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FEBRUARY 2019 No. 974 reviving MILWAUKEE through

China opens two new tramways and 372km of Lisboa overturns injuring 28 Projects on hold due to TfL shortfall opens to double its tramway

Sounds of silence Tram-train £4.60 Managing light rail Lessons shared from noise and vibration the UK pilot scheme “I am delighted that the UK Light Rail Conference is coming back to Greater Manchester in 2019. “Metrolink forms a key backbone of sustainable for the region as it continues to grow, so this important two-day event offers an invaluable chance to network with peers from around the world and share knowledge and best practice as we all aim to improve the way we plan, build and deliver exceptional light rail services to passengers.” Manchester Danny Vaughan 23-24 July 2019 Head of Metrolink – for Greater Manchester “An excellent event, providing a stimulating and varied two-day programme addressing current The industry’s premier exhibition and knowledge-sharing and future issues pertinent to Voices event returns to Manchester for 2019! today’s light rail industry” V from the Clive Pennington With unrivalled networking opportunities, this invaluable Technical Director – Light Rail, industry… two-day congress is well-known as THE place to do Amey Consulting & Rail business and build long-lasting relationships. There is no better place to gain true insight into the “I thought the whole conference was great – there was a workings of the sector and help shape its future. great energy about it.” To discuss how you can be part of it, visit us online at Dr Stuart Thomson – Head of Public Affairs, Government and Infrastructure, BDB Pitmans www.mainspring.co.uk or call us on +44 (0)1733 367600

SUPPORTED BY ORGANISED BY CONTENTS 50 The official journal of the Light Rail Transit Association FEBRUARY 2019 Vol. 82 No. 974 www.tautonline.com EDITORIAL Editor – Simon Johnston [email protected] Associate Editor – Tony Streeter [email protected] Worldwide Editor – Michael Taplin 64 [email protected] News Editor – John Symons [email protected] Senior Contributor – Neil Pulling Worldwide Contributors Tony Bailey, Richard Felski, Ed Havens, Andrew Moglestue, Paul Nicholson, Herbert Pence, Mike Russell, Nikolai Semyonov, Alain Senut, Vic Simons, Witold Urbanowicz, Bill Vigrass, Francis Wagner, Thomas Wagner, Philip Webb, Rick Wilson 44 Production – Lanna Blyth Tel: +44 (0)1733 367604 [email protected] News 44 SYSTEMS FACTFILE: olomouc 64 New tramlines in and Chengdu; This Moravian city has a small network, DESIGN – Debbie Nolan Ulm doubles the size of its tramway; but one that is gradually growing despite Advertising TfL funding shortfall grows; Construction financial constraints, finds Neil Pulling. COMMERCIAL Manager – Geoff Butler Tel: +44 (0)1733 367610 contracts awarded in Parramatta and Dallas; [email protected] Mumbai cancels concession. WORLDWIDE REVIEW 70 Budapest confirms EUR3.1bn HÉV upgrade; Publisher – Matt Johnston MILWAUKEE on the hop 50 Indian cities start work on three new metro Tramways & Urban Transit Vic Simons visits the Wisconsin city to find projects; Tel Aviv plans 130km three- Orton Enterprise Centre, Bakewell Road, Peterborough PE2 6XU, UK out how the new streetcar service is helping metro; Corruption inquiry halts latest Rīga to revitalise the downtown core. tramline; Five offers received for 213-tram Tramways & Urban Transit is published by Mainspring Warsaw order; Taipei opens first LRT line; on behalf of the LRTA on the third Friday of each month preceding the cover date. no MORE COMPLAINTS 55 Metrolink’s record-breaking month. Thomas Lorent looks at how modern innovations can help to keep the peace MAILBOX 74 between residents and rail. Where is the pipeline of new UK schemes? Why cost is the major barrier to light rail. PRINT AND DISTRIBUTION tram-train: LEARNING LESSONS 61 Warners (Midlands), Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH, UK Tim Kendell and Ian Ambrose recount CLASSIC : 76 LRTA MEMBERSHIP (with TAUT subscription) lessons from the UK’s tram-train pilot, and City-wide co-ordination ensured a perfect Tramways & Urban Transit is sent free to all paid-up consider how to apply these elsewhere. tramway celebration, explains Mike Ballinger. members of the Light Rail Transit Association. LRTA WEBSITE AND DIARY Bad news on ... shows how safe trams are Brian Lomas [email protected] [email protected] One of the best things about this job is that it allows me to indulge my Subscriptions, MEMBERSHIP and back issues favourite pastime – reading. As well as magazines from around the globe, LRTA Membership Secretary (Dept T06), 38 Wolseley the internet allows me to consume more information than ever. From press Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK. Tel: +44 (0)117 951 7785 releases to news reports, Twitter feeds to LinkedIn posts, the world’s news is [email protected] Website: www.lrta.info now literally at my fingertips. for CORPORATE Subscriptions VISIT Yet the past month has shown a noticeable – and on the face of it worrying – trend. www.mainspring.co.uk Before I stopped counting, I came across no fewer than 40 reports of accidents between trams and other road users. If you believe everything you read then it might not be LRTA REGISTERED OFFICE 138 Radnor Avenue, Welling DA16 2BY, UK. unreasonable to conclude that -running rail are somehow magnets. Private company limited by guarantee, No. 5072319 However, before we get too carried away with that disturbing idea, the sad truth is that in England and Wales. accidents between motor vehicles, or even between motor vehicles and pedestrians, are so LRTA Chairman – Paul Rowen common that they are rarely news. Accidents involving trams most certainly seem to be. [email protected] Perversely then, while no accident is good, perhaps what those stories really indicate © LRTA 2019 is precisely that such incidents are still rare enough to be newsworthy. Maybe then, even Articles are submitted on the understanding they may also the number of recent reports indicates, in a strange way, the safety of the mode. later be used on our websites or other media. A contribution All this may seem to run somewhat in contrast to one of our major themes this month: is accepted on the basis that its author is responsible for the managing noise and vibration. Excess noise is undoubtedly a nuisance, but it’s also opinions expressed in it, and such opinions are not those of worth considering to what extent we want to quieten trams as they run through city the LRTA or Mainspring. All rights reserved. ... is the occasional wheel squeal or rumbling rail in fact a useful thing? No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including Of course, we must never be complacent, and there are always questions we can ask photocopying, recording or by any information storage and as to how we can improve safety for all. Here’s just one: are we doing enough in terms retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from of about the potential consequences of getting too close to a 20-30t ? the copyright owner. Multiple copying of the contents of the Luckily though, most of the incidents I have read about this month have involved only magazine without prior written approval is not permitted. minor – more evidence that trams are fundamentally one of the safest ways to travel. And hey, at least we are making the news... Simon Johnston, Editor Cover images: Andrew Grahl, Tim Kendell, Pandrol

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2019 / 43 News

Oklahoma City Streetcar launch Openings in Shanghai and Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt presided over the official Chengdu on the same day ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Oklahoma City Streetcar on welcomes two new urban tramway services on 26 December 14 December. The 7.4km (4.6-mile) tramway serves the city centre, connecting he first 13.9km the Central Business District with (8.6 miles) of the the entertainment, Bricktown Songjiang tramway and Midtown districts, from Joe in the south-western Carter Avenue to St Anthony suburbsT of the Chinese city of . Service is provided every Shanghai, line T2 from Canghua 12 minutes Monday-Saturday. Road to Longma Road, opened The short-turn Bricktown loop on 26 December. A further runs as far as Myriad Botanical 16.9km (10.5 miles) is to open in Gardens and runs every 15 mid-2019. A partnership venture minutes on Fridays and Saturdays of Keolis and Shanghai Shentong 07.00-02.00. After three weeks of Metro Group will operate the free rides, a single ride is USD1, line for five years, aiming to with a 24-hour pass costing USD3. carry 170 000 passengers/day. The tramway project was A joint venture of Alstom and conceived via a regional transit Shanghai Rail Traffic Equipment study in 2005, and promoted as Development Co. was awarded part of the Metropolitan Area a EUR72m contract to build 30 Projects Plan 3 (MAPS 3), which five-section 33m AlstomCitadis provided the finance through trams, with delivery starting in A pair of Shanghai Alstom Citadis at the opening on 26 December. Shanghai Keolis a sales tax approved by voters November 2016. Testing with Passengers queue for their first tram ride in Chengdu on opening day. ECNS in 2009. No federal funding passengers began on 11 October was involved. The project was between Jiangxue Road and estimated to cost USD131.8m in Wenhui Road. 2017, but out-turn was USD136m. The new tramway feeds Herzog Transit Services metro at Songjiang Sports operates the service on behalf Centre station and a ten-minute of the city, based out of a new service is operated 05.00-23.00. depot at Southwest 7th St/ Park-and-ride sites are located at Hudson Avenue. Seven 20.1m Songjiang University Town and Brookville Liberty trams have Xinqiao stops. been supplied following the Shanghai had a first-generation cancellation in 2016 of an initial tramway from 1908 until 1975, order with Czech builder Inekon at one time operating as three which failed to provide financial systems, in the British concession, guarantees. The first five trams the French concession and the cost USD24.9m, with options for Chinese city. a sixth and seventh exercised at In 2010 the so-called USD4.4m per car. The trams have Zhangjiang tramway lithium-ion batteries for off-wire (10km/6.2 miles) was opened, operation on sections that pass which is in fact a rubber-tyred same day. The 13.6km (8.5-mile) CRRC Changchun is supplying under BNSF railway bridges Translohr system with central line runs between Chenguang 40 double-ended five-section (Hudson northbound, Robinson guide rail, feeding metro line 2 at and Hexin Road, the first part of trams based on the Alstom southbound) with overhead Zhangjiang Hi-tech Park station a two-line 39.3km (24.4-mile) Citadis X02 supplied to Shanghai. clearances reduced to four metres. in the district. system in the north-west suburbs Each 32.6m tram has a capacity System expansion is already Meanwhile, around 2000km that provides feeder services to of 380 passengers, 64 seated. planned, northward up Classen (1240 miles) to the west, the first metro line 2. Service is provided Boulevard to the planned 63rd St section of the T2 tramline in the every ten minutes between For a list of China’s latest metro station. city of Chengdu opened on the 07.00 and 20.45. openings see page 48. Brussels approves two new northern routes Proposals for two new tram and Jette. This project fulfils a the Gare du Nord and existing will be held on 1 May on the routes to link the centre of the long-held ambition of providing routes 3 and 7 at Van Praet, tracks between Legrand and Belgian capital of Brussels with tram service to the former from where it will continue Ste-Marie (Ave de la Régence and developing suburbs in the north industrial area of Thurn & over the Vuurkruisenlaan and rue Royale). There will be a parade of the city were approved by the Taxis just to the north of the Oorlogkruislaan to the Queen of 37 trams and public rides on regional government on centre that has seen major Astrid Military Hospital. 16 of them. Metre-gauge Vicinal 14 December. redevelopment as a major Firm plans are to be developed trams will be on display in Parc The first takes the form of a cultural and business hub in in the next couple of years for a de Bruxelles, together with a 2.5km (1.55-mile) link between recent years. The area also houses planned opening in 2024-25. mock-up of the new tram design. Rogier tramstop and Belgica numerous government offices. On 4 May the European station on metro on the A second route to The main event to mark 150 Championship for tram drivers boundary of Sint-Jans-Molenbeek Neder-over-Heembeek will link years of tram service in the city will be held in rue Royale.

44 / february 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Cotton Belt line to Ulm’s tramway doubles in size be ready by 2022 New EUR270m line brings Southern German system to 19.1km A joint venture of Archer Western and Herzog Contracting Corp aturday 8 December saw Free has been awarded the USD815m the opening of tramline 2 rides on the design-build contract for the in the German city of first day new 42km (26-mile) Cotton Ulm, presided over by the of service Belt commuter line in Dallas. GreenS Party Transport Minister on Ulm Jacobs will be subcontracted for line 2 were of Baden-Württemberg, Winfried design work on the new line. popular, Hermann, and Ulm Mayor especially At the same time the Dallas Gunter Czisch. with local Area (DART) board The 9.8km (6.1-mile) line, children. awarded a USD49m contract which shares almost a kilometre SWU to a joint venture of WSP and of tracks from Theater to Ehinger Arredondo, Zepeda & Brunz for Tor with in the city centre, design review and construction links Wissenschaftstadt Science management services for the Park II in the north-west with new route to Plano, Richardson, Kuhberg Schulzentrum in the Addison, North Dallas and DFW south-west, passing the main International , DART’s railway station (Hbf) on existing first east-west rail project. tracks. The opening brings the Significantly, DART made the total length of the system to awards while still awaiting final 19.1km (11.9 miles). confirmation of a USD908m The project was approved loan from the Federal Railroad in May 2015, representing the Administration’s Railroad largest infrastructure project in bridge (Kienlesbergbrücke) for 2008 for line 1. There is an Rehabilitation & Improvement the city’s history, opening up pedestrians and trams to take the option for six more Avenio M Financing (RRIF) programme. tramway service to more than new tracks to Wissenschaftstadt trams that will be exercised if This was signed on 20 December. 20 000 residents in this city of across the existing line 1. further extensions at both ends The RRIF loan provides a 121 000. Line 2, which operated A rolling stock contract worth of line 2 are approved. substantially lower interest rate its normal timetable from EUR31.5m was placed with The new aluminium-bodied than conventional tax-exempt 9 December, is expected to carry Siemens for 12 Avenio M 31.5m trams have an unladen weight debt, preserving DART’s debt 8300 passengers/day, taking metre-gauge trams (51-62) that of 38t and use Siemens’ Tram capacity for future projects. 5500 private cars off the roads. were delivered from the Wien Assistant collision warning RRIF loans can fund up to 100% The EUR270m project was (Vienna) factory. They joined system, based on the autonomous of rail projects with repayment part-funded with a federal grant ten five-section trams tram system demonstrated periods of up to 35 years. of EUR65m, including a new (41-50) delivered in 2003 and in Potsdam in September 2018. Service was originally planned to begin in 2035, but the FRA funding has allowed the agency First major Parramatta contracts placed to bring this forward to 2022. Nice line 2 reaches The AUD840m (EUR516m) and Cumberland Hospital and Transdev will be responsible the airport contract to build the first 12km between Prince Alfred Square for testing, commissioning, The EUR62m, 1.7km (1.1-mile) (7.5-mile) stage of the light rail and Tramway Avenue as well as operations and maintenance for branch of tramline 2 from Pôle line between Westmead and traction substations, signalling, eight years from construction Intermodal to Aéroport terminal 2 Carlingford has been awarded communications, 16 tramstops completion; there is an option for via Terminal 1 operated revenue service from 15 December, after a to a joint venture of Downer and and the depot and control centre. an extension for up to ten years. ceremony the previous day. CPB Contractors by Australia’s The latter will be built by Service is planned to start in 2023 The initial 7km (4.3-mile) section of NSW Government. sub-contractor Laing O’Rourke. with 7.5-minute peak headways. line 2 between Magnan and Cadam After feedback from the local was inaugurated on 30 June 2018; community, construction works the next section to Jean Médecin on Church Street (known locally is scheduled to open at the end of as Eat Street due to the large June 2019. The final section to number of restaurants) for the is due to later in the year. AUD2.4bn (EUR1.48bn) project receives first of will not begin until 2020, with 40 new CRRC LRVs a suspension each summer from The first two new LRVs from CRRC the beginning of November until Nanjing Puzhen were delivered to the end of January. The contract Hong Kong light rail operator MTR includes requirements to avoid on 28 December. The new cars are the first of a HKD745m (EUR83m) work in the evenings and at other order for 40 vehicles placed in 2016. busy times, commitments to local Thirty cars will replace the employment and penalties if Kawasaki Phase 2 LRVs dating from works are significantly delayed. 1992 on the 36.2km (22.5-mile) At the same time, a AUD536m Tuen Mun – Yuen Long network, (EUR329.5m) contract was signed with the additional ten used to with the Great River City Light expand the fleet to 150 vehicles. Rail consortium of Transdev and The new LRVs have a redesigned CAF. CAF will supply 13 seven- cab to provide a wider field of view and improved interiors. All 40 are section Urbos LRVs with off-wire due to enter service before the end capability for 4km (2.5 miles) of 2023. of the route between Westmead

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org february 2019 / 45 News Lisboa tram accident injures 28 Vehicle found to be in ‘perfect order’ as serious accident on line 25E is ascribed to human error

wenty-eight passengers 20.00. The driver was subjected Severe Accident Analysis (CIAG) driver was given further were injured when to alcohol and drugs tests at the concluded that the vehicle’s guidance on his braking a tram derailed and scene, with no positive results. braking systems were in “perfect technique and advised to keep a overturned at 18.09 None of the passengers were working order” and ascribed safer distance between his and Ton 14 December on line 25E seriously injured, although the cause of the to other vehicles on the line. of Lisboa’s tramway. Heading bystanders helped free some of human error with the driver not The CIAG report also downhill on Rua de São those trapped trapped in the respecting signs or recommended further driver Domingos in Lapa, remodelado wreckage. Nine people were activating the tram’s braking training related to braking 576 failed to make the turn at transported to the Hospital de system properly. distances, revisions to training the bottom of the hill, derailing São José, nine to Santa Maria, Local media reported that the manuals and more frequent and flipping over, destroying the and eight to the São Francisco driver had been involved in a inspections at sites classified as wooden body but leaving the Xavier hospital. similar incident on 6 December, “hazardous”. chassis intact. Operator Carris In a report released at the according to Carris, without The driver has been cut the power to the line with the end of December, Portugal’s offering further details. suspended, pending disciplinary wreckage removed shortly after Commission for Incident and Following this incident, the action from Carris. Mumbai dismisses ‘failed’ monorail operator On 14 December the Mumbai 2 February 2014 a truncated per the contractual clauses. Work on the planned 42.5km Metropolitan Region seven-station route opened This also resulted in inordinately (26.5-mile) Visakhapatnam Development Authority (MMRDA) between Chembur and Wadala delaying starting the Phase 2 Metro Rail network in Andhra terminated the operations and depot, with the section to Jacob from Wadala to Sant Gadge Pradesh is to begin in February, maintenance contract held by Circle due to open in December Maharaj Chowk (Jacob’s Circle). following a decision in December the LTSE joint venture for the 2016. This has yet to be Also, LTSE failed to maintain the to accelerate the project. The city’s troubled monorail, citing commissioned and operations quality of monorail services.” INR88bn (EUR1.1bn) three-line a ‘failure to perform and fulfil on the first phase were suspended The monorail was built by a metro is primarily funded by contractual obligations’. for around ten months following consortium of infrastructure the state government (51%), MMRDA has taken over a fire in an empty monorail train contractor Larsen & Toubro and with the national government operations, with the line’s 200 on 9 November 2017. A plan Malaysian rolling stock supplier contributing 10% and the staff rehired through an external for seven further lines was Scomi Engineering, although remainder forming part of a PPP agency; the authority is also cancelled in 2016. only ten of the planned 15 concession to include property to draw down LTSE’s INR2bn Describing the decision four-car trainsets have development rights at sites (EUR25m) bank guarantee. as “unfortunate”, MMRDA reportedly been delivered, surrounding several key stations. The current 8.9km (5.3-mile) Commissioner RA Rajeev said: with six out of service due to Five consortia expressed line was intended to be the first “MMRDA gave them a long rope undelivered spare parts. interest in the PPP concession part of a 19.5km (12.1-mile) to enable them to recover from In a statement, Mr Rajeev laid when a Request for Qualification southern route between the situation. However, LTSE the blame for the failures with was issued in February 2018. Chembur and Jacob Circle failed to supply the rolling stock, Scomi Engineering, saying that All five were shortlisted for to open in December 2010. failed to operate and maintain Larsen & Toubro had carried out the next round of bidding and Financial and technical the system on the entire corridor all its elements of the contract are expected to submit their difficulties led to delays and on and failed to rectify defects as satisfactorily. proposals by 21 January.

