THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE

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MARCH 2015 No. 927 HOW GOOD DESIGN CAN REDUCE TRAMWAY NOISE

Melbourne: Modernising the world’s largest tramway

UK Minister: ‘Clear need for trams’ China’s new rolling stock superpower Billions recommended for US transit ISSN 1460-8324 Shenyang Edmonton 03 £4.25 21st Century light Canada’s pioneer rail developments of ‘urban style’ LRT 9 771460 832043 2015 INTEGRATION AND GLOBALISATION

Nottingham Conference Centre, UK: June 17-18 2015

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D O C K L A N D S CONTENTS The official journal of the Light Rail Transit Association MARCH 2015 Vol. 78 No. 927 www.tramnews.net EDITORIAL 97 EDITOR Simon Johnston Tel: +44 (0)1733 367601 E-mail: [email protected] 13 Orton Enterprise Centre, Bakewell Road, Peterborough PE2 6XU, UK ASSOCIATE EDITOR Tony Streeter 101 E-mail: [email protected] WORLDWIDE EDITOR Michael Taplin Flat 1, 10 Hope Road, Shanklin, Isle of Wight PO37 6EA, UK. E-mail: [email protected] NEWS EDITOR John Symons 17 Whitmore Avenue, Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs ST9 0LW, UK. E-mail: [email protected] SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR Neil Pulling WORLDWIDE CONTRIBUTORS Tony Bailey, James Chuang, Paul Nicholson, Richard Felski, Ed Havens, Bill Vigrass, Andrew Moglestue, Mike Russell, Nikolai Semyonov, Vic Simons, 113 Alain Senut, Thomas Wagner. PRODUCTION Lanna Blyth NEWS 92 TRAMWAY NOISE SOLUTIONS 109 Tel: +44 (0)1733 367604 E-mail: [email protected] Guangzhou trials first tramline; Addis Ababa Scott McIntosh examines the key issues DESIGN launches LRT service; Moscow Metro orders around tramway noise – and what can be Debbie Nolan 768 cars and rolls out network-wide wi-fi. done to mitigate them. ADVERTISING COMMERCIAL MANAGER Geoff Butler

SHENYANG: CHINA’S RENAISSANCE 97 SYSTEMS FACTFILE: DAUGAVPILS 113 Tel: +44 (0)1733 367610 E-mail: [email protected] High-tech and built in record time: Neil Pulling visits Latvia’s second city to PUBLISHER Mike Russell visits the first of China’s study the reconstruction of the central core. Howard Johnston new wave of modern tramways. Tramways & Urban Transit is jointly published by the WORLDWIDE REVIEW 117 LRTA and LRTA Publishing on the third Friday of each EDMONTON: HIGH AND LOW-FLOOR 101 Jinan approves 80.6km metro; Helsinki month preceding the cover date. One of Canada’s first modern LRT systems cancels troubled metro automation project; LRTA WEBSITE AND DIARY is still expanding, and now also looking to a Stockport prepares tram-train study. Brian Lomas low-floor future. Vic Simons reports. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] MAILBOX 122 LRTA MEMBERSHIP (with TAUT subscription) Tramways & Urban Transit is sent free to all paid-up GIVING STREETCARS A SECOND LIFE 106 Ideal tram vehicle designs debated. members of the Light Rail Transit Association. Gomaco’s refurbished streetcars serve many SUBSCRIPTIONS AND MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES cities across the US. Vic Simons visits its CLASSIC TRAMS: PORTO PARADE 124 LRTA Membership Secretary (Dept T06), headquarters in Iowa. Mike Russell reviews the tram spectacular. 38 Wolseley Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK. Tel: +44 (0)117 9517785 BACK ISSUES Tel: +44 (0)1406 373070 Do UK politicians finally see the value of trams? PRINT AND DISTRIBUTION Warners (Midlands) plc, The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Although convened at the last minute, it was encouraging to see 50 Lincs PE10 9PH, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1778 391000. senior figures from the light rail industry gather to hear the current UK LRTA REGISTERED OFFICE Minister responsible for light rail outline her commitment to the mode's c/o 138 Radnor Avenue, Welling, Kent DA16 2BY, UK. development at the ‘high level tram summit’ in early February. Private company limited by guarantee, No. 5072319 Baroness Kramer spoke of her dedication to seeing more trams in more in England and Wales. cities across the country, and confirmed her whole-hearted support for the LRTA CHAIRMAN work of the reinvigorated UKTram. This is an organisation that had somewhat lost its Andrew Braddock E-mail: [email protected] way, but now has a sharpened focus and full-time resource to take the steps it needs to LRTA DEPUTY CHAIRMAN fulfil its remit as the single voice of the industry and uniting street-running tramway, Paul Rowen metro, heritage operations, Ultra Light Rail and Personal Rapid Transit. LRTA PUBLISHING REGISTERED OFFICE: Although the funding pledged to the latter two and further innovation in the wider c/o 8 Berwick Place, Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL7 4TU, industry may seem paltry when compared to that given to other transit modes, you have UK. Private Limited Company, No. 06169422 to start somewhere and these are all the right steps to take – it’s perhaps just that the UK in England and Wales. is taking them a few years (or decades) later than most of us would like. Bringing down © LRTA Publishing 2015. Articles are submitted on the understanding they may also costs and helping to clarify and simplify some of the issues around regulation, planning, later be used on our websites or other media. A contribution construction and ‘red tape’ will also help, but ultimately most people left the meeting is accepted on the basis that its author is responsible for the with one questions on their lips – where is the next new system? opinions expressed in it, and such opinions are not those of With delays in some major projects looming large, it is promising that cities such as LRTA Publishing or the LRTA. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in Cardiff and Oxford are still exploring LRT options, and that there are even some private any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including sector working parties in Derby, but it is anyone’s guess as to who will take the plunge next. photocopying, recording or by any information storage and On the other side of the world, Melbourne has not only the world’s largest operational retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from tramway but also one that, at 130 years old this year, has grown in maturity with the the copyright owner. Multiple copying of the contents of the magazine without prior written approval is not permitted. area it serves to form a true backbone that the city could now not live without. Operator Keolis Downer gave us a behind-the-scenes tour of the current modernisation and improvement programme in this issue’s special supplement. Simon Johnston, Editor COVER: Plzeň KT8D5 295 runs close to houses and market stalls in the city centre. Howard Pulling

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MARCH 2015 / 91 News

East Link project gets USD1.33bn Guangzhou’s first tramway funding boost line opens in 2014 (just) On 16 January US Transportation Secretary The latest Chinese catenary-free line undertakes ‘trial’ operations Anthony Foxx announced a USD1.33bn Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan to Sound Transit towards construction of the (23.3km 14.5-mile) East Link LRT Extension project. The loan will expand the Link system serving the Puget Sound region, adding ten stations and connecting some of the region’s fastest-growing areas to Sound Transit’s existing system at the International Yiyuan Diglo station on 30 December with construction still The terminus of the Guangzhou line at Canton Tower on 31 District/Chinatown Station. in progress, and little evidence of operation. T. V. Runnacles December as the first passengers are carried. easycitygo.com Sound Transit claims that the project will create hat is described to Wanshengwei (interchange energy on the vehicle and permit 40 000 jobs in construction and as trial operation with metro lines 4 and 8), with a catenary-free operation, aided future economic development, on the 7.7km tram every 13 minutes, 09.00- by regenerative braking. They as well as increasing access (4.8-mile) 17.00. Construction started on operate from Modiesha depot. to developing software and Wtramway along the shore of 11 November 2013. Passengers Each of the 11 stops is biotech hubs in the greater Haizhu Island in the Chinese were carried free, but revenue equipped with a charging device metropolitan area. city of Guangzhou started on operation was planned to start that can replenish the cars’ In addition to the TIFIA 31 December, meeting the on 12 February, with a fare of batteries in 10-30 seconds. Each loan, the FTA has committed local deadline, but with many CNY2 (EUR0.3). tram has 73 seats, a passenger USD74.7m funding allied to infrastructure facilities still to The first of seven four-section capacity of 386, and is equipped USD14m in TIGER V grants be completed (including Pa ti 100% low-floor 36.4m trams with free passenger wi-fi. toward the USD4bn East station, which remained closed). ordered from CSR Zhuzhou was It is planned to extend the Link Project. Construction is The line is operated by delivered on 20 September 2014, line to form a circular route. expected to begin later in 2015, Guangzhou Tram Company, a while a local facility assembled Guangzhou is a city of 11 with a targeted opening date subsidiary of Guangzhou Metro cars 003-007. Electrical million 120km (75 miles) north- of 2023. The new line is Corporation, and runs from equipment has been supplied west of Hong Kong. The first of expected to serve 50 000 Canton Tower (interchange with by Siemens, including three seven metro lines now operating riders/day by 2030. metro line 3) along Riverside Road sets of supercapacitors to store was opened in June 1997.

A tramway for the French city Chamand park-and-ride via Avignon to get its tramway of Avignon (a World Heritage Gare Centrale, and two high- Site) was first proposed ten years capacity bus lines, will be built ago and had reached the stage for EUR135m by 2018, of which An artist’s impression of the planned Avignon tramway. Grand Avignon of achieving its Declaration of EUR117m is for the tramway. Public Utility, and rolling stock The previous scheme involved order, with EUR35.6m already two lines totalling 14.7km (9.1 invested, before the March 2014 miles). The Council was told French local elections cast doubt that abandoning the scheme on its future by bringing in a completely could cost EUR80m. mayor opposed to the project. It is not yet known if the 2013 However, on 10 January the EUR43.7m order for 24 22m Grand Avignon council voted by Alstom Citadis Compact trams 51-18 (with three abstentions) to will be maintained; they were to back most of the tramway plan be delivered in 2016. A depot will adopted before the elections. be built at Bel Air, near the east Initially a 6km (3.7-mile) line end of the line. Avignon closed its from Porte Saint-Roch to St- first-generation tramway in 1932.

Moscow: New metro cars ordered for line 7 and free network-wide wi-fi A fleet of 768 cars for the Moscow Deliveries of 192 cars per ventilation and air conditioning lines are now equipped with free Metro have been ordered year – formed into 92 eight-car with through gangways, tip-up wi-fi for passengers in a privately- from Transmash Holdings sets – will take place between seats and wheelchair spaces. funded programme delivered by under a contract signed on 30 2017-20, and the first will go A tender for a further 738 metro Maxima Telecom. With 100Mbps December that includes 30 years’ into service on line 7 (Tagansko cars is expected later in 2015. wi-fi, the system has the maintenance. The supplier was – Krasnpresnenskaya), one of Further, free wi-fi services were capability to support additional the sole bidder in a contract the network’s busiest lines. launched across the network on network applications such as understood to be valued at The cars will have wider doors 2 December, one month ahead real-time CCTV transmission and RUB133bn (EUR2.2bn). than existing cars, improved of the planned schedule; all 12 passenger information systems.

92 / MARCH 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org US budget for 2016 recommends USD3.2bn for urban transit schemes Obama Adminstration continues its established commitment to urban transport development

n 3 February US in 21st Century transportation The budget includes Project Delivery and Development Transportation infrastructure that provides recommendations for 11 new – a new category that provides an Secretary Anthony millions of Americans improved projects and ongoing funding for opportunity for schemes to move Foxx recommended access to employment, education nine schemes that have already forward if they become ready for OUSD3.2bn in transit funding for and other vital services, received FTA grants and are a construction grant prior to the the FY2016 budget to advance while also supporting the under construction. The latter end of the fiscal year. or complete 25 light rail, BRT nation’s growing economy,” includes accelerated funding of The budget also reserves and rail projects in 13 states. said Secretary Foxx. “We are an additional USD15m to speed USD351m for the growing These projects would be funded committed to ensuring that completion and help lower costs. number of requests for Core through the Federal Transit every American has access to In addition to the 25 transit Capacity improvements; fixed Administration’s (FTA) Capital the ladders of opportunity that projects recommended guideway projects in transit Investment Grant Program (CIG). lead to success — and public for funding, the Obama corridors that are already at or “President Obama has laid transportation is essential to Administration’s budget proposal above capacity, or are expected to out a bold vision for investing making that happen.” includes USD320m for Accelerated be within five years.

Boston Green line Merger creates Chinese rolling stock giant funding confirmed USD996m in federal funding has An announcement on 30 been announced for the 7.5km December confirmed the merger (4.7-mile) extension of the Green of the two state-owned rolling line to Medford, to open in 2021. stock companies in China is to go MBTA services were suspended ahead. China CNR Corporation on 27 January due to the snow effects of Winter Storm Juno. and CSR Corporation will become China Railway Rolling Canberra LRT shortlist Stock Corporation (CRRC). Four consortia are bidding Each CNR share will be for the city’s AUD800m, 12km exchanged for 1.1 shares in CSR; (7.5-mile), Gungahlin light rail CNR will then be de-listed on project: Canberra Metro (Pacific Partnerships/Mitsubishi/DB/ the Hong Kong and Shanghai KLeighton/CAF); ACTIVATE stock exchanges, and CSR (Downer EDI/Keolis/Bombardier); will be renamed, creating the Connecting Canberra (Capella world’s largest rail supplier with An AlstomBreda Sirio low-floor tram built under licence in China by CNR for the Capital/TransDev/Alstom/Acciona) a combined annual turnover new line in Zhuhai featuring the TramWave surface power supply. T. V. Runnacles and CANGO (Macquarie Capital/ of around EUR12.9bn (more SMRT International/Siemens). than twice that of Bombardier production of its Sirio 100% Both companies are prolific A shortlist will be created, and Transportation). CSSR will have low-floor tram (under delivery to suppliers of metro trains to a PPP contract awarded for construction to start in 2016. over 90% of the domestic market Beijing and Zhuhai). CSR has a Chinese systems and CNR in China, and be well placed to factory in Puzhen that produces recently won its first US contract Bursa tenders increase its global share in heavy Bombardier’s Flexity 2 under in Boston, although in late Bursa Metropolitan Municipality rail, metros and tramways. license and one at Sifang that January this was subject to a legal has issued a tender notice for CNR has factories in offers a license-built version of challenge from Hyundai-Rotem 60 LRVs for the BursaRay light metro and 12 street-running Changchun and Dalian with the Skoda 15T low-floor tram and on the grounds that the former’s vehicles for lines in the Turkish experience of tram building, another at Zhuzhou currently bid was “unreasonably low” and city, stipulating that bidders and also an arrangement supplying trams to Guangzhou that award process “lacked any must have capacity to supply 24 with AnsaldoBreda for license in partnership with Siemens. rational basis”. vehicles per year, and at least two of each type within six months of contract signing, with a minimum of 60% domestic content. The closing date for expressions IN PICTURES San Diego waves farewell to the U2 of interest is February 23. Saturday 31 January saw the last day Tramlink’s double track of U2 operation on California’s San A new 700m section of double Diego Trolley light rail system, after 35 track has been completed years of service. The first of 71 Düwag between Mitcham Junction and U2 LRVs, based upon the cars operated Beddington Lane on London in Frankfurt am Main, were delivered Tramlink (UK) as part of the for the system’s opening in July 1981 Wimbledon line improvement and since then the fleet has diminished programme. Work to add a new to 31 cars with disposals, donations bay to platform 10 at Wimbledon to museums and the sale of 11 cars to will start this year and when Metrotranvia in Mendoza, Argentina complete will enable introduction in 2011. of the additional four new trams on order, bringing a 50% service MTS 1058 at Old Town in September increase to the branch by 2016. 2005. Vic Simons

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MARCH 2015 / 93 News 830 million tram passengers in France Impressive growth in overall patronage for French tramways

tatistics for French December 2013, show 830m tram Passengers (m) Vehicle km (m) System (km) Opened tramways released at the passengers were carried during Angers 8.36 0.9 12.3 2011 end of 2014, and relating to the year, while trams ran 62 Bordeaux 74.74 4.65 45.4 2003 the 12 months ending 31 million vehicle km (38.5m miles). Brest 8.95 1.14 14.3 2012 S Caen 8.11 1.24 15.7 2002 Clermont-Ferrand 13.79 1.05 15.9 2006 Dijon 20.22 2.02 19 2012 Grenoble 45.74 3.88 36 1987 Le Havre 14.03 1.11 13 2012 Le Mans 13.32 1.31 18.9 2007 Lille 9.40 1.27 17.5 1909 Lyon 73.71 6.15 66.3 2001 Marseille 16.99 1.21 11.5 1893 Montpellier 58.17 5.45 56 2000 Mulhouse 13.54 1.27 16.2 2006 Nancy 9.62 1.02 11.1 2000 Nantes 71.20 5.22 41.3 1985 Nice 28.50 1.25 9.2 2007 Orléans 19.73 2.42 29.3 2000 Paris 181.92 6.86 103.8 1992 Reims 14.00 1.02 11.2 2011 Rouen 17.08 1.48 15.1 1994 St-Etienne 22.01 1.71 11.7 1881 Strasbourg 71.28 5.58 40.7 1994 Toulouse 5.54 0.86 14.3 2010 Tours 3.89 0.42 15.5 2013 Valenciennes 5.98 1.17 18.3 2006 Additional systems opened in 2014 were Aubagne, Besançon and additional lines in The Tours tramway opened at the end of August 2013 and carried nearly 4 Paris and Valenciennes. The list includes rubber-tyred tramways (Caen, Clermont- million passengers by the end of the year on its distinctive Alstom Citadis with Ferrand, Nancy and one line in Paris). Tram-train operations by SNCF are not surface current collection in the city centre. J. May included. EU funding assists Stadler Kleinprofil train revealed Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe The tighter profile of these (BVG) launched the first pre- lines has previously restricted Polish transit projects series Type IK U-Bahn train from train widths to 2.3m, but the The European Commission has accessibility and better Stadler Pankow on February 3. Type IK features a curved mid- approved EUR293m from its road layouts. Ordered in 2012, the Type IK body that increases internal Cohesion Fund for five major Modernising of life-expired is intended to replace the space by 100mm, giving a total public transport projects in sections of tram track in aluminium-bodied A3L71 overall width of 2.4m. four of Poland’s biggest cities: Szczecin’s western districts (that date from the early 1970s) The four-car 51.64m set has a Warsaw, Łódź, Szczecin and and the refurbishment on Berlin’s narrow-profile capacity for 338, with 80 seated Poznań. The projects, all of the Pogodno depot to U-Bahn lines U1 to U4 and is in longitudinal configuration, financed under the Polish accommodate modern low- a development of technology and features digital passenger Infrastructure and Environment floor trams (Pesa supplied 22 from Stadler’s Tango LRVs. information systems, CCTV operational programme, are: new 31.2m low-floor Swing and low-energy lighting – EUR91.7m towards the trams in 2013-14). The EU maximum operational speed is EUR141m programme to Cohesion Fund is contributing 70km/h (43.5mph). deliver 85 new low-floor EUR41.7m towards a total The pre-series cars will trams for Warsaw, improving investment of EUR52.2m. initially run on a dedicated accessibility for the elderly and EUR33.2m towards a total track, followed by at least two those with reduced mobility investment of EUR52.3m for months on the network without and providing access to urban the upgrading of 5.3km of the passengers before entering transport for a further 1.8 tram and trolleybus network service in May for a 12-month million residents. in Poznań, along Grunwaldzka The Type IK is the first new rolling trial. If successful, BVG has EUR41m from a total street and lines linking the stock for Berlin’s Kleinprofil U-Bahn committed to a firm order for a investment of EUR51.3m for stadium to the city centre, lines in 13 years. BVG/Oliver Lang further 34 sets from 2017. the procurement of 20 new to the railway station and to double-deck intermediate the airport. coaches, two control coaches All five projects are expected and two new locomotives to to be completed by the end of the Dubai to get second tramline enhance capacity on the busiest current year. The Dubai Trolley is a 4.6km (2.85-mile) circular standard-gauge line, sections of commuter rail in In other news, MPK has unrelated to the Al Sufouh modern tramway opened last year, but that Warsaw’s metropolitan area. awarded a PLN166m (EUR39.7m) forms a ‘heritage’ line designed to link the metro with destinations on EUR85.8m towards the contract to PESA for the supply Sheik Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, including Souk Al Bahar. EUR110.8m project to develop of 22 Swing 30.5m five-section Work has started on the 1.1km (0.7-mile) first phase, expected to a multi-modal hub for Łódź low-floor trams; 40% of the cost is open shortly, with British-style open-top double deck cars built by Fabryczna railway station, being met by the EU. The contract California-based TIG/m. The Dubai cars will be powered by hydrogen including the upgrading of price includes maintenance and fuel cells, and the enclosed lower deck will be air-conditioned. tramlines and stops, a new training. Delivery will start at The UAD500m (EUR120m) scheme is being financed by Emaar park-and-ride facility, increased the end of 2015. Properties, a property company with hotel and retail interests.

