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THE INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

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NOVEMBER 2020 No. 995 intensive service in

How LRT provided the foundations for modern UK: ‘Devastating consequences’ ahead? confirms expansion timetable Bucharest opens first phase

T yne and Wear – Nazareth £4.60 Looking forward to Global experience Metro’s next 40 years shapes Israeli LRT Certifi cate: PA05/04429

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THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE Hong Kong

Now amongst MTR’s worldwide operations, systems the Hong Kong Light Rail system was devised to support local www.lrta.org factfile and feeder www.tautonline.com demand No. MTR Light Rail - in newly- Hong Kong SAR, China urbanised areas. NOVEMBER 2020 N O. 995 157 By Neil Pulling. Hong Kong Sub scribe now! INTENSIVE SERVICE IN NEW TERRITORIES Now in its 83rd year, Tramways & Urban Transit is

ong Kong’s Light Rail A pair of Phase 1 LRVs (HKLR) system Wai (classified with ). the world’s leading monthly publication dedicated solely to with a 706 circular installation sometimes followed The Wharf group, then owners of serves neighbouring service on Tin Shui construction of buildings, many being the tramway dating from 1904 on communities in a Road on 7 August 2020. high-rise residential blocks in estates. , did not proceed north-western part of Indicating the development era, the theH New Territories, an area leased beyond early interest in the light light rail vehicles (LRV) have level rail project. For Hong Kong overall, by the British from China in 1898. access from high platforms reached rail planning and operation With ad hoc settlement unsuited to variously by ramp, steps and lifts. major population growth, the New became handled by two bodies, the Services began in 1988, with -Canton Railway (KCR) Town Development Programme was patronage encouraged by removing and the newer Mass Transit Railway enacted from 1973. The lease expiry some routes within the catchment Corporation (MTR). Later becoming led to all of the British colony of Hong area. The KCR between a major international operator, Kong being returned to China in 1997, the new towns and Kowloon opened How LRT provided the foundations for modern Hong Kong the latter was created for the new becoming designated as a Special in 2003, with completion at around light and urban rail developments. metro which first opened in 1979. UK: ‘Devastating consequences’ ahead? Administrative Region (SAR). 36km (22.5 miles) during 2009. A 2007 Under a government agreement in Consistent with the Development restructuring saw HKLR, West Rail 1984, it was KCR that created and Programme favouring rail-based links and – an updated part of the original Berlin con rms expansion timetable initially operated HKLR. for new districts, a self-contained Kowloon-Canton Railway – East Rail Although fringed by substantial system was planned for – listed become MTR operations. Exemplified hills, the towns served are mainly Bucharest opens rst M5 metro phase in development order with 2019 at several HKLR sites, MTR’s property on level ground, some being populations – (495 100), development powers make substantial £4.60 Pictures by Howard reclaimed land. Space for tracks Yuen Long (645 000) and Tin Shui contributions to this largely Hong Pulling, unless noted. was allocated in advance and Haifa – Nazareth Kong government-owned corporation. Looking forward to Global experience shapes Israeli LRT www.tautonline.com. www.lrta.org Metro’s next 40 years november 2020 / 431

431-436 SF Hong Kong MTR Light Rail.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 NOVEMBER 2020 NOVEMBER CONTENTS 419 T he official journal of the Light Rail 431 Transit Association NOVEMBER 2020 Vol. 83 No. 995 www.tautonline.com EDITORIAL Editor – Simon Johnston [email protected] Associate Editor – Tony Streeter [email protected] Worldwide Editor – Michael Taplin [email protected] News Editor – John Symons [email protected] Senior Contributor – Neil Pulling Worldwide Contributors R ichard Felski, Ed Havens, Andrew Moglestue, Paul Nicholson, Herbert Pence, Mike Russell, Nikolai Semyonov, Alain Senut, Vic Simons, Witold Urbanowicz, Bill Vigrass, Francis Wagner, 427 Thomas Wagner, Philip Webb, Rick Wilson Production – Lanna Blyth News 412 systems factfile: light rail 431 T el: +44 (0)1733 367604 UK and US networks warn of bleak future; It was designed as a support system for [email protected] signs cut-price Bombardier deal; newly urbanised areas; Neil Pulling explores DESIGN – Debbie Nolan Berlin timetables tram extensions; Major how the MTR system that serves Hong Kong Advertising new vehicle orders in Moskva, Düsseldorf, has developed and grown. COMMERCIAL Manager – Geoff Butler Duisburg and Phoenix; București opens M5. Tel: +44 (0)1733 367610 W ORLDWIDE REVIEW 437 [email protected] comment: children in transit 418 Kunming opens 43km metro line; Maryland Publisher – Matt Johnston Paul Comfort on why capturing the LRT construction paused as Tramways & Urban Transit imagination of future generations matters. PPP contractor leaves; Bonn launches 13 Orton Enterprise Centre, Bakewell Road, ’s first contactless ticketing; Peterborough PE2 6XU, UK HAPPY BIRTHDAY METRO! 419 cyclone-damaged lines reopen; Tramways & Urban Transit is published by Mainspring We conclude our special on the Tyne and tramline construction underway in on behalf of the LRTA on the third Friday of each Wear at 40 by looking at the arrival of the Katowice; Lyon’s T2 to open in November. month preceding the cover date. new fleet and network expansion. MAILBOX 442 nofit line: HAIFA – NAZARETH 424 Why clarity on costs is essential for effective PRINT AND DISTRIBUTION Phil Hewitt describes how a new inter-urban promotion; The ’s test Warners (Midlands), Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH, UK LRT project in northern is taking centre; and the importance of terminology. inspiration from Europe and the US. LRTA MEMBERSHIP (with TAUT subscription) CLASSIC : the tatra T II 444 Tramways & Urban Transit is sent free to all paid- members of the Light Rail Transit Association. a fuel for the future? 427 In the second of his three-part series, Beverley Nielsen showcases the work of UK Mike Russell looks at how Tatra’s innovative LRTA WEBSITE AND DIARY companies developing a biomethane railcar. cars came to Czechoslovakia and the USSR. Brian Lomas [email protected] [email protected] Subscriptions, MEMBERSHIP and back issues Check your facts, but be prepared to open your eyes LRT A Membership Secretary (Dept T06), 38 Wolseley Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK. Tel: +44 (0)117 951 7785 As the coronavirus pandemic continues to dominate the news around the [email protected] Website: www.lrta.info world, are we all distracted from the bigger picture? Regardless of your stance on climate change, the empirical evidence shows us that wildfires are for CORPORATE Subscriptions VISIT www.mainspring.co.uk still raging and our weather is becoming all the more unpredictable. These issues are only adding to our current crises. While it is vital to balance the LRTA REGISTERED OFFICE immediate threat to public health, I would argue that our leaders cannot ignore the 8 Berwick Place, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL7 4TU, UK. longer-term future as they race to rebuild economies and get people moving again. Private company limited by guarantee, No. 5072319 in and Wales. A recent report published by the BBC offered some eye-opening insights. Using European Environment Agency figures, their correspondent highlighted how air pollution LRTA Chairman – Paul Rowen [email protected] contributes to the premature deaths of around half a million people in Europe each year. Fact-checking this (as any responsible person should), we uncover an ever more © LRTA 2020 worrying picture from the scientists. Around 90% of city dwellers in Europe are exposed Articles are submitted on the understanding they may also later be used on our websites or other media. A contribution to airborne pollutants at concentrations higher than those deemed harmful to health, is accepted on the basis that its author is responsible for the they claim. We know that cities are growing, so this situation will surely only increase. opinions expressed in it, and such opinions are not those of Another statistic highlighted by the same report, drawn from research at universities the LRTA or Mainspring. All rights reserved. in Bremen and Innsbruck, is that you only have to drive 500m in your car to melt one No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in kilogram of glacier ice. There are over 270m road vehicles registered in the US, second any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including only to China, and each driver averages 13 476 miles (or 21 688km) each year according photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from to figures from the Federal Highways Association. As they say, you do the math. the copyright owner. Multiple copying of the contents of the The frightening thing is that these aren’t even new figures. As we all know it often takes magazine without prior written approval is not permitted. time for data to catch up, so we have known much of the above for 18 months or more. So, are balancing the demands of public health, the economy and climate change just COVER: Hong Kong’s ‘other’ light rail system also too big to manage? As TAUT has thousands of readers around the world, I’d be interested features street-running sections: near Road to hear your thoughts on the biggest challenge of our generation. Simon Johnston, Editor stop in Yuen Long on 2 January 2020. Howard Pulling

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org NOVEMBER 2020 / 411 News UK systems may face ‘temporary closures’ Transport bosses predict a bleak future without the guarantee of long-term state support

he Urban Transport With limited scope to reduce Group (UTG) of UK costs on rail-based systems, some city region transport may even face temporary closure. authorities has warned Stephen Edwards, UTG Chair ofT “rapid and deep cuts” to bus and Executive Director of the and light rail services without South Yorkshire Passenger a robust plan for continued Transport Executive, said: Government support to meet “Without continuing support pandemic-related losses. we face drastic cuts in bus and In its new report, The light rail services. Reductions in COVID-19 Funding Gap: The Case services on this scale would have for Continuing Support for Urban devastating consequences, with , the UTG posits many essential workers unable to a “best case scenario” where get to where they need to be, as the widespread availability of a well as delivering a further blow to COVID-19 vaccine in the next the ability of our local economies few months will allow relaxation to weather the pandemic and Transport operators have been hit hard by travel restrictions and social distancing measures that have seen massive ridership reductions. N. Pulling of social distancing measures. recover in the aftermath.” An associated removal of travel Read the report in full at The submission added that seats on the TfL board, its finance restrictions could see transport www.urbantransportgroup.org cuts in central government committee and its programmes demand return gradually to Meanwhile, Mayor of London grants to TfL in recent years and investment committee to “no more” than 85% of its pre- Sadiq Khan has called for an have made it more reliant on government appointees. This lockdown levels by mid-2021. urgent long-term funding fares than any other transport package expires on 17 October. A “plausible worst case scenario” settlement for Transport for authority in the world and “The choice is stark,” Mr suggests that if restrictions London. The capital’s transport that current social distancing Khan said. “A safe and effective remain until the end of 2021, authority is currently earning restrictions make it impossible transport network that continues ridership will reach a maximum GBP5.2m/day, compared to to cover the shortfall in revenues to deliver for Londoners and of 65% with demand fluctuating GBP13m/day before the pandemic, without support. support jobs in the capital and significantly as local lockdowns due to continuing low ridership. A GBP1.6bn (EUR1.76bn) across the UK, or a government-led are introduced and relaxed. In an official submission to the emergency grant and loan spiral of disinvestment that sees If financial support is not UK Treasury, Mr Khan requested package was agreed in May (see vital infrastructure age and fail sustained, the group argues, GBP5.65bn (EUR6.2bn) to keep TAUT 991). Backdated to 1 April, – wasting hundreds of millions services could be reduced, services running for the next 18 this came with a requirement of pounds, stalling economic planned fare increases postponed, months; this includes GBP750m to increase fares by RPI+1% in recovery, and taking us back and light rail and tramway (EUR827m) to complete the 2021, as well as the capital’s to the deteriorated transport revenues would continue to fall. Elizabeth line (see also page 417). congestion charge, and give two network of the ’80s and ’90s.” Paris transport services New York MTA warns of supported through 2021 mass redundancies “We came close to disaster, so this is a huge relief,” said President Chairman and CEO of New York’s MTA Patrick J. Foye has said the US of Île-de- Mobilités (IDFM) Valérie Pécresse on 8 September, transit agency may have to cut 40% of subway and bus services and following the conclusion of talks to cover EUR2.6bn in pandemic- 50% of Metro North and Long Island Rail Road services – resulting in related losses incurred by the Parisian regional transport authority. the loss of 7400 jobs – if the MTA doesn’t receive a further USD12bn in Under the agreement, the Government will subsidise between 80% federal aid to see it through 2020 and 2021. and 100% of the reduction in versement mobilité revenue (VM is a The MTA was allocated USD4bn through the USD25bn federal payroll tax on companies with more than 11 employees), as much as Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March, EUR1bn. A further EUR1.1-1.4bn is being made available to cover lost but exhausted these funds at the end of July. It has already made cuts fare income in the form of a zero-rate loan to be repaid over 16 years. to both staffing and outside consulting costs, but has been one of the An advance of EUR425m was paid to IDFM on 7 September. Tram, bus hardest-hit in the US as the state was at the epicentre of the pandemic. and train operators RATP and SNCF will cover the remaining amount. The agency has seen 131 employee deaths from COVID-19. Ridership had returned to around 60% of pre-pandemic levels in September, with IDFM, RATP and SNCF embarking on campaigns A survey of American Public Transportation Association (APTA) to restore passenger confidence: “We tripled the cleaning and members in September called for a further USD32bn to support the disinfection of transport,” Mme Pécresse said. “If you wear the mask industry through 2020 and 2021, revealing that 60% of agencies will and wash your hands, transport is very safe. Under these conditions, have to make service cuts and a third of private businesses serving we have the strictest standards at the world level.” the industry may have to close by the end of the year.

412 / NOVEMBER 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org President Alstom signs Bombardier Rajapaksa halts work on Colombo purchase agreement LRT project With a significant price reduction, takeover deal could complete in 2021 In a surprise move, on 23 September Sri Lankan n 16 September, Major BT shareholder Caisse of USD383m was significantly President Gotabaya Rajapaksa following conditional de dépôt et placement du above expectations; however, directed the country’s Ministry approval by Québec (CDPQ) will convert there was an order backlog of of Transport to terminate work the European its 30.5% stake, acquired in USD33.7bn and new orders on the International OCommission on 31 July (TAUT November 2015, to Alstom totalling USD1.6bn. Cooperation Agency (JICA)- 993), Alstom signed the purchase shares. With an additional Henri Poupart-Lafarge, funded LRT project to link the agreement to buy Bombardier investment of EUR700m, CDPQ Alstom Chairman and CEO, said: capital Colombo with Malabe Transportation (BT). is to become Alstom’s largest “Bombardier Transportation will with immediate effect. The price was reduced from that shareholder with 18% of the bring to Alstom complementary In a letter released on social originally announced (EUR6bn, share capital and voting rights. geographical presence to broaden media, Secretary to the President TAUT 988) due to the recent In its financial report for Alstom’s commercial reach in key P. B Jayasundara said the LRT announcement by Bombardier of the second quarter of 2020, growing markets.” project is “very costly and poor results for its Transportation Bombardier said that revenues Completion of the transaction not the appropriate cost-effective subsidiary. Alstom is now expected of USD1.5bn were a reflection of is now expected in the first solution for the urban Colombo to pay up to EUR5.3bn for 100% the reduced production at key quarter of 2021. Alstom has said transportation infrastructure.” of the BT shares, excluding any sites, as well as revised estimates it aims to deliver cost savings The Sri Lankan Government additional downward adjustments on several projects approaching of EUR400m and restore BT’s signed a JPY30bn (EUR243m) linked to the net cash protection completion in Germany and margins in years four to five of concessionary loan with JICA mechanism. the UK. Its adjusted EBIT loss the acquisition. for the project in March 2020. First new trams reach to begin winter testing In December 2015 the option of a further 60 trams, to Norwegian capital, Oslo, took the be considered in parallel with decision to replace its entire tram network expansion. fleet and purchase additional On 11 June 2018 an order vehicles to cater for planned with CAF for 87 Urbos 100 100% network expansion within a low-floor trams was confirmed, budget of NOK4.1bn (EUR442m). for delivery from 2020 as type A further NOK3bn (EUR323m) SL18, at a cost of NOK3.725bn was to be spent upgrading the (EUR200m). However, with tramway, including and a change of city council to a Holtet depots. conservative alliance, tramway The new trams are to replace expansion is now considered 72 existing cars: 40 six-axle unlikely. high-floorSL79 trams built by The SL18 is a five-section Duewag/ABB Strømmen in 34.16m vehicle weighing in at 1982-89, and 32 double-ended 42.7t (less than an SL95, at 65t), partly low-floor trams of type with space for 220 passengers and Oslo 402 is shunted into Grefsen depot on 23 September. R. Budmiger SL95 built by AnsaldoBreda four wheelchair spaces. The new in 1998-2006. The latter cars feature collision-warning Saturday 23 September saw After prototype trials in winter were heavier and less reliable radar, USB chargers and large the arrival of car 402 at Grefsen conditions, series delivery is to than expected, and are being information screens. When all depot; 403 arrived later in run from autumn 2021 to spring retired in advance of their life are in service the capacity of the September, while 401 was still 2024. The first new trams could expectancy. The tender gave the fleet will have nearly doubled. undergoing tests in . enter service in February.

NEWS IN PICTURES Moskva places new PK-TS order Burleigh Heads Mosgortrans is to add 114 new low-floor trams contractor appointed from PK Transportny Systemy (PK-TS) to its fleet, Delivery of Stage 3 of Queensland’s in a RUR22.15bn (EUR242m) order announced on Gold Coast tramway moved 8 September. To be delivered over two years from forward on 2 October with the January 2021, the deal includes maintenance and appointment of contractor John spares supply for a period of 30 years and will Holland for the 6.6km (4.1-mile) further the city’s tramway modernisation plans eight-stop extension to Burleigh The contract covers 74 71-931M three-section Heads. Work on the AUD709m articulated Vityaz-M of the type already in the fleet, (EUR433m) contract is to begin while 40 will be 71-911EM Lvyonok (Lionet) bogie before the end of the year. The trams for use on the less intensively-used routes. target for completion is 2023. Planning and design is already left: With its latest order, Mosgortrans underway for Stage 4, which will soon have over 500 low-floor trams from would take the line further south domestic manufacturer PK-TS. Luc Koenot to Coolangatta via the airport.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org november 2020 / 413 News Berlin timetables tramway extensions Detail released of 15-year expansion programme

fter the formation of an 71.2km (44.2 miles) of new SPD/Alliance 90/Green tramway. In some cases (e.g. coalition at the last Alexanderplatz – Potsdamer Berlin Senate elections Platz) possible route variations Aresulted in the potential for are to be firmed up (via Leipziger 34 new tramway extensions Strasse throughout, or north The last extension of Berlin’s tramway was in 2015, when trams reached the being identified in theBerliner or south route variants). It is new Hauptbahnhof; 9040 is one of the 130 seven-section Nahverkehrsplan 2019-2025, interesting that the trunk Berlin trams in the fleet. BVG 16 schemes have now been section Alexanderplatz – given definite timescales in an Potsdamer Platz – Rathaus announcement on 7 September. Steglitz was listed as a U-Bahn bl er in’s tram expansion timetable Three possible U-Bahn as long ago as a 1955 planning extensions are still the subject of document, but will now be built Route Length Cost Planned cost-benefit studies, so it seems as a tramway. (km) (EUR/m) completion the imminent extension of U5 to At the end of September Berlin Hauptbahnhof – Turmstrasse 2.0 30 2021 Hbf will be the last expansion of had 204 of its Bombardier Flexity Ostkreuz (Boxhagener Str – Karlshorster Str) 1.8 30 2021 that system for several years. Berlin in service; many more new Adlershof II 2.5 30 2021 Four tramway extensions trams will be required to service Mahlsdorf rebuild 1.6 20 2021 Turmstrasse – 4.2 50 2024 are proceeding for completion expansion of the system. The last Jungfernheide – UTR – Schumacher 6.0 90 2025 by the end of 2021. After that 20 KT4D available for service Blankenburger Süden 4.1 60 2026 there will be a hiatus as the next are 6004/6/10/5/33/41/6/92/6, Weissensee – Heinersdorf – Pankow 3.8 60 2026 batch of programmes has only 6100/13/27/54/5/60/2/6/70/2/3. Alexanderplatz – Potsdamer Platz 4.1 65 2026-27 just entered the formal process They can be seen Monday-Friday Warschauer Strasse – Hermannplatz 2.8 55 2026-27 to secure planning permission. on lines and . Paulsternstr – Gartenfeld – 8.0 120 2029 For this reason there is still an BVG has set up a project tracker Spandau – Heerstrasse Nord 3.0 70 2029 element of uncertainty in the website: www.meinetram.de Potsdamer Platz – Rathaus Steglitz 6.5 135 2030 Spittelmarkt – Mehringdamm 2.5 40 2030 dates from 2024 onwards. Potsdamer Platz – Schöneweide 13.7 175 2035

Thus by 2035 EUR1.095bn For more detail on BVG’s Spandau – Falkenhagener Feld 4.6 65 2035 will have been invested to create future plans, see TAUT 996.