No inquiry planned for NEWS IN PICTURES UK tram-train collision Bangkok’s Sukhumvit Skytrain line heads south to Kheha The UK’s Rail Accident Investigation A 12.8km (eight-mile) extension Branch has decided against holding of Bangkok’s elevated Sukhumvit a detailed investigation into the metro (Green line) from Samrong collision that occurred on the first to Kheha opened on 6 December. day of the country’s debut public A depot is located south of the tram-train service. It believes an new terminus and there is also a investigation would be unlikely to 1200-vehicle park-and-ride site. result in safety recommendations. Free rides are offered until 16 April. Four people were injured in the Construction of the extension incident on 25 October between a began in 2012, funded by Thailand’s tram-train and a lorry at the junction Mass Rapid Transit Authority. As of Woodbourn Road and Staniforth the initial northern section is owned Road in Sheffield. A 60-year-old man by the Bangkok Metropolitan is to appear in court on 14 February Administration (BMA), in 2018 the charged with driving without due government approved the transfer care and attention. of the new THB51.8bn (EUR1.42bn) Another accident at Woodbourn line, with the BMA seeking loans to Road occurred on 30 November, cover the debt. involving a car and tram-train Adding nine stations in all, the first 202. Work to improve safety at the 1.2km (0.7 miles) and the station at junction was subsequently carried Samrong have been open since out by the city council. April 2017. Work on a northern The undamaged ends of 202 and extension is underway, with the first 204 now form a new 202 while the section to open in mid-2019. Two

two damaged portions are repaired. TAUT more lines are planned.

46 / february 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org First Amsterdam Urbos nears completion TfL faces budget shortfall In late December Amsterdam Municipal Transport (GVB) released images of the first due to delays production 15G Urbos tram for the city, due to be shipped from CAF’s manufacturing facility in Cuts in UK government funding also force delays to other major projects Zaragoza to the city in the Spring. Static and slow speed dynamic ransport for further 1.5m people to within 45 ticket prices are set by the city’s testing will begin in Spain soon (TfL) has said it cannot minutes travel of the city. Mayor. The plan also says that before the vehicle undertakes its commit to its previously Of a GBP14.8bn (EUR16.4bn) TfL will need to make further journey to Amsterdam to begin proposed Autumn budget agreed in the 2010 UK savings by 2022-23 over those testing at speeds of up to 50km/h Topening of Crossrail “at this Comprehensive Spending Review, already achieved, but also that (30mph). Three other cars are stage”, while detailing a new GBP12.5bn (EUR13.9bn) was previously planned savings under construction, according funding package for the delayed for the central section, the most have been exceeded: the net to GVB. CAF is to deliver 63 Urbos project. The statement follows an expensive proportion of work as cost of operations for 2018- trams under a contract signed in announcement in August 2018 of it encompasses 21km (13 miles) of 19 is expected to be just over November 2016. The 30m double- a postponement to the east-west new under London. GBP700m (EUR777m), more ended cars can each accommodate railway under the UK capital, Financial analyst Moody’s than GBP200m lower than up to 175 passengers, 50 seated. which had been due to open in has said the delay could lead to forecast in the previous business Options exist for an additional 60 December. Crossrail is expected to a shortfall in TfL’s revenue of plan. Although TfL operations trams of the same type. cost a further GBP1.6bn-GBP2bn GBP200m (EUR222m) by 2020, were historically subsidised The first15G cars are due to enter (EUR1.78bn-EUR2.22bn) to rising to GBP600m (EUR666m) by central government, the service in the second half of 2019. complete as a result of the delay. over the next five years. Moody’s business plan acknowledges the Under the new funding expects the transport authority challenges of adapting to a loss package, the Greater London to manage the impact but has of, on average, GBP700m per Authority (GLA) will borrow warned that this would weaken annum from the government GBP1.3bn from the Department its ability to cope with unforeseen which was used to offset for Transport (DfT), with the GLA costs or revenue shortfalls. A operational costs. providing GBP100m (EUR111m). freeze until 2020 will exacerbate Knock-on effects include capital A further GBP300m (EUR333m) the shortfall along with a fall in projects such as upgrades to the had already been provided by passenger numbers; 2018 saw ’s Camden the DfT and TfL in July. An a 1% fall, while Crossrail was Town station and signalling additional DfT loan of up to expected to contribute up to 14% modernisation being put on hold. GBP750m (EUR833m) has been of the expected revenue by 2023 Media reports in December also agreed as a contingency. if it had opened on schedule. suggested that opening of the When finished Crossrail – also TfL’s business plan for 2019- 3km (two-mile) Northern line known as the Elizabeth line – will 24 published in December extension to Battersea could be run from Reading to Shenfield/ assumes that fares could rise delayed by up to a year. Officially,

Abbey Wood. It is expected to by 1% over inflation in January however, TfL was still giving GVB increase rail capacity in central 2021 – but stresses that this is the opening as being in 2020 as London by 10%, bringing a only a planning assumption as planned in early January. First services use Alicante’s Serra Grossa The first track in the 1.48km (0.9-mile) Serra Grossa tunnel on Alicante’s tramway opened to traffic on 18 December, with the other planned to be in service by the start of March. Only then will operator FGV enhance frequencies to reduce journey times and create a more integrated network. The tunnel replaces the current coastal route that consists of a single track and several short tunnels; it is a key element in improving service to the popular beaches at San Vicente, El Campello and Benidorm and the restructuring of urban lines to improve efficiency. As well as improved A Vossloh tram-train enters the old tunnel in May 2018. This will soon be closed as the service moves further inland through connectivity, the new line also the new Serra Grossa tunnel, seen to the right, that opened in December 2018. Neil Pulling opens up new possibilities for the region, releasing valuable coastal 2018 customer survey showing a private vehicle; 27.8% cite the Significantly, the study space to build the promenade that more a third (36.7%) of service’s convenience; 18.2% also shows that 27.3% of discussed for almost 30 years. passengers say they prefer to use difficulties in finding car parking tramway users use the service Trams are very popular with the tram ahead of other travel and 16.1% appreciate speed of despite owning their own commuters and tourists alike with options. A further 28.7% choose service. The study was carried out vehicle, compared to 72.7% who the results of TRAM d’Alacant’s the tram as they lack access to between September and October. do not have a private car.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org february 2019 / 47 News 372km added to China’s metros The annual end of year flurry of openings sees new routes in ten cities

n December 2018 the pattern There are currently 29 stations, BEIJING of major metro openings in with another to open this year. Tianjin Chinese cities continued The line uses 45 six-car trainsets, with over 372km (231 miles) with end-to-end journeys of CHINA Jinan Qingdao Iof new routes opening to 63 minutes. Xi’an passengers in ten cities. Although Around 740km (460 miles) slightly down on December south-west in Chengdu, Shanghai 2017 (388km/241 miles), extensions at both ends of metro Wuhan again the majority of the new have added 29.7km Chengdu infrastructure opened between (18.5 miles) to a route that now Chongqing 24-30 December, although the totals 50.1km (31.1 miles). first opening was a short 1.5km On the same day, the longest Huangpu District, with (0.9-mile) extension of line 1 in new line opened, Qingdao’s the rest of the city’s Guangzhou Tianjin on 3 December. Six lines isolated 66.8km (41.5-mile) expansive system. are currently operational in this regional (Jiaonan) line 13 that Separately, the first northern city, with seven more runs from Jinggangshan Lu in 25.2km (15.7-mile) phase of under development. the Huangdao district south-west runs from Zhenlongxi Next to open was a 2.5km along the coast to Dongjiakou. to Zengcheng Square, offering reportedly increased capacity by (1.6-mile) extension of Chongqing Designed for 120km/h (75mph) interchange with at 15% on both lines. , from Dalongshan to operation, this 21-station line Zhenlong. Meanwhile, the The Beijing Railway Dashiba, adding a single station runs underground for 14.3km newest section of the Guangfo Construction and Management to the route that opened on (8.9 miles) with a further line that connects with Co. has said a combined 260km 24 December 2017 and bringing 54.5km (33.9 miles) on viaduct. neighbouring Foshan adds (161.5 miles) of new lines will the operational length to 15.8km All stations feature platform 5.5km (3.4 miles) to the east from open over the next three years, (9.8 miles) with ten stations. screen doors in common with Yangang and offers connections doubling the pace of openings Further expansion is planned, the city’s other metro lines. to line 3 at Lijiao. over the previous decade. taking line 5 to an eventual A two-station north-eastern The city of Wuhan As well as a new tramline 70.1km (43.5 miles). The city extension is planned to serve opened a extension to (see page 44), Shanghai opened opened a further two lines Qingdao Binhai University and Qinglongshan Ditiexiaozhen two metro extensions on 30 totalling nearly 50km (31 miles) Jialingjiang Lu, and a connection on 28 December, increasing its December. A southern extension on 28 December, from Chongqing to the rest of the network is network by 17km (10.6 miles) to of line 5 from Dongchuan Rd to Library – Haixialu (34km/ expected to open in 2020. around 260km (161.5 miles). Fengxian Xincheng (14.6km/ 21 miles), and Chongqinbei – The megacity of Guangzhou On 30 December, two new 9.1 miles) reduces travel times Tanjiatuo (15.4km/9.6 miles). gained three new routes on routes to Beijing’s metro took the into the city from the Fengxian Two days beforehand, three 28 December, providing service system to 636.8km (395.7 miles). district to an hour. Services now extensions opened in the central to the peripheral districts of Line 6 was extended by 10.6km diverge at Dongchuan Road, with cities of Xi’an and Chengdu Conghua and Zengcheng; every (6.4 miles) from Haidan Wuluju a branch heading to the Minhang and the eastern port city of district of the administrative to Jin’anqiao, while gained Development Zone and the main Qingdao. Xi’ian’s new area is now covered by the metro. another 18km (11.4 miles) and route to Fengxian Xincheng. runs underground for 35.2km The new 53.9km (33.5-mile) 14 stations with a new southern The 16km (9.9-mile) south- (21.9 miles) to connect the new phase of line 14, with 13 stations, section between Zhuzhikou and eastern extension of line 13 from high speed rail hub at Xi’an Bei connects the Knowledge City Yingahi and a short northern Shibo Avenue to Zhangjiang (North Square) with Hangtian line, opened in 2017 and extension to the National Art Road covers an additional Xincheng via the main station. previously standing alone in Museum. These projects have 12 stations, four of which are transfer stations where Route Length Opening date passengers can change to lines 6, Tianjin line 1 (extension) Shuanglin – Lilou 1.5km 3/12/2018 7, 8 and 16. The extensions take Shanghai’s network to 705km Chongqing line 5 (extension) Dalongshan – Dashiba 2.5km 24/12/2018 (438 miles) and 415 stations. Chengdu line 3 (extensions) Suangliuxi Zhan – Chengdu Yixueyuan 29.7km 26/12/2018 According to the Shanghai Xi’an line 4 Xi’an Bei – Hangtian Xincheng 35.2km 26/12/2018 urban rail masterplan, 27 lines will operate across 1154km Qingdao line 13 Jinggangshan Lu – Dongjiakou 66.8km 26/12/2018 (717 miles) of track by 2023. Chongqing Loop line Chongqing Library – Haixialu 34km 28/12/2018 Just missing the year-end, the first metro line in Jinan was Chongqing line 4 Chongqinbei – Tangjiatuo 15.4km 28/12/2018 inaugurated on 1 January. The Guangzhou line 14 Jiahewanggang – Dongfeng 53.9km 28/12/2018 capital of the eastern Shandong Guangzhou line 21 Zhenlongxi – Zengcheng Square 25.2km 28/12/2018 province opened its 26.3km (16.3-mile) R1 line between Guangzhou Guangfo line (extension) Yangang – Lijao 5.5km 28/12/2018 Fangte and Gongyanyuan; Wuhan line 7 (extensions) Yezhihu – Qinglongshan Ditiexiaozhen 17km 28/12/2018 16.2km (ten miles) and seven Shanghai line 5 (extension) Dongchuan Rd – Fengxian Xinncheng 14.6km 30/12/2018 stations are elevated with 10.1km (6.3 miles) and four stations Shanghai line 13 (extension) Shibo Avenue – Zhangjiang Road 16km 30/12/2018 underground. Construction Beijing line 6 (extension) Haidan Wuluju – Jin’anqiao 10.6km 30/12/2018 began in December 2013. Beijing line 8 (extension) Zhuzhikou – Yingahi 18km 30/12/2018 Jinan plans a 262km (163-mile) network; lines R3 and Jinan R1 line (extension) Fangte – Gongyanyuan 26.3km 1/1/2019 R2 are under construction.

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Local host Milwaukee REVITALISING MILWAUKEE Vic Simons visits Wisconsin to explore another example of the modern US streetcar being used as an urban regeneration tool.

LEFT: A line of riders hoping to board the first car during the opening ceremony in Cathedral Square Park. Immediately following the ceremony, Liberty 05 (right) took dignitaries to ride north to Burns Common, while 03 (left) was the first public car in service to the Intermodal Station. Andrew Grahl

RIGHT: Framed by the Milwaukee skyline, The Hop Liberty 02 crosses the Milwaukee River after leaving the Historic Third Ward station towards the Intermodal terminal on the first day of service, 2 November 2018. Andrew Grahl

owntown Milwaukee is The Hop is seen as a catalyst for this renewal employer in the downtown area, the CEO undergoing a rebirth. With more and has resulted from city policies to reinvent of the Native American-owned complex than 100 new developments local economies, supporting employment emphasised the importance of the streetcar across the city’s core, pivotal policies for publicly-funded projects that at the signing of the 12-year deal in October construction projects are encourage the hiring of unemployed local 2017, saying that it is “committed to Dreshaping the skyline of a city that, like many residents to close the income gap. investing in the rebirth of Milwaukee”. in the Great Lakes region, suffered severe It was apt then that the ribbon-cutting It is understood that when fares are industrial decline in the later 20th Century. in Cathedral Square Park was performed introduced they will be USD1. Although it is home to Harley-Davidson with due ceremony by long-time streetcar motorcycles and international brewery advocate and fourth-term Democratic Mayor Background names such as Miller (as well as a strong Tom Barrett, a man credited by many as the Milwaukee is the largest city in the State of microbrewery scene), median incomes that architect of this revitalisation by working Wisconsin, close to the Canadian Border. were once amongst the highest in the US have from the core outwards – restarting the heart Although not the state capital – that title is fallen dramatically in recent decades. From of a once-mighty Great Lakes powerhouse. held by Madison, some 130km (80 miles) to the late 1960s, globalisation forced major The first two cars, filled with dignitaries, the west – Milwaukee is by far the largest city factories to close and the population went left Cathedral Square Park in opposite in the state, counting a population more than into sharp decline – from a peak of around directions to tour the system with public double that of Madison. 741 000 to 572 000 just three decades later service beginning an hour later. Horse-drawn streetcars first came to the according to official census data. The new line connects the Intermodal city in 1860, although the service was not The arrival of the first stage of the city’s Station – a combined railway and long- quite the success story seen in other cities modern streetcar project on 2 November distance bus ‘gateway’ to the city, used by and it was not until 1890 that gradual is another sign that the green shoots of more than 1.3 million passengers each year electrification began, completed by the recovery are taking a firm hold. The initial – the Historic Third Ward and Milwaukee mid-1900s. Electrification brought expansion 3.2km (2.1 miles) of ‘The Hop, presented Public Market, the Central Business District, and expansion brought popularity, peaking by Potawatomi Hotel & Casino’, to give the Lake Michigan Lakefront, and the high- in the early 1920s with more than 20 routes the system its full and proper name, marks density neighbourhoods of the Lower East plus a number of lines. This was the culmination of more than 20 years Side. The Intermodal Station opened in 2007, when competition from the motor car and of persistent lobbying by dedicated local replacing a dilapidated 1960s structure, with bus gained momentum which, as with most politicians and business groups. A 320m a new USD22m passenger concourse and other US systems, led to the eventual decline extension is planned to open in 2020 to train shed added in June 2016. and closure of the first-generation streetcar take the route to within a short walk of the The Hop will be -free for the first year in March 1958. redesigned Lake Michigan lakefront. thanks to a USD10m sponsorship deal signed By the early 1990s the city fathers took Commercial and residential developments with the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino that will the opportunity to re-examine the path to recently completed or under construction support the operating costs of the line. growth and expansion, realising that there in the city total over USD3bn in inward As one of the largest entertainment was a danger of urban streets becoming investment, creating much-needed jobs. complexes in Wisconsin, as well as a major gridlocked with motor traffic. After much

50 / february 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org soul searching and lobbying – and a cancelled A scheme launched in 2005 identifying an initial route between the USD289m plan for an east-west bus corridor offered a two-route system on segregated Intermodal Station and the Central Business from downtown to Waukesha around 32km from downtown to Miller Park, the District to serve the greatest numbers of (20 miles) to the west that bequeathed University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the residents along an alignment that also a significant sum to the future streetcar north side of the city. But this failed to pass provided significant opportunities for plan – a rail-based solution emerged as the muster, with Mayor Tom Barrett vetoing the economic regeneration. This ‘starter line’ preferred option. In 1997 business lobbying USD300m scheme in May of the following would complement existing bus routes, organisation Milwaukee Downtown Bid #21 year, citing too many ‘unanswered questions’ especially the major bus corridor along threw its considerable influence behind the over local and federal funding contributions Wisconsin Ave, as part of a grand vision for a streetcar project (CEO Beth Weirick acted and the application of the technology. future network to cover the whole city. as Master of Ceremonies for the opening), He subsequently unveiled more detailed In 2015, authority was given for the first giving further momentum to the plans. plans for a modern streetcar in 2008, line, with a short spur to the lakefront, “When asked when the streetcar is coming to their neighbourhood, Mayor Barrett’s reply is always the same: “As soon as we can get it there. This is just the beginning”.”