94 / MARCH 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org EUR63m commitment to Bratislava extension China’s metro expansion The European Commission has approved an investment of Two days of new line openings see almost 160km added nationwide EUR63m from the EU Cohesion Fund towards the EUR76.8m he last week of extension of the metre-gauge December 2014 tramway in the Slovakian capital from the city centre to Petržalka. saw no less than 12 Construction of the new 2.4km metro openings and (1.5-mile) double-track line, with extensionsT in China, totalling three new stops at Viedenska, 157km (97.5 miles). Bosakova and Jantarova, is On 28 December Wuxi opened underway and due for completion its new line 2 from Meiyuan to by the end of 2015. The project Anzhen (26.7km/16.6 miles), includes reconstruction of the using a fleet of six-car trains Sturova stop and the Stary Most supplied by CSR Nanjing bridge over the Rover Danube. Puzhen. Hong Kong’s Island Line Midlands plan to be was extended west from Sheung revived? Wan to Kennedy Town The UK’s West Midlands (3km/1.86 miles), while Shanghai Integrated Transport Authority opened two extensions, line is considering reviving plans for 13 from Jinshajianglu to a second Midland Metro line to connect Wednesbury with the Changshoulu (2.9km/1.8 miles) Merry Hill Centre and Brierley Hill and line 16 from Luoshanlu to The impressive interchange between Wuxi metro lines 1 and 2 at Sanyang Plaza. along the Stourbridge freight line. Longyanglu (7km/4.3 miles); D. Bühlmann Legal powers remain in place to the system, whose first line allow the line to be built, although opened in 1995, has now reached miles). Line 6 was extended Two days later, on 30 funding has not been secured. 520km (323 miles). 12km (7.5 miles) from Caofang December, three extensions were The ITA is now considering In Wuhan the 16km (ten- to Lucheng, line 14 14km opened in Chongqing: line 1 other options, including innovative mile) extension of line 4 from (8.7 miles) from Jiantailu to was extended by 1.9km (1.2 methods of track construction and motive power, a Light Rail Wuchang railway station to Shangezhuang, and line 15.1km miles) from Daxuecheng to Innovation Centre and ‘very light Huangjinkou was inaugurated. (9.4 miles) from Wangjing Jiandingpo, monorail line rail’ to link Dudley Port railway There were four openings in West to Qinghuadongluxikou. 2 by 17km (10.6 miles) from station with the centre of Dudley Beijing, including new line The capital’s metro system is Xinshancun to Yudong, and and the Zoo, Black Country Living 7 from West Railway Station expected to reach 600km (373 line 6 by 18km (11.2 miles) from Museum and Dudley Canal Trust. to Jiaohuachang (23 km/14.3 miles) in 2016. Wulidian to Chayuan. Utrecht signs contract for Uithof line CAF trams

On 30 January the Executive away from the overhead using Board of Regio Utrecht (BRU) and CAF’s ACR energy storage CAF formally signed a contract system. The first trams are for 27 100% low-floor trams for scheduled to be delivered the future Uithof extension of to Nieuwegein depot on the the city’s sneltram network in existing sneltram line in the first Utrecht, Netherlands. quarter of 2017. The new five-section 33m The EUR440m project will trams have a capacity for 216 connect Utrecht Centraal station passengers, 62 seated, and with the large university campus feature air conditioning, and hospital complex at De digital passenger information Uithof, including a 2000-space displays and state-of-the-art park-and-ride facility and is CCTV systems. They will have expected to open in mid-2018, The 27-tram contract for the Uithof extension in Utrecht marks yet another order an operating speed of 70km/h offering a 17-minute end-to-end for CAF vehicles with off-wire capability. CAF and be equipped for multiple running time. operation. The Uithof line is On 23 December 2014 a infrastructure, overhead lines following preparatory works and being electrified at 750V dc, but contract was signed with and stops. Route substructure initial engineering the main the Urbos trams will also have the Royal BAM Group for is almost complete, with civil construction is expected to begin future provision for operation the construction of the tram works starting in 2011, and in late 2015 or early 2016.

Addis Ababa launches first phase of Chinese-built LRT Blackpool consultation Views are being sought on Sunday 1 February marked The USD475m project at up to 70km/h (44mph), the Lancashire County Council’s the official launch of test is 85% funded by China’s vehicles are based at Kality Transport ‘Masterplan’ for the running on the Addis Ababa Export-Import Bank, with depot and have been fitted with Fylde, Wyre and Blackpool LRT line, with thousands construction undertaken tinted windows and specially- (UK) that sets out options for of city residents joining by China Railway Eryuan treated rubber components to improvements to highways, public the Prime Minister, Deputy Engineering Group beginning resist premature aging from transport, and walking and cycling facilities. Developments in the plan Prime Minister and Minister in January 2012. CNR the effects of strong sunlight include extending the Blackpool of Foreign Affairs to ride on Changchun has supplied 41 at altitudes of 2400m. Tramway from North Pier to the first 9km (5.6-mile) phase three-section 70% low-floor Revenue services are planned Blackpool North railway station. between Kaliti – Meskel. LRVs; designed to run in pairs to begin in May.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MARCH 2015 / 95 News

Hong Kong resignalling Alstom and Thales have been First Confederation line tram awarded a EUR330m contract by MTR to re-signal and upgrade signaling systems on seven breaks cover metro lines in Hong Kong; a maintenance option is included in Alstom Citadis Spirit revealed to Ottawans the contract. Thales will provide its SelTrac CBTC system and Alstom project management and implementation. The lines involved are Tsuen Wan Line; Island Line; Kwun Tong Line; Tseung Kwan O Line; Airport Express Link; Tung Chung Line; Disneyland Resort Line. New partnership on cable-operated systems On 20 January RATP Group LEFT AND ABOVE: The Citadis Spirit for and POMA signed a three-year Ottawa is significant for manufacturer Alstom, co-operation agreement for the marking its first low-floor order in North America. development of cable-operated Designed to run at up to 100km/h (62mph), the urban transport systems. The vehicles for are fitted with panoramic three-year agreement focuses on windows and ‘winterised’ HVAC systems. Alstom a partnership to share information ttawa residents got Confederation line (including components produced at Alstom about current and future cable transport projects worldwide, the their first glimpse of maintenance) marks Alstom’s sites in the USA (Hornell), France study of new applications of the a full-sized mock-up first order for theCitadis Spirit, (Saint-Ouen, Valenciennes, technology and an arrangement of the Alstom Citadis and its first entrant into the Ornans, Le Creusot, Tarbes, to respond jointly to bids of OSpirit LRV ordered for the 12.5km North American 100% low-floor Villeurbanne), Italy (Sesto), and mutual interest. (7.8-mile) Confederation line, market. Based upon the familiar Poland (Katowice). Opening of Bristol BRT to expand when it was unveiled by Ottawa Citadis platform, the LRVs for the line is planned for early 2018. The Bus Rapid Transit scheme Mayor Jim Watson, joined by Ottawa are dual-voltage (750V “Work on the Confederation in Bristol (UK) has been granted MP Royal Galipeau and Ontario or 1.5kV), can operate at speeds line is proceeding on time and on funding to allow a second phase Transportation Minister Steven of up to 100km/h (58mph) and budget and now, with this display, to start this year. The new South Del Duca on 29 January. The feature uprated HVAC systems we don’t have to wait until 2018 Bristol Link will connect to the display, at the Aberdeen Pavillion to deal with the city’s extreme to see the future of transit in Ashton Vale to Temple Meads at Landsdowne Park, runs 08.00- climate conditions. Of the 13 Ottawa,” said Mayor Watson at MetroBus section already under 20.00 until the end of March. The stations, three will be in a 2.5km the unveiling. “A future so close, construction. The new route consists of a mock-up will then transfer to OC (1.6-mile) tunnel that stretches we can reach out and touch it.” combined 5km (three-mile) road Transpo’s headquarters for future under the city’s downtown area. The mock-up measures 17m and rapid transit link between use as a driver training tool. The LRVs will be assembled in length, while the delivered the A370 Long Ashton Bypass The EUR400m 34-car order at city operator OC Transpo’s trams will be 48m long and and Hengrove Park. It will cost for the first phase of the 13-stop new Belfast Yard facility from accommodate 300 passengers. in total GBP43.3m (EUR57.6m) with GBP27.6m (EUR36.7m) being provided by the Department for Transport. Work is to be Barcelona pair completed by November 2016. UK politics ‘close to the The busway replaced earlier win in Porto light rail proposals. same page’ on light rail Transport Ciutat Comtal (TCC) Detailed studies for “Public transport is critical to the UKTram is forging closer links has been awarded the contract Helsinki – Espoo LRT way we work and live and drive with bodies such as the Light to operate and maintain the Consultants Ramboll and WSP global competitiveness”. This Rapid Transit Forum and the light metro and bus networks have been appointed to study the proposed 25km (15.5-mile) was the message delivered by Light Rail Transit Association in Porto for ten years, subject Raide-Jokeri orbital light rail line UK Transport Minister Baroness and as the UK moves closer to to final government approval. linking Finland’s two largest cities, Kramer at the latest ‘high level a General Election on 7 May, The new agreement replaces Helsinki and Espoo, and report tram summit’, convened by the questions were posed to Baroness the five-year concession held back in 2016. Department for Transport and Kramer around continuity of by the ViaPorto consortium The line is designed to partially UKTram, on 4 February. policy, encouragingly met with of Grupo Barraqueiro, Arriva, replace the region’s busiest bus The event brought together the response that all the major Keolis and Manvia that ended service, the Bussi-Jokeri, which 50 key stakeholders from the UK parties are ‘all close to being on 31 December 2014. carries 30 000 passengers per day, public and private sector to assess on the same page’ regarding TCC is a joint venture of and the study will include stations, connections, interchanges, a light rail progress in the UK and further light rail development. Barcelona’s metro provider depot and local roads to form hear reports from the working The DfT’s senior light rail TMB and privately-owned the basis for the construction parties set up by a reinvigorated official has been awarded an OBE tram operator Moventia, that programme. The alignment UKTram. These include groups (Order of the British Empire) in currently manage a combined would be mostly segregated, with focused on guidance and the Queen’s New Years Honours fleet of 2000 vehicles. 32 stops, and it is estimated that standards, promoters, operators, List for local transport resilience. Porto’s public transport weekday ridership could reach engineers and marketing. A civil servant with 25 network is the second-largest 100 000 passengers/day by 2040. “Light rail has shown it is years’ experience, Steve Berry in Portugal and in 2013 carried In January Ramboll was appointed as structural designer successful in supporting urban currently holds the position of 134.5m passengers across 70 bus for the EUR1.8bn western renewal… and we need to further head of highways maintenance, routes and six light rail lines. expansion of the Helsinki Metro recognise the value of innovation,” light rail and cableways in the The 67km (41.6-mile) Metro do to Espoo, including five new Baroness Kramer continued, local transport directorate and Porto operates 102 Bombardier stations in Espoo itself. emphasising how the industry produced the Green Light for Light trams – 72 Eurotram and 30 more needs a ‘clear single voice’. Rail report in September 2011. recent Flexity Swift vehicles.

96 / MARCH 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Shenyang SHENYANG: RIDING THE DOLPHIN Mike Russell considers the first example of the ‘new wave’ of modern tramways in China, built in a remarkable 18 months and to a high technological standard.

hina’s rediscovery of the tram may be quite reasonably compared to the renaissance of the tramway in France – a remarkable story of recovery from a very low base. ByC the beginning of this decade, China’s total of existing tramways had been reduced to just two – and one of those, Changchun, was along one route a mere shadow of its former glory. However the pendulum has swung and several new systems are scheduled to be constructed in the coming years; the pioneer amongst these is the new tramway for Shenyang. There are currently more than 20 metro systems in China, most of quite recent construction, and these cater for the intense mass transportation movements in the rapidly-growing urban developments. The new tramways appear to be viewed primarily as a complement to metros and to serve less heavily-trafficked areas.

A growing commercial centre The city of Shenyang is today the capital of Liaoning province, situated in the north-eastern part of the country known as Manchuria. The current population of greater Shenyang is estimated at around 8.1 million inhabitants, of whom around 6.25 million occupy the developed urban area. As such, there will be a readily apparent Passengers jostle to board three-section car 003 at the present temporary line 5 terminal point at Olympic need for good transportation links, which Centre. Note the pantograph raised on the supercapacitor charging point. it was found conventional motorbus services were unable to fulfil adequately. The city is mid-17th Century. It has attained historical Two. An electric tramway was in operation an important station on the main notoriety through being the scene of the between 1907 and 1973, and from 1951 trans-Manchurian railway linking Dalian, so-called Mukden Incident of September an extensive trolleybus network of almost Anshan, Shenyang, Changchun and Harbin 1931, during which Japanese troops seized 200km (125 miles) was created, becoming and is rapidly developing into a modern the city in defence of what they perceived one of the biggest provincial systems in the commercial and trading centre. to be threats to their country’s special rights country. Despite this, the entire network Many Chinese cities are built on the grid in Manchuria, enjoyed for many years to was abruptly abandoned without warning system and Shenyang is just one example, act as a neutral buffer to protect their in June 1999 following a serious accident. with much of the central area dominated by colony of Korea. From that point forward, the city has been commercial premises. The Imperial Palace is This incident turned out to be a prelude without electric traction. a smaller version of Beijing’s Forbidden City, to the Japanese occupation of the entire largely built in the 17th Century and with province of Manchuria, a situation not Rebirth of Chinese tramways Manchu features. The North Pagoda, one resolved until Japan’s capitulation at the end Of the ‘first generation’ of Chinese tramways, of four that at one time marked out the city of World War Two, and which indirectly led only Changchun and Dalian survived boundaries, has been thoughtfully restored; to the Chinese Communist Party’s takeover into the early 21st Century. It is therefore this, too, dates from the mid-17th century. of the whole country in 1949. remarkable that these two have recently The city was once better known in western Shenyang was one of only a small number been joined by completely new systems, of European nations as Mukden, of Chinese towns and cities that possessed an which several more are under construction or the former name assigned to it from the urban tramway network before World War planned for opening in the coming years.

