “It’s entirely Bombardier is manufacturing 14 Flexity The Province of Ontario has agreed to an segregated, although there are a number of Freedom vehicles for ION at its plant in additional CAD25m to help offset some of intersections. The route features both Kingston, some 360km (220 miles) to those unanticipated costs. “It’s a 3% increase centre-running in the city streets and the east. Metrolinx, the body responsible [to the Region of Waterloo] overall,” says side-running, which is slightly more unusual. for transport in the Greater Toronto and Flynn, “Which I would say is not a massive “Everywhere the tracks go the streets were Hamilton Area, was the prime contractor increase when you consider the scale of the rebuilt, but there’s also a couple of areas with the vehicles destined for Waterloo project – the largest in the Region’s history”. where the double-track becomes two single- ‘piggy-backing’ onto the order as a CAD66m track sections through different streets in (EUR43m) option signed in 2013 – despite it Unusual route challenges uptown Waterloo and downtown Kitchener. now being the first recipient. Four years and a few extra million dollars “Further south the route runs parallel to an Although the postponed openings are later and LRT service is now within sight – existing freight line. To get there we needed ascribed in large part to delays in delivery of the pieces of the jigsaw are all there. The line, to travel down suburban streets that are not these cars from Kingston, they are to a new the depot and stations, the electrification – wide enough for LRT and car access so it was design – and even then are from ‘standard’. decided to separate the route. This gave us “It’s a much heavier vehicle than you’d some interesting challenges where we’ve got find in Europe, with higher crashworthiness, people’s front gardens right next to our tracks, around the 50-tonne mark,” Cushion with driveway access across. There’s a fair bit explains, “That’s typical of North America, of community education we’re moving into [but] they also have unique things such as now as we increase the number of vehicle hydraulic self-levelling suspension, which is movements and get ready for operation.” a new item. So while many aspects are very He points out another oddity: “There’s a similar to Flexity vehicles around the world – section at the northern end of the route called and as Keolis we have a lot of experience with the Waterloo Spur, running from Kitchener to them in Melbourne and on Gold Coast in Elmira, and for a long time freight trains have Australia, as well as other areas – they are been using that section. There’s also a tourist still the first of their kind for the North railway [the Waterloo Central Railway] just to American market. We’re learning a lot about the north of the LRT area. them and at the same time educating other “That section was a single-track freight partners in the group.” route that’s been converted to double-track The Waterloo variant is 100% low-floor, LRT, with one track shared with freight another first for North America, with five operations at night. It’s an unusual situation, sections and measuring 30.2m long and but we’ve created gauntlet tracks at the 2.65m wide. They will carry 200-plus station so the freight is pushed out beyond passengers each (57 seated) and are capable the structural envelope so it doesn’t interfere of higher operating speeds than the Flexity with platform edges and the shelters.” Outlook cars on order for Toronto, with a Once again, this exemplifies how Waterloo maximum speed of 70km/h (43.5mph) in the Region uses technology – both old and new ATP sections, and 50km/h (31mph) in the – in adapting to challenges, finding irregular other parts of the route. solutions to regular problems. Five will be in Waterloo’s Dutton Two of these sections of track – the Waterloo Drive facility by the time you read this, spur and the Huron spur in Kitchener – leaving a further nine still to be delivered. are operated effectively as a railway, with Bombardier’s updated schedule pins dedicated rights of way, pre-emptive control, completion of all vehicles in June, and level crossings, gates and lights. Safety although this is already a late-running requirements mean that both sections have schedule, both Flynn and Cushion argue

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org june 2018 / 213 Waterloo – Kitchener

that this date, this time, is likely to be met. Once fully open, operations will run “I’ve been to the factory and I’ve seen all the from 05.00-01.00 daily, with eight-minute remaining vehicles in progress. The body headways during peak times and 10-15 parts are all there and being put together, so minutes at other times. from what we’ve seen they're progressing well. It’s a modern and well-established facility Stage Two... and beyond they’re assembling them in,” says Cushion. The Regional Council approved LRT in Flynn adds, “There have been challenges 2011 in two stages and the wider vision of for sure, but in the long-term we’re very happy the full route from north Waterloo through with the vehicles and we’re looking forward downtown Kitchener to Cambridge is now to having them running on our system”. coming into the foreground. As delivered, the Flexity Freedom cars are “Right now we’re in the detailed public described by Cushion as ‘vanilla’ vehicles, consultation phase,” says Flynn, “So in a with ‘free issue’ equipment that is unique to couple of weeks’ time we’re going to go the Waterloo LRT system added post-delivery. – again as a result of delivery issues – a revised out to the public again on the routes. This mainly comprises the communications date of December 2018 is now being quoted, However, the region is committed to and signalling equipment, so each tram has obviously contingent on the completion of all progressing LRT to Cambridge and ensuring to be fitted with a further five items beyond 14 vehicles by Bombardier at the end of June. that Stage Two gets off the ground with a Bombardier’s spec: “The region’s radio The Region and GrandLinq say they are defined route and presenting a business case. system; a train-to-wayside communications working hard with Bombardier to make sure Then funding needs to be secured.” system, so we can control the points and the June deadline is met, but significant Finalising this next phase is key to signal routing; the automatic vehicle location penalty clauses exist within the contract Waterloo Region’s greater future, says Flynn, system (AVLS); the TP signalling system; and if this is not met. Assuming all goes well, foretelling a “transformative effect” on the the traffic signal priority system using a GPS four to five months will be required to fully Region and certain areas in particular in antenna that talks to the traffic signals as commission the system, install the equipment need of support: “We have the potential to we’re going along to confirm our position”. required to operate at higher speeds, and train have something very similar to Stage One in These details mean that the revenue service drivers and maintenance engineers. the Cambridge area, in terms of that positive timeframe is being inched back – initially An earlier opening with a reduced fleet was impact from a development perspective. vehicles were expected in December 2016 considered, but ultimately the decision was “Part of the Stage Two route would run with a 2017 opening planned. Delays meant made to wait for the arrival of all the vehicles through Hespler Road, an area we see as being that this was pushed back to Spring 2018, but “to make the experience the best it can be”. prime for further development. We have also identified a station in Preston, and we would TOP: While retaining a also see that as incentivising development in common design, the that area. We then have further connections stations use a variety of colours and finishes to the southern part of Cambridge with inspired by their locations; further opportunities for investment there.” here harvest colours At the moment transit runs as a hub-and- reflect the Kitchener spoke network with three major transit hubs Market. at Conestoga, Charles Street Terminal and Fairway. The Charles Street Terminal will LEFT: One of the most soon become redundant, says Cushion, as the striking stations is on the region moves to the creation of interchanges campus of the University of around the ION stations rather than bringing Waterloo. Gauntlet tracks allow the southbound line all the buses to one location. to be used by freight A multi-modal transit hub at the corner services outside LRT of King and Victoria [Streets] in Kitchener is operating hours. also under development, says Flynn: “We’re about a 70-minute drive from Toronto at BELOW: Vehicle testing in Uptown Waterloo in the moment, but further down the line, May 2018. connecting high-speed rail, LRT and ride- sharing opportunities at the multi-modal hub are very exciting possibilities. This is the next piece in the puzzle for Waterloo Region. The hub is modelled on something like a Grand Central in New York – albeit to a smaller scale – and is something we will see coming to fruition in the coming years. “We will have this multi-modal hub that will provide further connections, not just throughout Waterloo Region but also connections further to Toronto and to that Golden Horseshoe Area that the Region is a key member of – that’s something we're working on as well and very important”. All of these are plans on a grand scale, seeking to extend the reach and benefits of the LRT programme well beyond the boundaries of the Region. But these all hinge on the completion of the first phase, which so far has defied even the best laid plans. But with light at the end of the tunnel, it looks like it be well worth the wait.

Images courtesy of Tomasz Adamski/Region of Waterloo. Grateful thanks are due to Linda Huguet at Keolis for her assistance with this article.

214 / june 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org London, 3 October 2018 Recognising excellence and innovation in the global light and urban rail sector Entries now OPEN

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www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org june 2018 / 215 Urban integration MANAGING NOISE AND VIBRATION Integrating a light rail operation seamlessly into an urban rams and LRVs trundling past your home or office every few environment requires considerate planning and careful minutes, rattling the windows, maintenance to maintain good relationships with the shaking the ground and keeping you up at night or causing neighbours. TAUT rounds up opinion of best practice… disruptionT to your working day. It sounds hellish, and you can see why such arguments are often given in opposition to new schemes – but are these realistic objections? In a word, no. While noise and vibration are two ‘hot button’ topics that are often used by opponents of new lines, practical experience shows that potential issues are often grossly overstated.

Removing issues through good design Vibration is the result of cyclic application of forces to a medium – solid, liquid or gaseous – which transmits those forces to the environment surrounding the source. When vibrations are carried through the air the term sound is used, but whatever the medium the speed of sound provides the means by which we measure the way vibrations are carried from their source to the receiving point, be that a structure or a person. Sometimes these can be good vibrations, but more often the nuisance of rattling windows or deafening sound is a perceived result of a new tram or light rail route. Sound gains the ogre-word, noise, commonly a core objection, as the ‘noise’ of a passing tram or LRV can stand out above ‘accepted’ background sounds. However, these perceived issues can be exaggerated, and the actual result can be managed by thoughtful planning, careful choices in design and materials used for vehicles and infrastructure, and ongoing maintenance. Whilst the airborne element – noise – is the most widely experienced impact, transmission through solid material has a significant effect on the fabric of buildings and other structures, as well as making the presence of a rail system noticeable, even when it can’t be seen. There are many factors affecting how sensitive a person, building, precision equipment or ‘quiet’ environment are affected by sound and vibration. This can be by direct coupling through solid ground or structures (and occasionally water), or transmitted through the air; it is often managed by use of wall or floor coverings to absorb rather than reflect and transmit. In planning a light rail project, time and resources committed to getting the underlying design right, and engaging with neighbours in this process can deliver a greater mitigation of routes by which noise and vibration are propagated and experienced as a holistic exercise – and ultimately at a lower ‘cost’ than each working separately, and less efficiently. The key is in having a clear understanding of the issues, and how these can be modelled and mitigated by good design, and delivery to the required specification. This article attempts to outline a number Tramway and light rail noise and vibration problems are unacceptable in areas of outstanding beauty and of the key aspects of delivering noise and cultural sensitivity; a CAF Urbos low-floor car passes Seville cathedral, Spain. vibration management.

216 / june 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MANAGING NOISE AND VIBRATION What do we mean by noise and vibration? While we will give an overview here, it is worth reading Scott McIntosh’s articles in TAUT 927 and 928 for a more thorough examination of some of the detail. Noise radiates as pressure waves at a speed of approximately 332m/s under typical conditions. It changes as the air pressure, temperature and humidity vary – hence the greater respite from traffic noise on a foggy ABOVE: Most noise and vibration issues can be engineered out during the design and construction phases day. The ‘speed’ at which the sound wave with careful consideration of the potential issues; tramway works on George Street in Sydney, Australia, in 2017. travels through the medium of air varies across the range of frequencies, presenting BELOW: Škoda 15T 9215 approaching Nádraží Modřany, Praha (Czech Republic) in March 2018; the noise mitigation barriers here are arguably excessive and obviously a target for vandals. some effects that can be usefully employed to manage the way airborne sound is experienced. This can also create unexpected results – where the district alongside the tracks has no noise problems, but those across the valley receive an enhanced effect. Sound also travels as vibration carried through solids – rails, surrounding

“Sound gains the ogre-word, noise, commonly a core objection, as the ‘noise’ of a passing tram or LRV can stand out above ‘accepted’ background sounds.”

structures, foundations, the earth etc, which by radiating vibrations carried through the and concrete required to carry the rails and can then deliver a secondary source for steel to the web of the rail, which can be vehicles running on them. With harder transmission of sound to the surrounding ‘tuned’ to radiate sound at the least desirable and stiffer materials the way the vibration air. Decoupling that chain of transmission frequencies. However, the rail system does is transmitted is very different from that of provides a key to how we can contain not operate in isolation and ‘noise’ will airborne sound, as every joint or interface can vibration and noise. exist throughout the environment as a significantly change the transmission route. Due to sound’s nature as a pressure wave background baseline – often as high as 80dB The speed of sound through a medium radiating from a source (with sound waves where a busy main road runs in a concrete – a constant figure – relates the variation able to cancel each other out or increase walled corridor, and the lower limit above in propagation for high-frequency short intensity as they interact), combined with which an employer should be limiting wavelength vibration compared to the way sound is perceived by the human ear, continuous workplace exposure. With the low- frequency long wavelength; it is the sound pressure levels (SPL) are measured with advent of a range of smartphone apps, it is low- frequency vibrations that carry through a dimensionless ratio on a logarithmic scale. now possible to get an approximate value to affect structures and sensitive equipment. The measure used is the bel, most commonly without the need for a precision instrument, The route by which they connect is far less quoted in decibels. Because of perception a useful option for a quick assessment predictable, and often affected by the water issues relating to human hearing, a weighted to follow up with detailed review of the held in the clays and other ‘weaker’ soils on value is used for measurement of noise ‘equivalent continuous sound level’ or which many cities are built. impact. This is the ‘A-weighted decibel’ – LAeq. This is the figure often used to dB(A), modifying the power levels registered define requirements in the Environmental Investigation and planning for frequencies above and below 1000Hz Impact Assessment. It is important to model the effects of light (essentially the frequency band for the squeal Airborne noise has minimal structural rail construction operations carefully – both of flanges against rails, and a scream, which effect on buildings, although it can still be on the surface and underground. The energy the human ear is most sensitive to). transmitted or focused by interaction with transferred to neighbouring structures will The logarithmic scale means that a 3dB the built environment. Vibration is the depend on the materials from which they change is actually close to a ten-fold increase detail here, and the greater variation relative are built, the flexibility of joints and the in the power ratio, although to the human to frequency in the way ‘sound’ waves resilience of their foundations. ear this can equate to being twice as propagate through solid (and liquid) media. Detail of the soils, and their cohesion noisy. The logarithmic scale also assists in The more ‘elastic’ the medium, the slower (vane test) and bearing strength (California calculations for the connected chain of the speed of sound – for example through bearing ratio – CBR) are relevant in materials through which a sound travels concrete that speed is 3000m/s and in steel determining how the ground-borne and becomes attenuated, as it will spread out circa 5000m/s. By contrast, some softer vibrations connect to both the surrounding radially from the source until a change of the rubbers can take that figure down to 40m/s. buildings and the supporting geology. material modifies the way it travels onwards. Thus ‘sound’, especially in the form of lower Effort here on getting the foundations right An example of this is how the exposed frequency vibrations, can travel rapidly and has been proven – by early experience with webs of the rails amplify the ‘noise’ effect with minimal attenuation through the steel the second-generation systems – to be