Brandenburg airport brings S-Bahn expansion terminals 1/2. The airport is also The timescale for the served by bus lines X7, X71 reinstatement of the Siemensbahn Berlin Willy Brandt Thus DB trains will finally (both to U-Bhf Rudow). The envisages re-opening in 2029, airport was to finally open (eight start carrying passengers to and Tegel site becomes Urban Tech coinciding with the centenary years late) on 31 October, with from the station at Terminals Republic ( 123 and 128) of the original opening. Tegel airport closing after traffic 1/2 and the S-Bahn services and is on the list for a tramway It will involve a new line S6 on 8 November. S9 and S45 to terminal 5 and extension (see above). to Gartenfeld via Hbf.

More S700 LRVs ordered for Phoenix expansion Valley Metro confirmed an order LRVs will feature LED lighting, for a further 14 S700 bicycle storage and optimised LRVs on 1 October to support air-conditioning to cater for the the 2024 opening of the 9km city’s desert climate. They will (5.6-mile) South Central also be equipped for condition- Extension/Downtown Hub based monitoring, data analytics extension. The order builds upon and predictive maintenance. the 11 LRVs of the same type ordered in June 2017, Construction on the extension “Phoenix is currently the to Metrocenter, on the north side fifth largest city in the US and of Dunlap Avenue, began in late is continuing to grow steadily,” September with initial utility said Scott Smith, Valley Metro relocation works. CEO. “As our transit system The 2.6km (1.6-mile) route grows, so must our fleet to features two intermediate stops, accommodate new miles of one elevated, and a new transit service and additional riders hub. The USD401m project across metro Phoenix.” received a further USD50.6m The latest contract for 14 S700 LRVs for Phoenix follows a June 2017 order for Built at ’s FTA contribution in late August. 11 of the same type. Siemens Sacramento facility, the new It is planned to open in 2023.

414 / NOVEMBER 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org ‘Public transport is OK’ On 14 September, Siemens beats Bombardier public transport industry body OV-NL launched its ‘Public transport is OK’ campaign to to Rheinbahn contract encourage a return to tram, bus and rail services which saw a 90% fall in patronage during the Düsseldorf and Duisburg join to place new high-floor Stadtbahn order nation’s coronavirus lockdown. The three-month campaign üsseldorf tramway covers television, radio and social media and is designed to operator Rheinbahn inform travellers about the safety has awarded a measures operators are taking EUR340m contract to inspire confidence in public forD 91 high-floor 178-passenger transport. Ridership across the LRVs to Siemens as part of a joint country is currently between order with Duisburg (which will 50% and 60% of its pre-pandemic take 18 LRVs for EUR55m). The levels. contract includes 24 years of Sheffield: Expanding spare parts supply. tram-train is ‘critical’ The new cars, designated The UK’s Sheffield City Region HFx, will arrive in 2025-27; Combined Authority (SCRCA) there is an option to order 42 has argued that extending the The Hfx has subtle differences from the Bombardier-built HF6, including an more. The tender, to replace the area’s tram-train operation from enclosed coupler housing – the Hfx is seen here in Duisburg livery. DVG aluminium-bodied Duewag Rotherham Parkgate to Swinton Stadtbahn-B dating from 1981-85, getting the first deliveries into in October, this has had to be and is “critical to was originally intended to be a service, including what the local postponed. An independent releasing capacity” on the existing rail network. joint order with the city of Köln press described as ‘new cars too consultant has been called in, so Such a move would enable (Cologne), with Rheinbahn big to fit subways’, which was in it is not yet clear when the first future High Speed 2 and Northern ordering first, in 2015, and fact the positioning of some bogie paying passengers will be carried. Powerhouse Rail services to add choosing 59 of the HF6 Flexity equipment outside the kinematic Recent orders for Siemens from capacity at Sheffield (Midland) Swift type manufactured by envelope for certain sections of other cities have all been of the station, the station’s northern Bombardier for EUR167m. tram subway. Software problems Avenio low-floor design, so the approaches, and between In recent years Rheinbahn have taken time to resolve, and HFx will be a new product for the Sheffield and Swinton. has been buying Siemens trams, more recently welding faults have manufacturer. Siemens acquired The SCRCA has submitted its proposals to the National and this was its first order with been discovered. 60% of Duewag in 1989 and the Infrastructure Commission’s Bombardier (which has a strong Deliveries have been stopped remaining 40% in 1999 and is rail needs assessment for the presence in Köln). However there and because 16 of the HF6 were therefore associated with the Midlands and the North. has been a considerable delay in to be used to improve frequencies Stadtbahn-B cars to be replaced.

Las Vegas NEWS IN PICTURES sold for just USD24m The 6.2km (3.9-mile) monorail reduced from 120 to just 15. on the east side of Las Vegas The purchase could also clear Boulevard, built for USD650m the way for expansion of US tech in 2004, has not operated since billionaire Elon Musk’s ‘Loop’ 18 March due to the coronavirus underground ride-share service, pandemic. The not-for-profit which would no longer be operator Las Vegas Monorail restricted by the monorail’s Company agreed on 3 September non-competition agreement. to sell the installation to the The first Loop was Las Vegas Convention and completed by Mr Musk’s Boring Visitors Authority (LVCVA) for Company in February, with the USD24.26m, then immediately break-through of the return filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy tunnel in May. This 1.3km for protection from creditors. (0.8-mile) east-west peoplemover The monorail, which serves is designed to transport 4000 Wien’s ‘vaccination tram’ six stops including the city’s passengers/hour between the Mayor of Wien (Vienna) Michael Convention Center and several convention centre’s exhibition Ludwig officially launched the hotel-casinos, has never fulfilled halls using Tesla Model 3 and ‘Impfbim’ (‘vaccination tram’) its ridership projections, peaking Model X automobiles. The service service on 1 October, offering free flu at eight million passengers/year will be free when it opens in 2021. vaccinations for city residents in a in 2007 before declining to less There are hopes to extend the two-month long initiative. than five million in 2019. system using driverless vehicles Siemens ULF 770 has been The LVCVA (a public-private to connect the city’s major converted to offer up to 3000 Both: Wiener Linien body of elected officials and resorts and casinos, residential vaccinations per day for those local industry leaders) plans neighbourhoods and McCarran registering for an appointment between 10.00 and 18.00 at busy stops to continue operations if the International Airport with 27 such as Karlplatz, Schwedenplatz, acquisition is successfully ‘stops’. In the future it is planned Belvedere, Kennedybrücke, completed, although during to introduce autonomous shuttles Westbahnhof and Schottenting. the pandemic staffing has been based upon Tesla platforms.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org november 2020 / 415 News București opens metro line M5 After nine years of delays and disputes, the first phase to Râui Doamnei opens in September

ervice on Bucure ti’s M5 metro line from Eroilor (interchange with /) south-west to Valea SIalomitel/Râui Doamnei was inaugurated on 15 September. This initial 7.2km (4.5-mile) phase comprises a 6.2km (3.9- mile) main line serving nine stations and a 1km western branch from Romancierilor to Valea Ialomiei where a new five- depot is located. M5 serves the growing Drumul Taberei district; currently home to more than 300 000 people, it has the highest population density in the Romanian capital. Construction on the first stage of the driverless route began in 2011, handled by a consortium from the European Union with Future plans see an 11.5km trainsets for of Astaldi and FCC Construcción the remaining 15% provided (7.1-mile) eastward extension, M5, with options for a further 17. alongside Romanian firms from the national budget. adding 12 stations. This is to The total order value is reported Delta ACM and AB Construct. Operator Metrorex says power open in two phases: Eroilor – as RON1.2bn (EUR255m). Planned for completion in three consumption on M5 is 70% of Piata Iancului will come first, A sixth metro line, creating years, budget reductions and that of the system’s other four with the section to Pantelimon the first rail link to Henri contractual challenges saw lines, with services provided by (interchange with M1) not Coanda International Airport, significant disruption to the eight six-car expected to be completed for at is in the planning stages; the timetable and long periods of trainsets. Signalling is designed least another decade. European Commission approved inactivity. Around 85% of the to permit headways of 90 On 2 October, Metrorex a USD1.39bn allocation towards RON3.2bn funding has come seconds. announced a firm order for 13 M6 in 2019.

Digitising track inspections in RTD inaugurates N line to Thornton West has completed a project to digitise track inspections Denver’s Regional Transportation Commerce City and Northglenn Part of the FasTracks on the tramway using District (RTD) formally and with five intermediate expansion plan approved in Alstom’s TrackTracer condition inaugurated the first 21km stations – on 21 September. Seven 2004, the N line has park-and- monitoring system. (13 miles) of its N line commuter days of free travel were offered, ride facilities for 2480 cars, is Analysing 21km (13 miles) rail service – Denver Union Station with a promotional USD3 fare for electrified at 25kV 50Hz and of lines ML2 and ML3 using a specially-equipped rail vehicle, to Thornton (Eastlake/124th), via the next six months. operated by two-car EMUs 4000 measurements per kilometre (which also serve the A line to were taken at an average speed Denver International Airport). of 20km/h (12.5mph). The vehicle The end-to-end journey time is features four optical units, a 29 minutes. camera, lasers and an inertial A planned 8.8km (5.5-mile) navigation system to measure extension to North Adams County parameters such as rail width would add two more stations. and levelling, track twist radius, Due to pandemic-related alignment, banking and warping. The system’s first commercial restrictions, RTD is providing application in Spain, it follows tests a reduced service on all routes, on the Metro in 2019. RTD’s N line connects the northern suburbs, downtown Denver and the airport; with N line trains running every the opening was streamed live on the internet on 21 September. RTD 30 minutes from 05.30 to 23.00.

Doubling Dublin’s DART service, and the plan to reach Maynooth Ireland’s Government has than the earlier DART Expansion a new depot at Maynooth. seven to 15 services per hour, announced development of programme it replaces. The Consultation is currently taking increasing capacity from 4500 to the Dublin Area existing 53km (33-mile) system place on DART+ West: this is 13 750 passengers/hour. (DART) rail network to create runs from Malahide and Howth the first project to be delivered, New communities to be served a full metropolitan system in the north via Dublin Connolly expanding services to Maynooth will include Pelletstown (from with new line connections and to Greystones in the south. and M3 Parkway on the Sligo line 2021), and Phibsborough/ increased frequencies. Plans include 40km (25 miles) via the junction at Clonsilla. Glasnevin, which will gain a The multi-billion Euro DART+ of electrification, resignalling, The enhancements will new for the initiative is more wide-ranging station improvements, and enable an increase of the current future MetroLink LRT route.

416 / NOVEMBER 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Pisa approves ‘No further delays’ as TfL tramway plans The city council in Pisa () takes control of has approved plans to create a 4.4km (2.7-mile) starter tramline from Stazione FS in the city Authority reaffirms plans for 2022 opening of east-west line centre with the Ospedale di Cisanello medical complex n 2 October new the line without the extra in the east. Transport for London finance, reportedly saying: “I like The 13-stop twin-track line Commissioner Andy a challenge, but I’m not suicidal.” will cross the river Arno at Byford said that the As the project transfers to TfL the site of the existing Ponte OElizabeth line project (formerly from its joint sponsorship with della Vittoria, which will be known as Crossrail) will not the , replaced with a new bridge for require additional taxpayer current Chief Executive Mark pedestrians, trams and bicycles money or suffer further setbacks Wild will now report to Mr only. The depot will be built near beyond a current request for an Byford. Progress is to be overseen Ospedale, where there will also additional GBP1.1bn (EUR1.2bn) by a TfL Crossrail sub-committee be a multi-modal park-and-ride. to complete the line. The chaired by Heidi Alexander, The project cost is estimated at statements come as London’s the city’s Deputy Mayor for EUR125m; a bid for Government transport authority assumes full Transport, that will meet in funding will be submitted in responsibility for the delayed and T. Page / CC BY-SA 2.0 public every eight weeks. January. The municipality over-budget 117km (73-mile) line. expects to complete the works TfL finance committee papers claims and lengthy delays to Expansion of the Docklands in 770 days after the start of from 30 September revealed the completion.” Light Railway to Thamesmead construction. need for the extra GBP1.1bn was Originally planned to open appears to be back on the agenda Pisa had a first-generation becoming an “increasingly critical in December 2018, the east-west in terms of priorities. tramway that at its 1930s peak issue”, stating that without the commuter route has faced major In the TfL finance committee covered 11.5km (7.1 miles); funding “the project will be no construction and commissioning report of 30 September, the the two-line network closed in longer be able to make financial delays and is now forecast to estimated GB800m (EUR883m) July 1952. commitments and will be forced open in the first half of 2022. extension could be delivered to shut down. This would have The budget has also risen from between 2026 and 2030, catastrophic consequences, GBP14.8bn (EUR16bn) to an supporting up to 20 000 new BART receives major resulting in a significant, and estimated GBP19bn (EUR20.6bn). homes across Thamesmead, modernisation grant a potentially permanent, loss Mr Byford has said that it Abbey Wood, Royal Docks and of critical resources, significant would be impossible to deliver Beckton Riverside. The USD2.7bn project to increase capacity on ’s Transbay Tube is to benefit from USD1.2bn from the FTA’s Capital Investment Grants Eden Prairie LRT receives FTA funding (CIG) programme. The largest-ever federal On 14 September, the Federal USD2bn project cost will be met options for a further 50 cars. The funding allocation to BART, the Transit Administration by city and state authorities. line is scheduled to open in 2023. scheme involves the purchase of confirmed USD928.8m in An USD800m civils package When launched in 2014, the 252 new metro cars, a move to funding towards the Southwest was awarded in November 2018; extension was claimed to serve CBTC signalling, construction LRT project to deliver a the USD194m railway systems 64 000 jobs within a 750m radius of a new storage yard at 23.5km (14.6-mile) Green line contract was placed with a joint of the proposed stations, a figure Hayward and the addition of extension – serving 16 stations venture of Aldridge and Parsons expected to reach 80 000 by five substations to handle more in Minneapolis, St Louis Park, in September 2019. Siemens is to 2035. The population along the frequent, longer trains. Hopkins, Minnetonka and Eden supply 27 Type S70 LRVs under route is forecast to increase by Once completed, BART is to Prairie. The remainder of the a 2016 contract that includes 56% over the same timeframe. increase the number of peak trains from 23 to 30 per hour, per direction. Hitachi Rail STS USA was awarded a USD798m contract to replace the system’s NEWS IN PICTURES Milano confirms detail of fixed-block signalling with future orders CBTC equipment on 1 October. A framework contract has been signed In other news, on between Azienda Transporti Milanesi 28 September BART released (ATM) and Stadler for up to 80 25m a Request for Expressions of Tramlink trams for the Italian city, Interest (RFEI) for input into its with a firm order for the first 30 cars next-generation fare gates. The worth EUR75.5m. The first deliveries of project aims to replace 715 gates 1445mm-gauge stainless steel-bodied across its system of 50 stations cars will include 20 destined for urban to improve customer experience and ten for interurban service. The full order could be worth up to EUR173m. and reduce fare evasion. The new cars will be double-ended, Responses can be submitted removing the need for turning circles via [email protected]. on future extensions of ATM’s tram Also in September BART network. Each car will feature 66 seats announced an initiative to sell (22 fixed and 44 folding), with six large personal detachable hand straps ATM / Stadler ATM passenger information screens. for passengers wanting to avoid touching train car surfaces.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org november 2020 / 417 Comment CHILDREN IN TRANSIT Author, industry commentator and transit evangelist Paul Comfort explains the importance of capturing the imagination of future generations.

ne thing we all have in common, we were all once Riding transit children. My wife and I have six children and now Most children living in suburban and rural areas in the US ride to have grandkids. school on familiar yellow buses. But those in big cities often ride I have always worked in public transportation transit to school. In , Maryland, where I served as CEO and government and have often taken my children of the MTA, we transported about 26 000 middle and high school Owith me on work trips, to transit conventions, and sometimes students every day on the bus, light rail and subway. they even helped dad out in the company booth at trade shows. These kids were used to riding transit and identified with it as I have brought them to agency bus rodeos, visiting garages and part of their everyday lives, but those living outside cities don’t workshops, to my office, and they have seen me working from often get this opportunity. I often took my own children to ride home a lot as some of my jobs were home- based. My kids were the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority metro when involved in my career and saw transportation up close. we visited the monuments downtown and it is an experience Not everyone shares my experience however and sometimes I they long remembered. Even taking them for a ride on an old hear kids who don’t really know what their parents do for a living. locomotive during the Christmas holidays in Lancaster, PA, has This was part of the inspiration for me to been an engaging and rewarding experience, produce a picture book for children aged giving them a positive ‘vibe’ about riding 5-15 about public transportation: parents, trains. Taking them on the Amtrak Acela or aunts, uncles and grandparents could use it other high-speed trains would surely offer a as a way to show the next generation what whole new level of excitement; after all I still we do. It would also serve as an entrée for you remember my ride on the high-speed maglev to explain more to them about your role in train near more than a decade ago. operations, safety, planning, maintenance or It really opened my eyes. however you fit into the fascinating world of So forsaking the car to take your children transportation that keeps our world moving. with you on a public transit ride can be made It’s important for children to understand into a fun way to help them get used to and and appreciate what their parents do; not acclimatised to choosing transit as a regular just so they get where you are all the time, option, both now and in their future. but also to consider this as a possible career choice for themselves. Inspiring songs and stories Remember singing “the wheels on the bus Addressing the skills shortage Paul’s new book, Public Transportation, From go round and round” when you were a child It is no secret that public transportation has the Tom Thumb Rail Road to Hyperloop and – or doing so now with your own children? been suffering a ‘brain drain’ in recent years. Beyond, is available from Amazon in either Go ahead and do it! Young minds latch onto Many amazing and inspiring folks, especially paperback form or as a digital download. songs, pictures and stories. those in bus/rail maintenance, are retiring I could find very little in the bookstores and we have not been able to replace them “Many young people or online that told the story of public as fast as they are leaving. So who better to transportation’s role in our world during the replace them than their own children or the today are not just past 200 years – and where it’s going. So I children of others in the industry? decided to write one myself to capture the That’s part of the reason for Bring Your interested in money or young mind’s imagination. Daughter/Son to Work Days and similar Inside, children can discover the history events. Allowing our kids to see what we benefits... They want of public transport, how it has improved do and get a deeper understanding of its and shaped our world and what’s coming impact on our world is a great way for them what they do to matter.” along the tracks for their future. Fun to ‘catch’ a passion for our industry. cartoon-style pictures and facts will enthrall Many young people today are not just interested in money or kids with stories like how the first US-built steam locomotive, benefits like previous generations. They are more interested in Tom Thumb, lost its big race with a horse – it broke down – and making a difference. They want what they do to matter – in their how San Francisco’s iconic cable cars move up those steep hills. world. What better industry to do this in – with our clean the Each page brings the reader to a different era of public mobility, environment message, or our ability to help the elderly or those with from horse-drawn carriages to the first subways, buses, streetcars disabilities with our ADA paratransit? For those interested in high- and maglev trains. Along the way they can picture themselves tech jobs there are many innovations in our industry – hyperloop, riding these vehicles to reach their destinations. Then they are autonomous vehicles, Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) given a glimpse of the next generation of vehicles and technologies aircraft, Mobility as a Service – which should get us all excited. that will shuttle them to a new age of public transportation. You can’t always take a kid into the Operations Control Centre Check it out today and tell the story of your career to your of your transit system, but if do you ever get the chance, you children. definitely should! Some of them look like the deck of the Starship Paul Comfort is the former CEO of the Maryland Transit Administration Enterprise. I was lucky enough to tour the new Rail Operations (MTA) in Baltimore, serving nearly 120m passengers annually. A recipient Centre in , , last year with Howard Collins, CEO of of the US transportation industry’s highest individual honour – The , and I came away very impressed. American Association of State and Transportation Officials’ That kind of ‘shock and awe’ can stick in a child’s memory and (AASHTO) Presidents Award – he is also the author of the best-selling make them dream of working there someday. That is what we can, book, The Future of Public Transportation, and hosts the Transit Unplugged and should wherever possible, do with the children in our lives. podcast, heard in 99 countries. Paul’s books are all available via Amazon.