The Hop cars 01 and 03 in Jackson Street at the northbound Juneau Street stop on the day before the official

opening, 1 November. Vic Simons Simons Vic

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org february 2019 / 51 Milwaukee

with project management handled by a partnership of streetcar specialists HNTB and HDR. Kiewit Infrastructure Co. was awarded the USD60m contract for construction in 2016, with works beginning later that year. An order was also placed with Pennsylvania-based Brookville Equipment Corporation for five double-endedLiberty vehicles equipped to run both by drawing power from the overhead at 750V dc by means of a pantograph and from roof-mounted lithium-ion batteries. Main works were completed in early 2018, but it was not until June that the system was handed over so that driver training and other preparations could begin under a five-year contract with Transdev to operate the system on behalf of the City of Milwaukee. By this time Brookville had handed over two of the cars with a third delivered a month later. All five were delivered in good time for the opening.

Riding The Hop The initial alignment, designated as the Car 2 departing the Intermodal terminus; the car park in the background is part of the depot. Vic Simons M line, starts opposite the Intermodal Station and the car barn is located underneath the freeway just beyond the stop. The location was chosen to help protect the cars from the harsh Milwaukee winters; the City has contracted with Brookville to maintain the fleet. “Plans are in place for significant expansion beyond 2020, with local

ABOVE: The interior of the maintenance facility ABOVE: The spacious interior of a Milwaukee funding approved for the just beyond the Intermodal Station terminus on streetcar; the vehicles also feature onboard CCTV and 1 November. Vic Simons uprated HVAC systems. Vic Simons first extension.”

From here it proceeds along St Paul Avenue and crosses the Milwaukee River via the St Paul Avenue bridge. This unusual steel table lift bridge rises vertically but not high enough to foul the overhead and was refurbished in a major USD9m scheme between September 2013 and June 2014. There are only five such table lift bridges used by streetcars in the USA with two in San Francisco and two in Portland. Shortly after crossing the bridge the alignment enters the Historic Third Ward district with its bars and retail centres, before turning north on Milwaukee Street; the return southbound route is on Broadway. At Kilbourn Avenue the route turns east, passing the Cathedral Square Park where the opening ceremony took place. The pantograph is dropped at this point as cars enter the battery-operated section which continues north onto Jackson Street. After turning east onto Ogden Avenue the wired section begins again. Three substations along the route supply power at 750V dc. The line continues to the single-track terminus at Burns Common close to the lakefront. Apart from at the termini and in the one-way segments the alignment is all laid to standard-gauge double-track, with battery operation on around a third of the route with the vehicles’ lithium-ion battery packs recharged from the overhead in the wired sections.

52 / february 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Streetcars operate every 15 minutes at peak periods and 20 minutes at other times, seven days a week. There are 18 stops on The Hop, THE North Shore Line each equipped with shelters, seating and No focus on Milwaukee would fare and schedule information. All stops are be complete without reference -accessible. to the near-140km (85-mile) electric interurban which ran To the Lakefront by 2020 from downtown Milwaukee to Chicago. Known as the North When the L line to the lakefront opens in Shore line, this well-loved 2020 it will be operated as a separate route. system operated between 1916 Starting at the Waterfront, in front of and 1963; within Milwaukee it Discovery World on North Lincoln Memorial ran on-street alongside the Drive, the new route will turn west on city’s streetcars. Clybourn Street before joining the existing After leaving the centre northbound alignment on Milwaukee it proceeded on its own Street. At Kilbourn Street the route turns high-speed right of way (with operating speeds of up to west and returns south on Broadway. It will 80mph) through the cities of then follow the existing alignment south Racine and Kenosha before to St Pauls Avenue where it will turn east crossing into Illinois through and north again on Milwaukee. It will then what is now the Skokie Swift turn east on Michigan Street to return to the branch of the Chicago ‘El’ A CTA Rapid Transit Car alongside a North Shore Electroliner at the before joining the main system Waterfront. Three new stations will be added Illinois Railway Museum. David Wilson – CC BY 2.0 to the system and around two-thirds of the near Evanston. It then used route will be unwired. CTA metals through to the Although most of the rolling from both overhead lines and The five double-ended low-floorLiberty downtown and some services stock was akin to metro stock, a third rail on the CTA system. terminated by running around high-speed services were also Most of the right-of-way in streetcars are 20.6m long with capacity to the loop while others ran on to operated by specially-built Wisconsin has been converted carry 150 passengers, 32 seated and with points further south. Electroliners that drew power to pathways and cycle routes. additional wheelchair spaces. The design features two double-leaf doors in the centre section for swift and alighting. almost 2200 passengers per day in the Plans are already in place for significant The Liberty has become something of opening month. This has exceeded the city’s expansion beyond 2020. The most advanced an emblem of the resurgence of the urban expectations, with initial projections put at is a double-track extension with an additional streetcar in the US, with over USD150m in 1850 passengers/day. Perhaps unsurprisingly, three stops from the Intermodal Station orders since its launch at the start of the the data from the opening weekend was along Vel R.Phillips Avenue to the impressive decade. The 70% low-floor vehicle is now impressive too, with more than 16 000 people new USD526m Fiserv Forum sports arena in service in Dallas, Detroit, Milwaukee choosing to sample the return of and entertainment complex that opened in and Oklahoma, and further orders have street-running light rail in the opening days. August 2018. This 1.2km (0.75-mile) northern been placed by Tempe, AZ, Seattle, WA and Speaking to TAUT, Mayor Barrett described projection is seen as being the significant link Portland, OR. The City of Milwaukee placed the system as a “game-changer” for the city. to the Westtown area. its USD18.6m order in November 2015. Proud of what has been achieved to date, The city has already approved half of the The Liberty has also won a number of he explained that this is just the first stage USD40m funding for the line through awards for its design, including the Technical of a much-larger system planned to cut Tax Incremental Financing, and had hoped it Innovation of the Year at the Global Light automobile-related congestion and pollution would be successful in its December 2018 bid Rail Awards in October 2015. within the city. He added that he is often for US Department of Transportation BUILD asked by city residents when the streetcar is (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage What of the future? coming to their neighbourhood. His reply Development) funding to cover the other The first weeks of operation showed is always the same: “As soon as we can get it half. One additional Liberty vehicle would be promising ridership figures, averaging there. This is just the beginning”. required for this extension. BUILD is the replacement for the TIGER grant funding programme and is designed to fund transport projects that have a significant local or regional impact in underpinning growth and regeneration. Sadly, The Hop extension wasn’t one of the 15 projects selected for BUILD funding in December and ideas that the DoT funds would allow construction to permit a 2020 opening now look unlikely. But the city that has fought so hard for its streetcar foothold hasn’t given up hope of securing federal finance. Far from it, in fact. Speaking to local media after receiving the news in December, Mayor Barrett said: “I’ve seen this before – and I don’t mean this in a sarcastic way. When we did the lakefront expansion, it took several swings of the bat. There will be another round after this, and we will continue to seek those federal dollars.” Further lines are on the drawing board, although – as always – the biggest hurdle is funding. Early plans show a network north and south of the downtown area and possibly even a north-eastern extension from the current Burns Common terminus. Options The future terminus of the L line at Discovery World; the track will eventually continue towards the exist with Brookville for another 20 Liberty waterfront. Vic Simons streetcars to support these ambitions.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org february 2019 / 53 Advertorial SOLUTIONS FOR RAIL NOISE MITIGATION FROM STRAIL he words ‘sound’ and ‘noise’ steel mounting rails. This re-use of existing are often, incorrectly, used infrastructure therefore means there is no interchangeably. Whereas sound need for planning approval procedures. is neutral – a by-product of The sound propagating from the sound anything which creates audible event hits the infill panels which absorb part Tvibrations – it becomes noise when that sound of it, also reflecting it into the ballast (where is unwanted. it is absorbed) due to inner inclination of the Noise is a normal part of everyday urban acoustic surface. life. It is not only defined by measurable Strailastic_IP was developed by KRAIBURG values, but also by subjective perception. STRAIL in co-operation with Deutsche Bahn Everyone has an individual tolerance limit as a pilot project and is a highly-efficient, when it comes to different sound sources, but supplemental sound protection for rail for railway noise that limit is quite low. systems in an exposed position. Noise can disturb the biological rhythm Strailastic_mSW: This mini sound and cause sleep problems with all the protection wall is fastened to the sleeper, just detrimental effects that this has. outside of the clearance area and closer to the The Strailastic Rail range has been designed noise source. It takes just a few screws to fasten to protect residents and businesses located the product to the metal substructure, which nearby from these unwanted sounds. in turn is fastened to the sleeper, allowing for The raw materials used are mostly natural rapid removal to carry out track maintenance. rubber and recycled materials from car tyres Strailastic_A inox 2.0: Absorbers use FIND OUT MORE and can be recycled again at the end of their their weight to dampen the vibrations of service lives. Our product range includes: the rail and therefore reduce the noise Strailastic_IP: These infill panels are used emissions that those vibrations normally to dampen the sound near rail tracks. They are cause. The absorber consists of vulcanised mounted easily and quickly to standard virgin rubber with a steel core and stainless railings of, for example, bridges or supporting steel fastening clamps. It is not necessary to www.strail.de/index.php walls by means of the pre-assembled stainless remove the absorber for track maintenance.

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54 / february 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Noise and vibration Innovation in urban integration Thomas Lorent, Head of the Transit Steering Group at Pandrol, looks at the issues of noise and vibration related to urban and how the latest innovations in track design are ensuring a more harmonious relationship between residents and rail transport.

When replacing the junction on Bld Général Jacques in Brussels, a ‘floating slab mat’ solution was chosen for the entire road crossing to mitigate noise and vibration in this busy downtown location. Pandrol

ur towns and cities are increasingly becoming places Urban population where people want to live, work 8 and spend their leisure time, with a rising number choosing 7 + 100 millions toO live next to rail routes for the convenience per year this offers. 6 According to the United Nation’s World Urbanization Prospects Highlights 2018, 5 55% of the world’s population already lives 4 in urban areas, compared to around 30% in Has doubled every 1950. It is also anticipated that 68% of the 25 years since 1950 3 global population will be living in towns or

cities by 2050. The challenge therefore is to urban inhabitants B illions 2 ensure sustainable urbanisation – as those 2.5 billion new citizens relocate to cities in 1 the coming decades. As new residential developments have 0 sprung up in towns and cities across the 1950 1975 2000 2025 2050 world, and suburban growth continues, the

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org february 2019 / 55 Noise and vibration

Courtesy of Pandrol attraction of living closer to the transportation we have seen a rise in complaints about noise result of their vibration. This noise networks that move them around these and vibration levels from these networks. through the air, from the source of the densely-populated areas is obvious. Additionally, as increasing numbers of rail railway line to both residents and businesses To cater for these needs, governments services now run almost 24 hours a day, located nearby. and city authorities are encouraging the there are issues related to the noise generated But this is not the only annoyance. greater adoption of sustainable transport at night when the limits of what is deemed The vibration produced by the solid contact modes in and around these expanding acceptable are dramatically reduced. between the steel of the wheels and the steel urban settlements. Rail-based solutions of the track also passes into the ground and such as train, tram and metro services are What causes noise and vibration? reaches into nearby buildings where it is generally viewed as more efficient and The founding principle of rail transport is ‘converted’ into secondary noise when walls environmentally-friendly than rubber-tyred the low steel-on-steel contact and floors vibrate and effectively act as giant motor vehicles as they do not contribute to between wheel and rail. This is the very loudspeakers to magnify the effects (see already problematic congestion issues and reason for the mode’s efficiency (low above). This structure-borne noise can be a are not reliant on burning fossil fuels for maintenance, high axle load etc), but also significant problem for those located close to energy. They also produce fewer CO2 and its fundamental burden as it is this rail lines… even with their windows closed. other harmful emissions. interaction that creates noise and vibration. With brand new infrastructure and All these factors have brought residents Direct noise related to urban transport new rolling stock, the noise is likely to be and rail networks closer together. As a result is primarily due to the rolling noise minimal. However as soon as there are of this growing urban population density, produced by train wheels and track as a even slight imperfections in the geometry and the surface of the wheel, or of the Complex urban rail junctions such as this one in Chicago can pose particular challenges when it comes to track, vibrations arise. These soon become mitigating noise and vibration; proximity to neighbouring buildings and the nature of its elevated structures only exacerbate these issues. Daniel Schwen / CC BY-SA 3.0 noticeable by local residents, leading to a rise in complaints. And as any rail operator will know, harsh braking or leaves or other contaminants on the track that make the rails slippery can

56 / february 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org cause wheel slips, leading to wheel flats that create the often-heard ‘thump-thump-thump’ heard by both passengers and local residents as the damaged wheel areas strike the hard rails beneath them. Sharp curves in the track alignment can also cause major issues for those living nearby because of the common issue of ‘curve squeal’ which is experienced if the track is not properly designed, installed or maintained. This effect can be even more problematic in the morning, when each vehicle that exits the depot – which is generally full of sharp curves – generates a high-pitched squealing noise as it runs over the curved track alignment. However, the most common, and some say most irritating, noise, is the ‘tac-tac’ sound that results from a vehicle running over a local defect. There are several potential causes of this effect. A driver accelerating too hard on a stretch of track can also lead to wheel slip, which in turn creates a small indentation in the track. A poorly-welded or ground rail, or rail fixed with fishplates, will also eventually lead to rail head defects. Sections that feature a lot of heavy braking or acceleration, and in some cases a vehicle’s Wheel ‘flats’ are caused by a non-rotating wheel being dragged across the rail due locking up or skidding; behaviour on curves, can lead to rail they can also cause damage to the rail and lead to excessive noise and vibration. Here an LA Metro car is having corrugation. This is where a defect becomes a wheel reprofiled to remove a flat. LA Metro replicated at short intervals along the track, causing an even greater disturbance. The best way to lessen the impact is to maintenance will reduce vibration issues The other major cause of nuisance noise integrate countermeasures into the design and prevent them worsening or causing and vibration is that transmitted into the of a new or upgraded track. Prevention is secondary issues with the track. structure of a bridge or viaduct; this results always far easier than cure and mitigation Pandrol’s Head Wash Repair (HWR) kit is in the structure magnifying the effects of needs to be carefully considered and built a popular solution as it provides a quick noise travelling through the air to people into all modern tramways, railways and and cost-effective solution to repairing below and beside it. Inaccuracies in the track metro systems from the earliest design railhead defects, significantly decreasing geometry can also result in similar effects. phases wherever possible. the maintenance cost of modern rail Finally, and despite noticeable networks. Reducing the amount of welds by improvements in their design, switches and using specially-developed moulds, this crossings are a source of significant noise and “The best way to lessen opens up new capabilities by enabling the vibration, as they imply gaps and alignment removal of defects up to 25mm (one inch), changes to guide the wheels. the impacts is to integrate depending on the rail profile – for example, Whatever the reason for the noise, a countermeasures into the repair of flash butt welds, which often frequent characteristic is that once residents suffer from squats. are sensitised to the vibration and noise levels the design of a new or Active wheel monitoring must also be affecting their properties, there needs to be a carried out to ensure that vehicle wheelsets are step-change to mitigate the disturbance. upgraded track.” in a good state of repair and will not damage the track. This issue led to the development of How do we control it? solutions such as WheelChex®, a measurement There are four ways, at track level, to limit Integrate noise and vibration device mounted at the lineside that integrates noise and vibration annoyance to those in solutions into track design three measuring technologies to assess rail close proximity to an urban rail line: Track construction needs to be carried out acceleration vertically and laterally, as well • Deliver a new state-of-the-art rail system carefully to avoid all those local defects as rail core temperature. By measuring the • Monitor and maintain the existing system that can generate unwanted effects: smooth impact upon the railhead of each wheel of a • Reduce track degradation by adding geometry, proper consideration of the wheel passing rail vehicle (for example, if it has track resilience design and rail interaction, high-quality a flat), such technologies allow operators • Mitigate noise and vibration. welding and grinding of the rails and basic and engineers to gain a better understanding resilience in the track. of the performance of a vehicle’s wheels Some level of resilience is generally and for the preparation of appropriate incorporated into modern track designs, to maintenance regimes. attenuate the transfer of dynamic forces from the wheel/rail to the track support. Track quality control by resilience Track quality This provides an initial track quality that Besides infrastructure and vehicle Initial track monitoring and aims to avoid generating vibrations – and maintenance, introducing an elastic medium quality maintenance the noise resulting from them. with specific spring characteristics – i.e. track resilience – will help maintain track quality Monitoring track and wheel quality at a higher level for longer periods. While noise and vibration can never be For example, for ballasted track, Under eliminated entirely, ensuring the quality Sleeper Pads (USP) are tailor-made resilient Vibration Track quality mitigation control by and geometry of the track installation is systems that are designed to reduce resilience essential to reducing their effects. In order maintenance interventions. Placed between to achieve this, the condition of the track the sleeper and the ballast, USPs improve the needs to be constantly monitored with ride of the vehicles and provide a reduction any maintenance and repairs carried out in vibration by fixing elastic elements to the promptly and efficiently. This preventative bottom surface of the sleepers.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org february 2019 / 57 Noise and vibration