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well-spent in the longer term. It was no and when this is required there is both Where achieving such space is not possible, surprise in more recent works to see a sound insulation and noise-cancelling measures such as resilient rail fixings, requirement for a CBR value to be confirmed (anti-phase sound which cancels out that of ballast mats and varying levels of isolated before track-slab construction could start, the machinery). and ‘floating’ slab track that use either a with provision in the contract for remedial A simple method of reducing annoyance continuous elastomer layer or supported slab works as required. to local residents and businesses is careful designs can significantly reduce noise and planning of working hours on construction vibration. Such systems are well-proven the So how noisy is light rail? sites. It will always be challenging to world over, have been used for at least 40 Noise and vibration from tramway and light avoid disrupting somebody in an urban years, and can be tuned to match the design rail schemes falls into three main categories: environment, but avoiding peak travel resonance of any given application. construction, operations and maintenance. times, nights and holiday periods will be Downsides are the initial additional We will therefore take these in turn and beneficial in terms of the relationships with capital cost and related impacts on the examine the sub-causes behind them, neighbours. When these cannot be avoided, construction schedule and the ongoing dispelling a few myths and highlighting a consideration of sensible controls around effects of weather extremes (contraction in few examples of best practice along the way. access to work sites and the installation of cold weather, expansion in hot weather). In a typical urban environment a temporary acoustic barriers with fillings such Another consideration is that a single point of well-designed system can be up to 10dB as mineral wool or acoustic foam will help. degradation in the resilient support over the quieter than general road traffic; however, Such barriers can also mitigate the spread of longer-term could cause a ‘vibration bridge’ as the overall perceived noise level is a dust while presenting a discreet worksite. to negate the value of the installation. combination of all sound energy, the Another key element to keeping local tramway itself will likely not be noticeable residents and businesses on your side is a clear Rails and damping on its own. communication plan. Regular community Newly-installed rails are never perfectly Trams and LRVs will almost certainly be engagement in what is happening, as well as smooth; a combination of surface noisier at higher speeds, with the increase selling the benefits of the new service, will irregularities created during mill rolling and depending on car type and the type of track encourage ‘buy-in’ to the project and reduce corrosion during storage can create serious used: embedded, grass, open ballasted or the number of complaints – and in the worst pitting and imperfections. The installation paved. This higher speed operation is more case legal challenges! process and the welding of joints can add to likely in suburban areas where general traffic When designing new routes it is important this roughness. levels may be lower and therefore the change to consider the street environment as a whole Grinding newly-laid rails removes may be more perceptible. since creating space for rail-borne vehicles manufacturing-related defects and helps may lead to the relocation of road traffic create a consistent transverse profile, and the Considerate construction closer to buildings. As Scott McIntosh pointed latest rail grinders can perform this task faster Building anything can generate substantial out in his 2015 articles: “The French example and more efficiently than ever before. amounts of noise and vibration – this is of reducing road space for general traffic can It is essential that rails are ground to a smooth sadly unavoidable in its entirety. The main have the multiple benefits of finding space for uniform profile before passenger service mitigations that can be imposed are the use the tramway, further improving modal split commences, but this process in itself will add of modern techniques and technology; one by reducing the attractiveness of private car another source of noise and vibration. area where this can be especially relevant is use, improving air quality as well as reducing The choice of rail encapsulation and rail in the care and detailing in the stages leading noise. The UK approach of minimising damping are also vital. Modern tramway up to construction. reductions in highway space is attempting to and light rail systems use a continual elastic Many modern track systems require force a ‘quart into a pint pot’ and will often support along the full length of the rail substantially less piling and breaking out, yield disappointing results.”1 that not only offers electrical isolation but can also act as a dampener to vibration and ground-borne noise. It has been shown “When designing new alignments it is important to that correctly-installed elastomer support can reduce noise by between 3 and 13dB consider the street environment as a whole since depending on the location and other mitigation measures taken. creating space for rail-borne vehicles may lead to the For ballasted sections of track, dampers can be applied to the sides of the rail, although relocation of general traffic closer to buildings.” there is much debate on the effectiveness of such systems. Discrete rail dampers are placed at periodic intervals with the principal aim of reducing the oscillation of the vibrating rail by coupling it to a steel element surrounded with a rubber encapsulation. The energy of the vibrating rail will flow into the damper, dissipating its energy, and such components can be tuned through varying the stiffness and damping co-efficient of the rubber element. Changing the compound and design can therefore shift or spread the operational frequencies of the damper and optimise the dissipation of the transferred energy.2 Impact noise, where wheels pass over discontinuities in the rail – usually at switches and crossings, but also at dropped or open joints – is a major source of noise. For grooved rail installations, the use of flange-running crossings will support the wheel, avoiding wheel drop and pounding of the nose of the crossing. In recent years rolled steel and monoblock designs have come to market that eliminate The new Midland Metro stop outside Grand Central is prone to wheel/rail noise as it comes at the bottom of a the need for fishplated joints, which slope and with a tight radius curve. in themselves can lead to longer-term

218 / june 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org ABOVE: Complex layouts and interlaced track need careful design and installation: a fine example of getting it right is Münchensteinerstrasse in Basel, Switzerland.

LEFT: Close attention to noise mitigation measures was paid with the trackform design of Phase 2 of the tramway in Nottingham (UK); Citadis 235 is seen passing Queen’s Medical Centre. RIGHT: Multiple switches to parallel platforms and an underground location prone to reverberation: Tuen Mun Ferry Pier stop in Hong Kong. maintenance issues that are particularly Operations and everyday usage of the most serious and expensive problems problematic for embedded street track. Once your new line is built, the challenges experienced by any urban rail system. Traditionally, one of the primary materials surrounding rail noise and vibration are Although primarily seen in curves, it can also used in the construction of tramway only just beginning. These can differ be found on straight track. Rail corrugation switches and crossings has been case widely from those generated by other road has been the subject of research for decades austenitic-manganese steel (AMS). This has transport in that they are mainly derived and its causes are diverse and complex. good abrasion resistance and a high from the interaction of steel wheels on steel Rails are most resistant to corrugation work-hardening capacity (up to 550HB), but track rather than the rumble of internal when they have a high vertical resiliency the time taken to reach optimum hardness combustion engines and drivetrains, exhaust and horizontal frequencies that take the rail varies widely depending on the vehicles’ axle noise or the ‘roar’ of rubber tyres interacting beyond the corrugation frequency zone. For a load and frequency of service. with either asphalt or concrete surfaces. more detailed discussion of this phenomenon A variety of longer-life steels are under In operation, the three main generators of readers are advised to look at the numerous development to improve the resistance noise of vibration on any light rail system are: research papers on the subject.3 to wear and fatigue (such as Cogidur and  Wheel/rail interaction; this generates Corrugation can be very aggressive, Dillidur), and high-carbon AMS has been vibration which can be propagated to growing over a greater length of railhead used in the past decade that is work hardened connected structures such as vehicle with each passage of a vehicle, and the depth through Explosive Depth Hardening (EMH) frames, street surfaces and sleepers, of the corrugations can grow exponentially where a small amount of explosive is applied resulting in sound radiation. This can be once established. Excessive corrugation can to the running surface to create a shock exacerbated by worn or corrugated rails only be cured by eliminating the cause. wave on detonation. This has been proven in and ‘flats’ on the wheels caused during Rail grinding as described above is the most testing to negate some of the need for early heavy braking or ‘stick-slip’ conditions. widely-used remedy, but removing the grinding and weld restoration.  Impact noise. This can be a significant work-hardened surface of the rail can However, even the best point and crossing concern on systems where rails are older promote a rapid return of the problem. work will generate a certain level of noise and or less well-maintained. Rail wear can be repaired by means of weld vibration so designers should ask: does such  Wheel squeal, primarily generated from deposits in the case of softer rail grades (for installations need to be at this precise spot, the stick-slip effect through curves but example, the common R200). However not or can they be moved a few metres away to a also when wheel flanges engage with the all grades are suitable for weld repairs and less sensitive location? Many recent gauge face of the rail or the check rail. some forms of rail encapsulation can fail if Environmental Impact Assessments from Many Environmental Impact Statements subjected to local high temperature, causing the US suggest that the installation of special advocate the use of large sections of acoustic both serious degeneration of the compound trackwork should be have a minimum barriers to mitigate LRT operating noise, and the risk of exposing workers to hazardous distance of 20m from sensitive locations. but these can be visually intrusive, costly to fumes. It is therefore the responsibility of the Similar decisions should likewise be taken install and maintain, and act as a magnet for design engineers and contractors to specify about the placement of curves with tight vandals. It is therefore recommended that and install appropriate materials. radii, although such relocation may be more their use be kept to a minimum. Secondary sources of noise and vibration challenging in a city environment with Arguably the most problematic noise and may be created by traction equipment (gears constrained street layouts. vibration issue is that of rail corrugation, one and fans), friction brakes, HVAC systems

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and electrical control equipment. Inverters, thyristors and choppers can cause a range of noise frequencies from a low hum to a whistle, of constant or variable frequencies. Substation and trackside cabinet placement are also important as such equipment has the potential to emit noise of a similar character to onboard electrical systems, as well as fan and air turbulence noise from their ventilation systems. Wherever possible, if equipment can be containerised or installed within an existing or new-build structure all the better; this is where good relationships with developers are of importance. Further generators of noise are the audible warning devices fitted to vehicles (bells and horns) to alert pedestrians and other road users of their approach. The manner, Short radius curves can cause significant issues related to wheel squeal, also incurring additional rail wear. duration and frequency in which these Note the use of check rails on this very tight curve near San Wai stop on Hong Kong’s light rail system. . warning devices are used by the driver can be as important a factor as the absolute level. that can only come from miles of passenger vibrations transmitted to the vehicle body The requirements of country-specific service. Those used during commissioning and the track, while at the same time accessibility regulations can also add and testing may suffer damage from running reducing impact on the rail. The shape and requirements for vehicles to make ‘doors over irregular track and tread damage from thickness of the steel and polymer layers are closing beeps’. UK regulations, for example, slipping and sliding whilst slip protection critical to the effectiveness of the design, state that this warning must be transmitted controls are being fine-tuned. It is important with both featuring the ability to be ‘tuned’ for at least three seconds once a vehicle’s to ensure that all cars have uniform, truly so the wheel is able to dissipate the energy doors are enabled with the closure sound circular wheels before commercial operation caused by the tyre’s vibration. starting no less than three seconds prior to starts and that they are well integrated with Wheel squeal is a particular problem on door closure. Invaluable to passengers, these the tracks they will run on. light rail systems, caused when vehicles are are worth noting as another potential source Often vehicles will be delivered in close unable to negotiate tight radii curves by pure of complaint from local residents. The escape succession as one batch, with virtually rolling movement because of a mismatch of public address messages from the car must identical ride qualities and harmonic between vehicle dynamics and track also be considered in this regard. responses. This means that once one car has geometry. Although curving noise is more Depots and workshops offer a wide range started a rail corrugation, the other vehicles likely to occur with low-floor designs and rigid of potential noise and vibration sources that will respond in the same manner and spread wheelsets, this squeal and lower-frequency arise through maintenance activity, often it further along the track; this can lead to a ‘graunching’ has also been reported on at unsociable hours. The same mitigation ‘corrugation epidemic’. vehicles with independent wheels. techniques as those outlined above should The first step in addressing some of the There is always a compromise to be made therefore be considered for maintenance issues is to allow for resilience in the wheel. between the requirement for high-speed environments, with suitable acoustic The resilient wheel was designed to reduce stability from vehicle suspensions and the treatments applied to buildings where such dynamic stress levels in unsprung masses, ability to conform to tight track geometry, work takes place and doors kept closed during rolling noise on tangential track and excessive but this can be addressed through careful particularly noisy activities. noise in sharp curves. Although there are matching of the wheel and rail profiles to various types, they all share the same basic avoid flange engagement with the gauge The dreaded ‘wheel squeal’ principle of a compressed non-metallic layer face of the rail (and with the check on some A vehicle’s wheels will hopefully always between the tread and the hub. This layer curves). This may seem an obvious design come from the manufacturer turned true, acts as a third suspension component, consideration, but it is remarkable how often but they will also lack the work-hardening helping to suppress rolling noise and it is still overlooked. Consideration must also be given to the relative hardness of both the rail and the MAKING DEPOTS CLEANER, SAFER AND MORE EFFICIENT vehicle tyres, particularly in stick-slip areas. Some European experience has shown that there should be a distinct difference between This has subsequently opened up an emerging Faster, lighter, safer, and more frequent. the hardness of the two; indicating that This is the mantra of those of us serving the light market for lower capacity lifting equipment. rail industry. At the moment, we are working on a new range of where the rail and tyre are of comparable As commuters turn increasingly to tram and jacks specifically to lift the latest, lightest railcars. hardness significant roughening of the metro networks, the pressure is on to deliver These usually need a bespoke base arrangement surfaces can occur. more efficient, express services. Consequently, and lower lifting heights, due to the proximity of the Both railhead and gauge face wear can be maintenance teams are being asked to keep vehicle to the rail. But, just like our tried-and-tested reduced through the use of friction modifiers vehicles in operation longer, minimise downtime heavier versions, they can still be synchronised in – oil, grease sticks or track water sprays – and all while working in safer, cleaner and quieter sets of almost any length to raise complete trains, either designed into the infrastructure or environments. Those of us in the supply chain are eliminating any time lost in decoupling. mounted onboard the vehicles to ensure therefore being challenged to develop products The industry is pushing suppliers to think consistent friction characteristics. There is that will speed up servicing and simplify labour creatively and meet the ambitions of operators intensive tasks in an environmentally-friendly way. for real-world maintenance equipment that can a wide range of systems, although practical Here at Mechan, we have seen a notable rise in produce shorter servicing times and cleaner, experience suggests it is not desirable to enquiries from light rail depots seeking similar safer depots. include these into the initial design of the equipment to their heavier cousins. Thanks to Are these ambitions achievable? We think so. infrastructure as they can add complications our European partners we can supply sanding Our engineers are embracing the challenge and in street-running environments. These include systems, electric shunters and quicker, more working closely with clients to bring this faster, the accumulation of road debris and detritus, accurate methods of measuring wheelsets, that lighter equipment to life. and bringing potential safety implications not only streamline the maintenance process, for road users. If required, it is therefore but also offer real environmental benefits. Lindsey Mills As tram operators look to extend their services Sales Manager probably better to consider retro-fitment at and replace ageing fleets, investment is being problem locations. made in the development of very light vehicles. +44 (0) 114) 257 0563 ❙ www.mechan.co.uk Such devices can also be incorporated into the vehicle design, although modern