418 / NOVEMber 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Tyne and Wear Metro

Xxx

tyne and wear metro: BUIL DING BACK BETTER Nexus’ Tobyn Hughes and Martin Kearney talk us through the part 2 new fleet, expansion ambitions, and how the Metro is bouncing A computer-generated image of the new Stadler back better than many UK transport networks post-pandemic. trains at Tynemouth station, the original western terminus of the Tyne and Wear Metro. Nexus

hase 3 of the Metro: all change doubling of the system’s current nine traction transformation is the most and ten distribution substations. That said, exciting and visible bit for these substations are being replaced to allow passengers – a state-of-the-art for energy regeneration – not a feature of new train fleet. As Nexus Director the existing fleet – while other OLE is being GeneralP Tobyn Hughes explains: “The reason replaced on a ‘like for like’ basis. we are replacing the existing fleet is that it is life-expired, and the reality is that the Welcome Stadler performance really is as bad as a train fleet can On 28 January 2020 came the major get. The Metrocars served their purpose well announcement many were waiting for. for 40 years, and we love them dearly, but they After a long and comprehensive procurement were only designed with a 35-year life and process, was confirmed as the their performance is now very, very poor.” manufacturer of the new fleet, signing Characteristics related to the unique an agreement for 42 trains. The contract design of the Metrocar fleet and the includes maintenance responsibility for 35 system’s heritage of modernised Victorian years, disposal of the original rolling stock A coupled set of Metrocars (4007+4027) about to infrastructure prevent ‘off the shelf’ and construction of a new depot on the site cross the Bridge, showing the replacement. These characteristics include a of the current South facility that 1990s red/yellow livery. Neil Pulling high-floor configuration, 1500V dc overhead dates from 1923. line voltage and unusual 3.15m vehicle As well as introducing new maintenance “The Metrocars have height. Other systems use more standardised and servicing plant, the 12-acre (5 ha.) site will heights of 3.6-3.7m for their rolling stock, include impressive environmental credentials, served us well for 40 so introduction of such LRVs would involve including sedum roofing and rainwater either raising the OLE or lowering the tracks recycling and noise mitigation features. years, and we love them – the system’s extensive use of in the Meanwhile, to prepare for the new fleet, city centre make this impractical. an additional depot at is all but dearly, but they were Consideration has also been given to complete. This former landfill site has been adapting the system to 750V dc inline with transformed with new tracks, overhead only designed with a other UK LRT networks, but this would lines, a maintenance shed and staff involve costly long-term route closures and a facilities. It will be used for the cleaning 35-year life.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org november 2020 / 419 Tyne and Wear Metro and preparation of up to a quarter of the passengers with children’s buggies, luggage our financing options in detail, including fleet while the main depot is rebuilt, with or bicycles. A comparison of the existing and ROSCOs [rolling stock leasing companies] works on that GBP70m (EUR83m) project, new fleets is seen in the panel to the right. and PFI, but the one that gave the best value subcontracted to VolkerFitzpatrick, underway Following detailed consultation with both by far was outright purchase. As our new for completion in 2024. staff and the public, an eye-catching new trains will be unique there is no residual For a 77.7km/44-mile network (70km on predominantly yellow livery was unveiled use and they will be with us for 30 years. the surface and 7.7km in-tunnel), surely a on 16 September, echoing the key elements That said, it did make a great deal of sense second depot would make sense for resilience of the original colourscheme dating from the to get the supplier to take maintenance anyway – especially if the planned expansion system’s opening in 1980. responsibility, because who knows more projects are realised? Nexus Chief Operating Nexus’ Customer Services Director, about the new fleet than the manufacturer? Officer Martin Kearney toldTAUT : “The Huw Lewis, said: “We have made sure our Transferring that risk to the private sector Howdon depot is supposedly temporary until passengers have had a major role in the makes absolute sense as they can design the new fleet is in place, but there’s certainly design of Metro’s new fleet from the start, the trains to provide the best possible nothing temporary in the build quality or and that continues today as we ask them to performance and the right level of return.” equipment – it’s a great facility. I suppose it’s help with all those crucial little details of the Martin Kearney is similarly excited when a ‘kid in a sweetie shop’ type thing, but if it carriage interiors. talking about the incoming Stadler trains: was Martin’s money and Martin’s choice, “We had hoped to take a mock-up cross “I’m going to find it very interesting, as we go Martin would definitely be keeping it!” section of a carriage around the five local forward, as the new fleet is 30% more energy It is a measure of the far-sightedness of authority areas, but pandemic restrictions efficient, and I think what we’re going to find Metro’s construction that its city centre make this impossible. Instead, we will be out is how can we become a lot more energy stations all allow for trains 50% longer than creating a virtual reality-supported experience efficient across the board.” the current two-car units, utilising either at the Rail Academy where we can invite key The total contract value for the fleet existing or unused platform space. passenger groups in a COVID-secure way. replacement could rise to GBP700m The new four-car trains will offer a step- This will be led by Nexus supported by (EUR828m), depending on performance change for passengers and operator alike: up Newcastle University’s Open Lab team.” milestones, with the UK Government to 30% improvements in energy efficiency – In the same manner as the major contributing GBP337m (EUR400m). using onboard energy storage and enhanced infrastructure renewals, the new fleet is also Although the trains will be built at regenerative braking – greater capacity (up to being future-proofed with a design that has the Stadler’s new CHF86m (EUR80m) facility 600 passengers per train), air-conditioning, capacity for easy retrofitment as rail battery in St. Margrethen, , over 30 improved internet connectivity and USB technology evolves – tantalisingly offering the UK supply chain partners will be involved. charging points. Automatic sliding steps at all potential for future catenary-free operation. The first trains are due for delivery in late eight doors will further improve accessibility Mr Hughes explains: “As well as the 2022, entering service the following year. for wheelchair users as well as those technical specifications, we also explored The contract is the Swiss-based manufacturer’s fourth in the UK in recent years, following orders from the , and Transport for Wales.

Current projects A discrete project has delivered a new Learning Centre in , opening in late July 2020. The GBP8.4m (EUR9.4m) facility features a 70m stretch of electrified double-track, a fully equipped station, a driving simulator and a three-storey training centre, allowing for a wider range of operations and maintenance training. Mr Kearney explains: “Beyond the current COVID challenges, the big thing is the transformation we’ve got coming up. We delivered Howdon by the end of July... that takes some doing as a lot of construction was put on hold for some time. We’ve also got our new Nexus Learning Centre, which is another great facility, so it’s not just about the capital investment, it’s about the people, that succession planning throughout the organisation. For me it’s an incredible place to be at the moment.” Just a few weeks after the chosen rolling stock supplier was announced more good news ABOVE AND LEFT: arrived. In the Government’s Budget statement The new Howdon depot of 11 March 2020 came confirmation of as seen from both the funding for a GBP103m (EUR115m) scheme to air and inside in May 2020. It is hoped that the reduce journey times on a historic bottleneck facility can be made a and improve overall network resilience. permanent fixture of the ‘Metro Flow’ will see the – Bede line network. Nexus upgraded and electrified in 2022, eliminating

“The Howdon depot is supposedly temporary until the new fleet is in place, but there’s certainly nothing temporary in the build quality or equipment.”

420 / november 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org three sections of single-track to allow inter- working on the same basis as the line and boost capacity by 30 000 passenger journeys daily with the introduction of the new fleet in 2024. GBP95m (EUR106m) towards this long-awaited project is to come from the Transforming Cities Fund, some of which will be used to add four more Stadler trainsets to the 42 already on order, to allow an increase in frequency to every ten minutes outside the central area. As Mr Hughes explains: “Metro Flow is another first as I’m not sure of any other network in the UK that has done this, at least not for a very long time, but Nexus will own the tracks and as part of the condition of acquiring the line from we will have to keep it open for any freight operator who wishes to use it. That takes us into a slightly different regulatory environment and it’s a whole new area of learning for us South Gosforth depot, built in the 1920s and shared with in the early days of the Metro, is being as in future there will be an access charge rebuilt in a GBP70m programme. Nexus payable to Nexus and not Network Rail. “The Sunderland line was a unique set of circumstances and we were given some tyne and wear metro fleet comparison derogations at the time which are applicable to the existing Metro trains but not the new E xisting Metrocar New trains fleet. So we have had to specify the new fleet to new industry-standard crashworthiness M anufacturer Metro-Cammell Stadler Rail levels, and a very positive outcome from the Service entry 1980 2023 South Yorkshire tram-train pilot for us is a new Length 28.4m 59.9m method of approving light rail rolling stock Width 2.65m 2.65m for use on the network. We’re Height (inc. ) 3.445m 3.445m working closely with Network Rail on that.” Max speed 80km/h (50mph) 80km/h (50mph) Metro Flow will also allow engineering, Power supply 1500V dc overhead supply 1500V dc overhead supply commercial and delivery expertise built- Configuration High-floor, two-car vehicle High-floor, five-car train Passenger capacity 230, 68 seated 600, 104 seated up over the 11-year Metro: all change Weight 40 tonnes TBC modernisation to be retained and repurposed for another large project. Hopefully there will be more to come, as Mr Hughes continues: 1990s Project Orpheus study – which itself fed GBP162m (EUR182m) project which “Phase 3 also includes upgrading the into the business case for Metro: all change – a would allow residents of Ashington, signalling system in due course. The current total of ten projects were identified in the 2016 Bedlington, Blyth and Seaton Delaval system has a number of years of life left in it, Metro & Local Rail Strategy. This document to connect with Metro services at but we do need to start looking longer-term was prepared by Nexus and the North East Northumberland Park. Further new stations and the new fleet has capacity to work with Combined Authority (established in 2014) and are proposed to serve the Cobalt Business newer systems.” includes proposals to take the Sunderland line Park – one of the country’s largest office westward from to Washington locations – and Silverlink retail park. What about the future? and south to and . Adding a slight level of complexity, Expansion ambitions could see Metro and Progress is also being made on plans for mobility policy for the region is now co- local rail provision reaching out into the West . A business plan is being ordinated by a single political entity, formed End of Newcastle, the Metrocentre and Team prepared to reopen the Northumberland in November 2018. This body, the North East Valley by 2030. Dusting off elements of the freight line to passengers under an estimated Joint Transport Committee (NEJTC), features members of two combined authorities that represent a population of over 1.95m residents. The North of Tyne Combined Authority is a mayoral authority that was formed in November 2018 to consolidate metropolitan authorities in and North Tyneside with the unitary authority in Northumberland. Meanwhile, the North East Combined Authority covers the area south of the – Metropolitan authorities in , Sunderland and and the Durham unitary authority. As Mr Hughes explains: “We are making a lot of progress in exploring our options for expanding local rail. The first scheme in the stable is the Northumberland line, which Northumberland County Council – part of our combined authority areas – has been leading. There are obviously a number of interventions needed; stations need to be Nexus owns five level crossings on the Tyne and Wear Metro; those on the Sunderland line are the reopened or constructed; some sections of responsibility of national rail infrastructure manager Network Rail. Wearing the current metallic grey, black dual-tracking are needed; improvements and yellow livery, 4088 passes over the level crossing at East Boldon. Nexus need to be made to the signalling system and

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org november 2020 / 421 Tyne and Wear Metro the like; so even though it’s ‘just’ upgrading a freight line to passenger service it’s still quite an expensive project. “The government has committed to funding this, several times, and it’s now being considered as part of the Acceleration Schemes announced recently by the Secretary of State. We’re expecting Northumberland County Council to submit the business case to the Government later this year for formal approval and we’re very confident that will be the case as it will provide a huge economic uplift by connecting communities in the south-eastern part of Northumberland that currently have very poor public transport connectivity and the city area of North Tyneside, Newcastle and Gateshead.” But that’s just one example. A number of other areas are under investigation as The new trains will feature retractable steps at every door to improve accessibility. Nexus Nexus, the NEJC and local authorities seek to understand potential costs and high-level Is there any potential for a return to on- the next cliff-edge that’s an impossible engineering feasibility implications: street rail services, as mooted many times process. If we had some certainty, at least “The Government Ministers we’ve engaged over the years? “We don’t have any current until the end of the financial year, that would with have always been positive in recognising on-street running plans”, says Mr Hughes. help. But at the moment we can’t do that.” some of the North East’s economic ambitions “That isn’t to say that at some point there COO Martin Kearney sees life at the sharp and challenges. Better transport connectivity wouldn’t be a case for new tramlines in the end, but is pleased with the recovery so is very much at the top of the agenda to North East, but they would be standalone far. He told TAUT: “We’ve kept our services help us get there. lines to integrate with the Metro.” running throughout – obviously for key Some of these projects include re-opening workers in the beginning, but then as we the disused as part of a ‘South Bouncing back opened up again more widely. We’ve never Tyneside Loop’ for the Metro, linking Although there are many exciting future lost a full day. Ferryhill in County Durham to Washington plans, the most immediate challenges – “I’m very proud that at this stage [late and Pelaw; this line passes Nissan’s mirroring the experiences of operators September] we’ve got just over 50% of our Sunderland factory and has further potential around the world – lie in restoring confidence customer base back. Compared to other for shared use between Metro and national in public transport, and getting the local rail services, which are around 30%, I and regional freight and passenger services. passengers back on board as schools and think we’re doing an incredible job. It will be workplaces return following an enforced interesting to see how travel patterns change “We’ve kept our services six-month hibernation. as we progress out of the COVID crisis. With confirmed emergency revenue As some city centre offices come back we’re running throughout [the support until 26 October, Mr Hughes is very hoping to see the numbers jump again, but clear that these challenges are complex at very best we’re probably looking at 80% of COVID crisis]... We’ve and will require a certain amount of state our normal journeys by the end of the year.” intervention and support: “We obviously have Many industry experts have expressed never lost a full day.” to plan ahead, and without certainty beyond dismay at the apparent disparity in the way

Although the final layout and finishes of the interiors are still to be finalised, the travelling environment for passengers will be greatly improved through greater space, improved information and more technology. Nexus

422 / november 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org that central Government has treated differing mass transit modes, and Mr Hughes explains why ‘simply’ scaling back Metro services to suit demand is not easy: “Rail services such as ours have a lot of fixed costs, and those fixed costs take a lot of time to vary – for example, driver numbers or changing timetables. “There’s an assumption, which is wrong, that costs on railways can be variable in the same way as bus operations. We can’t just stop services and furlough staff in the same way, and even if we did it still wouldn’t save many of the costs in the short to medium-term. The only way of significantly reducing cost would be to massively slash the timetable, and even those savings wouldn’t be in proportion to the reductions because of the way that Metro scheduling and timetabling works.” ‘Fogging’ the interior of a Metrocar in June 2020; an advanced chemical formula leaves a anti-microbial layer That said, Mr Hughes and Mr Kearney that can reduce the spread of germs by up to 99%. Nexus are both keen to emphasise that the current revenue shortfalls shouldn’t jeopardise complex if the network was running at full throughout a vehicle provides a protective Nexus’ long-term ambitions. Mr Kearney capacity have been implemented more easily. anti-microbial layer that kills pathogens is optimistic: “All of our major projects are One example of this is the enhanced cleaning such as coronavirus for up to 30 days. ongoing, they’re all running to time. That and sanitisation regime, as Mr Kearney This is backed up by an enhanced cleaning said, I’ll add the caveat that I think it’s fair describes: “We’re cleaner than we ever regime from Metro contractor Churchill to say that we haven’t fully understood the have been. We have new systems and huge Services that includes more regular cleaning effects of COVID at this stage. But everything’s investments have been made in the cleaning of common touchpoints with hospital-grade running to the timelines at the moment, so to ensure that our trains are getting more disinfectant. that’s really positive, and we’re not predicting specific cleaning throughout each day. We “So there’s a lot that we’re doing at the a slowdown with any of the investment.” have dedicated teams and are using different moment to help us recover further and The pandemic-related ridership falls chemicals that remove up to 99% of germs.” faster,” Mr Kearney concludes, “and we need have also led to perverse situations where One of the measures introduced is the use to get back up to last year’s 36m journeys as improvements that would have been more of the Zoono ‘Z71’ fluid that when ‘fogged’ quickly as we can.”

