THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE

www.lrta.org www.tautonline.com

MARCH 2021 No. 999 lund: light rail for a small city

Sweden’s newest tramway, where science meets sustainability Istanbul’s new wire-free coastal tram Alstom: ‘UK needs GBP10bn LRT plan’ Reggio Emilia to build 14.5km tramline

Keolis interview S outh Yorkshire £4.70 ‘New tram schemes UK pioneer’s plan for can’t take ten years’ growth and renewal in your 1000th issue! From The Modern Tramway in 1938 to Tramways & Urban Transit in 2021, for our 1000th issue we trace some of the highlights of the last 83 years in an expanded special edition. büro+staubach berlin SYSTEMS FACTFiLE: glo obal r lling CLASS IC TRAMS: ULan-ude stock review HALLE Mike Russell reports from one of Russia’s Mike Taplin presents his annual review In part two of his survey, Mike Russell most progressive tramways, examining of the global tramway and LRV market, completes his review of the former recent renewals in this city often referred exploring both the key trends from the East German city’s impressive collection to as the gateway to Mongolia. last 12 months and looking to the future. of historic vehicles. PLUS... APRIL + D avid Gibson explores alternatives to overhead wires, and also makes 2021 issue the case for lighter weight vehicles and innovative motor design. + A ll the latest news, transport policy and investment announcements, On sale system developments and industry comment from around the world. 19 March CONTENTS T he official journal of the Light Rail Transit Association

MARCH 2021 Vol. 84 No. 999 www.tautonline.com EDITORIAL Editor – Simon Johnston 105 [email protected] Associate Editor – Tony Streeter [email protected] Worldwide Editor – Michael Taplin [email protected] News Editor – John Symons [email protected] Senior Contributor – Neil Pulling Worldwide Contributors R ichard Felski, Andrew Moglestue, Paul Nicholson, Herbert Pence, Mike Russell, Nikolai Semyonov, Alain Senut, Vic Simons, Witold Urbanowicz, Bill Vigrass, 96 108 Francis Wagner, Thomas Wagner, Philip Webb Production – Lanna Blyth News 88 systems factfile: sheffield 108 T el: +44 (0)1733 367604 Istanbul opens its fifth standalone tramline; The UK’s first low-floor tramway was also the [email protected] Alstom completes Bombardier takeover; pilot for tram-train operation; Neil Pulling DESIGN – Debbie Nolan Scotland prioritises urban rail investment; visits South Yorkshire’s Supertram network. Advertising Montpellier tenders for 77 new trams; COMMERCIAL Manager – Geoff Butler Report calls for ten-year UK LRT invesment; WORLDWIDE REVIEW 114 Tel: +44 (0)1733 367610 Reggio Emilia submits tram plan for funding. Constantine tests its latest tram extension; [email protected] Liège opening delayed until 2023; Major Publisher – Matt Johnston interview: bouncing back 94 metro expansion in Chongqing and Tramways & Urban Transit Keolis CEO Alistair Gordon explains why Shanghai; A Coruña heritage tramway to be 13 Orton Enterprise Centre, Bakewell Road, the UK needs to urgently grasp its current abandoned; Kaohsiung opens next phase of Peterborough PE2 6XU, UK opportunities to expand urban rail provision. its Circular LRT; Testing begins on London’s Tramways & Urban Transit is published by Mainspring Northern line Tube branch to Battersea. on behalf of the LRTA on the third Friday of each lund :sweden’s newest lrt city 96 month preceding the cover date. Per Gunnar Andersson explores the MAILBOX 119 background to the December 2020 opening Three steps to a post-pandemic future; new of this remarkable new small city tramway. allies in the quest for tramway expansion. PRINT AND DISTRIBUTION Warners (Midlands), Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH, UK electrification masterclass 105 CLASSIC TRAMS: halle 120 David Gibson begins a two-part series Mike Russell reviews the heritage fleet, LRTA MEMBERSHIP (with TAUT subscription) looking at the very lifeblood of urban rail museum and operations of this German Tramways & Urban Transit is sent free to all paid-up members of the Light Rail Transit Association. sysems – electricity. electric tramway pioneer. LRTA WEBSITE AND DIARY Brian Lomas There may be light at the end of this tunnel... [email protected] [email protected] I’ve always considered myself to be an optimist. Even during the darkest days Subscriptions, MEMBERSHIP and back issues of the last year, there have always been glimmers of hope around the corner. LRT A Membership Secretary (Dept T06), 38 Wolseley Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK. Tel: +44 (0)117 951 7785 As we look forward to our 1000th edition (see left), it has been instructive [email protected] Website: www.lrta.info to go back through our vast archives and read the editorial columns of my esteemed forebears. Although each made predictions of great things to for CORPORATE Subscriptions VISIT www.mainspring.co.uk come, this time it feels different somehow. Is 2021 our turning point? With the world’s largest-ever mass vaccination programme well underway (and going LRTA REGISTERED OFFICE better in some places than others, admittedly), there is a real sense that many of us can 8 Berwick Place, Welwyn Garden City, Herts, AL7 4TU, UK. see a path to the future. The next couple of years are going to be tough, but as the clouds Private company limited by guarantee, No. 5072319 in England and Wales. of the pandemic begin to part, local and national authorities are now firmly focused on recovery – and in many cases that includes commitments to sustainable transport. LRTA Chairman – Paul Rowen [email protected] Perhaps it is a sign of our modern times, but it is noticeable how much more tramway and light rail-related news there is to fill each edition… and more and more of it is © LRTA 2021 positive. Just look at this month’s pages. We have a new tramway opening in Istanbul, Articles are submitted on the understanding they may also later be used on our websites or other media. A contribution and another in Wenshan that plans to welcome its first passengers in a few months’ time. is accepted on the basis that its author is responsible for the We have approvals for new lines, confirmed finance for others, and more exploration of opinions expressed in it, and such opinions are not those of light rail solutions in countries all over the world. Encouragingly, many of these studies the LRTA or Mainspring. All rights reserved. are in the UK, which has lagged behind other Western nations for far too long. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in The voices calling for long-term investment are also growing in their volume. It has any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including been great speaking to some of the industry’s biggest players over the past few weeks and photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from feeling a similar and genuine (albeit cautious) optimism. There’s still a very long way to the copyright owner. Multiple copying of the contents of the go, but if we are to bake in any of the ‘benefits’ of the last 12 months then now is the magazine without prior written approval is not permitted. right time to make a start. A final request if I may: for our special 1000th issue I’d welcome your memories and COVER: Lund’s tramway opened on 13 December views of the magazine over the last eight decades, how it has evolved and any comments 2020. CAF Urbos 02 (named Åsa-Hanna) in the you may wish to share on your particular highlights. Simon Johnston, Editor hospital area on 18 December. Per Gunnar Andersson