Pandrol’s QTrack® system has been used successfully in tramway and metro applications around the world, including the Spanish city of Zaragoza. Pandrol

Having a well-defined stiffness and/or areas where a reduction in vibration and In the most demanding areas, an even continuous support of the rail will also secondary noise is required. This features more efficient mass spring system is the reduce rail corrugation and the consequent a Pandrol e-Clip baseplate mounted onto a floating slab pad, where the resilient mats increase of vibration, as well as the need for studded natural rubber pad. Within specified are substituted for softer discrete pads. maintenance grinding. This can be achieved limits the configuration can be tuned to meet This implies the use of precast slab track thanks to systems such as QTrack® or low requirements on axle loads and stiffness making the solution more expensive, but resilience baseplates. One of the advantages and this system also exhibits a high level of this provides a premium level of vibration of such systems is that their stiffness levels electrical insulation. Components can also management through a system that is easy to can be carefully adjusted to achieve the easily be replaced in situ. install and renew. This is ideal, for example, specific attenuation levels required. Rail fastening systems such as Vanguard in any highly-demanding tunnel project. offer very low vertical dynamic stiffness that in The Spanish city of Barcelona has been using Track isolation principles turn means high levels of vibration isolation. this system on its metro since the late 1990s. If these first three measures are not sufficient, They are suitable for use on concrete or timber then the vibration generated by the rail sleepers, slab track on bridges and viaducts Conclusions systems needs to be further mitigated. The idea and in tunnels, and offer a very low-profile Since rail transport is an important part of is to create a mass spring system with the that can easily be retrofitted. This system has any low carbon transport system, and helps track introducing an elastic medium with been installed in cities such as Barcelona, reduce road traffic congestion in a world specific spring and damping characteristics Madrid, Milan, London, Stockholm, Sydney, where over four billion people now live in to ‘decouple’ the track with the result that Sao Paulo and Philadelphia; under optimal cities, minimising the noise and vibration it vibration energy remains in the track and is conditions it has been shown that reductions causes in urban areas is essential. not transmitted to neighbouring structures. in noise levels of the order of 10-12dBA have Good design and maintenance are key, To simulate the conditions and monitor been achieved. This has been enough to and effective solutions are being integrated the effectiveness of our solutions, we reduce the noise to a level where it is barely within the new and existing rail networks developed Track Elastic Model (TEM) perceptible, thereby eliminating complaints within many towns and cities, enabling software. This can also be used to simulate from nearby residents entirely. residents to live peacefully alongside. conditions at the transition between different For higher attenuation requirements, types of track and thereby smooth the design Floating Slab Mat (FSM) solutions can be to avoid local degradation. used. These are installed bellow the track ABOUT THE AUTHOR There are various levels of vibration base and provide excellent vibration reduction that can be achieved by different reduction, creating a very efficient mass Thomas Lorent is Head of the Transit Steering methods. These range from introducing soft spring system working perfectly both during Group for Pandrol, and has over 15 years of fasteners, through to integrating very soft the day (fully-loaded vehicles) or at night multi-disciplinary experience in the rail sector. He is a graduate of Université Libre de floating slab track, depending on the design (empty vehicles but with very demanding Bruxelles and began his career as a rolling requirements and individual conditions that noise limits). stock electrical engineer before moving into are dependent on site specifics. As an example of this approach, STIB-MIVB infrastructure and track systems as a Soft solutions include various baseplates selected an FSM installation to mitigate Technical Manager with the CDM Group in 2008. and under-sleeper pads that help reduce the these issues on Brussels’ tramway with over In 2015, after Pandrol’s acquisition of CDM’s track vibrationary impacts of passing vehicles in 150 000m2 installed over busy urban sectors activities, he became the General Manager of this urban areas where requirements are low to with limited intervention time. The noise new entity and since March 2018 has also held medium. Naturally, the more intensive the attenuation requirements were extremely the responsibility for the Transit Steering Group services, especially prevalent in cities, the high in these locations as local residents at Pandrol, the new unified brand of all Delachaux Group rail divisions, including Railtech, Vortok, greater the potential issue. regularly complained about tram noise in Rosenqvist, Matweld and CDM Track. The preferred solution of many metros busy narrow streets. However, since the For more information on noise and vibration is our VIPA DRS system, which is suitable installation the level of complaints from mitigation, visit www.pandrol.com for installation on non-ballasted tracks and residents has been minimal.

58 / february 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Reduce Time & Costs The design and implementation of urban and light rail networks in busy towns and cities presents signi cant engineering challenges. At the same time, the pressure to minimise disruption and cost has never been greater. Whether it’s for tram stops, pedestrian crossings, depots or complex crossovers and turnouts, our engineered solid rubber panels help you overcome your challenges faster and more cost-e ectively than other systems. Rosehill Rail – Setting New Standards For more information, or to enquire about training, please call the Rosehill Rail sales team on +44 (0)1422 317 473, or email [email protected]

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60 / february 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org UK Tram-Train lessons UK TRAM-TRAIN: LEARNING LESSONS

Supertram Citylink 399 202 arriving at Rotherham Parkgate, 25 October 2018. Ian Ambrose

With public service now underway, Tim Kendell and Ian Ambrose relate some of the challenges in delivering the UK’s tram-train pilot – and the lessons that can be shared across the industry.

he successful launch of tram-train required special approvals to run. Hopefully the aim of having tram-trains running as a services from Sheffield Cathedral to when proven by this pilot, this will be the demonstration within six months. It became Rotherham Parkgate on 25 October start of many more similar services that have apparent that this was not going to be possible 2018 was an historic occasion for the potential to connect street tramways to as, for a start, Kassel was not able to supply the UK railway industry. new destinations on the main line. one of its diesel-electric bi-mode tram-train TBritain’s first true tram-train operation has vehicles in time. But the concept was sold and not only opened up new journey opportunities A brief history of tram-train now had three influential champions. for those in the Sheffield City Region, but will The tram-train concept was developed in At this early stage no tram owner or operator also provide a useful new transport option ’s Karlsruhe to connect its urban was involved and the project was being led for the expanding urban regions looking tramway to failing suburban lines; as a by the heavy rail industry. Many have asked to reduce congestion and emissions. Most consequence of improved service frequencies why this was the case: surely a tram operator importantly, this pilot is proving popular and additional tramstops near residential would understand the operation of tram-like with travellers, the real way to gauge success. areas, ridership grew dramatically. vehicles much better than a bunch of heavy It seems so easy looking back, but behind This ‘pilot’ project that began in the late rail people? But it was decided that with the smooth operation lies a huge amount of 1980s broke many of the rules in Germany the cultural differences, it was much better work to enable it to happen. at the time and there was a considerable to have a ‘pull’ from the main line, where ‘Why is it so hard, they do it in Germany – amount of safety work required before it most of the problems would arise, rather just get on with it’ is an oft-asked question by gained the approval of the then Deutsche than having them resisting a ‘push’ from an those not directly involved, such as politicians Bundesbahn for services to operate. The unwelcome tram operator. and other commentators. As has been shown concept soon spread around Germany many times with major or innovative projects, with similar operations in Saarbrücken, First steps in the UK the devil is in the detail, usually glossed Nordhausen and Kassel. It is also used A limited budget was proposed, with a view over by those not responsible for giving the across , with schemes in France, the to learning as much as we could with a pilot approval to enter service. Just think back Netherlands, Spain and Denmark. project and thus saving money and time as to the London Underground’s Jubilee line In late 2006 a study tour was arranged by well as easing the approvals process for future extension to Stratford in the 1990s, the ACoRP (the Association for Community Rail tram-train schemes. These objectives looked current cross-capital Crossrail scheme, and Partnerships) to learn about tram-train, which at the costs, differences and revisions to many schemes in between that have been led to a visit to Kassel for executives from standards required to enable tram-like bedevilled by those ignoring the detail. the UK Department for Transport, Network vehicles to run on the UK’s mainline, Unlike normal rail projects, the Rail and NedRail in 2007. The delegates all understanding the complexities at the introduction of tram-train to the UK broke saw great potential in what they saw and interface between the two systems, and the many rules for main line operation and the idea of a UK pilot was soon born, with all-important passenger perception.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBURARY 2019 / 61 UK Tram-Train lessons

LEFT: A test engineer checks the clearance between a Citylink tram-train and a lineside grease unit in June 2018. Ian Ambrose

RIGHT: Citylink 399 201 leaves Rotherham Central station; note the barrier to deter passengers from crossing tracks. Tim Kendell

A prerequisite for this project was for heavy Karlsruhe technical consultancy TTK enabled the UK across the rail and light rail industries. rail engineers and operators to understand us to learn from the German experience and The successful conclusion of the the intricacies of light rail and vice versa. identify where the ‘’ could commissioning stages and subsequent entry This immediately led those leading the act as a useful guide and where the differences into service has provided sufficient evidence exercise to ask ‘why are there delineated for a UK solution would be needed. to demonstrate that the issues and concerns heavy rail and light rail engineers and For example, German mainline track, relating to the operation of a light rail vehicle operators?’ There are many similarities and signalling and electrification standards have on the main line network have been overcome. some differences, all with good reasons. significant differences to the UK’s, adding to The rigorous testing undertaken on both the With relatively few tramways in Great the difficulties in implementing a UK pilot. South Yorkshire Supertram Limited (SYSL) Britain, certainly even fewer a decade ago, the We soon learnt whilst travelling around and Network Rail (NR) networks under the industry cannot support more than a handful the European railways that each country Common Safety Method – Risk Evaluation and of career light rail design engineers by itself – operates to different standards and signalling Assessment (CSM-RA) – the current approval there just aren’t enough projects. Thus heavy principles – it is no wonder then that the regime for all new railway infrastructure and rail designers will naturally become involved EU introduced its Railway Interoperability vehicles – has shown that Citylink vehicles can with new tramway projects. It therefore seems Directives. However, in Britain there are operate safely on existing and appropriately logical that the training for future railway significant similarities in what we were modified main line infrastructure alongside engineers should include both light and seeking to achieve with the extension of both freight and passenger traffic. heavy rail engineering, not forgetting metros, Tyne & Wear Metro trains over the main line Under current legislation, approvals for all of which have their own peculiarities. to Sunderland and the learning from this tramway vehicles and infrastructure are Heavy rail also has defined standards that service was included. covered by the Safety Verification method cover virtually all aspects of design, whereas under The Railways and Other Guided there are relatively few in tramways, limiting Documenting the learning Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations 2006 the guidance that can be found easily. Ian Ambrose is responsible within Network (as amended) (ROGS). This applies to both This pilot had to transcend this aspect by Rail for collating the learning from railways and tramways. For more detail it is obtaining deviations to heavy rail standards the pilot and has been involved in the advisable to consult the UKTram publication and combining approvals processes to save commissioning stage. He describes how this A guide to promoters planning to operate Light Rail duplication and potential conflicts. was accomplished within the requirements and other non-mainline vehicles on Network Rail- of both heavy rail and tramway approval managed infrastructure 1, a plain-English version Identification of major issues processes, ensuring safety on both networks: of the RSSB report Non-mainline vehicles: At the start of any rule-breaking project, it A key objective of the pilot is to document Guidance on regulatory requirements – T1049. is essential to identify the major issues that and share lessons learned in the design, As tram-train vehicles and some of the need to be resolved and the rules that need build, commissioning and operation stages of new infrastructure are exempt from the to be broken. Initial discussions with the the introduction of tram-train operation in Railway (Interoperability) Regulations 2011, one of the most significant achievements of the A DB Cargo Class 66 pushing a Citylink tram-train in a May 2018 test. Any such recovery has to avoid a heavy rail vehicle being trapped on the tramway as there is no suitable run round facility on the Tinsley Chord. Rob Carroll project has been to enable both the Safety Verification and CSM-RA processes to be undertaken as a single activity, completed in time for both operation on the tramway (September 2017) and the railway (May 2018). Following the successful introduction into service on the existing tramway, detailed commissioning plans were prepared for the full Cathedral to Parkgate service. Incorporating the new infrastructure (primarily the electrification, as dc overhead systems are uncommon on the national network in the UK), the low-height platforms at Rotherham Central and Parkgate, and the vehicles, this also included obtaining approval for the deviations from UK Railway Group Standards required from the relevant Standards Committees. At the same time working instructions were developed for operating over the boundary between SYSL and NR infrastructure, the so-called Tinsley Chord. This required a collaborative approach between operations and maintenance staff of both undertakings due to a number of boundary issues identified through the design of the connection between

62 / FEBRUARY 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org the two networks. A similar approach was decision to start passenger service was taken, • Additional hazards identified through used for the operation and management of driven by the availability of the Sheffield route risk assessment processes. Rotherham Central station which is unusual City Region Mayor and then-Transport • Improved positioning of mirrors, particularly in having two station facility owners: the Minister Jo Johnson MP. at Tinsley Junction access on to the tramway. South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive • Suggestions to improve briefing on changes (SYPTE) for the tram-train service platforms Lessons learnt and some to other operators. and rail operator Northern for the rest, improvements for the future • OLE resilience and the associated ability to although all maintenance and operational Based on this commissioning experience, the be less reliant on third-party recovery when activity is undertaken by Northern staff. following recommendations can be applied power fails at Ickles substation, through Following the completion of electrification for future projects: coasting or power from SYSL substations. testing, vehicle commissioning could • The plan developed for the Citylink provides Additionally, the processes to prevent begin. Critical issues here were gauging – a useful template for the commissioning wrong routing were found to be robust, checking the clearances between any lineside and entry into service of tram-train vehicles. minimising the risk of either a tram or a train structures and the vehicles and the wheel/ • Such a plan should be developed during going off route. Where a detection failure rail interface. Could the new Citylink vehicles the design and build stage to incorporate occurred it always resulted in the signal not safely operate on the railway, particularly emerging issues or requirements. clearing – i.e. right-side failure. through switches and crossings? We also • It should also be closely aligned to the For damaged, missing or incorrectly verified vehicle recovery procedures to commissioning plan for any associated positioned infrastructure items – crucial ensure that a failed Citylink could be safely new infrastructure. for driver route learning – the Close Call returned to SYSL’s Nunnery depot, and • All members of the project alliance should system worked very well. This system was double-checked the power supply to ensure be involved in the plan review process. launched in 2011 to allow anyone working it was sufficient to enable the timetable to • During the test programme, given the within the rail industry to record and manage be operated reliably. These tests, carried out innovative nature of tram-train vehicles conditions and behaviours that, under overnight during the months of May, June and their operation, observers from the different circumstances, could have led to and July 2018, were also used for the driver relevant disciplines in both the tram or harm. A reporting system from trainers to familiarise themselves with the operator and NR should be in attendance. SYSL to the NR Project Manager was used route and the operating instructions. • Where overnight possessions are required, for changes and other points were recorded All these tests were efficiently completed, careful management is essential to on observation sheets for later review at the with gauging undertaken by the SYSL optimise the time available and to avoid regular learning review meetings. infrastructure team and wheel/rail interface delaying either the first tram or train Following the start of service, a monitoring by the Institute of Rail Research service of the following day. comprehensive set of monitoring and from Huddersfield University, while a DB • Communication with all parties to enable evaluation tests are being undertaken to Cargo Class 66 diesel-electric locomotive and entry into the possession on time is crucial. further improve industry capability to a second Citylink both successfully recovered Late arrival for briefings or at the handover deliver future tram-train schemes; an a ‘failed’ tram-train. During the test period it site by critical staff can cause significant ongoing review of the timetabled running was usefully discovered that in the event of delays. Unfortunately, 35-45 minutes delay time has identified some revisions that will the NR substation being out of action, there was not uncommon during the tests. improve the service. was sufficient power from the SYSL overhead The combination of the test team, driver So after a tricky passage through supply to enable a Citylink to return under its trainers and observers onboard the vehicles governmental changes, cultural differences, own power from Parkgate to the tramway. throughout the programme enabled a number deviations to standards and interference from A whole-route risk assessment was also carried of issues to be managed and modifications to other projects, this pilot is now proving itself out in preparation for the intensive driver be requested. These included: to passengers. These lessons can now be used training undertaken during July and August. • Optimising VIS (Vehicle Identification to save money and time on future tram-train Assistance with the training covering main System) loop magnet positions to improve and light rail projects around Great Britain. line operation was provided by NR and East detection, particularly on curves. So let’s celebrate and look forward to Midlands Trains (a subsidiary of Stagecoach, • Optimising the stopping positions at tram-train becoming ‘Business as Usual’ which also operates the Supertram network). signals and platforms to improve sighting in connecting tramways to the country’s The final preparation for the and access. railway network. start of public service was a period of • Identifying additional or missing ghost-running to prove the robustness of the infrastructure signage. 1 – www.uktram.com/wp-content/uploads/ timetable. After two incident-free weeks, the • Revised clearances for lineside equipment 2018/07/Introduction-to-T1049-rev-0.8.pdf

The ultimate proof of success will be determined ABOUT THE AUTHORS by the patronage of the new connection Tim Kendell is the Technical Director of the Light from Sheffield to Rail Transit Association. Rotherham; early After a railway engineering career spanning signs are promising. over 40 years, Tim retired from the UK Ian Ambrose Department for Transport at the end of 2014, During his time at the DfT he was the technical lead for the tram-train pilot. Tim has continued to promote tram-train for and on behalf of industry and campaigning bodies UKTram, LRTA and the All-Party Parliamentary Light Rail Group.

