THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE HEADLINES l Alstom enters North American LRT market

l Jaén seeks bids for unopened tramway

l Extensions and new boss for Manchester

world tram orders: full list and analysis Crossrail for Cardiff? The case for tram-train

United Streetcar Green tracks Behind the scenes The challenges with the newest of implementing entry to the US and maintaining

streetcar market green systems APRIL 2013 No. 904 w w w . l r ta . o r g l w w w . t r a m n e w s . n e t £3.80

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122_TAUT1304_UITP_LRA13.indd 1 01/03/2013 14:30 Contents The official journal of the Light Rail Transit Association 124 News 124 APRIL 2013 Vol. 76 No. 904 Manchester Metrolink welcomes two new extensions and new www.tramnews.net Director Peter Cushing; US Transportation Secretary LaHood EDITORIAL to stand down; UK high-speed routes spark further LRT Editor: Simon Johnston debate; Looming ‘auction’ for Jaén’s ‘tram to nowhere’. Tel: +44 (0)1832 281131 E-mail: [email protected] Eaglethorpe Barns, Warmington, Peterborough PE8 6TJ, UK. 129 LRT rolling stock market review Associate Editor: Tony Streeter Michael Taplin analyses the past year’s tram orders and E-mail: [email protected] explores some of the trends and prospects for the future. Worldwide Editor: Michael Taplin Flat 1, 10 Hope Road, Shanklin, Isle of Wight PO37 6EA, UK. 132 A Crossrail for Cardiff? 129 E-mail: [email protected] Consultant Mark Barry argues the case for a network of tram- News Editor: John Symons train routes to revitalise the prospects of the South Wales region. 17 Whitmore Avenue, Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs ST9 0LW, UK. United Streetcar E-mail: [email protected] 136 TAUT goes behind the scenes with the Clackamas, Oregon, Senior Contributor: Neil Pulling car-builder manufacturer and looks at its facilities. Worldwide Contributors: Aare Olander, Nikolai Semyonov, Sergei Tarkhov (CIS), Mike Russell, Norman Bartlett, 139 Systems Factfile: San Francisco Thomas Wagner, Pedro Costa, Richard Felski, Jordi Ibanez (Europe), Yoshiri Vic Simons tours the ‘City by the Bay’, taking in street-running Nogi (Japan), Anthony Bailey, Ian Hammond, Paul Nicholson (Australia), 144 Vic Simons, Charles Lietwiler, Steve Morgan, Tom Swinney (US). LRT, heritage streetcars, cable cars, the BART metro and more. Production Executive: Carla Corrado 144 A network for green track systems Tel: +44 (0)1832 281134 E-mail: [email protected] Germany’s Grüngleisnetzwerk examines some of the challenges Design: Debbie Nolan in implementing and maintaining green track systems. Commercial Manager: Vicky Binley 147 Worldwide Review Tel: +44 (0)1832 281132 E-mail: [email protected] Three new metro projects for Chinese cities; Medellin LRT Advertising Manager: Andy Adams Tel: +44 (0)1832 281135 E-mail: [email protected] awards first civil engineering contracts; Paris approves T1 extension; EU funds agreed for Timisoara tramway Eaglethorpe Barns, Warmington, Peterborough PE8 6TJ, UK. 156 Publisher: Howard Johnston extension; Atlanta streetcar begins track construction. Tramways & Urban Transit is jointly published by the LRTA and LRTA 152 Letters Publishing on the third Friday of each month preceding the cover date. More opinions on the green track debate; Why ridership holds LRTA Website and Diary: Brian Lomas the keys to investment; and voltage questions examined. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] 156 Classic Trams: Farewell to Warszawa’s 13N LRTA MEMBERSHIP (with TAUT subscription) Tramways & Urban Transit is sent free to all paid-up members of the Mike Russell observes the final days of the Polish capital’s Light Rail Transit Association. You are welcome to join the LRTA. Konstal 13N fleet and considers its impact on the city’s tramway. subscriptions: LRTA Membership Secretary (Dept T06), 38 Wolseley Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK. BACK ISSUES: Tel: +44 (0)1406 373070 We need subsidies, but what level is acceptable? PRINT AND DISTRIBUTION: Warners (Midlands) plc, The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1778 391000. SIMON JOHNSTON, Editor LRTA REGISTERED OFFICE: c/o 138 Radnor Avenue, Welling, Kent DA16 2BY. Private company limited by guarantee, No. 5072319 Following last month’s editorial, to get ensure ongoing prosperity and growth. in England and Wales. people out of their cars and onto urban This will almost inevitably involve a subsidy. LRTA Chairman: Andrew Braddock. LRTA Deputy Chairman: Vic Simons rail systems for their everyday lives – But what is an acceptable level of public LRTA PUBLISHING REGISTERED OFFICE: c/o 8 Berwick Place, commuting, shopping, leisure – LRT must subsidy – especially in these tough times Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL7 4TU. Private Limited Company, No. 06169422 in England and Wales. offer them good value for money. of budget cuts and slashing of resources We have highlighted the growing for many local authorities? © LRTA Publishing 2013. challenges from car manufacturers who Relying on fare revenues alone Articles are submitted on the understanding they may also later be used on our websites or other media. A contribution is accepted on the basis that are fighting amongst themselves for cannot be the sole key to sustainable its author is responsible for the opinions expressed in it, and such opinions increased market share, but what are we services. Private sector operators often are not those of LRTA Publishing or the LRTA. All rights reserved. all doing to make urban rail transit a do an exceptional job of providing such No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording ‘no brainer’ for everyday travel? services, but they need support and such or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior It comes down to the question of local social services should be, in many ways, permission in writing from the copyright owner. Multiple copying of the authority subsidies maintaining services at seen as ‘loss leaders’ for authorities to contents of the magazine without prior written approval is not permitted. affordable levels. The effective delivery of provide them wherever possible in the such infrastructure projects is, of course, name of responsible urban management.

THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE HEADLINES The second CAF Urbos 3 an essential part of the mix, as trying to It is a shame to see new LRT systems like l alstom enters north american lrt market

l Jaén seeks bids for unopened tramway tram for Besançon – repay initial capital investment through the starter line in Jaén, Spain, falter, but l extensions and new boss for manchester named after famous fare revenues in the short-term to create short-term pain in the respect of subsidies Besançon residents truly commercially viable services is must be accepted for the sake of longer- the Lumière brothers nigh-on impossible. So we need to make term city development strategies. – at CAF’s static test sure we are delivering robust, cost- Finally, I’d like to thank all of you who track in Bagnères, effective infrastructure in the first instance. continue to fill my inbox and post tray with world tram orders: France, in February. Yet in the same way as utility provision, comment on the editorial in TAUT. We full list and analysis The 24m vehicle is Crossrail for Cardiff? The case for tram-train education and refuse collection, decent pride ourselves in offering a platform as United Streetcar Green tracks Behind the scenes The challenges also prepared for with the newest of implementing quality mass transit opportunities should a voice for the industry and its supporters entry to the US and maintaining

streetcar market green systems APRIL 2013 future supercapacitor No. 904 w w w . l r ta . o r g l w w w . t r a m n e w s . n e t £3.80 be the responsibility of local authorities to and observers, so keep them coming.

TAUT_1304_Cover.indd 1 28/02/2013 13:52 operation. CAF

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org APRIL 2013 123

123_TAUT1304_Contents.indd 1 01/03/2013 11:18 News MANCHESTER: DROYLSDEN AND ROCHDALE EXTENSIONS OPEN PUBLIC services on the 6.3km (3.9-mile) by M5000 trams, but they do fill in as single crossing opened in January. The new line Droylsden extension began on 11 February, cars on the through Bury – Altrincham ser- is to link St Peter’s Square with Victoria with passengers carried free on the previous vice or the MediaCity short workings. The station via Princess Street and Cross Street; three days provided they had one of 20 000 majority of M5000 cars delivered are now if approval is given after the two-week invitations distributed along the route and also in service and able to operate on all lines. Inquiry construction could start by the end available from Metrolink staff on platforms. Withdrawal of more T68 trams is expected of the year as funding is guaranteed from Services are currently provided by extend- shortly; the most recent withdrawal, 1025, the GBP1.5bn (approx. EUR1.74bn) Greater ing the 12-minute headway Bury – Piccadil- has been fitted out as a de-icing tram. Manchester Transport Fund. ly service through the undercroft to Eastside On 28 February, the extension from Shaw . Metrolink has a new Director appointed by stops at New Islington, Holt Town, Etihad & Crompton to Rochdale station also opened Transport for Greater Manchester. Peter Cush- Campus, Velopark, Clayton Hall, Edge Lane, with the first tram departing Rochdale at ing replaces Philip Purdy who is shortly to Cemetery Road and Droylsden. A further 05.59. The line includes five stops – Newhey, return to his native Australia. Mr Cushing was section, from Droylsden to Ashton-under- Milnrow, Kingsway, Newbold and Rochdale previously Operations Director at the former Lyne (3.8km/2.36 miles) will open around railway station – although the extension to Central Trains operation but has been assist- the turn of the year. Rochdale town centre will not open until ing in an interim role at Metrolink since 2008. The new extensions are not normally used 2014. A peak ‘anytime’ single from Rochdale . Manchester City football manager Robert by the T68 tram fleet, whose numbers have to central Manchester costs GBP4.10 (EUR4), Mancini and star players Vincent Kompany, been further reduced; 13 remain in service, an ‘anytime’ return is GBP6.20 (EUR6). Joe Hart and James Milner have lent their mainly operating in pairs on the through The new services and increased frequen- voices to the city’s tram service to and from Bury to Altrincham service. The more cies that are promised as traffic builds up the Etihad Campus stop on match days. The modern T68A fleet now has no regular use continue to put pressure on the cross-city Etihad Campus stop lies on the newly- as the Eccles service is normally operated centre link and the Inquiry into the second opened East Manchester line. Left: Droylsden bound M5000 car 3045 calls at the Velopark stop on Monday 11 February, the first day of revenue service on the East Manchester Line. Mike Haddon Right: Peter Cushing, the new Metrolink Director for TfGM, appointed in late January and replacing Philip Purdy. TfGM

US environmental rules The US Department of Vancouver Bids could push Cincinatti Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration has announced Evergreen line streetcar plan to USD130m the first revisions in 25 years to speed up the environmental contract award BIDS received in February for the civil engineering works on the review process all transit EGRT Construction, an SNC- urban tramway circulator project in Cincinnati, Ohio, have come projects seeking federal Lavalin led consortium, has back in the range USD71-87m, at least USD26m above city esti- funding must go through. been awarded the CAD889m mates. Opponents of the scheme, including mayoral candidate and Efficiencies will be achieved (EUR658m) contract to finance, former councilman John Cranley, have again called for the plan to be by allowing agencies to design and build Vancouver’s scrapped as there is no source of funding to cope with an overrun on spend less time preparing 11km (6.8-mile) Evergreen line, the USD110m project. documentation, particularly due for completion in 2016. Given the current funding scenario, the city is carefully considering if an existing right-of-way is Under the contract, EGRT its options, including retendering for the project with a pared-back involved. The new rules were will be responsible for construc- design. City spokeswoman Meg Olberding told local media: “We introduced in February. tion of elevated and surface need to look at all [the bids] and figure out what our options are.W e alignments, a 2km (1.2-mile) need to do an analysis to see what is behind the numbers. Then we’ll Kolkata trial success tunnel at Burquitlam, seven sta- decide if we need to start all over again.” The prototype four-axle bogie tions, power substations, park- In other news, the city council has reached agreement on a way tram launched in Kolkata and-ride facilities and a depot. forward in its dispute over utility relocation with provider Duke (Calcutta) in late 2012 has The line will link Lougheed and Energy. Duke will now relocate its services while a court determines been judged a success and Douglas College in Coquitlam, responsibility for the costs. An operations agreement has been signed 12 cars of this type should be giving a 40-minute journey time to cover relations once the tramway is operating. in service within three months. using the same ALRT technology CAF has started construction of the five low-floor trams ordered as the Skytrain system. in a USD20m contract, with the first expected to arrive in July 2014.

124 APRIL 2013 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org US TRANSPORTATION Rowen to join Passenger Focus Paul Rowen, TAUT columnist, SECRETARY STANDS DOWN Light Rail Transit Association RAY L aHOOD, who has been transportation advocates for his board member and former US Transportation Secretary success in office and poured Chair of the UK’s All-Party through the first term of the investment into public transpor- Parliamentary Light Rail Obama administration, has de- tation and supported the devel- Group, has been appointed to cided to stand down as soon as a opment of livable communities, the board of Passenger Focus, successor is confirmed. as well as kick starting the US the UK’s statutory passenger Describing his post as ‘the high-speed rail programme. watchdog, by Transport best job I’ve ever had in public Michael Melaniphy, Presi- Minister Patrick McLoughlin. service’, and despite being dent and CEO of the American Rowen takes up the position asked by the President to stay Public Transportation Asso- from 1 March and joins on, LaHood has decided it is ciation, described LaHood as five new board members, time for someone else to take “an outstanding transportation including Professor Paul over. Amongst his last duties leader and a tireless advocate Salveson, a rail professional were attending the opening of for public transportation”. with 35 years’ experience, the Loyola Avenue tramline in Above: Retiring US Transportation By late February President including the development of New Orleans, and announcing Secretary Ray LaHood. DOT Obama had still to nominate community rail concept. USD1.55bn in federal grant for a successor; one name being Honolulu’s transit line. tives for Preoria, Illinois, and discussed is Los Angeles Mayor Lagos first phase LaHood, 68, was appointed in served on the House Transporta- Antonio Villaraigosa, although ‘ready by June’ January 2009 and became one of tion and Infrastructure Commit- in a statement since he has said China Civil Engineering & only two only Republicans in the tee from 1995 to 2000. he remains focused on the last Construction Company has Obama cabinet. He is a member La Hood received widespread four months of his second term announced that it expects to of the US House of Representa- praise from environmental and as mayor of Los Angeles. hand over the first 7.75km (4.8-mile) section of metro in June. The Blue line will eventually extend to 27.5km (17 miles) and be followed by Sad future for Jaén’s ‘tram to nowhere’ the 30km (18.6-mile) Red line. THE city council in the Spanish city of Jaén has services stopped just over two weeks later after a Service will be provided announced an “auction” of its EUR100m 4.7km court ruled in favour of a local bus operator and using ex-Toronto metro cars. (2.9-mile) light rail system that opened briefly in granted an injunction. The trams have remained in May 2011 but has remained mothballed ever since. the depot unused ever since. Ottawa LRT boss Dramatically revised revenue projections of As a result of the city being unable to sustain moves to Toronto EUR1.3m will not cover annual operating costs such an operating subsidy, FGC has confirmed it John Jensen, director of the of EUR3.3m, nor a further EUR1.7m in interest will not operate services at a loss. A private sector office overseeing Ottawa’s repayments of the system’s fleet of five Alstom operator is being sought to run the system at its CAD2.1bn (EUR1.55bn) low-floor trams, as revealed in a year-long audit of own risk, but options are rapidly disappearing for light rail project joined the scheme by Catalonian railway operator FGC. the system often referred to as ‘a tram to nowhere’ provincial transport authority Construction on the line began in 2009 with and responsibility may pass back to the regional Metrolinx on 15 February to free trial services beginning on 3 May 2011. These government to dispose of the assets. head up Toronto’s major LRT expansion. Toronto is embarking on a major 52km (32.3-mile) network of four new light rail Left: An Alstom lines, which are to be built Citadis sits in the by 2020. depot in Jaén in late Gary Craig, chief of light 2010. The system rail design and construction opened and closed in the Ottawa rail office, will in May 2011 and take over Jensen’s position in the vehicles and an acting capacity. infrastructure now Geoff Lusher takes face an uncertain Chair at Pre Metro future. Alstom John Parry, of Parry People Movers, has stepped down as Chairman of Pre-Metro Doha tram track contract Operations – the operator Moskva picks Ust-Katav of light rail services on TRACK system supplier Rail.One has been the Stourbridge Junction – awarded the contract to supply its Rheda City for major tram order Stourbridge Town branch in ballastless track solution to the Education City the UK’s West Midlands. tramway project in Doha, Qatar. MOSKVA city council has placed a RUR1.1bn His replacement is Geoff Around 15km (9.3 miles) of the line will be (approx. EUR27.5m) order with Ust-Katav for the Lusher, former LRTA Chairman installed with concrete cover and a short section supply of 67 partially low-floor 16m single-car and also a former General with turf cover. The production of around 14 000 bogie trams of type KTM-23. Delivery is due to be Manager of the Midland concrete sleepers is scheduled to start in the first completed by 1 October. Metro tramway system. Mr quarter of 2013, at a facility in Hail, Saudi Arabia. In a similar order, Moscow’s Aeroexpress has Parry, 75, will concentrate on The catenary-free tramway is to open in late ordered 24 double-deck Stadler KISS EMUs to in- further developing the Parry 2015, with a fleet of 19 three-section Siemens crease capacity on its airport rail link services from People Mover business. Avenio low-floor trams. 2015; there is an option for 13 more trains.

www.tramnews.net l www.Irta.org APRIL 2013 125 News

Edinburgh Proposed UK UK HIGH-SPEED Glasgow high-speed network. Diagrammatic ROUTES SPARK only. Not to NEW LRT DEBATE Newcastle scale.

THE UK Government announced the provisional routes of proposed West Coast East Coast high-speed rail lines north of Birmingham in January. They comprise a Main Line Main Line line north-west to Manchester with potential stops at Stafford, Crewe, Manchester Airport and Manchester city centre, and a line north-east to Nottingham/Derby, Sheffield and Leeds. As several of the stations will Leeds be out of town, opportunities for linking them to city centre locations Manchester by tram or tram-train are being explored. South Yorkshire Liverpool In the case of Birmingham, proposals are being investigated to East Midlands extend Midland Metro to the already announced Curzon Street site of the new station. In Manchester, Metrolink will already be operational to the airport by the time the high-speed line is constructed and the city centre station will be close to the existing Piccadilly Station, also well Birmingham Birmingham Interchange served by Metrolink. (Birmingham Airport) On the north-east branch a station to serve Derby and Nottingham Crossrail Interchange will be located at Toton. Nottingham has already indicated that it will (Old Oak Common) be looking at linking a tram-train line from Toton into its expanded LONDON Phase 2 tram network. Derby has yet to indicate a formal position but Heathrow business leaders and TramForward, the Light Rail Transit Association’s Airport Euston campaign group, have suggested that the council should consider a tram-train link to the city centre, which could also provide a link to the Nottingham system making through tram journeys possible. In Sheffield the station would be sited at Meadowhall, which already has a Supertram route and will also be served by the proposed new tram-train service to Rotherham and Parkgate. However, it is suggested that a new link could be provided from the city centre through the Sheaf Valley with stops at Heeley, Nether Edge and Millhouses, and High speed network Existing lines for Heathrow Express ending at Dore. (Phases I & II) direct services

Chengdu is Ottawa order marks Alstom’s entry China’s latest tramway scheme to North American LRV market THE Rideau Transit Group consortium – selected to CAD533.6m (EUR393.6m) for the supply of 34 THE city of Chengdu in design, build, finance and maintain the CAD2.13bn 100% low-floor LRVs and 30 years’ maintenance, south-western China has (approx. EUR1.5bn) Confederation line in Ottawa, with delivery in 2015-17. The cars will be built in revealed a tramway project and Canada, has placed an order with Alstom worth the US and assembled in Ottawa. its first tram vehicle arrived in The design will be known as Citadis Spirit with February. Vossloh has sent its a 100km/h (62mph) top speed with adaptations to prototype Tramlink low-floor permit reliable operation in winter conditions. It is car, that has been on trial in understood the tram will be based on the European Velencia, Spain, and subsequent- Citadis Dualis tram-train used in Nantes and Lyon. ly received an order for 22 more. “This project marks the successful entry of The city has operated a short Alstom into the North American Light Rail Vehicle heritage tramway in Anren market,” Guillaume Mehlman, President of Alstom Town restored area since Febru- Transport North America, said in a statement. “The ary 2011, and has a two-line Citadis Spirit is very flexible and can be adapted to metro, opened in 2010, with two the needs of other cities across North America.” more lines under construction. The CAD3.8bn (EUR2.8bn) contract to build At present further details of and maintain the 12.5km (7.8-mie) line (including the proposed tramway have not The new Alstom Citadis Spirit for North America will make a 2.5km, 1.55-mile, city subway) was signed in been published. its first appearance in Ottawa. Alstom February. Opening is expected in early 2018.