220 / june 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org low-floor vehicles may have space constraints motorsport applications, can lessen the which can make their installation and impact of vehicles on the track to minimise maintenance more tricky. noise and vibration; however these systems REFERENCES Similarly, gauge face engagement can are also more complex to maintain and may 1 I s LRT really the noisy neighbour? Scott McIntosh be reduced by effective transitioning into have an impact on fleet maintenance costs. – Tramways & Urban Transit 927, March 2015 curves, an effective flange root shape for the As McIntosh advocates: “One major 2 Reducing Railway Noise Pollution: EU Parliament wheel, sufficient cant wherever possible, issue worthy of careful consideration is the Directorate General for Internal Policies (2012) gauge widening on extreme curves, and reduction of the overall mass of the tramcar. – www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/ etudes/join/2012/474533/IPOL-TRAN_ effective driver training to ensure curves are Less mass means less energy transmitted ET(2012)474533_EN.pdf passed at the optimum speed so the wheels to the track and structure as the car moves 3 www.corrugation.eu/research/ ride on the wheel/rail interface ‘sweet spot’.4 along the track, and could form part of a 4 W here art meets engineering, David Holt, and While low-floor vehicles incorporate virtuous circle of improvements in tramway Track management: Repair or replace? (various) – 6 wheel shrouds, as noise generation is directly performance.” Tramways & Urban Transit 954, June 2017 linked to vibration amplitude, the natural 5 Effectiveness of resilient wheels in reducing noise dynamic behaviour of the wheels must be Conclusions and vibrations, B. Suarez, J. A. Chover, optimised to reduce vibrations in service Issues surrounding noise and vibration P. Rodríguez and F. J. González, Madrid, 2011 conditions. Many manufacturers offer ‘low are many, varied and require serious 6 Creating good vibrations, Scott McIntosh – noise’ developments of the resilient wheel consideration at every stage of a light rail Tramways & Urban Transit 928, April 2015 with either viscoelastic polymer layers that project. It is important to remember the not only reduce noise and vibration, but seriousness of these challenges and to respect also protect against corrosion, or grooved or the impact of construction, operations and finned designs that better dissipate radiated maintenance on our neighbours. FURTHER READING sound. Such specialist wheels have been Hopefully we have shown that good shown to reduce noise levels by 5-10dB(A).5 design, installation and maintenance can ORR Design Requirements for Street Track: Wheel dampers have been used to alleviate many of the issues and, as with any www.uktram.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ ORR-Design-Requirements-for-Street-Track.pdf particular effect in Nottingham (UK) to annoying or inconvenient condition, that better manage wheel squeal on the tight prevention is always better than cure. TRB Track Design Handbook for Light Rail Transit: onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/tcrp/ curves of that system’s first line. tcrp_rpt_57-c.pdf As well as wheel and track ‘roughness’, Grateful thanks are due to Peter Daly, other factors that can affect noise and Dave Holladay and Andrew Smith for their Noise of railway vehicles for short-distance traffic – trams, light rails, metros: Association of German vibration generation are the vehicle’s input into this article, as well as the many Transport Undertakings (VDV), Paper 154 (2002), unsprung and overall mass and suspension sources listed right. UKTram Activity 4: Operational Noise and characteristics. Modern active suspension Vibration – Phase 1 & 2: www.uktram.com systems, developed from automotive and All images courtesy of Neil Pulling.

TEL: +44 (0) 1579 320808 EMAIL: [email protected] TRACKELAST WEB: www.trackelast.com Specialist Rail Solutions Experts in noise and vibration attenuation in rail track SYSTEM DESIGN Floating slab track, rubber bearings & steel housings. Noise and vibration evaluation. Transition zones for bridges and turnouts.

RAIL FLOATING BASEPLATE PADS SLAB TRACK PADS PRODUCTS FOR N&V ATTENUATION FST rubber bearings and strips. Sub ballast mats. Slab track mats. Undersleeper pads. Delkor baseplates. BALLAST SPECIALIST ANTI-CORROSION MATS RAIL PADS PITSTOP PADS SPECIALIST PRODUCTS FOR TRACK Pitstop pads. Wear resistant pads for S&C. Baseplate pads. Stray current protection mats. Structural protection mats. UNDERSLEEPER DELKOR BESPOKE ENGINEER Buffer stops. PADS BASEPLATES SERVICE Fire retardant pads.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org june 2018 / 221 EMC compliance ‘WIRE-FREE DOES NOT EQUAL EMC COMPLIANCE’ Dr Rob Armstrong explains that while OESS systems can help to reduce some of the challenges when installing a rail system, taking away the wires doesn’t remove electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) considerations.

lectromagnetic compatibility is a crucial consideration for modern electrified rail systems, in particular those which run in urban areas or close Eto neighbouring facilities that may be particularly sensitive to electromagnetic disturbances, such as a hospitals, airports or another adjacent railway. The current push for onboard energy storage systems (OESS) has brought claims that Zaragoza’s tramway has replaced overead wires in central parts of the city with OESS and a ground contact the removal of pantographs, catenaries and supply system. This has not eliminated the requirement for EMC compliance however. Neil Pulling associated power delivery wires negates the need for full EMC testing: this is not necessarily everything both within, and adjacent to, that it won’t interfere with another piece of the case. While removing overhead wires or the rail environment works as intended. new or existing equipment in the system third rail systems and switching to OESS can Where DC traction is involved, static which may need to use the same frequency reduce, or even remove, some engineering magnetic fields and DC stray currents also range at the same time, or may have never and interference challenges, taking away the have to be considered. In the urban rail been considered as operating in that requirement for electromagnetic compliance environment, the EMC of the whole system frequency range. is not one of them. becomes particularly challenging so as to The frequency range that Wi-Fi operates ensure that neighbours are not affected; in (around 2.4GHz) is designated as an What is EMC? from complicated medical devices in a industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) radio While ‘Even More Complexity’ is often hospital through to something as ‘simple’ as a band, which means that this band is reserved bandied about in jest, the essence of residential TV aerial. for the use of RF energy for medical purposes EMC is the ability of one or more pieces If the rail system inadvertently interferes other than telephony. Therefore, there of electronic equipment (apparatus) to with the protected electromagnetic exists in this band some potentially very operate as intended without causing undue spectrum, local country regulators will powerful electromagnetic sources and some interference to themselves, each other, and become involved with associated fines and disturbances do occur within this part of the radio communication systems and services. a legal requirement for the problem(s) to be electromagnetic spectrum. The apparatus also has to function correctly remedied promptly. The protected spectrum For example, a residential wireless sound within the electromagnetic environment in includes, but is not limited to; emergency system may have its signal interrupted if a which they are installed. services communications networks, TV, microwave is used in close vicinity. In this The railway base-harmonised standards for radio, telephones, satellite communications, case it is merely an annoyance, but if the EMC within the European Union and the UK some signalling systems and GPS. same principle is applied to a safety critical are the EN 50121 series, part of which refers system instead of a sound system, it is clearly to trams, trolleybuses and other vehicles for Technological advances unacceptable and risk assessments need to use on urban streets. So what is the effect when we start taking form a key role in the design process. What In many respects, rail is among the worst away overhead power lines and catenaries, or is being designed and built should take possible systems from an EMC point of view changing what the standards are based upon the wider electromagnetic spectrum into with long, narrow alignments, high voltage in terms of rolling stock and infrastructure? consideration whether it’s prescriptively lineside traction feeds and safety critical The changing electromagnetic discussed in the standard or not. signalling systems along which potentially environment due to technological advances As an extended example, is a wire-free electromagnetically ‘noisy’ rail vehicles is one of the problem areas when it comes to train with on-board Wi-Fi to be treated as travel. To make matters worse, much of EMC as the standards rarely keep up with the a traditional piece of rolling stock, or is it the infrastructure is old, pre-dating EMC pace of change. effectively a large moveable Wi-Fi hotspot? regulations or EMC testing requirements, A piece of new rolling stock may have From an EMC point of view, the two are thus bringing unknown electromagnetic radio products (intentional radiators/ not that different, particularly if we are sources and victims into the equation. transmitters) fitted to it such as Wi-Fi access talking about something powered using a Rail EMC covers a very broad frequency points and a range of systems that aid lithium-ion battery. It is imperative therefore band, and the real electromagnetic maintenance and operation; all of these are that an awareness of what is going on in environment often extends beyond the constantly ‘broadcasting’ data and each the environment and appropriate ranges referred to in the standards. usies specific frequency ranges. Before specifications are generated if a reliable, This extensive frequency range has to be adding new equipment with an intentional safe and legal piece of rail apparatus or taken into consideration to ensure that transmitter, you therefore need to ensure infrastructure is to be created.

222 / JUNE 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Interfaces and immunity levels In EMC, immunity levels must be adequate to protect against the electromagnetic sources present in the operating environment. In a rail environment, the EMC immunity requirements are higher and therefore more onerous than in the residential, commercial and light industrial environments. So, how do we bring our rail environment into a busy city centre and ensure that a Electromagnetic measuring piece of rolling stock does not interfere with equipment outside Harrow on the people living and working in buildings the Hill station, served by both adjacent to the track? How do we deal with London Underground and main line rail services. other electromagnetic sources of disturbance Courtesy of Eurofins York in this environment such as stray current, lineside induction, and fault currents? For complex environments such as a railway, For example, the Eurostar service at integration; not least where to place all of EMC management and control plans are St Pancras in London (UK) has a rail the cables. One of the easiest and least employed to ensure that everything has been environment where the Eurostar track expensive ways to prevent EMC issues in a considered and is compliant. Checking that terminates. Underneath the terminal are railway is to increase the distances involved. individual pieces of apparatus have been tested retail units, which are not a rail environment The fundamental lack of space involved in to the relevant standards (rail or otherwise) but still need to ensure that they don’t the building of urban rail networks means is only one of the tools to help ensure that adversely affect the Eurostar’s environment that EMC problems can be compounded, systems as a whole will be compliant. above – and vice versa. Moving towards East making management, planning and An example of putting this into practice is London, Canary Wharf has office blocks control even more important than in less to look at EMC immunity. The rail standard that house major corporations with sensitive constrained areas. refers to zones, within which there are computing equipment; this space-restricted As technology advances, if the rolling specified levels of immunity. The standard area is served by the stock is powered purely using batteries or assumes that the railway is two-dimensional, (DLR) which passes in close proximity to supercapacitors, potential EMC issues from zoning from the track centre-line sideways. the offices. It is therefore important that the traction distribution could be eliminated. Nowhere in the base EN 50121 standard office and rail environments take each other’s Lineside induction, harmonics and concern does it say ‘turn it round and go upwards’ to electromagnetic immunity requirements into over traction cable routing could become consider the three-dimensional reality. So you consideration when any major modifications a thing of the past, but there will remain a need to be sure that what you are installing is are made to either. charging requirement. This brings a different appropriate for where it is going, in addition to set of challenges. There may also still be some being compliant with applicable legislation. Going wire-free form of signalling system to consider. Boundaries and interfaces should also Major considerations for new urban rail Moving to onboard energy storage doesn’t be defined at the start of a project to avoid systems include what equipment is needed, therefore solve all potential EMC problems unnecessary costs, overruns and disputes. where to place it and how to ensure successful as there are other considerations with a fully catenary-free system with no en route traction power distribution network; only a small part of the overall EMC signature will have changed (the traction) as the rolling stock units will stay. Whilst there would no longer be an electromagnetic effect from the traction distribution system, there will still be a moveable electromagnetic noise source and potentially still some existing rail-type lineside systems, as well as additional consideration for non-rail systems such as induction loops in the road to control traffic lights. So, going catenary-free may help to simplify some aspects of new or upgraded railways, but they will still have to meet all of the requirements of the EMC Directive 2014/30/EU – plus any local legislative and contractual EMC obligations.

about the author Dr Rob Armstrong is the Consultancy and Training Course Manager at Eurofins York, a leading provider of regulatory compliance services to the rail industry worldwide. Rob has a PhD in Electronics from the University of York, Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Physics, and is member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (MIET). For regulatory advice and support for EMC in rail, whether it be achieving compliance for a product previously tested for a non-rail environment, or a new rail product or infrastructure project, please contact Eurofins York (formerly York EMC Services) on +44(0) 330 430 3456 or visit www.yorkemc.com

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Scotland’s capital and fastest growing city also systems has the UK’s newest tramway. While under examination for project factfile shortcomings, it is at the Edinburgh same time enjoying No. Edinburgh, rising user satisfaction. UK 128 UK

dinburgh became the With Edinburgh Castle The active Edinburgh Tram Inquiry Edinburgh’s tram service began capital of Scotland in dominating the skyline, (www.edinburghtraminquiry.org) with horse-drawn operation in 1871. 1437 and a union with Urbos 100 260 rises ensures continuing scrutiny and Conversion of later cable-hauled lines England was enacted in to the bridge over the publicity. The system’s value was completed 1923, by which time 1707. The nation’s devolved main line near Carrick to residents and visitors is clear the Leith tramway had been absorbed Knowe Golf Course on parliamentE first met in 1999, through however, as substantiated by following the merger of the capital 22 August 2016. which a high level of control is rising passenger numbers and and the port town of Leith in 1920. exercised over transport. Such matters likely expansion. Also bordering the (estuary) Firth of significantly affected Edinburgh’s The rationale for a modern Forth, Musselburgh remains a separate tram project, in development during tramway included Edinburgh’s administration as part of East Lothian, years of marked political change. rise as an economic and cultural although its tram interests had passed The first revenue service was on force. The city’s setting and to Edinburgh in 1928. Under the Saturday 31 May 2014, running over a historic layout tend to exacerbate Edinburgh Corporation Tramways significantly smaller than previously road congestion and air pollution. identity, the area’s first-generation intended system, and the cost of Another attraction of the projected operations ceased by November 1956. GBP776m (some sources indicate over link between central Edinburgh Today’s operator, Edinburgh Trams one billion) was around twice the and its airport was that it would Ltd, is in common ownership with allocated project cost. shadow new developments in the Lothian Buses which has historic Although beyond the scope of this western suburbs. For mid-2016, continuity with the earlier tramway. Factfile, the troubled implementation the City of Edinburgh Council Lothian Buses is now the UK’s biggest cannot be overlooked, not least reported a 507 170 population, municipally-owned bus operator because of any effects upon future Words and pictures a 12% increase since 2006 and a and in addition to the titular brand UK light rail developments. by Neil Pulling. trend that is expected to continue. includes East Coast Buses, Edinburgh