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MARCH 2021 / 87 News T5: Istanbul’s first new wire-free line Golden Horn line uses Alstom APS surface current collection with Turkish-built trams

stanbul’s Golden Horn is passengers/day are expected an inlet off the Bosphorus, (114 000/day when tourists an historically-important return after the pandemic). harbour and now the This is the first time a licensed Ilocation of the city’s fifth version of APS has been fitted to standalone tramline. trams built by a manufacturer The first 8.8km (5.5-mile) other than Alstom. This wire-free section of standard-gauge solution was chosen to preserve tramline T5, from Cibali to the historic landscape by Alibeyköy Cep Otogari bus removing the need for overhead station, was inaugurated at wires. Parts of the tramline are 12.00 by Istanbul Mayor Ekrem built on piles above the water. Imamoglu on 1 January. Due to The civil engineering contractor coronavirus curfews in Istanbul was Dogus Construction; its passengers were not carried until contract for trackwork and 4 January, followed by ten days electrical systems was signed in of free rides. October 2016. Work began in Durmazlar-built car 602 operating on the Alstom APS system on Istanbul’s new A fleet of 30 five-section 100% March 2017 and was planned to T5 tramline on 13 January. Krnzysf / CC BY 2.5 low-floor DurmazlarPanorama be completed in 2019, but was from Cibali to Eminönü is due T2 (Tünel – Taksim) and T3 trams (601-30) operate using the delayed in 2018-19 by changes to open in 2022 (a bus shuttle is (Moda loop) are allocated to the Alstom APS (Alimentation par le in the city administration. operating until then) and will city’s heritage tramways, while sol) surface current collection The project cost EUR153m. offer transfers with metro line M2 T4 (Sultançiftligi – Edirnekapi) system, providing a six-minute The first phase offers at Küçükpazar and the city’s first is a high-floor light rail line. service to 12 stops daily 06.00 to interchange with metro line M7 tramline, T1: Kabatas – Bagcilar, At Eyüp Teleferik transfer is 20.40. End-to-end journey time at Alibeyköy station. The 1.4km and ferries at Eminönü, although available to the Eyüpsultan – is 31 minutes and over 50 000 (0.9-mile) two-stop extension there will be no track connection. Piyer Loti cable car.

EIB funding for Egyptian tram and metro upgrades Scotland prioritises light rail growth The Egyptian Government has negotiated a EUR1.13bn loan with The Scottish Government is to In Glasgow, proposals alternative fuels, and a greater the European Investment Bank give precedence to expansion include connecting the city shift of freight transport from (EIB) to support the rehabilitation and expansion of metro and of Edinburgh’s tramway and with “immediate surrounding road to rail. In its 2021-22 Budget, tramway systems in Alexandria the creation of a ‘metro’ for areas in East Dunbartonshire, GBP3.2bn (EUR3.65bn) has been and Cairo. The funding will focus Glasgow in its 20-year vision for East Renfrewshire, North allocated to transport investment, on three main projects: sustainable transport. Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, including GBP1.6bn (EUR1.82bn) C onversion of the Abu Qir–Misr While work continues on South Lanarkshire and West for rail and bus services. rail line into a 22km (13.7-mile) the 4.7km (2.9-mile) extension Dunbartonshire” via “bus rapid Scottish Transport Secretary metro (EUR750m) of Edinburgh’s tramway from transit, tram, light rail and/or Michael Matheson said: “As we E UR138m for upgrades and its current St Andrew Square metro rail”, integrated with the continue to navigate our way extension of the 13.8km terminus to Newhaven (due to existing bus and rail networks. through an unprecedented (8.6-mile) Al-Raml tramway, including the addition of new open in 2023), further expansion The proposals also reconfirm the global health emergency, the footbridges, digital signalling plans are being taken forward by need for a light rail or metro link investment decisions we make and fleet renewal. A SYSTRA-led the city council. from the city’s Central Station to have never been so important. consortium is responsible for However, national authority Glasgow Airport. We want to lock in the changes design and project supervision in Transport Scotland (TS) is now Other priorities set out in the to the healthy, green travel a contract signed in October 2020. investigating further routes from Scottish Government’s plans options we’ve seen during the R eplacing life-expired electrical the north of Edinburgh, through include the expansion of 20mph pandemic, while supporting and mechanical systems on the the city centre to the south/east (32km/h) traffic zones, further interventions that will aid 23-year-old 21.5km (13.4-mile) metro line 2 in Cairo (EUR240m). boundary and onto East or reallocation of road space for and help accelerate economic Mid-Lothian. public transport, investment in recovery.” Transport for London makes the case for long-term support

Transport for London (TfL) Underground, Docklands London’s post-pandemic fares and COVID-19 having Commissioner Andy Byford has Light Railway and Croydon recovery and thereby the reduced Tube journeys by 95%, called for an average of GBP1.6bn tram services – has proposed a capital’s ongoing fiscal Mr Byford added that “the (EUR1.82bn) in capital funding recovery plan which includes contribution to the UK pandemic has viciously exposed to be provided annually between a mixture of fare rises, internal Exchequer and the national the dangers of over relying on 2023-24 and 2029-30 to enable it savings, exploring additional economy”, Mr Byford said. revenues through the farebox… to decarbonise and recover from revenue opportunities and other In its latest annual report, TfL 72% recovery is almost unheard the coronavirus pandemic. aspects such as revisions to has said that the cost of running of in world transport, the norm The UK capital’s transport London’s road pricing scheme. Underground services was down is around 40%. And we need authority – the activities of “Investment in TfL’s long-term 21% since 2010. However, with to move away from that fragile which include overseeing financial security will drive 72% of revenue coming from model.”