Left: Budapest Budapest tender for 37 new trams has some of the longest BUDAPESTI KÖZLEKEDÉSI KÖZPONT has invited tenders for a new fleet of 37 trams to 100% low-floor double-ended trams (25 32-36m long, and 12 52.6m long and all be found 2.4m wide), with options for a further 87 vehicles. Hybrid power or energy storage to reduce power consumption are a requirement for the shorter cars. Delivery is in Europe, required in 2014-15. running 54m The standard-gauge, 600V dc vehicles also have the requirement of being bi-direc- Siemens tional with air-conditioning and being fitted with CCTV. Combino LRVs Tender documents must be submitted by 3 April with the first new trams shipped delivered by the end of 2014 and the remainder due by the third quarter of 2015. The deal will from 2006. be underwritten by the European Union. Siemens

126 APRIL 2013 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org EDINBURGH: LOWER RIDERSHIP FIGURES WILL REQUIRE CITY SUBSIDY EDINBURGH’S new tram system is unlikely through an operating agreement signed at the interest from other operators in leasing the to generate sufficient income to cover costs in end of January. Passenger numbers are now vehicles, it is intended that the full fleet will its first five years of operation with the city expected to be significantly lower in the first be rotated in use unless there are further council needing to allocate up to GBP3.2m two years, before rising to previous estimates developments before the opening date. (approx. EUR3.7m) per annum to cover of about nine million a year. The Scottish Government has refused a initial start-up costs and operational losses, As part of the agreement, Lothian Buses request to include the trams in its Conces- according to a report in The Scotsman. will pay GBP2.7m (EUR3.1m) annually to sionary Fare scheme but Edinburgh Council The funding is likely to be balanced, at least lease the trams, which currently amount to has said it will allow free use of the system in part, by the dividend paid to the council a fleet of 27, although only around 12 are by Edinburgh residents with concessionary by arms-length company Lothian Buses, also likely to be needed to operate the truncated passes. The council is discussing the practi- responsible for operation of the tramway Airport to York Place service. With little calities of this with Transport Scotland. Adelaide suburban electrification GCRT to speed CAF LRV order ELECTRIFICATION slowly approaches for Adelaide’s sub- up street works for Freiburg urban rail system, as evidenced by this photo on 4 February, the GOLDLINQ, concessionaire CAF has won the race to provide day after a month-long closure of the Gold Coast’s AUD1.2bn Freiburg im Breisgau with new of Adelaide’s main station for (EUR920m), 13km (eight-mile) trams, according to the EU’s pre-electrification track work LRT system has announced it is Tenders Electronic Daily and a and erection of gantries over the to fast-track construction works report in Badische Zeitung. approach tracks (which are yet through Surfers Paradise to Although no official an- to be rebuilt and rationalised). A three-car diesel-electric 3100/3000 minimise disruption to traders nouncement had been made as An order for 22 three-car 25kV set approaches the station from Gawler. and residents in a four-month TAUT went to press, the deal is ac trains is under construction The construction works are for the programme finishing in June. understood to be for up to 12 by Bombardier in Melbourne, Medical Research Institute and new Utility works and tracklaying Urbos 3 trams (six, with an with test running expected Royal Adelaide Hospital. Ian Hammond will take place during the inten- option for a further six). It is this year and services on the sive ‘get in, get out’ regime, with expected the first vehicles would Adelaide – Noarlunga – Seaford in Australia, including the first to landscaping, street works and be delivered in 2015. line due early in 2014. Called the meet stringent new international stop fit-out to follow. After June, If the contract is confirmed, A-City Class 4000, the trains are crash specifications as found in there will only be a further two it would mark a significant first claimed to be the most modern Europe. sections left to complete. order for CAF from Germany.

CSR Zhuzhou Wind Chaser wins first order IN YOUR NEXT ISSUE OF A year after revealing its prototype Wind Chaser medium-capacity urban 120 YEARS OF THE MANX ELECTRIC RAILWAY maglev, CSR Zhuzhou has announced it is to supply the It’s a unique and special survivor, and it still carries out largely the technology for a 24km same tasks it did when it opened 120 years ago. The next issue of (15-mile) line from Zhangjiajie Tramways & Urban Transit pays tribute to the Isle of Man’s Manx West to Wulingyuan in Electric Railway’s history – and looks to its future. China’s Hunan province. The three-car prototype MAINTAINING THE ‘WAY’ ON A BIG CITY NETWORK gave a capacity of 598 The role of track maintenance is vital for the safe and smooth passengers and a service operation of tramways. Budapest operator BKV explains how it’s speed of 100km/h (62mph). done on a large, busy and varied big city network. Kevin Thomas takes PORTLAND – MILWAUKIE AND CLOSING THE LOOP over as Serco DLR MD Serco Docklands, operator Vic Simons reports from Oregon on the expansion of both the of the UK’s Docklands Light MAX Light Rail and Portland Streetcar systems – focusing on the Railway, has announced that exciting Portland – Milwaukie cross-river project. Kevin Thomas, previously Engineering & Projects PRAGOIMEX: MODERNISATION AND NEW BUILD Director, is to take on the After World War Two Czcechoslovakia became known for good role of Managing Director, beer, good shoes... and through Tatra, good tramcars. Pragoimex is replacing David Stretch. continuing and developing that tradition, as TAUT explains. In ten years with Serco, Kevin’s experience includes a WORLDWIDE NEWS AND REVIEW number of management roles, including time as Engineering For the latest rolling stock orders and movements, new technology, Director at Manchester system developments and transport policy, TAUT is the essential Metrolink, before joining the light and urban rail reference point. Docklands team in 2011.

www.tramnews.net l www.Irta.org APRIL 2013 127 FOR BOOKINGS AND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES CALL +44 (0) 1832 281135

15-16 May 2013 Manchester Conference Centre 2013 Manchester, UK BOMBARDIER TRANSPORTATION

The 8th Annual UK Light Rail Conference and exhibition brings together over 200 HEADLINE SUPPORTERS decision-makers for two days of open debate covering all aspects of light rail development – the event also includes a planned tour of one of Manchester Metrolink’s new extensions and a dinner and networking event hosted by international public transport operator Keolis.

Modules and debates for 2013 include: ❱ Approaches for reducing trackform costs ❱ Fare collection and revenue protection ❱ Operator forum: Sharing best practice ❱ The role of social media in passenger ❱ Utilities: Striking the right balance communication ❱ Dealing with the weather: ❱ LRT security and safety: The Human Factor Planning for the unexpected ❱ How HS2 can help grow UK LRT ❱ Bridging the structural disconnect between ❱ Edinburgh: Back on track LRT and sustainable development ❱ BIM: A new approach to LRT design ❱ Tram-train: UK and overseas perspectives

OVER 35 SPEAKERS AND PANELISTS, INCLUDING: Norman Baker MP – UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport · Roger Harrison – Chairman, Tramlink Nottingham · Chris Coleman – Managing Director, Metrolink RATP Dev · Howard Smith – Chief Operating Officer, London Rail · Alan Coyle – Project Manager, City of Edinburgh Council · Ian Brown CBE – Director, Crossrail · Michael Sheedy – Light Rail Director, RPA · Mark Ostheimer – Operations Director, National Joint Utilities Group · Richard McClean – Managing Director, DB Regio Tyne & Wear · Simon Coulthard – Head of Tram-Train Projects, Network Rail · Günter Koch – Transport and Operational Consulting, DB International

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UKLRC13 advert TAUT1304.indd 1 28/02/2013 16:27 Rolling stock orders LRT rolling stock orders fall – but competition increases Michael Taplin analyses the year’s tram orders and reviews the trends and prospects for the coming 12 months as smaller manufacturers take increased market share.

ompared with a year ago, the number of trams and has a wider spread of manufacturing sites than Alstom, Above: CAF’s LRVs on order has reduced from more than 3000 including Australia and Canada, which gives it the ability experience with to around 2700, while the number of manufacturers to fulfil multiple orders concurrently, but the European sites wire-free operation Cinvolved has increased from 17 to 21. However, these broad at Bautzen, Brugge and Wien are certainly going to have to in Zaragoza (seen trends hide some interesting movements in the order books. work at maximum efficiency to fulfil the orders gathered. here) helped it win New manufacturers are entering the modern low-floor The huge orders for Toronto (TTC and MetroLinx) the contract for a market, either for local economic reasons (Durmazlar in seemed threatened by the actions of Mayor Rob Ford, but similar system in Turkey and Brookville in the US) or price concerns (Chinese fortunately other voices won the day. the Taiwanese city manufacturers are creeping ever closer to mainstream orders During the past year we have also seen established outside Asia). This is one of the major effects on the order European manufacturers seeking to secure their place in the of Kaohsiung. books of the established manufacturers, most of which show Russian and Chinese markets – that are looking to re-equip J. P. Gonzalvo a reduction compared with 12 months ago. and develop light rail system respectively – by licensing This is particularly noticeable in the case of Alstom, which their products to local manufacturers. a year ago had 556 orders and 131 options, but now has 188 Alstom must be disappointed that its efforts to crack forward orders plus 91 options. Large orders for French and the Russian market by sending a demonstrator Citadis North African systems have been completed, although a to Moskva and Sankt Peterburg came to nothing, despite major new order has come from the company’s involvement initially being named for the Moskva contract. The former with the consortium involved in the Ottawa LRT project. Soviet systems are clearly on a learning curve when it The firm must be pleased to have made this breakthrough comes to transparent procurement, and a legal challenge into the North American market, and also into the UK with saw the order for 120 cars switched to Bombardier’s local an order for Citadis trams for Nottingham, even though partner, Uralvagonzavod. there is little else on the horizon in the immediate term. It In Sankt Peterburg the demonstrator never turned a can probably expect more orders from France and North wheel outside the depot, and one of the world’s largest Africa in time, however. tramways continues to order cars in small numbers from At the opposite end of the scale, it has been a good year manufacturers based in the former Soviet Union. for Bombardier Transportation, with several important The other company showing a better performance this orders and the number of cars on order increasing from 974 year than last is Vossloh, with new orders from Chemnitz (with 108 options) to 1134 (with147 options). Bombardier and Santos in Brazil. The latter is one of several schemes

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org APRIL 2013 129 Rolling stock orders

projected to be ready for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but there seem to be serious doubts about many of them. Spanish manufacturer CAF has had a good 12 months with a raft of orders from new markets, including Australia, Taiwan and Germany (an order for Freiburg was pending as TAUT went to press), as well as a significant order for 16 trams for Stockholm, with options that could take the final deliveries to over 130 vehicles. This expansion outside its core markets of southern Europe and the US shows the firm’s ambition for the future. Although smaller manufacturers such as PESA and Stadler have all fallen back in terms of tram orders during the last 12 months, though it is worth remembering that they have interests in metro and railway car building, so a fall in tram orders may not be bad news overall. Siemens has a good market in North America with its S70 platform, built in Sacramento, California. In Europe, as the Wien ULF production run comes to an end, it is relying on the Avenio low-floor Combino successor to keep its factories busy, and the small order from München Above: Despite As for a number of years, the European market is (largely caused by continuing frustration with the Stadler a slower year, dominated by low-floor system trams such as the Alstom Variobahn) is a modest re-entry into the German market. Alstom’s new low- Citadis, Bombardier Flexity and CAF Urbos. Most of the No doubt the firm is casting its eyes to the Middle East, floor Citadis vehicles major manufacturers now offer wire-free systems using a with Tel Aviv and the Gulf States planning new systems. for Nottingham variety of technologies, though Alstom’s APS is the only The re-election of a Democrat President in the US means (UK) are eagerly one proven in regular traffic over many years. Bombardier money will continue to flow into transit schemes, but progress awaited as part has still to win an order for its Primove system, while on the ground is slow due to political opposition in many of the phase 2 & AnsaldoBreda’s TramWave system has been part of the cities. Small orders spread amongst different manufacturers 3 extensions to Chinese joint venture for the city of Zhuhai, the fruits of its (Brookville, CAF, Siemens and United Streetcar) do the NET system. partnership with Chinese manufacturer CNR Dalian. not look very impressive to date, and the Kinkisharyo Deliveries begin in The Chinese push towards metro construction seems to Ameritram overhead/battery tram has not yet succeeded falter now and again, as the government realises what it is all in attracting orders. However in the more traditional LRV 2014. Nottingham costing, explaining the recent emergence of tramway schemes. market, the firm’s presence received a massive boost from City Council However local politicians in the expanding cities prefer the Los Angeles’ order for its ever-expanding system. prestige of a metro, and are often able to persuade the powers In France, the Socialists won the presidential election that be in Beijing. It remains to be seen to what extent new in May 2012, but the poor economy means that President tramways become mainstream projects across the nation. Hollande has not been able to boost the budget for local Meanwhile the state-owned rolling stock manufacturers transport, as might have been expected. Rapid expansion of are becoming more adept at bidding for orders around the French tramways is slowing, and a joint order for the future world, often undercutting the bids of western manufacturers Amiens and Caen (replacing TVR) projects is one that significantly. The Turkish order for low-floor trams for Alstom will go all out to win, with CAF snapping at its heels. Below left: The Samsun from CSR Tangshan could mark a breakthrough. However, the announcement of an order does not always Bombardier stand Thus, the challenge from Chinese companies may be more mean the end of the story – as we have seen in abundance at an exhibition significant than that posed by the Eastern European car- over the past 12 months, particularly in eastern Europe in Moskva. The builders such as Inekon, PESA, Škoda and Solaris. A year (where they are still learning all about the EU procurement tram design shown ago it seemed these firms might start winning large orders, directive). Legal challenges are common, so we still do not in mock-up is a but this is yet to materialise to any great extent. Another know whether it is CAF trams that will appear on the streets manufacturer, Newag/Modertrans, failed to capitalise after of Tallinn (Estonia) in a couple of years time. Linz example; it is its launch order was re-allocated to Solaris on appeal. not yet certain if Some of these Eastern European manufacturers are also Uralvagonzavod having a harder time finding the business (mainly refurbishing will adopt this for Konstal 105N and Tatra cars) to avoid tough financial times. the Moskva order. The second-hand market is also still rather slow. Metrodvor Rouen has finally managed to sell its Alstom TFS2 trams to Gazantiep in Turkey, and it seems that Bielefeld’s Bottom left: Stadtbahn-M cars will go to Poland. Withdrawn Tatras from HeiterBlick will Berlin and Praha should soon find buyers in Russia and build body sections Ukraine; look for trams from Magdeburg to follow them. and assemble Will anyone want to take Oslo’s AnsaldoBreda low-floor Hannover’s cars, planned to be replaced before too long? Manchester 3000-class Metrolink seems to be struggling to offload the Italian-built high-floor LRV on Manchester T68s, and the same fate may befall Midland behalf of Vossloh/ Metro’s Italian-built cars. TAUT Alstom. Üstra Right: Sankt Peterburg is taking delivery of the Belarus-built Belkommunmash 843 low-floor articulated car; 5211 is seen in Prospekt Engelska on 26 January. A. Sergachyov

130 APRIL 2013 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org TRAMS/LRVS ON ORDER (+ OPTIONS)* Manufacturer Orders + options Delivery Manufacturer Orders + options Delivery Alstom 188 + 91 CSR Zhuzhou 30 Aubagne...... 8 + 10...... Citadis Compact.. 2014 Izmir...... 30 ...... Light metro...... 2011-12 Astana...... 12 + 37.... Citadis...... 2013-14 Durmazlar 14 Bordeaux...... 26 + 30.... Citadis...... 2013-14 Bursa...... 14 ...... Silkworm...... 2013-14 with Dubai...... 11 + 14.... Citadis...... 2013-14 Siemens Nottingham...... 22...... Citadis...... 2013-14 Inekon 70 + 41 Ottawa...... 34...... Citadis...... 2014-15 Almaty...... 34 + 21 ... Superior+...... 2013-14 Paris...... 64...... Citadis...... 2013-14 Olomouc...... 14 ...... Vario LF...... 2013-14 Toulouse...... 4...... Citadis...... 2013 Seattle...... 6 + 20...... Trio...... 2013 Valenciennes...... 7...... Citadis...... 2013 Tashkent...... 16 ...... Vario LF...... 2013 AnsaldoBreda 68 + 7 Kinkisharyo 78 + 157 Genova...... 7 + 7...... High-floor LRV...... 2013-14 Los Angeles...... 78 + 157 . LRV...... 2015-17 FGC Genova...... 1...... Tram-train...... 2013 Firenze...... 29...... Sirio...... 2013-15 PESA 195 Kayseri...... 21...... Sirio...... 2014-15 Kaliningrad...... 3 ...... Swing...... 2013 Zhuhai...... 10...... Sirio...... 2013-14 with Pavlodar...... 85 ...... Twist...... 2013-14 CNR Dalian Szczecin...... 22 ...... Swing...... 2013-14 Astra 24 + 51 Warszawa...... 85 ...... Swing...... 2013-15 Arad...... 24 + 51.... Imperio...... 2012-14 with Siemens Siemens 196 Belkommunmash 15 Atlanta...... 4 ...... S70 streetcar...... 2013 Daugavpils...... 12...... 843...... 2013 Den Haag...... 40 ...... Avenio...... 2014-15 Sankt Peterburg...... 3...... 843...... 2013 Doha...... 19 ...... Avenio...... 2014-15 Houston...... 19 ...... S70...... 2012-13 Bombardier 1134 + 147 Minneapolis...... 31 ...... S70...... 2013-14 Antwerpen...... 38 + 24 ... Flexity 2...... 2015-16 München...... 8 ...... Avenio...... 2014 Basel...... 60 + 51 ... Flexity 2...... 2013-17 Portland...... 18 ...... S70...... 2014-15 Berlin...... 115 ...... Flexity Berlin...... 2013-17 San Diego...... 7 ...... S70s...... 2014 Brussels...... 65 ...... Flexity...... 2011-14 Wien...... 50 ...... ULF...... 2013-14 Essen...... 27 ...... Flexity Classic...... 2013-14 Frankfurt-am-Main...... 10 ...... Flexity Classic...... 2013 Solaris 38 ...... 78 ...... Flexity Swift...... 2014-17 Braunschweig...... 18 ...... Tramino...... 2014 Gent...... 10 + 16 ... Flexity 2...... 2014-15 Jena...... 5 ...... Tramino...... 2013 Gold Coast...... 14 ...... Flexity 2...... 2013-14 Olztyn...... 15 ...... Tramino...... 2014 Halle...... 12 + 4 ..... Flexity Classic...... 2012-13 Škoda 241 Karlsruhe...... 10 + 45 ... Flexity Swift...... 2013-13 Konya...... 60 ...... 15T...... 2014-15 Kassel...... 4 ...... Flexity Classic...... 2013 Miskolc...... 31 ...... 26T...... 2013-14 with Krefeld...... 12 + 7 ..... Flexity Outlook..... 2014-15 Ganz Marseille...... 6 ...... Flexity Outlook..... 2014 Praha...... 150 ...... 15T...... 2013-17 Manchester...... 44 ...... M5000...... 2013-15 Mannheim RNV...... 11 ...... Variobahn...... 2014 Stadler 41 Melbourne...... 50 ...... Flexity...... 2013-14 Bergen...... 12 ...... Variobahn...... 2014 Moskva...... 120 ...... Flexity 2...... 2014-15 with Potsdam...... 9 ...... Variobahn...... 2013 Uralvagonzavod Stuttgart...... 20 ...... DT8...... 2012-13 Mülheim/Ruhr...... 5 ...... Flexity Classic...... 2014 Plauen...... 12 ...... Flexity Classic...... 2013 Vossloh 179 + 148 Strausberg...... 2 ...... Flexity Berlin...... 2013 Chemnitz...... 8 + 2 ...... Tram-train...... 2014 Suzhou...... 18 ...... Flexity 2...... 2014 with Chengdu ...... 23 ...... Tramlink ...... 2013-14 CSR Nanjing Hannover...... 50 + 96.... Typ 3000...... 2013-14 with Toronto...... 195 ...... Flexity Freedom.... 2013-15 Alstom/Heiterblick Toronto (Metrolinx)...... 182 ...... LRV...... 2014-16 Karlsruhe...... 25 + 50 ... Citylink...... 2013-14 Waterloo – Kitchener...14 ...... LRV...... 2014-15 Rostock...... 13 ...... Tramlink...... 2013-14 Wien...... 20 ...... Flexity Swift...... 2014-15 Santos...... 22 ...... Citylink...... 2014-15 South Yorkshire...... 7 ...... Tram-train...... 2013-14 Brookville 2 + 2 Wuppertal...... 31 ...... Schwebebahn...... 2013-14 Dallas...... 2 + 2 ...... Liberty...... 2014 Transtech 40 + 95 CAF 199 + 151 Helsinki...... 40 + 95...... 2013-16 Besançon...... 19 ...... Urbos 3...... 2013-14 Cuiabá...... 40 ...... Urbos 3...... (order pending) United Streetcar 11 Debrecen...... 18 ...... Urbos 3...... 2013 Tucson...... 8 ...... 200...... 2013 Cincinnati...... 5 + 20 ..... Urbos 3...... 2013-14 Washington...... 3 ...... 200...... 2013-14 Freiburg...... 6 + 6 ...... Urbos 3...... 2015 (order pending) Ust-Katav 67 Houston...... 39 ...... High-floor LRV...... 2013-14 Moskva ...... 67 ...... KTM23 ...... 2013 Kaohsiung...... 12 ...... Urbos 3...... 2014 Stockholm...... 15 + 106 . Urbos AXL...... 2013-16 Orders pending 435 + 152 Sydney...... 10 ...... Urbos 3...... 2014-15 Bydgoszcz 15 Mexico City 4 West Midlands...... 20 + 5 ..... Urbos 3...... 2014-15 Amiens/Caen 70 Oslo 45 Tallinn...... 15 + 15 ... Urbos 3...... Order challenged Darmstadt 10 + 10 Plzen 18 Detroit 6 San Antonio 5 CNR Dalian 20 Freiburg-im-Breisgau 6 + 6 Sassi 3 + 6 Shenyang...... 20...... 2013 Gdansk 5 Tel-Aviv 90 + 30 Göteborg 40 + 60 Torun 18 CSR Tangshan 5 Hasselt 12 Ulm 12 Samsun...... 5...... 2014 Innsbruck 22 Zürich 30 + 40 København 24 *as at February 2013