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The first of this new generation was depot workings, and the two regular termini Shenyang, on which construction began in are effectively at 90 degrees to each other in February 2012 on a projected system of 55km adjacent streets, which together form two (34 miles). Construction and commissioning parts of the three-sided open rectangular took just 18 months to complete. central track layout. It was intended to complement an equally From a terminal situated in the east-west new metro system of two lines, and plans street that is the southern arm of this envisaged four tram routes, radiating to the rectangle, two routes – designated 1 and 2 – south-eastern quarter of the city on the south depart. The terminal setting-down and side of the Hunhe river. The first three of these picking-up point is at an island platform and lines opened on 15 August 2013, in time for cars proceed empty west of that point to take the start of the Twelfth National Games of the layovers, reverse and use the intermediate ABOVE: The terminal point of line 1, and future People’s Republic of China, due to be held in crossover to gain the outbound track. line 3, at Expo Centre, showing the undeveloped area the city starting later that month. Moving forward takes place only shortly in its immediate vicinity and tower housing blocks The network is currently located largely in before departure time, leaving intending beyond, with five-section car 021 awaiting departure. the Hunnan New District, a focus of the city’s passengers waiting under the limited shelter current urban development programme. afforded, one reason possibly being to avoid The fourth line was built at the same time obstruction to any car moving between the and equipped with on-street infrastructure, two lines along the connecting track. but during a visit in late August 2014 was Cars of lines 1 (18.7km/11.6 miles) and 2 found still not to be in operation; no (15km/9.3 miles) share common track until opening date has yet been announced. reaching the 12th intermediate stop, at a This tramway is a joint venture between junction known as Xingson Intelligence Park. the city of Shenyang (with a majority At this point they divide, cars on line 1 – the shareholding of 51%) and French operators less frequent service – turning west and Transdev and RATP Dev (49%), with an initial eventually reaching a terminal at Expo three-year contract valued at EUR41m, and Centre, a suburban hinterland wilderness operates under the Anglicised brand name of clearly ripe for future development and ABOVE: Much of the tramway is laid as centre Hunnan Modern Trams. surrounded by distant tower blocks of reservation, as seen here north of Xinsong It is quite conceivable that extensions to housing. End-to-end journey time on each of Intelligence Park junction. The transition between real and artificial grass is visible just behind car 018. this initial four-route network will in due routes 1 and 2 is around 50 minutes. course be opened but although studies are Line 2 continues its generally southerly understood to be underway, no firm plans are trajectory from the junction, eventually currently known. reaching a terminal stand outside the main Terminal Building at Taoxian Airport; the last The new system few hundred metres are laid as single-track. The three new routes serve a total of 52 For those accustomed to finding fixed-track stops and all start from two adjacent terminal surface transport systems terminating stubs at Olympic Centre, a short walk from some distance from the real hive of activity the line 2 metro station at Aotizhongxin. at international airports, Shenyang’s The metro pedestrian exits and tram termini contribution to the genre will come as are not intervisible, and those unfamiliar something of a revelation, with the cars ABOVE: Three-section car 012, one of the minority with the layout may need to seek directions ending their journey just a few metres from allocation of short cars used on route 1, joins the from those with local knowledge. the entrance to the Terminal Building. tracks of the airport line (2) at Xinsong Intelligence The terminal points are linked by a single Returning now to the city centre, the trams Park junction on its way to the city terminus at connecting track, used only by special and of line 5 depart from a terminal platform in Olympic Centre.

The high-rise developments of downtown Shenyang dominate the skyline as three-section car 10 heads outwards on street-running track from the town terminus of line 5 at Olympic Centre. Unusually this car has a two rather than three-digit fleet number.

98 / MARCH 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org The scissors-crossover track layout at the present outer terminus of line 5, with car 005 awaiting departure for the city. It is intended to extend this line into the distance beyond, currently served by a connecting motor bus service.

amount of on-street running in the central area and the in-town section of line 5 has lanes dedicated for use by trams only in peak-periods, on a tidal-flow basis. the short street at right angles to that used estates beyond the tram terminus, whilst by lines 1 and 2, on the western arm of the tracks to the south lead to one of two Rolling stock and operations rectangle. This is the most frequent of the maintenance and storage depots. To operate the new system a fleet of 30 three tramlines, cars operating in peak periods Despite this provision, enterprising local double-ended articulated cars was built by at ten to 12-minute intervals, and again ‘tuk-tuk’ owners provide a popular service CNR in Changchun, in two distinct batches. the line is a long one (21.1km/13.1 miles), shuttling passengers between the trams and The first 20 (001-020) are 28.8m long three- extending in a broadly north-east direction to the buses, obviously for a very small charge section cars with a 70% low-floor section a terminal point at Shenfu Xincheng, on the given that the length of their ‘route’ is less and a capacity for 300 passengers. These city’s easternmost border with neighbouring than 100 metres! Also, the tuk-tuks are cars appear in two livery variants: one is an Fushun City. Single journey running time is delightfully oblivious of the road markings all-over mid-blue, whilst the other is all-over slightly less than one hour. on the unnecessarily grand multi-lane dual off-white with a minimal degree of blue relief. Published maps confirm that this terminal carriageway junction, and drive on it as if The other ten cars (021-030) are all in the is viewed as a temporary one, with trams they were on a quiet country lane. predominantly blue livery and are 34.4m currently stopping on the western side of a The system is laid to standard gauge and long five-section 100% low-floor models, major road junction and a connecting motor the great majority is centrally reserved, mainly to be found in use on lines 1 and 2; bus service starting from its eastern side. much being on grass track with artificial turf these vehicles have a nominal capacity of Buses take onward passengers to suburban sections noted over bridges. There is a limited 360 passengers. The cars have stainless steel

Shenyang’s trams cross all major traffic intersections on stored power. This is The inner street-running section of line 5 under overhead power, with the scene at Huamao Centre, with five-section car 021 on line 1 negotiating a three-section car 006 heading eastbound. The broken yellow lane markings complex track junction; the curves connect with the tracks of future line 3 that delineating the tram track provide for protected running for the tramcars in the crosses at right angles. evening peak period on a tidal-flow basis.

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Public transport interchange of a different kind at the Taoxian Airport terminus of line 2; it is hardly possible for the tram to get much closer than this to the terminal building behind. Three-section car 018 awaits departure time for the city on the single-track terminal stub at the Airport; note the pantograph raised on the supercapacitor charging point.

05.30-21.20 on weekdays and 06.30- 22.30 at weekends; and line 5 operates 05.30-20.00 daily. Daily usage in August 2014 appeared low, although this is anticipated to increase body sections and are nicknamed Dolphins All track junctions are unwired, as are substantially as the residential developments on account of their sleek design by German some wide major road interchanges not laid along key sections are finished. transport specialist büro staubach. out as tramway junctions, and this function Both underfloor heating and air- is also employed judiciously elsewhere, such Fares and ticketing conditioning are fitted to counter the effects as at curves and termini. As is customary on much urban transport of the wide seasonal climate variations Similar use of onboard energy storage has in China, a flat fare is payable (RMB2 – experienced in this part of the world. Plastic recently been widely introduced on Beijing’s approximately EUR0.30), inserted into a seating is provided in both vehicle types, extensive trolleybus system (in this instance farebox on boarding the car; a supervisor with cushions added in the colder months. via Lithium-ion batteries), permitting a ensures that all boarding passengers pay All cars are fitted with single-arm reduction in complicated overhead wiring at the fare. A supply of coins is essential for pantographs for current collection at major road junctions and thereby allowing this purpose, but groups can pay for 750V dc, but are also equipped with Voith drivers to make use of any available traffic multiple passengers by a banknote with the supercapacitor energy storage for overhead- lane at multi-lane intersections. approval of the supervisor. free operation. Recharging is carried out The main operating depot is close to the Tickets themselves are not issued, but during overhead running and at charging south-western extremity of the system, one electronic multi-journey smartcards can be points with overhead power rail sections stop short of Expo Centre, accessible from a bought at metro stations and are available for where trams normally wait at terminal points. stop delightfully named as Tram Company. use both on the metro and the tram. These are This facility enables the cars to proceed It may be supposed that the remoteness of validated by tapping into the card reader at without any loss of normal traction speed these premises from line 5 accounts for the one of the two fare-paying stations provided and the frequent raising and lowering of the reduced hours of operation of that service. at each end of the car; each is carefully pantograph by the driver in the course of a The advertised timetable indicates that line 1 watched over by a supervisor, making a total journey is a feature of this system. operates daily 05.45- 21.15; line 2 operates crew of three persons to each tramcar.

Line 3 The fourth tramline of this initial development, line 3, had still not opened by late August although the track was apparently complete and platform infrastructure was in place; this could be because of a shortage of rolling stock. This line will also operate to Expo Centre, where it will have a common terminal with line 1, but start from a dedicated terminus at the Century Building, close to Shijidasha line 2 metro station two stops south of Aotizhongxin. It will intersect with line 1 at two points – Huamao Centre and the north- eastern University – but there will be no commonality with the present routes in the central area or vicinity of the metro. ABOVE LEFT: The Olympic Centre terminal stop for lines 1 and 2, with car 018 loading for the airport and 019 having set down its passengers upon arrival. Grateful thanks are given to Dennis Schulz ABOVE RIGHT: View into the driving cab area of one of the new Shenyang tramcars. for additional information.

100 / MARCH 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Edmonton

An ETS three-car SD160 train with car 1069 leading, travelling north towards Clareview terminus having just left Southgate station. Note the level crossing on the grade-separated route.

DRIVING NORTH AMERICAN ‘URBAN STYLE’ LRT Already a North American pioneer, the City of Edmonton is still expanding its original LRT operations, with works soon to begin on a new low-floor system. Vic Simons reports.

ith a metropolitan population of just under 1.2 million (2011 census), Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta,W located east of the Rockies. Whilst not the largest city in the province, that honour falling to Calgary, Edmonton led North America’s second-generation light rail revolution when it opened its first line in 1978.

North America’s LRT early adopter Edmonton was settled by the British Hudson Bay Company in the 18th Century, although there are traces of settlements in the area going back to the end of the last Ice Age. Situated on the North Saskatchewan River, it stands on the Siemens SD160 cars usually operate in three- or four-car trains; here 1069 takes up the rear of a three-car mid-state divide between the rich agricultural southbound train entering Coliseum station.

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farmlands to the south and the mineral the decade with construction beginning in that runs on a north-east–south alignment. resources, mainly oil, to the north. What was 1974 for an April 1978 opening in time for A further 3.3km (2.1-mile) branch to the originally known as Fort Saskatchewan was the Commonwealth Games held in the city Northern Alberta Institute of Technology named Edmonton after the North London that summer. The first 6.9km (4.3-mile) line (NAIT) that will be known as the Metro line, suburb where the then Hudson Bay Company operated from Belvedere to Central in the is due to open this year. The branch leaves the Chairman was born. By the turn of the 20th city’s downtown area; the last two stations existing Capital line just north of Churchill, Century its population of 5000-plus became at Churchill and Central were included in emerging from the tunnel just before the first large enough to be incorporated into a city. the first section of an underground tunnel station on the branch at MacEwan; there is a The arrival of the streetcar came in through the city. further station at Kingsway/Royal Alex before 1908 when the Edmonton Radial Railway The next three decades saw the line grow the line reaches NAIT. At Kingsway a new established a system with four double- incrementally, beginning in 1981 with transit centre has been built with bus routes ended streetcars; rapid expansion followed an extension north-east to the current being diverted to serve it. and service peaked in the mid-1930s. The Clareview terminus. Further southern The plan is to extend the line north-west system was notable as it offered a unique extensions soon followed; Corona 0.8km to close to the city boundary by 2040. view over the North Saskatchewan River, (0.5 miles); a further 0.8km to Grandin; There is an aspiration that this will link one of the highest river crossings by streetcar finally reaching the University, a further to the proposed LRT line in St Albert, a anywhere in the world. However, as the 1.6km (one mile), in 1992. All of these were neighbouring city with many commuters into cars became life-expired it was clear that underground apart from the construction Edmonton. The surface operation on both the writing was on the wall, with motor bus of a 530m concrete box girder bridge across routes is mostly at-grade, separated from other operations beginning in 1932 followed by the the North Saskatchewan River – named the traffic with full signal pre-emption; operating introduction of trolleybuses in 1939. Streetcar Dudley B. Menzies Bridge after the renowned speeds are 40-70km/h (25-44mph). service was gradually reduced in frequency Edmonton engineer and 1970s city alderman The Metro line has been delayed and will and routes with the last service running in – between Grandin and University stations. open later than originally planned with the early hours of 2 September 1951. The bridge also features a pedestrian path and ETS attributing the delay to its contractor Trolleybuses hung on until much later cycleway that hangs beneath the main span. taking longer than anticipated to deliver the and although it was not until 2009 that There followed a 14-year break before the new Communications-Based Train Control this system was officially closed it had underground line was extended a further signalling system – main construction was been largely inactive for some years before. 0.8km (0.5 miles), coming to the surface just completed in February 2014. Project finance When TAUT visited the city in 2005, whilst to the north of the Health Sciences Station. has been provided largely by federal grants much of the wiring was still in place there In 2009 the line reached a further 2km (1.3 (CAD100m/EUR76m) and provincial funding was no operating service with all routes miles) at-grade to South Campus, followed a (CAD437m/EUR331m), with the balance having been replaced by motor buses. year later by a further 5.3km (3.3 miles) at- being funded locally; the line’s turn-out cost By the mid-1960s the city fathers realised grade to its present terminus at Century Park. that neither motor buses nor trolleybuses offered a long-term solution to the public ETS today transportation needs of the growing city Edmonton Transit System (ETS), the City’s and conurbation. To this end, planning for operating division, currently operates a single the first LRT line began in the later years of 20.4km (12.75-mile) line – the Capital line – "Xxx xx xxxxxxx xxx xxx xxx x xx xxx xxx xxxx xxx x xxx xxx xxx xx xxx x xxxx x xx x xx x xxx xxxx xx xx xxxx xxxx x xxx"

A modern SD160 three-car set with 1043 in the lead heading Southgate and South Campus stations heading north for the city centre.

102 / MARCH 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Original U2 stock is now only operated on weekdays – seen here at Clareview. ABOVE: The station BELOW: This artist’s impression shows the Although based on the design originally delivered to Frankfurt am Main in at NAIT seen in August interchange between the Valley line urban-style Germany, these high-platform cars have been extensively modified to cope with 2014, ready for the LRT and the existing underground alignment at the extreme Albertan climate. Metro line opening. Churchill in central Edmonton. Courtesy of ETS was originally projected at CAD755m (approx. EUR570m), but has been delivered CAD90m (EUR68m) below budget, despite the delays. Construction of the project has taken three years and when open services will run through to Health Sciences/Jubilee station. Current service takes 33 minutes from Clareview to Century Park: ten-minute headways are operated Monday-Friday, doubled to every five minutes during the peaks, and a 15-minute service is operated at weekends. The opening of the Metro line will increase the frequency between Health Sciences and Churchill since Capital line trains will also be operating on the same tracks. Light rail stations are well-equipped with TVMs, timetables, real-time passenger information displays and heated waiting areas; the latter are particularly important in the harsh Alberta winters that often see 40-50cm (16-20in) of snow and sub-zero temperatures during the winter months. ETS operates a flat fare throughout the city of CAD3.20/EUR2.30 (as of December 2014) “Despite a modest makeover programme in the late with transfers between modes for up to 90 minutes from purchase. A CAD9 (EUR6.45) 2000s, the U2 fleet is becoming life-expired and is due day pass is also available, giving unlimited travel on buses and light rail. Discounted to be replaced by 2020.” fares are available to students and elderly residents of the province. There is a ten-ticket becoming life-expired – despite a modest 2011, all of which had been delivered by the pack priced at a very reasonable CAD24 makeover programme in the late 2000s that middle of 2013. (EUR17.20) – equivalent to a 25% discount – saw refurbishment of interior and exterior Trains of SD160 vehicles can operate with and discounted monthly and annual passes panels and electrical controls – and are due up to five cars although three to four cars is are also available. Tickets can be purchased to be replaced by 2020. As such they are only the norm. They are incompatible for running from bus drivers, at stations, from advertised operated at busy periods Monday-Friday. mixed U2/SD160 trains in service, but can be ticket sale outlets and online. For fleet expansion, this time ETS followed used to tow each other in cases of emergency. Two types of vehicle are operated in Calgary and placed an order for 37 Siemens Both variants draw power from the 700V dc Edmonton. An initial 14 U2 vehicles were SD160 cars in October 2005 at a contract overhead by means of a pantograph. purchased for the opening of the system in value of EUR77m. These 24.82m, 2.65m-wide 1978; these are based on the light metro cars vehicles have six axles (a powered truck Future expansion operated in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, at each end and a non-powered centre The main new LRT project in the city is the and are near identical to the cars ordered by truck) and AC traction motors, reducing Valley line, a 27km (16.8-mile) 25-stop low- Calgary for the opening of its modern LRT maintenance costs. Additional innovations floor urban line from Lewis Farms in the west system just three years later. A further three include electronic passenger destination to Mill Woods in the south-east. The route units went into service with the Clareview boards on both the ends and sides of the is planned in two stages with the south- extension in 1981, followed by another 20 cars and inside, uprated HVAC systems and eastern portion between downtown and Mill in 1983 when the Corona extension was onboard CCTV systems. Woods being built first as this segment will completed. Working with Duewag (later The first cars were delivered from include the new maintenance depot for the absorbed by Siemens), these high-platform Siemens’ Sacramento manufacturing facility line (named the Gerry Wright Operations & cars have been modified to cope with in 2008 in time for revenue service starting Maintenance Facility, after an eminent local the extreme Alberta climate, but are now in 2009. A further 20 cars were ordered in academic and vocal LRT supporter).

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The 13.1km (8.1-mile) 11-station first segment is projected to cost CAD1.8bn (EUR1.3bn), with CAD600m (EUR430m) of funding coming from the province (CAD200m/EUR287m in the form of a ten-year loan to the city), CAD800m (EUR574m) from the City of Edmonton, CAD250m (EUR180m) from the Federal Government’s PPP Canada fund and CAD150m (EUR107.5m) through the Building Canada Fund. Opening has already been set for December 2020. Whilst the line will be built mostly at-grade there are some major construction sub-projects which include elevated sections, a large bridge across the North Saskatchewan River (the Tawatinâ bridge) and a 500m tunnel connecting downtown Edmonton to the river valley. “Three consortia have been shortlisted to deliver the Valley line; a decision on the preferred bidder is expected at the end of 2015.”