88 / march 2021 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Alstom acquires Bombardier transportation Takeover completed for EUR5.5bn

lstom’s EUR5.5bn centred on smart and sustainable purchase of Bombardier mobility. The integration of Transportation was Bombardier Transportation completed on 29 January, will strengthen our leading creatingA a company with 75 000 position in the transport sector In addition to disposing of its Transportation business, Bombardier also employees and combined sales of by widening our portfolio and divested its PRIMOVE division in January. TAUT drove a battery-equipped EUR15.7bn/year, second only to providing critical scale.” PRIMOVE tram prototype in Mannheim in April 2014. TAUT China’s CRRC. The final price was Bombardier is now focused at the bottom of the range set out exclusively on designing, Alstom’s largest shareholder, any product lines will be dropped in the earlier agreement. building and servicing business with 17.5% of the share capital. or merged, but existing orders Henri Poupart-Lafarge, jets, having sold its PRIMOVE Bouygues holds 6%. will be fulfilled from the factories Chairman and CEO of Alstom, subsidiary (inductive charging Alstom expects to generate already assigned to build them. said: “Today is a unique moment systems and traction batteries) EUR400m/year in cost savings The first signal of the direction for Alstom and the mobility to Freiburg-based IPT through the acquisition, but the the acquisition will take is likely sector worldwide, with the Technology. Caisse de Dépôt practical effect of this has still to to be revealed in bids that are creation of a new global leader et Placement du Québec is now be announced. It is not known if made for new orders. Wenshan tramway to open in April CRRC Zhuzhou has delivered charging infrastructure. The railway station with eight stops, the first of 15 100% low-floor choice of traction system and with a 2.25km (1.4-mile) two- trams for the under-construction uprated motors are to account stop branch to Jiaolian Square. 13.95km (8.7-mile) tramway in for the city’s hilly geography and The depot and control the Chinese city of Wenshan steep, long inclines. centre are co-located, and (south-east Yunnan province). Ground-breaking on the the mainly-segregated line The four-section ‘Xiaohong’ CNY2.3bn (EUR295m) project features five road crossings. cars have a top speed of 70km/h (known as Line 4) took place Main construction is (44mph) and capacity for in January 2018, with works nearly complete, with the first 364 passengers, 72 seated. allocated under a PPP agreement energisation trials taking place Built to a lightweight design, that also covers operations; on 14 January. The fleet features traction power is provided by staff training has taken place at two liveries, red and green; 14 a hybrid system of onboard the Suzhou tramway that trams are required for service The new ‘Xiaohong’ low-floor trams for the Chinese city of Wenshan can supercapacitors and lithium- opened in 2014. with one standby. All 14 are due recharge in 30 seconds via pantograph titanate batteries, which it is The main line runs for 11.7km to be delivered by March. from stop-mounted overhead claimed can be fully charged (7.3 miles) from the Tourist Dynamic trials are to begin infrastructure. CRRC Zhuzhou in 30 seconds at stop-mounted Service Centre to Puzhehei soon for an inauguration in April.

NEWS IN PICTURES CAM proposals due by March Conceptual designs for the UK’s Considerations are to include Cambridgeshire Autonomous infrastructure and vehicle Metro (CAM) are to be provided types, operational models, by three suppliers by March. customer experience, revenue Cambridgeshire & Peterborough opportunities to support scheme Combined Authority has selected funding and environmental a consortia led by Dromos protection measures. Technologies, Egis and Mott Initial proposals envisaged MacDonald for the planned new rubber-tyred vehicles using network centred on the famous small-profile tunnels under the university city of Cambridge. city, serving six potential routes. Hitachi Rail Hitachi It follows a procurement process Regional mayor James Palmer Hitachi trials battery-powered Sirio launched in September 2020. said :“This challenge is a test to January saw trials of a battery-powered Sirio low-floor tram in the Italian city The authority has made it clear the very best brains in the market of Firenze (Florence), marking Hiatchi Rail’s first venture into battery-powered that this process is not anticipated to help pioneer what the CAM light rail. The test involved the retrofitment of equipment to a Firenze and Sirio “to find the conclusive delivery will look like and how it can best operations between Alamanni on line T1/2 and Fortezza on line T2. “We are happy that Hitachi Rail has chosen the tramway in Florence to test solution for CAM,” but will be delivered. I’m clear that we this innovation,” said Florence Mayor Dario Nardella. “Battery-powered trams instead challenge the concept and want the CAM to offer our region can revolutionise this type of service within cities. Public transport, especially “build interest among suppliers the kind of high-quality public in historic centres, will have to be less impactful and increasingly sustainable.” who at some stage may want to transport normally reserved for bid on future phases of work.” the biggest cities”.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org march 2021 / 89 News Montpellier launches largest-ever tram procurement programme French city calls for 77 new vehicles by 2030

enders have been invited for 77 new trams for the French city of Montpellier, Tfor delivery from 2024. The EUR275m order will support fleet renewals, network expansion and the ambition of offering free transport to all from 2023. For completion in 2030, 30 trams are intended to replace the original Alstom Citadis 301 dating from the 2000 opening of line T1 (these are now 401 models following an extension programme). T1 currently averages 130 000 passengers per day and will be extended to Sud de France station in 2024. Work on the future T5 has continued, despite the pandemic. To open in 2025, this 17km Montpellier’s original Citadis trams are now over 20 years old; Comédie stop (T1/T2 interchange) in April 2017. N. Pulling (10.5-mile) line will link the north to the west of the city with Four high-quality bus routes, introduced to connect the bus in a programme to double the 27 new stops; 60 000 passengers/ totalling 50km (31 miles), are and tramway networks, and new modal share of public transport day are expected. Twenty-two of also planned; 60 buses are park-and-ride sites created. from its current 20%. Residents the new trams will be dedicated to be ordered – powered by Montpellier’s Mayor Michaël have been able to travel free at to it. A further 25 vehicles will either natural gas, hydrogen or Delafosse (elected in July 2020) weekends since September 2020; increase capacity on the wider electricity – to offer a ten-minute has reaffirmed his commitment this will be extended to students network, which carried 67.3m peak service. Further cycle to making the city’s public and senior citizens later this year passengers in 2019. and pedestrian routes will be transport network fare-free and to all in 2023. Alstom: ‘The UK needs a ten-year tramway plan’