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org APRIL 2013 131 South Wales LRT A Crossrail for Cardiff? Mark Barry, a member of the South Wales Metro Consortium argues the case for tram-train routes across the Welsh capital.

n 2011, a report published by the Institute of Welsh over the next 25 years, especially in Cardiff, which the Affairs in association with the Cardiff Business Welsh Government has projected will reach around Partnership* argued for major investment in South East 460 000 people by 2033. Wales’I transport infrastructure, to support long-term growth In parallel with population growth, according to Stats and regeneration as part of a strategic economic plan for the Wales, to 2011 there was an increase of over 30 000, or Cardiff City Region. about 17%, in Cardiff’s workplace employment from the The Metro concept has, at its core and as a first phase, around 180 000 recorded in 2001. That represents more than the electrification of the South Wales Valley lines heavy 80% of the net total increase for all of South East Wales. rail network. It is envisaged that this core network would This is reflected in the GVA (Gross Value Added)/capita be extended across the region with heavy rail, tram-train of Cardiff and the Vale, which, at 104% of the UK average, and Bus Rapid Transit to provide turn-up-and-go integrated is ahead of many Valley communities where a GVA/head of transport linking all major communities and employment/ around 60% of the UK average is more typical. However, development locations across the region. Cardiff’s GVA/capita falls behind places like Belfast, Nottingham, Edinburgh and Bristol that all have a GVA/ Valley Line Electrification capita above 125% of the UK average. It was therefore most welcome, in July 2012, to hear the Cardiff’s Gross Disposable Household Income (GDHI) UK’s Department for Transport approve electrification is also low at only 91% of the UK average. In fact when of the Great Western Main Line (GWML) heavy rail compared to other parts of the UK it seems the major corridor to Swansea, and the Valley lines. The Valley Lines economic challenge for South East Wales is as much about Electrification (VLE) project represents probably the most Cardiff’s underperformance compared to leading towns/ significant investment in Welsh rail infrastructure since the cities of other regions as it is to do with economic inactivity Severn Tunnel opened in 1886. in some Valley communities. The benefits of what is in effect the first phase of a South Wales Metro are clear; an electrified rail network is The transport challenge cheaper to operate and more environmentally friendly, and Whilst VLE’s benefits to the Valleys are clear, and include enhanced connectivity between major towns and cities will faster and more frequent journeys to Cardiff, the benefits for help the economy of the whole region. However, this is just Cardiff residents are more limited. This is especially true for a first step in transport infrastructure investments that must 150 000 in the east of the city (from Roath to St Mellons), be used to help address economic challenges facing both unconnected to the regional rail network. It is unthinkable Cardiff and the wider City Region, and provide the catalyst for a UK city of that size not to have any rail stations. for a range of transport-enabled development projects. In places like Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT), Caerphilly and Below: Regional the Vale of Glamorgan, which will have the larger part of The economic challenge variations in GVA/ their populations served by the newly-electrified valley rail Cardiff has a population, based on census data for 2011, of Head from ONS Dec network, the average number of people per station is 346 000 (11% higher than the 310 000 recorded in 2001) 2012: Highs and 11 000-12 000; the figure in Cardiff is over 17 000. within a wider Cardiff City Region population of over 1.4 Lows in 2011. M&G With VLE, many communities in the Valleys will have million. This population is expected to grow significantly Barry Consulting good access to the centre of Cardiff; future issues will be

Regional, Sub-regional and local GVA 2011

132 APRIL 2013 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org frequency of service and capacity rather than connectivity. Above: Illustration The increased regional connectivity would also enhance However, for many parts of Cardiff, the primary issue of a potential South the ‘travel to work area’ of key Valleys towns by giving is lack of regional connectivity. When one factors in the Wales Metro. The large numbers of Cardiff residents the option of accessing addition of 40 000 new homes and over 60 000 more people Valley lines are employment in places like Caerphilly and Pontypridd, via in Cardiff to 2026, as well as a need for connectivity to a projected to soon connections between Crossrail and Valley line services at range of development sites, the challenges of delivering become the core Central, Queen St, Ely Mill, Crwys Rd and others. public transport in the city become even starker. of this project, With four trains per hour using high quality tram-train So Cardiff, with a transport network designed for a city extending across rolling stock and park-and-ride sites for the M4 at J32, of under 300 000 people, needs to develop a network for J33 and St Mellons, a ‘Cardiff Crossrail’ would attract one with more than 400 000 at the heart of a city region of the region. M&G many new passengers to the rail network. Furthermore, 1.4m; the South Wales Metro must address this as well as Barry Consulting by integrating bus services across the city (especially providing connectivity to/from the valleys. Fairwater, St Mellons and Rumney) on a single ticket, a truly integrated transport system would begin to emerge. Crossrail: Development and connectivity A project that could begin to deliver a solution is a ‘Cardiff Development and regeneration Crossrail’ providing ‘metro’ services across the city. An Cardiff Crossrail also provides opportunities to satisfy east-west Crossrail service from St Mellons in the east all Welsh Government planning policy objectives regarding the way to Junction 33 of the M4 motorway/Creigiau in the transport-related development, as set out in the recently west would use the GWML electrified Relief lines east of published Planning Policy Wales. This paper included the Cardiff Central, the city line and the reinstatement of old following statements: track from Fairwater to Creigiau. A complementary north- “…near major public transport interchanges in city, town south Crossrail service would operate from J32, on the and district centres, planning authorities should allocate Coryton line, to Cardiff Bay, with interchange at Callaghan available sites for uses that maximise the accessibility Square with the east-west line. potential of the site... Local authorities should identify in By adopting tram-train technology, the Crossrail project development plans and RTPs [Regional Transport Plans] would also enable realisation of the long-discussed light rail the need for additional interchange sites and improvements link between the city centre and the bay. On-street running to existing interchanges…. south of Central between Tyndal Street and the Taff rail bridge would also free up capacity at Cardiff Central and THE METRO CONSORTIUM link directly with a realigned tram-train route to Cardiff Bay. The line could also connect Dumballs Rd, the Butetown The Metro Consortium is a group of stakeholders promoting the Metro concept as estate and a possible conference/convention centre, and a regeneration project and lobbying for a step change in the approach to, and provide the backbone of the Cardiff Enterprise Zone. investment in, transport across the Cardiff City Region. Membership represents diverse interests and currently includes Capita Symonds, M&G Barry Consulting, Curzon New/enhanced stations at Ely Mill, St Mellons, Crwys Rd, Estates, Paramount Office Interiors, Cardiff Business Partnership, British Gas, The Wedal Rd (for Heath Hospital), Rover Way, Splott, Waterhall Institute of Welsh Affairs, Jones Lang LaSalle, Wardell Armstrong, JR Smart and Powell and so on would address relatively poor rail connectivity Dobson Urbanists. For more information contact Mark Barry: +44 (0)7771 893292, in many parts of the city, and encourage regeneration and [email protected] or visit www.mgbarryconsulting.com development and facilitate denser mixed-use development.

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org APRIL 2013 133 South Wales LRT

“…development plans should also encourage higher density and mixed-use development near public transport Potential Cardiff Crossrail tram-train nodes, or near corridors well served by public transport. “…local authorities should identify in development plans North-South: Coryton to Cardiff Bay and RTPs the need for additional interchange sites and East-West: St Mellons to J33/Creigan improvement to existing interchanges.” The Crossrail project provides multiple opportunities to deliver on these objectives by enabling delivery of strategic development projects across Cardiff. For example: Coryton J32 P Rover Way: A new station would serve residential areas To south of the railway, provide an interchange to bus services Coryton Llanishen Heath Newport, and enable mixed use and denser development in/around J33 P Heath Bristol, Llandaf Low Level High Level Newport Road/Colchester Avenue (currently dominated by London six lanes of traffic and car parks separating retail). St Mellons P Ely Mill: Public transport access to the new Ely Mill development could be significantly enhanced by a new Cathays To station on the east-west line. This could also connect Ninian Cardiff Bridgend, Pk Victoria Park and enable even higher density development Swansea Central; at Ely Mill/Mill. J33 and Waterhall: Proposals for up to 10 000 houses Grangetown from Waterhall out to J33 and Creigiau can only proceed once public transport to this part of Cardiff is significantly improved. East-west Crossrail would achieve this as well as Cogan Bristol Channel enabling park-and-ride and commercial development at J33. CARDIFF St Mellons: As at J33, a station at St Mellons would BAY underpin further commercial and residential development, provide a location for park-and-ride, and significantly improve public transport connectivity to the St Mellons estate. Regeneration/increased commercial activity in/around Crwys Road: A new station on the north-south Crossrail KEY: would enable denser development in and around City Road/ Core electrified heavy rail Crwys Road/Albany Road and connect this dynamic part of Existing stations Cardiff to the regional transport network. Park-and-ride at J32/Coryton: An extension of the Current/potential development current Coryton line to J32 would serve a park-and-ride and provide vastly improved public transport access to Forest Cardiff Crossrail tram-train: Farm and Green Meadow Springs business parks. Using existing electrified line NOTE: Diagrammatic Cardiff Central as ‘gateway’ to Cardiff and the city New sections only. Not to region: By 2022, VLE will generate above-trend flows on New stations the Valley lines, and the new Intercity Express Programme scale. Some services to London, combined with a westward rail link to P New park-and-ride detail omitted Heathrow airport, will increase GWML patronage. Cardiff Possible future extensions for clarity. Central station will therefore need upgrading to handle over Motorways 20 million entries/exits per year (against around 11.5m in 2011) and provide a multimodal interchange at the heart of the Cardiff Enterprise Zone. Above: Cardiff With Cardiff Council exploring its Local Development It would be possible to extend east-west Crossrail to Crossrail project Plan and a Welsh Government Task Force investigating the Newport/Llanwern in the east and to RCT in the west. This could deliver Metro concept, this is the right time to be putting forward is a project that Cardiff, RCT and Newport councils could a solution for projects such as Crossrail. However, to make it a reality, all help and support. Further extensions within Cardiff development and the scheme must be identified as one of a small number of could also be considered. regeneration across strategic, regional ‘Metro projects’ alongside, for example, the region. Ebbw Vale Town to Newport, Cross Valley BRT and Delivering the scheme perhaps a Valleys Circle Line. By augmenting the Metro’s Whilst this project would cost perhaps GBP200m first phase, VLE, these projects can form the basis of a (approx. EUR234m), it is affordable and can be delivered strategic Metro Plan for the region that can be delivered in a incrementally, especially when one considers the phased programme, from perhaps 2017 to 2026. development potential enabled by its delivery. For example, * A Metro for Wales’ Capital City Region – Connecting 40 000 new homes in Cardiff could secure a sales value Cardiff, Newport and the Valleys, Mark Barry, published by of GBP6bn (EUR7bn) (at GBP150 000 / EUR175 000, the Institute of Welsh Affairs in association with the Cardiff per residence); it would not be unreasonable to secure a Business Partnership, 2011. ISBN 978 1 904773 55 9. TAUT proportion of this value to contribute to the Crossrail project. We must also learn from other transport-led regeneration ABOUT THE AUTHOR projects. At a recent dinner in Cardiff, Terry Morgan, Chair of London’s Crossrail, stressed the importance of Mark Barry was born Biotech firm Q Chip Ltd. City Region – Connecting using transport schemes to stimulate economic activity and and grew up in Cardiff. Mark now has his Cardiff, Newport and regeneration, and exploit the land use impact and value He left in 1981 to study own consultancy, offering The Valleys, published uplift that can result around new transport links and stations. at Manchester University, services including by the Cardiff Business The Cardiff Crossrail proposal provides multiple station- graduating in 1985, strategic economic Partnership and the focused regeneration opportunities across the city, the before working in London and transport policy Institute of Welsh Affairs value of which can be captured to help fund some of the and overseas in the IT/ development, programme in February 2011. development costs. So, by exploring innovative funding software industry. management, business Mark also contributed mechanisms alongside more traditional sources, Cardiff From 1997, Mark spent strategy, and fundraising, to the development of Crossrail can be delivered over perhaps ten years. Perhaps a five years in management especially for new the strategic case for the consultancy and in 2003 technology companies. electrification of the Valley Public Private Partnership in the form of a Metro or Cardiff founded, and until 2009 He is the author of ‘A Lines and GWML to Crossrail development corporation could be tasked with was CEO of, Cardiff Metro for Wales’ Capital Swansea. developing and delivering these schemes?

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135_TAUT1304_SUBS_Supplies_V3.indd 1 27/02/2013 16:59 United Streetcar The US-built 21st Century Streetcar With a growing reputation and a strong order book, United Streetcar goes from strength to strength. TAUT reports from Clackamas, Oregon.

handra Brown, CEO of United Streetcar (USC) REPORT AND as Ms Brown explained that even without a US propulsion lives and breathes streetcars and her enthusiasm for IMAGES BY system, United Streetcar more than meets the 60% US the light rail industry and its exciting growth phase VIC SIMONS content level to meet Buy America regulations and thus Cin the US is infectious. Speaking to TAUT, Ms Brown attract Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grants for discussed the future of the mode and emphasised the focus its customers. In fact, the firm works with around 200 and ethos that drives the company. suppliers across 20 states in the construction of its vehicles. Spotting a niche in the market for US-made, small-run The fact that 17 vehicles have been sold fairly quickly vehicle orders, in late 2005 Portland-based Oregon Iron bears out Brown’s belief that streetcars and light rail Works (OIW) – a leading metals fabrication company systems have different, although connected, markets and specialising in the transportation, structural engineering and that the streetcar, apart from offering a transport mode, defence industries – formed subsidiary United Streetcar to makes a significant contribution to both the environment serve a developing, albeit small at the time, industry for the and local economic development. manufacture of streetcars for urban circulator systems. This opportunity was driven to fill demand in those From partnership to prototypes North American cities where more mainstream LRVs from Despite initially teaming up with Czech manufacturer Škoda established vehicle manufacturers such as Siemens and for the prototype design, further developments have seen Kinkisharyo were not appropriate due to size, topography or USC dramatically alter the original concept at its Clackamas cost. Based next to OIW̓s main plant on a 40-acre (16 ha.) facility to meet the requirements of its domestic customers. site in Clackamas, Oregon, USC also has a 1.2km (0.75-mile) Above: Portland The latest generation of US streetcar systems operate on test track, the only such dedicated streetcar facility in the US. Streetcar car 15 just shorter routes with more stops and lower running speeds, From the ‘we can fabricate anything’ OIW culture, the north of its crossing generally less than 48km/h (30mph) whereas the more belief that the construction of a viable modern US streetcar with the MAX LRT ‘traditional’ LRT systems can operate at speeds of up to vehicle was achievable emerged. The first prototype Škoda system's recently 80km/h (50mph) or more. Usually streetcars are street- design-based car was only ever intended as a starting point opened Blue line. running systems with little reserved track.

136 APRIL 2013 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org Left: United Streetcar’s 1.2km (0.75-mile) test track is unique as a facility of its kind in the US. Right: One of the type 100 cars for Portland Streetcar under construction. Right below: Type 200 car being built for the Sun Link Modern Streetcar project for Tucson, Acting as key drivers for economic growth, these new systems have achieved good passenger take-up, to the extent Arizona – due to that extensions to existing lines are being built across the open in late 2013 nation with the Portland extension partially opened in 2012. This success led to the decision to produce a fully US designed and built prototype – car 015, the first such modern vehicle designed and built in the country since 1952 – and this was launched in Portland in July 2009 with a propulsion system from Škoda. With other components sourced from US companies to a level of 70%, the vehicle became eligible for an FTA grant of around USD5m (EUR3.8m). There followed an extended test programme before full-scale manufacture could begin. In April 2010, the FTA awarded a USD2.4m grant to regional transit agency TriMet and the City of Portland to help develop a US-made propulsion system and, with a USD600 000 matching grant from TriMet, work began with Milwaukee-based Rockwell Automation. The project’s goal is sufficient room in the marketplace for both sizes of was to fill a major hole in the US streetcar supply chain operation to be able to grow from strength to strength and as until that point no propulsion systems were developed we expect to see further orders in the near future as smaller domestically; the installed system took domestic content in urban circulator systems get their plans off the ground. the newly designated 100 class car to around 90%. With the prototype being well-received, further orders l Grateful thanks are due to Chandra Brown and Christine were generated from Portland Streetcar for its existing north- Hotchkin of United Streetcar for their hospitality and south line and Central/Eastside loop, and for the Sun Link assistance in the preparation of this article. TAUT Modern Streetcar system in Tucson, Arizona. A further order for three 100 cars from Washington DC was also received. PORTLAND’S 100 AND TUCSON’S 200 The Portland order for six cars was part of the USD148m project to create a circular route crossing the Willamette As the majority of Portland Streetcar's Eastside Loop circulator is now in operation, the river twice, sharing tracks on the crossings with the MAX circle is only missing the second river crossing planned to open in 2015 along with light rail system. Tucson has ordered eight cars as part of its the Portland – Milwaukie light rail project. The six-car order from USC is for its partial USD196m starter line. low-floor, air-conditioned 100 platform as specified below. Other cities such as Detroit, Michigan, and Fort The eight 200 cars for Tucson are visually identical to the type 100 cars; the main Lauderdale, Florida are actively looking at streetcar differences are an improved cooling and air distribution system and a beefed-up operations and vehicle cost is obviously an important factor HVAC system to deal with the hot Arizona climate where temperatures in the Sonoran as both the Portland and Tucson systems are being built for Desert can approach 40°C in the summer months. The 5.6km (3.5-mile) Sun Link less than USD200m compared with more extensive ‘full’ starter system is scheduled to open later in 2013. light rail systems which often cost more than USD1bn. A further three 100 streetcars have been ordered for the Washington DC streetcar project and will operate alongside the original Inekon streetcars, that currently reside View from the top in storage, on the H Street/Benning Road corridor expected to open in late 2013 or When asked about her greatest concerns, Ms Brown pointed early in 2014. out the limitations in the market in that very few cities can actually afford streetcars in the current tough economic . Track gauge: 1435mm climate, despite the significant cost reductions offered . Floor height (end): 780mm above top of rail compared with light rail. She added a further concern that . Floor height (mid): 350mm above top of rail larger, more established manufacturers may well take an approach of adapting their LRV designs and selling vehicles . Power supply: 750V dc (925V max, 525V min) at a loss to obtain a foothold at the lower end of the market. . Low voltage power supply: 24V dc Whilst this is a potential and serious challenge, however, . Motors: 4 x 90 kW USC remains confident in its product and growing order . Maximum speed: 70km/h (44mph) book that is building the firm’s reputation. When asked about her most important achievement, Brown stated that . Total seating capactiy: 29 passengers + driver she was proud that her product was the first modern streetcar . Maximum standing: 127 passengers (AW3), 140 passengers (AW4) of its kind to be produced in the US for almost 60 years. . Vehicle length: 20.13m Considering USC’s small yet impressive facilities, it . Vehicle width: 2.46m is important to note the contribution, compared with the multi-national LRV manufacturers, that the firm makes . Max height (w/o pantograph): 3635.5mm to public transport; at least of equal importance to the . Wheelbase: 11.m contributions made by those larger companies. There

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org 2013 APRIL 137

Our Customers Include:

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42_TAUT1302_layoutpage.indd 1 26/02/2013 10:11 SYSTEMS FACTFILE No. 67 San Francisco, USA

USA San Francisco’s transit network includes street-running LRT, SAN FRANCISCO heritage streetcars, cable cars, trolleybuses and a controversial third-rail metro. The ‘City by the Bay’ has everything anyone with an interest in public transport could wish for.