Brad Smid, City of Edmonton Programme Manager for LRT, told TAUT that the PPP A large section of the Capital line in central Edmonton is underground; here a refurbished U2 set led by 1027 contract will include the delivery of rolling is seen in a recent view of the system. Courtesy of ETS stock and estimated that around 30 new minimum 70% low-floor cars would be Due to the incompatibility of the low-floor There are no firm costs or timescales, only required for the project. Whilst the city LRT technology used for the Valley line, there a 2040 target date. The northern extension will specify the type of vehicle the actual will be no physical connection to the existing is planned to use part of the existing CN procurement will be entirely with the system although there will be a city centre Railway right-of-way for 2.9km (1.8 miles) successful bidder, who will be free to select a interchange at Churchill; interestingly, this to a new station at Gorman near the ring detailed vehicle type. The city has committed is the reverse view to that taken by Calgary motorway at 153 Avenue. Again, there is a to the delivery of two new park-and-ride which is putting its new line underground in 2040 target for this. facilities, one on the south-east leg and one the city centre. on the future west leg. There are also ambitions to extend the For detailed route maps, service schedules and Three consortia have been shortlisted Capital line at both ends: In the south, there details of future projects and progress, visit to deliver this major project: MovingYEG is a plan for a five-station extension from www.edmonton.ca/transportation/service- (including ACS Infrastructure; Hochtief, Century Park to 41 Avenue SW, to be built lrt-service.aspx. Grateful thanks are due to Meridiam, Aecon and Keolis); River City in two stages starting with Ellerslie Park and Brad Smid, Lindsay Yarmon and Quinn Transit (including SNC Lavalin, Kiewit and then on to 41 Avenue. This extension will Nicholson from the City of Edmonton for their Alstom Transport); and TransEd Partners include at least one park-and-ride facility. assistance in the preparation of this article. (including Bechtel, EllisDon, Veolia, IBI Group, Bombardier and Arup). A decision on a preferred bidder is expected at the end of EDMONTON RADIAL RAILWAY 2015 on the 30-year Design-Build-Operate- Maintain contract. No visit to Edmonton would Smid added that the new line would be be complete without a visit to more akin to a streetcar route, being built on the Edmonton Radial Railway the surface with more frequent stops and a Society’s Museum operation service pattern nearer to motor bus operation over the 755m-long High Level than the existing service. This is what has Bridge. Originally built to accommodate rail, streetcar, become known in North America as ‘urban- automobile and pedestrian style LRT’. The line is designed to replace traffic in 1908, it featured three several high-frequency bus routes, with Smid tracks with streetcars using adding that there was a strong political will the outer pair and Canadian to get the line built and that it is considered Pacific freight trains using the the City’s number one priority. central alignment. According to Smid there are no plans for When the streetcar system any BRT operation in the city, and when closed in 1951 the bridge asked about the demise of the trolleybuses remained operational for freight, which ceased in 1995. he explained that not only were the vehicles By then a heritage operation life-expired but the City’s transport emphasis had been operating in Fort Six-axle tram 601 was built by Düwag in 1970 as a prototype for was on LRT with motor buses providing Edmonton and the opportunity the German city of Hannover and is a street-running version of feeders although there will still be an was taken to restore a streetcar Edmonton’s U2. Retired in 1975, it was acquired as a demonstration extensive city-wide and regional bus service across the High Level car for a proposed LRT system in Vancouver before moving to the network once the Valley line is open. Bridge. Amazingly the original Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Following a major overhaul it The second segment of the line is the traction poles were still in place entered service on the High Level Bridge line in 2005. 14-stop, 14km (nine-mile) route between and this eased the resumption of services, which began in The line now runs from side of the bridge close to downtown and Lewis Farms that will include 1997. Streetcars are now the Old Strathcona on the south Grandin station, providing a stop at the West Edmonton Mall, Canada’s only rail vehicles crossing side of the bridge to link spectacular views across biggest shopping mall; the project is estimated the bridge. with the LRT on the east the bridge. to cost CAD1.4bn (approx. EUR1bn).

104 / MARCH 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org

Gomaco Trolley GIVING STREETCARS A SECOND LIFE

Vic Simons visits the headquarters of Gomaco Trolley, the largest manufacturer and restorer of heritage streetcars in the US.

n arrival in Ida Grove there are Gomaco Trolley constructed nine replica Birney cars for the TECO heritage tramway in Tampa, Florida, in signs of Gomaco everywhere. 1999-2002, closely resembling the double-truck cars that ran in the city from 1920 until 1946. From simple advertising signage Looking at the range and at those delivered, feel, most of the internal equipment is to the sizeable fabrication plant whilst there are a variety of products the most modern. Two have since been sold to St Louis located on the eastern edge of popular cars are those based on 1920s Birney for its new heritage service, with the other Othis small town (2014 population, 2153), vehicles, or on the World War One products two remaining in the Portland area at the the size of the area’s dominant employer originally built by Brill for Portugal. Lake Oswego Museum. With the expansion is certainly evident. of the MAX LRT system and modern streetcar Ida Grove, Iowa, is located around 65km A brief history operation in Portland itself, these cars could (40 miles) east of the Mississippi River on It was 1982 when Gomaco was awarded its first not be operated there. the eastern edge of the state, and although contract by the US Department of the Interior In 2005 Gomaco Trolley modernised only a much smaller concern compared to its to build two 15-bench trolleys based on the two three-door Peter Witt cars for St Louis. giant concrete specialist parent organisation, 1901 Brill car; delivered in 1984, one of which These cars, though originally built in Italy one look inside the Gomaco Trolley is still in operation in Lowell, Massachusetts between the wars, were based on the original manufacturing facility shows the scale of (50km/30 miles north of Boston). Cleveland 1914 design. A third car has been the operation. Indeed, while some may see Over the next 30 years the business rebuilt for use in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Gomaco Trolley as more of a ‘hobby’ business expanded gradually and now has operational Gomaco had invested in 71 such cars for for the firm’s owner – first impressions examples of its trolleys in 14 locations across remanufacture, although it is not clear how conjure thoughts of a fairground with the the US. Significantly, in 2014 the firm also many remain with the company – the firm’s short replica trolley operation providing rides received its first export order: for an open- website states that further Peter Witt cars are to visitors – the quality and professionalism style battery-powered car for Taipei, Taiwan, available for rebuild. of the firm’s products speak for themselves. due for delivery this year. However, the firm’s A further development has been the Within the plant various trolleys sit in best-known products are replica trolleys refurbishment of battery-powered trolleys. a state of either new-build manufacture or for systems such as those in Little Rock, TAUT came across the first such car in 2009 refurbishment and modernisation, yet despite Memphis and Tampa. Memphis uses a variety when visiting a Farmers Market at The Grove their appearance, Gomaco Trolley’s key stock of Gomaco vehicles, including reconditioned mall in West LA; the double-deck tram was in trade is now modern streetcars that have the Melbourne streetcars, ex-Portuguese Brill running on a short stretch of track, less aesthetic of historic look-alikes based on early cars, and some replica Birney cars. than a mile (1.6km) long, linking the various 20th Century vehicles. The main difference is In 1992, another major order came for sections of the plaza. The other operation is that these ‘new’ cars have up-to-date electrical four replica Council Crest trolleys for at The Americana at Brand centre in Glendale, systems, some with air conditioning, and are Portland, Oregon; these are based on Brill where a single-deck battery streetcar with a ADA compliant, although to maintain the examples operating in the city in the 1900s. non-powered trailer attached was bought historical authenticity many are fitted with Whilst externally they look like the originals from the complex’s opening to shuttle trolley poles rather than modern pantographs. and with the wooden seats have a similar passengers around the retail complex.

106 / MARCH 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org ABOVE (BOTH) : Exterior and interior views of experimental ex-Melbourne car 799 inside the Gomaco Trolley works in June 2014.

Other cars have been built for cities such manufacture and refurbish streetcars of all With no preconceived ideas before TAUT’s as Denver, Colorado, and Philadelphia where kinds. From experience of these replica cars mid-2014 visit, we were pleasantly surprised there is a static display, as there is in Fresno, in service in both Little Rock and Tampa, the at what we found, confirming the vibrancy California. In 2004 a heritage tramway was ride in both cases was excellent. The interiors, and quality of production from the domestic inaugurated in Charlotte, North Carolina – including wooden seating, are spartan when markets; although it is also clear that such using three replica Birney streetcars built by compared to modern streetcars, but this only operations – alongside those of Brookville Gomaco – but this was suspended in advance adds to the vehicle’s authenticity, and the and United Streetcar – would struggle of the opening of the LYNX system, which relatively short distances cause no discomfort. to survive without the backing of large utilised much of the same alignment. One of the latest developments is a former engineering businesses behind them. United When TAUT visited Charlotte in April Melbourne trolley (799) that has been rebuilt Streetcar has recently suspended operations 2012 these cars were in storage in the car to a new specification. Although at present due to a reported lack of orders and issues barn, with a view to reassignment for the new it is only used for demonstration purposes, with delivering on the contracts it signed. streetcar line in the city’s downtown, the the 14.6m (48ft) car is described as a hybrid Whilst Buy America legislation helps, first stage of which is scheduled to open this capable of operation from both the overhead smaller firms may struggle with the large year. When speaking to TAUT, while operator or from battery power; 60 lithium-ion orders required for major conurbations, and CATS could not offer a fixed date for the batteries sit under the centre of the car, capable especially in the present economic climate. opening of the new line, it did confirm that of recharging via regenerative braking. So can orders for smaller systems – or in the the three cars would be used for the first stage It is claimed these batteries can power the case of Dallas, a small system (orders for two of the operation with modern streetcars being car at speeds up to 39km/h (24mph) for up to modern low-floor cars with an option for two acquired for stage two in 2017. ten hours, and the car also features modern more) within a larger LRT network – sustain electromagnetic rail brakes. With superb all three manufacturers? TAUT hopes so. Latest developments workmanship, details like the replacement From modern steel fabrication to wooden glassfibre roof that has been textured to Grateful acknowledgement is due to John Tarr body renovation, Gomaco Trolley appears to resemble the original canvas should ensure and Jeff Lawhead from Gomaco Trolley for their possess a broad base of skills with which to durability without sacrificing atmosphere. assistance in the preparation of this article.

BELOW: In all, nine ex-Melbourne W2 cars are in service in Memphis in Tenessee; MATA’s vintage trolley BELOW: A Peter Witt car undergoing refurbishment service is currently suspended due to extended maintenance. at Ida Grove in June 2014.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MARCH 2015 / 107 AS UNIQUE AS YOUR CITY!

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Merseytravel invites offers for 1009 x 18m of unused tram track and 5 ex-Blackpool trams that are surplus to organisational requirements. One of the trams is in a very good and serviceable condition and of the remaining four trams, two have motors and two are purely trailer units. The latter four trams are in need of much remedial work to put them into a serviceable/ workable condition.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Offers can be made for individual trams or all of them. The track is offered for sale in lots of 100 rails. Interested parties can bid for one or more lots. Please note that the track is to be collected by the successful bidder and at the bidders cost. Offers should be sent to Stephen Hampshire Principal Officer for the Commercial Estate at stephen.hampshire@ merseytravel.gov.uk . All offers are to be received by 31 March 2015. LRT noise solutions IS LRT REALLY THE NOISY NEIGHBOUR? Scott McIntosh looks at the complex and often contentious topic of light rail-associated noise: What causes it? And what can be done to mitigate it?

t has been my experience in 30 years of devising and promoting tram and light rail schemes that noise and vibration are often the ‘hot button’ issues that opponents will invoke in an attempt Ito activate popular opposition. This remains a fact even after the practical experience of new schemes worldwide shows that potential problems are often grossly exaggerated. However, light rail and tramway noise is a complex issue and the technical aspects are often confusing; I hope that this article goes some small way towards helping campaigners and promoters counter the misguided, or mendacious, anti-tram propaganda.

What is noise? It is helpful to start here with the commonly accepted dictionary definition: noise is a loud or unpleasant sound that is undesired and/or interferes with a person’s hearing of something. In everyday terms noise can disturb normal activities, such as holding a conversation, reading or sleeping, and distract concentration. Sound is energy radiated by pressure waves, usually passing through air (at speeds of approximately 332m/s), but also passing through solids – rails, surrounding structures, the earth, etc. One of the problems in understanding noise is that it is measured on the Decibel (dB) scale which measures proportions rather than a linear measure (such as a foot rule) that measures absolute quantities. Thus the perceived effect of doubling the amount of energy in a sound – such as putting two identical sound sources close together – is quite small, it is much less than a doubling of the sound heard; such an increase would lead to a measured increase of around 3dB. Similarly, ten motorcycles close Tramways and light rail systems often having to run within metres of houses and shops – such as near the together will only be perceived as twice as Place du Rondeau in Geneva, Switzerland – combined with twisting alignments can generate additional noise loud as one motorcycle – they will certainly that cause complaints from residents. Neil Pulling not be ten times as loud. To add to the complexity of sound of the sound; for example, research measured, the commonest measure used conducted in the Netherlands has shown that SOURCE dB (A) for overall assessment of noise impact is the for a given loudness road noise is generally Whisper 20 ‘A-weighted decibel’ – dB(A). This weighting is more annoying than rail noise. Indeed some Quiet residence 30 a method of calibrating measurement so that research has shown that light rail can be up Soft stereo in residence 40 it represents the experience of the human to 4-5dB(A) louder than other highway noise Speech range 50-70 ear, which has varying responses to different before annoyance is experienced. The table Cafeteria 80 pitches of sounds. The good news is that (right) shows some examples of the dB(A) of Pneumatic jackhammer 90 noise levels in dB(A) measure proportions various common experiences. Loud crowd noise 100 so that a change of 10 dB(A) corresponds Yet further complication is added by Accelerating motorcycle 100 approximately to a doubling, or halving, of the fact that general noise will consist of a Rock concert 120 the noise; only a change of more than 3dB(A) background noise (e.g. the general rumble of Jet engine (23m/75ft away) 140 can be detected by the human ear. traffic) and noisier peaks (the squeal of the Judgement of volume varies from person to hard application of a disc brake, the sound of Source: Acoustical Society of America person and is dependent on the characteristics a tram rounding a curve etc). An attempt is

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MARCH 2015 / 109 LRT noise solutions

made to average these sounds out to produce on car type, alignment and type of track; transition and minimises reverse curves can an ‘equivalent continuous sound level’ or grass, open ballasted or paved. This higher help. It is often claimed that easier curve radii LAeq. It is this figure that will often be quoted speed operation is more likely to happen can help, but it is this author’s experience in Environmental Impact Assessments. out of central city areas where general traffic that curves of 30m-plus radius can be more Rail operating noise is different from that levels may be lower and the change may likely to generate squeal than tighter radii. generated by other road transport in that it be perceptible to residents. Adding a tram The tighter curves will be negotiated at slower mainly comes from the interaction of steel with a peak sound of 70dB(A) measured at speeds and can achieve very satisfactory wheels on steel track, whereas other vehicles nearby buildings in a residential area where results; I have noticed that two of the tightest produce a mix of various sounds. This background noise levels may be in the curves on second-generation tramways – includes internal combustion engine noise, 40-50dB(A)Leq level could increase noise Wellesley Road/George Street, Croydon and brake squeal and the continuous hissing beyond the 4-5dB(A) ‘bonus’ of rail over St Andrew Street/Queen Street, Edinburgh sound generated by rubber tyres flexing on a other road transport mentioned above. (both UK) – are remarkably quiet in operation rough asphalt surface or the rumble associated Thus complaints are likely to arise in the if the driver takes them at the correct speed. with concrete paving. The requirements areas with more affluent residents – who Rail-heads can be noticeably rough of the variety of worldwide accessibility often have a greater propensity to complain. when first laid; a combination of surface regulations can also add to tramway/LRT It must also be remembered that creating irregularities created during the mill rolling operating noises by requiring vehicles to space for rail-borne vehicles may lead to the of the rails and corrosion during storage can make ‘doors closing beeps’ and the escape of relocation of general road traffic closer to create a poor surface. Systems that grind public address sounds from the car to the stop buildings. Experience in a number of cities has their entire track to a uniform shape and area. Although these are extremely helpful been that this was the main cause of predicted smoothness after commissioning and trial to many passengers, they can be a significant increases in noise. The French example of running but before commercial service source of complaint from local residents. reducing road space for general traffic can often achieve a far better result. Similarly, The three main generators of noise on a thus have the multiple benefits of finding an exercise to ensure that all car wheels are light rail system are: space for the tramway, further improving true and blemish-free before commercial l Noise arising from the wheel rolling along modal split by reducing the attractiveness operations can be beneficial. the rail-head; this can be made far worse by Maintaining rail-head condition and rough, worn or corrugated railheads and wheel circularity can be an expensive ‘flats’ on the wheels “Matching wheel and rail business and the task can cut away the work- l Wheel ‘squeal’, partly generated when profiles may seem obvious, hardened surfaces – far better to start with flanges engage with the gauge face of the good rails and wheels and ensure that drivers rail or the check rail, but mostly arising but it is surprising how operate vehicles in a way that will minimise from the ‘skip slip’ effect as heels that are subsequent damage. Corrugation of the locked together by a rigid axle pass through often this is overlooked.” rail-head can be a very difficult problem; over a tight curve the years many explanations for – and cures l Impact noise, where wheels pass over of – the problem have been propounded, with discontinuities in the railhead – usually at of private car use, improving air quality as varying degrees of success. Minimising skip/ turnouts but also at dropped or open joints. well as reducing noise. The UK approach of slip conditions may help, as can different The good news is that all of these issues minimising reductions in highway space is degrees of wheel and rail damping. can be easily managed on a well-built and attempting to force a ‘quart into a pint pot’ One unfortunate effect on new systems operated system and will be considered below. and will often yield disappointing results. is that all cars will come as one batch, with virtually identical ride qualities and So how noisy is light rail? Mitigation of noise harmonic responses; which means that once In a typical urban environment, with both rail It is depressing to see that many one car has started a rail corrugation all other and highway traffic, the tramway can be up to Environmental Impact Statements advocate vehicles will respond to the corrugation 10dB less noisy than general traffic; however, the use of large stretches of noise barriers to frequency in the same manner and spread as the overall level is a combination of all mitigate LRT operating noise. Barriers can be it further down the track, leading to a noise energy the tramway noise will probably visually intrusive, they take up open space, are ‘corrugation epidemic’. not be noticeable. Adding a tram, which costly to install and maintain, are a target for at low speeds may only generate around vandals, and often fail to achieve the hoped- The dreaded ‘wheel squeal’ 60db(A) to a road which is already generating for results. It is always better to reduce or Wheel squeal is a particular problem, both 60-70 dB(A)Leq will make little perceptible eliminate the problem at source and much can for the noise-sensitive resident and for the difference and no increase in annoyance. be done by careful planning and construction. accountant who has to find the money to LRVs will be noisier at higher speeds, A well thought-out alignment that allows repair track wear. Flange engagement with yet the precise level of noise will depend efficient use of cant on curves, allows good the gauge face of the rail (and with the check