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STADLER IS DELIVERING 42 NEW TRAINS FOR THE TYNE AND WEAR METRO

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www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org november 2020 / 423 Haifa – Nazareth LRT

ISRAEL:c ross-country connections Phil Hewitt of WSP in Israel describes the project to connect two The site of Har Yona stop in Nof HaGalil, the boundary between the interurban and urban growing population centres using interurban LRT technology tramway. Further development of plans for this stop will allow trains to terminate here without that borrows from recent European and American experience. blocking the mainline. Yenon – Research & Design

he population of northern Israel although difficult to address using traditional Development of new and expanded urban is expected to increase – rapidly. railway methods, can be met using technology centres along the route of the NofIT line is Currently, around 925 000 people that borrows from emerging tram-train indicative of the rapid population growth live in the corridor between the solutions in Europe and North America. that is forecast. The new 20-stop LRT route bustling Mediterranean city of The NofIT line is promoted by TransIsrael, will prepare these communities for the future HaifaT (population around 1.15m) and historic a government company with a successful and act as an enabler by providing access to Nazareth (population 78 000) – by 2040, this record of delivering major infrastructure the opportunities that continued growth is expected to grow by 40%. projects, of which the north-south toll will deliver. As a result it is forecast that the Historically, growth in Israel has been new largely interurban line will carry around supported by road-based transport networks, 30m passengers per annum by 2050; this will with consequent impacts on congestion and “Development of the new be vital in supporting inclusive, economic the environment. This approach, however, expansion. Provision of an interchange with is believed to be unsustainable, so future and expanded urban Israel’s main line rail network at Hamifrats connectivity between these two important Central will also help encourage people to centres will instead be underpinned from centres along the NofIT use public transport in preference to the 2027 by the opening of the planned 41km route is indicative of the private car when accessing the facilities (25.5-mile) Haifa – Nazareth Light Rail project. and opportunities available in Now known as the NofIT (North of Israel rapid population growth.” and Jerusalem. Tram) line, this exciting project is one of a Running from a new multi-modal transport number of light rail schemes embraced by the hub at sea level in Hamifrats Central (Haifa), national government as it strives to improve road, , is the most-high profile. the NofIT line will climb onto an elevated the quality, sustainability and accessibility of TransIsrael has put together a highly- alignment and cross the public transport and tackle rising traffic levels experienced team of both domestic and coastal line before running on a combination in major conurbations. international consultants to support the line’s of viaducts and embankments through Dayan Jerusalem’s successful LRT system, which design and management. (site of the first stop) to Ata South in the small opened in 2011 and in recent years has seen city of . There, it will form part of a around 50m annual passenger journeys, is A challenging route new rail, road and network adding two further lines to its first line, while Haifa is a busy hub for employment, at the heart of a development comprising the first of a planned three-line network in education and tourism situated on the residential accommodation and educational Tel Aviv (90km/56 miles south of Haifa on the eastern Mediterranean coast. Some 40km and medical facilities, with substantial Mediterranean coast) is due to open in 2022. (25 miles) to the south-east is the historic city reconstruction of the urban realm. However, the latest addition to Israel’s of Nazareth, one of the most important The depot is to be situated between Dayan expanding list of LRT projects has a number of Arab cities in Israel, together with its more and Ata South stops, providing stabling and engineering and operational challenges that recently-established neighbour Nof HaGalil. maintenance capabilities for the system’s light

424 / NOVEMber 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org rail vehicles, an operational control centre, and once again moves onto viaducts in order to in turn will limit the maximum length of facilities for operations and maintenance staff. traverse the difficult terrain that will give trains to less than 70m. From Ata South the alignment returns to access to the commercial centre of Har Yona in Access to the system is also of key ground level, running at-grade through the Nof HaGalil, some 550m above sea level. The importance and therefore many of the stops site of the proposed Kiryat Ata development majority of the climb to the summit of the line will be provided with park-and-ride facilities, within the confines of the new Road 781 takes place over this section and, as the LRT while the integration of walking, cycling and alignment. The LRT route will be built as an alignment follows the road, there are some local bus services will be carefully considered integral part of the new road network and challenging continuous gradients of up to 8%. during detailed planning of the network will operate as an urban tramway through the After this the route descends some 100m at over the coming months. Discussions are development to the stop at Gil’am. gradients to serve eight more urban tramstops ongoing between TransIsrael and the local From here the route is to follow Road 79; en route to the Nazareth Ziad terminus. municipalities to consider the optimum this important highway has recently been provision of multi-modal transport hubs reconstructed, with a median strip to permit The decision for LRT along the route, and in Kiryat Ata the LRT construction of the LRT line. At Gil’am The on-street operation in Kiryat Ata, Nof stops will be designed to integrate with new Interchange, the light rail alignment will HaGalil and Nazareth imposes a number of BRT services operating out of Haifa. move onto this median strip and follow the limitations on the project. Vehicles must High quality passenger information is alignment of the road into Raina. With the be safe to operate in the areas accessible to critical to encouraging people to change NofIT line service operating in the median, the public and traffic, while the alignment their travel habits, so the NofIT line will seek access to the six stops on this section will needs to thread its way through tight urban to exploit the latest technologies to ensure require the use of overbridges or underpasses, corridors meaning that horizontal curves with that passengers can access accurate, real-time with the consequent need to provide lifts and radii as tight as 25m may be required. information for the whole of their journey. escalators to ensure accessibility for passengers Minimising the impact of the NofIT line Demand on the new line is expected to be with impaired mobility. infrastructure on the built environment is a high, with tidal passenger flows in the peaks The section between Gil’am and Raina key consideration. As the line is a standalone reaching around 10 000 passengers/hour/ – passing through the growing city of scheme, and will not inter-operate with other direction. With the limits on vehicle length Shefar’am – is some 25km (15.5 miles) rail services, it can adopt low-floor platform it is expected that services on the busiest long and segregated from other traffic and heights, some 300mm above the surface of sections of the route (Ha Yona – Hamifrats pedestrians. It will therefore be designed to the road. This ensures that platforms can Central) will need to operate at headways of operate at speeds of up to 100km/h (62mph) easily blend in with the surrounding public around four minutes during peak times. under signalling control appropriate for an realm. The constraints of urban operation While the urban sections in Kiryat Ata and interurban railway. At Raina the alignment will restrict the length of platforms and this Nof HaGalil/Nazareth will be operated on tramway ‘line of sight’ principles, the high frequency service coupled with the relatively high speed of operation for a light rail system means that railway signalling is required on the interurban Hamifrats Central – Ata South and Gil’am – Ha Yona sections. This will both ensure the safe separation of LRVs operating at higher speeds and help the operator to regulate the service and maintain an even headway. End-to-end journey times are predicted to be around one hour, with ongoing assessment of traffic interfaces to optimise this further. As is often the case with LRT schemes, a key feature is looking at end-to-end journeys and providing a consistent and predictable journey compared with other modes.

Rolling stock The physical requirements of the project make it necessary to adopt light rail vehicle design. Although the specifications are at an early ABOVE: The urban section of the NofIT line in Nof HaGalil. This section is characterised by gradients of up to stage, vehicles are expected to offer step-free 8% with stops having to be fitted in on the most ‘level’ sections between road junctions and horizontal curves. access from all doors to the platforms, as BELOW: The future Kiryat HaMemshala stop. To the west the alignment passes immediately into an well as to provide capacity for around 450 underpass beneath the road, while to the east the alignment traverses a tight curve (circa. 30m) before passengers on each service (at least 30% of descending on an 8% gradient towards Nazareth. Both: Yenon – Research & Design them seated). Services may be made up of single units, or two units coupled together, to make up a total length of around 70m. The vehicles themselves will be designed to operate at speeds of up to 100km/h (62mph) and offer passengers a convenient, rapid and comfortable journey whilst meeting Israel’s physical and cyber security requirements. These include provision for monitoring ‘complex stops’ (e.g. grade- separated stops along Road 79), strict requirements for access to the alignment for emergency services and additional onboard security features. In addition, in common with new buildings around Israel, shelter facilities are provided to protect staff in the event of an attack on the country. Specialist advisors are working with the project team to advise on such security requirements set by the national Government.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org november 2020 / 425 Haifa – Nazareth LRT

“The NofIT line will build on Israel’s ambition to adopt light rail and to innovate to make existing solutions adapt to local challenges.”

pr oject partners

Promoter: TransIsrael Project Manager: Dana – Idom Joint Venture Designer: Yenon – Ineco Joint Venture LRT Advisor: WSP Israel

ABOVE: The route of the proposed NofIT line; exact stop locations are still to be finalised.

LEFT: Many of the stops on the alignment are to be built along the median of Road 79, requiring grade- separated access for pedestrians to reach the stops from residential areas and new parking and transport hubs. While the road is able to follow the contours of the mountainous terrain, the LRT alignment requires elevation to maintain manageable gradients. At Raina (shown here) the stop is elevated to both allow services to cross major road intersections, but also to allow the LRT to leave the Road 79 corridor and carry on towards Har Yona. In3D operation, maintenance and financing (including trackwork, power, infrastructure, systems and rolling stock – ‘Infra2’). The strategy adopted in Israel is to undertake utility diversions as part of the state-managed Infra1 works to provide the Infra2 concessionaire with a clear corridor within which to build the LRT system. The first half of 2020 has seen surveys and ground investigation work taking place along the whole of the alignment and contractors are now beginning advanced works, with the Due to the challenges of the vertical TransIsrael has concluded that the network major civil engineering and enabling packages alignment, the length of the line and needs to be designed for full overhead catenary beginning in 2021. operating speeds, it was necessary to pay due to the challenging alignment; OESS has An online conference as part of the careful attention to traction power supply: not been discounted, but prospective bidders pre-qualification process was held in 25kV ac, 1500V dc and 750V dc were all would need to show substantive operational, mid-September, attracting over 150 considered individually and in combination environmental and economic benefits over representatives from 15 countries, including (i.e. as seen on dual voltage tram-train the life of the concession. investors, contractors, manufacturers and vehicles in Europe), before the decision was operators. Consortia are being invited to taken to adopt 1500V dc. This minimises Next steps pre-qualify in 2020, and invitations to bid for the number of traction power stations and Preliminary design of the project is nearing the PPP are expected to be issued in mid-2021. connections to the state-owned Israel Electric completion and TransIsrael is currently The NofIT line will build on Israel’s Corporation network. Nine substations are finalising its proposals for delivery. ambition to adopt light rail and to innovate currently planned (one for the depot and In common with other LRT systems to make existing solutions adapt to local eight for the running line) at approximately in Israel, the NofIT line is expected to be challenges. The next six years will be a busy 5km (three-mile) intervals. delivered through a combination of direct time for TransIsrael and its team – but the Consideration has been given to varying contracts for the major civil engineering result will be an innovative interurban rail forms of catenary-free operation and onboard and enabling works (known as ‘Infra1’) and system that will transform travel in the north energy storage solutions (OESS). At this stage a PPP concession for design, construction, of the country.

426 / nOVEMber 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Biomethane ULR bristol biomethane: a new fuel future? Ultra Light Rail Partners Chair Beverley Nielsen describes the creation of an innovative new UK-built powertrain for light rail vehicles.

ednesday, 22 July. After a year working on the development of the UK’s ‘first of a kind’ Biomethane Railcar, this potentially game-changingW vehicle was launched at a demonstration event hosted at Motorail’s Long Marston testing facilities. The The prototype Bristol Biomethane railcar on launch marked not only the country’s first trial at Long Marston on 22 July. Paul Abell biomethane-powered light rail vehicle, but also what is understood to be a world first too. It was in June 2019 that Ultra Light output we are pleased to see from the projects communities are isolated with few transport Rail Partners were awarded a GBP350 000 we support on behalf of DfT.” options other than the car, further adding to (EUR385 000) grant from Innovate UK and The final stages of the scheme require congestion and poor air quality outcomes. the Department for Transport to build the detailed noise and emissions testing (carbon Birmingham, the UK’s second city, has new biomethane vehicle and lead the project. dioxide, nitrous oxide, sulphur dioxide and seen its ‘effective size’ halved, diminishing The demonstrator builds upon the Bristol PM 2.5s) of both biomethane and propane- beneficial agglomeration effects through railcar bodywork (in operation 1998-2000) powered railcars, together with emissions unreliable transport systems with poor and draws on the Stourbridge Class 139 testing of the regularly-used diesel trains. It is coverage – particularly through the lack of any railcar designs that have been in operation hoped that socially distanced passenger trials significant coverage by light rail networks, for over a decade, powered by propane and a will take place, at Long Marston, during 2021. renowned for greater punctuality in spite of flywheel providing a kinetic energy store. congestion. Even with expansion of the West A new bogie frame, driveline and powertrain Clean value… Midlands Metro network, this cannot cost- have been built for installation under the The ultra light railcar, when commercially effectively cover all of the under-served areas. vehicle; and there are key new features: produced, will provide smaller cities, towns Internationally, its lower infrastructure • T he driveline has been reconfigured for and inter-rural to urban locations with a real costs would also appeal to developing biomethane and designed to fit into a bogie alternative to heavy rail and metro options. countries looking to connect disparate driving both axles, working in partnership A 120-person biomethane-powered railcar towns. Reliance on a gas-driven propulsion with Parry People Movers could be produced for GBP1m-1.5m (EUR1.1- system with its renewable fuel source should • A propane-powered Ford combustion 1.65m) dependent on the specification, and also appeal given the widespread adoption of engine has been converted to run on with on-street re-locatable track investment at biomethane as a fuel in these regions. biomethane, working with Southampton- around GBP1m/km (EUR1.1m/km), this offers based company Alternatech value for money compared with investments … and steel-wheel benefits • L arger volume biomethane gas canisters are for larger-city metro systems. Running costs While vehicle exhaust emissions have installed, with trackside refuelling enabled work out at about GBP2000/day (EUR2200/ attracted a great deal of attention, it is the via hose, supported from Biomethane Ltd day), leading to consumer prices of a GBP5 smallest (sub-PM 2.5) particulates that cause • A ssembly and integration was managed at (EUR5.5) return fare for a 6km (3.7-mile) the greatest injury to respiratory systems. The Severn Lamb’s facility in Alcester, with earlier journey each way; these are similar costs to interaction of rubber tyres with road surfaces stages at Dudley College of Technology, running an LPG vehicle, although the latter is causes the emission of over 1000 times more which is soon to host the UK’s new National not classed as a renewable fuel. Such systems of these health-damaging particulates than Innovation Centre for Very Light Rail could find a place in the UK, where there are are emitted from vehicle exhausts. Utilising the skills of a consortium of UK now proposals to reverse the railway line Recent work by Sustainability West specialists has delivered a clean, affordable closures that took place as part of the Midlands (SWM) for the West Midlands self-powered railcar that does not require Beeching programme of cuts in the 1960s. Combined Authority has identified that overhead wires and can be used in both More locally, London receives half of all reducing the levels of just one pollutant inter-urban and rural locations. regional public transport spend, when the (PM2.5) by 50% would prevent 952 deaths At the launch, project partner Biomethane West Midlands population at 5.93m stands and save GBP1.4m (EUR1.53m) of NHS costs Ltd demonstrated just how easily the vehicle at over two-thirds that of London at 8.9m. in the WMCA area per year. can be refuelled, taking just over a minute to Over the past ten years London has benefited People living in more deprived areas are fully refill the railcar. from an additional GBP39bn (EUR42.6bn) disproportionally sensitive to the cumulative Following the event it was gratifying transport investment over the West Midlands. health effects of poor air quality; areas with a to receive same-day notification from the Like many, I am conscious that the lack of low Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), and Department for Transport stating: “The infrastructure connectivity and investment especially with low health index scores, are at demonstration looked excellent, we clearly has cost the West Midlands billions of greatest risk. For example, where respiratory saw the vehicle move under power, and pounds in lost productivity. People have to or cardiovascular disease is already present in this satisfies the requirement for a live allow additional time to ensure they arrive a community, the impact of air pollution is demonstration for the Innovate UK project. for meetings promptly, and opportunities worse than in an otherwise healthy one. To have achieved so much in so short a time is for output are lost with traffic congestion With steel wheels on steel rails, light rail highly creditable, and very much the type of leading to countless lost hours. Too many benefits from a lack of rubber tyres to cause

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org NOVEMber 2020 / 427 Biomethane ULR

ABOVE: At the Severn Lamb facility, the modified engine is mounted and integrated into the new bogie with primary and secondary driveline. ULRP

LEFT: The 120-capacity railcar can be refuelled in around a minute. ULRP emissions, and from greater traction energy manifestos all contained pledges to support It could therefore provide regional efficiency brought about by lower friction. the ramping up of production of electric economic job opportunities, including Biomethane’s chemical formula has the vehicles and their components. The Labour a generation of skilled jobs in planning, lowest carbon content, and so is the cleanest manifesto identified locations for three engineering, operating and maintenance of of any hydrocarbon fuel. In contrast, burning such gigafactories – South Wales, Swindon biogas and biomethane plants. fossil fuels contributes to climate change by and Stoke-on-Trent – committing GBP2bn Our small Innovate UK project shows increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. (EUR2.2bn) to the plans, also claiming the that we have a real opportunity to build a When organic materials decompose creation of 10 000 direct jobs. new intermediate clean transport mode. We naturally they give off carbon dioxide and However, as we continue to put all our have sourced over 90% of our components methane gas, which is far more damaging eggs into the electric powertrain basket, we in the UK, and over three-quarters from the than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas, as seem to ignore the warning in the #WM2041 West Midlands. At this time of great national shown in a report from the Intergovernmental document stating: “It is not practical to challenge, we can create many new jobs by Panel on Climate change. Collecting and transfer this (current) use (of car journeys) investing in innovative clean, green, low-cost anaerobically digesting these organic over to electric vehicles….The Regional Energy and ultra-low emissions transport options materials (the inedible leaves, stalks and Strategy sets this out: the 42 547GWh of like the Bristol Biomethane. peelings associated with food production, plus energy currently delivered to vehicles in the animal and human waste) to capture and use region as petrol and diesel is nearly equal to this methane as a fuel ‘does good’ by reducing the amount of energy delivered through the ABOUT THE AUTHOR natural greenhouse gas emissions. entire gas network in the region and almost As a welcome by-product, the process also twice that delivered by the electricity system.” B everley Nielsen is Associate Professor and produces renewable carbon dioxide and The COVID crisis has highlighted the need Director of the IDEA Institute, and Senior Fellow, clean, pathogen-free fertilisers. Using organic to focus on real job creation opportunities Centre for Brexit Studies, Birmingham City University. She is also the Chair of Ultra Light Rail fertilisers to replace artificial alternatives – and it makes sense for these to be in Partners (ULRP) Ltd, joining the company formed further improves the environment. sustainable industries that will future-proof by John Parry, Chairman of Parry People Movers. Encouraging capture of this methane and the nation. With unemployment set to rise John was keen to build on the development creating renewable energy is not simply about and an economy already in recession, the of the propane-powered Class 139 railcars used acting more responsibly, but about promoting scale of the challenge is clear. as the ‘Stourbridge Shuttle’, which have been positive action to curtail greenhouse gas providing a 99.7%-plus service reliability for the emissions caused by transport. What of the future? past ten years under Pre Metro Operations. Biomethane production could also provide Funding sources for such light rail John Parry with Jimmy Skinner, founding director of Sustraco, trialled the first UK on- economic opportunity for regions able to developments are limited, and those street self-powered LRV without overhead produce it from sewage, food and plant and potentially available through Innovate wires in Bristol between 1998-2000. The Bristol organic waste, red meat processing waste, UK grants are highly competitive. Biomethane car draws on the original railcar poultry and cattle manure. This could provide There is hope that once a larger capacity bodywork, but modified to provide with a whole opportunities for smaller cities and rural vehicle has been developed, that private new powertrain enabling it to run on biomethane. areas to develop skilled jobs in planning, investors can be brought onboard. engineering, operating and maintenance of With more UK Government support, biogas and biomethane plants. such as through our ‘first of a kind’ award, biomethane could be used to power trams FURTHER READING An economic chance and ultra-light railcars to transform air There have been calls for the UK Government quality in our urban areas. 1 – Climate Change: The Scientific Assessment to support the building of one or more As a low-cost clean option it could help (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, ‘gigafactories’ to produce vehicle batteries – connect up isolated urban communities. 1990): www.ipcc.ch/site/assets/uploads/2018/03/ ipcc_far_wg_I_full_report.pdf vital for our automotive sector as it converts It is not widely-recognised that biomethane to electric vehicle (EV) production. Indeed, is interchangeable with existing natural gas 2 – Global Greenhouse Emissions Data (US the need is perceived to be so great that it and could be used not only more widely than Environmental Protection Agency): www.epa.gov/ even became an election issue in late 2019: just for transport purposes, replacing up to ghgemissions/global-greenhouse-gas-emissions-data Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat half the natural gas currently in use.