WORDS AND PICTURES BY VIC SIMONS

itting on California’s west coast, the city of San Above: A two-car the city leading to the complete re-writing of building Francisco was founded in 1776 and is a major Muni AnsaldoBreda regulations. Many public transit facilities were also financial, technology and media hub with a LRV with car 1536 destroyed which led to the replacement of a number of populationS of around 800 000. As the major regional centre on line L entering cable car lines with electric tramways. Another major quake and seaport – important for the city and region’s growth West Portal station in 1989 killed 63 and left many thousands homeless. as a trade centre – the city also features one of the largest for Downtown Within the City and County public transport is operated US international airports by passenger boardings. Located San Francisco in by the San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency or ‘Muni’. at the north end of the Silicon Valley peninsula it has the September 2007. First established in 1912, it is the oldest transport operator Pacific Coast to the west and San Francisco Bay to the east. in the US with streetcars in continuous operation since While the City and County are confined to the peninsula, then. Other counties operate their own bus services with the conurbation has spread across the bay and now includes SamTrans to the south, AC Transit and Contra Costa Transit Alameda and Contra Costa Counties incorporating the cities on the East Bay, and Golden Gate Transit to the north. of Oakland, Richmond and Fremont. South of the city are The only region-wide transport operation is the Bay Area San Mateo and Santa Clara counties and the city of San Jose. Rapid Transit system, known by its acronym of BART. The city is also (unfortunately) known internationally for This a fully-automated metro that links all the major cities running alongside the San Andreas fault – the continental All images by the and population centres in the Bay Area. There is also a fault line that runs through California. A devastating author in February suburban railway known as Caltrain that operates from earthquake in April 1906 killed around 3000 and this, 2013, unless San Francisco to San Jose with some peak-hour journeys together with the resultant fire, had a huge impact on otherwise stated. projected south to Gilroy. ➤

www.tramnews.net www.Irta.org APRIL 2013 139 Systems Factfile

This multitude of agencies used to mean minimal fare Right: California integration, each operator having its own system. However Street Cable cars in 2012 the first steps to fare integration were taken with the close to Market introduction of Clipper smartcards, valid across all modes Street terminus and agencies within San Francisco and the East Bay area. Muni Metro is a six-line LRT system that links the downtown area with the various suburbs, although the T and K lines are usually operated as one through service. All lines use the light rail subway running north-east to south-west underneath Market Street before fanning out in various directions around the west and south of the city. The subway emerges on the Embarcadero and the LRT line then heads south to the Caltrain station at 4th and King and on to South Francisco, terminating at Sunnydale. To the south-east the subway has been linked into the Twin Peaks tunnel and finishes at the West Portal station. Two of the lines branch off at Van Ness with the remainder continuing to West Portal. When not in-tunnel, all lines are street- Stockton Street to the underground station at Chinatown. running with various sections of grade separation. In most There will be two further intermediate underground stations cases traffic signals deal with the light rail lines as an extra with interchange with the Market Street subway at Union traffic flow and while not providing priority do allow for Square / Market Street station which will be linked to the crossing without conflict with other traffic. Powell Street station by subway. It is planned to divert the The main Muni Metro maintenance facility is at Balboa T line away from the Market Street subway by running a Park, a key transport hub. This is the terminus of three lines Sunnyvale to Chinatown service. Of the total USD1.6bn as well as providing an interchange with BART and local (EUR1.2bn) project cost, USD942m (EUR705.5m) will bus and trolleybus services. A separate car barn is used for come from the FTA. Opening is scheduled for 2019. housing and maintenance of the historic fleet. The F line originally began as the provision of historic The 151-strong fleet is now 100% composed of vehicles for special occasions, but when the Muni Metro AnsaldoBreda vehicles, acquired 1996-2001, that replaced operation went underground the far-sighted decision the previously unreliable Boeing Vertol cars. These 22.8m was taken to retain the streetcar tracks as far as the articulated vehicles have a tapered front end and, at 2.74m Embarcadero. This was an immediate success and led to wide, are slightly wider than the more usual 2.65m but still the complete reconstruction of Market Street between 1988 run on standard gauge track. Trains draw power by means and 1995, incorporating two tram tracks and four sets of of a pantograph and operate at 600v dc and can run in four- trolleybus wires. As more cars were acquired, a full service car configurations, although two-car units are the norm. began. This now runs from a loop at the junction of Castro These high-floor bi-directional vehicles have four double and Market Street to the Embarcadero. In 2000, the line was doors on each side and as not all stations, particularly in the extended west to a new terminal loop at Fisherman’s Wharf. outer suburbs, are equipped with high platforms and level A fleet of 17 cars are required for service and these are boarding, steps are built into each doorway. The SFMTA drawn from a fleet of 18 PCCs in various liveries from website lists the fully accessible stations which includes all operators in the US and Canada. There are a further ten the underground stations. vehicles from around the world, including a Blackpool A major extension is under construction which will Below: Muni car Boat car from the UK and others from such diverse cities take Muni from the Caltrain station at 4th and King to 1467 undergoing as Hamburg, Hiroshima, Melbourne and Moscow. Many of Chinatown. Known as the Central Subway Project, the maintenance these are put into service to meet the operating schedule. 2.7km (1.7-mile) north-west alignment will run through a in Balboa Park A full list of the historic streetcars is available at station at 4th and Brannon before diving beneath 4th and workshop. www.sfmta.com/cms/mfleet/histcars.php

Above: Trolleybus terminus near the transport museum close to the Embarcadero. Below: An artist’s impression of the next-generation of BART cars, due to enter service from 2017. Courtesy of BART

140 APRIL 2013 www.tramnews.net l www.Irta.org

San Francisco is also famous for its iconic cable car There is a cable car museum on the corner of Mason Clockwise from service that operates on three routes which start from either and Washington, which also houses the car barn and above: Muni car the junctions of California/Market or Powell/Market. Some maintenance shop. 1466 at Sunnyvale of the vehicles date back as far as the late 19th Century Muni also operates 64 bus routes; 16 of these are terminus of Line T and all have been immaculately restored and maintained, operated by a fleet of 344 trolleybuses (on the busiest and in September 2007; making them ideal for the task of transporting passengers highest frequency routes), of which 60 are articulated. Just one of the along some of the steeper streets in the city. The articulated trolleybuses were all built by New Flyer many immaculately As the network grew out of a number of separate systems and delivered from 1994; the non-articulated vehicles are maintained heritage with differing gauges, the whole cable car network was 12m versions from Flyer and ETI. Many bus services run cars on the historic closed in the mid-1980s and rationalised using a common into San Francisco from the outer counties, most of which 1067mm gauge. The cars on California Street can be driven terminate at the Transbay terminal. This was once the city’s F line, PCC 1060 from either end while the other lines have single-ended main railway terminus but closed when the Bay Bridge was (ex-Newark New vehicles with turntables at each terminus. rebuilt in the 1950s with two road decks. Jersey); Restored The California line runs from Embarcadero on Market As the other key rail-borne transit mode for San PCC 1074 in Street along California to its junction with Van Ness. The Francisco and the Bay Area, BART runs on the unusual TTC Toronto Powell Hyde line runs from Market Street at Powell station, 1676mm ‘Indian gauge’ infrastructure, with power provided livery outside along Powell before turning west on Jackson and north from a steel third rail pickup at 1000v dc. the transport again on Hyde to its terminus on Beach Street close to the On initial opening in September 1972 there were three museum near the maritime museum. branches from Concord, Richmond and Fremont through Embarcadero in The Powell Mason line shares the route with the Hyde San Francisco to the boundary with San Mateo County downtown San line as far as Jackson, where it continues for one block at Daly City with an additional service from Fremont Francisco. before turning north onto Mason before terminating to Richmond. Interchange between the lines was at the just south of the tourist attractions and historic streetcar three Oakland stations. The most significant engineering terminus at Fishermans Wharf. Premium fares of USD6 achievement was the Transbay Tunnel running from West per single journey apply, with discounts for senior citizens, Oakland under the San Francisco Bay on an alignment disabled passengers and those with Medicare cards unless roughly parallel with the Bay Bridge, staying in-tunnel the traveller has a ‘Visitor Passport’ – obtainable from underneath Market Street in the city’s downtown area information centres. before emerging north of the Daly City station. There have been a number of extensions over the decades NETWORK FACTS to take the system to its current length of 167km route km BART MUNI (104 miles) with 44 stations: l A two-station extension from Concord north-eastwards . Opened: 1972 1980 to Pittsburg/Bay Point with an intermediate station at . Routes: 5 7 North Concord/Martinez that opened in 1995. l . Route distance: 167km (104 miles) 59.2km (36.8 miles) The creation of a new branch from Bay Fair to Dublin/ . Depots: 6 1 Pleasanton with two intermediate stations that opened in 1997. A West Dublin/Pleasanton station opened in 2011. . Weekday hrs: 04.00-00.00 05.00-01.00 l An extension south from Daly City to San Francisco . Gauge: 1676mm 1435mm International Airport and Millbrae with two intermediate . Power: 1000V dc (third rail) 600V dc (overhead) stations. The first section of the extension opened . Fleet: 669 151 in 1996, with further extension to the large Millbrae Intermodal Terminal in 2003. BART’s service pattern remains fundamentally the same . MUNI: www.sfmta.com . Cable car: www.sfcablecar.com as it was at the time of its original opening, although the . BART: www.bart.gov . Caltrain: www.caltrain.com Concord service has been extended at both ends and is normally Pittsburg to Millbrae while the Richmond service ➤

www.tramnews.net www.Irta.org APRIL 2013 141 Systems Factfile

runs to Millbrae in the morning peak. The Pleasanton There are two further extensions planned. The first, due branch provides an additional service to Daly City. to open in 2016, will be the first part of the extension from BART services operate until 0.00 every night, starting Fremont to Berryessa in Santa Clara County, as far as Warm at 04.00 Monday to Friday, 06.00 on Saturdays and 08.00 Springs, 8.7km (5.4 miles) south of Fremont. The second on Sundays. A 15-minute service generally operates on segment from Warm Springs south is planned to open in each branch plus the Richmond to Fremont service with 2018. The first part is expected to cost USD890m of which 20-minute services on all lines at weekends. USD476m will come from Federal funds with USD169m Park-and-ride is encouraged with many stations having from the State of California with the remainder funded locally. parking facilities that are split to provide sufficient facilities The second 16km (10-mile) segment with one for off-peak travel and for the disabled; all parking requires intermediate station is expected to cost USD2.3bn, funded a fee. BART operates a distance-based fare system with by Federal Government (39%), State funds (10%) with discounts for students and seniors. It is also part of the the remaining 51% funded locally. The ultimate plan is Clipper smartcard system that allows regular travellers to to extend the line further through Downtown San Jose to take advantage of travel opportunities across the Bay area. link with the Caltrain heavy rail line at Santa Clara station. The BART system has a fleet of 669 vehicles, requiring There are no funding or timescales for this segment. When 579 for the morning peak run-out. Apart from the ten opened, this extension will provide a circular heavy rail link prototypes, 439 of the original Rohr (A and B car) vehicle around the whole of the Bay Area. order remain in service, albeit refurbished in a massive A further one-station extension is planned from Dublin/ programme completed by ADtranz (now Bombardier) in Pleasanton eastwards to Livermore along the Interstate 2002. A further 150 vehicles were manufactured by Alstom 580 median, although there are no formal funding plans or in France (C1) with a further 80 coming from Morrison- timescales for this project. Knudsen (also involved in the extension to San Francisco More advanced is the ‘E BART’ project which is a Airport and now part of URS Corporation). 16km (ten-mile) diesel light rail eastward extension from All vehicles can operate with each other and seat 55 to 60 Pittsburg to Hillcrest Avenue in Antioch, being built in people with a crush load of 200. The trains are of various the median strip of Route 4 which is being modernised lengths from three to ten cars and at their maximum length and rebuilt. Modelled on the Oceanside Escondido line of 216m are the longest of any US metro system. in Southern California, the line uses similar rolling stock In late 2012, the BART board of directors approved the to link Antioch with BART at Pittsburg where cross- purchase of 410 new train cars in a USD896m contract Left: BART 1218, a platform interchange will be provided. Construction of with Bombardier (up from the initial base order of 260 reconditioned 1973 the USD462m project started in 2012 with an estimated cars) that will be 100% US-made. Funding for the order Rohr A car, exits El completion date of 2016. A further extension is on the is initially made up of a 25% BART contribution with Cerrito del Norte drawing board. the remaining 75% from Federal funding. Deliveries are Station and starts Head north from San Francisco and you reach Marin scheduled to begin from 2017 and this is envisaged as the the run south to El County, which opted out of BART in the 1960s and as first phase in a renewal programme for the entire fleet and Cerrito Plaza Station a result has no rail-based service, the only way into San additions to create a wide fleet of 775 cars over the next on the Richmond Francisco being via the Golden Gate Bridge. Bus services two decades. line on 1 October are operated across the bridge from various points in the 2012. Paul Sullivan County and there are still some ferry services in operation. The diesel-operated Caltrain suburban service links San Below: BART C2 Francisco with San Jose with services that run hourly with car 2563 leads extra express services at peak times. Journey times are a nine-car train comparatively slow, taking around 90 minutes to cover the into West Oakland 72.5km (45 miles), as the 21 intermediate stations inevitably slow progress. Express services are half an hour faster. There station on 7 October is interchange with Muni at the 4th & King San Francisco 2012. BART ran nine terminus, with BART at Millbrae and with the VTA LRT line and ten-car trains at Mountain View and in San Jose. Zone fares apply. TAUT into San Francisco on this particular l San Francisco has many complex routes for its transit Sunday due to a systems; the main detailed maps are available at: large number of www.sfmta.com/cms/mmaps/indxmaps.htm events. Paul Sullivan www.bart.gov/schedules/developers/maps.aspx

SAN FRANCISCO: ESSENTIAL FACTS Local travel: Aside from the above, Amtrak does not operate into San Francisco. Train passengers have either to change at Richmond and take BART or at Emeryville (in Oakland) and take the AMTRAK bus connection. What is there to see? San Francisco is a tourist magnet. Apart from the cable cars there is the Golden Gate Bridge, the world famous Chinatown district and many theatres. Amongst the many museums, there is the small transport museum close to the F line stop where it joins the Embarcadero. Market Street and points towards the Ocean are upmarket districts, although east of Market Street the city is undergoing a downturn with regeneration plans high on the city’s list of priorities.

142 APRIL 2013 www.tramnews.net l www.Irta.org Advertorial STRAILastic: Good for the environment, good for passengers

For over 15 years Kraiburg has been providing installed, independent of sleeper spacing. products in its STRAILastic range for delivery On one recent UK installation, providing of green or grass track installations for urban extended under-run protection saw a team light rail and tram systems. completing a single platform installation It is a useful maxim for delivery of a comfortably within an overnight track tram system that the extent to which trams possession. actually need to run on street, mixing with For crossings where flangeways may other road traffic are minimised. This creates present a hazard for castor wheels on prams an opportunity to use a more common rail and wheelchairs, or narrow tyres of cycles, profile (vignoles flat bottom) and a simpler line skates, etc., the STRAIL crossing system form of track construction in the urban has the flexibility to use a central panel of environment which delivers: veloSTRAIL, where a renewable compliant l Rainfall attenuation: Grass track soaks up block fills the flangeway, at the crucial points, Above: A STRAIL installation in Chemnitz, Germany, rainfall, and provides attenuation of the and pedeSTRAIL used elsewhere. This also as part of a major overhaul of road crossings on the run-off, reducing the loading on drainage means the standard STRAIL level crossing system. Tram services were maintained througout systems and absorbing the water to system and heavy-duty pontiSTRAIL option the work programme. subsequently slowly soak in or evaporate. can be used in a composite crossing and l Noise attenuation: Grass track provides infilling arrangement where road vehicles a substantial attenuation for airborne noise cross or access for a road-rail maintenance generated by a moving tram – in the region vehicle is required. of 2dB. Outer panels can be supplied to provide l Pollution management: Grass provides a surface extending to the sleeper ends, or natural absorption of dust and other platform faces, as well as the standard level pollutants, with many being naturally crossing threshold detail to match up to the processed by the vegetation and absorbed connecting roads or paths. back into the soil as nutrients. In Chemnitz, STRAIL panels were l Accessibility of rails and fixings: Both in installed for a major overhaul of road the initial tracklaying and later maintenance, crossings, with site requirements including the ability to strip back STRAILastic systems track radii down to 25 metres, high skew and work on rail fixings is a significant loadings from road traffic, and composite benefit. road and pedestrian crossings. Work was l Nature’s air conditioning system: The carried out in all weathers and with tram substantial latent heat required to evaporate services maintained throughout. water through vegetation delivers cooling not available from hard surfacing or stone ballast Grass block for grass track Through this the ‘linear parks’ created deliver Historically Kraiburg has had a rubber great value to a city as attractive places to be product range used in the farming industry. A rather than hard transport infrastructure heavy-duty grass-grid infill unit is available l Carbon footprint reduction: Grass is a to reinforce areas of grass between and beside carbon-positive air conditioning system for the rails, to take point loads of road vehicles the street, converting CO2 into O2 through for occasional and emergency access. photosynthesis Platform gaps: STRAILastic_R: The STRAILedge solution The Green Track solution The close tolerances demanded by some Track construction can use a variety of regulatory legislation have in the past seen systems and the STRAILastic_R family of timber strips extending the platform edge to Above: Three STRAILastic_R solutions for differing products can deliver for most of them. These deliver the required gap and provide a less track installations: (from the top) protecting rail range from a basic cover for rail fixings damaging outcome in the event of tram and fixtures; fully-encased for enhanced electrical which keeps the soil and grass clear from the platform edge making contact, or small items insulation, and grooved rail in a green track system. rails, to fully-encased systems that maintain becoming trapped. The system is designed the electrical insulation of the rails and for rapid removal and replacement, so that manage the corrosion issues that can arise platform clearances for mechanised track from burying rails and rail fixings in wet soil. maintenance, or passage of special rail traffic The fully-encased STRAILastic_R can be accommodated, and any damaged Zurich provides electrical isolation to meet edge can be quickly replaced. DIN standards, even when tested under The STRAILedge_Mulhouse system wetter conditions as the base standard. In provides a substantial clearance between the addition to units for standard rail sections, platform face and track at rail level whilst some locations have required a green track closing off the gap at the platform edge with solution for grooved rail – and there is a a textured rubber surface. STRAILastic_R system for this also. Noise and vibration Under-run protection Additional vibration management can be and crossings delivered through a layer of STRAILastic At tram stops the provision of under-run _USM set beneath the ballast bed, and for protection and pedestrian crossing points is open track sections the STRAILastic_A delivered by pedeSTRAIL crossing units. range of high density rubber damping blocks Above: Substantial clearance between the platform This lightweight version of the STRAIL attach to the rail web to increase the effective face and track at rail level is achieved here with the crossing family is designed to be rapidly mass of the rail. STRAILedge_Mulhouse system.