Complex junctions and crossings pose additional challenges for light rail design engineers and contractors, as tight turns are more prevalent and track wear is likely to increase – resulting in increased noise and vibration. Seen here are the Park Square delta junction in Sheffield (UK) and the trackwork at Jakominiplatz in central Graz (Austria) that forms the hub of the tramway operation. Neil Pulling

110 / MARCH 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org LEFT: The use of grass track systems surounding the rails in dense urban environments can reduce tramway noise by as much as 3-6dB; seen here is the complex junction at Nové sady in Brno, Czech Republic. Neil Pulling

BELOW: Swing nose crossings, such as that at Canary Wharf on the UK’s Docklands Light Railway, may be more expensive to install and maintain, but they offer the additional benefit of proven noise reduction for light rail systems. Neil Pulling

BOTTOM: Hong Kong’s tramway runs in as tight an environment as you can imagine, but in this instance – on Des Voeux Road West – the noise produced by the trams is largely drowned out by the environmental noise of busy diesel-engined delivery vehicles, buses and general traffic. Neil Pulling

on some curves) is a source of some squeal and may be mitigated by careful matching of the wheel and rail profiles. This may seem to be an obvious point, but it is surprising how often it is overlooked. Wear on the rail gauge face can be reduced by some use of friction modifiers; oil, grease sticks or track water sprays; it can be repaired by weld deposits, often with the beneficial result that the weld build-up can work-harden to a smoother surface than the initial rail. However not all rails are suitable for weld repairs and some forms of rail encapsulation can fail quite dramatically if subject to local high temperatures during weld repairs, again it should be the responsibility of the design engineers and contractors to specify and install the appropriate materials. The wheel layout of the vehicle can also have a significant effect. It is well-known that long wheelbase trucks can cause binding on curves, but trucks with only limited horizontal rotation capacity – particularly This inevitably sets up a skip and slip to eliminate the gap. Swing-nose crossings are when combined with long car overhang – episode which can lead to noise, wear and not cheap to buy or maintain but they can be can cause significant nosing and tracking corrugation. This can only be effectively effective; for example, they are used for the problems. More conventional bogies with mitigated either by use of a differential (as in turnouts at Canary Wharf DLR station, UK – greater degrees of rotational freedom can the Bremen and Berlin AEG type low-floor a particularly noise sensitive area. help, but they are difficult to combine with cars) or by the use of separately controlled Even the best point and crossing work the fashionable cult of the 100% low-floor car. independent wheels; SET in Derby (UK) will generate some noise and vibration, so Fixing two wheels onto a rigid axle locks has a major programme to develop such the location of this special work needs to be them together so that they can only rotate a traction package and it is to be hoped carefully considered; does the crossover need at the same speed. This causes problems on that this will be a major step forward in to be at this precise spot, or can it be moved a curves, where the length of the railhead to eliminating the problem. few metres away to a less sensitive location? be traversed by each wheel is significantly As mentioned earlier, discontinuities of Would a pre-selector point (as at Church different. On main line railways with large the rail-head are a major source of noise, their Street, Croydon) mitigate problems? radius curves the conicity of the wheels elimination can result in major benefit. Where It must be emphasised that good tramway can mitigate the problem, but this option track is laid in grooved rail, the use of flange- design is a holistic and iterative process is of little help on tight rail curves in urban running crossings will support the wheel and all participants must be brought into environments; on a circular curve with a through the discontinuity, avoiding wheel the task if the best results are to be achieved radius of 20m to the inner rail the difference drop and pounding of the nose of the common and maintained. in rail-head length can be nearly 4.5m, which crossing. Where flange-running crossings for a wheel of 600mm diameter can mean cannot be used, particularly on conventional Next month: Vibration-related challenges in a difference of well over two revolutions! open track, a swing-nose crossing can be used light rail construction.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MARCH 2015 / 111 Rail Holidays of the World

Explore Germany’s Extensive Tram Network ~ Old & New ~ Tramways of Germany The new Tramways & Urban Transit 16 September to 30 September 2015 – 15 Days from £1,990pp This escorted tour indulges people’s passion for trams whilst enjoying the culture and website is the interactive way to keep hospitality Germany has to offer. It is a comprehensive, yet relaxing 15-day escorted tour that travels the width of Germany by train and explores the heritage and current up-to-date on the light and urban rail topics workings of the country’s tram network in fi ve interesting cities where trams play an intrinsic part of the public transport system. Highlights include: that matter: the latest contracts, the most  Unlimited travel around Essen, Hannover, Leipzig, Berlin & Cologne  Guided tour of Wehmingen Tram Museum with historic tram ride important events and who’s involved  Historic tram ride on Schöneiche-Rüersdorfer Strassenbahn with workshop tour  Historic tram ride on Wolterdorfer Strassenbahn with workshop tour where – a concise update of the latest news For more information about this tour or to order our 2015 brochure from both new and established systems Call: 01766 772030 or Email: [email protected] Visit: www.ffestiniogtravel.com around the world. Visit the new website at: Years of Unforgettable Rail Journeys

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Tramways and Urban Transit 02 02.indd 1 28/01/2015 16:56:42

THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE Edmonton

An ETS three-car SD160 train with car 1069 leading, travelling north towards Clareview terminus having just left Southgate station. Note the level crossing on the grade-separated route. www.lrta.org www.tautonline.com

MARCH 2015 N O. 927 SUBSCRIBE NOW! HOW GOOD DESIGN CAN REDUCE TRAMWAY NOISE Now entering its 78th year, Tramways & Urban Transit is the DRiViN g NoRTh AmERiCAN ‘uRbAN STyLE’ LRT Already a North American pioneer, the City of Edmonton is still expanding its original LRT operations, with works soon world’s leading monthly publication dedicated solely to to begin on a new low-floor system. Vic Simons reports.

ith a metropolitan population of just under 1.2 million (2011 census), Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta,W located east of the Rockies. Whilst Melbourne: Modernising the world’s largest tramway not the largest city in the province, that honour falling to Calgary, Edmonton led light and urban rail developments. North America’s second-generation light rail UK Minister: ‘Clear need for trams’ revolution when it opened its first line in 1978. North America’s LRT early adopter China’s new rolling stock superpower Edmonton was settled by the British Hudson Bay Company in the 18 th Century, although Billions recommended for US transit there are traces of settlements in the area going ISSN 1460-8324 back to the end of the last Ice Age. Situated on

£4.25 03 the North Saskatchewan River, it stands on the mid-state divide between the rich agricultural Siemens SD160 cars usually operate in three- or four-car trains; here 1069 takes up the rear of a three-car Shenyang Edmonton southbound train entering Coliseum station. 21st Century light Canada’s pioneer 9 771460 832043 of ‘urban style’ LRT www.tautonline.com rail developments . www.lrta.org march 2015 / 101

101-104_TAUT1503_Edmonton.indd 1

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112 / MARCH 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Daugavpils

Neil Pulling visited Latvia’s second SYSTEMS city during the rebuilding of the core section of LATVIA FACTFILE the system, then awaiting Daugavpils No. Daugavpils, a resolution to fleet 90 Latvia renewal problems.

atvia is not unusual in KTM-5 108 leaves At the convergence of five lines that trolley poles bolstering an impression Europe in having a capital Vienības nams include international connections, of antiquity, it is however by no means much bigger than its other (Unity Hall) stop in modern Daugavpils rose as a railway old. Unlike Riga and Liep ja which cities; less usual is that it central Daugavpils operating and engineering centre. introduced electric trams around the has so few other substantial on 13 May 2014. Still a key local industry, the railway start of the 20th Century, it was not Lsettlements. Only Riga (population is primarily concerned with freight. until November 1946 that Daugavpils All pictures by Neil approx. 695 000), Daugavpils (98 000) Pulling, 12-13 May Daugavpils – Riga has at best four daily started services over a rapidly installed and Liep ja (75 000) – locations of the 2014 except where passenger trains in each direction, initial 5.4km (3.4 miles), soon country’s tram systems – record over stated. including the Moscow sleeper. extended as the city restored industry. 60 000 residents. Unlike the other With many and more frequent buses Between the 1940 Soviet invasion two, which owe much to Baltic access, taking a similar time, Daugavpils until independence returned in Daugavpils is well inland, 230km station lacks the significance that 1991, the Latvian Soviet Socialist (144 miles) south-east of Riga. might be expected. It is thereby Republic was a constituent of the The main city of the Latgale region, fitting, if inconvenient, that the USSR; the tramway drew upon Soviet it is close to neighbouring Belarus and line 1 city tram terminus – nominally practice and equipment, including Lithuania, with the Russian border at the station (Stacija) – is barely visible adopting the 1524mm gauge. 120km (75 miles) distant. Known as from there. Separate municipal bodies, With minimal private vehicle Dvinsk in imperial Russia, later Soviet Tramvaju uznemums (trams) and ownership, the system’s configuration incorporation and settlement further Daugavpils autobusu parks (buses), was determined by widely-spaced contributed to Daugavpils’s mixed were combined from January 2014 employment concentrations, later population. Latvian is the country’s under the Daugavpils satiksme (traffic) extending to where residents might only official language, although in identity. The 29 bus routes plus take their leisure. Years on and with Daugavpils ethnic Russians form the minibuses provide the main public economic and social changes, there majority at over 50% with Latvians transport across a sprawling mainly remains a curiously structured layout under 20%. Founded in 1275 with low-rise urban area. relative to modern demands, with significance in trade and defence – the As the original installation, oddities both in the places that it present name means Daugav Castle – the tramway is ‘first generation’. serves and those that it does not. a succession of identities reflected the Ageing badly prior to the current Like most of the city, the tramway changing controlling powers. modernisation programme and with is north of the wide Daugava river.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MARCH 2015 / 113 Xx

Daugavpils

THE FLEET

Until the 2014 arrivals, four high-floor, single-car types were used, some in multiple operation. A Riga-built RVZ-6 (originally 001-series, latterly 029-065) is intended for hire use, otherwise these run-down and already much-depleted 1970s-80s vehicles are for withdrawal. Of a similar vintage but seemingly less affected by age were originally 12 re-gauged ČKD T3D from Schwerin, Germany. Prior to 2014 the newest fleet types were from 1990. From near the end of the 30-plus year production run of UKVZ’s model 71-605A are 12 KTM-5 (101-112). Lightly built and with single- leaf sliding doors, these trams reflect their design age rather than being comparatively modern by production. Unusual for consistency of livery in Daugavpils, the KTM-5s are uniformly red and white. Built in 1994, the single KTM-8 (114) was noted locally for its long incarceration in the cut-off old depot. The two new classes in the fleet are also fitted for current collection by trolley pole. The single-car four-axle type 71-623-02 001-008 are orange and blue. They are 16.4m long, have a 40% low-floor area accessed from the central doors and an approximate 180 capacity. The four three-section six-axle articulated type 71-631, 009-012, are in red and white. Better suited to line 1 loadings, they are 28m long, 72% low-floor ABOVE: One of the infrequent line 3 BELOW: KTM-5 103 heads into with 48 seats with a potential capacity for about 290. services negotiates rebuilding on the central Daugavpils on rebuilt track, approach to Saules veikals. since grassed over.

Built in 1983, ex-Schwerin ČKD T3D 070+071 on Jātnieku iela, a section doubled in the 1970s.

LEFT: 1991-built KTM-5 106. With “There remains a curiously new stock arriving, RVZ-6 043+044 were structured layout, with oddities withdrawn in October 2014. in the places that it serves…”

With rebuilding in the foreground, 108 heads past Saints Boris and Gleb Orthodox Cathedral.

ABOVE: Services continued with temporary stops and single tracks. RVZ-6 063 on 18. novembra iela with overhead equipment replaced and new platforms being installed.

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NETWORK FACTS The scale of railway installations The unidirectional system is TOP: Rebuilding Opened: November 1946 creates several Daugavpils divides, double track between the station the junction for the Lines: 3 western arm of as for the commercial and cultural and the main depot on J tnieku iela. Stops: 37 line 2 in 2014. centre including the university that is Created with an early extension – later (some with dispersed platform) confined between the rail tracks and doubled – and used to turn lines 1 ABOVE LEFT: Depots: 2 the Daugava’s north bank. and 2 trams, this depot is bordered by RVZ-6 030+029 Approx. weekday hours: The core of this area is further forest beyond Butlerova iela terminus. approach line 05.00-23.00 delineated on three sides by the Line 1’s approximate 7km (4.4 miles) 1 Stacija on the Line frequency: 8 minutes (line 1); tramway, hosting two of the system’s from here to Stacija is the core of the unidirectional wide and irregular variations three lines. For over 30 years the operation. Connecting some principal terminus loop. system has mainly operated as three areas of the city, line 1’s surroundings Gauge: 1524mm lines totalling 25.2km (15.8 miles) and are palpably the most capable of ABOVE: Rust Power: 600V dc overhead supply never sleeps: the the only section shared by all three is sustaining passenger demand Fleet: Approx. 40 + 12 new well away from the centre, between on today’s system. Indicative of need for fleet replacement is all City network/operator: Ventpils iela (iela = street) and frequencies, there are three arms that too apparent aboard Daugavpils satiksme Saules veikals. These are stops at two are largely single track. The westerly RVZ-6 030. junctions along 18. novembra iela, end of line 2 now mainly serves INFORMATION the main highway that climbs away housing rather than active industrial City network: from the city. Named after the 1918 sites. Beyond Maizes kombin ts http://satiksme.daugavpils.lv declaration of the Latvian Republic, terminus, a right of way was installed Civic information: this is one of the changed identities during road reconstruction in www.daugavpils.lv (formerly ‘Red Army’) since Soviet anticipation of an extension towards Tourist information: times, although some industry naming Jaun Forštate, a substantial 1980s www.visitdaugavpils.lv of tramway locations have survived. development to the north.

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Furthest from the city, the line 3 arm to Stropu ezers – completed in 1960 – has as its main features woodland, cemeteries and a lakeside leisure area. Line 3’s short western arm ends with a terminus loop sited just short of the huge fortress after which it is named, Cietocknisis. With a sparse service and end-to-end trips taking 35 minutes, line 3 is the longest at 8.8km (5.5 miles). Although much of the tramway has dedicated space, there is conflict with road traffic at the 18. novembra iela junctions and where the tracks switch sides near the long railway bridge. Where the lines overlap, intending passengers could safely disregard the timetable for much of the day as, improved in September 2014, line 1 now mainly has an eight-minute frequency. The system’s outer reaches carrying only lines 2 or 3 have a loose 30-minute frequency. Irregular times furthermore discourage patronage, especially with the sparseness of settlement or activity at places on these routes. A system created in Soviet times, it is Latvia’s later European would-be suppliers Vagonmash Dauavpils’ first cars with low-floor sections arrived in late 2014; Community membership that of St. Petersburg later going 71-623 car 001 is one of two variants ordered from Russian has brought the recent substantial bankrupt. The second attempt, with manufacturer UKVZ. transphoto.ru changes. The European Regional Belkommunmash of Belarus, within Mid-1980s RVZ-6 056+055 at Tirgus (Market), junction for the short Development Fund is meeting 83.1% 2013 went from delivering a BKM single track Cietocknisis line. of a renewal project. Rebuilding covers 62103 which became the only vehicle infrastructure on the most intensively of 12 intended, trial running, its used section, about 6.2km (3.85 miles) return (subsequently going to Vitebsk) of track including intersections on and contract cancellation. 18. novembra iela. The rebuilt track Third-time lucky and important has stone or grassed surrounds, with for attaining August 2015 project new platforms giving easier boarding, targets, substitution was rapid with notably with the fleet’s latest Russian company UKVZ, makers of additions. Construction temporarily the previously most recent Daugavpils isolated the original workshop on trams in the early 1990s. Deliveries 18. novembra iela during 2012-14. under the EUR6.5m order began Begun in 2011, the initial in mid-September 2014. Rapid procurement of two types of new completion of the required acceptance trams needed to improve accessibility tests saw both types in service before and make the service more appealing the year’s end, the first public run ended in failure. This related to being on 30 September.

Line 1 and 2 trams turning at Saules ESSENTIAL FACTS veikals, one of the crossings Local travel: Bought onboard from the conductor, tram of main road tickets have prices/colours according to passenger 18. novembra iela. characteristics. Most visitors will need the blue type, EUR0.43 one trip in one direction (EUR0.21 Sundays and public holidays). Charges also apply for luggage and animals. No rover ticket option or in combination with buses. The principal public transport hub is the main bus station (Daugavpils autoosta), with local and long distance services. In the city centre at Viestura iela, it is not ideally placed for railway users, nor tram-served.

What is there to see? Daugavpils has an interesting, varied and relaxed central area and has a very helpful information office in Vienības nams near the prominent Park Hotel Latgola. Some city maps show the tramway; although this may be all available locally, taking materials in advance from the Daugavpils satiksme website is recommended. Artist Mark Rothko was born in Daugavpils, with his life and works celebrated at a centre within the 19th Century Fortress, itself a major attraction. Prominent around Uzņēmums Lokomotīve tram stop, Church Hill is home to four denominations including Latvia’s biggest Orthodox cathedral.