Alstom is calling for a GBP10bn railway network, and for “paves the way for exploring how the mix of electrification, (EUR11.4bn), ten-year plan increased investment in hydrogen green hydrogen production can hydrogen and possibly final-mile to support the rollout of mass power. With only 42% of the be scaled to power trains and battery options, we should do transit systems across the UK. network currently electrified, other transport modes.” the same with tram systems.” In a new report published the company argues that Mike Muldoon, Alstom’s Head On the UK’s future High in January, The UK’s New “electrification should be targeted of Business Development for Speed 2 railway and potential Green Age: A Step Change in where it gives the best return, the UK & Ireland, told TAUT: connections to tramways, Transport Decarbonisation, the with alternative, complimentary “With rail there’s a chance to Mr Muldoon said: “I think our manufacturer says: “As a starting technologies deployed elsewhere, leap ahead, because we operate report is quite clear that we point Alstom recommends that primarily hydrogen.” fleets, because we operate feel that high-speed rail has urban centres with a population an important part to play in of more than 250 0000 should “Urban areas remain choked in creating the infrastructure or be supported to have access to a forming the backbone of the mass transit system.” traffic congestion and inefficient transport infrastructure of The report identifies 20 major the country. UK population centres without travelling conditions.” “But we then ought to be such networks – and says that looking at the consequential in their absence “the obvious Alstom Coradia iLint fuel entirely predictable timetables, transport requirements of decarbonisation benefits they cell multiple units have been and therefore we consume the cities that become better bring cannot be realised and running in Germany since 2018 predictable volumes of hydrogen, connected. In reality, very few urban areas remain choked in and more recently the company there’s actually the opportunity of us need to travel from a traffic congestion and inefficient has partnered with rolling stock for rail to lead the way.” mainline station to a mainline travelling conditions.” leasing company Eversholt Rail Asked whether Alstom is station. We’re actually travelling The paper, launched in to produce the Breeze unit, which considering hydrogen for light from somewhere near those advance of the UK hosting the could enter service in the UK rail, Mr Muldoon said: “You have stations, so we need to be able COP26 climate conference in in 2024. to evaluate each system and each to complete our journeys and November, also calls for further The Tees Valley UK Hydrogen route on its merits, and as we travel around in a more green, electrification of the mainline Transport Hub, says Alstom, look across main line railways, local sense.”

90 / march 2021 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Reggio Emilia plans its first tramline Italian city of 170 000 residents submits its designs for a 14.5km route for federal financing

n 12 January, the city Mancasale Zona Industriale Guastalla hoped a decision can be received council of the Italian by April to allow further design Fiera city of Reggio Emilia work before tenders are launched (city population Milan Bologna at the end of 2022. O170 000, wider region 370 000) Mediopadana A.V. The T1 line includes route approved the studies and design segregation for around Milan for a new 14.5km (nine-mile) three-quarters of the route with north-south tramway. Tribunale the remainder on-street. A depot The plan calls for EUR282.3m and control centre would be Via Fanti Reggio from the federal government to S. Stefano Stazione San Lazzaro located in Mancasale; a fleet of 16 create a 29-stop line connecting 27m trams would be required and Mancasale in the north to Rivalta All’Angelo Bologna could be operational by 2028. in the south via the city’s two via Emilia Ospizio via Emilia Running to 7.5-minute peak railway stations. Three new headways (15 minutes at other park-and-ride sites would be built, times), end-to-end journey times Ospedali serving a combined catchment of 30 minutes are projected. area of over 20 000 residents. Crocetta The study indicates passenger Crostolo Mayor Luca Vecchi said: Baragalla loadings of 22 000 passengers/day “What we are presenting is a Ciano in the first three years, increasing large-scale, ambitious and daring d’Enza Rivalta Sassuolo to 30 000 once complementary project for the functioning interventions on outer parts of and sustainable future of our has repositioned Reggio Emilia in affect north-south mobility on a the city have been completed. city. It is a work that, as already Italy and in Europe – is destined functional level.” This would increase public happened for the High-Speed to change the city, the styles and The plans will now go before transport’s modal share from Station Mediopadana – which preferences of mobility and to Italy’s Ministry of Transport; it is 11% to 25%.