Ian Ambrose entered the railway industry in 1985 as an IT specialist involved in the design of vehicle, infrastructure, operations and commercial systems. Ian joined AEA Technology Rail in 2000 to develop emerging light rail and tram-train schemes and in 2006 he was invited to join Network Rail where he has seen the tram-train pilot through from its inception in 2007 to delivery in 2018.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBURARY 2019 / 63 Olomouc

The Moravian city has a small but systems czech republic well-used tramway Olomouc factfile characterised by gradual No. Olomouc, modernisation 136 Czech Republic within a modest budget, finds Neil Pulling.

lomouc has a population being a convenient base for exploring Vario LF plus railway, which arrived in 1841. of around 102 000 the rural surroundings. Relative to the 103+104 leaves the This in turn inf luenced Olomouc’s latest addition to the and is the sixth largest city’s size, it has the country’s highest system near Galerie industrial development, as well as city in the Czech proportion of university students. Šantovka, the stop taking up a large amount of land Republic (Czechia). The current city-owned tram and for which is in the that is still in railway use. The 2km OIt is located 65km (41 miles) bus company, Dopravní podnik background. (1.2 miles) separating the city centre north-east of the Moravian capital, Olomouce (DPMO) originated in and the post-1876 main station Brno, and 205km (128 miles) 1953. Since 2004 it has been part site (now Olomouc hlavní nádraží south-east of the capital, Prague. of the Olomouc Region integrated / hl.n.) prompted the tramway’s Having grown as an ecclesiastic transport system, IDSOK, which also creation. Opening in April 1899 with centre, Olomouc had an exalted includes local railway services. mainly single-line route, trams were standing in medieval times. A decline Today’s tramway, wholly within electrically-powered from the outset. in favour of Brno accelerated with the IDSOK zone 71, has a history of Despite political changes, since 1914 end of The Thirty Years’ War in 1648. careful evolution. Apart from some there have been several extensions Becoming a power backwater did, sections of the original routes that and doubling of an originally mainly however, help to preserve Olomouc’s old were abandoned in favour of new single-track installation. The years layout and structures, albeit damaged alignments, the system has had of Communist control in particular in later conflicts. Today it is the capital fe w closures. saw substantial changes and overall of the Olomouc Region and has a tourist An even spread out wards from expansion. This included replacing Y business based upon its own historic the city centre is less regular on the Words and pictures layouts with loops to turn trams, now and cultural attractions, as well as eastern side due to the effects of the by Neil Pulling the prevailing terminus arrangement.

64 / february 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org

THE FLEET

Since 2006 a series of partly low-floor trams The first of five KOS/TWTEVO1 (211-215) have been introduced, products of KOS of Krnov, and three EVO1/o (121-123) entered service in now part of the Aliance TW Team (TWT). September 2018. Both fully low-floor, they have Some re-used T3 equipment, with others saloon air-conditioning, with the single-sided being new builds. Peculiar to Olomouc, the EVO1 capacity at 32 seated, 75 standing and VarioLFplus/o double-sided variant (101-114) double-sided EVO1/o at 27 seated and 85 standing. in service since May 2013 was bought with These trams introduced a representation of reference to the Nové Sady project. These the Olomouc skyline to the basic white, red and uni-directional trams are used in back-to-back blue livery. With the full complement, 70% of pairs on lines 3 and 5 to the present Trnkova the DPMO fleet will offer some low-floor space terminus which has stub-track. (indicated on timetables with a wheelchair).

ABOVE: Trnkova, terminus of the initial Nové Sady extension. Double-ended stock runs back-to-back due to the lack of turning facilities here.

LEFT: Viewed from the west, the tramway junction on Náměstí Národních hrdinů; tracks to the left extend to the depot and storage compound.

BELOW LEFT: On the original route between the station and city centre, 238 is at Náměstí Republiky on 7 August 2018.

BELOW RIGHT: In service since 1999, Škoda 03T Astra 203 is at Olomouc Hlavní nádraží.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org february 2019 / 65 Olomouc

ABOVE: Neředín Krematorium loop: track west of here was a rare system closure but may return to serve new developments. LEFT: Tramway at Třída Svobody, created as part of the relocation policy when tracks were removed from the historic centre during the 1950s. BELOW: Pavlovičky terminus on the short turning loop around the streets added in 1957.

BELOW: The Nová Ulice line junction at Okresní soud; the structures behind represent the site of old city walls.

In August 2018 one of Olomouc’s newest trams, Vario LFR.S 246 is in the commercial area near the main station.

ABOVE: Tram 251 approaching the station from the Pavlovičky line, with 243 between the junctions for the Fibichova loop. BELOW: The controlled railway crossing near Galerie Šantovka.

66 / february 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org

Coverage east of the railway began to the city centre, which dates from after World War Two by way of a the tramway’s beginning. Unable to viaduct south of the station. This accommodate system expansion, a arm was completed in 1957 with a nearby storage compound was added short uni-directional loop around on space freed up by demolition. streets that contains Pavlovi ky Changed from original direct depot terminus. Close to Olomouc hl.n., access from the centre, trams use the Fibichova terminus loop added in non-revenue track on Sokolská 1958 simplified the handling of trams Street and a northern spur from the serving the station. The 21st Century junction on Národních has seen other improvements, but a (National Heroes’ Square). This plan to add tram storage at Fibichova particular ‘nám’ is not a restful spot, was not enacted. mainly being given over to trams and Infrastructure and fleet renewal other road traffic. The longest system has been assisted by closure, as opposed to replacement, funding. By 1997, the main system was a section in use for just over 20 feature was completed with a 1.8km years. It was at the end of the long arm (1.1-mile) connection in the south. that rises westwards from the city, This created an elongated circuit initially opened in 1914 to the still Single-section with the city’s centre and Olomouc prominent cemetery area. With the 231 heading hl.n. at either end, punctuated by the cut-back here in 1953, Krematorium towards the station network facts several arms serving outer districts. in became the terminus. and Pavlovičky Those emerging from the station are Reconstructing the former coverage, terminus. The Opened: 1899 soon aware of the immediate area’s not because of the airport as previously original route used Lines: 8 tracks to central growing importance. As well as the but for a technology park, is one of Depots: 1 Olomouc along the local, national and international several service expansion candidates. road near the no Approx. weekday hours: 04.30-23.00 trains, large destination displays on Part of the south-western entry sign. This is Line frequency: 15 minutes the forecourt show a profusion of arm was also in the initial system. the nearest section Gauge: 1435mm connections including trams, local Lengthened with additions to serve of today's tramway and long-distance . A nearby housing estates, this was replaced by to the historic centre. Power: 600V dc, overhead supply spread of modern buildings indicate 1981. There are track remnants in the Fleet: 73 the location’s commercial appeal. hospital area. The replacement route City operator: Dopravní podnik města Trams within Olomouc’s historic to Nová Ulice terminus took the Olomouce – www.dpmo.cz centre lasted until October 1954 broad new avenue of the main Brno Regional network: www.idsok.cz when this traffic was relocated on road, . In summer 2018 Civic information: www.olomouc.eu new tracks to the north and west. this route was temporarily suspended Koželužská depot including the for maintenance, necessitating Tourist information: DPMO head office is on a site close service revisions. http://tourism.olomouc.eu

4 Pavlovická Pavlovičky

Mlýnský potok Morava

U Dómu U Kovárny Šibeník DEPOT Bělidla 2 7 Palackého Bystřice Pražská Nám. Žižkovo Hřbitovy U Sv. Republiky Neředín Náměstí nám. Nádraží Hrdinů Mořice U Bystřičky krematorium město Husův sbor

Okresní Hlavní soud nádraží Hodolanská Morava

Envelopa Tržnice Vejdovského Výstaviště Fibichova Flora Aut.nádraží 1 2 3 podchod Šantovka 5 6 7

Wolkerova

V Kotlině

Fakultní nemocnice

Trnkova 3 5 Nová Pionýrská Ulice Morava 1 4 6 0 1 2

Kilometres

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org february 2019 / 67 Olomouc

The latest route addition was service level for most of the day that begun in June 2012 and completed is appreciably above a prevailing by November 2013. The 1.4km 15-minute line interval. on (0.9-mile) extension is intended as destination boards equates to ‘via’ the first part of a line for the for that service’s routing. Line U was growing Nové Sady district. introduced on a trial basis in spring Heading south of a delta junction 2018 and continues into 2019. between Tržnice and Envelopa It differs from the others in having stops with dedicated rights of way, no presence at Olomouc hl.n. it initially shadows the curves of the This daytime hourly service takes 17 Morava River. One of the three stops minutes between Krematorium and that were added brought a much Nová Ulice, obviating the need to closer tram service to Galerie change trams in the central area. Šantovka, opened in 2013. A continuing challenge for DPMO The developers of this shopping is replacing old high-floor stock with centre bore some of the project costs. more reliable vehicles. The operator The route also features one of the has three Tatra T3 variants system’s at-grade crossings of a built between 1970 (trams 138 and regularly used railway line. The next 141 being the oldest normal service ABOVE: Inekon Trio 01 206 on the southern route to the station after stage expected for completion in vehicles) and 1987. By late 2018 there leaving Tržnice stop. 2020 is approximately 1km long with were 28 remaining T3 examples three more stops, ending by the Billa numbered between 138-184. supermarket on Schweitzer Street. DPMO has continued to acquire The service pattern has changed Czech-produced rolling stock. several times and remains under Three-section, 20.1m Škoda 03T consideration. The main circuit of Astra (201-204) made in track hosts all services to some introduced low-floor space (50% of extent, although there is no passenger area) in 1998. These were completely orbital line. It is the followed in 2006 by the similarly existence of the arms leading off styled Trio (205-207) made by the circuit which accounts for the Ostrava-based Inekon. existence of eight normal lines Subsequently DPMO has favoured (1-7 and U) on what is a relatively 15m single-car vehicles. The T3-like small system. Restricted hours apply format matches much of the system’s to some lines. The overlaps also demand, yet may be doubled as provide much of the system with a required. ABOVE: T3SUCS rebuilt as Vario LFR.S 245 at a rudimentary suburban stop, Husův sbor. The X1/4 line designation applied during the revised summer 2018 service. essential facts Local travel: A 40-minute fare is available for CZK14 (EUR0.50), although the CZK46 (EUR1.80) one-day ticket (seven-day at CZK126/EUR4.80) will better suit many visitors. There is a DPMO ticket office in the main hall at the station and another more centrally in Legionářská Street, within sight of the nám. Národních hrdinů junction. What is there to see? Despite proximity from the north and west sides, much of the historic centre is not visible from trams; this compact and attractive area is bordered in places by parkland and reminders of a fortified past. The focal point is Horní nám, the main square with a well-stocked tourist information point next to the town hall clock tower. Nearby Holy Trinity Column is on the UNESCO World Heritage List; the ancient Astronomical Clock was controversially reconstructed with communist heroic motifs.

ABOVE: The interior of Olomouc Vario LF plus 105.

RIGHT: With a reduced need for stock due to works on the Nová Ulice line in August 2018, ČKD T3 stock is prominent in the storage compound.

68 / february 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org in your next issue of

a us Streetcar New tramways Systems Factfile: Resurrection for 2019 Innsbruck The return of street-running light rail Worldwide Editor Michael Taplin In a setting where nature makes to the Texan city of El Paso after a unpacks his crystal ball once again to particular demands upon land use and 44-year absence is far from ‘just offer his review of the prospects for new the environment, Innsbruck is supporting another tramway opening’. tramway openings around the world light rail for the future of the city and its Vic Simons explains why… over the coming year. surroundings. Neil Pulling pays a visit. PLUS... MARCH + Tel Aviv’s NTA updates TAUT on its multi-line LRT plans 2019 issue + The latest news and analysis, rolling stock orders, system developments, and transport policy and industry comment from On sale around the world 15 February

THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE Olomouc

The Moravian systems city has a small but well-used czech rePublic www.lrta.org factfile tramway Olomouc www.tautonline.com characterised Subscribe now! No. Olomouc, by gradual modernisation FEBRUARY 2019 N O. 974 136 Czech Republic within a modest budget, finds Neil Pulling. REVIVING MILWAUKEE THROUGH LIGHT RAIL Now entering its 82nd year, Tramways & Urban Transit is

lomouc has a population being a convenient base for exploring of around 102 000 Vario LF plus the rural surroundings. Relative to the 103+104 leaves the railway, which arrived in 1841. the world’s leading monthly publication dedicated solely to and is the sixth largest city’s size, it has the country’s highest latest addition to the This in turn influenced Olomouc’s city in the Czech proportion of university students. system near Galerie industrial development, as well as Republic (Czechia). Šantovka, the stop taking up a large amount of land The current city-owned tram and ItO is located 65km (41 miles) for which is in the bus company, Dopravní podnik that is still in railway use. The 2km north-east of the Moravian capital, Olomouce (DPMO) originated in background. (1.2 miles) separating the city centre Brno, and 205km (128 miles) 1953. Since 2004 it has been part and the post-1876 main station south-east of the capital, Prague. of the Olomouc Region integrated site (now Olomouc hlavní nádraží Having grown as an ecclesiastic transport system, IDSOK, which also / hl.n.) prompted the tramway’s centre, Olomouc had an exalted includes local railway services. creation. Opening in April 1899 with standing in medieval times. A decline China opens two new tramways and 372km of metro Today’s tramway, wholly within mainly single-line route, trams were in favour of Brno accelerated with the IDSOK zone 71, has a history of electrically-powered from the outset. end of The Thirty Years’ War in 1648. Lisboa tram overturns injuring 28 careful evolution. Apart from some Despite political changes, since 1914 Becoming a power backwater did, light and urban rail developments. sections of the original routes that there have been several extensions however, help to preserve Olomouc’s old TfL shortfall were abandoned in favour of new and doubling of an originally mainly Projects on hold due to layout and structures, albeit damaged alignments, the system has had single-track installation. The years in later conflicts. Today it is the capital few closures. of Communist control in particular double its tramway of the Olomouc Region and has a tourist Ulm opens line 2 to An even spread outwards from saw substantial changes and overall business based upon its own historic expansion. This included replacing Y

£4.60 the city centre is less regular on the and cultural attractions, as well as eastern side due to the effects of the Words and pictures layouts with loops to turn trams, now by Neil Pulling the prevailing terminus arrangement. Sounds of silence Tram-train Lessons shared from 64 / february 2019 Managing light rail www.tautonline.com. www.lrta.org noise and vibration the UK pilot scheme

64-68_TAUT1902_SF_Olomouc 5pp.indd 1

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Please complete this form and send it with your payment to: LRTA Membership Secretary (Dept T06), 38 Wolseley Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK FEBRUARY 2019 FEBRUARY Worldwide Review