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ARGENTINA GENT. Delivery of Flexity BUENOS AIRES. Engineering vehicles proceeds and it has been work has started for planned metro announced that 6351-5 will be line F with the aim of opening the delivered complete from Bautzen, first phase (Constitución – Callao while 6356-60 will be assembled Santa Fe) in 2017; 15 automated at Brugge from German parts. BS trains will be required. RGI OOSTENDE. Articulated tram NEWCASTLE. Although the 6102 has been demoted to works New South Wales Government service and painted yellow. T-2000 was refused permission to close the Wickham – Newcastle rail BRAZIL line, service was abandoned on SÃO PAULO. Nippon Signal 31 December but the injunction has been awarded the contract means that the infrastructure to install CBTC for automated must remain in place unless an operation on the 15.9km (9.9-mile) act of parliament is passed metro line 6 by 2020. IRJ permitting its removal. J. Chuang BULGARIA The first CAF-built 100% low-floor tram for the Estonian capital Tallinn soon after AUSTRIA SOFIA. After the arrival of the last delivery in December 2014. A. Olander GRAZ. Work has started on Pesa Swing 2301-20 (used on line ZHUHAI. A visitor in late tramline A was extended west the 1km (0.6-mile) extension 7), Tatra T6 2001-20 have been December found no tram testing from Mérignac to La Haillan of tram line 7 to LKH- renumbered 3001-20 and are in progress, although one car was Rostand (3.6km/2.2 miles) and Universitätsklinikum, to open in now used on line 18. A. Stoyanov displayed on the running track line C north from Berges du Lac October 2017. EB near the north-east terminus. The to Parc des Expositions (2.8km/ WIEN (Vienna). A court has CANADA TramWave surface contact system 1.7 miles). rejected an appeal by Siemens TORONTO. In mid-January there is still to be installed along most of NICE – DIGNE (CP). In order to against the award of the new tram were still only three Bombardier the line. T. V. Runnacles replace the 40-year-old SY railcars contract to Bombardier. low-floor trams in service, whereas pending electrification, CP is Delivery of A1 ULF trams had under the schedule agreed CROATIA buying six two-car DMUs from reached 116 by the end of 2014. when the contract was signed OSIJEK. The 1.6km (one-mile) SFM on the Spanish island of Withdrawn are 4502, 4737, there should be 43. Bombardier western tram extension to Mallorca. These were built by CAF 4842/7/8/51/3/6/7 and trailers attributes the delay to the nine- Visnjevac opened on 30 November from 1996, but rendered surplus 1238/83 and 1322/4/30. BS week strike at the former Can Car and is served by cars on route 1. RGI by recent electrification of the factory in Thunder Bay and supply metre-gauge system. TR BELARUS chain problems. The company CZECH REPUBLIC NAVAPOLATSK. The city has is facing significant liquidated LIBEREC. The rebuilt Liberec – GERMANY taken delivery of the prototype damages. National Post Vratislavice section of the Jablonec AUGSBURG. Consultation is Belkommunmash BK M- 802 VANCOUVER. A M a r c h interurban tramway is expected to taking place for the proposed 15.5m partially low-floor bogie referendum will enable residents re-open on 15 April. BS tramline 5 that will use 4.3km (2.7 tram (061). RGI to approve a half-cent sales tax PRAHA (Prague). Metro line A miles) of new tracks between Hbf VITEBSK. New Belkommunmash designed to help fund transit is to be extended to Nemocnice and Luitpoldbrücke. Completion 621.03 trams are 656-8, believed projects. These could include a Motol on 6 April. New tramlines is planned for 2019. BS to be the cars originally ordered Broadway subway and a light rail are 15 (Barrandov – Smichovské BERLIN. Work to renew 4km by Daugavpils. BS line in Surrey. E. B. Havens metro; peaks only) and 19 (2.5 miles) of S-Bahn tracks and (Palmovka – Lehovec). Tramline 13 associated pointwork and cabling BELGIUM CHINA will be withdrawn. transphoto.ru in the north-south tunnel started ANTWERPEN. The new line 8 to GUANGZHOU. Yide Lu station on 16 January, and was due to last Wommelgem is expected to open on metro line 6 was opened on EGYPT until 4 May. Line S1 is operating on 18 April, using the revived 28 January. urbanrail.net ISKANDARIYYA with North and South services, subway under Turnhoutsebaan HANGZHOU. The city’s second (Alexandria). Ex-København with bus replacement between. and Carnotstraat. metro line was opened for trial Düwag tram 814 was destroyed KT4D trams sent to Novosibirsk The number of the repainted operation on 24 November, by fire after being petrol bombed in Russia are 6020/2/4/38/58. BS PCC car missing from our January 18.3km (11.4 miles) from the by rioters on 25 January. BOCHUM-GELSENKIRCHEN. report was 7007, however by 22 city centre to Chaoyang in the The last Stadler Variobahn of the November the car was back in south-east, with 13 underground FINLAND first series, 540, entered service in official De Lijn colours. stations. A second phase, 12.5km HELSINKI. On 19 January it early 2015. Five more trams of this The 43m Bombardier Flexity cars (7.8 miles) to the north-west, will was announced that the metro type will arrive in 2015. BS due for delivery will be 7301-10 for open in 2016. RGI automation project had been DARMSTADT. Agreement use on route 15 from September. JINAN. Construction of an abandoned because it could not has been reached between the The 31.8m cars will be 7311-38, 80.6km (50.1-mile) three-line be completed on time and at an city council and HEAG Mobilo with delivery planned for the metro system costing CNY43.7bn acceptable cost. Siemens has said it GmbH for the 1.35km (0.8-mile) autumn. (EUR6.2bn) has been approved is considering possible legal action. extension of tramline 2 to the Gent PCC 6242 is on trial in with construction starting before Contracts have been awarded Technical University at Lichtwiese Antwerpen. Nine more could arrive the end of the year. All three lines for the second phase of the metro by 2017, at a cost of EUR8.32m. DS as the delivery of Flexity 43m trams will open in 2019. IRJ extension to Espoo. The 7km DUISBURG. It is understood is completed. T-2000, BS NANJING. State-owned property (4.3-mile) Matinkylä – Kivenlahti that the sole Variobahn in the BRUXELLES/BRUSSEL. company Greenland Group has section will be completed in 2020. tram fleet (2000) has been sold The last Bombardier Flexity to agreed to provide CNY31.3bn Trams with low-floor centre to Oslo, and will be transported be delivered in 2014 was 3143. (EUR4.4bn) towards construction sections have been renumbered; there in April. BS The new timetable from of metro line 5, in return for 113-122 are ex-34/7/8/4/50/ DÜSSELDORF. The latest date set 23 February was to see the end development permissions along 60-3/8. Raitio for the opening of the Wehrhahn of evening routes 31 and 83. the line. The firm is also said to be line subway is 20 February 2016. Daytime routes 81 and 82 were putting CNY30bn (EUR4.2bn) into FRANCE Siemens has been awarded a extended into the evening. T-2000 LRT expansion in Chongqing. GRN BORDEAUX. On 24 January EUR40m contract to renew the

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new line; passenger operation tramline, as no bids were received should start in March. Hyundai- in the first round of bids. TR Rotem has supplied 57 three- MILANO. AnsaldoBreda has car trains. RGI been awarded a contract for 47 KOCHI. Alstom has been awarded automated metro trains for the contracts more than EUR65m to new 15km (9.3-mile) line 4 to supply electrification, signalling Linate airport. RGI and communication for the new metro, due to open in March LUXEMBOURG 2016; 25 Metropolis metro trains LUXEMBOURG. Work started will be supplied under a separate in the second half of January to EUR85m contract. clear part of the Kirchberg forest to make space for the tram depot IRELAND for the new line. The 4.4ha site DUBLIN. Swords Council has met includes a 192m stabling depot, the National Transport Authority workshop and offices, to house up to debate the six options for to 32 45m trams. New rolling stock developing public transport in its will be delivered here for testing An artist's impression of the depot for the new Luxembourg tramway, currently area. Local councillors were agreed and training. Luxemburger Wort under construction. Luxtram that either Metro North or a light rail Luas option were the long- MALAYSIA semi-automatic train control An eleventh low-floor trailer term answer. Bus Rapid Transit was KUALA LUMPUR. The first new system in the tram subways. If the (857) arrived from Rostock in rejected as unsuitable to deal with Amapang line six-car metro train Duisburg undertaking has not December. BS population growth in the area. was delivered from CSR Zhuzhou agreed to refit its Stadtbahn cars KÖLN (Cologne). The seventh The Rail Procurement Agency Electric on 27 December. The first used on line U79 with the necessary rebuit Stadtbahn-B car is 2425 has declared that a Cross-City 35 are being imported complete, equipment by the time the project (ex-2195). DS Luas ‘spur’ to Cabra, Ballymun but the last 15 will be assembled is completed in late 2018, this MAINZ. Ten more Variobahn and on to the airport and Swords at Batu Gajah. The new trains interurban service may have to be trams have been ordered from is its preferred option for the area will enter service in October, when split at the city boundaries. Stadler for delivery in the second should Metro North not go ahead. the line is extended. Star Online Bombardier has been named half of 2015. BS The Luas spur in Swords would as preferred bidder for the joint MANNHEIM. A Bombardier have three stops, at the Pavilions OMAN Düsseldorf/Köln order for 60 new Flexity 2 destined for Belgian Shopping Centre, near Swords MUSCAT. A feasibility study Stadtbahn cars (FlexitySwift), but operator De Lijn was on test in Castle and at the Estuary with a for a modern tramway has been the order has still to be placed January/February. The turning park-and-ride facility. launched by the city council. because Siemens/Vossloh-Kiepe circle at Feudenheim was Anne Graham has been Times of Oman has lodged an appeal. re-opened from 12 January after appointed Chief Executive The operation by Rheinbahn of six months of closure to permit Officer of the National Transport NETHERLANDS bistro trams on lines U70 and U76 complete reconstruction. DS Authority. She takes over from AMSTERDAM. Trams 780/6 and came to an end on 23 December POTSDAM. Eight Combino Gerry Murphy, who retired in 804/15/6 are being dismantled for due to the economic performance trams are to be lengthened with December. spare parts. OR of the operation. BS two additional centre sections at DEN HAAG. Work has started ESSEN/OBERHAUSEN. The a cost of EUR1.2m/car to provide ISLE OF MAN to extend Zichtenburg depot to referendum on plans to extend additional capacity. DS GENERAL. Although no formal provide extra tracks for the new Essen tramline 105 to Oberhausen STRAUSBERG. Car 21, the last announcement has been made fleet of Siemens Avenio trams. The will be held on 8 March. BS high-floor Tatra KT8D tram, left by Douglas Borough Council, new brine cars were used for their FRANKFURT AM MAIN. for Praha on 20 January. DS operation of the horse tramway planned function for the first time Work to make the Stadtbahn B ULM. The first construction during summer 2015 has been on 27 December, when snow fell line (Bockenheimer Warte – work for tramline 2 started at included in the Heritage Railways on the network. Bornheim) disabled accessible Kienlesberg on 26 January. DS brochure produced by the Isle of The restaurant Hoftrammm started on 23 January, and there Man Government. Operating days derailed while returning to will be various temporary closures HUNGARY are given as 11 May-13 September. Frans Halsstraat depot in the late and service alterations as the BUDAPEST. The first trial runs The Douglas Promenade evening of 12 January, resulting work progresses. VGF over the tramway on the new reconstruction scheme has been in a temporary suspension FREIBURG-IM-BREISGAU. Rákóczi bridge were made on deferred until this autumn to of service. digitaltram.nl The formal ground-breaking 26 January with a Combino and allow further consultations to ROTTERDAM. The December ceremony for the 1.9km (1.2-mile) a T5 set. The bridge will enable take place, particularly with the timetable change saw line 20 Rotteckring tramway extension line 1 to be extended to Etele út/ Borough Council. become a peak-only service, took place on 15 January. The line Fehérvári út. The Isle of Man Railway season operating 06.30-09.00 and should open in 2017. RGI Although five consortia is 12-15 February, followed by 13.30-18.30 on Monday-Friday KARLSRUHE. Gerwigstrasse submitted bids to modernise daily service from 6 March. The every 7.5 minutes, and routed via depot is being extended to metro line 3, the Hungarian Manx Electric Railway opens on Schiedamsedijk, Coolsingel and accommodate a further 24 trams. Government budget for 2014-20 20 March and the Snaefell line a Van Oldenbarnveltstraat. OR The EUR20m project will be does not include this, so it is not week later on 27 March. All three completed in 2016. BS certain that it will go ahead. R T lines will run until 8 November NEW ZEALAND KASSEL. An unexpected level MISKOLC. The last day of on timetables similar to 2014 AUCKLAND. The board of of sickness of staff authorised operation of ex-Wien E1 trams with enhancement during special Auckland Transport has said to drive RegioTram services led was 19 December. Three days later events (including an evening studies for the replacement of to widespread bus substitution the last Škoda 26T low-floor tram service on the MER in June buses by trams in the busiest on lines RT3, RT4 and RT5 in was delivered. transphoto.ru through to Ramsey). corridors should be carried out, November-January. It has been in response to the Regional Land suggested the sickness is not INDIA ITALY Transport Plan aimed at tackling unconnected with union action to HYDERABAD. Metro test COSENZA. The region of Calabria congestion. The announcement secure better pay and conditions operation in ATO mode started at has relaunched the tendering came on the same day as the mayor for these drivers, with a series of the end of December on the 8km process for the construction and announced transport spending strikes in November/December. (five-mile) eastern section of the equipment of a 10.5km (6.5-mile) cuts in his 2015-16 budget. IRJ

118 / MARCH 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org PHILIPPINES on the FGC line 7 in January. MANILA. A USD51.5m They are replacing the 1983 class construction contract has been 111 trains (with one to be retained awarded for the 3.9km (2.4-mile) for heritage purposes). GRN elevated extension of MRT-2 from CADIZ. Work has resumed on Santolan to Mainag Junction in the tram-train project and the Antipolo City. IRJ first trial operation between San Fernando and the edge of Chiclana POLAND de la Frontera took place at the WARSZAWA. The announced end of November. It is hoped to 14 December ‘opening’ of metro complete all infrastructure work line 2 turned out to be just a prime in April, and passenger operation ministerial ride. Passenger service may even start this year, using was postponed to an unknown the seven CAF-built 3000V dc, date in early 2015. 1668mm-gauge, tram-trains. Meanwhile, 24 December did N. Mackenzie see the inauguration of the 4.5km SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE. (2.8-mile) PLN65m (EUR15.3m) A ceremony on 22 January marked extension of tramline 2 to Marii 100m passengers carried since the Sankt Peterburg recently put into service a batch of bogie trams from Ust-Katav Curie Sklodowski bridge. Because tramway opened in June 2007. carrying a modified livery. K. Chistyakov of the stub terminus here double- Since then the accumulated km ended Pesa Swing trams are used. for the Alstom Citadis averages TURKEY In addition, tours will run The final 3km (1.9 miles) of the 450 000km (279 617 miles). ISTANBUL. Seventeen four- midweek over Easter (30 March-10 extension to Winnica should open The busiest stop is the northern car metro trains have been April), on the Bank Holiday on at the end of 2015. DS terminus of La Trinidad, used by ordered from Hyundai-Rotem for May 4, the Late Spring holiday 120 000 passengers/month. IRJ USD93.3m to increase capacity on week 26-29 May, and from 27 July- ROMANIA ZARAGOZA. A EUR1.1m contract line M2 by the end of 2017. They 3 September and 26-30 October. ARAD. With the two prototype has been awarded to a consortium will be assembled locally at Adana. Illuminations tours with the Astra Imperio low-floor trams of Idom and Typsa to carry out The city has issued a tender illuminated and heritage fleet will now running as 1401/2, four planning for tramline 2 on an for the extension of metro operate 5 September-8 November. more double-ended cars are now east-west axis. Public consultation line M7 by 6.5km (four miles) ‘Ride & Dine Wednesdays’ are expected. DS is in progress. It is hoped work from Mecidiyeköy to Kabatas. to operate monthly, and to include can start in 2017. The 18km (11.2-mile) initial an evening heritage tram tour. RUSSIA In December the tramway section will open in 2017 and it Special events will mark 130 KAZAN. Belkommunmash has passed the 100 000 passengers/day is hoped the new extension will years of operation of the Blackpool delivered 843.00 trams 1312-19; mark on seven occasions, three follow in 2018. RGI & Fleetwood tramway on the the three trams loaned from Minsk years after its opening. The total weekend of 26-27 September. have been returned. BS for the month was 2.39m. UKRAINE EDINBURGH. A revised scheme SANKT PETERBURG. New 71- J. P. Gonzalvo DONETSK. The shelling of the for the Edinburgh Marina 631 articulated low-floor trams city centre on 22 January, which development makes provision for delivered from Ust-Katav at the SWITZERLAND killed a number of passengers the extension of the tram service end of 2014 were 7417/8, while AIGLE/MONTREUX/VEVEY on trolleybus 1513, also caused and a potential fast ferry service new 71-623 bogie trams are 7501-3. (TPC/MOB/MVR). Stadler is to damage to tram 4115 on route 3 and to and from Kirkcaldy, as well as In January Alstom Citadis 301 supply five HGem2/2 locomotives, caused service to be suspended. facilities to accommodate cruise 8901 arrived at tram depot 8. one to TPC for use on its three lines Until then tram lines 3, 4, 6, 8 and ship tenders. 8900/2/7 followed, built at from Aigle, three to MOB for the 16 had been running as well as five The City of Edinburgh Council Alstom’s Spanish factory Montreux – Zweisimmen line, trolleybus lines. transphoto.ru has launched a new road safety under a RUB246m (EUR3.2m) and one to MVR for Vevey – Les VINNYTSIA. Correcting our campaign in a bid to reduce the supplementary contract. The Pléiades. The MOB examples will November report, the 2km number of collisions between Russian designation is 71-810. not be rack equipped. EA (1.2-mile) tramway link between trams and other traffic. Around The new trams entered service on BASEL. The lifting of the cap on Bars’ke Shose/Zakhidniy 60 cyclists are also pursuing claims 16 January. The TramRus Alstom/ the exchange rate between the Avtovokzal to Vyshen’ka was against the council saying they TMH joint venture is building Swiss Franc and the Euro on 15 opened for passenger service on have fallen off their bikes due to a factory in Sankt Peterburg January resulted in a huge demand 19 December, and it is served by tram tracks. for series production of this type from Swiss shoppers to travel to circular route 2, and route 6. GLASGOW. A G B P 1 7 m of tram. transphoto.ru Weil-am-Rhein in Germany on the Restored Gotha T57 two-axle (EUR26m) contract to modernise new extension of tramline 8. On tram 100 made its first passenger- the 118-year-old tunnels of SLOVAKIA Saturday 17 January a 7.5-minute carrying trip on 10 January. This is Glasgow’s Subway system has been KOSICE. The new Pragoimex headway was offered from 14.00 the tram that was Yevpatoria 003 let by Strathclyde Partnership for Vario LF2Plus trams 801-9 to 18.30, doubling the scheduled and originally Simferopol 157. Transport. The job of upgrading re-entered service on route 3 on number of trams. DS urbanrail.net, transphoto.ru tunnel lining has been awarded to 2 December; 19 more will arrive ZÜRICH. In January there Freyssinet. Sections to be relined in 2015. BS was continuing delay in the UNITED ARAB EMIRATES are from Hillhead to Kelvinbridge, announcement of a preferred DUBAI. Following operational St Georges Cross, Cowcaddens and SOUTH KOREA bidder for the new tram order, experience with the new tramway, Buchanan Street and Shields Road DAEGU. It is hoped that the 24km due to disagreement between left turns and U-turns for road to Kinning Park. The contract is (14.9-mile) metro line 3, in fact VBZ and independent traffic have been imposed at five the largest single award to date as an elevated straddle monorail, consultants brought in by out of six signalled junctions. part of the GBP300m (EUR399m) will open in April; 28 three- regional authority ZVV. Khaleej Times modernisation project. section trains are being supplied It is understood that Bombardier LONDON (UNDERGROUND). by Hitachi. GlobalDaegu is VBZ’s preferred bidder. UNITED KINGDOM London Underground has It has been decided that route BLACKPOOL. The 2015 announced its intention to award SPAIN 2 will not share tracks with the programme for Heritage Tram Tours the contract to design and build BARCELONA. The first two new Limmattalbahn in Altstetten, shows that tours will start on 28 the Paddington link tunnel, 114-class three-car trains from but remain on its existing tracks. March and operate every Saturday between the new Crossrail station Alstom/CAF entered service EA, A. Moglestue and Sunday until 8 November. and the Bakerloo line platforms, to