Contact: +44 (0)1483 222090 or [email protected] www.strail.com

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org aPRIL 2013 143

143_TAUT1304_STRAIL_advertorial.indd 1 28/02/2013 15:39 Green track systems A network for green tracks Despite the broad distribution of ‘green’ tracks in Germany and worldwide, difficulties occur during their realisation and maintenance, reports the Green Track Network.

t the beginning of the 20th Century electric trams and newly-built segregated tracks allowed the installation of grass cover on trackbeds for the first Atime in Greater Berlin. In 1917 Berlin already possessed 37.5km (23 miles) of grass tracks [1] and they were common throughout Germany until the 1930s, but were later discouraged by increasing technical requirements, especially regarding corrosion protection. It was only from the mid-1980s that cities like Munich and Karlsruhe again started to build green tracks [2]. However, it was probably the same open questions regarding maintenance, stray currents, durability and life cycle costs that retarded a rapid spread of track ‘greening’. So, it took another ten years until green tracks became common nationwide: Berlin, Bremen, Dresden, Kassel, Freiburg and many other cities with trams introduced green tracks again. Yet almost every system was unique: each city seemed to start with its own method of construction. Until the mid-1990s green tracks were based on ballasted tracks. Thereafter vegetation systems had to fit with slab tracks. Nevertheless green tracks and especially grass tracks Above: Grass entry in the investment (about half of the total costs) since with vegetation at the top of rail level were established. track at top of rail most transport companies have different requirements on Industry has overcome the stray current problem. level; new track to form, size etc., which raises the price. Stray current depends on several factors and needs to be Böfingen in Ulm. Upon initial investment grass systems are usually cheaper considered during track planning (EN 50122-2). The most Dietmar Sailer, UNF than sedum systems. But over the whole lifecycle sedum important measure for its mitigation is electrical insulation of systems become more favourable since their maintenance the rails. Consequently industry developed track designs, rail needs are lower. Over a period of 20 years the investigated fastening systems, chamber filling profiles or cavity elements Below: Grass track vegetation systems (grass seeds, turf, sedum shoots, sedum for vegetation systems which go to the top of the rail, tie in southern Europe; plants, sedum mat) cost between EUR210 and EUR265 sheathings, rail flange sheaths and insulating under poured rail Barcelona, Spain. per metre of single track (and two-metre vegetation width), substances. Furthermore the quality of the on-site processing Oliver Glaser including material, installation, and maintenance [5]. But is very important as well as a functioning rail drainage. [3] again, since there are so many conditions, requirements and There is no denying that successful tram extensions or new technologies these numbers can only be a rough value. a change from street-running track to segregated track are On the other hand, an economic benefit can arise if green supported by higher public and political acceptance as a tracks are used as compensatory and contingency measures result of track greening. Thus after about half a century in in inner-city areas, particularly since they are implemented Germany, many varieties of green track types can be seen: directly at the construction site. A noticeable relief of storm vegetation at the top of rail level, at the base of rail level, water run-off into the sewerage system by green tracks sedum plants, grass, herbaceous plants – even artificial grass. reduces the costs of waste water management. Maintenance needs for ballasted tracks and rails can The effects of green track be reduced due to the trackbed being covered. Owing to Determining the financial effect of green tracks for the greening, less waste is thrown onto the tracks, which public transport companies is not easy since the systems, reduces cleaning needs. locations, requirements, and therefore the conditions, differ Aside from the financial aspect, covering tram tracks too greatly. Other influences on the costs are the prices of with vegetation is versatile and important. the providers which can change for many reasons, the size of the building site, labour costs, and quality of the work, seasonal and climatic differences in installation costs and maintenance needs, as well as track width. Other locally differing aspects make the cost analysis complex, such as the time for completion (night and weekend shifts), detours for trams and individual traffic, compensation for financially affected shops and so forth. Several national and international projects targeted this task. But it is very difficult to get enough comparable data for a reliable statement. As such, in Germany the decisions for or against track greening are usually based upon political or technical considerations rather than financial ones. Based on data from a survey of German tram track operators in 2009 [4] and earlier projects calculations were done to compare different greening systems per metre of single track, with vegetation up to the top of the rail and cavity elements included, without considering the track itself, over a period of 20 years and without de-installation. In the calculated cases, cavity elements were the biggest

144 APRIL 2013 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org

144-146_TAUT1304_Gruengleisnetzwerk_SJ.indd 1 26/02/2013 16:18 Green Track Network members Public Transport Companies Münchner Verkehrsgesellschaft of concrete sleepers and system Gartenbau (LVG Erfurt ) Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG), (MVG), München provider for railways and transit) Research Association for Berlin Enterprises SCHMID Ingenieure GmbH Underground Transportation Kasseler Verkehrs-Gesellschaft ECO Rain®GmbH (irrigation) (project leader, supervision and Facilites e.V. – STUVA Cologne Aktiengesellschaft (KVG), Kassel Edilon)(Sedra GmbH (track systems) quality control of traffic and track University Hohenheim, Rasen- Rhein Neckar Verkehr GmbH KRAIBURG Elastik GmbH (finished technology, planning) Fachstelle (RNV), Mannheim products e.g. for tracks from rubber Umwelt-Geräte-Technik GmbH The Network is funded by the Rheinbahn AG, Düsseldorf and plastic recyclates) (UGT) (environmental engineering, German Federal Ministry of Stadtwerke Ulm/Neu-Ulm Verkehr Niedersächsische Rasenkulturen development and installation of Economics and Technology within GmbH (SWU), Ulm and Neu-Ulm NIRA GmbH & Co. KG (turf and devices, monitoring, training) the Central Innovation Programme ViP Verkehrsbetrieb Potsdam special plant cultures) Research facilities SME, module Network. GmbH, Potsdam RAIL.ONE GmbH (manufacturer Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt Erfurt

Track greening contributes to the urban water balance. Above left: Grass One reason for these problems may be the reasonable In tracks using sedum plants, about 50% of the annual track after several perspective that a track is primarily a technical construction precipitation rate falling onto a green track is bound and weeks of drought. that needs to ensure tram operation. Therefore the focus evaporated (under German conditions); in grass tracks the Hendrikje Schreiter in technical terms is set on availability and reliability of figure is 70% [6], [7]. Applying an annual precipitation rate of operation, and in cost terms on minimising maintenance, 790l/m²/a [8] in Germany, a track greening system retains 400- like mowing, fertilisation and irrigation. 550 litres of precipitation water per square metre. Hence, one Above: Weed and The technical and operational aspects of the track are hectare of green track annually stores circa 5530m³ of water succession on green provided through the use of numerous track systems from in a grass track and circa 3950m³ of water in a sedum track. track. Hendrikje different providers. Yet the parts to be installed above Consequently the entire green tracks of Germany, which Schreiter the separation layer include soil, seeds or pre-cultivated account for 380km (236 miles) single track of grass and vegetation track. However, the integration of horticultural 45km (28 miles) single track of sedum [4], store more than Above right: know-how regarding track cover by means of vegetation 560 000m³ of water from precipitation. Potentially at Pedestrian wear systems has been a secondary consideration for many least 1150km (715 miles) of Germany’s tram tracks are on a grass track public transport companies. ‘greenable’; this equals an area of about 287.5ha [4]. If this system. Hendrikje Almost every transport company with trams has had area was ‘greened’, annual water retention of 1.55 million Schreiter its own experience with track greening. Therefore it square metres would be possible. This water retention is remarkable that there are guidelines for planning, influences the sewerage system load and has considerable installation and maintenance of roof greening or golf microclimatic effects through evaporative cooling. courses but nothing comparable for green tracks. It is Green tracks can also reduce track heating; they partially therefore necessary to record existing expert knowledge take up and absorb contaminants [5]; and vegetation systems from science, industry and operators, and to continue work going to the top of rail level can mitigate noise by up to on the interface of track and vegetation. This is the complex 3dB(A) compared to ballasted track that is optimised in dealt with by the Green Track Network (or, in German, the terms of noise [9]. Furthermore, green tracks contribute Grüngleisnetzwerk). to biodiversity, have an impact on health and wellbeing The Green Track Network is an association of innovative and give streets an individual look, while influencing the enterprises, public transport companies and research atmosphere. Also, greened tracks integrate infrastructure institutions. It integrates partners involved in planning, in urban planning and thereby generate positive responses from residents. about the authors The Green Track Network Dipl.-Ing. agr. Hendrikje Schreiter: Following studies in horticultural science, Hendrikje More than 9% of all tram tracks in Germany are covered Schreiter worked in landscaping and in a tree nursery. Since 2006 she has worked with vegetation systems. There is a noticeable upward on green tracks at the Institute of Agricultural and Urban Ecological Projects affiliated trend, not only in this country but worldwide. However, to the Humboldt-University in Berlin. She currently manages the Green Track Network. problems occur with track vegetation in many cases. Dr. Christel Kappis: After her PhD in engineering sciences Christel Kappis worked for Most frequently, grasses become brown after long periods more than 20 years as scientist and project leader on greening of building surfaces of drought without irrigation (see page 146). During at the Institute of Agricultural and Urban Ecological Projects affiliated to the Humboldt- University in Berlin. Since 2011 she has also managed the Green Track Network. subsequent regeneration bunch-creating grass varieties Dipl.-Ing., M.Sc. ptm Oliver Glaser: After studying construction engineering at develop, leading to a tuft-like appearance. Karlsruhe University, Oliver Glaser worked as project engineer at TTK GmbH before Weed growth is influenced by local conditions and changing to Verkehrsbetriebe Karlsruhe (KVV) and Albtal-Verkehrsgesellschaft (AVG) as by maintenance type and frequency. Low levels of project leader and later as assisting section leader, in 2002. In 2006 he graduated maintenance are usually followed by a change of the in Public Transport Management (ptm) and moved to Stadtwerke Ulm in 2008, dominant flora from grass to grass-herb or herb societies. being Head of Traffic Management at SWU Verkehr GmbH. In 2013 he became Damage can be caused to the vegetation system by road managing director of ViP Verkehrsbetrieb Potsdam GmbH. vehicles, and pedestrians leave their mark (see above).

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144-146_TAUT1304_Gruengleisnetzwerk_SJ.indd 2 26/02/2013 16:19 Green track systems

Left, above and right: Members of the Green Track Network at a green track inspection of a member. Christel Kappis

building, maintaining and operating green tram tracks, as reduced maintenance frequency and to the extent of the well as in emission protection. The network is managed vegetation. Unmaintained areas may become dominated by the Association for the Promotion of Agricultural and by plants other than those originally targeted. Urban Ecological Projects (Verein zur Förderung agrar- und In order to provide guidance from the horticultural as well stadtökologischer Projekte eV – or ASP). as the engineering viewpoint to planners, track installers The vision is for sustainable, low maintenance and low and maintenance staff, the network compiles a handbook on emission green tracks; the solutions arrived at are to be the planning, installation and maintenance of green tracks. transferable to national and international conurbations. Within research projects the network develops track and Following its foundation in January 2011, the network vegetation solutions with low maintenance or for different consists of 17 German members – see panel, page 145. local conditions. Apart from the research described above the Green Track Network offers track and vegetation counselling, Progress so far individual problem solving, and exchange of knowledge. The central issue was to establish a common knowledge A symposium is to be arranged for the end of 2013 or base of experiences with green track from every partner’s beginning of 2014. We are interested in your experiences point of view. A survey was sent out to transport companies and would be glad to welcome you as our guest or speaker. in Germany, the intention being to gain insights into the The homepage www.gruengleisnetzwerk.de will carry reasons for successful and unsuccessful track greening. information (in German and English) on the exact date and Some fundamental conclusions have been drawn: content of the symposium in due course. It also contains Failure of vegetation systems is often multi-causal. It may further details of the network members and contact details have its reasons in planning, installation or maintenance of the network management. TAUT of the greening. Adjustment of the vegetation system to the specific local conditions is very important. This includes, for example, classification into shady or sunny, the numbers of crossing pedestrians, rain shadow and so on. Substrates and vegetation – often grass mixtures – should be adapted to these conditions. Not to adjust the vegetation system and track design may result in low substrate thickness, which usually reduces the water storage potential. This is one main reason for the Right: Grass track is frequently observed damage to grass tracks during periods not grass track; two of drought. different track types Specifications should be precise and attention should be under identical paid to quality control during installation and maintenance conditions after a to ensure the greening success. long drought. Cost constraints within transport companies may lead to Oliver Glaser

References [1] Schnellstraßenbahnen. criteria. U Bette – In Fahrwege Schienenfahrwegen für den Arbeiten 116, Das Grüne Gleis - Eine Untersuchung über der Bahnen im Nah- und regionalen Personenverkehr Vegetationstechnische, ökologische Anlage, Haltestellenabstände, Regionalverkehr – Local and - Prognosemodelle ANIRAIL und ökonomische Aspekte der Haltestellenaufenthalte, Höchst- Regional Railway Tracks in zur Emissionsminderung Gleisbettbegrünung (pages und Reisegeschwindigkeiten von Germany. VDV. (pages 123-136), von schienengebundenen 123-132), 2010. Schnellbahnen, Straßenbahnen 2007. Fahrwegen unter Nutzung [8] www.hydrologie.uni-oldenburg. (insbesondere auf besonderem [4] Survey of German tram track von Gleisbett-Naturierungen de/ein-bit/11990.html Bahnkörper) und schnellfahrenden operators, IASP, 2009, 2011 (LERM) - Abschlussbericht [9] Schallminderungspotential Straßenbahnen unter [5] Das Grüne Gleis – Forschungsvorhaben. HJ Henze, Grüner Gleise, F Krüger and K Berücksichtigung der Verhältnisse in Vegetationstechnische, ökologische C Kappis, N Model, M Siemsen, Martini – In Das Grüne Gleis – Groß Berlin. E Giese, W Moeser, und ökonomische Aspekte der O Tapia, A Treffkorn, S Tschuikowa, Vegetationstechnische, ökologische 1917. Gleisbettbegrünung. C Kappis, 2003. und ökonomische Aspekte der [2] Fahrwege der Bahnen im O Gorbachevskaya, H Schreiter, [7] Wasserverfügbarkeit, Gleisbettbegrünung, C Kappis, Nah- und Regionalverkehr – Local W Endlicher, Berliner Geographische Wasserbedarf und klimatische O Gorbachevskaya, H and Regional Railway Tracks in Arbeiten 116, 2010. Auswirkungen von Rasengleisen. Schreiter, W Endlicher, Berliner Germany. VDV, 2007. [6] Grundlagenforschung A Siegl, L Kirchner, D Böhme Geographische Arbeiten 116 [3] Stray current protection and und Entwicklung von – In Berliner Geographische (pages 133-142), 2010.

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144-146_TAUT1304_Gruengleisnetzwerk_SJ.indd 3 26/02/2013 16:19 WORLDWIDE REVIEW AUSTRIA

WIEN (VIENNA). The peak run-out from 7 January was 215 single cars (ULF and E1) and 189 motor+trailer sets. BS

BELGIUM

CHARLEROI. The inauguration of service on the rebuilt tramline to Gosselies has been postponed again, and is now planned for July. G. B. Skelsey

BOLIVIA

LA PAZ – EL ALTO. The Ministry of Transport has awarded a Mexican-led consortium a EUR3.7m contract to supervise the design and construction of a cable car system to connect the capital with its mountain suburb. The 36km (22.3-mile) line will be built in three sections. Completion is planned for 2015. Service on this link was provided by a metre-gauge tramway The 71-623 35% low-floor tram design on the test track at the Ust-Ktav factory in the city the manufacturer from 1905 until 1974. Spanish Railway News takes its name from. Moskva has ordered 67 of this type. A. Titenok

BRAZIL CZECH REPUBLIC to link with the existing suburban line to Mantes- le-Joile. RH SÃO PAULO. Alstom has been awarded a MOST. The first new tram to join the fleet for TOULON. Work on the guided bus project has EUR20m contract for auxiliary systems on 20 years is VarioLF 314, which arrived from been suspended after a legal challenge from a pro- the under-construction extension of metro Ostrava on 15 January. DS tramway group which revealed the declaration line 5, while tenders have been invited for a PPP OSTRAVA. Sunday 3 March saw the first use of public utility was based on an August 2009 concession to develop line 6 (Orange line). of a low-floor tram on interurban tramline 5, technical study based on a tramway. A. Senut The 15.9km (9.8-mile) first phase will link with VarioLF2 1401 put into service to replace TOULOUSE. Please note all but the first three São Joaquim in the city centre, running north- Tatra K2 805. DS lines of last month should have appeared under west to Braslandia – 13.3km (8.2 miles) will be Paris. The President of the Urban Community underground and 23 six-car trains are needed. It FINLAND has brought forward the opening of the city is hoped to build the line in 2014-2020. A. Bailey tramway extension to December 2013. A. Senut HELSINKI. Long-standing routes 3B and 3T, BULGARIA running in opposite directions on a figure of GERMANY eight loop around the city, (3T indicating its SOFIA. A further 30 metro trains have been attraction for Tourists) are to be renumbered in KÖLN (COLOGNE). The first rebuilt ordered from Metrovagonmash in Russia. August, becoming services 3 and 2 respectively. Stadtbahn-B car, 2422 (ex-2122) made its initial R. Barrows test run on 18 February. DS FRANCE CANADA INDIA AUBAGNE. The tramway project received TORONTO. A Request for Qualifications its declaration of public utility on 1 February. DELHI. Saturday 2 February saw the start of has been issued seeking companies interested Construction work will now start for completion work on the 11.2km (seven-mile) extension of in building the Eglinton LRT line, including in the first quarter of 2014. A. Senut metro line 5 west to Bahadugarrh. The elevated conversion of the existing Scarborough line to BESANÇON. The first of 19 trams being built line should open in 2021. RGI light rail. A Request for Proposals will follow by CAF is due to be delivered on 6 June. RGI in the summer. E. B. Havens GENERAL. The transport minister has IRELAND announced that the third call for new reserved CHINA track transit projects will result in government DUBLIN (LUAS). Children can travel free at grant of EUR450m, distributed to Amiens, weekends during February, March and April GENERAL. New metro projects have been Caen, Avignon, Dunkerque and Nîmes, plus a 2013 (two children travel free with each adult approved in Fuzhou, Nanchang and Urumqi. fifth tramline in Montpellier. A. Senut holding a valid Luas ticket). The aim is to They should be completed by 2019. A. Bailey LYON. The opening of the extension of metro increase the system’s number of passengers, NANJING. Nanjing SR Puzhen Rail has been Line B from Stade-du-Gerland to Gare d’oullins which reached a record 29.4 million in 2012. awarded a CNY710m (EUR86m) contract has been fixed for 11 December. urbanrail.net to supply rolling stock for the 45.2km (28.1- NANTES. The tram-train service to Clisson IRAQ mile) Lihue – Pukou Ningtian Intercity Rail operated by SNCF will increase from six to 22 line (metro line 11). Opening is planned for 1 round trips daily from 2015. A. Senut BAGHDAD. On 10 February the city signed July 2014, ready for the Youth Olympic Games, PARIS. STIF has approved the Val de Fontenay a contract with Alstom for a 25km (15.5-mile) using 26 four-car trains. RGI extension of tramline T1, with completion elevated train project. Although news reports expected in 2017. At the same time a study has referred to a monorail, it is understood that light COLOMBIA been launched into extending metro line 1 from metro is proposed. Construction is predicted to Vincennes to Val de Fontenay. take six years. Al-Shorfa MEDELLIN. Spanish firm OHL has been Metro line 4 was to be extended from Porte awarded the USD94.5m contract to carry out d’Orleans to Mairie de Montrouge on 23 ISLE OF MAN civil engineering for the city’s first light rail line. March. RER line E is to be extended west from The city is planning a 5km (3.1-mile) line linking Haussmann-St Lazare to Mantes-le-Joie by DOUGLAS. Douglas Borough Council has western districts with San Antonio metro station. 2020, involving a new 8km (4.9-mile) subway invited local businesses to sponsor the horse