AUSTRALIA over Presto if more than four rides PERTH. Opening of the are taken in 24 hours. AUD1.86bn (EUR1.15bn) The first of the Bombardier Forrestfield-Airport Link is now LRVs for Metrolinx’s Eglinton expected in late 2021. Leaks in the Crosstown line had still not been tunnel linings near Forrestfield delivered by early January. Six station have caused the delays cars were expected to be on the to the new 8.5km (5.3-mile) property by the start of February. commuter line that will diverge Bombardier is supplying 76 cars from Transperth’s 1067mm-gauge for CAD392m (EUR253m). D. Drum Midland Line near Bayswater. RGI VANCOUVER. The Mayor’s SYDNEY. Alstom India in Council, meeting on 13 December, Bangalore has delivered the last has demanded that Surrey of 22 six-car Metropolis automated compensate Translink for the metro trains, with the initial CAD56.6m (EUR36.7m) spent 42.5km (26.4-mile) line from on the aborted light rail project. Chatswood to Rouse Hill expected The meeting heard that the to open later this year. The line will CAD1.65bn (EUR1.1bn) set aside An afternoon service on Taipei’s first modern tramline about to depart Danhai New Town Station on 29 December. Waychen_C / CC BY 2.0 reach the city centre in 2024, when for light rail would, if transferred to the Chatswood to Bankstown Skytrain, permit a line to be built PARIS. A EUR350m budget was there was also an evening section is completed. RGI from King George to Fleetwood approved on 13 December to inauguration ceremony. VICTOR HARBOR. The Granite or Clayton Heights, rather than extend line T1 from Noisy-le- A further 45 DT5 sets have been Island horse tramway was closed to Langley. Vancouver Sun Sec to Montreuil (rue de Rosny). ordered for delivery in 2020-21 from the afternoon of 1 January Work will start later this year. from the Alstom/Bombardier after part of the jetty collapsed. COLOMBIA Metro trains are receiving a new consortium, which will take the It is planned to re-open once MEDELLÍN. CAF has been blue livery; the first was seen on total order to 163. DS repairs have been effected. ABC awarded the EUR80m contract line 7 on 11 December. HEIDELBERG. The 1km to refurbish the 1990s fleet of Île-de-France Mobilité has (0.6 miles) of new tramway 42 three-car metro trains. IRJ awarded Bombardier a EUR470m between Gadamerplatz and GMUNDEN. Museum tram 5 contract for a further 47 Francilien Montpellierbrücke was brought (1911 Graz) returned to service CZECH REPUBLIC EMUs for commuter rail service, to into use with the new timetable on 8 December following its PRAHA (Prague). Contrary to be used on lines L and J; EUR134m on 9 December. It is used by modernisation, and can now previous news, delivery of Škoda is to be spent on modernising 43 line 22 to Eppelheim and line operate on both the former 15T trams continued in 2018, M12N EMUs used on RER line A. 26 to Kirchheim. urbanrail.net Gmunden – Vorchdorf interurban with 9443/4 arriving in December. On 18 December the authority KARLSRUHE. Another 20 line and the tramway. G. Mackinger prazsketramvaje.cz announced that a consortium 37m dual-system LRVs have WIEN (Vienna). Following of Worldline and Conduent is been ordered from Bombardier 4000km (2485 miles) of test ESTONIA to implement its Smart Navigo for EUR87m. They will be delivered running, the first of 119 Bombardier TALLINN. The Association of ticketing programme. Paper in 2020-21 and bring the total of Flexity trams, 301, entered service Municipalities of Harju County tickets will be replaced this type to 62. RGI on line 67 from Favoriten depot on and the City of Tallinn have with contactless technology, KÖLN (Cologne). The latest 6 December. The new trams will announced a tender to conduct supporting new services such as timeframe for the opening of also work line 6, and later line D. feasibility and cost-benefit studies car park access. IRJ, Mobility the north-south tram subway is To mark the 40th anniversary for future light rail links.The STRASBOURG. The 1.6km (one- 2026-27. The partly-built line was of the withdrawal of class M trams final date for submissions is mile) extension of tramline E at affected by the collapse of the town in December 1978, 22 December 28 January. Baltic Times Robertsau is due to start carrying archives building in March 2009, 2018 saw three trams of this passengers from 3 June. lineoz.net which killed two and is still the type (4023/134/49) operating a FRANCE TOULOUSE. The city has agreed subject of legal processes. DS supplementary service on line AVIGNON. The first new 24m to purchase 22 new VAL metro LEIPZIG. A EUR11.4m option D between Börse and Nussdorf; three-section Alstom Citadis XO5 trains from Siemens for EUR110m, for 20 XL trams from Stadler L 548 was also used. IRJ, K. Matzka tram was delivered on 6 December, for delivery by 2023. lineoz.net Polska (formerly Solaris) was a week later than expected due exercised on 29 October. traminfo.pl BELGIUM to disruption by the gilets jaunes GERMANY MÜLHEIM – OBERHAUSEN. OOSTENDE. The first part of the protests blocking roads. T-2000 . The timetable change With the re-opening of new tram station at Oostende BORDEAUX. The tramway was on 9 December marked the Thyssenbrücke, route 112 station opened on 24 December brought to a halt around 19.15 on completion of the 12-year returned to normal operation (direction De Panne). The second 3 December when an electronic programme to rebuild Ostkreuz from 30 November. DS part (direction Knokke) is due to component in the traction power S-Bahn station. H. Tschirner MÜNCHEN (). Coupled open on 8 April. T-2000 supply control failed and a spare CHEMNITZ. Car 912, the first of 14 sets of Siemens Avenio TZ started part could not be found. Service 31.35m Škoda 35T ForCity with operating in service for the first CANADA did not return to normal until all wheels motored was delivered time from 10 December. DS TORONTO. The last new trams 13.30 the following day. Sud-Ouest on 30 November. Half of the NÜRNBERG. Tenders have been to be delivered in 2018 were 4514 BREST. The second tramline, B, EUR35m contract is being funded invited for 12 (options up to 75) from Thunder Bay and 4572 from will link Gare SNCF and Klinikum by the federal government. IRJ single-ended low-floor trams Kingston; 90 cars are due in 2019. Cavale Blanche via the University GOTHA. Tatra KT4D 304 has with a length not exceeding 37m. The option to pay with credit/ and include a new bridge across the been repainted in traditional ivory The specification requires debit cards was removed from River Penfeld. It is hoped to start with a red stripe livery to mark 35 2.3m-wide vehicles, with a Flexity trams from 20 December work in the first quarter of 2020, years of Tatra operation. DS minimum 70% low-floor area and due to continuing problems with and carry passengers in 2025. SV HAMBURG. After five and a half at least five doors in these areas the card readers. The end of 2019 LILLE. The name of the public years’ work, opening of the 1.3km (with eight in total), and the ability will see the elimination of tokens, transport network will change (0.8-mile) extension of U-Bahn line to operate in multiple units. DS tickets and passes, replaced by the from Transpole to Ilévia in 2019, U4 to Elbbrücken was marked by RUHRBAHN. Bombardier has Presto smartcard. There will still with the new image unveiled on three days of fare-free operation on won a EUR79m contract for 26 be a day pass that offers savings 28 January. lineoz.net 7-9 December. On 6 December more 30m Flexity Classic trams for

70 / FEBRUARY 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org delivery in 2021-22, to replace the increased during 2018 on all except last -M cars in Essen. IRJ the steam railway. The Douglas Bay STUTTGART. The special event horse tramway saw a 9% increase to mark 60 years of GT4 operation to 80 606, the Manx Electric 7% to has been moved to the weekend 244 863 and the Snaefell line 21% of 26-27 October. M. J. Russell to 76 434 return journeys. WUPPERTAL. The Schwebebahn Services will start on 8 March remains out of service following for the steam railway; on 16 March the structural failure on 18 for the Manx Electric Railway; and November, and is unlikely to carry 26 March for the Snaefell line. passengers again until June. DS Horse tramway services start on 25 April. All lines will run until HUNGARY 3 November although the horse BUDAPEST. The 50th anniversary tramway may close earlier due to of the founding of BKV was marked Promenade reconstruction works. by a parade on 25 November SNAEFELL. The Department featuring 436 (1913), 611 (1908), of Infrastructure (DoI) has been restored 1820 (1907 Schlick), fined GBP18 000 (EUR20 000) The first Alstom Citadis Compact tram for the French city of Avignon is 24m long. 2806 (1911), 2624 (1959) for health and safety failures Alstom / Yves Ronzier 1074 (1912), 1233 (1964, from resulting in the runaway incident The intention is that Piekarska, interchange with the Debrecen); 3720 (1961), 3888+ in August 2017. This saw tram 2 the street along which it runs, will at Daszynskiego. The contact 3898 (1965) and 3430 (1960). overshoot the Bungalow stop be reconstructed and the track with BPBK is valued at PLN2.6m The government has approved after losing braking control. The realigned to permit operation (EUR606 000). traminfo.pl HUF1tr (EUR3.1bn) to upgrade DoI admitted the breaches, which of low-floor cars. The track will the HÉV suburban rail service, related to passenger and crew remain single throughout, with ROMANIA including a connection between safety, and indicated that further no intermediate passing loop or GALAŢI. Astra Vagoane Calatori lines H6 and H7 at Közvágóhíd and safety improvements had been signalling, but a passing loop will was the sole bidder for a contract a subway between Borános tér and made, including the fitting of an be installed at the outer terminus, to supply eight low-floor trams, Kálvin tér. The entire fleet will be additional fourth braking system. just north of Powstanców Slaskich although its bid of RON119.7m replaced by new stock. A. Varga, RGI on the approach to the former depot (EUR25.7m) covers the 18 trams ISRAEL of the Städtische Strassenbahn the operator has said it requires, INDIA TEL AVIV. On 12 December Beuthen, now demolished. subject to EU funding. The trams DELHI. The 9.7km (six-mile) Transport Minister Yisrael Another loop is to be installed will be the Imperio model, 20m extension of metro line 7 (Pink Katz announced plans for a between Wrocławska and Sadowa long and 2.4m wide with capacity line) from Lajpat Nagar to Mayur three-line metro system to be to serve as a depot connection; for 100 passengers. RGI Vihar Pocket 1, opened on 31 built at a cost of IRS100-150bn the town centre terminus will December, taking the system to (EUR23.5-35bn), extending likely be relocated here, improving RUSSIA 327km (203 miles). RGI to 130km (81 miles). This is in the accessibility of the service INDUSTRY. TMZ, the Tushino INDUSTRY. Ind ian Pr ime addition to the three light rail by avoiding the need to cross a Machine Building Works, declared Minister Narendra Modi laid the lines under construction, and will busy inner ring road to/from the bankruptcy in 2018. This is the foundation stones for three new extend further to neighbouring present terminus outside Sw. Trojcy factory where MTV-82 trams were metro projects in Maharashtra towns such as Raanana and Lod. IRJ church. This would involve built in the 1950s, with production on 18 December: Mumbai line removal of some on-street parking. later moved to RVR in Rīga. The 5 (Thane – Bhiwandi) and line 9 LATVIA The intention is that the rebuilt factory later assembled Metrocab (Dahisar – Bhayander) and RĪGA. Construction of a new route will be served both by a taxis under licence from Metro- Pune line 3, an elevated 23.3km 6.65km (4.1-mile) tramline to Moderus Beta double-articulated Cammell. Assets were reportedly (14.5-mile) route from Hinjawadi serve the Skanste region has tram with low-floor centre section for sale in July at RUB10.35bn to Shivajinagar with 23 stations. been put on hold for at least a and also a traditional N-type car, (EUR132m). N. Semyonov year, according to municipal possibly on alternate journeys. MOSKVA. The city’s oldest tram IRELAND transport company Rigas satiksme. The works will commence in spring depot, Ulitsa Lesnaya, from 1903, DUBLIN. Campaign group European Union co-finance for the 2019, provided that no objections is being turned into a gastronomic ‘Rethink MetroLink’ is arguing EUR97.4m project was suspended are raised to the tendering process, block with shops, cafés and that plans for the proposed in December following the launch lasting around a year. M. J. Russell restaurants. After trams, the new metro to take over the of an investigation into corruption ŁÓDŹ. A parade to mark 120 years depot was converted to serve Luas Green line south of in the procurement process. of the city’s public transport was in 1955. N. Semyonov Charlemont will create a ‘Berlin The EUR2m design contract for the held on 16 December, featuring SANKT PETERBURG. The Wall’ through communities. line was signed in June 2018, but all 15 cars from museum and Transportnaya Koncessionnaya It says better alternatives other tenders are on hold. LSM.lv current fleets. traminfo.pl Kompanya (a consortium of Lider include keeping MetroLink WARSZAWA. Five offers were Group and LSR Group) operation underground, or re-routing it to MALAYSIA received in response to the in the eastern suburbs, with its the south-west of the city, which KUALA LUMPUR. A new tender for up to 213 new trams, Stadler B85600M trams, was does not currently have rail links. unlimited travel pass, My100, was from CAF, Hyundai Rotem, extended by 1.6km (one mile) As part of the transfer of several introduced in January offering Pesa, Siemens and Stadler from 15 December, when line bus routes from Dublin Bus to 30 days unlimited travel on Polska. The lowest price came 64 was introduced between Go-Ahead Ireland in December metro, light rail, monorail and from the Korean manufacturer. Ladozhskaya metro station and the first dedicated feeder service buses for MYR100 (EUR21). NST A decision on the first order for 123 Prospekt Irinovsky. to Luas was introduced by Dublin trams is expected in February. Together with the initial Bus at Broombridge using resources Design contracts for the Ladozhskaya – Khasanskaya made surplus by the transfer. KATOWICE. Reports of the new 3.5km (2.1-mile) route to Ulitsa section, which opened on The service links Tyrellstown and imminent closure of the iconic Kasprzaka, between Wolska and 7 March, this forms a T-shaped West Finglas to Luas every 30-50 route 38 in Bytom and the Skierniewicka, were signed on route with service provided minutes depending on the day. consequent withdrawal of the 6 December. The new line will 05.38-00.38, every nine minutes N-type cars that operate it are feature 2km (1.2 miles) of new during peak hours and every 18 ISLE OF MAN premature, and the route is tracks, modernisation of around minutes at other times. Three GENERAL. Passenger numbers expected to continue in its present 1.2km (0.7-miles) on ul. Kasprzaka, more extensions are due to open on the Isle of Man Railways form until at least spring 2019. as well as six new stops, including by September 2019. transphoto.ru

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2019 / 71 Worldwide Review

for further development of a the highest ever monthly total. potential extension to St Anne’s More than 42.5m journeys a year and Lytham via the under-utilised are made on Metrolink, up almost South Fylde railway line. 10m from 2015. Service reliability Sam Flynn of Trams to Lytham reached 99.3% through 2018. said: “Travelling between A new zonal fare system was to Blackpool and South Fylde is be introduced in mid-January with difficult and lengthy, and neither peak services to Ashton improving the hourly train service nor at the end of the month with trams the often-unreliable buses are every six minutes, effectively satisfactory. There are only two doubling capacity on this line major roads, so congestion is a beyond Etihad Stadium. huge issue. An alternative corridor LONDON (). is sorely needed, and this solution A weekly cap was launched on would provide it with direct links to Oyster cards on buses and trams the Town Centre, Enterprise Zone from 10 December, with capping The first Uraltransmash 71-412 low-floor tram on test in the Russian city of and other key areas.” expected to be launched across Yekaterinburg. I. Revenkov The report has endorsement the Tube and rail networks in the from both Blackpool Transport Spring. The cap has been set at the Fares are free for the first month, and the LRTA for “its scale rate of a weekly . ST GALLEN (AB). Trackwork with services running every and ambition” in supporting NOTTINGHAM. From 7 January, alterations at St Gallen on 15 minutes 06.30-22.00. sustainable travel. a new fare structure saw the 8-9 December permitted through A fleet of 15 34.5m Warrior BRISTOL. The West of England replacement of return tramway service from Trogen to Appenzell trams has been supplied by Combined Authority has agreed tickets with a wider range of with Tango cars to be introduced. Taiwan Rolling Stock Company to widen the scope of the work unlimited travel day tickets and a I. Cresswell (TRSC), with support from Voith already underway to re-open range of new student fares. ZÜRICH. The cantonal from its Competence Centre for the Portishead line to include Smartcard and season ticket government has given VBG Rail Vehicle Development in operation by trams or tram-trains prices have been frozen, although approval to proceed with the Chemnitz, Germany. Li-ion to help reduce the cost of returning a special offer for first-time and planning of an extension of batteries allow operation across it to passenger use. Much of the line lapsed season ticket buyers runs Glattalbahn from its present airport some road junctions. needs to be refurbished or relaid, until 9 February, offering a GBP15 terminus at Flughafen Fracht, A three-station branch to for which GBP70m (EUR77.6m) (EUR16.70) discount with season across the motorway and through Danshui Fisherman’s Wharf, to has been guaranteed, but this is tickets at GBP40 (EUR44.50). the centre of Kloten to Grindel (on be known as the Blue Ocean Line, GBP47m (EUR52m) short of the south yorkshire. A the edge of Bassersdorf). The line is due to open later in the year. expected cost which it is hoped consultation has shown widespread will be approximately 3.5km (2.2 could be reduced by reinstatement public support for upgrading the miles) long and have six stops. UKRAINE as a light rail line. Supertram system: 88% would The planning will be completed by KYIV. Ukrainian manufacturer CAIRNGORM. Development like to see the modernisation of the end of 2019 and be presented Tatra-Jug has been awarded a agency Highlands and Islands tracks, vehicles and information for a public inquiry in 2020. contract for ten three-section Enterprise has taken over operations systems; 67% supported Construction could begin in 2024 26.8m 70% low-floor trams. at Cairngorm Mountain through maintaining Supertram as it is for an opening in December 2027. Each K1M6 will cost UAH42.9m a new subsidiary, Cairngorm through ongoing essential repairs; The two Mirage trams retained (EUR1.4m) with delivery to start Mountain (Scotland) Ltd. It follows and 78% opposed exploring for museum purposes when the in 2019. Tender submissions from the placing into administration of alternative transport options such type was withdrawn in 2007-10 Belkommunmash and Ust-Katav previous leaseholder Cairngorm as a dedicated bus system. (1674 and 1675) are to be were rejected under laws that Mountain Ltd in November. The consultation will be used to overhauled and put back into ban the use of components from The has been out help select a preferred option for service from September to meet ‘aggressor’ countries. traminfo.pl of action since October due to inclusion in an Outline Business a shortage of trams due to the structural problems; a report was Case to be considered by the line 2 extension to Schlieren. due in early December but was Combined Authority and the One will be used on line 8 and one BLACKPOOL. The new line delayed due to adverse weather. Department for Transport. on . They will be needed to Blackpool was EDINBURGH. Leith businesses South Yorkshire ticketing until summer 2020, when the first connected to the Promenade consulted over the proposed organisation TravelMaster is to of the new Bombardier Flexity track in a ten-day programme from extension of the Edinburgh deploy a new system in the first trams will be ready for service. 9 December. Single line working tramway to Newhaven have half of 2019 to enable train, tram ZÜRICH – ESSLINGEN (FB). took place between the Cabin highlighted aspects that would and bus passengers to purchase Metre-gauge operator Forchbahn and North Pier during the works, assist during disruption. They smart ticketing products online. has awarded Stadler a contract to with the tram service reduced to a include a business continuity The five-year agreement will see modernise its 13 type Be 4/6 cars 20-minute . fund; a business development Rambus provide its HOPS back by 2024. The vehicles, supplied The heritage fleet will have champion for the area; added office, web retail and smart ticket by Stadler in 2004, operate using several additions to augment it for investment in keeping the area tidy collector app technology for the 600V dc overhead on the Zürich the forthcoming season. Standard and attractive; on-street guides; secure delivery of digital smart tram network and at 1.2kV dc on 143 is expected to be in use for the an open for business campaign; a tickets directly to mobile devices. the interurban section. DS first time since 1957 following a subsidised local discount scheme; TYNE & WEAR. Independent full overhaul. Bolton 66 is having logistics hubs; and a scheme to Television will feature life on the TAIWAN its bogies overhauled and will be facilitate local deliveries from local Metro in a four-part series, the TAIPEI. The opening ceremony repainted, while Balloon 707 has businesses (e.g. cargo bikes). first commission for Leeds-based of the first line of the Danhai received a light overhaul and will The project team will develop Wise Owl Films. It is expected to Light Rail system was held at 17.00 be repainted. Coronation 304, an implementation plan after be shown later this year. on 23 December, with public owned by the Fylde Transport considering feedback. This will WEST MIDLANDS. A new east service starting the following day. Trust, has been tested on the also define designs and traffic entrance to Birmingham’s Snow The 7.3km (4.5-mile) Green Promenade; a repaint will take management arrangements. Hill station is to allow better Mountain line features 11 stops place. Twin car set 675/685 is also GREATER MANCHESTER. interchange between rail and tram (seven elevated) and connects the to receive a light overhaul. Metrolink celebrated a record services. The GBP1.5m (EUR1.7m) Hongshulin Red line metro station A new report by campaign group -breaking month in November project will be undertaken by and Danhai New Township. Trams to Lytham argues the need with 3 972 807 journeys made – contractor Barhale and involve