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THE FLEET

A 27-strong fleet of bi-directional CAF Urbos 100 trams was ordered for a larger operation than was implemented; as such, it is in excess of current demands. Yet rather than mothballing part of the fleet, vehicles are used in rotation and can be used for future extensions. The seven-section fully low-floor trams are 42.86m-long and 2.65m wide. Numbered 251-277, in early 2018 the set numbers seem to have gone from the original cab side position. CAF identifies a capacity for 333 passengers at six persons/m2. Fitted with passenger Wi-Fi, only the driver’s cabs are air-conditioned. There are luggage racks in the majority of sections; observation suggests that, even allowing for the airport-related demand, this is has turned out to be an over-provision at the expense of seating/standing space. ABOVE: Part Created to herald the forthcoming of the tramway's service, the two-section Urbos mock-up curving path around originally carried the contemporary Haymarket railway ‘harlequin’ bus livery but production depot. deliveries from Spain – the first arriving in October 2011 – had a less fussy style, LEFT: Newly- mainly in white. A maroon shade applied advertising termed madder was added, a link with on 266 on 6 August Edinburgh Corporation history. 2017: west-bound on Upon sub-branding of TfE services, Princes Street with trams also gained platinum colour Calton Hill in the detailing, a counterpart of the gold Bus Tours and the dedicated airport right-background. rail services are part of the ScotRail used on Lothian Buses. This remains services, Skylink/Airlink. All are network, since April 2015 run by the livery, although appearances part of city-owned Transport for Above right: franchisee Abellio ScotRail. changed with the system’s first Edinburgh (TfE). Ornamental Loch In normal conditions, there are end- commercial advertising contract, Ross in the business Created in 2013 when starting the to-end tram services over an almost the two-year ‘Window to Scotland’ district near promotion on 18 trams, launched in tram service was the priority, TfE Edinburgh Park entirely double-track route that covers aims to improve mobility and promote 14km (8.7 miles) and 16 stops. Located August 2017. A ‘First’ rosette motif Central. celebrates the service’s performance connections to and around the city. at the eastern limit, only York Place in an independent UK transport Common ticketing for trams and platform has single track; extension to passenger survey published in buses does not extend to heavy rail, Leith/Newhaven as per earlier plans 2017; other promotional liveries although there are now four train/ would see it replaced by a stop nearby have appeared. tram interchange stations. Most on the less constricted Picardy Place.

One of the few road crossings west of Haymarket, the dual carriageway near the Gyle Centre.

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ABOVE: Looking Heading west, two right-angle turns leaves road space (except for crossings) across the New take trams down to Princes Street, for the rest of the route to the airport. Town to Leith on the main ‘New Town’ thoroughfare. Just east of where track weaves the Forth’s south This extends west from Edinburgh around the edge of Haymarket shore. A tram Waverley, the principal railway station. railway depot is the concrete shell destination under There is no tramstop here, with St for a junction. This was intended for the initial project Andrew Square – around 200m and track west of Newhaven via Granton and now an uphill from Waverley’s nearest street which would have completed a extension candidate, access – officially recommended for tramway loop. Next to Murrayfield the Ocean Terminal is to the right of station users. Princes Street stop (400m stadium, home venue for Scottish the red ship by west of Waverley) is in a section with national rugby and hosting other ABOVE: Haymarket in Edinburgh’s West End the shore. traffic access restrictions, but road major events, the eponymous is the city’s second-busiest station. junctions and many bus and taxi tramstop’s layout reflects the need to movements can make for slow progress. handle heavy demand. After crossing For a city centre, it is a relatively the Edinburgh-Glasgow main line long distance to the next stop, West between Balgreen and Saughton, tram End-Princes Street, originally to be tracks occupy approximately 1.5km named after the location, Shandwick (one-mile) of the former Edinburgh Place. The stop can act as a city Fastlink guided busway space. This terminus, as used for the world- had opened in 2004, with an elevated famous (’s route to reduce traffic conflicts. Eve) celebrations. Haymarket stop Edinburgh Park station provides is immediately outside Haymarket transfer between trams, trains and station where structural and service buses. Adding to demand here, improvements have turned it into a Hermiston Gait retail park is across ABOVE: Edinburgh Airport seen from Ingliston Park & Ride during significant transport hub. Dropping to the road. Another main line crossing August 2016; tram terminus to the right. In the background work the level of the railway, the tramway takes trams to Edinburgh Park Central proceeds on the now-open Queensferry Crossing.

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RIGHT: Edinburgh Gateway on 5 March 2018. Unlike most other local public transport suspended due to weather conditions a few days earlier, a tram service was maintained.

BELOW: The depot at Gogarburn, with service tracks in the foreground.

ABOVE: City-bound 258 near Saughton on alignment converted from the guided busway.

network facts O pened: May 2014 L ines: 1 L ength: 14km (8.7 miles) D epots: 1 A pprox. weekday hours: 06.00-23.30 L ine frequency: 7-10 minutes G auge: 1435mm P ower: 750V dc, overhead supply F leet: 27 Parent body: transportforedinburgh.com O perator: Edinburgh Trams – edinburghtrams.com N ational transport agency: Transport Scotland – www.transport.gov.scot O perator: Edinburgh Trams – edinburghtrams.com T ourist information: edinburgh.org and www.visitscotland.com

York Place

Princes Street

Edinburgh West End - Airport Princes Street St Andrew Square

Murrayfield Stadium Haymarket Edinburgh DEPOT Gateway Ingliston Park & Ride Gyle Centre Gogarburn Balgreen

Edinburgh Park Central Saughton

Bankhead Edinburgh Park Station

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“In November 2017, the city approved the outline business case to extend to Newhaven via Leith.” that serves an estate of modern tram closer in cost to bus alternatives commercial properties. The system’s for airport access. The airport tram only substantial road crossing is near terminus has a covered concourse and the stop for Gyle Centre retail park. is the site of an Urbos mock-up, used The biggest change since opening to promote the forthcoming tramway was the insertion of a new stop, during construction. It has been located near the system’s depot converted to an information point at Gogar. Featuring fully-covered and passenger lounge. platforms for trams on the lower In 2018 trams have a seven-minute level, it is part of Edinburgh Gate frequency for approximately ABOVE: Airport-bound 259 joins the off-road alignment just west of interchange on the Edinburgh-Fife- 07.00-19.00, with ten-minute Haymarket station on 17 February 2015. Dundee main line. It opened in intervals either side. End-to-end December 2016 and to date, passenger travel is timetabled for around 37 numbers have fallen below projected minutes. All stops have real-time levels. New walkways and track information screens and services curvature at this point meant that the have a Ticketing Services Assistant new stop created a second tram service aboard for inspection rather than for the Gyle Centre. Staff access to the the sale of tickets (see ‘Essential LEFT: The depot and operating centre is now via Facts’) being the premise. Helpful Urbos mock-up now used as Edinburgh Gate stop instead of the for local information, their duties an information short halt platforms used previously. also include safety and implementing point at Gogarburn stop is across Glasgow the policy for carriage of cycles and Edinburgh Road from the RBS banking group’s prams. Partly reflecting an increase Airport: sprawling headquarters. There is in services, passenger journeys in August 2016. provision for a new stop to be installed 2017 increased by more than one as part of future International Business million to 6.6 million, a 19% Gateway development between increase over 2016. Gogarburn and Ingliston park-and- In November 2017, the City of ride. Combining buses and trams, this Edinburgh Council approved the site pre-dated the tramway installation outline business case to extend 4.7km and has 1085 free-of-charge spaces (2.9 miles) to Newhaven via Leith. for public transport users. With York Place replaced by Picardy Edinburgh is Scotland’s busiest Place, a net seven stops would join airport, tapping into demand across the system. Some preparatory work the populous lowlands (‘central belt’) on the road-based alignment was and east coast. Plans for an airport completed before the project cut-back; heavy rail connection were dropped, no tram additions would be needed. but the tramway, improved railway Adding capacity on an already busy interchanges, express buses and bus route, the new line would have York Place terminus would be replaced by a stop at Picardy Place road improvements have supported an intensively settled catchment (beyond the tram) under the proposed Leith and Newhaven extension. growing passenger numbers. and should support new building, Replacing Lothian Bus 35 (a means of particularly at the northern end. avoiding premium tram and bus fares) If the project is approved, services essential facts with Skylink 300 in late 2017 put the may begin by 2022. L ocal travel: Staffed information points are located on Waverley Bridge (top of southern vehicle ramp at Waverley station); opposite Haymarket station and on the Edinburgh Airport tram concourse. Tickets most useful for visitors are also available from vending machines at tramstops, or if buses used first, from the driver. Without advance possession of a valid ticket, the GBP10 (EUR11.40) ‘Onboard Fare’ becomes the only one available on the tram, sold by the Ticketing Services Assistant. Single fares are GBP6 (EUR6.80) in ‘Airport Zone’ (all stops) and GBP1.70 (EUR1.95) in ‘City Zone’ – the full line except between Edinburgh Airport and Ingliston P&R. This short section is also excluded from passes such as day tickets (GBP4/EUR4.55; for group, GBP8.50/EUR9.70) and Edinburgh Plusbus tickets, an add-on to UK rail tickets. An exception styled as Network DAYticket (GBP9/EUR10.25) pass includes airport services and wider bus coverage.

What is there to see? Edinburgh has a a remarkable concentration of visitor attractions. UNESCO World Heritage status covers the Old Town, including the Castle and ‘Royal Mile’ and, north of Princes Street Gardens, the neo-classical New Town. Notable viewpoints include the Castle ramparts, (Sir Walter) Scott Monument and Calton Hill; needing more stamina is a walk up Salisbury Crags which begins near the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Scottish Parliament. The Royal Yacht Britannia and Firth of Forth views are found at the Ocean Terminal shopping centre, Leith. Unless specifically sampling the world’s biggest arts festival, avoiding August reduces exposure to crowds and higher prices. York Place stop during a morning commuter peak in February 2015.

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ARGENTINA E1 articulated tram 4814 (Lohner BUENOS AIRES. The Ministry of 1966) has been reserved for the Transport has placed a USD277.9m Wiener Tramwaymuseum. EB contract with CRRC Qingdao Sifang for 200 broad-gauge EMU BELGIUM cars for the commuter Roca line. ANTWERPEN. The tram route Delivery will start mid-2019. IRJ network from 3 April until the end of August is as follows: AUSTRALIA 2, Hoboken – P+R Merksem; PERTH. Potential bidders have 3, P+R Merksem – P+R Melsele; been invited to pre-qualify to 4, Hoboken – Groenplaats; 5, supply 246 EMU coaches for the Wijnegem – P+R Linkeroever; 6, commuter rail network for delivery P+R Olympiade – P+R Luchtbal; from 2021; 50% local content will 7, Mortsel – Eilandje; 8, Zuid be required. Global Rail News – Schotensesteenweg; 9, P+R SYDNEY. Tracklaying has been Wommelgem – P+R Linkeroever; completed on the new Metro 10, Wijnegem – P+R Schoonselhof; Northwest between Epping and 11, Berchem Station – Melkmarkt; While construction of the depot is still underway, storage of some TRSC low-floor trams for Tamsui’s Green Mountain line (Taiwan) is taking place at stops; 1021 near Rouse Hill. The 13km (eight-mile) 12, Sportpaleis – Melkmarkt; 15, the head office on 6 March. Ciril van Hattum Epping – Chatswood line will be P+R Boechout – P+R Linkeoever; closed for seven months from 24, Stenenbrug – Melkmarkt. but the new extension should The firm has announced its October to permit upgrading to It is expected that a shuttle service boost this to 70 000. IRJ intention to establish a research metro standard. TA (70) will be introduced between SÃO PAULO. The 12.2km (7.6- centre in the city, focused on urban Eilandje and P+R Luchtbal in June. mile) suburban commuter rail transport control systems. AUSTRIA The first of 10-12 double-ended branch (line 13) from Engenheiro Montréal Gazette GMUNDEN. S a t u r d a y PCCs to be transferred from to Aeroporto Guarulhos started TORONTO. Metrolinx has 1 September is the planned Gent to Antwerpen was 6202 on limited operation on 31 March. announced the award of the PPP date for the introduction of 20 February. They should enter From 4-6 April there were a contract for the construction of StadtRegioTram service, bringing service on line 12 in August. succession of metro openings, the 11km (6.8-mile) Finch West together the Gmunden tramway Accident-damaged PCCs 7107/63 Oscar Freire station on line 4, light rail line from Keele (Finch and the Gmunden–Vorchdorf- have been withdrawn for scrap. the 1km (0.6-mile) extension of West subway station) to Humber Eggenberg light railway and using The delivery of 43m Albatros line 5 from Eucaliptos to Moema, College to the Mosaic Transit new Vossloh tram-train rolling low-floor trams 7349-62 from and monorail line 15 from Group consortium including stock. This will mark the end of Bombardier was completed in Oratório to Vila União. Aecon, ACS Infrastructure traditional bogie tram operation April. Wednesday 30 May was to Work has resumed on the 4.5km Canada, CRH Canada Group and on the Gmunden tramline. DS see the introduction of a new (2.8-mile) extension of metro Dragados Canada. Work will start GRAZ. This year heralds 140 years heritage tramline BS between line 9 from Grajaú to Varginha, this autumn and the line should of tramway operation, marked Legrand and Ste-Marie, operated following the release of BRL25m open in 2023; there is a 30-year by various events from July to with museum trams on public (EUR5.9m) in federal funding. maintenance agreement. October. On 30 September there holidays only. This required It should open in 2019. urbanrail.net The line will feature 16 surface will be a tram parade, which should the overhead to be adjusted to and two underground stops and a feature newly-restored two-axle accommodate both trolley poles CANADA new depot will be built at Norfinch/ set 93+111B. DS and pantographs. T-2000 HAMILTON. Infrastructure Oakdale. SALZBURG. A narrow vote of the BRUXELLES/BRUSSELS. The Ontario and Metrolinx issued a The federal government is city council on 10 April decided EUR480m order with Bombardier Request for Proposals to the three supplying up to CAD333m that the Lokalbahn should be for 60 new trams will involve 11 shortlisted consortia (CityLine (EUR216m) and the Ontario extended in subway by 750m from 43m cars and 49 32m cars. There Transit Group, Ei8ht Transit, Government CAD1.2bn Hbf to Mirabellplatz. Half of the will be a pre-series of five trams Mobilinx) for the DBFOM contract (EUR800m) towards the project. EUR140m cost will be met by the before series delivery starts. A full- for the planned 14km (8.7-mile) TTC plans that the Spadina, federal authorities. Work will start scale mock-up is due to be supplied Hamilton line on 13 April. Bathurst and St Clair (lines 510-512) in 2022 for completion in 2024, in early 2019. The framework The plan for the McMaster will be converted to pantograph and 1.1m new passenger journeys contract signed on 24 April is for University – Eastgate Square line operation by September. should be generated. EB up to 175 Flexity trams. Delivery includes 17 stops with connections Alstom opened the Brampton WIEN (Vienna). The temporary will start in March 2020. to the Hamilton bus network and factory that is to build 61 LRVs closure of U-Bahn line U2 between From 12 March the Woluwe the GO Transit network. for Metrolinx on 10 April. The Schottentor and Karlsplatz from terminus of line 94 was moved to A contract should be awarded CAD528m (EUR342m) contract July 2019 to August 2021 will a new stub layout at the start of the early in 2019, with construction includes an option for up to 44 mean the introduction of a 3.3km route of the under-construction beginning later in the year for a vehicles. The factory is expected (two-mile) tram shuttle service E2 extension to Roodebeek. T-2000 2024 opening. Hamilton Spectator to create over 100 jobs. D.Drum from Bösendorferstraase (Oper) to MONTRÉAL. On 9 April it was Schwedensplatz via Franz-Josefs- announced that federal and CHINA Kai. EUR26m is being invested SALVADOR. On 26 April metro provincial funding was available HONG KONG. Work has been in tramway infrastructure line 2 was extended by 3.5km for the 5.8km (3.6-mile) extension completed to lay the concrete refurbishment in 2018 in an (2.2 miles) from Mussurunga to of the métro Blue Line east from segments of the cross-harbour attempt to remove most of the Aeroporto, bringing the line to St-Michel to Galeries-d’Anjou. Hung Hom – Admiralty MTR East ‘slow orders’ that plague the system. 19.6km (12.2 miles). urbanrail.net The CAD3.9bn (EUR2.5bn) project extension. The tunnel is due to There will be no trams on the SANTOS. Tendering has started should open in 2026. open in 2021. Global Rail News Ring between Schwarzenbergplatz for phase 2 of the light rail system, The groundbreaking ceremony MACAU. Construction of the and Schottentor from 9 to 21 May. an 8km (five-mile) branch from for the 67km (41.6-mile) REM automated peoplemover continues Routes 1, 2, D and 71 will be Conselheiro Nébias to Valongo, automated metro system was on to make slow progress, and public diverted and the Vienna Ring with completion planned for 2020. 12 April. Alstom will supply 106 service is unlikely until 2019. Tram tourist service suspended. The 11.5km (7.1-mile) line 1 from two-car Metropolis trains and the MTR Corporation of Hong Kong E1 4524, 4743/79 and c4 1364 are São Vicente (Barreiros) to Porto is first passengers should be carried has been selected to operate and no longer in service. Withdrawn carrying 22 000 passengers/day, in summer 2021. maintain the 9.3km (5.8-mile)