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The four Alstom Citadis 301 trams are now in operation in Sankt Peterburg. A local Construction work on the Midland Metro Birmingham City Centre Extension factory hopes to win more orders. A. Kosteg was well underway; the scene outside Snow Hill station on 15 January. TAUT the Costain Skanska joint venture. modifications included in budgets centre and extending to Harton, discovered beneath the tracks; The contract is worth around for the next financial year. Cleadon and Seaburn, feeding Centro has indicated that services GBP40m (EUR54m). Around MANCHESTER. Stock por t into the existing Tyne & Wear will return in March. 85 000 passengers interchange Council has prepared a report Metro system. Nexus already has to and from the Bakerloo line proposing a tram-train service proposals to introduce trams to USA each day, set to increase to over from Manchester Piccadilly other parts of the conurbation, CHARLOTTE, NC. T h e 115 000 when Crossrail starts to Stockport town centre, plus including Newcastle’s West End, inauguration of the 2.4km serving Paddington in 2018. creation of an orbital route running Washington and the Team Valley. (1.5-mile), USD37m, Uptown Work to modernise Tottenham from Reddish into Stockport Metro level crossings in heritage tramline has been Court Road station means and then out through Edgeley, Newcastle and North Tyneside postponed from March to June Central line trains will not stop Cheadle, Gatley and Baguley to the have been given an upgrade costing due to construction delays. until December. The station is suggested High Speed 2 station at GBP800 000 (EUR1.07m). CINCINNATI, OH. A request being enlarged and made fully Manchester Airport. The upgrade – at Callerton for proposals has been issued for accessible. Currently some Transport for Greater Parkway, Bank Foot, Kingston contractors interested in operating 150 000 people use the station Manchester has welcomed Park, Fawdon and Howdon – the modern tramline now under daily, expected to rise to over the Stockport report and indicated has seen new warning lights for construction. E. B. Havens 200 000 with commencement of that it would feed into its pedestrians, paving, painted signs GALVESTON, TX. The FTA Crossrail services. feasibility investigations. and road markings installed. has warned the city it must LONDON (TRAMLINK). From TfGM has now submitted the WEST MIDLANDS. The Public make progress in restoring the 14 December Sunday services on required Transport & Works Act Inquiry into the Centenary suspended heritage tramway, or the Wimbledon to New Addington Order application to build the Square extension application repay USD3.78m awarded in 2010 section were doubled between 5.5km (3.4-mile) Trafford Park closed on 16 January, and a report to repair hurricane damage to the 10.00 and 18.00, from every line. GBP350m (EUR465m) of and recommendations are being tracks and the diesel cars. 15 minutes to every 7-8 minutes. funding was confirmed under prepared. Work to remodel the E. B. Havens The 15-minute headway remains last year’s Greater Manchester approaches to Centenary Square HOUSTON, TX. Six of the new before 10.00 and in the evening. Agreement, which promises wider began in January and utility works CAF-built LRVs entered service On 29 December, tram 2544 devolution of transport and spatial for the proposed extension will on 7 January. E. B. Havens travelling towards Wimbledon planning powers to the city region. start later in 2015. The area around LOS ANGELES, CA. LAX has derailed at Mitcham Junction Trams were expected to return the Town Hall is to become part of approved a USD4bn airport following problems with the to Manchester Victoria in February the Paradise Circus development modernisation plan that includes points controlling access from after completion of Network Rail of which the tramway will be an an automated people-mover the single line to the double line work to build new platforms and integral part. linking the future Crenshaw section. The centre bogie and one tracks. Bury and Rochdale services It has been confirmed that the line light rail station to the wheelset of the trailing bogie were were expected to terminate proposals for the extension to passenger terminals. E. B. Havens derailed. The tram was travelling at Victoria from 18 February, the railway station and beyond MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, at 11km/h (7mph); none of the 20 although the section on to Shude in Wolverhampton will be the MN. The Green line is already passengers were injured and the Hill and Market Street was not subject of a Public Inquiry, carrying more passengers than tram was only subject to minor expected to open until 21 February. following amendments made to were predicted for two years after damage. An investigation is being Works are also progressing on the original proposals by Centro opening. Traffic management undertaken by the Rail Accident the Second City Crossing and (the West Midlands Integrated measures have succeeded in Investigation Branch. at Deansgate-Castlefield and Transport Authority) based on reducing the end-to-end running Cyclists have criticised the St Peter’s Square stops. consultation. Also proposed for time of 48 minutes when the line layout and signage at points M5000 trams up to 3094 have Wolverhampton is an extension opened in June 2014 to less than 30 where Tramlink crosses highways. been delivered, completing the of the railway station line to serve minutes, improving connections The matter has been brought to a original orders for new vehicles New Cross Hospital, although with feeder bus routes. E. B. Havens head following an inquest into the – but options have subsequently Centro says no money is currently NEW ORLEANS, LA. Work on death of a cyclist that occurred in been taken up that will see the earmarked for the project. the new tramline along Rampart 2013. The coroner had warned fleet extend to 120 vehicles. Although trams returned to was due to start in January, but of ‘significant’ danger at certain TYNE & WEAR. South Tyneside the Priestfield – The Royal section a legal challenge from residents points and Transport for London Council has opened talks with in Wolverhampton on 16 concerned at the disruption along with Croydon Council has Passenger Transport Authority December, the section beyond to delayed progress. On 16 January a opened a safety review. The review Nexus on how to fund a plan St Georges remained out of use for judge rejected the challenge and is likely to be completed by April for an on-street tram network remedial works to be carried out the formal ground-breaking was with any highway and signage serving South Shields town to stabilise the former mineshaft on 28 January. The USD41.2m

120 / MARCH 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org He then said that service would Railway is only open to the public start in the week commencing three days a year, with admittance 19 January, but even this proved by pre-arranged invitation. optimistic as safety certification CHEMNITZ (DE). The restored had still not been issued. The new Gotha T57 two-axle tram 813 mayor is refusing to commit to a of 1959 was re-launched at a date for passenger service. ceremony on 12 December after At 15.06 on 12 January a short- 15 years of restoration work for circuit caused cable arcing on the the tramway museum. BS Yellow line metro south of L’Enfant DRESDEN (DE). The tramway Plaza station. Two trains became museum will be open on 11-12 smoke logged and one person April, 11 July and 7-8 November. DS died, while 85 received medical HEATON PARK (UK). Regular attention. Metro has come under Sunday tram operation was criticism for the time it took to cut expected to resume in mid- the power supply and evacuate February after a brief closure for passengers, and for lack of radio upgrade works to the sub-station communication with firefighters and work on trams 5 and 96. at the scene. Service was restored SEATON (UK). The Seaton The new depot for the Lidingö tramway in Stockholm is taking delivery of CAF at 20.15 on 13 January. E. B. Havens Tramway will be open 14-22 trams ready for the line’s re-opening. M. Asklander February, 28 March-1 November MUSEUM NEWS and 28 December, plus 1 January line, being built without federal service. The final section of rail BEAMISH (UK). F o r m e r 2016. There will also be weekend funding, will use the same trams on the Orange line was welded Blackpool tram 703, which operation between 28 February as the Canal St line. E. B. Havens at Milwaukie on 18 November. masquerades as Sunderland 101, and 22 March. NEW YORK, NY. On 20 January The first powered test of a MAX has been withdrawn after a tyre WEHMINGEN (DE). Tracklaying Governor Cuomo unexpectedly LRV over the Tilikum Crossing ring broke during an inspection. for the northern turning circle announced that an elevated was with 322 on 21 January. It is unlikely that 101 will return was completed in January, and it rail link to La Guardia airport It was followed later by Portland to service in the immediate future is hoped to have the loop ready for costing USD450m would be built. Streetcar 008. with trams 52 and 264 being the the 2015 season. BS The 2.4km (1.5-mile) link would On the Portland Streetcar, car immediate priority. run to Willets Point station on the 015 finally returned to service BLACKPOOL (UK). T h e CONTRIBUTORS LIRR and subway line 7. in late October, while new Blackpool Heritage Trust has made UK and Ireland items are welcomed All MTA services were car 026, the last from United arrangements with the owner of by the Home News Editor, John suspended from start of service Streetcar, was received on Lytham 43 for the tram to become Symons, 17 Whitmore Avenue, to 09.00 on 27 January due to 21 November, bringing the fleet to part of the heritage fleet once Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent, ST9 Winter Storm Juno. E. B. Havens 17 trams. Car 026 entered service restoration of the lower saloon 0LW, UK. E-mail [email protected] OKLAHOMA CITY, OK. The city on 18 December. S. J. Morgan has been completed. The trust will Worldwide items should be sent is negotiating with Inekon for the SACRAMENTO, CA. The 6.9km then look to raise funds to secure to Worldwide Editor Michael supply of trams to its new tramline (4.3-mile), USD270m, RTD light the complete restoration of the Taplin at Flat 1, 10 Hope Road, due to open in 2017. E. B. Havens rail extension from Meadowview tram as the ‘missing link’ in the Shanklin, Isle of Wight PO37 6EA, PHOENIX, AZ. The city of Tempe Road to Consumnes River College Fylde Coast tramways fleet. UK – Fax: +44 (0)1983 862810 or has adopted a transportation is due to open in September. Lytham 43 was built by English e-mail: [email protected]. master plan that includes a 4.4km The city council has agreed Electric in Preston in 1924 and Acknowledgements also are due (2.7-mile) modern tramline USD7m for the proposed tramline lasted until the end of the system to Birmingham Post, BS Blickpunkt linking the State University with to West Sacramento. It is hoped in 1937 when the lower saloon Strassenbahn, digitaltram.nl, the existing light rail line. to raise USD30m on property was sold off. Its restoration would DS Drehscheibe Strassenbahn, E. B. Havens taxes on transit orientated be a long-term project. Edinburgh Evening News, EB PORTLAND, OR. Correcting our development. E. B. Havens BURTON-UPON-TRENT (UK). Eisenbahn, GRN Global Rail News, January report, the opening of the ST LOUIS, MO. It is hoped Former Burton and Ashby tram 14 IRJ International Rail Journal, Irish Orange line is scheduled for 12 to start construction of the has been repatriated from Detroit Times, Manchester Evening News, September and United Streetcar Delmar Loop heritage tramway and is now at the Statfold Barn Nottingham Evening Post, OR Op is a licensee of Skoda, not Inekon. in March. E. B. Havens Railway in Staffordshire. The tram De Rails, RGI Railway Gazette TriMet has launched a SAN FRANCISCO, CA. The appears to be in good structural International, Seaton Tramway, programme to replace the mayor, Edwin Lee, announced condition after 12 years of storage, TR Today’s Railways, Tram-2000, destination blinds in all 105 of the on 13 January that SFMTA will and the owning group believes it transphoto.ru, The Scotsman, LRVs that are so-equipped, with exercise its USD210m option could be made operable within urbanrail.net and Wolverhampton LED signs similar to those already for 40 additional SF2000 trams 12 months. The Statfold Barn Express & Star. carried in its Type 4 and Type 5 from Siemens, bringing the total (Siemens S70) cars. One car of each on order to 215 cars valued at affected type (109, 201 and 310) USD858m. There is a remaining Tramway track maps received the retrofit in October for option for another 45 cars. IRJ drawn by cartographer - ON SCALE and very detailed, testing. Work on the remaining 102 TAMPA, FL. A study to extend includes every track - out of use, depots; stops and cars began in December, carried the TECO heritage tramway, and route numbers - from around the world. Choose from out at Ruby Junction depot by an accommodating modern trams many historical and up-to-date maps. Available on outside contractor. All four signs in to provide city centre service, was paper and as PDF-files. New releases every March. each LRV will be converted. presented in January. The project World’s Database of Tram, Trolleybus and Metro The full programme is expected is priced at USD37-60m and is to take 18 months with about 50 linked to a major redevelopment This MS Access database (CD or PDF-file) is a unique encyclopaedia and covers all cars completed by September project. E. B. Havens known tramways, trolleybuses, metros, funiculars, rack-railways, monorails and people movers around the world (past & present). It shows data like inauguration- 2015, when the Orange line opens. WASHINGTON, DC. When and closure date and the gauge of each system at a glance. It contains information New rolls/blinds adding readings Mayor Vincent Gray left office at about the system’s layout, current collection, extension (km), Interurban routes and for the Orange line will not be the end of the year he had been more - including country-maps! acquired, and LRVs that have not unable to fulfil his pledge that yet been retrofitted with LED signs the H St /Benning Rd tramway Free list & information: Peter Sohns, Postfach 510106, will not be assigned to Orange line would be carrying passengers. D-30631 Hannover, Germany; E-Mail: [email protected]

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MARCH 2015 / 121

Letters

MAILBOX Get your views into print Letters should be clearly typed and preferably not handwritten. [email protected] +44 (0)1733 367615 We reserve the right to shorten contributions for publication.

The perfectly practical tram already exists: The Škoda 15T I enjoyed reading Scott McIntosh’s worthy summary of issues and constraints in tram design, published in the January 2015 issue of TAUT (925). All of the issues mentioned are valid but he stops short of mentioning the Sköda 15T ForCity (a concept Scott himself anticipated several years earlier) which has pretty-much reconciled all of the conflicting issues between good mechanical design (including being kind to the track) and a 100% low-floor objective. The Škoda, developed by the Czech railway research institute VUKV, recasts tram technology from the ground-up and provides a true 100% (completely stepless) low floor, a good ride, plentiful evenly-spaced doors – because the cabins are not cluttered by bogie boxes – flexible and forward-facing seating for the same reason, extreme quietness (partly thanks to the gearless synchronous permanent magnet motors) and swivelling bogies to get around curves quickly but gently. So why don’t we see 15Ts all over Europe? The up-front price on this better technology is about EUR0.5m more expensive than your average multi-articulated fixed-bogie tram that dominates the market. When I’ve managed to see a breakdown of many tram tenders, I note that the scoring often gives an overwhelming priority to price, rather than suitability of the vehicle for service. This seems a very short-sighted view, considering the long-term maintenance issues of wear on running gear and tracks and the better passenger experience. I invite readers to ride the Škodas in Prague or Riga and The Sköda 15T ForCity has plenty of positive attributes that in terms of judge for themselves. practicality, potentially make it the ‘perfect’ tram – so why don’t we see them Tony Prescott, by e-mail everywhere in Europe? Neil Pulling

Why a tram should be a tram All these cars are fitted with sunblinds for the My accolade for best external designs go to Some of the avant garde designs for future motorman to cut out glare from sunlight and the ex-Hagen Düwags on the Stubaitalbahn, light railway stock that featured in TAUT 925 streetlights above, so why not bring the metal the Fiat cars of 1988 in Turin, Zürich’s tram appear externally ugly and impractical, such dome of the cab down to that level, as on the 2000, the Linz cars built in 2010 for the as the RCP design for Riyadh on the front BN, Düwag and Lohner PCCs of the 1960s? Postlingbergbahn (with vertical cab on cover with extended murals blinkering the I think a tramcar should look like a tramcar rounded ends with deep domes) and the new cab and inducing drag. What has this to do and not try to masquerade as a spaceship Bombardier Flexity cars for Innsbrück, the with ‘culture and aesthetics’? or whatever the designers have in mind. Attergaubahn and the Traunseebahn. These The Uraltransmash R1 car, or ‘Bat Tram’, They are apparently all competing for cars were designed for humans. shown in TAUT 921 an 925 looks sinister, style with their swanky, aerodynamic cabs Cedric Greenwood, Holt (UK) diabolical and like something out of Doctor and nose cones. Tramcars don’t need to be Who with its angular outline, black and silver aerodynamic,as they don’t go much more finish, dark glazing and forward-leaning cab. than 50-65km/h (30-40mph). A lot of space – I should not like to see it advancing through and glass – is wasted in the motorman’s cabs the streets of my hometown like some giant which, if reduced to the limits as on more black slug! With a passenger saloon for 28-35 conventional trams, would allow another seats and 190-270 standees, this is clearly four passenger seats in the saloon behind the the work of a designer without regard to cab – eight seats in a double-ender. passenger comfort or a congenial relationship I’ve always said that an ugly car can with the environment, which its designer look good if painted in a suitable livery. claims. These designs don’t seem likely to Conversely, a tasteless livery, discordant attract the public to light rail. or pallid, can spoil what might be a good- The forward-leaning, or ‘reverse angle’ looking car, such as when the red and cream windscreen of the R1 is interesting, however. Innsbrück cars turned overall white. The This mimics the wheelhouse on modern Midland Metro car in the old Birmingham ships and tugs to cut glare from the sky and livery of dark blue and cream looks far more this is presumably the reason for the cab, attractive than its sisters in white, grey and although it was not stated. If this is so, why pink. Thus I think the Uraltransmash R1 car are most modern trams designed the opposite might look quite attractive, even stunning, in way with hoof noses and greenhouse glazing a less sombre livery, maybe dark green above The ‘Bat Tram’ – an inspired modern design, or a swept back right over the motorman’s head? light green, or dark blue above amber. lavish, sinister and impractical Doctor Who imposter?