Mass transit plans Germany to study future cableways for West Yorkshire Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport and Algiers, Lisbon, Brest, Bolzano, London and Ankara Plans in the West Yorkshire Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) has commissioned is an element of the joint study. Combined Authority’s (WYCA) consultant Drees & Sommer SE and the Institute of In its analysis of these eight cities, the project Connectivity Infrastructure Plan Transportation Research Stuttgart (VWI) to report team will focus on the planning process, and Mass Transit Vision 2040 call on the urban and transport planning integration of integration into the urban context and links with for the development of an outline cable transport projects. the wider public transport network. for a mass transit system during Stuttgart is considering a cableway link between Stefan Tritschler from VWI said: “Traffic this decade. Also proposed are Autobahnkreuz Stuttgart and Vaihingen/ congestion, air pollution, traffic noise, excess use rail electrification and service Möhringen, and the study of similar systems in of land and traffic accidents force us to reduce the improvements, improving the cities of Medellín, La Paz, New York, Portland, existing traffic burden. Cable transport systems transport links for up to 675 000 are largely independent from other modes of people across the region. transport, they are technically sophisticated and In June 2019, future Prime produce hardly any local pollutant emissions. Minister Boris Johnson said it Above all, they are quieter, safe, efficient and can be was “madness that Leeds should implemented in a relatively short time.” be the largest city in Europe with Apart from the suspended lines in mountain no metro rail system”. regions, Germany’s only cableways are in Berlin, The Leeds ‘Supertram’ scheme Köln (Cologne) and Koblenz, all constructed for envisaged a three-route tram the Bundesgartenschau (National Garden Show) newtork in the 1990s. Work began exhibitions. The joint working group is to carry out in 2003, but the project was workshops in several German cities as part of its cancelled by the UK Government work to compile the guidelines; its report is due to in 2005 which asked for a be presented in two years. cheaper, bus-based alternative. Koblenz is one example of how popular This was scrapped in 2016. an urban cable car can be. Built for the 2011 Mel Reuben, LRTA Leeds Bundesgartenschau, the city’s cable car was Area Officer, said: “We welcome supposed to be dismantled shortly thereafter, but a this opportunity to develop citizen initiative dedicated itself to its preservation. a comprehensive integrated Urban cable cars are attracting the attention of transport system for West other European cites. In Wien (Vienna) a proposal Yorkshire, with, we trust, a to establish the Central European University in significant tramway component. the Otto Wagner area (curently served by bus Let’s hope this is not another lines 47A and 48A) has prompted plans for a cable false dawn.” car connection to both Hütteldorf and Ottakring A GBP1.8bn (EUR2.05bn) In the Colombian city of Medellin, the Metrocable system Stadtbahn stations. However according to the devolution deal for the region connects elevated communities with the city centre. Technical University the number of students became law from 29 January; it Five lines are currently operational, with a sixth under would not justify the EUR55-70m construction includes GBP317m (EUR361m) construction. E. Jiménez cost. A feasibility study is planned. for transport investment.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org march 2021 / 91 News

First line of the Belgrade Metro to open in 2028 East San Fernando lrt On 22 January a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Power China and Alstom for the construction of a EUR4.4bn project gets FTA approval two-line metro system in the Serbian capital, Beograd (Belgrade), Environmental green light opens the door for federal funding applications starting with a 21.3km (13.2-mile) south-west to north-east line. n 2 February, the – between Van Nuys and San The majority of the USD1.3bn Work is to begin in November, with inauguration planned for 2028. Federal Transit Fernando Road in Pacoima – project cost is to come from Design of the 19.8km (12.3-mile) line 2 Administration to begin this year. Subject to Measure M and Measure R sales is scheduled for completion by confirmed that the funding confirmations, another taxes, and State funds. Planned 2023, for an opening in 2030. A third O14.8km (9.2-mile) East San 4km (2.5 miles) would reach to open in 2028, daily ridership 21km (13-mile) line is planned. Fernando Valley LRT project in the Sylmar/San Fernando on the line is expected to exceed Winter stops Leipzig trams Los Angeles County (US) meets Metrolink station. 30 000 by 2040. Metre-high snowdrifts, frozen its guidelines for environmental points and blocked rails brought analysis, making it eligible for services in Leipzig (Germany) to a federal funding applications. Me O tro CE to step down in May standstill on 8 February. Up to 60 State environmental clearance

vehicles were understood to be was granted in December. On 3 February, LA Mayor and Chair of the MTA Board Eric Garcetti trapped around the system. The 14-stop line will connect announced that Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington is to step down when his The Saxony tramway was the G (Orange) line at Van Nuys current contract expires in May. not alone in being affected by with San Fernando, primarily Mr Washington has been with Metro since 2015, managing an annual February’s extreme weather: budget of USD7bn as well as holding responsibility for around USD20bn in others forced to cease operations along Van Nuys Boulevard – one capital construction projects for the US’ third-largest transit agency. included Jena, Kassel and of San Fernando Valley’s most Mayor Garcetti said: “Phil Washington has been a visionary leader, Magdeburg, with severe disruption intensively-used corridors. reimagining our transit network and steering our region toward an era of reported in Dresden and Hannover Metro plans to build the line generational growth and lasting progress… He leaves this agency much better among others. in sections, with works on the than he found it.” first 10.8km (6.7-mile) phase

An extension from Quzhuang CRRC Dalian. Plans to use the Beijing’s second tramway in detail to Laoguan (1.3km/0.8 miles) Ansaldo TramWave surface As reported briefly last month, The Yizhuang metro is remains under construction. contact current collection opening of the 11.9km (7.4-mile) effectively a southern extension Beijing opened its first system were abandoned in favour Yizhuang tramline T1 took place of city metro line 5. tramway of the modern era – of conventional overhead. on 31 December rather than the The Yizhuang tramway is the 8.8km (5.5-mile) Xijiao line – Other new suburban tramways planned 19 December date. worked by five-section low-floor in the western suburbs known are planned, serving the Shunyi The new line, from trams built by Beijing Subway as Fragrant Hills on 30 December and Fengtai districts, but Dinghalyuan to Quzhuang, is Rolling Stock Equipment 2017, feeding metro line 10 timescales for their construction in the south-east suburbs and Company, better known for at Bagou and providing a link and opening are unclear. feeds the Yizhuang suburban building trains for the city’s to the Summer Palace tourist Beijing had a first-generation metro line (Songjiazhuang – metro. The Beijing metro destination. This line is worked tram system (46km/28.5 miles) Yizhuang railway station) at operating company has a 49% by 31 Sirio trams built under from 1899 to 1966, which was Rongchangdongjie. interest in the manufacturer. licence from AnsaldoBreda by replaced by trolleybuses. Export guarantee package for Cairo monorail On 20 January the UK and mechanical systems, Government announced a signalling and communications, GBP1.7bn (EUR1.94bn) export fare collection and the finance guarantee to support rubber-tyred monorail trains. Bombardier Transportation’s The firm has established an production of 70 four-car engineering academy in Cairo. Innovia 300 trainsets for two The export finance guarantee new monorail lines in El Qahira is the largest ever provided by the (Cairo). The project will sustain UK Government for an overseas over 100 jobs at the company’s infrastructure project. Litchurch Lane site in Derby. Ground-breaking on the new The USD4.5bn contract for the lines took place in April 2020. automated monorail lines was The New Administrative Capital signed on 5 August 2019, with line will have 21 stations and the the Bombardier-led consortium 6 October City line 12 stations. holding a 30-year contract to End-to-end journey times are build and operate the 54km 60/42 minutes respectively. (33.6-mile) East Cairo – New The New Administrative Administrative City link and the Capital line will connect with 42km (26-mile) Giza – October 6 metro line 3 at Salah Salem Street, City link. Delivery of Innovia 300 while the 6 October City line cars is to start this year, with the will also link with metro line 3 at first line due to open in 2023. Gameat El Dewal. The two lines The Bombardier Innovia 300 monorail as supplied to the Brazilian city of Bombardier’s contract share is are designed to carry up to 45 000 São Paulo. Governo do Estado de São Paulo / CC BY USD2.85bn, covering electrical passengers/hour/direction.