428 / NOVEMber 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Advertorial ENGINEERING FLEXIBILITY or over 70 years, Severn Lamb has specialised in the development and delivery of low-volume, high-quality, bespoke transport solutions. With roots in the leisure and narrow-gauge market, having designed and built trains from 7¼in gauge up to 3ft gauge, over the past eight years Battery-powered heritage theF company has now broadened its horizons to also include trams in Egypt. standard-gauge trains and trams. A proven foundation of tried-and-tested engineering has allowed Severn Lamb's new concept Severn Lamb to design and deliver both heritage-style trams and an for Southend-on-Sea pier. award-winning Ultra-Light Rail (ULR) diesel-electric hybrid railcar – all underpinned by 21st Century technology. Leveraging an ‘under one roof’ resource of project management, design engineering, QA & QC, procurement and production, the company has delivered turnkey projects to clients around the world, including China, and Egypt. Severn Lamb’s single- and double-decker heritage trams offer state-of-the-art battery technology packaged into a timeless classic tram body. With capacity for up to 70 passengers – alongside the ability to offer a full day’s operation from a single charge and options to customise any aspect, from seating layout to body styles – these vehicles continue to delight operators and passengers around the world. Following the successful commission of a ULR train for Oman, the company showed its expertise in the design, production and delivery of a commercially-attractive, self-powered vehicle with the ULR Express. being used, earlier this year Severn Lamb was awarded the prestigious Accommodating 120 passengers and operating at speeds of up to contract to design and build the replacement trains for the 60km/h (37mph), it’s perfect for segregated or branch line use. Southend-on-Sea (UK) pier. Having delivered the existing vehicles Having also supported Ultra Light Rail Partners’ ‘first of a kind’ some 33 years ago, a testament to their build quality, the company will biomethane railcar (see page 427), it was a natural progression to now be creating the next-generation of vehicles in 2021. offer the ULR Express with a biomethane powertrain. With the ability A full custom design to meet the pier’s particular needs, these to integrate many different requirements, Severn Lamb has further innovative new trains include a lithium-ion battery powertrain, an strengthened its offering with a hydrogen fuel cell powertrain option. ultra-modern interior with low-floor access, operational speeds of up With no limits to what the company can achieve to meet client to 30km/h (19mph) and capacity for 200-plus passengers to match the demand, legislation or the environment in which its products are increased popularity of the pier and its amenities. Designing the future of transport.

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berlin’s route to ‘net zero’ How much can trams relieve congestion and help achieve ‘net zero’? For Berliners the answer is clear: Germany’s capital has embarked on a multi-year, multi-billion

LA Metro Euro expansion programme of one of the la ’s 30-year world’s great systems, as TAUT explains. chin a’s modern transport vision URBAN RAIL Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington LRT development shares his plans for restoring passenger MASTERCLASS Neil Pulling considers the inauguration confidence in mass transit, his vision In our latest instalment, Stephen Lewis and expansion of modern local rail for a fare-free future, and the ambitious of British Steel offers a detailed systems around China’s , USD4000bn plan to offer comprehensive exploration of the issue of rapidly grown into one of the world’s regional connectivity. broken rails and broken welds. greatest urbanisations. PLUS... DECEMBER + Mike Russell concludes his three-part history of the Tatra TII, covering the mid-life rebuild programmes, the incredible 2020 issue saga of Liberec and the triumphant return to service in Praha. + A ll the latest news and analysis, system developments, On sale major orders, transport policy announcements and industry comment from around the world. 20 November

430 / NoveMber 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Hong Kong

Now amongst MTR’s worldwide operations, the Hong Kong Light Rail system was systems devised to support local and feeder factfile demand CHINA MTR Light Rail - in newly- No. urbanised areas. Hong Kong SAR, China 157 By Neil Pulling. Hong Kong

ong Kong’s Light Rail A pair of Phase 1 LRVs Wai (classified with Yuen Long). installation sometimes followed (HKLR) system with a 706 circular The Wharf group, then owners of construction of buildings, many being serves neighbouring service on Tin Shui the tramway dating from 1904 on high-rise residential blocks in estates. communities in a Road on 7 August 2020. Hong Kong Island, did not proceed Indicating the development era, the north-western part of beyond early interest in the light light rail vehicles (LRV) have level theH New Territories, an area leased rail project. For Hong Kong overall, access from high platforms reached by the British from China in 1898. rail planning and operation variously by ramp, steps and lifts. With ad hoc settlement unsuited to became handled by two bodies, the Services began in 1988, with major population growth, the New Kowloon-Canton Railway (KCR) patronage encouraged by removing Town Development Programme was and the newer Mass Transit Railway some bus routes within the catchment enacted from 1973. The lease expiry Corporation (MTR). Later becoming area. The KCR West Rail line between led to all of the British colony of Hong a major international operator, the new towns and Kowloon opened Kong being returned to China in 1997, the latter was created for the new in 2003, with completion at around becoming designated as a Special metro which first opened in 1979. 36km (22.5 miles) during 2009. A 2007 Administrative Region (SAR). Under a government agreement in restructuring saw HKLR, West Rail Consistent with the Development 1984, it was KCR that created and and – an updated part of the original Programme favouring rail-based links initially operated HKLR. Kowloon-Canton Railway – East Rail for new districts, a self-contained Although fringed by substantial become MTR operations. Exemplified system was planned for – listed hills, the towns served are mainly at several HKLR sites, MTR’s property in development order with 2019 on level ground, some being development powers make substantial populations – Tuen Mun (495 100), Pictures by Howard reclaimed land. Space for tracks contributions to this largely Hong Yuen Long (645 000) and Tin Shui Pulling, unless noted. was allocated in advance and Kong government-owned corporation.

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"The route was joined by an 0 1 2

eastern loop via San Hui, the Sam Kilometres Tin Heng Shing branch and an eastern Wetland Park 751 Tin Yat 761P access to Tuen Mun Ferry Pier." Tin Sau Tin Fu Tin Yuet Chung Fu

Tin Wing Chest- wood Ginza

Tin Shui Tin Wu

Locwood Tin Tsz

Tin Yiu 705 610 615 706 614 761P Yuen Hang Mei Fung Nin Tai Tong Long Tsuen Road Road Hong Lok Road

Tong Fong Tsuen Hung Tin Road Emergency Platform

Hung Shui Kiu

Chung Uk Tseun

Nai Wai

Lam Tei

505 Siu Hong 614P Kei Lun 615P 507 Tin King Kin Ching Sang Chung THE FLEET Leung King Hospital Fung Tei Tai Hing (North) Vehicles are 20.2m long and 2.65m wide, San Wai Affluence air-conditioned and with three pairs of double Prime View Shek Pai Tai Hing Ngan doors on one side; capacities around 200, (South) Wai a quarter seated. Choy Yee San Hui LRVs are distinguished sequentially, with Shan King (North) Bridge Ming the biggest type being Phase 1 (1001-70) made Kum Hoh Fuk Tong Shan King (South) Ho Tin by Australia’s Comeng. As well as technical Kin On changes, upgrading from 2011 made this type Tsing Wun Pui To visually closer to Phase 4 LRVs. The Kawasaki- Tuen Mun built Phase 2 (1071-90; cab-less powered trailers Town Centre Tsing Shan Tsuen 1201-10) from 1992 are the first due for withdrawal. Maintaining the appearance of Phase 2 stock (but with a more recessed destination panel), 751 On Ting Phase 3 LRVs (1091-1110) dating from 1997 were Yau Oi Australian-built by Goninan – later UGL. Lung Mun Goodview Garden Siu Lun A joint product of UGL and China’s CSL DEPOT introduced in 2009, Phase 4 (1111-32) brought a Light Rail Sam Shing Depot less austere style and a mainly white livery, later Tuen Mun 505 adopted for the Phase 1 LRV modernisation. Swimming Yet to enter service (as at August 2020), are 40 Butterfly Pool Phase 5 LRVs (1133-62; powered trailers 1211-20)., to be supplied by CRRC Puzhen. Siu Hei Melody The first two vehicles, 1133 and 1211, were Garden received in December 2018. They have slimmer Tuen Mun Ferry Pier cab pillars and flush sides, unlike the corrugated panels on earlier types. Replacing Phase 2 LRVs, 507 614 615 the completed order originally due for 2023 will 610 614P 615P bring a net ten extra vehicles to the fleet.

432 / november 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org RIGHT: Between Yuen Long and Tuen Mun at Lam Tei, set between the West Rail line viaduct and Road.

BELOW: A Phase 3 pair with a service from Yuen Long passes under Tin Shui Wai MTR station on 21 May 2019. The foreground tracks are on the Tin Shui Wai circuit. Neil Pulling

Part of the 23km (14.4-mile) inaugural opening, the core HKLR route is between Yuen Long in the north-east and Tuen Mun which borders the sea to the south. Tracks partly run near Kowloon’s long- established road connection with the New Territories, Castle Peak Road. The as-opened route was joined in 1991-92 by an eastern loop via San Hui, the Sam Shing branch and an eastern access to Tuen Mun Ferry Pier terminus. This increased Tuen Mun – Yuen Long services to three lines over different routes, all taking around 40 minutes. It also gave Tuen Mun HKLR’s greatest concentration, including the operational centre and depot/works site. Partly covered by an MTR development and reached from one of the system’s many delta junctions, it is between Lung Mun and Light Rail Depot stops. Once visible from a riverside footpath, depot workings became concealed when MTR increased security. Branching north-west from the core route, a series of extensions opened from 1993 to serve Tin Shui Wai. Before the circuit was complete, Tin Shui Wai Terminus opened in 1995, renamed Tin Wing when a West Rail station took the original name. The terminus’ fan of platforms ABOVE: Multi-platform Tuen Mun Ferry was removed for site development, Pier terminus is at ground level beneath the but ground settlement led to safety MTR Ocean Walk development. Neil Pulling monitoring for surrounding buildings LEFT: An MTR feeder bus waits for access and the residual through-tracks. as a Phase 2 LRV formation including a The circuit hosts lines connecting cab-less trailer emerges from the Tin Yat loop. with the wider system, plus all of circle

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Phase 3 1098 approaching Pui To on the loop opened in 1992. The blue roof is at Tuen Mun West Rail terminus; cloud- shrouded Castle Peak dominates the background.

ABOVE: The former Tin Wing terminus layout network facts (originally named Opened: 1988 Tin Shui Wai) in October 2012. MTR is Lines: 12 now redeveloping Length: 36.2km (22.6 miles) the site. Neil Pulling Depots: 1 Above left: Stops: 68 A unique terminus Approx. weekday hours: configuration, 05.30-00.30 Yau Oi has a Line frequency: Wide variations roadside platform on (detailed on system website) a single-track loop. Gauge: 1435mm LEFT: Unusual Power: 750V dc, overhead supply for being lined Fleet: 142 by commercial properties and Network/operator: MTR Corporation closely spaced – www.mtr.com.hk intersections, Civic and travel information: Castle Peak Road www.gov.hk at Hong Lok Road Tourist information: stop in Yuen Long. www.discoverhongkong.com Neil Pulling

434 / november 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Far left: On a section which connects the core route with the Tin Shui Wai circuit: westbound 1036+1021 are near Kiu Hung Road on 14 August 2020.

Phaseleft: 4 1121 crosses the West Rail Line and Tuen Mun River near Fung Tei. lines 705 (anti-clockwise) and 706 becoming associated with official route convergence plus a West (clockwise). Peak-hours only 751P is responses to civil unrest in 2019-20, Rail interchange. A backwater also wholly within Tin Shui Wai. its facilities became protest targets. by comparison, Yau Oi line 751 HKLR gained its West Rail line By early December 2019, local press terminus has a single platform and interchanges in 2003. The line’s reported 62 light rail stops to have on-street track. The scale of nearby bulky infrastructure shadows light sustained damage. On 1 January 2020, line 505 Sam Shing terminus relates rail at points – literally so in places – an LRV heading from Tuen Mun Ferry to potential routes that were not between Yuen Long and central Tuen Pier was set alight. developed. Serving one direction Mun. West Rail’s opening inevitably With HKLR mainly at-grade in only on single track within dedicated reduced light rail patronage between reserved space, there are many road space, two intermediate line 505 these two centres, but the feeder and pedestrian crossings without stops are embedded amongst Shan role grew for connections between barriers that can slow progress. King Estate buildings. Atypical of the the modes. Far from just supporting However, low car ownership and system, the relationship with road and journeys between the new towns and modern road layouts lead to traffic buildings around the Tai Hing stops more established Hong Kong areas, levels far below those in the parts of has similarities with some European sustained local demand is particularly Hong Kong most familiar to tourists. suburban tramway settings. apparent in respect of schools, Services are turned at the system’s Drawing upon aspects of hospitals and fresh (‘wet’) markets. extremes or on intermediate loops, contemporary Melbourne trams Outside of Hong Kong’s franchised some with very short-radius curves. and proven German equipment, the bus structure, MTR’s own bus network Most route is double-tracked, in BELOW: Phase 3 original LRV design was integral to is arranged for transfers at stations reserved space, and the majority of LRVs followed the new system. As such, the format and some designated light rail stops. stops have pairs of 40m side platforms, the older style but has broadly been continued. The LRVs with a recessed MTR bus storage includes Tuen Mun some staggered to account for run in single and paired formations, destination panel; depot compound and the Hung Tin crossings or limited space. 1103 near the with the latter marked by a ‘C’ sign on Road site which contains emergency Amongst several distinctive Miu Fat Buddhist the second vehicle’s end. Some pairs light rail platforms on a loop just off locations, the complex Siu Hung Monastery on Castle include one of a small number of the revenue tracks. With MTR locally layout integrates the system’s main Peak Road. cab-less power trailers.

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Aside from emergency and if needed: Hong Kong has a graded The light blue version shows the ABOVE: other short-term measures, service warning system under which public status of Octopus cards presented. Town Centre changes have accounted for system transport may become suspended. Travelling teams may check fare has four separate expansion and shifting demand. Chinese and English versions for a validity on board and at platforms. through platforms. Connected by There are multiple line overlaps, with given stop do not always inter-relate; HKLR is not amongst current high-level frequencies varying by line and time some stops had name changes in MTR extension projects, although walkways, it is near of day, the most intensive being every one language without necessarily a the 2.4km (1.5-mile) West Rail Tuen Mun Central four minutes. The lines are numbered, corresponding change in the other. lengthening to Tuen Mun Ferry Pier Bus Terminus and those with a ‘P’ indicating modified As at MTR railway/metro stations, (detailed planning approved June the main civic coverage of a given route. With line signs give directions to nearby 2020, expected completion 2030) buildings. 761P, only that version remains locations based on the best exit to will affect light rail installations. Neil Pulling active. Platform displays alternate take. Without the barriers activated by between Chinese and English; they Octopus stored-value cards as at MTR also indicate if a service has one or stations, light rail stops have orange essential facts two vehicles. They provide disruption card readers for checking in, with information and weather conditions green counterparts for exiting. L ocal travel: Staffed information points can be found at Tuen Mun Ferry Pier and Yuen Long station. Public transport requires an Octopus stored-value card; for visitors, this may begin at the airport where anonymous (‘loan’) Octopus cards are available at the MTR information point in the Airport Express area: HKD50 (EUR5.50) returnable deposit, plus the loaded fare value. Top-up cards at MTR machines or the ubiquitous Circle K and 7-Eleven stores. Journey charges relate to coverage of Light Rail zones; a maximum HKD2 (EUR0.25) per journey applies if using an (age 65+) Elder . Octopus cards can also be widely-used for low-value shopping. For finer points of card use and journey charges, see www.octopus.com.hk

What is there to see? Beyond the Sha Tin Racecourse and hiking trails, the New Territories does not feature strongly in Hong Kong’s tourism promotion. Terrain has constrained development and thus much of the land and indented coastline is rural. The West Rail line gives the fastest access from Kowloon (38 minutes, Hung Hom – Tuen Mun) and has connections for Hong Kong Island, but the infrastructure restricts views. Double-deck buses on routes like KMB 59X between Mong Kok East and Tuen Mun Pier Head give views of the coast and Lantau bridges, also putting the HKLR area in context. Between Tin Sau and Wetland Park stops, the Wetland Park (www.wetlandpark.gov.hk) is notable for conservation work, wildlife and a peaceful ambience. By connecting with the Tung Chung – Tuen Mun foot ferry, ABOVE: Phase 4 1127 on the northbound- ABOVE: Due for withdrawal upon arrival HKLR can be part of a varied public transport circuit from Hong only loop with two stops that serves the of the Phase 5 stock, Phase 2 1083 exemplifies Kong/Kowloon. Shan King estate. the earlier type of LRV interior. Neil Pulling

436 / november 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Worldwide Review