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line for 80 months; it will use line will be chosen by the end of are being cascaded from line 4 to By the depot open day on 21 April rubber-tyred Crystal 2018. Planning has started for a replace the MP73 trains. lineoz.net there were four such cars in Ulm Mover trains. Macau Daily Times second line, from Vollsmose to TOULOUSE. Tisséo has selected (51-4). Also on show were museum WUHAN. The Optics Valley Zoo, sharing the track of the first a SYSTRA-led consortium for the cars 1 (Esslingen 1958), 10 (ex- tramway, reported as opening on 18 line in the city centre. IRJ project management of metro Stuttgart 1964 Esslingen GT4), January, ceased regular operation line 3, which will run 27km 13 (MAN 1906) and 16 (Lindner shortly after but re-opened on FINLAND (16.8 miles) from Colomiers to 1910), plus ex-Stuttgart trailer the 30km (18.6-mile) system on TAMPERE. The consortium Labege via the city centre. IRJ 65 (Fuchs 1950). DS 1 April. Line L1 operates Huazhong building the new tramway has VALENCIENNES. The headway WUPPERTAL. New Schwebebahn University – Fozuling and Line been awarded a EUR2.9m contract on line T2 was extended to 24 cars 1-13 are in Wuppertal; 14-25 L2 Tangxunhu railway station – to develop plans for phase 2, minutes last December due are stored at the factory in Valencia Optics Valley Botanical Gardens. which will extend the line from to frequent failures of safety while teething troubles with the These lines will be feeders to the Pyynikintori to Lentávániemi. equipment providing security initial fleet are sorted out. DS south-west arm of metro line 2 Phase 2 should be built in on the single-track sections. when it is extended beyond Optics 2021-2024. Global Rail News A replacement system is expected HUNGARY Valley Square to the university. in early September, permitting BUDAPEST. HUF5m (EUR0.01m) urbanrail.net FRANCE 12-minute headways. T-2000 has been allocated to the CAEN. The TVR rubber-tyred development of a new design CZECH REPUBLIC guided vehicles sent to Nancy GERMANY of car for the 4.4km (2.7-mile) BRNO. DPMB has invited tenders as a source of spare parts were DARMSTADT. Planning approval 1896 Földalatti metro line M1. for the parts for 41 two-section 502/4/6/10/4-6/8/9/21-3. T-2000 has been received for the 1.1km The existing 45-year-old trains low-floor trams (20-25m), which LE HAVRE. Vossloh Rail Services (0.7-mile) tramway extension were last modernised in 1995. it plans to assemble itself under has completed a track audit on to the Technical University by a An estimated HUF40m licence agreement. Tatra T3 the city’s tramway. The project is branch from the alignment of lines (EUR143 000) is needed to build a 1616/27/30 and K2 1128/30/32 are designed to give operator CTPO a 2 and 9 at Hochschulstadion. Line new fleet. There are plans to extend being rebodied as VarioLF partly more detailed basis for evaluating 2 will serve the new line, due to the line north to Zugló. G. Mackinger low-floor trams. individual track sections to open at the end of 2020. IRJ Work has started to restore optimise future maintenance. DUISBURG. On 3 April tram INDIA the mothballed tramline from LYON. The first rails for tramline 1001 ran into the back of 1019 KOLKATA. The first metro Stránská Skála to Lisen, for an T6 were laid in Rue Henri Barbusse at underground station Auf der train for the east–west metro was extension of line 10 in 2020. This in April; passenger service is Damm, injuring 35 passengers delivered by BEML on 31 March. will renew the track connection expected in December 2019. (two seriously) and causing Fourteen six-car sets are being with the technical museum, closed From 27 April to the end of significant damage to both trams. supplied with the first section of since 2002. A. Prescott, BS August, 1.6km (one-mile) of lines Service was disrupted from 15.20 line, from Salt Lake Sector V to INDUSTRY. The European T2 and T5 between Grange-Blanche and did not return to normal until Sealdah due to be completed by 30 Commission approved the and Bron is to be replaced by a bus the next morning. DS June, and the remainder to Howrah takeover of Škoda Transportation shuttle while work is carried out on ERFURT. Infrastructure work in Maidan in 2021. RGI and its subsidiaries by PPF Group the link with T6. A further 17 43m Marktstrasse started on 9 April MUMBAI. Tenders have been on 3 April. trams are to be ordered to increase and will last until 8 September, invited for the supply of 378 MOST-LITVINOV. Tenders have capacity on line T4. Y. Allain requiring the diversion of all standard-gauge metro cars for been invited for three 20-25m MULHOUSE. Expansion of the tramlines. BS delivery in 2021-22. IRJ low-floor trams, for delivery in city boundaries from 1 April HANNOVER. ÜSTRA has invited VADODARA. This city in north- 2020. traminfo.pl required a new transport plan to bids for the refurbishment of 18 west India, with a population of OSTRAVA. The first Stadler be drawn up. The consultation series 6000 Stadtbahn cars (with over 2m, is considering an offer Metelitsa low-floor tram, 1701, draft includes some suggestions an option for 22 more). DS from CRRC to build a two-line now designated Tango NF2, was for tramway extensions: line KÖLN (Cologne). From 9 April 45km (28-mile) tramsystem. completed at the factory in Siedlce, 1 north to Wittenheim (4km/ the Köln – Brühl Mitte journeys A feasibility study has been Poland, at the end of March and 2.5 -miles) and south to Riedisheim on line 18 were extended to commissioned. Times of India arrived in Ostrava by road on 22 (1.2km/0.7 miles); line 2 to Schwadorf on Monday-Friday April for 10 000km (6213 miles) of St-Bernard (1.4km/0.9 miles). from start of service to 20.00. ITALY trial running. The first passengers lineoz.net The 20th rebuilt Stadtbahn-B car is BOLZANO. The alignment for should be carried this summer NICE. Tram trials on line 2 started 2418, formerly 2192. DS a city tramway linking Stazione (20 000km/12 430 miles with on 28 April using Alstom Citadis MÜNCHEN (Munich. Delivered FS and Ponte Adige has been passengers prior to the issue of X05 cars 029 and 031. D. Pyle in March after testing at approved, but finance is still being type approval); 26 trams will be . Île-de-France Mobilités Wegberg-Wildenrath was the sought for the EUR130m project. delivered this year and 14 in 2019 and SNCF Transilien have placed a first Siemens Avenio coupled IRJ with 40% of the content of Czech joint EUR170m order with Alstom set, made up of two-section car BRESCIA. A co - operat ion construction. traminfo.pl for a further 32 Citadis Dualis tram- 2701 and three-section 2751. agreement for the financing, PRAHA (Prague). Sixty-five trains for delivery in 2020-22. They After testing, the nine sets will be design and construction of a two- Tatra T3R.P trams are to be rebuilt will be used to operate lines T12 used on line 20. F. Buchleitner line tramway was signed with FS on as T3R.PLF with low-floor central (Massy-Palaiseau – Épinay-sur- NAUMBURG. In early May work 29 March, with the aim of carrying areas to join the 35 cars of this Orge) and T13 (St-Germain-en- started to lay 80m of new track to passengers in 2023. IRJ type already in service, so that by Laye – St Cyr l’Ecole). bring the metre-gauge heritage CAGLIARI. To mark the tenth 2025 all night tram services can Tram-train line T4 (Bondy – tramway back to a terminus on the anniversary of the 950mm-gauge be operated by trams featuring Aulnay-sus-Bois) will be suspended Hbf forecourt. The programme is tramline, three new CAF-built low-floor access. The second of from 6 July to 3 September to designed to increase ridership of five-section 33m trams entered two prototypes, 8285, was permit the tracks of the new the 2.9km (1.8-mile) tramway and service on 21 April. The trams have completed in April. A. Prescott branch to Hôpital Montfermeil should open in August. BS been in the city since November to be installed. The extension of NÜRNBERG (Nuremburg). 2016, but passenger service DENMARK tramline T3b to Porte d’Asnieres Delivery of the 21 four-car U-Bahn authorisation was obtained only ODENSE. Construction has begun will be opened on 24 November. sets ordered from Siemens to recently. RGI on the 14.4km (nine-mile) tramway, Alstom has been selected to replace its original stock will start VENEZIA. Tenders are being due to open at the end of 2020. The supply an I-CBTC automatic train in December. IRJ invited for the construction of a contract with Stadler Pankow for operation system for metro line ULM. The Siemens Avenio rail link to Marco Polo Airport, as new trams has increased the order 6, including retrofitting 47 type made its first test run of line a 3.5km (2.2-mile) branch off the from 14 to 16. The operator of the MP89 rubber-tyred trains that 1 on the night of 14-15 April. Venezia – Trieste line. IRJ