72 / FEBRUARY 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org opening up one of the arches under Winston-Salem (NC), Charlotte rail line, permitting construction foliage cleared and overhead wires the Victorian viaduct. (NC), Portland (OR), Austin to start this year, for completion to be reinstated. Passengers wanting to reach (TX), Chicago (IL), Indianapolis in mid-2024. The grant represents Purchase of the Barnsley & trains at Snow Hill from the West (IN), Maryland’s Purple line and 40% of the cost. Seattle Times District 1913 Leyland Midlands Metro stop at St Chad’s Buffalo (NY). TACOMA, WA. Ground- ‘Combination Car’ motorbus has currently have a choice of two LOS ANGELES, CA. Tariffs on breaking for the construction been completed with the raising external walks; the new entrance imported steel, tighter immigration of the 3.8km (2.4-mile) Hilltop of GBP65 000 (EUR72 000) will give passengers a direct way policies and rising wages have tramway extension took place on through a GBP45 000 (EUR50 000) into the station from the stop. resulted in the cost of the Gold 19 November. The USD217m grant from the H.B. Allen Work will start in the summer, Line extension from Glendora project should be completed Charitable Trust and donations. with the new entrance expected to to Montclair increasing by 38%. in 2022. A further extension to The body of Nottingham 45 has open in late 2019. That means only the section from Tacoma Community College is arrived, having previously been An outline planning application Glendora to La Verne can be built planned for 2039. Sound Transit in storage at the Great Central for a new Dudley Interchange under existing funding (by 2024). TEMPE, AZ. The first tram Railway – Nottingham. has been submitted to Dudley Pasadena Star-News rails were laid in Mill Avenue Borough Council by Transport for MILWAUKEE, WI. Patronage on 16 November. Work on the CONTRIBUTORS West Midlands. This will provide on the new tramway exceeded 4.8km (2.8-mile) USD201m project UK and Ireland items are welcomed a new combined bus and tram expectations with an average of is due to be completed in 2021. by the Home News Editor, John station in a GBP18m (EUR20m) 2191 passengers/day in November Five Liberty trams from Brookville Symons, 17 Whitmore Avenue, project to be financed in part by and a one-day high of 3806. Equipment Corporation are on Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent, ST9 the West Midlands Combined The original projection was for order for the line. E. B. Havens 0LW, UK. E-mail [email protected] Authority, the Black Country 1850 rides/day. Referring to our WASHINGTON, DC. The DC Acknowledgements are due Local Enterprise Partnership and December report, the sections Streetcar, still operating fare- to ABC, Baltic Times, Drehscheibe Dudley Council. without overhead wire on Kilbourn free, has carried three million (DS), Edinburgh Evening News, Deposited plans show how the Ave and Jackson St are 1km passengers since starting Clifton Flewit, International Railway Interchange will serve buses, Sprint (0.6 miles), not 2km (1.2 miles). passenger service in February Journal (IRJ), Irish Times, KH, lineoz. rapid transit vehicles and trams E. B. Havens, S. J. Morgan 2016. Expansion of the starter line net, LSM.lv, Manchester Evening that will operate on the Brierley > For more on Milwaukee, see page 50. on H St/Benning Rd is still at the News, Mass Transit, New Straits Hill extension. MINNEAPOLIS-ST PAUL, MO. planning stage. G. Barsky Times (NST), Pasadena Star-News, The ’s prazsketramvaje.cz, David Richards, USA long-range transportation plan MUSEUM NEWS Railway Gazette International (RGI), BOSTON, MA. The first pair includes a modern tramway for CRICH. Permanent way renewal Seattle Times, Sound Transit, Sud- of rapid transit cars being built the Riverview corridor, that will at Glory Mine continues. Ouest, Stadtverkehr (SV), Tram 2000 by CRRC was completed at the partly operate on the tracks of the The stub at the far end of the line (T-2000), traminfo.pl, transphoto.ru, Springfield assembly plant on Green light rail line between St Paul has also been reinstated, with urbanrail.net, and Vancouver Sun. 18 December. Mass Transit and Fort Snelling. F. M. Cain CHICAGO. The CTA has NEWARK, NJ. The NJ Transit selected a joint venture of Walsh board has approved a USD670m Construction, Fluor and Stantec contract with Bombardier for 113 Consulting as preferred bidder for new double-deck commuter rail the first phase of the USD2.1bn cars, 58 EMU power cars and 55 modernisation works on the Red trailers, for delivery in 2022-24. and Purple metro lines, designed They will normally run as 12-car to increase capacity on the trains and replace 40-year old system’s busiest routes. Arrow III EMUs. There is an option Work is scheduled to begin in for 636 additional cars. J. Marinoff the first quarter of 2019 for PORTLAND, OR. O n completion in early 2025. RGI 12 December the City Council DURHAM, NC. A site for the approved the addition of a third planned system’s depot has been tram to the current order for found at Farrington Road in the Brookville Equipment Corporation south-west suburbs. Construction Liberty cars. S. J. Morgan of the 28.8km (18-mile) SAN FRANCISCO, CA USD2.48bn system should start in (Muni). The US Department of 2020 and be complete in 2028. Transportation has announced a E. B. Havens USD15m grant to improve 3.5km EL PASO, TX. The sixth and last (2.2 miles) of Market Street, of the remanufactured PCCs, 1511, including creating a new turning was delivered on 19 December. circle for tramline F at McAllister/ S. J. Morgan Seventh streets. E. B. Havens HUDSON – BERGEN, NJ. A SAN FRANCISCO – SAN JOSE, USD160.2m engineering contract CA. Caltrain has increased its has been awarded to develop the order for Stadler double-deck design of a 1.1km (0.7-mile) light EMUs, and will buy 37 more cars rail extension from West Side to lengthen trains from six to Avenue to Bayfront Route 440, at seven cars. IRJ the north end of the system. RGI SAN RAPHAEL – LARKSPUR, INDUSTRY. On 18 December, CA. The last four cars of the the FTA announced USD16.6m in order for diesel LRVs from grants for 20 schemes across the Nippon Sharyo arrived damaged, country under its Pilot Program meaning improvements for Transit-Oriented Development to the line’s schedule have had to Planning. TOD developments be postponed. D. Howard Bingham on or near tramway and metro SEATTLE, WA. Federal funding projects supported by the funding of USD1.2bn has been promised for include those in Jacksonville (FL), the Northgate – Lynnwood light

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2019 / 73 Letters

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

Where is the pipeline of new UK tram schemes?

Following closely both the news sections and recent cities with pollution, air quality and regeneration issues which contributions to the Mailbox, it is obvious that the UK lags would benefit quickly from this technology. This is in contrast far behind many other nations in its lack of forward-thinking to the mass transit street-running tramways seen in Dublin or when it comes to city transport. Berlin, for example, or those I would characterise as light rail – The US, for example, has a burgeoning trend of new urban using long sections of high-speed segregated running. streetcar systems – three opening in the last couple of months of Such schemes can be delivered more quickly and at lower cost, 2018 alone. Such systems are designed to revitalise downtown but neither central government nor the industry are forward- areas that may have fallen on hard times, increase access to looking enough in their approaches to the mode. Not everything clean and efficient transport for all, and help reverse decades needs to be a ‘Big Bang’ scheme in the way characterised by of environmental damage caused by car-focused policies. Greater Manchester, Nottingham or the massive expansion In the UK we need to think differently. We seem obsessed currently being undertaken in the West Midlands. with heavyweight light rail systems that are high-tech, major There is very little evidence of what the UK light rail engineering programmes that are slow to plan, develop and industry is doing now to ensure its survival in a generation build and involve vast amounts of capital in the process. from now. If we wait for opportunities like this, then we What I believe we need now is a ‘third generation’ of city could well be waiting decades for the next new scheme. In the tramway schemes that reflect the changing needs of today’s meantime we are just exacerbating the issues faced by towns cities and conurbations. These can be smaller ‘streetcar’ type and cities across the UK. systems and we have identified at least 80-plus towns and Jim Harkins, Chairman, Campaign Group, TramForward

Cost barriers to UK light rail schemes is done elsewhere. Brussels is an extensive, name of the general manager displayed for all I must comment on Tim Kendell’s article long-standing tramway in a major European to see. The buck stopped there. ‘UK Barriers to Progress’ in TAUT 973. In it, he city, so what is the problem? We now put all work out to outside bodies. claims the costs of constructing Edinburgh’s I have not seen Brussels’ track construction We create DBOM consortia who then put tramway and Nottingham’s Phase 2 are on a myself, although the ride on the city’s trams out design to consulting engineers, and the par with European norms. is superb – at least on the PCC-derived build to construction companies, who then NET Phase 2 came in at about GBP33m/km; vehicles. But I have seen such construction subcontract much of the work out further. and Edinburgh, subject to the Hardie enquiry, in Den Haag which, being a Benelux country, Because of risk aversion, each stage results in was about GBP70m/km. Yet line 2 in the is likely similar. This does not use massive over-design and additional contingencies, so German city of Ulm is priced at EUR19m/km reinforced concrete, the track being simply at the end we get massive escalations in cost. for a 9.8km (6.1-mile) route and a Berlin supported on concrete blocks from the Something has to change! extension from Adlershof to Schoeneweide is roadbed which is then infilled as in normal David Gibson, Derby (UK) EUR7m/km for 2.6km (1.6 miles). road construction for ease of access for utility Both the Edinburgh and NET projects work. We should also invoke Kletterweiche include vehicles and depot cost and while it is temporary crossovers to allow services to not stated if that is the case for Ulm, I should continue amongst track and utility work. imagine it is as, like NET, it doubles the size In mainland Europe, trams continue to run of the system. The Berlin extension will on tracks suspended over open trenches presumably not require extra vehicles and while major utility works are underway. depot facilities, being a short extension of an We really need to get back to basics and extensive system, hence the lower price. take into account what is done elsewhere. These don’t seem to me to be similar to The UK’s tram-train pilot came in at five British costs. The norm for mainland European times over budget, and when you observe systems is around EUR15m/km, and with the that ‘standard’ 25kV equipment had extra present exchange rate this equates to a similar insulators added to make it work at 750V, amount in Sterling; not so long ago this would one can understand why. I am told this is Simplified track construction techniques in have been equivalent to about GBP11m/km. because the rules say that 750V dc OLE has to Den Haag. D. Gibson It needs also to be noted that in France be double-insulated, to avoid any possibility around a third of the cost is for extensive of a live pole in a street – but this is fenced The utopia urban realm improvement. Most British railway. Also, the 25kV insulator is equivalent Although the idea of free public transport for systems don’t include this to the same extent; to about six 750V ones in series. This all is appealing, it could only ever work in a Manchester’s 2CC line does however and the nonsense didn’t happen when Metrolink small nation such as Luxembourg (TAUT 973). improvement in St Peter’s Square is striking. took over the Altrincham line, but that was This is a small and relatively wealthy nation Tim goes on to make track construction 27 years ago and we still had ! with a population of just 600 000, almost comparisons between Dublin, Birmingham, What we seem to lack is having anyone 20% of whom live in or around the capital. Nottingham and Brussels. He states that with total responsibility for engineering. In While such policies may seem like a utopia they are all different, but Brussels was by far German cities tramways are just one branch for those campaigning for better public the lightest – although he could not see its of the Stadtwerke, a municipal company that transport, it is very difficult to see how they methods being acceptable in the UK. He does operates all utilities. We used to do this in the could ever be applied in large nations with not say why it’s not acceptable however and good old days of municipal ‘Corporations’; many large population centres spread over a this is the nub of the problem; we in the remember trams and buses proudly carrying wide geographical area. UK seem reluctant to take account of what the municipal coat of arms and with the T. Anderson, by e-mail

74 / FEBRUARY 2018 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Urban air pollution in California In the section headed ‘operations and This has given a significant reduction in Following the editor’s missive in the last everyday usage’, corrugations are discussed noise, but one shortcoming of those machines edition of TAUT I think that you would have but the authors seem to see them as some is that they leave horizontal scratches on the to go some to find a city in the developed uncontrollable monster best handled by head of the rail which a traditional scrubber world to match Los Angeles on a hot noise barriers where possible. Too bad for car does not. These scratches result in a summer’s day when the smog is at its worst! the unfortunates riding the car who can’t high-pitched whistling sort of noise. The situation across the rest of California hear themselves think. What about scrubber Fortunately the grind stones used on this is not much better as we still have eight of the cars, the ones which lower carborundum job did not greatly scour the rails so did not nation’s top ten worst offenders for air quality, blocks onto the heads of the rails? These were create much railhead noise. Since then the according to the American Lung Association. used extensively on Australia’s east coast rails have become even quieter. Metro is planning a range of new LRT and tramways, and their use was widespread in While some of the worst patches on Stage 1 subway lines as part of LA’s preparations for Germany when I last visited in 1992 and I were ground there remained a few areas the 2028 Olympic Games and even my home expect they are still used daily. A video of which could still do with a grinding. These city of Santa Ana is building a new urban such an operation in Sydney can be found at are likely to be attended to during January streetcar. So we are trying to change... www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMT4w2yfuYg. 2018. Meanwhile, Stage 2 has been given a Paul Skosche, Santa Ana (USA) It’s debatable to consider the opinion of makeover by CPB, the contractor which built anyone from a UK or US tramway or LRT the extension, as part of its contract. During Why London is just as bad as Hanoi system as apparently none has a scrubber car. December, the route was treated with a Making note of the editorial in the latest issue My experience is drawn from Melbourne, grinding machine using a rather fine standard (973), you don’t have to travel to Asia to find which I have visited annually since 1965, and of grinding discs. This has produced the cities ‘choking under the weight of their own more recently from watching the building of usual whistling noise, which in the coming growth’. I have experienced similar breathing and then riding my local Gold Coast line. months will fade away to nothing, but it has difficulties on London’s Oxford Street. Melbourne had been scrubbing its successfully removed the rumbling noise. On a summer’s day it is easy to find oneself tramway network systematically for years, I believe that for most tramways a modern struggling to breathe and with black shirt with 70 scrubs per route every six months scrubber car could well be worth the expense. collars from all the pollution after just a few and up to four scrubbers in daily service. In most cases, a few trips over the system minutes walking down this busy thoroughfare! Corrugations, if any, were therefore rare. every month or two would probably remove D. Wassel, Sevenoaks, Kent (UK) During the 1980s track engineers decided any developing corrugations and this way its that scrubber cars don’t remove corrugations, driver could perform other duties between The issue of tramway rail corrugation and told me so, so their routine use ended. scrubbing sessions. Scrubber cars run fast Belatedly, I wish to make a few comments on I bet a lot of German track engineers would enough to run between service cars and if the ‘Managing Noise’ article in TAUT 966 that be amazed to learn that! one were ever to be caught up, it could let a grabbed my attention as I have long held a What amazes me is that 30-odd years later service tram pass at the next crossover. strong dislike for avoidable noise on tramways. I have difficulty hearing any corrugations Regarding the mention of welding the One of the main issues the article deals anywhere in Melbourne, despite always railhead as a fix for wear, Blackpool did this with is railhead corrugations and I was having an ear open for them. Here and there years ago in the street at Fleetwood; to say astonished by the paragraph that included the initial light signs of corrugations can the noise of passing trams was horrendous the line “…passing trams rattling windows, be seen but they are not deep enough to be would be an understatement. Melbourne shaking the ground and disturbing sleep...” audible. Some of these tracks set in solid tried the same with the same results. What sort of decrepit trams and track are concrete have been there for more than 50 I really think that there is a need for they running in some towns and how rough years – and that would have been before any operators in English-speaking nations to do they allow the railhead to become? head hardened rail was available. So much get together and investigate the best way of For six years from 1988 I was a Melbourne for the theory that track must be set in removing corrugations, and certainly visit tram driver, driving all types of vehicles, something flexible like rubber. some German tramways which I expect still including the Ws with solid steel wheels. So why aren’t corrugations forming in regularly use scrubber cars. The majority of Melbourne track then was set Melbourne, when something like the Isle of Richard Youl, Gold Coast (Australia) solid in concrete, but an average W on normal Man horse tramway, when I was last there, track didn’t make much noise at all and could was riddled with corrugations. I have been never be described as ground-shaking, at told the San Francisco cable cars have the least in the absence of any wheel flats, special same problem. These light tramcars were work or damaged rail joints nearby. creating shocking corrugations. Why? One side issue regarding the W class is that Likewise, in 1984 the Tyne & Wear Metro had from the 1970s they used composition brake shocking corrugations in places. What must shoes which pressed onto the wheel treads. this shaking do to the vehicles? Conversely, These polished the wheels, removed any corrugations don’t seem to build up in the foreign bodies and in time could remove same way on heavy rail lines. tiny wheel flats. They also provided much The Gold Coast LRT extension to better braking force than cast iron shoes. Helensvale is quite close to my house and Modern trams with disc brakes that sit I use the majority of the line once or twice outside the wheels do not have that polishing each week. Stage 1 was laid in concrete with a ABOVE: Visible but inaudible corrugations in Melbourne. The rail is set solid in concrete. R. Youl and cleaning advantage. rubber boot around the imported grooved rail The article also surprised me in while Stage 2 uses ordinary rail on concrete BELOW: Horizontal grinder scratches at Parkwood concentrating on noise concealing features sleepers. No track cleaning took place before Stop, Gold Coast; the rail is set in an elastic boot. R. Youl such as setting the rails in rubber and the operations commenced, and both stages installation of unsightly noise barriers. have areas where wheel rumble is louder than There seemed very little mention of others. In some places the noise is acceptably investigating the cause of noise and doing low, while in others it is objectionable. something to minimise it. It seems to me This noise is most likely from rolling mill that, at least in the English-speaking world, imperfections, as mentioned in the article. everyone from the management down to the However in late 2017, just before Stage 2 passengers accept that trams and trains on opened, a rail grinder with horizontal rails will make a lot of noise and shrug this grinding stones was brought in, particularly off as being inevitable. I strongly disagree. for use over the Nerang River Bridge where If the wheels are perfectly smooth and the noise even from early testing was getting track is too, where is any more than the louder and louder with use. Tram speed is slightest noise going to come from? 70km/h (approx. 45mph) on this section.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2018 / 75 Classic Trams Celebrating 140 years in graz Austria’s second city staged an impressive cavalcade and operation of rolling stock to mark the 140th anniversary of tramway operation. Mike Ballinger describes the occasion. 1