122 / MARCH 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org When form exceeds function At the risk of being perceived as a Obituary: Philip Hanson (1941 – 2014) stubborn old fool, I cannot but post yet Born and educated in Bradford, as a young National Tramway Museum in Crich, and another letter related to an article in man Philip Hanson became a photographer many of his photographs of the museum Tramways & Urban Transit, this time with the War Department and Air fleet will appear in a new Crich Rolling about the Ultratransmash R1 design. Ministry. Eventually, he was appointed Stock book which author, Ian Stewart, From a lot of lavish talk, one comes to Chief Photographer (responsible for all has dedicated to his memory. A long-time the conclusion that the main feature of this design is the reverse angle of the front end. photographers in the civil service) and member of the TLRS, Philip built many However, this element would surely struggle then Head of Profession. He possessed an outstanding models of Bradford trams for approval for operation from any sensible extraordinary knowledge of photography, including bogie single-decker 1, in which safety authority. as well as everything from electricity to he was greatly helped by Stanley King. Please consider what happens in the event munitions and ballistics. Philip will be fondly remembered by of a collision with a pedestrian. Modern After taking early retirement, Philip all who knew him as a generous-spirited, tramcar designs are made in a way that in worked as an audio visual technician at warm-hearted, fun-loving man who loved case of such a collision the pedestrian is first Farnborough College of Technology. good food, the countryside, overseas travel, hit at the legs and then the body is pushed He was a committed Director of the Online Hornby trains, Dinky Toys, vintage films sideward to avoid it from being squeezed Transport Archive, contributing hugely to and radio programmes. Above all he was a under the car. The R1 design will ensure that all matters photographic. man of deep faith who was devoted to his the pedestrian is hit at the upper half of its Despite coping with cancer he was, family, and we extend our sympathy to his body, most likely at its head, causing the until recently, helping in the library at the wife, children and granddaughters. MJ worst possible injuries, after which the body will get swept and stuck under the car. Then you will have to call the fire brigade to Helsinki. A very good coverage of our rather lift the car to get the injured pedestrian out. “Good design does not only antiquated, yet popular system. However, Good design does not only look fine, it is look fine, it is first and there is something I would like to add, which first and foremost practical. Form follows I believe is of great interest to your readers. function, as they used to say. And please foremost practical. Since 2009, a popular vintage tram has remember that not everything shiny is gold. been in service on summer weekends, Dieter Schopfer, Berne (Switzerland) Form follows function enjoyed yearly by thousands of Helsinkians and tourists alike. Low floors and steerable wheel motors as they used to say.” The line is operated with a motor car from I should like to make two observations on the 1909 and an open trailer from 1919. Both cars discussion of tram design: possibly energy waste, but I believe the simple operated in Helsinki until the 1950s and were Firstly, the original article refers to 100% axle and fixed wheels still represents the restored with private funds for this service. low-floor trams. I question whether there better approach in real-life, having inherent Information about schedules and tickets can is any real value in the 100% aspect apart straight-steering characteristics, being rugged be found at www.stadinratikat.fi from the undertaking’s perceived image and and requiring no active control system. Daniel Federley, Helsinki (Finland) advertising hype. I believe that partial low Control system reliability is a statistical floor is more than adequate for real needs, parameter in any context, meaning that a Not so hot Houston and indeed some passengers prefer to sit malfunction could eventually occur, and this While I enjoyed your article about Houston higher up. By avoiding the 100% constraint is not a possibility that would be desirable (TAUT 426), the last sentence reading “...in the designer has the option of using his/her under intense passenger-carrying conditions. mid-summer as temperatures regularly reach preferred conventional bogie, with all the Every four wheels would mean four active 45°C...” is wrong. In fact, the temperature has advantages that go with that in terms of cost, control systems, raising the spectre of quite never reached 45°C since records began in reliability and relative simplicity. Many bogie considerable reliability and maintenance 1889. The average in Houston, according to designs have demonstrated such attributes, problems. Pointing to aircraft system the National Weather Service, is 33°C in June, together with good riding performance and reliability is irrelevant, as aircraft costings 34.3°C in July and 34.7°C in August. The compliance with poorly maintained track. and maintenance conditions are a universe highest temperature ever recorded is 42.8°C. While I fully respect David Gibson’s away from railed ground-level rapid transit. Also the caption on the photo in the upper ability and his views (TAUT 926), I would Howard Burford, by e-mail left of page 78 is wrong. The station in the question the practicability of steerable wheels photo is Gmunden Seebahnhof, which was requiring active attitude control. No doubt Vintage services in Helsinki the terminus of the line until the recently when fully developed and working they Thank you for the very interesting article opened station of Klosterplatz. might well reduce noise and track wear, and about the tramway in my hometown, Dennis Opferman, Fort Worth (USA)

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

FEBRUARY 2015 Boys and Biscuit Tins (Wehmingen, original trams. City URC, CF10 3BZ Monday 16. Wickham 19.30. Bremen and Braunschweig). (TLRS) Wednesday 11. Brighton 19.30. AGM and model competition. (TLRS) Tuesday 17. London 19.00. Mike MARCH 2015 Geoff Lomas: Films of Wheels on Tuesday 17. London 19.00. Fred Russell: Tramways of Ukraine. Reels. (TLRS) Ivey: 70s and 80s Europe. Thursday 26. Manchester 19.00. Tuesday 3. Southampton 19.30. Friday 13. Glasgow 19.30. Keith Wednesday 18. Bristol 19.30. Brian Yates: Oostende, Salzburg, Mike Russell: Pyongyang trams & Jones: 1980s miscellany – Soller to Alan Wilkins: InnoTrans. Geneva etc. trolleybuses, and Siberian trams in Salzburg plus STTS Wien 2014. (STTS) Thursday 19. Dartford 19.30. Mike Friday 27. Edinburgh 19.30. the snow. (LRTA/SEG) Saturday 14. Taunton 14.00 – (note Skeggs: Films from the attic. (TLRS) Andy Steel: A technical miscellany. Monday 9. Thames Valley 19.30. earlier than usual) TBC. (TLRS) Friday 27. Edinburgh 19.30. Scott Saturday 28. Beeston 14.00. Ken Mike Skeggs: Film archives. (TLRS) Monday 16. Liverpool 19.30. Geoff McIntosh: Smaller light rail systems. Grainger: Sheffield Trams – The first Saturday 4. Birmingham 14.00. Price: The Llandudno & Colwyn Bay Saturday 28. Beeston 14.00. Models: Generation. (TLRS) Chris Thornburn: Old & New Electric Railway. (TLRS) What's on your bench? (TLRS) Saturday 28. Garstang 14.00. Arthur Switzerland. (LRTA/TLRS/ERS) Monday 16. Sheffield 19.30. Richard Saturday 28. Garstang 14.00. Peter Dawson and Andrew Smith: Fat Tuesday 10. Cardiff 14.00. Cardiff's Buckley: Central Europe. Stevenson: Tramway trips. (TLRS)

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MARCH 2015 / 123 Classic Trams PORTO SPECTACULAR A great feature of the European tramway enthusiast movement is the parade of museum cars in Porto in early May. Mike Russell reviews an event that has become a fixture for much of the last quarter century. 1

s traditional tramcars have section in 1999, the parade continued for one The Portuguese economy has suffered been progressively withdrawn more year to travel along the coast road to considerably from the effects of the 2008 and replaced by modern, larger, Castelo. Following a three-year interregnum financial crisis. This has inevitably affected examples, so the movement for for track reconstruction, the parade has municipal enterprises, one result of which the preservation of older cars returned to the full surviving length of the was a significant fare increase on the regular Ahas gathered pace. Where tramways have Marginal tram line, between Passeio Alegre historic tram services from 2013. At the same been abandoned, enthusiast groups have and Infante, incorporating the original time, one of the seemingly habitual problems often created their own museum operations, 1872 mule-car line, the first tramway on the of tramway museum premises manifested whilst there are many instances of older cars Iberian peninsula. Generally, the cortége has itself, namely the need for significant repairs being retained by an operating system. first proceeded from Massarelos to Passeio to the roof. As a result, the museum was Of those surviving tramways that have Alegre, returning past Massarelos to Infante closed sine die from 2013, though this did not created their own collection of historic terminus and returning to Massarelos – a preclude operation of the parades in 2013 and tramcars, one of the finest is that in the route made in reverse for the first time in 2014. 2014. Finance became available for repairs northern Portuguese city of Porto. There have been suggestions that the at the end of 2014, and Massarelos museum We have previously outlined how the four-wheel museum cars might traverse is expected to reopen in July. Budgetary Porto tramways embarked upon a prolonged the steeply-graded Rua da Restauração constraints also implied that finance might period of retrenchment spread over almost to Carmo, but this is highly improbable. not be made available to fund the annual 40 years - during which the replacement Following occasional runaways that had parade in 2015, but that risk seems to have trolleybus system came and went, whilst the precipitated the earlier closure of the Carmo passed. When we closed for press, its date had trams remained. As fleet strength reduced – Praça de Liberdade section, STCP gave the not been announced, but it is customarily on with successive route closures, it appears municipality an assurance that only cars the first Saturday of May unless that falls on that efforts were made to keep at least one equipped with magnetic track brakes would the 1st or a day close to it, so this year’s event example of each class of car in working order. be allowed over this section and beyond to could take place on 2 or 9 May. Credit must go to the late Snr José Ribeira de Batalha when reopened in 2007; none of the An announcement shortly before Rocha, works foreman at Boavista depot, for historic fleet is so fitted. Christmas 2014 brought much-needed ensuring that a variety of car types remained The majority of the cars participating encouragement to the tramway museum in service throughout the protracted closure, in the parade are electrically propelled. movement in Porto, which has been almost as well as Ing. Manuel Maçedo, Serviços de A few haul trailers, and a former mule car stagnant for some years. The much-mooted Transportes Chief of Electric Traction, who has occasionally been included. On previous re-extension of operations beyond Passeio was supportive of the venture throughout his occasions, one or both of the historic Hansa- Alegre to Foz and Castelo do Queijo is at tenure of office. Lloyd tower wagons have also featured. In last back on the table, with plans unveiled Snr Rocha always had it in mind that a 1997, to mark the end of trolleybus operation, to reintroduce tramway services to this Porto tramway museum should be created, BUT single-deck car 1 was also paraded. magnificent stretch. This is as part of and in 1992 the old power station building much bigger proposals for extensive flood was formally opened as the Porto Tramways Major organisation prevention measures along the Atlantic Museum with conversion of part of the The organisation involved in arranging seaboard, for which EU funding would be historic Massarelos depot. Snr Rocha and this parade should not be underestimated. available, whilst the Mayor of Matosinhos his team had painstakingly worked on Many of the precious cars require sensitive is lobbying strongly for the return of trams the restoration of many older cars and the handling and it is customary for retired to the town in connection with increased authenticity of the work was greatly assisted drivers and workshop staff, familiar with tourist traffic anticipated from by his intimate knowledge: he was able to these vehicles, to be called upon for staffing. the impending arrival of cruise ships. produce a pair of 1895 Siemens-Schuckert Furthermore, these days the Marginal tram Who can say whether in future the annual controllers from the basement at Boavista to route is laid as single-track with passing- Porto historic tram parade will not be even equip car 22, latterly used as a trailer and one loops, rendering a big parade a logistical more impressive and encompass sections of many restored specimens that took part nightmare. The staff have by now succeeded of route that lost their regular tram service in the grand cavalcade to mark the electric in getting this off to a fine art, but it would several decades ago? tramway centenary in September 1995. be almost impossible were the parade to have Finally, it should be added that British to fit in with a scheduled public tram service, visitors are regular attendees at these annual Operational legacy and so normal tram services are suspended. events and receive a warm welcome from From the outset, all the historic rolling-stock This annual spectacle is hugely popular Porto tramways’ staff, many of whom remained in operational condition. From with local inhabitants and a bonus is that recognise the affection which British this, it was but a short step to demonstrating all cars carry passengers. There is no better enthusiasts have for Portuguese tramways the cars, and the opening of the museum way of ensuring that the local populace takes in general and especially those of Porto; and in 1992 was the occasion of an inaugural ‘ownership’ of the city’s historic artefacts. whose quiet lobbying years ago may have parade. The interest took STCP by surprise The line itself is also a classic, with tracks contributed in some small measure to the and as a result the parade became an annual paralleling the Douro estuary as it winds city’s belated but welcome recognition of event. Uniquely in 1999 it started from from the gorge separating Porto from Vila the gems that they had in their midst. Boavista depot (shortly before its closure) Nova da Gaia, passing the riverside gardens and traversed the main Avenida da Boavista to join the Atlantic Ocean at Foz do Douro. With acknowledgments to Graham Bilbé, to Castelo do Queijo. After closure of this The world has few more attractive tram rides. Brian King, Pedro Milheiro and Garth Tilt.

124 / MARCH 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org 1. The early years of electric tramways in Porto saw services worked partly by motorised former mule cars. This superb replica of car 104 was constructed in Boavista under Snr Rocha’s tutelage. It is seen on Rua de Monchique, returning to Massarelos after the 2014 parade.

2. The high-level Ponte de Arrábida spanning the Duoro estuary is an impressive background to the western end of the Marginal tram line. Bogie trailer 1 was one of seven built in 1910/11 for the prestige route to Leixões and later fitted with enclosed platforms. During the 2014 parade it was hauled by Belga 288 and is seen here at Fluvial.

3. Sixteen of these four-wheel Fumista cars with their deep-sided semi-convertible bodywork were built in 1929-30 but only 315 survives locally; in the 2011 parade it is shown hauling car 18, one of three short matching Fumista trailers 2 built in 1934.

4. All eight of the Brill bogie cars built in 1926/8 survive, either at Crich (273), in store at Massarelos or as part of the STCP museum fleet (274/5). Car 274 is shown here at Fluvial returning to Massarelos during the 2014 parade.

5. A juxtaposition of historic rolling-stock on Rua de Monchique in 2014. In the lead is car 247, restored as representative of the five Carros Ingleses built by UECC 3 4 at Preston in 1909 and formerly numbered 118. Behind is beautifully-restored Belga bogie car 288 of 1929, built by les Ateliers de Construction de Familleureux of Belgium.

6. Starbuck mule car 8, dating from 1873, has a 12-seat saloon. Drawn by two horses, it leads a wonderful cavalcade of early electric tramcars in 2014, with 104, 22 and 163 following in close succession.

7. Two of the four bogie 5 6 Fumista cars built in 1930 survive in the STCP museum fleet and 269, with its distinctive low waistline and deep windows, is always a popular car when it appears in the parades.

8. Car 247 is one of five Carros Ingleses built by UECC at Preston in 1909 and was latterly in service as 118 until restored for the STCP museum. It is preparing to be shunted into the museum building at the end of the 2014 parade. 7 8 All photography by Mike Russell.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MARCH 2015 / 125 BOOKSHOP Order online from lrta.info/shop – or by post from: LRTA Publications, 31 Ashton Road, Wokingham RG41 1HL Postage & packing – Any UK address: Add 10% (minimum £2.00, maximum £7.50) All addresses outside UK: Add 20% (minimum £4.00, maximum £15.00)

A History of the Buses, Trams and Trolleybuses of Enfield and Edmonton

An interesting book charting the development and decline of the tram and trolleybus services in this part of north London, leading to today’s all-bus network.

A4 softback; 96 pages, 53 black & white and 19 colour pictures plus two maps. Published by the London Historical Research Group of the Omnibus Society.

£10.00 plus postage & packing as shown above.

The Colours of Yesterday’s Trolleybuses

A delightful tour around Britain’s 37 trolleybus systems that existed after World War Two, with evocative views expertly captioned to bring a bygone age to life.

A4 hardback; 256 pages, 500+ pictures all in colour. Published by Capital Transport.

£40.00 plus postage & packing as shown above.

Les transports publics en Belgique 1960-1970 Les années sombres After a general presentation on the public transport situation in post-war Belgium, the author gives a detailed description of the effects of growing car ownership and political change on the country’s rail, tram and bus operators during a turbulent ten years. With several maps and statistical tables. French text. Also available as Openbaar vervoer in België 1960-1970: De sombere jaaren (Flemish text) at the same price.

A4 hardback; 336 pages, 500+ mono and colour pictures. Published by PFT-TSP.

£35.00 plus postage & packing as shown above.

Still available in the same series: Les transports publics en Belgique 1945-1960 – Openbaar vervoer in België 1945-1960 at £30.00 plus P&P as above.

Scottish Tram Services A follow-up to the similar ‘Glasgow Tram Services’, this book covers the tramways of Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh including the capital city’s new trams. It traces the history and development of each network with route summaries.

A4 hardback; 256 pages, 230 colour and black & white pictures plus 21 livery drawings. Venture Publications.

£48.00 plus postage & packing as shown above. IN YOUR NEXT ISSUE OF

CHANGCHUN, CREATING THE SYSTEMS FACTFILE: NANJING, SUZHOU RIGHT VIBRATIONS KASSEL Three Chinese tramways, three very Following this issue’s analysis of Famed for its regional tram-trains, different approaches. Dennis Schulz tramway-related noise mitigation, Kassel in Germany also has an impressive takes a whistle-stop tour of a trio of Scott McIntosh turns to the related city tram system. Neil Pulling explores systems across the country and offers subject of vibration, its causes and how it northern Hessen’s integrated his viewpoints on their development. can affect the surrounding environment. light rail operation. PLUS... APRIL + Classic Trams: Where have all the trolleypoles gone? ISSUE + The latest news, rolling stock orders and movements, system developments, transport policy and leading industry comment on sale from around the world 20 March

London, 7 October 2015 Awards entries open 1 March

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