230 / JUNE 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org (1.6-mile) tramline to the southern trams have been purchased from suburbs in ul Nowa Bulonska. the closed Almaty system, and PLN58.5m (EUR13.7m) is from EU are being repainted there before funds. It should be operational by transfer from Kazakhstan to Russia. the end of 2019. traminfo.pl The trams have been purchased KATOWICE. A new fare system by the city government as part of took effect from 1 April; paper the move to transfer ownership tickets are retained for single of the city tramway from private journeys only; other tickets and ownership to the municipality. passes are on a SKUP smartcard. transphoto.ru There are two forms of the latter, VLADIVOSTOK. KTM-8 tram 315 personal and non-personal. was totally destroyed by fire on The latter are for casual visitors 29 April. transphoto.ru and can be bought from machines VOLGOGRAD. Thirty double- for PLN5 (EUR1.17). They can be ended Tatra MTTA-2 trams are loaded with a 24-hour ticket for being acquired from Moskva to PLN14 (EUR3.3), or a seven-day modernise service on the express ticket for PLN44 (EUR10.3). tramway. transphoto.ru During connection of new line 3 to the existing St-Etienne (France) tramway network, the terminus at Chateaucreux was cut back to a stub, with a Californian Nationals of EU countries not in crossover, seen underneath the new CAF tram. Y. Allain employment qualify for Ulgowy SAUDI ARABIA fares with a 50% discount, but RIYADH. Test running on metro LATVIA 30 new metro trains; if the contract photo ID showing birth date line 4 began on 4 April using DAUGAVPILS. A EUR4.1m is awarded there will be an option must be carried for inspection. Alstom two-car automated sets. RGI contract has been awarded for the for a further 30. OR, IRJ Persons of over 70 years qualify purchase of eight 71-911 Citystar DEN HAAG. Siemens Avenio for free travel, but there may be bogie trams from Transmash 5012 has been fitted with a some doubt about this for MASS RAPID TRANSIT. A Holdings subsidiary TVZ in Tver, collision avoidance system ADAS non-Polish nationals. M. J. Russell supplementary order has been Russia, although the contract is (Advanced Driver Assistance placed with Alstom for six six-car reportedly being disputed by the System) which can apply the Metropolis metro trains for the country’s defence minister over brakes independently of the PORTO. Spanish SENER has been north-east line, and 11 three-car concerns about the company’s driver if a collision is imminent. awarded the contract to design the trains for the Circle line, under a other activities. Trials started at the end of March. 2.8km (1.7-mile) light rail subway contract worth EUR150m. RGI If resolved, the 16.4m 100% low- On 29 March there was a launch between Boavista/Casa da Musica floor trams will be delivered before event for the summer tourist tram and Praça da Liberdade. The route SPAIN the end of 2018. TV3 service between Kerkplein and includes four stations, with the BARCELONA. The decision on RIGA. The delivery of five new Scheveningen with PCCs 1101 station at Praça da Liberdade the project to link the two tram Škoda 15T four-section trams and 1193. 1180 and 1321 will also posing ‘a significant challenge’ due systems has been put on hold until started on 16 April. Tenders have be used, with the latter repainted to its proximity to the UNESCO after the May 2019 city council been issued for 12 new 100% low- in cream with green stripes for the World Heritage-listed area of the elections after a vote on 10 April floor trams, eight three-section first time. The service runs every city centre. rejected a proposal to start work and four four-section. A. Prescott 30 minutes, leaving Kerkplein at on the first part of the line, from three and 33 minutes past the hour ROMANIA Glories to Verdaguer. R. Felski 10.03-17.03. It costs EUR15 for 24 ORADEA. KT4D t r a m s AMSTERDAM. No cash has been hours or EUR19 for 48 hours with 200-3/6/7/15/8/24/7 are ex-Berlin SWITZERLAND accepted on trams since 26 March; hop-on, hop-off facility. 6064/57/72/108/073/12/89/55/ GENÈVE. Following the all tickets must now be purchased Operation will be 1-6/10-13/19- 50/71. DS completion of delivery of 13 new in advance. 21/26-27 May, 2-3/7-10/14-17/21- Stadler Tango trams (1820-32), The IJburg line 26 is to have its 30 June, 1-4-8/11-15/18-22/25-29 RUSSIA peak headways on tram lines were capacity increased (a 3.5-minute July and 1-5/8-12/15-19/22-26 KURSK. Joining the all-Tatra changed from 5 to 4.5 minutes peak headway from 22 July; August. Tickets are valid on the fleet are 20 KTM-19 bogie trams from 9 April. tram coupled sets of new CAF trams Tram Museum shuttle that departs second-hand from Moskva. BS MEIRINGEN – from early 2020) and will be Kerkplein on Sundays at 12.30. MOSKVA. The annual tram parade INNERTKIRCHEN (MIB). extended to Strandeiland in 2023, digitaletram.nl on 21 April featured 16 museum Stadler has rebuilt MVR Be2/6 together with a new link from cars, including a newly-restored 7004; now 13 in the MIB fleet. tram Flevopark via Zeeburg to IJburg. PHILIPPINES 1956 KTM+KTP-1 set of two-axle ST GALLEN – APPENZELL A new terminal loop for the line MANILA. The International Co- trams (0002+1002), acquired (AB). The 11 Stadler Tango LRVs is under construction at Centraal operation Agency of has from Tula in 2007 after display for the new Trogen – St Gallen Station. agreed a JPY104.5bn (EUR0.8bn) on a plinth for 30 years. Other – Appenzell service are Be4/6 The future of the tramway loan to build the first underground trams in the parade were horse 4001-11 and ABe4/6 4101-11, museum at Havenstraat is metro in the capital. The 30km car 35, two-axle cars 164+1113 which form permanently-coupled threatened by development plans (18.6-mile) line linking Mindanao (F), 932 (BF), bogie trams 2170+ ABe8/12 sets. TR on the land (see Mailbox on p. 234). Avenue and Ninoy Aquino 2556 (KM+KP), 1278 (MTV-82), SOLOTHURN – NIEDERBIPP The EUR 3.2bn 11km (6.8-mile) International Airport should be 222 (RVZ-6), 378 (T2), 481 (T3), (ASM). Be2/6 511-3 are joining north–south metro will open on 22 ready to open in 2025, requiring 0001 (T6), 7005 (T7), 3001 (LM- the fleet; they are Stadler rebuilds July, ten years late, but with a six 19 eight-car trains. IRJ 2000), 30155 (MTTCh), articulated of MVR 7001-3. tram instead of five minute headway at 71-933 tram 31160 and works ZÜRICH. Planning has started peaks due to signalling restrictions. PANAMA trams 3075, 3490, 0128 and 0145. for a tramway branch from Construction began in January PANAMA CITY. Alstom shipped At the ceremony the head of the Radiostudio to Holzerhurd, thanks 2003, but poor ground conditions the first five-car metro train for line municipal transport department to CHF5.1bn (EUR1.25bn) from and the need to protect historic 2 on 28 March. The 21km (13-mile) said that the former Ryaznskoe cantonal funds. From 2026 this buildings in the city centre delayed line will open in 2019. RGI tram depot (used by trolleybuses will be worked as an extension of the project. The restructuring since 1937) would become part line 15 from Auzelg. EA of the tramway network will be POLAND of the Moskovskiy Transport introduced at the same time. GDANSK. A PLN192m (EUR45m) Muzeum. N. Semyonov UKRAINE CAF has been named as contract has been signed for the UST-KAMENOGORSK. Thirteen DNIEPER. On street testing of preferred bidder for the supply of construction of the new 2.6km ex-Berlin Tatra KT4D articulated the first Tatra-Yug K1 M6 100%

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org june 2018 / 231 Worldwide Review

low-floor 26.8m tram started on has shown that a majority would 19 April. traminfo.pl support a tram network in the city, the paper has said. Building a tramway has been suggested by DUBAI. Finance in the form of the local Conservative Party, if it a AED5.2bn (EUR1.19bn) loan wins in city council elections next from a consortium of banks has year. Labour is currently the largest been agreed to fund the 15km party, with 52 of the 54 seats. (9.3-mile) metro extension from The Conservatives and Liberal Nakheel Harbour & Tower to Expo Democrats each have one. 2020. The extension is being built LONDON (CROSSRAIL). The by Alstom/Acciona/Gülermak Grade II-listed Kingsway Tram and should be ready to open on Subway is being restored following 20 May 2020. RGI completion of its role in providing construction access for the Elizabeth line. BLACKPOOL. Services were Opening in 1906, the subway curtailed for much of 21 April on Southampton Row in Holborn due to problems with overhead connected London’s north and wires between Bispham and south tram networks, carrying New additions to the annual tramway parade in the Russian capital, Moskva, were Little Bispham. passengers between Holborn and these two-axle trams, recovered from the provincial system at Tula, and EDINBURGH. P u b l i c Waterloo Bridge. The last trams ran meticulously restored to near original condition. A. Boss consultation on plans to deliver through the subway in April 1952. the Edinburgh Trams extension Following closure it was used as a Carbrook, Meadowhall South/ 29 January they will be moved to Newhaven closed on 29 April. storage facility, initially for unused Tinsley and Meadowhall from storage at Long Marston to A decision on whether to proceed buses and coaches. The southern Interchange stops were closed on Booths of Rotherham – which with the project is expected late end opened to road traffic as the these days, with bus replacement also won the contract to scrap the this year, with opening then Strand Underpass in 1964. services provided between Metrolink T68 and T68A fleet. projected for 2022. Crossrail – now the Elizabeth line Fitzalan Square and Meadowhall. Of the T69 vehicles which Annual insurance premiums for – took over the London Borough of Yellow Route services were to are to survive, tram 16 has Edinburgh Trams have increased Camden-owned section in 2012, operate between Middlewood remained at Wednesbury, while from GBP807 609 for the first four and during the construction works and Cricket Inn Road only. 7 and 11 remain at Long Marston. years of service to GBP1.4m/year a shaft eight metres deep by five Purple Route services on Sunday The former has been acquired (EUR1.6m) for the next three years. metres wide was excavated to pass 22 April were to run between by UKTram, while the latter is So far no money has been paid out concrete, water, air and electricity Herdings Park and Cathedral only. to be preserved at Birmingham on cyclist claims, as none of the cables down to the Crossrail line. Tram-train infrastructure work Museum. Exact plans of how claims has been settled. Removing visible evidence of formerly with Carillion, which it will be displayed are still to Council documents show that the subway’s use to support the collapsed in January, is to be be announced. 248 cyclists claim to have had construction includes filling in completed by Rail Electrification The annual Birmingham Pride accidents caused by Edinburgh’s of the grout shaft and bore holes, Alliance Ltd. event will take place this year tram tracks since 2011. reinstating the concrete floor and A road collision, not involving on the weekend of 26-27 May. GREATER MANCHESTER. relaying the iron tram rails and trams, caused disruption on On Saturday 26 May the parade will Extra patrols and 24-hour control granite cobbles. 26 April, with trams cancelled travel along New Street through the centre operation have been LONDON (UNDERGROUND). between Gleadless Townend and junction with Corporation Street, introduced in an attempt to curb Kennington station is to close for Sheffield station. with tram services terminating at crime and antisocial behaviour services on the Bank branch of TYNE & WEAR. A questionnaire Bull Street from 11.00-14.00. on the Rochdale via Oldham line. the Northern line trains between for potential suppliers of the Transport for Greater Manchester 26 May and mid-September, proposed new Metrocar fleet is to USA says the new system will provide while four new passageways are be issued in May. The North East BATON ROUGE, LA. Plans for a a faster and more coordinated built. The work is in preparation Combined Authority is working tramline have been dropped by response to incidents. for the opening of the 3km towards awarding a contract in the new mayor in favour of bus Figures for the period 4-31 (two-mile) Northern line extension January 2020, with the first of rapid transit. E. B. Havens March show that network-wide, to Battersea, due in 2020. the 42 trains to be delivered in BOSTON, MA. The new Metrolink punctuality was Half of all Tube and rail ‘pay December 2021. Some GBP362m CAF-built Type 9 LRVs will be 95.8% and reliability 99.29%. as you go’ journeys are now (EUR411m) has been allocated for 3900-23. E. B. Havens Performance statistics are now regularly made using contactless the scheme. CHICAGO, IL. A USD152.9m published monthly by TfGM payment cards or mobile devices, Work has begun on the new contract to renew signalling on following perceived shortcomings figures from TfL have shown. GBP21m (EUR24m) transport the Blue line has been awarded to a in communication following Pickersgill-Kaye has won interchange in South Shields, Kiewit-Aldridge joint venture. The incidents earlier in the year. a contract worth nearly which will bring a relocated Metro first major signalling work on the Artwork by local students and GBP500 000 (EUR568 000) to station together with a bus station. line since 1984 forms part of the a herb garden have been added supply 1400 emergency alarm-pull Completion of the interchange, on USD492m Your New Blue project to Altrincham Interchange; the units for the Underground’s 1972 Fowler St/Keppel St, is due in 2019. to modernise the line. Station facility at the former railway Stock refurbishment programme. Metro punctuality reached 85.31% modernisation and substation station was redeveloped from 2013, It follows a previous order between 1 April 2017 and 1 April upgrades are to follow. E. B. Havens with reopening in 2014. covering trains on the Central, 2018, the first full year since CINCINNATI, OH. The one A power outage at Victoria on Jubilee and Northern lines. transport authority Nexus took millionth passenger was the morning of 18 April led to tram SOUTH YORKSHIRE. Drop-in operations back in-house. This is carried on the tramway on 13 diversions and disruption. sessions were to be held in late April up from 82.34%. Fleet reliability, April, 18 months after the line INDUSTRY. Lancashire-based and early May to explain the latest measuring faults causing a delay of was opened. E. B. Havens Synectics has won contracts to programme of rail replacement. four or more minutes, improved by DALLAS, TX. DART has awarded supply surveillance systems to 60 Services were disrupted as part an average of 2.3% a month. a USD124m contract to civil Tyne and Wear Metro trains, as well of rail replacement works between WEST MIDLANDS. T h e engineering firm Lockwood, as 25 Sheffield trams. 20-23 April. Nunnery Square, movement of the 13 ex-Midland Andrews & Newnam to extend LEICESTER. A poll of 1000 Woodburn Road, Attercliffe, Metro T69s for scrap has begun. platforms at 28 stations on the people by the Leicester Mercury Arena, Valley Centertainment, Sold in an online auction on Red and Blue light rail lines to

232une / j 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org accommodate three-car trains lines being suspended. Three trams ST LOUIS, MO. It was hoped that GREATER MANCHESTER and add raised areas to allow for are providing a half-hour service the Delmar Loop Trolley heritage (UK). The annual Greater level boarding. Sunday-Thursday and a 20-minute tramway could be opened in Manchester Transport Heritage The work will enable service on Friday/Saturday. June using the two ex-Portland Civic day was held on 19 April three-car trains to operate system- Rides are free until 14 May, after trams. The third car, an ex- and local politicians visited wide, increasing capacity by up which the fare will be USD 1. Melbourne W2 from Seattle is the Museum of Science and to 50%, DART said. Design work Service levels will double when being rebuilt by GOMACO, but Industry, Heaton Park Tramway, is underway with construction three more refurbished cars are the delivery date is uncertain. Manchester Museum of Transport beginning in the summer ready in May. Riverfront and R. Jackson and the East Lancs Railway. of 2019. E. B. Havens Madison Avenue service will start SAN DIEGO, CA. On 29 April Keith Whitmore, Chairman DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL, NC. in 2019 and 2020 respectively. Courthouse station was opened of GMTH, described the event GoTriangle has selected the E. B. Havens on C St to replace American Plaza as “an important day in our Gannett Fleming/WSP joint MILWAUKEE, WI. The first street station, and become the terminus calendar.” venture to project manage the test of a Brookville Liberty tram of the Orange line. E. B. Havens SEATON (UK). Services were 28km (17.4-mile) light rail line. on the new line took place on SAN FRANCISCO, CA. Non- disrupted on 12 April following The project includes 16km 11 April. E. B. Havens operational 1887 cable car 28 damage caused to overhead power (ten miles) of ballasted track, NASHVILLE, TN. The referendum has been donated to the Shore lines on the Colyford crossing 6km (3.7 miles) of embedded track to raise taxes to fund the city’s Line Trolley Museum in East by a Heavy Goods Vehicle. No- and 6km of elevated embedded plan for a USD5.4bn transit system Haven, CT. Muni is paying the one was injured in the incident. track. E. B. Havens was defeated on 1 May with a museum USD198 000 for two Following repairs, services EL PASO, TX. Testing of the result of 78 000 votes for and former Philadelphia (Red Arrow) restarted on 14 April. first Brookville reconditioned 44 000 against. The proposal 1949 double-ended PCCs, to be WEHMINGEN (DE). T he PCC (1506) started in early April, included a 42km (26-mile) light refurbished for line E. E. B. Havens Hannover tram museum is returning trams to the streets of rail system at its heart and SANTA ROSA – SAN RAFAEL, acquiring Den Haag PCC set the city after 44 years. The second enhanced bus services. CA. The FTA has awarded SMART 1308+2104, which has been car, 1512, arrived on 29 April. New Mayor David Briely said a USD22.5m grant to help finance stored in Belgium under the The 7.7km (4.8-mile) line is due to the city still desperately needs the extension of the diesel light ownership of Bombardier. HSM open in December. a solution to its transport rail line to Larkspur, terminal for > For a detailed report on the El Paso challenges, but would ‘go back to the ferry service to San Francisco. CONTRIBUTORS Streetcar project see TAUT 956. the drawing board’. The Tennessean The 3.4km (2.1-mile) extension Worldwide news items for HOUSTON, TX. Met ro i s NEW YORK, NY. Hundreds of could open in 2019. IRJ inclusion should be sent to considering the purchase of a commuters had to evacuate a SEATTLE, WA. On 31 March Michael Taplin at Flat 8, Roxan further 14 LRVs, based on the morning Manhattan-bound W Mayor Jenny Durkan put the Villa, 33 Landguard Manor Rd, forecast need for more capacity train service at 39 Avenue station Center City Connector tramway Shanklin, Isle of Wight PO37 on the light rail system. Federal at 08.21 on 1 May following project on hold for 90 days 6EA, UK.Fax: +44 (0)1983 862810 funds are still available from a reports of smoke emanating from to permit an independent review or e-mail: [email protected] 2011 appropriation. It is likely the train and a violent shaking. into rising costs, which have UK and Ireland items are to be a direct order with Siemens Brooklyn-bound N and W reached USD200m, a potential welcomed by Home Editor, John for S70 cars via a joint order with trains were diverted to the express shortfall of USD23m. E. B. Havens Symons, 17 Whitmore Avenue, Minneapolis. E. B. Havens track because of the incident, TAMPA, FL. The city is Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent, ST9 LOS ANGELES, CA. T he with normal services resuming considering extending the 0LW, UK. E-mail [email protected] California Transportation just before 09.00. There were no tramline 2km (1.2 miles) north Acknowledgements this month Commission has allocated reported injuries. NY Daily from its current terminus to are due to Blickpunkt Strassenbahn USD482m for transit projects in PHILADELPHIA, PA (SEPTA). serve more of the downtown (BS), digitaltram.nl, Drehscheibe the Los Angeles area, including Token sales were ended on 30 April area, and acquiring modern trams (DS), Eisenbahn Amateur (EA), USD202m for a study that could as part of the promotion of The Key to upgrade the service from a Eisenbahn (EB), Global Rail see light rail introduced in the smartcard system. E. B. Havens heritage operation. E. B. Havens News, Hamilton Spectator, HSM, East San Fernando Valley (San SACRAMENTO, CA. SRTD now International Railway Journal Fernando – Van Nuys). The aim has a budget of USD84m towards MUSEUM NEWS (IRJ), lineoz.net, Macau Daily would be to open the chosen option the purchase of 20 new LRVs, BLACKPOOL (UK). T h e Times, Montreal Gazette, NY in time for the 2028 Olympic thanks to a USD64m grant from Lancastrian Transport Trust has Daily, Op de Rails (OR), Railway Games. E. B. Havens the State of California’s Transit been renamed the Fylde Transport Gazette International (RGI), The MEMPHIS, TN. The Main St and Intercity Rail Capital Trust. The organisation has eight Tennessean, tram, Tram 2000 heritage tramway line re-opened Improvement Program. New cars trams in its collection, the oldest (T-2000), Today’s Railways on 30 April, nearly three years should arrive in 2021, replacing being Standard 143, built in 1924. (TR), Times of India, traminfo.pl, after safety concerns led to all three 1985-86 stock. E. B. Havens It also has a collection of buses. transphoto.ru, TV3, urbanrail.net.