raz, capital of the Austrian On 30 September the Grosse original condition in 1991. In the parade it province of Steiermark (Styria), Jubiläumsparade took place. Since the hauled two works trailers: tower wagon 1, joined the growing number route was temporarily closed, originally built by GTG in 1937 – a new tower of tramway cities on 8 June heritage fleet members to be used in the parade was fitted in 1974 and the wagon was passed 1878. That was when Bernard were stored in Remise 1. An international to the TMG in 1992; and a wagon, one of 16 GKollman opened a 2km (1.2-mile) standard- group of tram enthusiasts had gathered there built in 1916 for the carriage of coal that on gauge horse tramway from what is now the by 09.00, where visitors were able to see the withdrawal in the 1970s passed to the TMG. main railway station to Jakominiplatz. On parade crews mark their contribution to the Six-axle articulated car 267 was built in Kollman’s the tramway passed to day’s events. Following the arrival of the 1963 by SGP under licence from Düwag and a concern from Frankfurt-am-Main, and guests of honour and speeches, the trams later converted for one-man operation. in 1888 the Grazer Tramway Gesellschaft moved to the Stadthalle and were individually It was withdrawn in 2014 and is now used for (GTG) was formed to take over the operation. presented to the public. Advent services in the run-up to Christmas. Within ten years the network had four lines First out was horse tram 5, a replica built Car 508 was built in 1978 by SGP to totalling 10.5km (6.5 miles). by the GVB in 1974 to the design of an 1878 the Düwag ‘Mannheim’ design, and is an Early in 1898 a separate metre-gauge open summer car on a former Wien (Vienna) eight-axle three-section articulated car with line opened, the Elektro Kleinbahn Graz – horse-car , for the 75th anniversary of chopper control. Another ‘Mannheim’ type Mariatrost; its use of electricity encouraged the opening of the electric tramway. eight-axle car, 530 is a second-hand import the GTG to electrify its own network. This was followed by motor car 22 hauling from Duisburg. It was one of 17 motor cars Electric operation started on 15 June 1899 trailer 36B. For the opening of the electric put into service in Graz in 1988-1994, the and extensions were built to various suburbs. system 40 Graz-built motor cars were last of which was withdrawn in May 2017. The GTG took over the Mariatrost line in acquired. Originally these had open Car 530 was transferred to the TMG in 2018. 1939 and regauged it two years later. In 1948 platforms, enclosed in the 1920s, and in the the tramway concession expired and it early 1940s the Lyra bows were replaced by Current cars passed to city ownership, becoming Grazer pantographs. Motor 22 lasted in service until To give a complete picture of the fleet’s Verkehrsbetriebe (GVB) – now known as 1961 but survived after withdrawal, and in evolution, three operational cars were Graz Linien. Several route closures took 1971 was restored to its original state. Trailer included. The last order from SGP was in place but since 1990 various short extensions 36B was originally built by Wiener Tramway 1986; 12 six-axle two-section articulated cars have been built and more are promised. Gesellschaft as its horse car 1002 of 1880-84 that were converted to eight-axle cars in Today Graz Linien operates an efficient and converted to a motor car in 1903, being 1999 when a low-floor centre section was transport system, the backbone of which is a transferred to Graz in 1917. It was withdrawn added using parts supplied by Bombardier. traditional but modern tramway. from service in 1938, and became a hen house This group of cars was represented by 609. While the system has acquired some before restoration. The truck is not original. Bombardier also supplied 18 100% second-hand vehicles during its life, for the Next came motor 121 and trailer 60B. low-floorCityrunner trams in 2001, of which first 80 years of electric operation it relied Originally built by Graz in 1909 as 81 and car 668 appeared. The most recently delivered on a local manufacturer for new equipment. fitted with a Lyra bow, in 1955 the motor car vehicles were 45 low-floor StadlerVariobahns Grazer Waggon & Maschinen-Fabriks- was rebuilt with extended platforms at the from 2009; car 234 was in the parade. Aktiengesellschaft, formerly Johann Weitzer GVB main works and renumbered 121. From Finally, newly-restored motor car 93 was (Graz), became Simmering Graz Pauker AG 1963 until transfer to the historic collection presented. This had been built in 1908 by (SGP) from 1941, and is now part of Siemens. in 1969 it was used as a works vehicle. Graz as a trailer (77a) but was rebuilt in 1928 Trailer 60B (Graz, 1907) belonged to the as a motor; in 1941 the Lyra bow was replaced Celebrating 140 years first class of trailers that were supplied with with a scissors pantograph. On retirement Preservation of rolling stock started in 1969 enclosed platforms. On withdrawal in 1961 it was used as a works car until 1969, when it and the Tramway Museum Graz (TMG) was it became a construction hut in Gschwendt was moved to a playground in Gleis, then to formed in 1971. From 1980 it has had the use near Weiz, but was restored in 1969 and the museum in 1971. A major restoration of the former Mariatrost tram depot. operational from June 1970. took place between 2006-18. The 140th birthday celebrations of In 1949-52 SGP delivered 50 two-axle After the trams were introduced to the the tramway were taken to the public. motor cars (201-250) and 50 trailers public they were run back in front of the An exhibition of photos and models was run (401B-450B). Two examples of these followed. Stadthalle, but this was not the end of the over the summer in an empty building at First was 1949-built 206, which lasted in day’s events. From midday, a heritage service, Murgasse 11 near Südtirolerplatz tramstop. service until 1986 when it was sent to a route 140, ran on a 15-minute headway The main celebrations did not take place on museum in Amsterdam along with trailers between Leibenau Murpark and Laudongasse. the actual anniversary but various events 319B and 350B, all returning to Graz in 2010. Electric trams were changed around and took place around the city, including heritage It towed trailers 319B and 401B, recreating riders were asked for donations. operations to the suburbs on selected three-car operation as had occurred on routes There was clearly considerable co-ordination weekends. Graz holds an autumn fair at its 6 and 7. Car 401B is preserved in original between the tramway museum and operator Stadthalle, so it was decided to hold the main condition with wooden seats and provision as well as the civic authorities. So, thank you parade at the same time on 29-30 September. for a conductor, whilst 319B represents to the city of Graz for organising such an Car 117 (Graz) of 1909 was mounted outside the 1970s conversion to conductor-free impressive spectacle! the building for the weekend, and an operation, reflected by its fleet number. exhibition of photographs and artefacts Of the same class, motor 234 of 1949 was www.holding-graz.at/graz-linien.html and was included as part of the fair. also withdrawn in 1986 and converted to its www.tramway-museum-graz.at

76 / FEBRUARY 2019 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org 1. The museum fleet does not include an authentic Graz horse tramcar, so this replica, built for the 75th anniversary of electric traction in 1974, took part in the September 2018 parade. It is shown outside the Stadthalle.

2. Most of the main batch of 50 post-war two-axle cars, mainstay of local operation for many years, were later converted to single-ended layout. One such is 206, seen here at Jakominiplatz with contemporary trailers 319B and 401B, the latter restored to original condition.

3. Car 93 is shown here turning from Laudongasse into Stradiotgasse; this is the museum’s most recent restoration. The car started life in 1908 as a trailer and was motorised in 1928.

4. The oldest electric tram in the parade was 22, built by the local manufacturer as long ago as 1899. It is hauling trailer 2 36B in Steyrergasse, with motor car 121 and trailer 60B in the distance.

5. Car 267 is one of the first series of Graz articulated vehicles, built in 1963 under licence by SGP to the Düwag design. It is here seen crossing Fröhlichgasse.

6. Motor car 121 and trailer 60B are illustrated in bright sunshine in Steyrergasse.

7. Double-articulated car 508 of 1978, built by SGP with the 3 4 Mannheim style of Düwag front, is seen here at Stradiotgasse.

8. Paid staff and volunteer members of the Graz Tramway Museum assemble at Steyrergasse before the commencement of the anniversary parade and service on 30 September 2018.

5 6

7 8 All photography by Mike Ballinger.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2019 / 77 NEWS FROM THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT ASSOCIATION

The three potential routes for the The Sutton Link to Sutton Link. connect London

he Sutton Link is a proposed new, direct and quicker transport link between Sutton and Merton, either as a tram route or Bus Rapid T Transit System. (TfL) has recently concluded a public consultation on the scheme to which the LRTA has responded, welcoming the opportunity to extend the Croydon Tramlink system. LRTA Chair Paul Rowen said: “This is an important development and we welcome the plans to improve public transport between Sutton and Merton. We have supported plans to extend the existing light rail system. We have also supported either of the two street-running options (options 1 and 2) as we believe these would be more convenient to the majority of potential passengers.” The LRTA has also pressed for a connection with the existing Tramlink with a shared tramstop. This would allow for the possibility of through services from Sutton to Wimbledon, and Croydon to South Wimbledon or . It is expected that following consultation and approval, construction could begin in 2022 with services commencing in 2025.

https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/trams/sutton-link/ Kendell raises LRTA profile

LRTA Council member and former and those developing integrated DfT employee Tim Kendell was ticketing technology. “It is an a guest speaker at this year’s important opportunity to make Transport Ticketing Global people aware of the work of the Conference, held in London at LRTA,” says Tim. the end of January. Tim is also due to speak to An annual event, the conference members of the Edinburgh group brings together transport specalists on this topic at the end of February.

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

January 2019 Friday 25. Edinburgh 19.00. Jim Tuesday 5. Southampton 19.30. Monday 18. Wickham 19.30. Harkins: Pollution & the Effect. Michael Baker: Southern rail over the Models, slides, sticks – 2. (TLRS Solent) Saturday 19. Taunton 14.00. Friday 25. Leicester 20.00. last 60 years – Part 2. (LRTA/SEG) Tuesday 19 Leeds 19.00. AGM and members’ slides. (TLRS) Alan Murray-Rust: Toronto, Saturday 9. West Midlands 14.00. Mel Reuben: The last picture show of Monday 21. Liverpool 19.45. Vancouver and Seattle. (TMS) General modelling meeting. (TLRS) the late Keith Terry MBE. Bill Barlow: Buses on commercial Saturday 26. Beeston 14.00. Monday 11. Thames Valley 19.30. Tuesday 19. London 19.00. postcards. (TLRS Merseyside) AGM/photo competition, then Bob John Laker: Dublin, Crich, Leipzig, Geoff Tribe and David Connor: Monday 21. Wickham 19.30. Hall: Tramways of Austria. (TLRS) Magdeburg and Dresden. (TLRS) Trams by the seaside – Part 2. Models, slides, sticks – 1. (TLRS Solent) Thursday 31. Manchester 19.00. Wednesday 13. Brighton 19.40. Friday 22. Edinburgh 19.00. Wednesday 23. Liverpool 13.45. Brian Yates: Basel, Mulhouse and AGM/films with Terry Russell. (TLRS) Tim Kendell. . Meet Jane Cole, Managing Director of the Waldenburgerbahn. Saturday 16. Taunton 14.00. (LRTA) Blackpool Transport Services. Venue: Andrew Hunt (France 2018) & Keith Friday 22. Leicester 20.00. Rigby Road, Blackpool, FY1 5DD. February 2019 Walton (last year in Austria). (TLRS) John Lessells and David Witt: GBP2 admission. Booking essential: Monday 18. Liverpool 19.45. Transport in Zurich. (TMS) Tony Kuivala, +44 (0)1704 546351 Saturday 02. Birmingham 14.00. Alan Smith. The work of the London Saturday 23. Beeston 14.00. or email treasurertlrsmerseyside@ John Huddlestone: Notts & Derby County Council Tramways Trust. Modelling: Bring along your latest btinternet.com (TLRS Merseyside) trams & trolleys. (LRTA/TLRS/ERS) (TLRS Merseyside) project. (TLRS)

For more information on the Association and its activities visit www.lrta.org Bookshop Order online from lrta.info/shop – or by post from: LRTA Publications, 31 Ashton Road, Wokingham RG41 1HL Postage included (2nd class UK; Airmail Europe; Economy rest of world).

Trams 2019 The Tramways of Hong Kong A History in Pictures The ever-popular Dutch annual review of developments in the Benelux countries and This books pays tribute to the trams on the rest of Europe, covering all network from their earliest days, and rolling stock changes with superb illustrating the significant changes of the photographs. Dutch text. ensuing 100+ years – including the Peak Tramway. > A5 softback; 272 pages, fully illustrated in colour throughout. > 200x210mm softback; 96 pages; 100+ £19.00 (UK); £22.50 (outside UK); £25.00 colour and black & white pictures, one map. (Airmail beyond Europe). LRTA members: £16.50 (UK); £19.50 (outside UK); £23.00 (Airmail beyond Deduct £1.75 from each price shown. Europe). LRTA members: Deduct £1.50 from each price shown.

Pacific Electric Metros & Trams in Japan 4: To Pasadena and beyond 3: West- & Südjapan / West & South Japan

The fourth in the series of photo albums Part three of Robert Schwandl’s comprehensive covering what was once the largest coverage of Japan takes us to Western Honshu interurban network in the world, wantonly and Fukuoka, detailing urban rail networks in ten destroyed at the height of the US love affair cities. English and German text. with the car. > B5 softback; 160 pages, 300+ colour pictures and > A4 softback, landscape format; 76 pages, 69 full-page black & white 21 maps. pictures; two maps. £19.50 (UK addresses); £23.00 (outside UK); £24.00 (UK); £27.50 (outside UK); £29.50 (Airmail beyond £25.50 (Airmail beyond Europe). LRTA members: Deduct £1.80 Europe). LRTA members: Deduct £2.25 from each price shown. from each of the prices shown.

Moscow Trolleybuses Tramways de Bruxelles Années 1960

A ‘must have’ for those with an interest An evocative photo album showing how in the world’s largest network, different the STIB and SNCV trams and the richly illustrated with photographs and streetscape were in the Belgian capital more artworks detailing the huge fleet and than 50 years ago. French text. route developments over its 85-year history. Russian text. > B5 softback; 146 pages, 200+ black & white pictures. > B5 hardback, landscape format; 320 pages, 354 colour and 120 black £19.50 (UK addresses); £23.00 (outside UK); & white pictures, ten colour drawings. £25.50 (Airmail beyond Europe). £42.50 (UK); £50.00 (outside UK); £57.50 (Airmail beyond LRTA members: Deduct £1.80 from Europe). LRTA members: Deduct £4.00 from each price shown. each of the prices shown.

New from Trolleybooks

What might have been..... Britain's Lost Trolleybus Systems This highly detailed book discovers the amazing number of towns and nearly all cities of Britain that planned trolleybus networks over the last century. There may well have been one near you! Charting the need, complications and ultimate fate of virtually all known schemes, the author has dedicated many years to researching a previously little known but important aspect of trolleybus history.

A4 hardback, 188 pages, 225 photographs and 87 maps £28 + P&P from trolleybooks.co.uk or order by post from Trolleybooks, 22 Sandfield Road, St Albans, AL1 4LA +44 (0)7772 709563 email: [email protected]

The British Trolleybus Society and the National Trolleybus Association created Trolleybooks four decades ago, to publish definitive books about trolleybuses, their history and operation. All profits go towards trolleybus preservation.

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