AUSTRALIA BRAZIL ADELAIDE. The 122km BELO HORIZONTE. The national (75.8-mile) suburban rail network government has released BRL1.2bn is to be operated by Keolis (EUR181m) in funding for metro Downer from January 2021 under , a 10.5km (6.5-mile) line a new eight-year AUD2.1bn that will connect Barreiro and (EUR2.3bn) contract. The joint Amazonas, via an interchange venture currently operates tram with at Calafate. IRJ systems in Melbourne, Gold BRASILIA. It is proposed that the Coast and Newcastle, but this is Federal District metro (Metro-DF) its first commuter rail network be transferred to private sector in the country. RGI ownership; 42.4km (26.3 miles) PERTH. The preferred bidder for of line would be the subject of the AUD1bn (EUR1.1bn) design/ a PPP contract for management build/commission contract for and operation. Agencia Brasilia the 21km (13-mile) Morley – Ellenbrook commuter rail line is CANADA The first of the new Bombardier Flexity partly low-floor trams for the German city the MELconnx consortium, led by VANCOUVER. The Acciona- of Duisburg. DVG Laing O’Rourke Australia. IRJ Ghella design-build consortium SYDNEY. The New South for the 5.7km (3.5-mile) Broadway partly elevated). They interchange T7 from Vaux-en-Velin la Soie to Wales Government’s South East Subway has awarded Thales a at Juhua. The city’s metro network Deecines Centre, which boosts Transport Strategy proposes contract to supply its SelTrac now totals 139.9km (87 miles) the capacity of line T3 over this extending the West CBTC signalling technology. across five lines. urbanrail.net section by 25%. line to Malabar or La Perouse, and The six-station extension of the NINGBO. On 27 September the Work has started to extend a new east–west line from Kogarah SkyTrain Millennium line, which Yinfeng commuter rail line (metro line T2 from Perrache to Hôtel to Randwick via the airport, already employs Thales CBTC, is ) was extended south by de Région Montrochet by the together with eight rapid electric expected to open in 2025. RGI 15.9km (9.9 miles) from Minghui construction of a new reversing bus routes. It is not proposed to Rd to Jinhai Rd. urbanrail.net spur at the latter point. extend the tramline. CHINA MONTPELLIER. Local residents A joint venture of Ricardo and CHENGDU. Express metro line 18 were able to obtain a pass for free has been appointed was inaugurated on 27 September, BRNO. DPMB has agreed to weekend travel from 5 September, to act as shadow operator of linking the South Railway Station pay Praha (Prague) CZK390 000 to encourage public transport Sydney Metro West, advising with Sancha (48.2km/30 miles). (EUR14 483) each for a further use following coronavirus on operations and maintenance The line parallels metro line 1, but 20 Tatra T6 trams. This will bring restrictions. lineoz.net during design, procurement and with just five intermediate stations the total in the fleet to 29 (one PARIS. A full-size mock-up train construction. P. Nicholson compared with the metro’s 17. being a works car). DS and station for the future Grand An extension to Tianfun LIBEREC. Two more 1987 Paris Express was unveiled at the International Airport is under standard-gauge Tatra T3 are 12-13 Fabrique du metro in Saint-Ouen WIEN (Vienna). Works tram construction, planned to open in (ex-Olomouc 181/4). BS from 3 October. The exhibition 6160, formerly the unique C3 bogie 2021 this will add four stations. MOST. Tatra T3 264 and 277 have is open to the public on the first tram 160, has been transferred to urbanrail.net been withdrawn and donated to a Saturday of each month. the Wiener Tramwaymuseum. . Forty eight-car brown coal museum at Litvinov. BS There are plans to use part of it to 160km/h (99mph) inter-city PRAHA (Prague). DPP has GERMANY restore E 4401. infotram.pl, E. Plefka metro trains are being delivered awarded Cegelec a EUR3m contract BOCHUM-GELSENKIRCHEN. by CRRC Zhuzhou for lines 18 for electrical equipment to refit The old line 310 tramway and 22, which features up to 26km 65 T3 when they are rebodied in alignment between Bochum BRUSSEL/BRUXELLES. From (16 miles) between stations. Line 2021-26. Unterstrasse and Witten Papenholz 31 August tramline 51 was diverted 18 will run 28.5km (17.7 miles) Work began in late September was used for the last time on via the tracks of between from Guangzhou Dong railway on the 250m tram extension to 27 September. Since last December’s Chaussée d’Alsemberg and station to Huadu Tiangui, but will connect the intersection of Na timetable change it has survived Altitude 100 to permit civil extend to 62.7km (39 miles). Line Pankráci and Na Veselí streets just for depot workings and a engineering work for the creation 22 will run 32.5km (20.2 miles) with Pankrác . limited Sunday service between of the north-south metro. from Fangcun to Guangzhou Nan This line was lifted in the 1970s. Bochum and Witten Rathaus. DS Car-free day on 20 September station and the airport. RGI Construction is due for completion BONN. The first phase of what was marked by free travel on HARBIN. A fleet of 65 new six-car in late November, with works is described as the country’s first STIB/MIVB services, and an open metro trains have been ordered carried out concurrently with the contactless ticketing initiative day at Haren workshops. Services from a joint venture of CRRC reconstruction of the existing was launched in September, with were boosted on the metro, eight Changchun and Bombardier under section of route 18 along Na Veselí passengers able to pay by contactless tramlines and six bus routes. a CNY1.2bn (EUR150m) contract; and Soudní Streets. RGI, TP bankcard or mobile device on Studies for the conversion of bus 36 will be used on future line 2. bus routes SB60 to the airport and route 95 (Grand-Place – Wiener) to a The first 28.7km (17.8-mile) EGYPT 66 to Siegburg railway station; tramline will be carried out in 2021. section is due to open in 2021, EL QAHIRA (Cairo). RATP Dev 230 buses and 99 LRVs will be The bodywork workshop at Rue with the other 29 destined for the has been awarded a 15-year contract fitted with the requisite equipment de Belgrade was closed in August, second 32km (20-mile) phase of to operate and maintain metro by the end of October. IRJ with all overhaul work now circular line 3, expected to open line 3, as well as commissioning BRANDENBURG. Duewag car concentrated at Haren. T-2000 in in 2022. RGI extensions to the line. On 101 was the first low-floor tram KUNMING. On 23 September 17 August the line was extended to return to service after mid-life BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA the city opened the 43.4km from El-Shams Club to Adly overhaul and refurbishment (after SARAJEVO. Bids for the EUR20m (27-mile) metro line 4 (Jinchuan Mansour. It will ultimately reach 1.7m/km) on 17 August. project to rebuild 8.5km (5.3 miles) Rd – South Railway Station, 40km (24.9 miles). IRJ An appeal has been launched to of tramway between Ilidza and entirely underground) and the restore Gotha works tram 306 to Museji closed at the end of August. 7.3km central extension of airport FRANCE original condition as car 40. BS Contract awards are expected in (East Coach Station – LYON. Monday 2 November BREMEN. The roll-out of Siemens January 2021. Tangzixiang, partly underground, sees the inauguration of tramline Avenio trams took place on

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option for 28 more. The 27 August stations. Other locations are timetable change involved some expected to follow later in the year. route changes, so the network is DELHI. Further to our August now as follows: 2, Alte Neustadt report, the 82km (51-mile) – Westerhüsen; 3, Klinikum 25kV ac 1676mm-gauge Delhi – Olvenstedt – Leipziger Chaussee Ghaziabad – Meerut commuter via Hbf; 4, Kinikum Olvenstedt rail line will be worked by 40 – Cracau via Hbf; 5, Klinikum Bombardier EMUs, 30 six-car Olvenstedt – Messegelände 160km/h (99mph) trains for the via Westring; 6, Diesdorf – longer distance services and ten Herrenkrug via Hbf; 8, Neustädter three-car metro trains for local See – Westerhusen; 9 Neustädter service on the 21km (13-mile) See – Reform; 10, Sudenberg – section between Meerut South and Rothensee/Barleber See. The Modipuram depot. RGI new tramlines in Warshauer JAIPUR. The 2.3km (1.4-mile) Strasse will be used by line 2 from extension of the metro 20 December. BS from Chandpole to Badi Chaupar The city has made a direct opened on 23 September. Now on test in the Finnish city of Tampere are the Skoda Transtech ForCity 22.5-year contract award to urbanrail.net trams for the new system. P. Tiitola municipal operator MVB for KANPUR. The European 30 August and featured a convoy of achieve TAB approval at the end of tram and bus operations. BS Investment Bank has agreed to the undertaking’s museum trams, September. It is hoped it will enter MÜLHEIM/RUHR. The provide EUR650m towards the including, for the first time, horse passenger service before the end planned closure of line 104 city’s first two metro lines, which tram 23 of 1888. It is hoped to of the year. DS via Kahlenberg has ended up in will total 32.4km (21 miles) and put 15 Avenio into passenger traffic HALBERSTADT. A frontal a court challenge. BS cost EUR 1.354bn. Bombardier at the end of the year. collision between two of the five . A new timetable is to supply 67 three-car trains, The museum depot at Leoliner low-floor trams (1 and 5) from 5 September brought signalling and train control. IRJ Sebaldsbrücke re-opened on on 22 September required GT4 extended hours of operation (Cochin). The 1.1km 13 September. BS 167-8 to be used in service on a including an 05.34 on Monday- (0.7-mile) Blue line metro CHEMNITZ. Dresden-based regular basis pending repairs to Friday Salztor – Hbf to make a train extension from Thykoodam to consultancy VCDB has been the modern stock. connection. Evening service runs Petta opened on 7 September. awarded a EUR4m contract to One of the candidates in until 21.00 from Hbf. BS Civil construction works for design the first stage of Phase 4 of imminent city elections has SCHÖNEICHE. Düwag tram 43 the 2km (1.2-mile) Tripunithura the city’s tram-train programme, stated he will close the 8.8km has been sent to Mannheim, where extension began the same day.RGI 2.3km (1.4 miles) from the city (5.5-mile) tramway by 2025. BS it will be restored to its original KOLKATA (Calcutta). Repairs centre to Limbach-Oberfrohna, . The city is planning condition as Heidelberg 218. BS after damage caused by cyclone to open in 2025. The full 17km a tender for 70 new trams for WIESBADEN. The referendum Amphan have seen Howrah – (11-mile) route would include delivery by 2028, to replace the on the creation of the EUR426m Shyambazar and Shyambazar 10km (six miles) of new line. RGI first generation of low-floor cars. CityBahn light rail line takes – Esplanade services resume DARMSTADT. The September Hallesche Verkehrs AG has 102 place on 1 November. The website operation in August and September. meeting of the city council agreed trams in its regular fleet, with the www.citybahn-verbindet.de is The WBTC introduced an extension of tramline 3 from oldest MGT6D cars now being 25 being used to make the argument converted tram 615 as a mobile Lichtenbergschule to the new years old and having covered an for a ‘Yes’ vote. BS library on 24 September. The Ludwigshöhe development area. BS average of two million kilometres. WUPPERTAL. It now seems interior features newspapers, DUISBURG. Car 2001, the first DS, Mittledeutsche Zeitung that weekend-only Schwebebahn magazines, books and free wi-fi of 47 new three-section 34m 70% HANNOVER. With the entry into operation will last until next and is aimed at attracting students low-floor BombardierFlexity was service of 3153 on 3 August, all 153 summer. WSW has had to purchase from schools and colleges along delivered to Grunewald depot on TW3000 high-floor trams (built 40 used articulated buses to the 4.5km (2.8-mile) route between 1 September. A second prototype by a consortium of HeiterBlick, provide a replacement service. Shyambazar and Esplanade. is expected this year before series Vossloh-Kiepe and Alstom) are Schwebebahn car 02 was sent to Indian Express delivery starts in early 2021 and now in service, on lines 2, 3, 4, 5, Talbot Services in Aachen in July entry into passenger service in the 7, 8 and 17, with to follow in as part of an overhaul process. BS ISLE OF MAN summer. Deliveries are due to be December. Cars 6117/43/5/6 have GENERAL. The Isle of Man Railway completed in mid-2023. been scrapped. BS and Manx Electric Railway have ERFURT. The first Stadler KARLSRUHE. The new tram ATHINA (Athens). A trial run on both had their season extended Tramlink 100% low-floor trams subway has been severely the section of tramway between by three weeks, following the are expected in January to enter damaged by the ingress of 185 000 Kasomouli and Vouliagmeni, success of the limited operations service for the Bundesgartenschau litres of water at Europaplatz closed in 2018 due to concerns that provided for residents and opening on 23 April. BS station and is now unlikely to open over subsidence, was undertaken visitors from Guernsey. Services FRANKFURT/MAIN. Gutleut until the end of 2021, as cabling in September. Further tests are to were to be provided at weekends depot was closed for six months needs replacement. be carried out using pressure until 4 October with the possibility from mid-September to permit The 32 first-generation dual- sensors which measure the load of further operation over the replacement of the trackwork. voltage Stadtbahn cars from the distribution along the tunnel October schools half-term. Trams were reallocated to other series 801-36 will not be able to located under the line. Ekathimerini depots with some temporarily use the new subway for fire safety ITALY stationed at Stadion sidings. reasons, hence the delivery of MILANO. Tunnelling on VGF is looking for a site in Bombardier cars 965-84 this year . Tenders have been metro line 4 was completed on the northern suburbs where a in advance of the planned large invited for 42 low-floor EMUs 9 September. The 15km (9.3-mile) new depot for 150 cars could order for VDV tram-trains. BS to replace existing stock on HÉV tunnels will carry the city’s fifth be built by 2027. This would LEIPZIG. The first XL trams to lines H5, H6 and H7. There is an metro line from Linate Airport to replace Heddernheim, where the be built by Stadler at Siedlce in option for 12 more. IRJ San Cristoforo station south-west arrangement of depot and sidings were delivered as 1042-43. BS of the city centre. each side of the busy Stadtbahn line . Tenders have has already causes operational problems. BS been issued for 35 NGT10D 38m . Electric bicycle hire is delivered the first driverless GOTHA. Ex-Basel eight-axle low-floor trams, with delivery now available at Thirumangalam, trainset for the new line; 47 tram 222 made its first test runs to to start in 2023.There will be an Vadapalani and Alandur metro four-car units are on order.

438 / NOVEMBER 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org and line 18 Rikshospitalet – SLOVAKIA Grünerlökka – Grefsen. R. Budmiger BRATISLAVA. The tramline through the tunnels under the PHILIPPINES castle re-opened on 27 July for MANILA. The administratively . BS separate city of Makati, that lies in the south-east of Manila, has awarded China Construction SEOUL. 18.8km (11.7 miles) of Second Engineering Bureau an new commuter rail were brought engineering and procurement into use on 12 September after contract for an 11km (6.8-mile) an inauguration two days earlier. metro line. RGI The new section connects the Suin and Bundang lines. IRJ POLAND GORZÓW, WLKP. The SPAIN first operation of ex-Kassel ALACANT. FGV has put into first-generation articulated trams service six double-ended 37.5m since the tramway re-opened hybrid diesel-electric eight-axle In the Sankt Peterburg tram factory of PK-TS is the first Vityaz Leningrad 100% low-floor tram. Fontana was on 22 September, when they trams delivered by Stadler Rail were used to boost the service on Valencia that are designed for The line is to open in phases NETHERLANDS car-free day. infotram.pl the service on the 93km (58-mile) between 2021 and 2023. RGI . Correcting last KATOWICE. T u e s d a y interurban to Benidorm and Denia TRIESTE. The Opicina tramway month’s story, the new timetable 22 September saw the start of work (Benidorm – Calp-Teulada was remains closed, though renovation was from 17 August and saw to build the 4km (2.5-mile) tram reopened after reconstruction on work started on 1 September. lines 2 and 12 with an enhanced line to Jana Pawla II 31 July). They cost EUR43.3m. It is hoped to resume passenger frequency rather than being for line 15 at Sosnowiec. Work Cars 5001-6 were being run in on service in spring 2021. BS re-introduced. It is that will take 33 months and cost the El Campello service in August. requires double-ended cars for the PLN109m (EUR24.3m). It is the Travel was free on the system on JAPAN stub terminus at Zoutkeetsgracht, first new line on the system for car-free day, 22 September. Xixón HIROSHIMA. An order has and line 3 that is diverted to 38 years. The first of 35 new Pesa CÁDIZ. The first CAF LRV ran been placed with Mitsubishi Van Hallstraat. D. Potts trams was accepted for service in over ADIF tracks overnight on 2 Heavy Industries for 13 more DEN HAAG. From 31 August September. infotram.pl September, in readiness for the six-car automated rubber-tyred work began on the northern POZNAŃ. Tram tracks along Ul. opening of the Bahía de Cádiz metro trains to replace existing section of line 1 to make it suitable Dabrowskiego were re-opened for tram-train route. The 14km vehicles on line 1; 11 trains of for Avenio trams. The route was cut lines 2, 17 and 18 from 1 October. (nine-mile), 1668mm-gauge this type are currently entering back to Kerkplein in the city centre Route 11 was launched on the same tramline runs through the towns service. Delivery of the new batch until early 2021 with bus route 31 day, running to Uni Lubelskiej. of Chiclana de la Frontera and will be completed in 2024 with covering the closed section. Withdrawn Duewag trams San Fernando, as well as over Mitsubishi also responsible for From the same date a new, 697 and 711 have been sent to 10km (six miles) of ADIF tracks into vehicle maintenance. supplementary, service 34 was Düsseldorf and Wehmingen Cádiz. Articulated tram 3004 has introduced between Lansingerland respectively. infotram.pl The Río Arillo – Cádiz route will been scrapped, leaving 3002/3 Zoetermeer and De Savornin WROCŁAW. A PLN205m be the first main line in Spain to in service. RGI Lohmanplein with a ten-minute (EUR45.6m) contract with be used by a commercial tram- service on Monday-Friday using Modertrans was signed on train service. Commissioning is Randstadrail cars. OR 14 September for the purchase currently underway along the TEMIRTAU. There was a threat UTRECHT. Line 60 was to of 25 low-floor air-conditioned tramway section. The service is to end 67 years of tramway resume operation with low-floor Moderus Gamma trams for expected to launch in 2021. operation on 14 September, but trams on 21 September, with delivery in 2022-2023. There is an in the face of public pressure, the line 61 following on 26 October. option for a further 21. infotram.pl city council and ArcelorMittal However, whilst the Province of GÖTEBURG (Gothenburg). Temirtau (the 10.9km/6.8-mile) Utrecht classed it as a renovation The first of 40 Bombardier-Kiepe tramway is owned and operated project, the ILT safety authority ORADEA. Astra Imperio 301-305 Flexity trams has been delivered, by the steel works) announced decided to classify it as new entered service during the summer. following 8000km (4970 miles) that closure is no longer on construction. This requires Ex-Berlin KT4D are numbered of test running. The 30 single- the agenda. transphoto.ru different documentation and 204/5/8-14/6/7/9-23/5/6/8/9. Five ended and ten double-ended permits, which take time to T4D+B4D sets remain in service. BS 30m-long M33 vehicles were MEXICO produce and submit. ordered in April 2016 for GUADALAJARA. Metro line 3 While a new re-opening date of EUR140m. Deliveries are scheduled was inaugurated by President 15 November has been listed, it CHELYABINSK. A prototype to complete in 2022, allowing Obrador on 12 September, is not clear whether this can be PK-TS 71-923 Bogatyr-M low-floor replacement of the existing followed by eight days of free met; buses provide a light rail tram has arrived for tests. This is M28 and M29 vehicles. travel. Originally planned to open replacement service. BS the tram demonstrated in Moskva Skanska has been awarded a in 2016, the 20.9km (13-mile) line earlier in the year. transphoto.ru SKR847m (EUR81m) contract to connects Arcos de Zapopan with ULYANOVSK. The first new build a new tram depot at Ringön, Central de Autobuses and is mostly OSLO. The line to Grünerlökka 71-911EM Lionet 100% low-floor with construction starting at the on viaduct with 5.5km (3.4 miles) re-opened on 14 September, bogie tram (2301) from PK-TS end of 2020, and opening in in-tunnel through the city centre. though with a single-track section was delivered on 1 September; 29 February 2024. The new line offers interchange at Sanaker until next April. more should arrive by the end of LUND. The first tests on the new with line 1 at Ávia Camacho and Trackwork around Majorstuen was December. transphoto.ru tramway were carried out on with line 2 at Plaza Universidad. completed on 27 September. From 21 September using CAF car 02. Consortium partner Alstom 28 September the line through SINGAPORE L. F. Richter has supplied 18 three-car Metropolis Schweigaards gate was taken out MASS RAPID TRANSIT. An trains similar to the 9000 Series used of service and replaced by a new integrated fleet services contract SWITZERLAND in Barcelona, and signalling and section through Björvika from 4 has been awarded to Bombardier BASEL. Planning permission train control equipment. October. is now Ljabru to maintain 636 Movia metro cars is to be sought for to be urbanrail.net – Nationaltheatret – Lilleaker for ten years from 2021. RGI diverted from its existing terminus