92 / march 2021 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE Sheffield

Sheffield’s Supertram systems was physically little changed after its 1994 debut as the UK’s first uNited kiNgdom www.lrta.org factfile low-floor tramway, www.tautonline.com but a 2018 addition No. Sheffield, marked another first in British light rail O. 999 United Kingdom Sheffield MARCH 2021 N 161 operations. Sub scribe now! LUND: LIGHT RAIL FOR A SMALL CITY Now in its 83rd year, Tramways & Urban Transit is

he city of Sheffield in in 1974 is the body accountable for South Yorkshire has public transport. Most services within Siemens-Düwag 1899. Developing into a mainly radial also held metropolitan 102 at Castle Square the world’s leading monthly publication dedicated solely to cross-city system that peaked in the its remit are run by private sector in central Sheffield borough status since 1986. 1930s, the 1960 closure put it amongst operators, including the Supertram on 9 December The current population light rail network which SYPTE the last traditional British tramways. isT around 585 000; conurbation 2020. The colours on identifies as having around 12m Supertram grew from a 1976 definitions vary, but it is in the top these shelters and annual journeys. overhead masts are recommendation to create a ten largest in the UK. Sheffield spreads over unusually as originally used on segregated regional passenger The ‘Steel City’ epithet refers to an hilly terrain for a major British city, a Supertram stock. transport system. A 1985 submission historic and remaining presence in feature recognised in the council’s logo. to the UK Parliament was more that industry, although many claim Extending from around an historic specifically for light rapid transit, that it is also the UK’s greenest city, fortification as recalled by Castle with contracts for infrastructure and with the highest ratio of trees per Square on today’s tramway, it grew stock being placed in 1991. Along with person than anywhere else in Europe. Sweden’s newest tramway, where science meets sustainability during 19th Century industrialisation the challenging topography, two Involving the local authorities of that drew upon plentiful local coal structures became emblematic of the light and urban rail developments. Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Istanbul’s new wire-free coastal tram and water. A target for competing new bi-directional system. Carrying Barnsley, the Sheffield City Region railway companies, Sheffield became tracks and a walkway into the central Combined Authority was established a centre for goods and passenger area, a new bowstring bridge spanned Alstom: ‘UK needs GBP10bn LRT plan’ in 2014 with aspects of transport traffic; it is located 265km (165 miles) a road intersection; the adjoining delta amongst its delegated responsibilities. north of London St Pancras using the junction of double tracks to integrate Now responsible to the Combined Reggio Emilia to build 14.5km tramline Midland Main Line. the three tramway arms was built on Authority, South Yorkshire Passenger the Park Square traffic island.

£4.70 Sheffield introduced horse trams Transport Executive (SYPTE) created in 1873, with electrification from Words and pictures Services on the second-generation by Neil Pulling. tramway were launched as South Keolis interview South Yorkshire UK pioneer’s plan for 108 / march 2021 ‘New tram schemes www.tautonline.com. www.lrta.org can’t take ten years’ growth and renewal

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Please complete this form and send it with your payment to: LRTA Membership Secretary (Dept T06), 38 Wolseley Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK MARCH 2021 MARCH Q&A: Alistair Gordon ‘europe HAS EMBRACED TRAMS – WHY HAVEN’T WE?’