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org APRIL 2013 147 Worldwide Review tramway for the forthcoming season; the council original contract for 23 trains. Delivery will be RUSSIA is looking to reduce losses made by the line. In completed in the second half of 2014 from the 2012 the trams carried 50 000 passengers. The company’s Katowice factory in Poland. OR KAZAN. In readiness for the World Student 2013 season is to operate 13 May-15 September. UTRECHT (SUN). The cutback of the Games on 6-17 June, RZD introduced an Central Station terminus to Jaarbeurs took Aeroexpress service between the airport and city ITALY effect from 7 January. OR centre Vokzal on 12 December. N. Semyonov SANKT PETERBURG. In regular service MILANO. The first 4.1km (2.5-mile) section POLAND last winter on route 64 was prototype 71-531 of metro line 5 from Zaea to Bignami was six-axle double-ended low-floor tram 7400, inaugurated on 5 February, with regular service GDANSK. Tenders have been invited for the built by Ust-Katav at a cost of RUR50m from 10 February. The automated line uses delivery of five new low-floor trams. DS (EUR1.2m). This is the first tram to feature the same AnsaldoBreda technology as the SZCZECIN. Mytoll-Strabag has been awarded an onboard ticket machine for both cash and København metro. A further 1.9km (1.1 miles) a PLN165.8bn (EUR39.9m) contract to build a credit cards. to Garibaldi should open later this year. A 4km (2.4-mile) tramway extension from Basen A fleet of 18 new metro cars of type 18-541 7km (4.3-mile) extension to San Siro is under Górniczy to ul. Truskawkowa by the end of will be delivered in 2013 at a cost of RUR530m construction for completion in 2015. RGI 2015. The first six of 22 PESA Swing trams (EUR13m). ‘russian consulting.com TORINO. A Siemens-led consortium has been have been delivered. RGI VLADIVOSTOK. The centenary of electric awarded a EUR17.1m contract for the 1.6km WARSZAWA. On 21 January the new 2km tramways was marked on 9 October 2012, (1-mile) extension of the VAL automated metro (1.2-mile) section of tramway leading to the by re-opening the sole surviving tramline, from Lingotto to Piazza Bengasi, due to open future terminus Winnica was opened, including from Minniy Gorodok to Stadion. During the in late 2015. RGI the new Maril Sklofowskiej-Crie bridge over ceremony the governor and the mayor promised the River Vistula. It is served by route 2 to the to re-introduce trams to the main street, where JAPAN temporary sub-terminus of Tarchomin from rails were lifted, by 2020. Metro Mlociny, worked by six double-ended The operational tram fleet comprises RBZ-6 OSAKA. The Hankai tramway took delivery of low-floor trams of the 3500 series. Delivery of 192, 222 and 227, KTM-5 291/3 and KTM-8 its first low-floor tram, 1001, on 15 February, 45 more double-ended trams from PESA will 314/8. Since the re-opened section has no depot introducing a new brown and green livery. It start in April 2014. L. Pohoryles access, trams are serviced at the terminal loops. will undergo tests until June and enter revenue N. Semyonov service in September. Two more are on order at ROMANIA YEKATERINBURG. Trials are underway of a cost of JPY250m (EUR2m) each. E. B. Havens the first71-409 100% low-floor (991) articulated ARAD. 1969-built ex-Ludwigshafen six-axle car assembled at the local Uraltransmash MOROCCO articulated Düwag tram 0138 has been given factory under the guidance of Bombardier. The a EUR6000 modernisation financed by a local city council has approved the first light rail line, CASABLANCA. The new tramway carried company. It carries a new red and ivory livery, which will be worked by this rolling stock from 1.2m passengers in its first six weeks, and 37 and if successful should be followed by others ul. Tatischeva to Akademichesku. A. Kolesov tramsets are in operation from March to provide in the city’s diverse fleet of second-hand trams. capacity for 250 000 passengers/day. Magharebia DS SINGAPORE TIMISOARA. European Union financing NETHERLANDS worth RON84m (EUR19m) has been granted MASS RAPID TRANSIT. Two new metro for three public transport projects, with the lines are to be built by 2030, and three AMSTERDAM. Alstom has been given an rebuilding of the tramway in Stefan cel Mare, existing lines extended, bringing the system order for five more metro trains, an option in the estimated to cost RON24m (EUR5m). A. Bailey to 360km (224 miles) from the current 178km 120TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

F T THE year 2013 is a very important year for Isle of Man Railways; S O H R E A M E Saturday 7 September will be the 120th Anniversary of the Manx . . Y E

. 0 R

2

. Electric Railway. .

1 1

The first terminus was located at the picturesque Groudle Glen, and it was to this location that the official opening tram travelled on the 7 September 1893. This year’s anniversary celebrations will include a number of special services, photo opportunities, re-enactments, workshop tours and more. The Manx Electric Railway is unique, consisting of a number of open and closed tramcars and trailers, including trams No.1 and 2, which date from 1893 and are in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest operational tramcars still in service anywhere in the world. Still powered by the mysterious Mercury Arc Rectifier, this Victorian tramway still runs a regular service from March to Novem- ber, with trams every 30 minutes in the summer. The railway itself is the best to explore the Island’s east coast line and why not do so in Victorian style, by taking a charming electric tramcar along the 28km (17.5-mile) route from Douglas to Ramsey, with the option to alight at the historic village of Laxey (home of the Laxey Wheel) and ride the Snaefell Mountain Railway to the summit of the Island’s only mountain and the only place in the British Isles you can see the ‘Seven Kingdoms’; England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Mann, Heaven and the Kingdom of Neptune. For more information about the Manx Electric Railway and other railways on the Isle of Man, visit www.iombusandrail.info. Or Facebook page www.facebook.com/isleofmanrailways. . Tramways & Urban Transit will be publishing a special supplement around this anniversary within the next issue, this A variety of special services and events are planned to mark the 120th celebration of the historic Manx railway is one for your diary. anniversary of the Manx Electric Railway in September. Manx Electric Railway

148 APRIL 2013 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org examining options for Crossrail 2, a north-south link from Hackney to Chelsea. TfL’s choice lies between an automatic metro and a full regional railway that would see suburban trains linking into the new line. London Mayor Boris Johnson has indicated that an early commitment is required from the UK Government whichever mode is chosen, in view of potential congestion at Euston-St Pancras when the High Speed 2 line is developed. If built as a metro, Crossrail 2 would run between Seven Sisters and Clapham Junction, serving Hackney Central, Angel, Euston- St Pancras, Piccadilly Circus, Victoria and King’s Road, Chelsea, relieving both London Underground’s Victoria line and pressure at Waterloo Underground station. However, if built as part of the regional network, trains from a branch to Alexandra Palace and from Cheshunt and Hertford East would operate via Hackney and Tooting Broadway into a central London tunnel that would emerge south of Wimbledon to allow Nottingham’s Karlsruhe Friendship Bridge that will carry the extended tramway, seen here on 21 February as trains to run to Woking, Chessington South, it makes it way across Queen’s Road in the city centre. Nottingham City Council Epsom, Shepperton and Twickenham. LONDON (DOCKLANDS). Frequencies (110.6 miles). The 50km (31-mile) Cross Island (12.5 miles) will be built above the existing between Stratford and Canary Wharf were line will run from Jurong Industrial Estate in SRT alignment, using in part support structures improved from 28 January. Trains now operate the west of Changi in the east, while the 20km from the abortive 1990 Hopewell scheme. RGI every six minutes 06.30-21.00. In consequence, (12.4-mile) Jurong Region Line will serve the trains from Bank to Lewisham will not stop at western side of the island. A. Bailey TUNISIA West India Quay station until after 21.00 rather than after 19.00. Journey times on a number of SPAIN TUNIS. A consortium of Colas Rail, Siemens other routes were improved from the same date. and Somatra-Gel has been awarded a EUR145m LONDON (TRAMLINK). The London ALACANT (ALICANTE). Funds are being contract to build 20km (12.4 miles) of suburban Borough of Croydon has issued a supplementary sought to restart the suspended electrification commuter rail for lines D and E. Work will start planning document for the Croydon Opportunity on the Benidorm – Altea section. In the longer in summer 2014 and last 46 months. RGI Area which suggests that Wellesley Road, the term the power should reach Benidorm, where major north-south route to the west of East a new station is planned. With maintenance on UNITED KINGDOM Croydon station, will be made more pedestrian the completed but mothballed line 2 costing and cycle friendly with extra tram capacity and EUR2.2m/year, FGV has said it will retender BLACKPOOL. Blackpool Council is to join some highway improvements. the operating contract. A. Moglestue with Lancashire County Council and Blackburn A second tram route could be built across the ZARAGOZA. The tramway extension to with Darwen Council in a bid to the Department town centre, allowing the frequency of tram Parque Goya was to open on 26 March, with for Transport to take more control of transport services to be increased from 24 to 32 an hour, 18 trams required for peak service when a spending. If this is agreed, one major project although it is stated that this would be a high- 5-minute headway is operated on the 12.8km that could be funded is the proposed extension cost project requiring further study. (7.95-mile). line. J. P-Gonzalvo of the tramway from North Pier to Blackpool LONDON (UNDERGROUND). Service North railway station, turnouts for which have levels on the Victoria line have been boosted to SWEDEN been included in the new layout following 33 trains per hour in the peaks with improved relaying at North Pier. intervals between the peaks. This has delivered GÖTEBORG. With the AnsaldoBreda low- The complete fleet of Flexity 2 trams is now an approximate 21% capacity increase – a result floor trams suffering from premature corrosion, available with the return of 002 from Bombardier of the introduction of new signalling and trains. it has been decided to tender for 40 new trams, and the reactivation of 006. Balloon 701, which Transport for London’s Tube modernisation with an option for a further 60. BT had been retained on the reserve fleet, has been programme is designed to deliver a 30% converted for use as a snowplough. It is the first increase in capacity. With work on the Victoria SWITZERLAND time there has been a dedicated snowplough line now complete, upgrades to the Northern, tram since 2006 – although winter tram services Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and BASEL (BLT). On 5 December both cantons have only been reinstated this year. Metropolitan lines are underway as are station gave the go-ahead for construction in 2015 of GLASGOW. Modernisation of Partick station capacity improvements at Victoria, Tottenham a direct 300m link for line 10 to Bahnhof SBB. is due to be completed in late spring as part Court Road and Bond Street. EA of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport’s A plan has been outlined to meet Mayor Boris ZÜRICH. CHF18m (EUR14.6m) has been Subway modernisation project. Kelvinhall and Johnson’s commitment to reduce delays by a made available for the reconstruction of streets Ibrox station upgrades are next, with works to further 30% by the end of 2015. An additional on the south side of Bhf Oerlikon, a project start later this year for completion in time for reduction in delays is to be achieved by grouping that will take from summer 2013 to autumn the Commonwealth Games in 2014. Detailed LU’s 11 lines into three levels to get the most 2014 to complete. A new tramway layout will designs for Govan, St Enoch and Buchanan from their current and planned condition. These be created, and during the work the route 10 Street stations are also underway. are newly-upgraded lines (Victoria, Jubilee and workings scheduled to end at Bhf Oerlikon will Confidex has won a GBP400 000 (approx. Docklands Light Railway) with new trains and run to Bhf Oerlikon-Ost. ‘tram’ EUR464 000) contract to supply contactless upgraded signalling and track; transition lines, paper tickets for the Glasgow Subway. Limited- including those currently being upgraded; and THAILAND use ‘smart’ tickets will replace magnetic remaining lines which have ageing assets where strip tickets as an interim solution before the maintenance will be the key prior to proposals BANGKOK. Further extension of the Silom introduction of ‘Oyster’-style smartcards. to upgrade. line to Talat Phiu opened on 14 February, while LONDON (CROSSRAIL). With construction Operating hours are to be extended on Fridays two contracts for the second phase of the Red line underway on the east-west Crossrail ready for and Saturdays until 02.00 the next day. A new commuter rail project were also signed; 20.2km an opening in 2018, Transport for London is timetable is to be introduced at the start of 2015

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org APRIL 2013 149 Worldwide Review at the earliest on a ‘core network’, with north- south and east-west routes and with links to the night bus network. The Piccadilly line, which is yet to feature in the upgrade programme, would be excluded from the proposals. Councillors in Lambeth have reacted to the UK Government’s indication of funding for an extension of the Northern line into the Battersea development area at Nine Elms by suggesting cheaper alternatives would be a ‘monorail’ from central London or an elevated Docklands Light Railway-type automated system from Waterloo. MORECAMBE. An ex-resident of Morecambe is trying to interest local authorities in his vision of building a cable car over Morecambe Bay from the seaside resort to Grange-over-Sands and further into the Lake District. NOTTINGHAM. Work has started on the tram bridge across Nottingham station; the first section was manoeuvred overnight on 11 February. Creation of the steel structure, to be known as Karlsruhe Friendship Bridge, marks a significant milestone in the Nottingham Express The first Uraltransmash 71-409 low-floor articulated car, built with assistance from Bombardier, on trial in the Transit project to extend the city’s tram lines to Russian city of Yekaterinburg. Kapitan the south and south west of the city. The bridge measures 104m in length and WEST MIDLANDS. Councillors and business CHARLOTTE, NC. Construction on 14.5m in width, and weighs 1100 tonnes. A representatives have visited France and the Uptown tramway started in February. time-lapse video of the installation is available Belgium to view Bus Rapid Transit systems, Completion is scheduled for 2015. E. B. Havens at www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cmZ5eDj_1Q which Integrated Transport Authority Centro CHICAGO, IL. CTA has added eight cars to When complete, the bridge will connect and Birmingham City Council are keen to its order with Bombardier for new metro trains. with two further bridges, one to be positioned introduce on several transport corridors as a The Red line is shut between Carmack and over Station Street and the other over Queens possible precursor to full tram operation. 95th St from 19 May to 19 October to facilitate Road. The three new structures will replicate The routes form part of the Birmingham the rehabilitation project. E. B. Havens those that once stood in the same locations and Sprint scheme, which is hoped to commence DALLAS, TX. Construction of the Oak Cliff formed part of the Great Central Railway. in 2015 on the A34 Walsall corridor across the tramline resulted in the closure of the Houston SOUTH YORKSHIRE. The tram-train pilot City Centre to Five Ways as a replacement for a St bridge from 11 March. It should re-open project has been delayed by other priorities at previously proposed tram extension. The party when the tramway is completed by 31 October the Department for Transport and the formal visited the firm Van Hool in Belgium to see 2014. E. B. Havens agreements, which had been expected to construction of ‘trambuses’ and Paris to inspect HOUSTON, TX. CAF has informed Metro of be completed by the end of 2012, were not the operational BRT line. a 90-day delay in its contract to build 39 LRVs, expected to be signed before the end of February. WEST YORKSHIRE. A meeting of the All- due to industrial action in Spain. The first car TYNE AND WEAR. A GBP23m (approx. Party Parliamentary Light Rail Group received a was supposed to arrive in November, but spring EUR26.6m) award has been allocated by the presentation on a proposed tram-train link from 2014 is the latest estimate. E. B. Havens UK Government as part of the overall Metro; Leeds to Leeds Bradford International Airport, LOS ANGELES, CA. The junction between all change project. The award confirms the full via Horsforth. This outlined progress on the the Blue line and the Expo line was closed possible amount of grant for years four to six project to the bipartisan group of MPs, along on 16-17 February to permit work to slightly of the modernisation scheme. The total amount with Department for Transport and industry narrow the gauge, correcting a problem dating confirmed is GBP93m (approx. EUR107.7m) representatives. The scheme is being led by local from 2010. E. B. Havens over three years to 2016, which together MPs who are pressing for it to be included within LOWELL, MA. The heritage tramway has with the local contribution of GBP10m will the proposed GBP1bn (approx. EUR1.16bn) received a federal grant of USD564 400 to mean investment of over GBP100m (approx. West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund package. improve trackwork and replace electrical and EUR116m) in the next three years. Opportunities to provide a tram-train mechanical equipment on its fleet of three Funding will allow Passenger Transport link have been suggested in recent strategy replica trams. E. B. Havens Executive Nexus to deliver key projects documents, including full conversion of the MINNEAPOLIS – ST PAUL, MO. The first between 2013 and 2016, including: Renewal Leeds – Harrogate – York suburban operations two of the new batch of Siemens S70 LRVs of tracks and trackbed from Tynemouth to to tram-train incorporating a branch to the entered service on the Hiawatha line on 12 Gateshead, including through Newcastle city airport, the electrification of the line from the February. E. B. Havens centre; completing the refurbishment of the airport via Horsforth to Leeds city centre and NEW ORLEANS, LA. The new 1.3km train fleet; continuing the refurbishment of the provision of an airport to Bradford via (0.8-mile) Loyola Avenue tramway to Union 45 stations; introducing smartcard travel with Guiseley tram-train. It has been suggested that Passenger Terminal played its part in carrying the local ‘Pop’ card; starting the system-wide implementation of any scheme would follow the visitors to the Superbowl on 3 February, with replacement of overhead power lines, as well as experience gained from the operation of tram- arriving fans being offered one and three-day upgrading communications and signal systems. trains between Sheffield and Parkgate. passes for USD3/9 respectively. E. B. Havens A six-day major line closure in North Tyneside NEW YORK, NY. Train service to the took place between 16 and 21 February. The USA Rockaways will be restored in June after work was the last of such closures required to Hurricane Sandy washed away the line. The replace Metro tracks and trackbeds between ATLANTA, GA. The first track for the 4.2km R-32 cars shipped in a Rockaway shuttle were Byker and North Shields, following two (2.6 mile) city centre tramway loop was laid on replaced by 20 R-46 before Christmas. closures last year and in 2011. At the same time 15 February. Completion is expected in spring South Ferry station in Manhattan is still the bridge over Carville Road in Wallsend was 2014. E. B. Havens closed, and will be completely rebuilt. The MTA replaced, along with a number of track points. BOSTON, MA. The winter storm that is examining the possibility of re-opening the The remaining stations on the line are being blanketed the north-east on 8 February saw old station in the interim. E. B. Havens refurbished with work at Wallsend, Hadrian MBTA suspend all its services at 15.30 on PORTLAND, OR. Clackamas County has Road and Percy Main starting this spring. that day. Limited service resumed at 14.00 on asked TriMet to curtail the Milwaukie light rail Walkergate station, where a new lift is to be 10 February. All services except Ashmont – line now under construction to terminate at the installed, will follow later this year. Mattapan resumed on 11 February. R. Barrows County boundary. This follows the November

150 APRIL 2013 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org referendum result when voters approved the its former Paisley 68 identity into Glasgow to Anchorsholme Primary School to become a need for a public vote before committing livery as a blue route car last year. This work static classroom. It is expected conversion work resources to finance, design or operate light rail was funded by the Scottish Tramway and will be completed to enable it to be delivered to within the county. The line is scheduled to open Transport Society prior to the car featuring in the school site during the Easter holidays. in September 2015. Meanwhile in Clark County the Crich Glasgow event last September. The work has been funded by Anchorsholme a group opposed to the extension of light rail CRICH (UK). The National Tramway Museum School, in partnership with Blackpool Council across the river to Vancouver, WA, has filed suit again saw a reduction in the number of visitors and with contributions from the ward budgets after its petition was declared to have received during 2012. Around 75 000 paying visitors of local councillors. insufficient signatures. E. B. Havens were received over the year, some 13 700 lower WHANGAREI (NZ). Two ex-Lisboa trams ST PETERSBURG, FL. A sales tax proposal than budgeted; these were the lowest numbers that have spent many years in Aspen, Colorado, to help fund a light rail project should since 1968 and some way from the peak of have now arrived at the Museum & Heritage be placed on the November 2014 referendum. 200 000 in 1978. Park, where they will be prepared to carry E. B. Havens The low numbers for 2012 were believed passengers around the site. Northern Advocate SAN ANTONIO. TX. On 28 January regional to be due to the Olympics and Paralympics, planning organisation VIA accepted USD92m weather and the state of the economy. No CONTRIBUTORS from the Texas Department of Transportation to special events had to be cancelled but the only fund the proposed tramway project. E. B. Havens one to see a significant increase in numbers was Worldwide items should be sent to SAN FRANCISCO, CA (MUNI). Muni has the Edwardian event, which took place over a Worldwide Editor Michael Taplin at Flat 1, purchased a two-year lease on the disused weekend of good weather. 10 Hope Road, Shanklin, Isle of Wight PO37 Pagoda Palace Theater in Powell St to provide HEATON PARK (UK). Work on the new 6EA, UK – Fax: +44 (0)1983 862810 or a work site for the Central LRT subway, depot continues, but progress has been slowed [email protected] permitting tunnel-boring machines to be by winter weather and the proposed move UK and Ireland items are welcomed by the removed without closing the street. E. B. Havens of Blackpool tram 680 to the site has been Home News Editor, John Symons, 17 Whitmore SAN RAFAEL, CA. The Transportation deferred; an unveiling of the tram scheduled for Avenue, Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent, ST9 0LW, Authority of Marin County has made the end of March has been cancelled. UK. E-mail [email protected] USD100 000 available for a study into the After refurbishment over the winter, Stockport Contributors this month include Mike potential of a tramway linking Fairfax and San 5 will return to service carrying replica Haddon, Paul Jackson and Eric Pounder. Rafael, acting as a feeder to the SMART +diesel period advertisements printed on vinyl. Tram Acknowledgements are also due to light rail line now under construction. E. B. Havens services have operated through the winter, Birmingham Post, Centro, DS Drehscheibe normally with Blackpool 623. Strassenbahn, EA Eisenbahn Amateur, Fylde MUSEUM NEWS A road-rail works vehicle is being prepared Tramway Society, Lancashire Evening Post, for use, its rail wheels having been sent away Manchester Evening News, Metro, MTMS, BEAMISH (UK). Another tram to visit for re-profiling to tramway standards. Nexus, Nottingham Evening Post, OR Op De Beamish Museum during its celebrations of the LANCASTRIAN TRANSPORT TRUST Rails, RGI Railway Gazette International, 40th anniversary of the tramway (4-7 April) will (UK). The LTT has agreed that Blackpool RPA, russian consulting.com, SYPTE, Spanish be Glasgow 1068 from the National Tramway tram 622, acquired in 2010 mainly to act as a Railway News, TMS, The Scotsman, and Museum at Crich. Car 1068 was repainted from donor of trucks to preserved 632, will move urbanrail.net. BEAMISH: A TRANSPORT OF DELIGHT