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org NOVEMBER 2020 / 439 Worldwide Review

Hotel and tram terminal, which are interchange opened on 30 August. both to open in summer 2022. It offers interchange between bus Service was increased from and tram, and the town centre 30 August to 15 minutes in the day shops and market. Rail services and up to every ten minutes in the are close by but across a main road. evenings between Starr Gate and The interchange replaces an older Little Bispham. On Friday and bus station on a similar site. Saturday, duplicate trams may GREAT ORME. The tramway operate limited-stop services at has not operated in 2020 due to busy times. Evening Heritage the difficulty in handling queuing Tram tours of the Illuminations at Victoria Station and making operate 4 September-3 January; connecting journeys at the these must be pre-booked. intermediate point while meeting A small celebration of social distancing requirements. the 135th anniversary of It is hoped that services will the tramway took place on resume in March 2021. 26-27 September. The event INDUSTRY. Seven innovations Trams with single-digit fleet numbers are now rather rare, as are photos from the involved a package of Promenade to reduce LRT construction Russian city of Vladikavkaz in hard-to-visit North Ossetia. Tram 1, pictured, is one of and Coastal Tours, including costs, or lower operating and 17 ex-Magdeburg Tatra T3D now being repainted into local colours. Aquamoris relaunch trips featuring the energy costs, have been chosen at Pratteln to run over 3.2km the order for 176 metro cars placed Frigate, ‘HMS Blackpool’, following for the demonstration phase of (two miles) of new tracks via last April. The manufacturer was replacement of its Illuminations UKTram’s GBP3m (EUR3.3m) Low Bahnhof Pratteln and Grüssen to awarded a TRY1.5bn (EUR165m) lighting. On the Sunday there Impact Light Rail competition. a new terminus at August. contract as sole bidder in April; all was a procession featuring six Projects include one using With six stops and two vehicles are to be delivered within trams from the heritage fleet. macro-synthetic fibres to loops, a 70m tunnel and a 32 months, with 136 of these CAMBRIDGE. Cambridge reinforce pre-cast concrete slab 280m bridge, the project will assembled in Turkey. University is to host testing of track structures that can be easily cost CHF170m (EUR157.6m) They will be used on the autonomous public transport installed, removed and replaced and is set to open in 2031. 37.2km (23-mile) line linking vehicles, in an exercise that had for rapid construction and easy Federal co-financing is expected Gayrettepe (interchange with ) been expected to take place on maintenance. Other technologies to provide between 30%-35% of and Airport, being built the Cambridgeshire Guided included the Ultralite Track the costs. BS by a consortium of Kolin and Busway. The previous trial was from EM Track Alliance and the BERN. The steam tram will Şenbay under a December 2016 expected to have started in October. Trackform Integrated Modular be running on 18 October and EUR999.8m contract, due to open DUDLEY. Clegg Construction has Light Rail Construction Systems 15 November, with departures from in August 2021. Testing on the been awarded the contract to build from Costain, plus other solutions Wallgasse in the city centre. BS line is due to start this month. the new Very Light Rail Innovation proposed by the Universities of BERN – WORB (RBS). The new A second line is under Centre. Facilities will include an Birmingham and Huddersfield station at Boll-Utzigen opened for construction from the suburban engineering hall, research labs, as well as Brecknell Willis and passenger service on 5 October. BS rail hub at Halkalı to the airport, conference and seminar rooms, ARR Rail Solutions. GENÈVE. The new tram depot expected to open in late 2022. IRJ offices and public areas such as a LONDON (UNDERGROUND). and workshop at En Chardon café and an auditorium. There will Transport for London is (Route de Meyrin) opened on 24 also be a 2km (1.2-mile) test track considering making the whole August and came into full use from KAMIANSKE. Cars 2020-22 are along a disused railway line, and Underground network cashless. 26 October, with 45 trams stabled ex-Praha T6 trams 8608/745/633 platforms. Construction Index The possibility is currently being there, and maintenance facilities. which were overhauled and For more on the Coventry urban put out to consultation, although Underneath is a 130-bus garage. BS re-gauged in Kharkiv. BS VLR project and the new Innovation there are concerns that ending LAUSANNE. Tenders have been LVIV. A further ten 30.2m Centre, see TAUT 993. cash top-ups of Oyster cards issued for ten trams, with an option low-floor trams have been ordered EDINBURGH. The name FOCUS+ could prevent people from being for a further eight, for use on the from Electrontrans for EUR1.2m has been selected for the Driver able to travel. 4.7km (2.9-mile) Flon – Renens each. The five-car 30.2m-long Innovation Safety Challenge Free tickets are being discussed Gare line under construction. tram LRVs will be delivered by 2025. (DISC) project to improve the as a way of encouraging travel. LE LOCLE – LES BRENETS The new fleet will be funded safety of drivers and mobile It has been suggested that a scheme (TRN). Canton Neuchâtel has primarily through a EUR12m loan workers by monitoring fatigue similar to the ‘Eat Out to Help decided that the 4.2km (2.6-mile) from the European Investment and well-being. DISC is being Out’ scheme which provided half- metre-gauge railway should be Bank (EIB), with a further led by with the price meals to attract people to replaced by electric buses from EUR8.8m from Lviv city council. support of UKTram and Transport restaurants in August could be used. December 2024. EA The purchase is part of an ongoing for Edinburgh, and a partnership NOTTINGHAM. Ticket checks ZÜRICH. The first two new programme of improvements to of public and private sector bodies – suspended during pandemic Bombardier Flexity trams are the city’s public transport network, including the City of Edinburgh restrictions – will resume in being stationed at Oerlikon depot including upgrades to the city’s Council and the Scotland CAN coming weeks. It is anticipated and should enter service shortly existing 50 Tatra KT4-SU trams. DO Innovation Challenge Fund. that this will initially be to on line 11. Eight trams will be in ODESA. Friday 11 September saw The pilot will collect data to ‘train’ encourage and educate passengers, the fleet by the end of the year, with the launch of the firstOdissey Max the FOCUS+ algorithms through before a return to full enforcement. 21 due to arrive in 2021. BS eight-axle tram, K3R 5010, which machine learning. SOUTH YORKSHIRE. The final has Tatra underpinnings. It is Edinburgh Trams has accepted stage of the three-year tramway THAILAND allocated to depot 2 to work . the multi-operator ‘One Ticket’ rail replacement plan began BANGKOK. The first of 72 four-car for travel within the Edinburgh on 15 September and was due automated monorail trains being SmartZone between Ingliston to be completed by 4 October. built by CRRC Qingdao for the BLACKPOOL. Demolition of the park-and-ride and the city centre It saw track replaced in the Crystal future Yellow and Pink lines were Wilko store on Talbot Road began since 30 August. It is not valid Peaks and Elcroft Gardens area, delivered in September. They will in earnest in September and was for the premium fare section to with tram services terminating at not carry passengers until 2022. IRJ expected to take until December. . The season Donetsk Way and bus replacement Access to Blackpool North station tickets are only available online beyond to Halfway. TURKEY will be maintained at all times. or at staffed railway stations. Social distancing signs have ISTANBUL. CRRC Zhuzhou has Following demolition, building GREATER MANCHESTER. been removed from trams because delivered the first metro train from work should start on a Holiday Inn Ashton-under-Lyne’s transport of a rise in passenger numbers.

440 / NOVEMBER 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Restrictions on which seats are USA available for use have been lifted CHARLOTTE, NC. Further to enable trams to accommodate to last month’s Industry news more passengers and to relieve (TAUT 994), the 22 Siemens crowding of standing passengers S70 LRVs built for Charlotte in at doorways. 2014-16 used the older centre-truck TYNE & WEAR. A mass driver design and thus are still considered training programme was due to to be model S70, and are believed start in September and October, to have been the last such cars following a halt during lockdown built. Those cars were delivered as due to the closure of assessment numbers 121-41 (and some entered centres that could put candidates service with those fleet numbers) through the required aptitude but were renumbered 301-22 in tests. The new programme will see a 2017 fleet renumbering that 30 new drivers take part, the largest also saw second-series cars 117- intake in the Metro’s history. 20 renumbered as 201-4 (the first The trainee drivers – recruited series remains 101-16.) last year – will now undertake The six Siemens S700 battery- The Odesa tram workshop’s latest product is an eight-axle version of its Odissey a six-month period of training equipped ‘streetcars’ for the Gold Max tram. A.Velmozhko / Lassazhyirck ready to enter service in March line were received between August and April 2021. The cancellation 2019 and April 2020 and are to open for passenger service in re-opened following essential of a 16-strong training school numbered 401-6. S. J. Morgan mid-2021. Alstom is also work and with new procedures in May means the train crew CLEVELAND, OH. RTA has supplying its Urbalis 400 CBTC to assist social distancing and establishment is forecast to be been awarded a USD15m Federal solution, while the control centre cleaning. While the industrial 10% below requirements in grant contribution to replace the and telecommunications are heritage attraction opened for December and 13% below Red line metro rolling stock with being delivered by Thales. IRJ visitors in August, the historic tram requirements in January. 34 new cars and to upgrade its only carried its first passengers For more on the Metro, see page 419. maintenance facilities. Cleveland.com MUSEUM NEWS from 23 September. WEST MIDLANDS. A milestone DALLAS, TX. Dallas Area Rapid CRICH (UK). A 1930s Blackpool All tickets are now valid for for the Birmingham Westside Transit is to license its GoPass Corporation Tramways tramcar single journeys to and from the Metro extension was achieved mobile ticketing app to STAR is to be restored at a cost of miners’ row, to allow for cleaning on 20 September as tracks laid last Transit for the next three years. GBP373 000 (EUR411 000). after each trip, with limits on year in Centenary Square were GoPass is already used by DART, Brush-built streamlined single- passenger numbers to adhere to welded to new rail installed in Trinity Railway Express, Denton decker 298 was withdrawn from social distancing. Passengers will Broad Street. The activity is part of County Transit Authority, Trinity Blackpool service in 1974 and also need to wear face coverings. phase two and means that more Metro and Tulsa Transit. acquired for preservation; after Admission is free, but visitors than 950m of double-track has MARYLAND. Construction on some restoration had been need to book in advance at now been installed in locations the Purple line LRT project has undertaken it arrived at Crich www.culturenl.co.uk. Daily Record between Broad Street and Five Ways paused, with workers securing 16 in 2006 but since 2015 has been WEHMINGEN (DE). Poznań heading towards Edgbaston. Only miles (ten miles) of work sites in in the museum’s store at Clay eight-axle tram 711 (originally 120m of track remains to be put preparation for leaving the job in Cross. Funding to restore the tram Düsseldorf 2664) arrived at the in place on Broad Street (between mid-October. The state will take to original condition has been end of September. BS Gas Street and Berkley Street), plus over managing the project in the obtained through the Blackpool a short section to be laid at the short-term while the Maryland Railcoach Fund and the Tramcar CONTRIBUTORS terminus on Hagley Road. Transit Administration works out Sponsorship Organisation. Worldwide items for inclusion Following completion of all a longer-term plan for finishing, Completion is expected by should be sent to Michael Taplin trackworks the emphasis will and paying for, the remaining 2024; work will include replacing at Flat 8, Roxan Villa, 33 Landguard move to installation of tramstop USD1bn worth of construction. the vehicle’s underframe. Manor Rd, Shanklin, Isle of furniture, paving, and street Washington Post KOHLFURTH (DE). Operations Wight PO37 6EA, UK. Fax: scene improvements. SAN DIEGO, CA. MTS light on the Bergische Museumsbahn +44 (0)1983 862810 or e-mail When the route opens in 2021, rail services were restored to did not start until 26 July. [email protected] three new stops connecting pre-COVID-19 service levels from Unfortunately they came to an UK and Ireland items passengers to Brindleyplace, 20 September, with headways abrupt halt on 24 August when are welcomed by the Home Five Ways and Hagley Road will reduced from 30 to 15 minutes thieves stole 700m of overhead News Editor, John Symons, follow from the current Library on evening Blue line services, wire. BS 17 Whitmore Avenue, Werrington, terminus, which opened in on the Orange line on Saturday SEATON (UK). The tramway Stoke-on-Trent, ST9 0LW, UK. December 2019. mornings, and on the Sycuan is to operate the ‘Polar Express’ E-mail: [email protected] High Speed 2’s Solihull Green line on Sunday mornings. in November and December Acknowledgements are also interchange station and automated Progressive Railroading (pre-booking only), and normal due to Agencia Brasilia, Blickpunkt peoplemover shuttle have been SAN FRANCISCO, CA (Muni). services on selected dates over Strassenbahn (BS), Cleveland.com, granted planning approval Following last month’s news Christmas. Operation is subject Construction Index, Daily Record, by Solihull Council. The story, the renewed closure of to any further government Drehscheibe (DS), Edinburgh Evening peoplemover will connect Muni Metro lines for overhead restrictions. News, Ekathimerini, Eisenbahn the interchange to the NEC, line equipment repairs and SOUTHAMPTON (UK). The Amateur (EA), Indian Express, Birmingham International replacement is likely to last into three trams owned by the Solent infotram.pl, International Railway Station and 2021. SF Examiner Sky Trust (Southampton 11 and Journal (IRJ), Irish Times, Isle of over a 2.3km (1.4-mile) route, 38, and Lisbon 715) were moved Man Today, lineoz.net, Martin with a service every three minutes VIETNAM to a new structure at the Solent Petch, Mitteldeutsche Zeitung, carrying up to 2100 passengers/ HANOI. The first four-car metro Sky museum on 27 August. They Nottingham Evening Post, Op de hr/direction. Construction is train, built by Alstom in France, had previously been housed in a Rails (OR), Progressive Railroading, planned to start in 2024. was due for delivery at the end of workshop within the docks. It is Railway Gazette International (RGI), Tram services resumed October. The Alstom consortium expected that private pre-arranged SF Examiner, tram, Tram-2000, their normal timetable from (with Colas Rail and Thales) visits and tours will be possible Transport-publiczny (TP), transphoto. 1 September, with peak headways of signed a contract in 2017 to in the future. ru, urbanrail.net, Washington Post, up to six minutes. Social distancing supply electrical and mechanical SUMMERLEE (UK). The museum Wolverhampton Express & Star restrictions remain in place. systems for the line, which is set tramway in Coatbridge has and Xixón.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org NOVEMBER 2020 / 441 Letters

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Why clarity on costs is essential for promoters

Mat Taylor’s useful overview of the key cost drivers of LRT contractual structure, project management and utilities projects in TAUT 944 was a welcome antidote to the frustrating delays, the headline figures quoted by many don’t tell the misunderstanding of tramway costs. whole story. I hope that my cynicism of the perceived bias against light We have to be careful to compare like-for-like costs. For rail is misplaced, but it seems that – certainly in the UK – the example, in Edinburgh's case to get a realistic construction media seems to always focus on incorrect assessments of the cost, you have to discount things like the fleet of 27 trams out-turn costs. Many over-simplify the challenges of what are (the reported GBP40m [approximately EUR59m at 2007 rates] extremely complex projects, instead going for the headlines for these is actually quite good value for 40m units and reflects about huge cost and project delays. CAF’s eagerness to ‘break’ into the UK market). Should we Cost overruns and delays seem also include the city centre common to major projects of all kinds “Nine out of every ten ‘beautification’ improvements, these days, but those associated with as seen in many continental schemes, transport schemes always seem to garner major construction in our tramway budget? Perhaps, but more column inches. This is not just a UK perhaps not. It is never that simple. issue either. Research from construction projects suffer cost As Mr Taylor rightly explains, land experts and academics suggest that nine acquisition, new or rebuilt structures such out of every ten major projects suffer cost overruns of more than as bridges or underpasses, park-and-ride overruns of more than 30% and three- sites, stops and communications systems quarters of projects are delivered late. 30% and three-quarters can all also affect costs significantly. The reasons are common: poor On the flip side of this, a great many planning, inadequate governance, lack are delivered late.” sources on the internet quote the costs of accountability, contractual issues, of constructing a new road. While being insufficient risk management etc. Is it any surprise then careful ‘what you read’ as Mr Taylor suggests, based upon a that the ‘layman’ finds it hard to analyse the costs of a new level surface, and finished in asphalt, a new two-lane road tramway scheme when the ‘experts’ also get it so wrong? When (using figures from real projects across Europe completed determining the costs of a new tramway it is crucial to think between 2008-18) give an average of EUR8-15m/km. about what is included and what is excluded. So are tramways really that expensive, or are we being While it is good to see the mode being promoted as a solution unfairly criticised? to urban congestion and clean air, too often the uneducated Name and address supplied will only look at the bottom line figure, without understanding the complex legal, planning and construction hurdles that Thank you for publishing Mat Taylor’s overview of light rail promoters have to clear – or indeed the myriad of additional costs in TAUT 944 – a most enlightening analysis of the key cost elements that need to be factored in. drivers for consideration when proposing a new LRT project. A great example is the oft-used stick used to beat promoters While it is obvious that each new scheme has different in the UK – Edinburgh. I think we all understand that many requirements and different challenges, I hope that such an unfortunate decisions were made with this tramway project, overview will offer a dose of realism and be of great use to resulting in the reported out-turn costs of GBP55m/km promoters in evaluating potential future light rail schemes. [EUR60m/km]. But without going into the detail of the C. Anderson, by e-mail

Are trams the safest form of transport? At 30-40m in length, the modern tram is of the financial difficulties that operators find For fear of repeating the sentiments of other also at least 2.5 times the size of a bus, making themselves in – and therefore lead to larger correspondents in recent months, one aspect it significantly easier to maintain a two-metre emergency grants required. that hasn’t seemingly been given enough distance between passengers. As P. W. Anderson commented in consideration during this pandemic is how Controlling distancing is more tricky on TAUT 993, government ‘bailouts are welcome, trams and LRVs allow much greater space for light and heavy metros, with often enclosed but will only last for so long’. As long as fear social distancing, and also have a much better stations, lifts and escalators etc. However, is allowed to drive passengers away from airflow, than buses and trains. with even longer vehicles and multiple door public transport – and authorities do Most buses have only one door, in boarding and alighting they are still arguably nothing to correct this misconception – then cities some are double-deckers with one better than buses. Trains also have the patronage will obviously struggle to recover. door and one staircase, and their aisles are advantage of multiple doors, but tend to have A comprehensive ‘return to public generally narrower, thus making effective much longer distances between stations so the transport, it is safe’ campaign is required, social distancing far more difficult. Modern doors remain closed for longer periods. with greater enforcement of the new safety tramways on the other hand use vehicles with However, rather than addressing the measures, and stiff penalties for those failing multiple double doors, often eight per side. issues of mobility and restoring faith in to abide by the rules. After all, you are no And with stops on the average system less public transport, it appears to be simpler longer to smoke onboard a tram and would than a kilometre apart those doors are rarely for authorities to absolve themselves of be strongly reprimanded for doing so. Both closed for more than five minutes at a time. responsibility by encouraging people to use smoking and proximity during a pandemic This guarantees a decent flow of fresh air. cars. What about all those who lack access are potentially damaging to the health of your The driver’s cab is also isolated, unlike on to an automobile? This failure to clarify the fellow passengers, so why is the refusal to wear most buses. messaging will only ever lead to a deepening a face covering not policed more strongly?