s CEO of Keolis’ UK and Ireland For all the years we’ve spent trying to and people were ripping up the barriers and division, the largest light rail get people out of their cars and onto mass throwing things at staff. operator in the UK and partner transit, we seem now to be going backwards. Our staff aren’t there to enforce the in a number of heavy rail Restoring confidence and trust isn’t going to law, that’s what the BTP [British Transport franchises, Alistair Gordon be easy and that worries me. Police] and local police are there for. Having Ahas an unparalleled insight into the current Keolis’ UK operations are really impacted: more passengers will help of course as bad challenges for public transport. DLR is at around 20-30% passenger demand behaviour seems to reduce in large crowds. Already a regular TAUT commentator, – there’s quite a lot of construction work in With all these measures in place, the we caught up with him in late January to the area and people are still working – but demand will come back. We have seen this gauge his views on the current state of both Manchester and Nottingham are still at 8-9% in other countries that Keolis operates in. Keolis’ own operations (London’s Docklands of what they were at this time last year. With the relaxation of lockdowns and Light Railway (DLR), Greater Manchester’s On the main line railways the situation is curfews, we’ve seen demand get back up to Metrolink and the Nottingham Express even worse. Every day feels like Christmas 70, 80 or 90% in some countries. Transit tramway) and the wider industry, the Day at the stations – all the retail outlets are I was looking at some graphs recently and ongoing pandemic, and how he sees the closed and you can’t buy a ticket if you try. the disappointing thing is that in terms of long-term future for tramway development. public transport passenger demand, the UK is bottom of the list of everywhere we operate. Last time we spoke, you said that Our numbers will come back to reasonable Q a real change in people’s habits numbers, but while we have no-one going would all depend on how long the to school, no-one going to work, it’s not pandemic lockdowns lasted. As these surprising the numbers are so low, is it? are continuing in 2021, do you now think will we see that ‘reset’? English and Scottish systems We were three or four weeks into our Q have now had a number of A first UK lockdown then and starting to different waves of Government feel the threat. Countries such as Italy and support funding, how do you feel this Spain were in a really bad way and talking to has been handled? colleagues in Manchester we were in that Unfortunately, we’re always at the end scary zone of believing that we might have to A of the queue. shut everything down. It was full-on crisis The real danger is that we get back to 70% management and we thought this could get demand, and 70% of the revenue, but the very ugly, very fast. funding stops. This can’t be just a switch. My feeling then was that if we spent six We’re going to need a gradual build-up back months with major restrictions then maybe out of this with public transport bring weaned we could break our old habits. Now, when “For all the years we’ve off the support it is currently receiving. I talk to our teams around the country, we That is my biggest message to Government: are split into thirds. A third just want to get spent trying to get people how can they help us build a more sustainable back to how life was, in the office Monday to out of their cars and onto funding model for public transport, where Friday. Another third don’t ever want to go places with trams and light rail systems are back, they have adapted, quite enjoy the time mass transit, we seem now incentivised to build their ridership back but they’ve got back and would maybe enjoy a are supported while they do it. day or two a week in the office to get the social to be going backwards.” element back. Then you have a middle third Do you think the pandemic will who are saying ‘I’ve learnt a lot from this, and How do we restore trust with Q genuinely change the way there is a balance to be had, but I still want Q passengers? Governments think about transport – three or four days a week back in the office’. Number one, we need to make travel and in particular, light rail and trams? Taking that as a small sample of the A really easy: easy to buy a ticket, easy to We’ve been lobbying the UK population would put public transport understand the routes, easy to change modes. A Government around light rail for a year demand back at 60-70% of the pre-pandemic We can’t have any barriers to entry. and a half, and I’ve seen the White Papers numbers, but I think it would likely add Number two: The idea that we run a that Mainspring has published, but the worry more leisure traffic. All of the things we do Monday to Saturday timetable now looks for me is that the Government is currently in public transport are designed around the like madness. We need to be much more looking at a national bus strategy and at peaks, so maybe we’ll have a better spread of dynamic in how we manage the demand and restoring the railways. That’s at the bottom our demand going forward. manage the service, but we need flexibility to end and the top end of our transport The biggest issue we face is this conscious deliver that. network, but tramways occupy that middle and unconscious message that is currently Number three: We need to offer an ground and seem to be being missed. being given that ‘public transport is bad’. excellent service and publicise that fact. Because we don’t have central government The UK Government’s current position seems People want public transport to be quicker thinking about light rail, it makes things to be ‘COVID goes to the supermarket, COVID than the car, they want reliability, they want really difficult. You’ve got cities like goes on the bus, COVID goes on the train’. it to be clean and comfortable, and they want Nottingham which have persevered: they But it also goes in the car, and in any other to see that we as transport operators really said ‘we want a tramway’ and have gone out public space. The fact is that the transport care about their safety. and made it happen. Then you have a city industry has been singled out, despite having Getting a bit more demand would then be like Leeds which has just found it too difficult worked incredibly hard to very quickly helpful because at the moment we’re suffering and has ended up still – after all these years – implement rigorous regimes to keep staff and from really bad anti-social behaviour in with just a really poor bus network. passengers as safe as possible. Such messages some places. People are graffitiing the trams Nottingham is a city that businesses want can only make it harder when we do the work as there’s no-one on them and on some to work in; people enjoy easy access to the to recover passengers as the pandemic eases. networks we’ve put passenger flow systems in city because of the trams and it’s a city where

94 / MARCH 2021 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org bikes, walking and fresh air are all embraced – it’s all there. It’s obvious to me. The rest of Europe has embraced trams and their benefits, so that’s the message we’ve taken to the Rail Minister. We saw him before the end of the year, outlined the benefits of light rail again and said ‘here’s a really good opportunity’. Light rail needs to be part of the Government’s rail reform; if we are going to restore some of the lines Beeching closed then some should be considered for restoration as light rail. Also, if we had a strong pipeline of real projects and a proper light rail industry – with manufacturers of rolling stock, systems, constructors and designers all signed up – then we could challenge ourselves. How do we make it so that light rail isn’t so disruptive when we build it? How do make it so it’s not so ugly with catenary everywhere? How do we introduce trams using hydrogen or battery power? And finally, how do we create an affordable solution that every city wants? As an industry we have to address those challenges, rather Nottingham's tramway is one of the UK's success stories, but has taken bold local leadership and strong than just assuming the benefits we have got champions to drive its success. Keolis subsidiary Nottingham Trams has run the service since 2011. Neil Pulling currently are good enough. I’d hate to think that the UK doesn’t build “I’d hate to think that the UK doesn’t build another another new tramway in the next 20 years. We have expanded a few systems, and there new tram system in the next 20 years.” will be more extensions to come, but I’d hate to think we haven’t built a new one before The COVID pandemic gives us new the end of my career. opportunities. Tramways fit perfectly with Do you think the current the current Government’s strategy: cleaner, Q expansion programmes that are We’ve previously discussed that a greener, and helping cities generate organic underway, or planned, will go ahead? Q fundamental challenge is that the growth. Northern England is claimed to be a Yes, but the industry really needs to be gestation period of new tram schemes key focus, so why don’t we choose those cities A sitting at the table, demonstrating the is ten years. How do we change that? that need better public transport to start with? benefits we can bring. If HS2 is to carry on – It’s got to be four years, because it has to and it seems the appetite is there to continue A be done in a political cycle. Few At a time of strained public – connecting the cities that either have light politicians will invest in something like Q finances, do you think PPP/PFI rail schemes or are without light rail schemes, public transport – unless it’s a major national could be the answer? They have a then that is one of the ways we should be project like HS2 or the Olympics – unless they tarnished reputation, but does the going to Government and saying ‘let’s go’. can see the benefits within their tenure. private sector have the opportunity to They are saying they want to put money into So we’ve got to find a way to make it four step in now and help plug the gap? construction, into infrastructure, so that is a years and we’ve also got to find a way where Probably, but part of the problem with real opportunity for us. We shouldn’t always we’re not just constantly doing one new A PPPs is that whenever we try and build a be the poor relation saying that we’ll cut the system at a time. We need a production new infrastructure project, the emphasis on cloth as it’s given to us and carry on as we are. line so we can make savings and centralise the business case is so strong that people put We’re ready to help cities become greener, some of the bigger issues. Take the issue of unrealistic projections in. They say passenger more relevant, and create and sustain jobs. utilities. We’ve all been banging on about demand will be bigger, it will grow faster than We don’t want our cities to be empty, do we? the challenges around moving utilities for 15 before, that revenues will keep increasing etc. We shouldn’t just be nostalgic for nostalgia’s years, but still nothing’s really been done. For example, we can’t open a tramway sake of course, but there’s something really in Bristol and expect to have 30 million special about city centres – and under In your last column you passengers in year one. It won’t. It took two or lockdown that’s something I really miss. Q mentioned a gap in knowledge three years after we opened lines 2 and 3 in Despite the pandemic, we see forward- and leadership in light rail. Do you Nottingham to build the traffic, to change thinking PTAs across the world put their think this has changed during these the patterns of the way people use the faith in Keolis and others to deliver greener past nine months? system – even though the city already had an mobility solutions and I’d like to think the We’re still missing a few key elements. established tramway. So we need to find a way UK will not be far behind. A For example, how do we get to a place to realistically assess what the ridership may where central Government has more look like over a suitable timeframe. To conclude, how would you wide-ranging powers while at the same time Also, when we started talking about how Q summarise the past year? giving local government the delivery? Local we get demand back, one of the things we I said this last time, but I do want to government need to be saying ‘we want to are going to need to look at is the funding of A emphasise again that if I look back across solve our transport issues, we want a public transport. Can we ask the fare-payer to the last nine months, the dedication of the tramway’, with central government then keep paying? If so, what is too expensive? staff that work in light rail is unbelievable. giving them a range of solutions. You could put public transport on and Keeping the service running, keeping it safe, ‘You want a tram? OK, well we can provide make it ridiculously cheap to get people to and helping people who may be distressed all the technical and Green Book [HM use it; if you’ve got a new tram route into the when they are using our service. I’m Treasury guidance on project and policy city, it should be packed. But the Government overwhelmed by the loyalty, dedication, appraisals] support to build your business always wants the private sector to pay for commitment of all of the staff, almost case, you choose your route and local add-ons.’ more of it, and for the fare-paying passenger without exception. It is amazing. That’s how it should be, not the current system to pay more. We won’t get demand back if it They are very proud of what they do and the where local government have to do everything is cheaper to drive a car into the city, so we sector they work in. I look forward, once we but still go to central government to make the have to make sure the price of travel and the come out of this, to visiting all our networks final decision and allocate the funding. quality of service meets what customers want. and thanking everyone personally.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org march 2021 / 95 L: UND A NEW MODEL FOR SUSTAINABILITY