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

M ay 2018 Monday 21. Sheffield 19.30. Tuesday 5. Southampton 19.30. Monday 18. Wickham 19.30. Ian Dougill: A tour of Romania. Members' slides (NOT digital!). Brian Boddy: Last days of South Monday 14. Thames Valley. 19.30 Monday 21. Wickham 19.30. Martin (LRTA/SEG) London trams. (TLRS Solent) Eddie Dawes: Requests from the Petch: East German trams 1991. (TLRS) Saturday 9. West Midlands 14.00. Monday 19. Liverpool. outdoor visit archives. (TLRS) Saturday 26. Beeston 14.00. Lewis General modelling meeting. (TLRS) to be confirmed. (TLRS Merseyside) Tuesday 15 London 19.00. TBA . Lesley: Trams – what next? (TLRS) Monday 11. Thames Valley 19.30. Tuesday 19. London 19.00. Saturday 18. Blackpool. Meeting Thursday 31. Manchester 19.00. Alan Holmewood: Voyage of discovery Martin Eady: Japanese and cancelled. (TLRS) Peter Banister: Recent developments and model competition. (TLRS) European delights. Saturday 19. Taunton 14.00. in the mid-USA and China. Wednesday 13. Brighton 19.40. Saturday 23. Garstang 14.00. Andrew Hunt: Lisbon 2017. (TLRS) Vic Simons: US and Canadian Visit to Totally Models at Blackpool Saturday 19. West Midlands 14.00. June 2018 streetcars and light railways – the Rigby Road Depot. (TLRS) General modelling meeting. (TLRS) second generation. (TLRS) Saturday 30. Beeston 14.00. Monday 21. Liverpool 20.00. AGM Saturday 2. Garstang 14.00. TLRS N. Saturday 16. Taunton 14.00. Modelling: Joint meeting with Model and models night. (TLRS Merseyside) Lancs AGM and model meeting. (TLRS) Models forum. (TLRS) Bus Federation. (TLRS)

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JUNE 2018 / 233 Letters

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

I can only express my incredulity at the proposal of Amsterdam City Council to demolish the premises currently occupied by the RETM/EMA museum in Karperweg to make way for a new housing development at the end of this operating season in October. As there is no money to build new premises, nothing will be able to run on the 7km (4.4 miles) of track to Bovenkerk. Should this proposal reach its intended conclusion, a major chapter in the city’s history will be forever lost, removing a vital link to the tramway that has played such an important role in its development and expansion over the past 150 years. I had the pleasure of living and working in the city from 1974 to 1976, witnessing the opening of the museum in 1975. I have also written two books, in 1980 and 2013, covering the system’s history and operation. Something is very wrong when a city such as Amsterdam is happy to spend millions of Euros promoting its history – the canals, foreign trade, museums and culture in particular – yet turns a blind eye to its rich tramway heritage. Two of the oldest cars in the RETM/EMA collection, Unionwagen 72 and There appears to be little official interest in preserving this 144, head a line of preserved cars at Haarlemmermeer Station. Karel Hoorn heritage, with the city seemingly content to authorise the scrapping of some 70 unique and irreplaceable trams, many of instruct the developer to incorporate a new facility and which have been restored to operational condition. One can connection to the existing line in its plans. only imagine the furore should a similar proposal be mooted Back in the late 1990s, the LRTA wrote to the Innsbruck for the Van Gogh and Rijks Museums! authorities about the proposed closure of the city’s tram This is cultural sabotage and will be a huge loss as a tourist route 6 to Igls. Members of the tramway fraternity who I meet attraction, to say nothing of the distress for the members and annually are forever grateful of this support – going a long volunteers who work tirelessly in creating a working tram way to secure the future of the line. museum – as well as contributing significant sums to ensuring There are various petitions and opposition protests in its financial viability. It is inconceivable that all that hard work Holland and I hope that readers can offer similar support, could be discarded in such a callous and uncaring manner. sharing in their desire to see the museum’s survival. You can I have written to implore the Mayor and the City to find the online petition athttps://museumtramlijn.petities.nl/ reconsider this proposal. At the very least they should Ray Deacon, Blackboys, by e-mail

Tramlink report – what was missing carriageway profile – can create a compromise across UK systems, of profiles (new and to My reaction to the 170-page Sandilands with the ideal track geometry. the appropriate limits of wear), back-to back Tram Derailment Report was perhaps the Consequently, this requires severe flange gauging and rail details (inclination, opposite to that of your lead letter (TAUT 963). speed restrictions, and presents the need gauge (tightening/relaxation) and profile wear I was more surprised by the detail not for additional lateral track reinforcement limits) across the systems operating in 2008, included, especially when comparing this (^), noted in a survey of UK tram and light with particular focus on derailment risk. incident with the heavy rail equivalent – railway systems relating to the wheel/rail I believe it would be both valuable and the 1969 Morpeth derailment – where a interface (HSE 2006). The compromises can prudent to have greater detail on the northbound sleeper derailed at around 80mph deliver increased wheel and rail wear, plus an condition of the wheel profiles and the track (130km/h) on a 40mph curve. As with Croydon, added (often excruciating) noise issue. at Sandilands, to learn whether there might there was a clear weakness in the standard for At Morpeth the convergence of several be detail which, if attended to, will increase speed restriction signs; at that time mainline factors, beyond speed alone, led to the 1969 the factors of safety delivered by the improved railways used steel cut-out numbers attached derailment. A short section of the curve was management of vehicle and track condition. to a post, which were almost invisible at night. at a significantly tighter radius, the structure Dave Holladay, by e-mail Tellingly, the 1969 investigators noted from of sleepers and ballast was slightly degraded, their calculations that the train should have and a load of newspapers was stacked What’s in a name? been able to take the curve at almost 100mph unsecured in the leading van, free to move Readers received a circular with TAUT 964 (160km/h) and remain on the rails, and the and provide the force to tip over that vehicle. proposing a new name for the LRTA. Its leaders locomotive, a Deltic, with its much-lauded At Croydon the overarching factor was in the UK want something shorter and snappier, bogie design, did just that. Being a railway, clearly the excess of speed, but I note that a which tells everyone what “we” are about. They the severe curve was approached through recent incident on Metrolink had the benefit suggest ‘TramForward’, an ungrammatical transition curves in vertical and horizontal of being on the re-used railway formation advertising slogan which seems to express a planes, which eases the shock loadings on the with a more generous margin of safety fear that trams might go backwards. train, track and passengers. However, with through the more forgiving track geometry. ‘Light Rail Transit Association’ already tells trams it is apparent that having minimal space From observations both in the HSE people exactly what “we” are: an association in many locations the delivery of transitions report, and the Manchester Metropolitan of people who want to promote transit in the for both horizontal and vertical changes – University reports (*2008) on wheel profile form of light rail, known everywhere as ‘LRT’. with an added challenge to integrate with the management for the diverse combinations Nothing could be clearer.

234 / JUNE 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org

'Light Rail Transit Association' already tells people exactly what "we" are : an association of people who want to promote transit in the form of light rail, known everywhere as 'LRT'. Nothing could be clearer. When the LRTA last published its As he rightly points out, we are also an membership statistics, nearly half its international membership organisation members lived outside the UK. ‘Tram’ is not with members (about 40%) in Europe, used in North America, though its meaning North America, Asia and Australia and is known, while ‘Forward’ is a foreign word to we campaign there too. For example, I am most continental Europeans. The new name currently drafting a letter to the Mayor seems likely to make the association much of Amsterdam supporting local members less clear to a large minority of members, against the proposed closure of the let alone those outside the organisation. RETM/EMA museum and running line at I belong to two other organisations Haarlemmermeer (see left). based in the UK. The National Trolleybus I appreciate that a name matters. Association’s name tells the world plainly ‘Tram’ is used both in the UK and Europe what it stands for: the promotion and and ‘Forward’ is meant to signify our preservation of trolleybuses; its new logo campaigning purpose. However the point depicts both those purposes quite clearly. about widespread recognition is well made. The Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway Therefore at the Association’s Area Officers Preservation Company (Ltd) also announces meeting in Edinburgh in April we agreed to to everyone what it was founded to do and the addition of a strapline ‘Campaigning for carries on doing with extraordinary success. Metro, Light Rail and Trams’ to go alongside I grew up in Leicester and retain a friendly the name TramForward. interest in the city and fond memories of This suggestion will now go forward for its trams (see Tramway Review 236). I have approval at our AGM in September. contributed a few articles to MT and TR I hope this will help alleviate Philip's down the years and have had some success in concerns. promoting our streetcars here in Toronto, a Paul Rowen, Chair, LRTA city which must have been one of Jay Fowler’s models for the “modern trams” he wanted to Trams on Sydney Harbour Bridge see serving British cities in 1937. There is a slight error in the caption to the We are in the middle of receiving a fleet of photo of the Sydney Harbour Bridge tramway BOTH: Sydney Harbour Bridge, December 2017. new vehicles, which will operate on our large on page 145 of the April issue (Systems Basil Hancock street-based system, while track, overhead Factfile, TAUT 964). wiring and car yards continue to be renewed. The view published is looking south Utsunomiya clarification Toronto today is very much like Sheffield, through the northern pylon on the eastern In the May issue (965), under the Worldwide Leeds, Glasgow and Edinburgh would have side of the bridge and actually shows the Review section for Japan, it is stated that been, if they had been able to renew their pedestrian walkway with its ornamental lights, Utsunomiya is to open the first new fleets after 1950 (see TR 237, March 2014). not the former tramway. The walkway on the tramway since 1948. This is not so, as the The Toronto Transit Commission will western side is now reserved solely for cyclists. 1067mm-gauge Toyoma Light Rail be 100 years old in 2021, and despite the The southbound tram track actually ran commenced services on 26 April 2006. usual political to’s and fro’s seems in no real to the right of the concrete arch shown, but This 7.6km (4.7-mile) line runs from danger. Nobody has suggested changing its outside the steel bridge arch and supports. Toyoma Eki Kita (the JR-West station) on name or its historic logo, though we always It would have been on the far side of the street then northwards to Iwasehama. It was have to be prepared to push back against mesh fence. The northbound tram track ran rebuilt on the JR-West Toyama-ko branch line stupidity, as the LRTA’s founders did when inside the steel bridge arch and supports. and has seven two-section articulated LRVs UK cities were scrapping their trams. This is perhaps more clearly shown in built by Nigata Transys operating on 600V dc The LRTA’s outstanding success during its the first photo I have included (top right), from overhead line equipment. 80 years has been its publications, The Modern taken in December 2017, where the Colin Brown, Japanese Railway Society, by e-mail Tramway, Tramway Review and an enormous double-decker bus is passing the northern number of well-written scholarly books pylon. It is using the southbound transit Ed: The short story on Utsunomiya stated both large and small. These have provided lane (lane 7) which is on the site of the that this was Japan’s first ‘all-new’ tramway detailed information about LRT technology, northbound tramway track and has passed since 1948. We still believe this to be the case, its history and latest developments. to the left of the concrete arch, having run but apologies for any confusion. Tramways & Urban Transit continues to act as inside the steel bridge arch and supports. We covered Toyama Light Rail in detail a meeting place where the latest news and The car to its right is on southbound lane 8 (TAUT 867) in early 2010, following the ideas can be exchanged. which is on the site of the southbound tram opening of the ‘city loop’ between Marunouchi I hope that the LRTA will concentrate its track and has passed through the concrete and Nishicho in late December 2009. energies on promoting renewed LRT in such arch, having run outside the steel bridge arch The 2006 opening related to the conversion UK cities as Bristol, Southampton, Leeds, or and supports. The pedestrian walkway is of a former heavy rail line as stated. best of all Leicester. further to the right under the arched mesh. It has always been a difficult row to hoe, The roadway light supports use the former The LRTA’s External but the LRTA’s name has never been any part tramway overhead supports. Relations Group is anxious of the problem. The second photo shows the southbound to extend its campaigning Philip Webb, Toronto, Canada railway to the left of northbound lane 1. It is to Leicester. We are already running inside the steel bridge arch whereas active in campaigns to Can I first of all thank Phillip for his letter re: the northbound track, as with the former extend the successful the LRTA and its change of name. Since that southbound tramway track, is cantilevered Nottingham Express Transit request I’ve had many contributions and outside the steel bridge arch. The same style system and to bring trams to Derby, but responses to the suggested change of name. of overhead wiring supports are still in place. so far we have lacked an effective voice I would also like to thank Phillip for The yellow bus just visible on the far right of in Leicester. his praise for the work of our association, the photo is on transit lane 7. So if you live in the Leicester area particularly campaigning for the development Further south the former entrances to and are prepared to do some active or establishment of light rail or tram systems. the Wynyard tram tunnels can still be seen, campaigning for trams in your city, As we enter our 81st year that remains one and until recently, the former tram station such as writing to city councillors or of the mainstays of the organisation and was used as part of the Menzies Hotel car liasing with the local press, please we have groups working to re-establish park, with one tunnel used for road egress. contact David Gibson at ‘trams’ in Derby, Cambridge, Bath and Sadly this is now all being redeveloped. [email protected] Oxford – to name a few. Basil Hancock, Faulconbridge, NSW, Australia