442 / november 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Public transport was demonised in the early days of the pandemic, and urgent incentives are needed to get the passengers back if we aren’t to lose this vital public service and condemn everyone to car use forever more. T. Masterson, by e-mail

More on Metro’s test centre Thank you for your article on the origins of the Tyne and Wear Metro in the latest edition (994). The Wallsend test track you covered briefly was a fascinating place and I would like to offer a few memories from ‘back in the day’! On a visit to the Tyneside Summer Exhibition in 1976, a mock-up Metro train was displayed for visitors to get a flavour of the future system. Inspired, my wife and I took a trip to the test track where you could ride prototype 4001 along the short test route that also included a station, a short tunnel, a light-controlled road crossing, a foot crossing and a farmer’s crossing. Built for Metro test purposes, the 2.4km (1.5-mile) line used the alignments of the long-closed Backworth Colliery Railway and Unpaved traditional tram rail on Praha route 4; there is nothing here to be kept out of the flangeways apart from fresh air! However, on straight track like this the continuous check will help prevent derailment in the event of Seaton Burn Wagonway. Different types of obstructions, rail breakage or of side or glancing impacts with the tram. D. Holt rail and trackbed were installed to evaluate their performance and the track also featured The longer-established term ‘check’ is My favourite French tramway #1 reverse curves and a 1-in-25 gradient to rooted in well over a century’s recognition I refer to your question in TAUT 992 for the simulate the conditions on the new system. that wheel flanges will usefully come into French tram system which inspired me most. Power was supplied from the North Eastern contact with it on curves. Endorsement of It has been my good fortune to visit 12 Electricity Board transformer at the southern the keeper school of thought will not stop of the current tramways, including the terminus of the track; a traction substation that contact occurring on carefully-managed three legacy systems, and my vote goes to was located next to the office block, control tramways. The continuous check on grooved Valenciennes. Being so close to the Belgian room, canteen and car shed about a third of rail clearly does much more than supporting border, it reminded me that this system the way down the line. The car shed featured the edges of the adjacent road materials and shows what the Belgian Vicinal could have/ two roads, one with inspection pits and lifting preventing the clogging of the groove. should have become. jacks to train maintenance staff. Riding the lines, I had to remind myself Initially built with a Government research “The continuous check that I actually was in France it looked so much and development grant, the test centre was like the Vicinal area of Belgium. later funded by the Tyne and Wear PTE on grooved rail does much Ray DeGroote, Chicago (US) and was used to test the new equipment and systems, but also as a showcase for the more than supporting the My favourite French tramway #2 technology to potential future buyers, both The reason I chose Strasbourg is that I find the domestic and international. The first two edges of the adjacent road trams the most attractive in France, and am cars were delivered in June 1975: 4001 and proud that the first were built at Derby (UK). 4002 used different components for materials and preventing The city has continued to expand its system, comparison purposes, as well as for evaluation covering most of its suburbs and even making of the automatic coupling gear. the clogging of the groove.” its way into Germany at Kehl. The car shed at Middle Engine Lane lives Similarly, Bordeaux has continued to on as part of the Stephenson Steam Railway. On tramway systems in cities where grooved expand and has made a major contribution to It is hoped the ambition of a Metro extension rail is fully understood, there is abundant the mode in pursuit of its conduit system, in to Cobalt Business Park would see the new evidence regarding the multi-functionality spite of initial problems. Metro trains running on this same alignment of the check, including many examples of Nantes is our local city and I remember in time for the Metro’s 50th anniversary. grooved rail on straight unpaved alignments well going with my daughter to the first day Much of the above information is taken from where the flanges, smaller than railway it opened to the public. Nantes led the way a very helpful pamphlet given to us during flanges, benefit at high speeds from the extra for the reintroduction of trams in France; it is our visit all those years ago, and I remember security provided by the check. a pity that the two tram-train routes running the staff being very helpful in answering There is abundant evidence to show that to Clisson and Châteaubriant start from the questions from nosy enthusiasts like me! flange/check contact is widely accepted and station and not from the city routes, as in P. Howell, by e-mail indeed encouraged. Network Rail lubricates Mulhouse. Maybe this is because they are run check rails on sharp curves, and so does by the SNCF. Masterclass misunderstandings? Blackpool. Renewable check rails were used As a slight correction to Mike Taplin’s The term ‘keeper’ (Rail Masterclass: Second extensively on first-generation tramways excellent article, when referring to Rouen and Chances Count, TAUT 994) appears to have in the UK, notably featuring in the new the tram subway the only one previously in been coined by those who are opposed to any trackwork installed in connection with the France was at Marseille not Strasbourg; it is contact with it by the backs of flanges. Festival of Britain on London’s South Bank. still in existence as part of the new extensions. When huge tramway systems reigned On Manchester’s Metrolink, the rails on I am probably one of your oldest supreme in British cities the ‘keeper’ was the inbound curve from High Street into contributors, my first issue was January 1962 commonly referred to as the check. Referring to Market Street were renewed last month and I have never missed a month. Such a it as the keeper highlights the way in which (August), having exhibited advanced, but pity that the UK Government scotched plans UK practitioners have sought to distance still safe, sidewear on rail-head and check. for the reintroduction of trams to Liverpool, themselves from their predecessors; there could Already there is evidence of flange-back probably the finest system in the UK with hardly be a more stark manifestation of the contact with the check on the new rails. miles of reserved track to the outer suburbs ‘re-invention of the wheel’ syndrome that has That is entirely as it should be. which matched the modern systems of today. often troubled the re-introduction of trams. David Holt, Stretford (UK) Grahame Smedley, by e-mail

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org november 2020 / 443 Classic Trams Exporting 1 a legend In the second article in his three-part series on the Tatra T II (T2), Mike Russell relates the development and PART supply of the tramcars in Czechoslovakia and the USSR. TWO

he Czechoslovak metre-gauge tram then in regular operation until 1973. In 1977 it The story of the closure of the tramway operators underwent an evolution was acquired by the Praha transport museum, serving the industrial and hilly surroundings before the launch of the T II*. fitted with standard-gauge bogies and restored of Ústí nad Labem, which had started a In 1945 these operations suffered to 1956 condition. The first prototypeT II, process of fleet renewal and retained faith in from worn-out infrastructure and 6001, passed to Olomouc, where it operated as the tramcar despite having suffered one of Tvehicles, and some were in worse condition 115 until it was scrapped in 1985. Europe’s most tragic accidents in July 1947, than their standard-gauge counterparts. Series T II production lasted from 1957 largely resulted from strict obedience to Their small orders for new tramcars, typical until 1962, during which time its successor, national political dogma. Later this mistake of the pre-war period, were uneconomical the T3 and later a first articulated version, was effectively acknowledged by the ‘electric for development and production. K1, were in development. In total, 769 T II traction comeback’ of a new trolleybus system. Some undertakings, faced with expensive production models were built. Unlike the infrastructure reconstruction, opted for type’s T I predecessor, the new design gained Soviet success conversion to trolleybuses, such as Jihlava a significant export market: the USSR took Returning to the export process, a total of 380 (in 1948), České Budějovice (1948-50) almost half the total production, supplied to T II cars was provided to the USSR – starting in and Mariánské Lázně (1952). For the six systems concentrated in the west of Russia. 1958 and continuing until production ceased refurbishment of the remaining systems, All nine Czechoslovak systems except Praha, in 1962. The recipient cities were Moskva a panel of Czechoslovak tram operators both standard- and metre-gauge, received T II (Moscow) – the largest fleet with 180 cars (Dopravní skupina dráhy) designed a cars; the largest number went to Ostrava, with in four deliveries from 1959-62, Kiev (Kyiv, 1000mm-gauge vehicle, the country’s first 100 units, closely followed by Brno with 94. now capital of an independent Ukraine), tramcar standardisation project. Deliveries from the Praha factory started in late Kuybyshev (Samara), Rostov-na-Donu, The concept, later called 6MT (after the type 1957, with Brno taking the first four (401-4, Sverdlovsk (Yekaterinburg) and Leningrad of Škoda electrical equipment), was prepared later 1401-4). Other tramways built up T II (St Peterburg). The 40 cars supplied to during 1946-47, but due to inadequate fleets, with Bratislava taking 66, Most-Litvinov Rostov-na-Donu were fitted with trolley poles capacity, series production had to wait. Finally, 36, Košice 31, Plzeň 26, Ústí nad Labem 18, and standard-gauge bogies, whilst all others 15 pre-series motor cars, ordered by Bratislava Liberec 14, and Olomouc 4. All came equipped were equipped with pantographs and Russian during the war, were built in 1949 at Tatra’s with pantographs except those for Plzeň, standard-gauge (1524mm) bogies. Studénka works using electrical equipment which retained trolley poles. The smaller The 1958 and most of the 1959 deliveries from Siemens’ Bratislava works, produced systems generally found that a working life of featured the standard Czechoslovak three-door during wartime and stored. Studénka is a 25-30 years was achievable. Those with bigger body layout, but starting with 50 cars for small Moravian town with an historic railway workshop facilities were able to embark on Moskva in 1959, the bodywork for Russian wagon works, later part of the Tatra empire mid-life refurbishment programmes, with operators was reconfigured to feature only and now part of the Škoda Transportation Brno and Ostrava withdrawing their last front and rear doors, the centre one produced group – Škoda Vagónka. In 1952-53 60 motor examples in 1998. The exception was Liberec, for Czechoslovak networks being replaced cars followed for Bratislava (ten), Ústí nad which proved to be a special case. by a standard panel and interior seating. Labem, Most, Teplice, Liberec and Jablonec Readers may wonder how it was that the This two-door design was a normal nad Nisou, production being undertaken at capital, Praha, for which the T I had been requirement on both home-built and imported Tatra’s Česká Lípa works with Škoda electrical explicitly designed, came not to have any trams and trolleybuses and helped to conserve equipment. Planned trailer construction for production-series T II cars despite earlier track heat during the harsh Russian winter. some operators was never pursued. layout restrictions having been eased by the Leningrad took only two cars (1001 and During the ensuing years there was early 1950s. The answer lay mainly in the 1003) and evidently found that they did not considerable redistribution of the 50 cars inadequacy of the power supply system to measure up to the exacting local conditions, supplied to the five north Bohemian systems cope with the substantially increased demands so both were passed to Volzhskiy in 1965, and one (delivered as Teplice 55) actually of PCC cars. Only in 1959 did a government where they survived for five years as 50 and 51. operated on all five. A single example survives resolution encourage better co-ordination and Elsewhere, T II cars were found in operation in preservation – Jablonec 117, owned by availability of supplies and engineering works. for between 15 and 22 years, with an extended the Technical Museum in Brno and now Other important steps were made under new lifespan of 27 years in Kiev, the last examples restored and kept in working order in Liberec. general director, Mikuláš Lacek, who provided being withdrawn from passenger service Bratislava plans in future to build a pre-series greater dynamism and secured large capital in 1987. Even then, a small number were standard car from salvaged components. investments for infrastructure renewal. retained for works duties. The resulting improvements in Praha tram Licence-free PCC operation took place with the later model T3, * From the outset, the new post-war design for To produce modern rolling stock for the produced from 1962. Praha was known as model T I (i.e. Roman country’s metre-gauge tramways, work Amongst Czechoslovakian recipients of figure 1) and its successor as the T II. As time proceeded on a metre-gauge PCC bogie of T II cars was the administrative centre of the went on, there was a tendency to substitute licence-free construction differing from the North Bohemian region, Ústí nad Labem, the Arabic numerals 1 and 2 for the original TRC design. In 1956 the prototype equipment which acquired 18. Their lives here were cut form but there was never any official change was fitted to the secondT II prototype (6002). short by the subsequent decision to close the in nomenclature, which took place gradually Initially this spent several months on trial in tramway; Liberec, at that time a wholly during the 1960s. All 771 tramcars that are Liberec, with its newly-built interurban line to metre-gauge system, had meanwhile taken the subject of this article were delivered as Jablonec. However in 1957 it was transferred delivery of 14 cars of its own and took nine model T II. The later T3 was known by Arabic to Bratislava, where tests continued, and it was of those thereby made redundant. numeral from the outset of series production.

444 / NOVEMBER 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org 1. Plzeň 134 , with its original single central headlamp and chrome trim, is seen on 14 September 1972 approaching a temporary reversing triangle during trackworks on the Bory route. Mike Russell

2. The 50 T II cars supplied to Kiev (Kyiv) in 1960-62 were all of the two-door configuration developed for systems in the former USSR. In September 1970 car 5021 and another are operating in multiple; 5021 had a long life, not being retired until 1986. Blake Paterson

3. The first four production T II cars were delivered to Brno in 1957 and this one (modernised 1404, formerly 404) was in its last weeks of service when seen at the foot of Husova on 14 May 1985. It later served as works car 4109. Mike Russell

4. Ústí nad Labem T II 156 on the Předlice depot trackfan alongside four-wheeler 78 (Ringhoffer, 1929). After the closure, 156 was one of the cars 2 sold to Ostrava and in its new home and refurbished guise it can be seen in image number 5. Robert Mara collection

5. Shift-change time at Mírové náměstí on 16 May 1985, in the heart of the giant Vítkovice steelworks complex that dates back to the Habsburg years. Approaching is a two-car T II train formed of 596, originally Ústí nad Labem 156, with its own 612 behind. Mike Russell

6. The precursor for the stop-gap series of 6MT cars 3 4 built in 1951-53 was a series of 15 constructed for Bratislava in 1949. Car 51, with trailer 113, is seen on 11 September 1972 passing through trackworks outside the Slovak . Mike Russell

7. To keep the narrow-gauge undertakings going while licence-free metre-gauge bogies were developed for the T II, a series of 50 four-wheel cars known as type 6MT were constructed in 1952-53. Just one survives: former Jablonec 117, now restored to working 5 6 order and cared for by the Boveraclub enthusiast body in Liberec – seen on 28 September 2012 on special (Lidové Sady – Viadukt). Mike Russell

8. Moskva (Moscow) operated the largest fleet of T II cars exported to the former USSR. In 21 September 1978 we see car 474, delivered in late 1962. It remained in service until 1980. Hans Oerlemans

NEXT MONTH: Mid-life rebuilds, preserved examples 7 8 and the return to Praha.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org NOVEMBER 2020 / 445 NEWS FROM THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT ASSOCIATION The future of public transport

his year has been difficult for us all, expand its stated commitment to clean air our climate change targets by using clean and not least those responsible for running and zero-carbon transport systems green transport modes such as tramways and T public transport – and in particular •  Local funding initiatives should be light rail systems. light rail and metro systems. Many of the ways encouraged to provide supplementary “As the UITP stated in an open letter to in which the pandemic has affected operators, funds for necessary transport improvements European political and economic leaders maintainers and the supply chain have been •  Innovation in local transport should be back in May: “Public transport is essential captured in an excellent report published supported to reduce costs to both promoters to reduce traffic congestion, which costs the earlier in the year by Mainspring (publishers and passengers, offering a range of solutions European economy 1% of GDP… however of TAUT) which can be found in the members’ to suit the local transport requirements. develops economic benefits that are five times area of our website – www lrta.org. Commenting on the inquiry, LRTA higher than its own turnover.” Looking at how we move forward beyond Chair Paul Rowen said: “This is our We look forward to seeing the Committee’s this global crisis, the UK Transport Select opportunity to plan for the future to meet conclusions. Committee has launched an inquiry looking to the future of public transport. In our submission to this inquiry, the LRTA has made the following points: • T rams and LRVs are a fundamentally ‘COVID Safe’ form of public transport •  Capacity on trams and other forms of public transport should be ahead of demand while passenger numbers recover and educational institutions and workplaces re-open. We should not be in a position where we have to plan to cut services •  Both transport planning and provision in the UK should be devolved to ensure that local needs are properly addressed by those best-placed to encourage economic growth • Adequate funding should be provided by central Government to cover local transport needs throughout the pandemic, and a suitable recovery period until our ‘New Normal’ travel patterns are established •  Electrically-powered steel wheel-on-steel rail is the most efficient form of mass transit and can be powered by carbon-free power supplies An enhanced cleaning regime was launched across the immediately after the pandemic • Government should take the opportunity first hit the UK. An extra process to treat surfaces with a water-based disinfectant has been introduced to create an following the pandemic to develop and invisible coating that delivers protection against 99.9% of bacteria for up to 30 days. West Midlands Metro

November’s 2020 LRTA Annual TR at 70 Our 148-page celebration online meetings General Meeting of 70 years of the LRTA’s Following the success of our recent online As members will be aware, our planned 2020 historical journal Tramway meetings using Zoom, the topics for our ‘in person’ AGM and weekend in Poland has Review is out now! November schedule will be: had to be postponed due to the pandemic. When TR was launched Because of the current restrictions around in 1950, the tramway 11 November physical meetings, it will be held virtually industry appeared to be in Robert Pritchard – LRTA member using the Zoom platform. This will take place terminal decline. As such, Tramways of the Czech and Slovak Republics on Saturday 19 December at 14.00. the ambition of this journal was to record Full details will be posted out to members for posterity, while there was still time, the 25 November and placed in the members’ area of our history of lost and dying tramways. Vic Simons – LRTA Secretary website. Last year’s accounts are already This special publication revisits some of the Tramways of the US and Canada – Part 2 available for members to view. highlights of the many historical studies and The AGM will follow the usual format, archival illustrations from the magazine’s Both meetings can be booked via our website featuring reports from officers and there will illustrious history. and will start at 16.00 GMT. They are free to also be the usual opportunity for members to The cost is GBP14 plus P&P (look out for register for all LRTA members. ask questions. LRTA member and TR subscriber discounts). For more information on the Association and its activities visit www.lrta.org Bookshop

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