A VISIT to Beamish, the award-winning open host of beautifully-restored cycles and, for air museum in County Durham, is perfect lovers of horse power, a fine selection of for transport enthusiasts, whether they’re horse-drawn vehicles. aficionados of steam, electric or internal Although not all of the Beamish transport combustion power. collection is on view every day, ‘The Great The 2.4km (1.5-mile) Beamish tramway North Festival of Transport’ in April 2013 is the longest working tramway in a UK mu- is a fantastic opportunity to see many of seum, a circular route around the Museum’s them, with a different theme each weekend 300 acres which carries some 1.5 million pas- including: sengers each year. As well as the home fleet . Our Friends Electric: 4 - 7 April. A of six splendidly restored tramcars, Beamish celebration of the 40th anniversary of the plays host to visiting trams such the iconic Beamish Tramway. Blackpool streamline trams 101 and 233. . The Great North Steam Fair: 11 - 14 Every summer day, visitors can ride behind April. A huge gathering of all forms of trans- a replica of an early steam locomotive – port, with road, rail and agricultural steam Locomotion No. 1, Puffing Billy or Steam vehicles on show and in action. Elephant haul recreated carriages of the day . Old King Coal: 18 - 21 April. through the Georgian landscape; each week- Celebrating the coal mining heritage of the end a steam locomotive runs at the Museum’s North East. Rowley Station too. If it’s industrial steam locomotives you prefer, there’s the magnifi- . For more information on the cent 1871 Coffee Pot and the amazing Lewin Beamish transport collection, visit No. 18 which worked at Seaham Harbour. beamishtransportonline.co.uk The Beamish collection contains a great variety of road vehicles too – the splendid Right: Beamish holds a multitude of historic vehicles. 1931 Fowler steam roller ‘Rambler’, a 1933 A couple of the beautifully-restored examples include Morris Commercial flatbed lorry, a 1922 the replica of Locomotion No1 at Beamish (above Matchless motorcycle and sidecar, a whole right) and the Rambler (right). Beamish

Beamish Museum, Beamish, County Durham DH9 0RG Tel: 0191 370 4000 Fax: 0191 370 4001 E-mail: [email protected] – www.beamish.org.uk

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org APRIL 2013 151 [email protected] +44 (0)1832 281145 LETTERS Letters should be clearly typed and preferably not handwritten. Get your views into print We reserve the right to shorten contributions for publication. Trackform: Green systems and slab track T R Werring is correct in his letter supported on concrete blocks or any other it causes a shock to the track which is regarding the use of grass on French form of simplified track construction. applied at a place and in a direction tramway reservations (TAUT 902) – it To understand the argument, it is which is unforseen at the time of track is aesthetically attractive and makes for necessary to explain that in most concrete construction. This is one of the main good publicity. However, I doubt very slab track construction techniques the reasons why the attempt to embed light much if it reduces CO2 levels in any rail girder is put into place first and railway track into a road failed. This significant way. Grass will absorb more held in the right position by provisional caused the surviving tramway networks carbon dioxide than it produces, but only standards, until the concrete has been in western Europe to start using concrete while growing and only during daylight. poured, generally in two layers. The slab track from the 1960s. At night it returns quite a large concrete typically reaches the railhead, For street track, the concrete typically proportion of the CO2 to the atmosphere except for grassed track. reaches to the rail head, leaving only through respiration. And when grass If one looks closely at the picture at the around one centimetre for an asphalt dies, its decomposition – whether mowed bottom left (Den Haag), it is evident that layer. This type of track has proven clippings on a compost heap, or on the there is no fastening that affixes the rails resilient to general road traffic, and ground, or in a rabbit – will release the onto the concrete blocks. Furthermore, even on heavily-trafficked alignments rest of the CO2 back to the atmosphere. wooden insets between the concrete blocks a service life of around 30 years can be Artificial grass, which does not require and the rails regulate the height. In fact, expected without too much maintenance. the use of energy in mowing, will actually the concrete blocks are only the provisional For today’s cost structures with high be more environmentally friendly, if standards mentioned above, and they wages and low costs for raw materials, one neglects the CO2 produced in its will be encompassed in the concrete once only solutions with a long service life manufacture. The residue of carbon poured. After the construction works have and very low demand for maintenance trapped in the mown grass and its roots reached the state depicted here, anchor are economically sound, although this will be minimal. pieces are affixed to the rails, and then the requires high inital capital investment. Only the prevention of decomposition, lower concrete layer is poured. This lower The main downside of concrete slab e.g. the use of timber in the construction layer is then holding the anchor pieces, the track is that its stiffness leads to an easy industry, results in an overall reduction wooden insets are removed and the second propagation of vibrations and noise. That of CO2. concrete layer is poured. Finally the road is why in the last decades many kinds of David Beach, by e-mail surface is established with asphalt. resilient slab tracks have been developed, The picture at the lower right is even one of them shown in the picture on page In TAUT 902, T R Werring asks why clearer in this respect: The rails are 104 at the bottom right as mentioned above. grass track is not used in UK. I recall that supported by jackscrews that allow for Generally speaking, the concept of when the second-generation tramways precise height regulation but cannot a very light tram track that could be were first being built (particularly in be used in any way to support running inserted without too much digging into Croydon, I believe) it was said that grass operation. The rails are embedded in the available roadbed must be seen as an track could not be used because it allows resilient material, typical for concrete illusion. Apart from the problems related greater electrical leakage from the rails to trackbeds, and the workers in the picture to the co-existence of general road traffic the mass of earth. are pouring concrete into the trackbed! and the rails, there are obvious mechanical This leaked current leads to electrolytic Taking a broader perspective, the properties of rail traffic that prevent this. corrosion of buried structures near the history of tram tracks resembles the The issue is that the contact between tramway and apparently this is more ongoing competition between guns and wheel and rail is a hard one with an strictly controlled in the UK than in armour. In the time of horse trams, rails extremely small contact surface. This other countries. A figure of 6mA/km is were laid directly on packed stone, with entices high peak loads at this contact mentioned in one publication. transversal bars ensuring the right gauge. point, which directly lead to heavy The LRTA website carries an article The space between the rails was filled vehicles to ensure sufficient robustness by Arthur Vaughan Abbott dated 1899 with sand and cobbles. Even though the (ability to cope with the peak efforts (www.lrta.org/TA01.htm) and perhaps horse-drawn cars were extremely light on the long run) and a correspondingly someone with more up-to-date technical by today’s standards and ran at very low heavy track that is able to handle the knowledge could explain the reasons and speeds, the track condition deteriorated heavy vehicles on a long-term basis. the limits of leakage current or, more quickly and the tramway companies had On the other hand, the contact between particularly, why it is a greater problem difficulties in affording the maintenance. the road vehicle and the road surface in the UK than other countries. Once heavier electric tramcars arrived, is a soft one, due to the presence of the N C Friswell, Horsham (UK) tracks were typically built as light railway pneumatic tyre. In fact, the pneumatic tracks with wooden transversal sleepers tyre must be seen as the genial invention David Gibson’s article on trackform on packed stones. The room between the that made the breakthrough of motorised construction in TAUT 903 contains a grooved rails was again filled with sand road traffic possible. The soft contact number of misunderstandings that call and cobbles. Again, this type of track between vehicle and road enables the use for urgent correction. proved unsuitable in the long run as it of light and cheaply-built vehicles. Although I do not know in detail the caused far too much maintenance effort. To conclude, concrete slab track cannot track construction methods used in When discussing street tracks, general be seen as such as a reason for UK tram Den Haag and Hannover, it is evident road traffic must be taken into account. projects being more expensive then by looking closely at the pictures at the The tram track is a disturbance to the continental ones. Concrete slab track is bottom of page 104 that this does not general roadbed and surface, and each standard all over the continent and all new represent a solution for a girder rail time a road vehicle moves over the rails lines in France have been built this way.

152 APRIL 2013 www.tramnews.net l www.Irta.org The author is right in saying that if it is poorly built it is costly to re-do it, but this has also been experienced on the continent. One could discuss the dimensions and details of slab track construction, but this is a much more complicated story which depends on local conditions like type of ground, expected speeds, traffic levels etc. The legislation on stray current cannot be taken as a reason for UK tram projects being more expensive either. Legislation here has been tightened greatly in recent decades and full insulation in built-up areas has become commonplace. Dieter Schopfer, Berne (Switzerland)

I would like to offer a perhaps more extreme example of the over-engineering referred to by David Gibson (TAUT 903) with this photograph taken on 16 January on Hardy Lane in Chorlton, Manchester, where after many months of preparatory disruption, track is at last David Holt argues that differing forms of track construction should be delivered depending on the being laid for the line to the airport. environment; this track into a Manchester housing estate is over-specification at its worst, he argues.D. Holt Hardy Lane is a very wide road which originally, in the 1920s, was intended to seems particularly questionable in be relatively dubious bearing in mind form part of a through road to Sale and these circumstances, just to install the the pre-existing alternative route via beyond, crossing the River Mersey more tram rails visible on the right. Those Piccadilly Gardens. And one day, British or less where the new tramway bridge is strong steel girder rails could surely be practitioners might start employing located. Today Hardy Lane leads nowhere supported here much less expensively, techniques well-established elsewhere and except into a housing estate and is lightly less disruptively and less elaborately. in the UK in the past for keeping tram used by motor cars and the occasional When Manchester’s second city services going over or around excavations, bus, refuse wagon or delivery vehicle. crossing is installed in the not-too-distant an example of which, in Bielefeld, is also The need for all that reinforced future, the need for expensive and shown in the March issue. concrete, and earth return precautions, disruptive services diversion works will David Holt, by e-mail

Issues for cash-strapped systems a more telling comparative analysis can be If you take annual ridership of ten million Long-standing LRTA member Ian Yearsley is obtained by comparing capital costs per passengers, in the order of 32 000/day on quite right on the matter of financing both the passenger journey (or by passenger/km) over weekdays, investment cost per passenger is installation of tramways and the subsequent the book life of the project. around GBP1 per journey. As revenue per renewal of their infrastructure (TAUT 902). The ̔convention̓ in the UK is that tram/LRT passenger is likely to be approx GBP1 (allowing He points out the significant problem with systems are expected to cover their operating for concessions) this produces an acceptable first-generation tram systems once the bulk of costs from fare revenue (operating for this result in value for money criteria. Each the assets had come to the end of their lives purpose includes all revenue expenditure, passenger journey costs GBP2, the passenger – making it easy for politicians and transport but NOT depreciation and financing costs). pays GBP1 and the public pays the other GBP1. managers to create a case for abandonment The viability of the initial capital investment, I would suggest that UK tramways to date and replacement with buses rather than funded by grant, is assessed on socio- are inferior to European systems on this basis, investing in new cars, renewing the tracks and economic and environmental benefit criteria, especially those in France. Ridership is the the overhead line equipment. (in competition with other transport schemes, key. The recent T3 extension in Paris (Porte This was often the point at which and publicly-financed projects generally). d̓Ivry – Porte de la Chapelle) is reported in trolleybuses came into the picture, to continue Whilst it is well established that tram/LRT TAUT 902 to cost EUR652m (GBP543m) making use of the longer lifespan of power schemes create value by the physical presence and forecast to carry 16 500 passengers daily, generation and supply infrastructure whilst of a fixed-asset system, nevertheless the nominally 60.2m/year. Over a 30-year book avoiding the cost of track replacement and principal measure of the continuing value of life this equates to just GBP0.30 per passenger. purchasing cheaper vehicles. There is no doubt such a system is in ridership attracted. This may be exceptional, but a cursory care must be taken with the second-generation I would suggest 30 years as a reasonable analysis of other French system construction tram systems to secure the necessary funding book life for assessing the whole life benefit of costs vis-a-vis ridership indicates cost per for renewals when the time comes. a scheme. Much of the initial investment has passenger journey well below that of the UK, The fact that these networks are operated an ̔infinite̓ book life – design, land purchase, typically in region of GBP0.50-0.90. This can under contract rather than being departments parliamentary costs, project management etc. easily be demonstrated to politicians and the of a municipality could make life easier, since Vehicles last about 25 years, electrical equipment general public to be good value for money. future tendering can wrap up new vehicle and rather less. Infrastructure is more problematic Now consider Edinburgh as the Paris T3 infrastructure investment over several years as curved rail and special work has a short life, extension is around the same length. The without demanding huge capital injections but plain straight track can last 40 years. truncated system in the Scottish capital will from a cash-strapped local council. Structures are also have a long life, but do well to generate 10m passengers/year, Andrew Braddock, LRTA Chairman even reinforced concrete seems to have a and as the construction costs are outurning at limited lifespan of, say, 50 years. Using a GBP776m, this indicates a cost per passenger Ridership holds investment key nominal book life of 30 years it is possible to journey of GBP2.59 (almost nine times that of The TAUT 902 editorial correctly draws demonstrate the investment cost per passenger Paris T3) and therefore difficult to justify. In attention to the difficulties of devising on a notional depreciation basis, e.g. tramway fact, the Edinburgh scheme is now officially meaningful comparisons between UK construction at GBP300m equals annual forecast to generate only 5.4m passengers/ construction costs (per km) and those of other straight line depreciation of GBP10m over a year. This indicates a capital cost per nations, for reasons well explained. However, 30-year book life. passenger of GBP4.79! A terrible indictment

www.tramnews.net l www.Irta.org APRIL 2013 153 of the mismangement of a scheme originally Mainline railways, apart from metro and than 750V – after all, some Swiss trolleybus forecast to cost circa. GBP450m and generate suburban systems, largely use ac, 25kV 50Hz systems have used 1000V. 10m passengers/year, yielding a ̔respectable̓ or 15kV 16.66 Hz. So what are the relative The use of electronic power conversion capital cost per passenger of approx GBP1.50. advantages of different voltages? has removed the problems of commutators It must be hoped that in the coming years, the Basic electrical engineering dictates that the in dc motors, but presents its own problems. ridership will improve significantly. higher the voltage, the lower the current, and It requires devices that can switch on and off Due to (relatively) low UK ridership, a lower current gives lower losses for a given quickly, have low voltage drop when on, and construction costs per passenger are notably cross section of conductor, losses being current operate at high currents and voltages. The first high in nearly every case, the only exceptions squared times resistance. Resistance (for dc to offer high power was the thyristor, a rugged being Manchester (phase 1) and Croydon. or low frequency ac) is inversely proportional device, but with only the ability to turn on, it Croydon is especially good, close to full to cross sectional area and proportional to the had to be forced to turn off. It was therefore commercial viability. This relatively high resistivity of the material; which is about ten suitable for ac systems, but on dc systems cost per passenger in the UK (Sheffield, West times higher for steel than copper. Aluminium another thyristor and capacitor were necessary Midlands and Nottingham) may well have is about twice that of copper. to turn-off. They could not operate very fast, motivated Alistair Darling to pull the plug Standard voltages have developed with the which gives rise to the characteristic whines on tramway development, thereby killing the technology of the time. With dc motors and and ̔gear changing̓ from earlier stock. Later, Merseyside, Leeds and Portsmouth schemes – generators, 500-600V was the limit in early gate turn-off devices (GTOs) were developed, and discouraging others at the same time. days; thus tramway networks developed using which made things easier, but these have Of course, full commercial viability this voltage. As technology improved, motors been superseded by the insulated gate bipolar remains the holy grail. The extraordinary could be made that used higher voltages; this transistor (IGBT) which can operate at much development of first-generation UK tramways largely involved better insulation, and running higher switching speeds. (140-plus systems with approx 9000km of lower voltage motors in permanent series. I should explain here roughly how power route) in just ten years between 1898-1908 Thus we have railways using up to 3kV dc. is converted electronically. It has been done was facilitated by the commercial viability of The UK lost its first generation tramways, for decades in audio amplifiers, in which a these systems (approx 30% private enterprise, apart from Blackpool and the MER. Its first dc supply is converted to ac, including all 70% municipal enterprise but still requiring light rail system was the Tyne & Wear Metro, the frequencies in the audible range. This full viability to repay loans or bond interest). and extreme caution was used in its design, traditionally involved modulating current in The Paris T3 route indicates that with only a with the result that heavy rail mechanical a linear manner, but this involves high power modest fare increase and a few other economies, control gear was used, and 1500V dc with losses, as it involves changing resistance. then there really is a prospect of fully permanent series connected motors was As improved transistors became available commercial privately-financed tramways in a selected on the basis of capital cost savings. over the last 50 years, it became possible to major metropolis. What works in Paris should Yet this mechanical control system was switch current on and off in very short bursts, work in London. How about a London orbital already considered obsolete in most countries and control the average current by pulse width tramway, say Docklands – Battersea – Notting by then. No regeneration is used; and this lack, modulation (PWM). This is the basis of all Hill – Finsbury Park – Docklands or similar. along with starting resistances and permanent modern inverters; a sine wave is constructed by Should any prospective promoter be able to series operation must have wasted an enormous synthesis of small individual sections, in which demonstrate a convincing business case (with amount of energy over the years. At the the on-off ratio determines the amplitude. a properly evaluated analysis of forecast costs same time, even Blackpool had used chopper Modern computation makes generating these and revenues), it might well attract private control in its modernisation with 761 and 762. relatively simple. These bursts are applied to investors. But full commercial viability will Next was Docklands, using 750V dc with the motor, and the inductance of the motor probably require reliable forecasts of under-running third rail. It still had dc motors, windings filters them out into a near sine 160 000 passengers per day (as in Paris). Can but with chopper control and regeneration. wave. The result of the filtering is the whine. UK cities achieve this? Manchester Metrolink came next; largely IGBTs are available that can operate up to Alan Robinson, Malvern (UK) converted railway but with street operation. around 5kV, and with currents up to hundreds Originally, dual voltage was to be used, 1500V or thousands of amps. IGBTs now have a large Tramway electrical systems dc on railway sections, and 750V on-street, but industrial use, and devices suitable for use We have come to consider 750V dc to be the it was decided to use 750V throughout. This on standard mains voltages of 380-440V ac standard voltage of all new tram and light used dc motors and chopper control, by now are relatively cheap; these have a peak rating rail systems. Older systems normally used considered old technology elsewhere, inverters of 1200V. It might be thought a large margin 550-600Vdc; though 1200Vdc was used on and ac motors by then being commonplace. of safety; but it must be pointed out that ac occasion for interurban systems, sometimes So, is it really not possible to have higher voltages are rms, and that the peak is much with 600V dual voltage for urban sections. voltages on street? Is 1500V really more lethal higher, nearly 600V. When an electrical circuit