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org JUNE 2018 / 235

'Light Rail Transit Association' already tells people exactly what "we" are : an association of people who want to promote transit in the form of light rail, known everywhere as 'LRT'. Nothing could be clearer. Classic Trams tram diversity in oregon The Oregon Electric Railway Museum Society operates a museum in the Pacific north-west of the US with exhibits from many sources. Mike Russell reviews the collection. 1

he Oregon Electric Railway Acquired in late 2016 from Issaquah (TAUT is vast space. In 2015 nine former Bruxelles Museum is on leased land within April 2017) is Milano interurban bogie 96. tramcars in Port Mellon, British Columbia, Powerland Heritage Park at Brooks, Finally, there is one of two double-deck cars: had to be found a new home urgently. These north of the State capital of Salem. 1928 Blackpool Standard bogie 48 spent cars, together with two others that never left The site is adjacent to highway I-5, many years on the Willamette Shore Trolley Bruxelles, were on their way to Gibsons, a aboutT an hour’s drive from Portland. line and racked up such a mileage that it Pacific Ocean town, for a 4.1km (2.5-mile) Founded in 1957, the non-profit-making was retired in 2003. Since mid-2017 it has heritage tramway that did not materialise. society takes its name from the Oregon operated at Brooks. The static collection The OERHS offered open storage for all cars Electric Railway, a former interurban through includes Hong Kong Tramways standard two- and paid for transport from Port Mellon, costs the Willamette Valley. It was originally sited axle double-deck car 12, in service 1952-85. for which it will recover from donations. at Glenwood, where between 1966-95 it The narrow-gauge (3ft 6in, 1067mm) truck Car 19 was built in 1934 as Standard operated ‘Trolley Park’, a small working lacks motors and so is unlikely to operate here. car 1052. In 1970 it was converted to electric traction museum. In 1996-98 the Several of nearby Portland’s former fleet double-ended pre-metro waste containers exhibits were moved to Brooks, operating are included. Two of the 1904 Brill semi- transportation car 38 and in 1981 to from 1997. The society has constructed a convertible cars built for the steeply-graded snowbroom 19. Cars 25 and 26, originally depot and together with recent arrivals in narrow-gauge (3ft 6in) Council Crest line, Standards 1380 and 1085 of 1934, were both outside accommodation, the OERHS is now which closed in February 1950, survive. converted around 1975 for use in the pre- the largest tramway museum in the US north- These are 503 and 506, the latter retaining metro subways. Two further general-purpose west. There is a plan to construct a second, its magnetic brake equipment and still on works cars are 31 and 34, converted in 1974 bigger, depot in the foreseeable future. narrow-gauge trucks. Car 503 was later fitted and 1971 from 1934 Tramways Bruxellois The standard-gauge operating line forms an with standard-gauge Melbourne W2 bogies Standard motor cars 1178 and 1290. All ride incomplete rectangle, and the return journey and British controllers for the San Francisco on Brill 21E trucks or local replicas. Car 34 is around 2.8km (1.75 miles). Visitors board Historic Trolley Festival. These cars were has been refitted with a trolley-pole and was cars at Hopmere Station, designed like a former templates for building GOMACO replicas. first operated at Brooks in September 2017. Southern Pacific railway station. Completed Portland Traction Company’s Brill Master Two Standard passenger motor cars retain in 2011-15, the building also serves as the Unit bogie 813 was built in 1932 for the that condition. Car 1608, built by Tramways museum headquarters, housing a giftshop, narrow-gauge city lines, and after closure Bruxellois in 1937 as 1048, is one of those bookshop and refreshment facilities. in 1950 transferred to PTC’s two-route modernised in 1968 by fitment of roller interurban division. It was renumbered 4012 destination/number blinds to replace roof- Portland to Sydney and converted to standard-gauge. From 1996- mounted headboards. In 1984 it went to The most popular tramcar is Sydney O-Class 2010 it operated on the Willamette Shore Florida for operation at the Grand Cypress 1187, a 1912 cross-bench bogie combination line, but after years of intensive service is now Resort, leaving Brussels repainted green, car built by the Meadowbank Manufacturing out of use awaiting a major motor overhaul. fitted with longitudinal rattan benches and Company and donated in 1959. No fewer Wooden-bodied interurban car 1067 was renumbered 1048. After closure it passed to than 626 of these, the most numerous type built in the Portland Railway Light & Power Port Mellon before reaching Brooks, and is in Sydney, were built over six years; they (PRL&P) company’s Milwaukie workshops considered to be close to operational. The enjoyed a reputation for reliability and were in 1907 as part of a fleet of motor and trailer second car is the body of 1247, also from 1937, the backbone of the fleet until the late 1950s. cars intended for multiple-unit operation. mounted on the chassis of works car 53 and in Initially operating with a generator, in With sister car 1065 it survived withdrawal need of restoration. Finally, there is 1931 les July 1999 it became the first to operate in 1937 and lasted for extras until 1945 when Ateliers Métallurgiques trailer 607, of the type under newly-electrified overhead wire. both cars went for use as beach chalets. Both operated behind the 1600 series motor cars. It is currently undergoing repair but should were donated to the museum in 1981 but only This also retains Grand Cypress green livery return to service by 2019. 1067 survives as a static exhibit. with an interior similar to 1048, carries its Also in working order but seldom used are Other non-operational cars are Birney 74 original number 2190 and is operational. two San Francisco exhibits. PCC 1159, built from Fresno, California; San Francisco PCC One other car is 7020, one of the first series by the St. Louis Car Company for operation 1118; and Los Angeles Railways California of PCC cars built for Bruxelles by La Brugeoise in that city, dates from 1946. From 1957 it was Type H bogie 1318, built by St Louis in 1923 and delivered in 1952; it is considered leased to San Francisco, which purchased it for the Los Angeles 3ft 6in gauge city lines. compatible with contemporary USA PCC cars, in 1961. Boeing-Vertol LRV 1213 dates from There are three Seattle and Vancouver albeit narrower. It carries the yellow and blue 1977 and was one of two test cars of the new trolleybuses, and several freight motor cars. livery launched in 1991 (applied in 2001), type, then numbered 1221, and supplied with One works car deserves special mention: and is almost in operational condition. trolley-poles; it was later renumbered 1213. ‘snowbroom’ 1455, a four-wheel McGuire- The museum is open to the public These cars were withdrawn early – 1213 was Cummings machine of 1899, operated by the 11.00-16.00 on Saturdays, Sundays and public acquired by the museum in 2000. East Side Railway. After passing to the PRL&P holidays from Memorial Day to Labor Day From Europe comes Porto four-wheel in 1906 it received its current fleet number weekend, with departures from Hopmere car 201, one of 24 on replica Brill 21E and was used for snow-clearance until 1954, Station at 12.00, 13.00, 14.00 and 15.00. trucks reconstructed at Boavista in 1940, latterly also adapted for overhead line work. widened and with extended platforms. It With grateful acknowledgements to Brian King, was originally 166, later 210, renumbered Brussels survivors Luc Koenot, Philippe Matagne and Steve Morgan. 201 at withdrawal in 1994, and acquired by One advantage enjoyed by several American All photography by Mike Russell on 5 September the museum in 2006; it is in working order. museums over their European counterparts 2016 unless otherwise stated.

236 / june 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org 1. The Hopmere station building acts as the museum’s headquarters and boarding point for trips on the line. Sydney O-class 1187 awaits its next contingent of passengers.

2. Blackpool Standard 48 returned to service for 2017, retaining fixed destination displays for the Willamette Shore Trolley line where it operated until 2003. It is seen rounding the curve with the carbarn (depot) in the background. Standing outside are Bruxelles snowbroom 19, Milano interurban car 96, and one of the museum’s steeple- cab electric locomotives (L401, Baldwin-Westinghouse, 1912). Steve Morgan

3. Like many former Bruxelles works cars, 19 is a rebuild of a former Standard motor car. It initially served as a waste disposal car (38) before being transformed into a snow- clearance car in 1981. 2 4. Portland Brill car 503 was one of several built in 1904 for the city’s steep narrow-gauge Council Crest line and carried a short-lived fleet number 203. In the 1980s it was fitted with standard-gauge bogies and Melbourne controllers for use in the San Francisco Historic Trolley Festival.

5. Bruxelles trailer 2190 was built in 1931 by Métallurgiques and after rebuilding and renumbering as 607 was of a type traditionally hauled by the 1600-series rebuilt motor 3 4 cars. As with 1048, it retains the green livery of the former Grand Cypress Resort tramway.

6. Bruxelles trailer 2190 was built in 1931 by Métallurgiques, and after rebuilding and renumbering as 607 was of a type traditionally hauled by the 1600-series rebuilt motor cars. As with 1048, it retains the green livery of the former Grand Cypress Resort tramway.

7. Sydney O-Class combination bogie car 1187 is popular amongst visitors to Brooks, 5 6 especially on warm, summer days. It is currently undergoing repairs but should be back in use for the 2019 season. In September 2016, it is seen on the museum’s running line.

8. A line-up of former Bruxelles Standard motor cars at Brooks, showing (nearest the camera) 1247, and works cars 25 and 26, converted for general transportation use in the pre-metro subways.

7 8

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The Tramways of Metropolitan Middlesex Charleroi’s trams since 1940 and North London Coal, steel and cornfields

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digital track SYSTEMS FACTFILE: HOW SECURE IS mapping WROCŁAW Our heritage? Praha operator DPP has recently Neil Pulling surveys the extensive tram Ray Deacon explores the fascinating concluded an extenive programme services of Poland’s fourth-biggest city, history of the RETM/EMA tramway of digital asset mapping on its the country’s electric tramway pioneer, museum in Amsterdam – and petitions tramway network – it shares some of which is continuing to introduce new against plans for its closure for the results with TAUT. stock to a very mixed fleet. residential redevelopment. PLUS... JULY + EU Light Rail: European operators share innovation and best practice issue + T he latest news and analysis, rolling stock orders, system developments, and transport policy and industry comment from On sale around the world 15 June

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Scotland’s capital and systems fastest growing city also has the UK’s newest tramway. While under www.lrta.org examination for project www.tautonline.com factfile shortcomings, it is at the edinburgh Sub scribe now! No. Edinburgh, same time enjoying rising user satisfaction. JUNE 2018 N O. 966 128 UK UK CANADA’S TECH REGION READY TO EMBRACE LRT Now in its 81st year, Tramways & Urban Transit is the world’s

dinburgh became the With Edinburgh Castle The active Edinburgh Tram Inquiry capital of Scotland in Edinburgh’s tram service began dominating the skyline, (www.edinburghtraminquiry.org 1437 and a union with Urbos 100 260 rises ) with horse-drawn operation in 1871. ensures continuing scrutiny and England was enacted in to the bridge over the Conversion of later cable-hauled lines leading monthly publication dedicated solely to light and publicity. The system’s value 1707. The nation’s devolved main line near Carrick was completed 1923, by which time parliamente first met in 1999, through Knowe Golf Course on to residents and visitors is clear the Leith tramway had been absorbed 22 August 2016. however, as substantiated by which a high level of control is following the merger of the capital rising passenger numbers and exercised over transport. Such matters and the port town of Leith in 1920. likely expansion. significantly affected Edinburgh’s Also bordering the (estuary) Firth of The rationale for a modern tram project, in development during Forth, Musselburgh remains a separate tramway included Edinburgh’s years of marked political change. administration as part of East Lothian, rise as an economic and cultural The first revenue service was on although its tram interests had passed force. The city’s setting and Saturday 31 May 2014, running over a to Edinburgh in 1928. Under the historic layout tend to exacerbate Keeping the peace: Managing noise and vibration significantly smaller than previously Edinburgh Corporation Tramways road congestion and air pollution. intended system, and the cost of identity, the area’s first-generation Another attraction of the projected China opens another 90km of lines GBP776m (some sources indicate over operations ceased by November 1956. one billion) was around twice the link between central Edinburgh urban rail developments. Today’s operator, Edinburgh Trams and its airport was that it would allocated project cost. Ltd, is in common ownership with ‘21st century’ transit plan for Auckland shadow new developments in the Although beyond the scope of this Lothian Buses which has historic western suburbs. For mid-2016, Factfile, the troubled implementation continuity with the earlier tramway. the City of Edinburgh Council UK launches rst wire-free services cannot be overlooked, not least Lothian Buses is now the UK’s biggest because of any effects upon future reported a 507 170 population, municipally-owned bus operator £4.60 Words and pictures a 12% increase since 2006 and a 06> UK light rail developments. and in addition to the titular brand by Neil Pulling. trend that is expected to continue. includes East Coast Buses, Edinburgh Edinburgh EMC challenges 832067 Why OESS does not 9 771460 224 / june 2018 www.tautonline.com Defying critics and . www.lrta.org preparing for growth equal compliance

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Please complete this form and send it with your payment to: LRTA Membership Secretary (Dept T06), 38 Wolseley Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK JUNE 2018 Reduce Time & Costs

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