Book Review Vicinal and urban municipal networks is this comes at the cost covered. of great swathes of the Charleroi’s trams since 1940 – Coal, steel As the book’s title implies, the period Vicinal and all of the and cornfields by Geoffrey Skelsey and from the Second World War to the present town networks having Yves-Laurent Hansart. day is the principal focus and the wonderful disappeared. The A4 softback, 112 pages, over 300 illustrations selection of photographs brings the subject to character of what has in colour and black & white and numerous life. Post-war route extensions, new rolling now gone is, however, maps including a large fold-out plan of the stock and the changing prospects for the perfectly demonstrated combined STIC/SNCV network in 1969. town tramways are described, along with the photographically and a metamorphosis of the core Vicinal network good selection of maps This fascinating book sets the scene by into the MLC or “Metro Léger de Charleroi”, helps those unfamiliar describing the topography of the ‘pays noir’, with its grandiose plans severely affected by with the area to follow the story. Indeed, a the development of the coal and iron trades, the decline in the coal and steel industries. large fold-out plan of what existed in 1969 is and the need for local transport followed by With the merger of the two undertakings one of the book’s most useful features. a brief overview of the area’s early railways, in 1991 as TEC or “Transports en Commun”, Available from lrta.info/shop at £22.50 steam trams and the first town trams in and considerable political will to regenerate plus 10% P&P (to UK addresses) or by Charleroi. The growth of, and complex the local economy, there is a better chance the post from LRTA Publications, 35 High relationship between, the largely regional original objectives may now be met though Street, Moulton, SPALDING, PE12 6QB

154 APRIL 2013 www.tramnews.net l www.Irta.org is broken rapidly, circuit inductance creates expensive) IGBTs and other components are losses in the overhead and rails are much less, a back emf. This can be very high, and result required, 1700V being normal. allowing much cheaper infrastructure. in device destruction, unless clamped. It is It would be better to store regenerated The savings would be even larger if more difficult to keep these ̔spikes̓ low, and it is energy onboard the vehicle, for re-use when efficient permanent magnet motors were normal to allow a two to one margin; which accelerating again. As this energy comes in to replace relatively inefficient induction also allows for some transients on the ac supply. very high peaks, conventional batteries are motors. This is because induction motors In traction with regeneration there can be not suitable. Flywheels are a possibility, as produce torque in a somewhat indirect means, quite a rise in voltage during regeneration, used in the Parry People Mover. However, involving rotor loss, and two stator losses, 900V is allowed on 750V systems (it is there is now an alternative, supercapacitors. magnetising and load; these losses are highest interesting to watch the cab voltmeter on a These can handle very high peak currents, and when accelerating/braking; and in some trams Sheffield tram descending the city’s many don’t have the inherent failure mechanism of can amount to about 100kW before the tram hills, as well as stopping at other places). batteries, as no reversible chemical reaction starts to move. Permanent magnet motors Conventional substations do not allow occurs, just an electrical charge change. have only stator load loss. Relatively new conversion of dc back to the ac supply; (this Until recently, the energy density of neodymium magnet technology has made very does not have to be so, inverters could be supercapacitors has been much less than that lightweight, very efficient motors practical. incorporated), and line voltage is allowed to of batteries, but nanotechnology is changing The reduction of traction currents about rise. If the voltage tries to exceed this, resistors all this as densities of 62.8Wh/kg have now ten times peak, or three times rms, has absorb the energy and keep the voltage to 900 been demonstrated, twice that of lead-acid implications as to the ideal voltage. If we – you can see the resulting hot air rising from batteries. revert to 600V, standard industrial devices the roof! Thus a lot of potential energy is lost Use of on-vehicle energy storage has can be used, reducing the cost. They can also unless other trams motoring can use it. another large advantage; the current demand operate at higher frequencies, largely above As modern trams are heavy, this potential is smoothed out to a relatively low, constant the audible range, and eliminate the whines, energy is very large. This protracted operation level; free of large peaks. This peak reduction whistles or hiss of present traction equipment. at 900V means that higher grade (and more is in the order of ten times, with the result that David Gibson, Derby (UK)

Ken Farrell (1917-2012)

The death occurred on 4 December of Ken He and his mother lived in Coventry at a time Chairman of the London area, and Farrell, who joined the Association (then the the time of the famous blitz in 1941. It is arranged their meetings. He also contributed Light Railway Transport League) in the first said that the trauma so affected him that to the campaign against the scrapping of year of its existence and who was probably he became given to unco-ordinated body London’s tramways. our oldest member at the age of 95. He died movements and a proneness to accidents. To travel around the country to meetings, of cerebrovascular problems and pneumonia Another feature was that he spoke out of the he became a keen cyclist before investing in a nursing home in Addlestone, Surrey. corner of his mouth, not an ideal attribute for in a three-wheeled ‘bubble’ car, which saw Frank Kenneth Farrell was born in Derby a lecturer. As is well known, the blitz brought several overturnings. On one occasion a on 24 October 1917, into a family with Irish about the closure of Coventry tramways and League AGM was brought to a dramatic halt antecedents. His father died when he was Ken took a keen interest in that system, with when the door shot open to reveal his mother just eight months old, killed in action in the his first appearance in print in these columns with bloodied forehead, proclaiming “This is First World War. His mother struggled to in June 1947 with an article on the subject. what my son has done for me!” It transpired provide him with a good education, and he He was appointed Area Liaison Officer that this was the result of one overturning. went to the independent school, Denstone in 1949, tasked with co-ordinating the Almost to the end, Ken was assiduous College, thereafter taking an external degree activities of the various areas into which the at attending meetings, shuffling to them on in electrical engineering. Association was divided. He was to hold a zimmer frame. For all his quirkiness, he After an apprenticeship with British this position until the mid-1980s, one of the possessed a kindly, lively and irrepressible Thomson-Houston at Rugby, he became an longest post-holders in the LRTA’s annals. personality. He was a true character who MIEE, before seeking an academic career, He was elected to the Council in 1949, will be fondly remembered. lecturing in mathematics and chemistry remaining a member until 1970, and was Assistance in compilation of this record, first at the Borough Polytechnic and then at Librarian from 1960-74, holding the stock from several sources co-ordinated by Derek Brookwood College. of books and papers at his home. He was for Redmond, is gratefully acknowledged. GBC

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

March . Thursday 4. Richmond 19.30. David Stamper: Irish railways. (TLRS) Voice: 'Monorails'. (TLRS) . Tuesday 16. London 19.00. Alan . Friday 22. Edinburgh 19.30. Richard JS . Tuesday 9. Leeds 19.00. Paul Abel: A Holmewood: Tramway Video Presentation. Wiseman: Tramway miscellany. Review of Tramway Preservation. . Thursday 18. Dartford 19.30. Alan . Friday 22. Leicester 19.45. Martin Jenkins . Wednesday 10. Brighton (Southwick) Pearce: North American 1987 (San Francisco, Annual Lecture: More Historic Travels. (TMS) 19.40. Ted Vaugham: Switzerland. (TLRS) Toronto, Pittsburgh on digitised Cine). (TLRS) . Saturday 23. Taunton 14.00. Nigel . Friday 12. Glasgow 19.30. Brian Hardy: . Saturday 20. Taunton 14.00. Robert Jackson-Stevens: Family archives. (TLRS) London Underground – Behind the scenes. (STTS) Manders: Debdale to Docklands – 25 years of . Thursday 28. Manchester 19.00. Brian . Saturday 13. Birmingham 14.00. the DLR. (TLRS) Yates: Brussels and Budapest. Graham Sidwell. (LRTA/TLRS/ERS) . Thursday 25. Manchester 19.00. Derek . Saturday 30. Beeston 14.00. . Saturday 13. Oxford 14.00. Ring 01865 Shepherd: Bolton Tramways to 2013. Nottingham Express Transit speaker. (TLRS) 370634 for info. (Oxford & Chilterns TLRS) . Friday 26. Leicester 19.45. John Lessells: . Monday 15. Liverpool 19.30. Mike Video evening. (TMS) April Crabtree: Doncaster Transport. (TLRS) . Saturday 27. Beeston 14.00. Dave . Monday 15. Sheffield 19.30. Mel Carson: Lion City Tramways. (TLRS) . Tuesday 2. Southampton 19.30. Martin Reuben: A Tour of Germany. . Saturday 27. Garstang 14.00. Jamie Hubbard: Electrics through the years. (LRTA/SEG) . Monday 15. Wickham 19.30. Wally Guest: Leeds Horse Tram 107. (TLRS)

www.tramnews.net l www.Irta.org APRIL 2013 155 Classic Trams: Warszawa End of the line for a city icon

With continuing low-floor car orders, classic designs that have served for decades are rapidly disappearing. Mike Russell attended the funeral rites of a classic Polish tramcar.

ome tramcar designs have proved iconic symbols of 1 a city. We think of Milano’s Peter Witt bogie cars, still faithfully at work well into their octogenarian years.S Another fine example is the Konstal13N bogie car, which first plied the streets of the Polish capital, Warszawa (Warsaw) in 1959 and was accorded something approaching a civic funeral on 5 January 2013. For many years, cars of this type were the backbone of the Warszawa tramway and as much a symbol of the city as the Palace of Culture and Science. Given the strenuous operating conditions, it is a remarkable tribute to their robust construction and reliability that many served for over 40 years, with at least one example from the first production batch still in service to the end. After the end of World War Two, with Polish tramways in an appalling condition, make-do-and-mend was the order of the day until the first examples of thetype N two-axle car, modelled on the German wartime Kriegsstrassenbahnwagen (KSW), appeared in 1948. Most were manufactured at Chorzów by the Konstal works, though smaller batches were initially produced at Gdańsk and Sanok; trailer cars were also built, permitting two and three-car sets to be operated. Cars of this design did not meet the capital’s needs and in 1955 Konstal borrowed two of the new Tatra T1 tramcars being built by ČKD Tatra in Praha (Czechoslovakia), with side of the saloon and three passenger entrance/exits with 1Making a final PCC-type bogies and electrical equipment built under double-leaf jack-knife doors. These features enabled the appearance at one licence from the United States. From these two cars, a Polish 13N to demonstrate its capabilities on a system where the of its city centre version, designated 13N, was developed that exhibited ability to place almost all tracks on reservation even in the haunts outside its own distinctive features but clearly bore a family city centre had allowed a model urban light rail system, Dworzec Centralny resemblance to the T1. The two cars were transferred to re-gauged from the Russian standard 1524mm to 1435mm, (Central Station) Warszawa in 1956 and entered service as 501/502, remaining to be constructed from the ashes of the pre-war system. on 5 January is the in use until withdrawn in 1966 and 1968 respectively. A notable characteristic of the 13N was its rapid 13N set headed by acceleration and speedy performance in urban conditions; 140, mingling with Production begins the relatively wide stop spacing allowing this to be amply other types which The first two 13N cars rolled off the production line in demonstrated, and the whine of the motors and gears from now supply the 1959, followed by a further five in 1960; these first models approaching two-car sets became a distinctive feature. needs of the city’s retained the T1 split front windscreen but subsequently a The first 25 cars took fleet numbers 503-527, but regular services. one-piece screen was adopted. Originally the performance thereafter a new series starting with 1 was begun, omitting Mike Russell of the new trams was unsatisfactory and they were prone 501-527, though 526/7 were renumbered 501/2 in 1968 on to frequent breakdowns (once even delaying the workers withdrawal of the T1s. From 1959 until late 1968, no fewer 2 The scene at for the Party meeting with the Polish communist leader, than 843 examples were built, permitting the N-type cars to Piaski terminus on Władysław Gomułka). It took a few years and some be cascaded to provincial systems. All but a handful were to modifications to develop a fine, reliable tram. the same basic design and destined for the capital; indeed, the final night of The first cars did not enter passenger service until July the only other tramway to receive any was Katowice, with fare-paying service 1961. Their appearance must have seemed revolutionary in five in 1962-3 and a further three of the similar14N model by 13N cars, 31 a city still struggling to recover from the war years. These in 1963 and 1967; these were later re-designated 13N. December 2012. were powerful cars, each of the four axles equipped with a In the 1960s, Polish industry had insufficient capacity to Cars 588+295 and motor rated at 41.5kW. Single-ended, the cars were 13.3m provide new cars for all systems; after testing of the 13N, 719+827 stand long by 2.4m wide, with single upholstered seats on each 14N and articulated 15N designs in Katowice, provincial ready for departure on special route 13N. 2 3 Krzysztof Lipnik 3 Tram 502, one of two Tatra T1 cars obtained from ČKD Praha in 1955, that paved the way for the introduction of the Polish-built 13N car, seen decorated for an inaugural journey through Warszawa. Dariusz Walczak Collection

156 APRIL 2013 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org 4 4 Glory days: 5 a view of the track fan outside Mokotów depot on 11 August 1993 in the days when the 13N car ruled the tram tracks of the Polish capital. Mike Russell 5 Cars 718+755 halt at the busy stopping-place at Zamek Królewski on 31 July 2010 while 6 working on east-west 7 trunk line 26. This is a rare example of street-running in the city centre with only hatching for passenger protection. The tunnel in the background carries trams and other road vehicles beneath the old town, painstakingly reconstructed from the ruins of World War Two. fleet renewal was to rest on articulated models102N and Mike Russell Authority), intended to give the 13Ns a final send-off on 102Na starting in 1969. Three of the 1968 Warszawa a special New Year’s Eve service, with eight two-car sets delivery were non-standard in being non-driving motor cars 6 A fine parade operating special route 13N between Piaski and Metro to work as the second car in two-car sets (534+535, 536+537 of 13N cars, led Wilanowska via al. Jana Pawła II, rondo Radosława, plac and 538+539), but this configuration was not perpetuated. by set 366+218, Politechniki and Nowowiejska from 19.00 until around 01.30 Normal operation was as a coupled pair and in this state head south on on New Year’s Day. This was their last day of revenue service. the 13N came to be seen as the standard Warszawa tram Andersa near Imaginative though this overnight service was, the formation, operated on the great majority of the city’s Miedzyparkowa in authorities believed such an iconic symbol of the city routes. One or two less heavily-used routes were worked the initial stages deserved a more formal farewell, and at short notice this by single cars, and between 1977 and 1994 three-car trains of the municipal was arranged for 5 January. Following a valedictory speech were used to alleviate a shortage of motormen. farewell cavalcade at Żoliborz depot by the city’s Mayor, a parade of cars Initial deliveries had a narrow-aperture destination box, of 5 January. proceeded from there at 13.30 to plac Narutowicza via reminiscent of Tatra practice, but after a time this was Krzysztof Lipnik Marymoncka, plac Wilsona, plac Bankowy, Marszałkowska, deemed inadequate and later deliveries featured a slightly Nowowiejska and Filtrowa, including several 13N car pairs raised front roof profile with a bigger box, this design being 7 plus 53 and 2412 of the same type, retained as works cars. applied to earlier models at overhaul. In other respects, most Goodbye. After Other cars later followed via al. Jana Pawła II or 13N cars remained unmodified in appearance throughout the end of the Okopowa to reach plac Narutowicza. From around 14.00 their working lives. An exception was car 821, which in special service on a final special service – again line 13N – was operated 1994 was experimentally renovated with plastic seating and 5 January, the between there and al. Zieleniecka loop, traversing the main two-piece outward swing doors to assess whether such a procession of 13N east-west city tram corridor via Aleje Jerozolimskie and refurbishment should be more generally applied. A cars, led by works Most Poniatowskiego, enabling all those wishing to do so non-driving motor car was similarly rebuilt and renumbered car 53, returns to take a last ride – though this time, free of charge. 818 but this remained unique, though in stock until the end. to Żoliborz depot Despite the bitingly cold wind, many townspeople turned Accident victims aside, withdrawals began in late 1984, and poses for the out, often bringing young children to sample a ‘real’ but even after arrival of a small series of low-floor cars in photographer in Warszawa tramcar for the last time. By around 18.30, it was 1992-3 and more high-floor rolling stock in the later 1990s, al. Solidarnósci all over and the cars retired to Żoliborz via Most Gdanski. the 13N remained a dominant feature of the city tramscape. before Most There was one last surprise. On 13 January, car 407 and In 2009 PESA were contracted to build a fleet of 186 five- Slasko-Dabrowski. modernised set 821+818 operated a special 30-minute section low-floor articulated cars, and it was evident that Krzysztof Lipnik service between plac Narutowicza and al. Zieleniecka from the days of the 13N were numbered. From mid-2011 their 12.00 to 20.30 in connection with the Grand Finale of ranks diminished until, by early autumn 2012, only 23 sets WOŚP, a huge annual charity event. were still in stock, working from Mokotów and Żoliborz For over half a century, the 13N was a dominant feature depots. As completion of the PESA order approached, it was of the Polish capital’s tramway scene. Now it is no more. announced that 13N operation would cease before 2013. Tramwaje Warszawskie, however, intends to retain some With grateful 13N cars as an historic fleet, to join 795 (preserved since The farewell events acknowledgments 1997); 503 of 1959, latterly renumbered 753, will be The last scheduled day of normal service was to have been to Nigel Eames, included. We can thus hope that examples of this impressive 27 December 2012, but on 28 December the staff at Żoliborz Krzysztof Lipnik, car, which transformed the Polish tramway arena and set the sprang a surprise and put five sets into traffic, two each on Karol Tyszka Warszawa tramway on its continuing route to prosperity and lines 26 and 28 and one on 33. Tramwaje Warszawskie, and Witold growth, will from time to time make honoured appearances along with Zarząd Transportu Miejskiego (Warsaw Transport Urbanowicz. on the streets of their spiritual home. TAUT

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org APRIL 2013 157 BOOKSHOP Order online from: lrta.info/shop – or by post from: LRTA Publications, 35 High Street, Moulton, Spalding PE12 6QB Postage & packing: Any UK address: Add 10% (minimum £2.00, maximum £7.50) All addresses outside UK: Add 20% (minimum £4.00, maximum £15.00)

Charleroi’s trams since 1940 – Coal,New steel book and cornfifrom eldsthe LRTA

Geoffrey Skelsey & Yves -Laurent Hansart have put together the story of the Belgian By Geoffrey Skelsey & Yves-Laurent Hansart industrial town of Charleroi’s two tramways, which were part of one of Europe’s most extensive networks. The story of the Belgian industrial town of Charleroi’s two tramways, which were part of one of Traditional two-axle trams still ran in the 1970s and then, in a remarkable Europe’s most extensive networks. metamorphosis, part of the local network of the celebrated Vicinal national undertaking Traditional two-axle trams still ran in the 1970s and then, in a remarkable metamorphosis,evolved part - with considerable difficulty - into a regional light rail system, extended in 2012.

of the local network of the celebrated Vicinal national undertaking evolved - withThis wide considerable-ranging book explores the colourful history of the two tramways since diffi culty - into a regional light rail system, extended in 2012. 1940, with insight into the political and economic problems which lay behind their This wide-ranging book explores the colourful history of the two tramwaysdecline since and partial1940, revival. with

Supported by over 200 outstanding insight into the political and economic problems which lay behind their declineillustrations and by partial photographers revival. who knew the networks well, this is a unique Supported by outstanding images from photographers who knew the networkscontribution well, to transport this history. is a

unique contribution to transport history. Softback, A4 -size, 112 pages with over 300 illustrat and black & white ions in colour Softback, A4 size, 112 pages, with over 200 illustrations in colour and black & white and and numerous numerous maps maps including including a l arge fold a plan of the combined STIC/SNCV -out network in 1969. large fold-out plan of the combined STIC/SNCV network in 1969.

Price: £22.50 – An LRTA publication. Trade rates available to bookshops, libraries andOrder museums. on-line from: Contact lrta.info/shop or by post from: [email protected] for more details. LRTA Publications, 35 High Street, Moulton, Spalding PE12 6QB

£22.50 plus £2.25 postage & packing to a ny UK address £22.50 plus £4.50 postage & packing to a ll addresses outside UK (by Airmail to Europe; surface mail to rest of world – for Airmail dispatch to addresses outside Europe PCCs of Western Europe 1950-2010 – The tram that Belgium, please addmade £6.75 P&P)

By Geoffrey Skelsey & Yves-Laurent Hansart These authors are well-known for their previous work on the Brussels and Belgian Coastal tramways. Here they vividly describe the development of the PCC car in post-war Western Europe right through to the demise of this iconic type in recent years. Softback, A4 size, 84 pages, with over 150 black & white and colour photographs.

Price: £14.50 – An LRTA publication. Trade rates available to bookshops, libraries and museums. Contact [email protected] for more details.

To place an advertisement please contact Andy Adams Telephone: +44 (0)1832 281135 Email: [email protected]

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