Per Gunnar Andersson describes in detail the background to the development of Sweden’s newest tramway – a long-term investment in the city’s future.

n 13 December 2020, the modern from the railway station passing the hospital, Based on this pre-study, an agreement was tramway in the Swedish city technical university, Ideon science park and signed in January 1999 with both bus and light of Lund opened for passenger a planned new town, ending in the village of rail solutions forming part of a longer-term service on a 5.2km (3.2-mile) Dalby around 10km (6.2 miles) to the east. strategic plan. Building the busway brought route from Lund C (the city’s Although at that time the city was talking a number of challenges, including the Ocentral railway station) to ESS (European about light rail, regional public transport dismantling of the former hospital kitchen, Spallation Source). A large folk festival had authority Malmöhus Trafik favoured BRT construction of a new road underpass, been planned for the day before, however the (bus rapid transit). To find a solution, a relocation of sub-surface utility pipes and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic brought an end co-operative group was formed in 1995 and cables, and the installation of 4km (2.5 miles) to these plans. Instead, the inauguration was at the same time the city’s Urban Planning of new busway itself. Four years later, on moved online and an event pre-recorded on Director Anders Tingvar came up with the 23 January 2003, the service was inaugurated. 27 November was broadcast at 11.00 on name Lundalänken – the Lund link. This led 12 December (this is available online to a 1996 pre-study which recommended From BRT to LRT (in Swedish) at www.youtube.com/ the creation of a busway to a design that Moving forward a decade, the main driver watch?v=4HkK0vHPxTo). promoted enhancement to a future light rail for conversion to light rail is the continued Sweden’s last new tramway – in Karlskrona, service, from Lund C to the expanding growth in the north-east of the city: the approximately 185km (115 miles) to the east north-eastern suburb of Brunnshög. tramway was seen as a part of the urban – opened almost exactly 110 years earlier, carrying its first passengers on 21 December 1910. This short 3.5km (2.2-mile) line closed on 15 May 1949, although two-axle car 13 survives in preservation at Sweden’s local transport museum (Museispårvägen Malmköping). Lund, with a population of 94 000, therefore becomes Sweden’s fourth tramway city, following Stockholm (1877), Göteborg (1879), and Norrköping (1904). The first tram, car 03, departed from the northern ESS terminus at 06.13, carrying around 70 passengers on the inaugural service. This exciting day marked the final chapter Above left: The Lundalänken bus route that was the precursor to tram service to ESS on 8 December 2016. of a story that started in the late 1980s when The following day the Lundalänken closed as a busway in preparation for rebuilding as a tramway. the city’s masterplan included an LRT corridor Above right: Four years later, CAF Urbos 02 (Åsa-Hanna) in the hospital area on 18 December 2020.

96 / MARCH 2021 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org www.steconfer.com Lund LUND: A NEW MODEL FOR SUSTAINABILITY

ABOVE: The tramway passes through the former hospital kitchen, dismantled in 2002 for construction of the Lundalänken busway.

LEFT: Car 03 (Blåtand) approaches the northern ABOVE: The first service tram,B låtand (03), departs ESS terminus, with the from the ESS terminus at 06.13 on 13 December 2020. research facility in the background to the left All images by the author, unless otherwise stated. and the new tram depot to the upper right. In the development and not a barrier to it. To this coming years the green end, in 2006 the first Brunnshög masterplan space on either side was adopted and a year later the Swedish of the tramline will be Government entered the competitive process occupied by further to bring the prestigious European Spallation development. Source (ESS) research facility to Lund. This unique materials evaluation facility is a Pan-European programme, with an estimated cost of EUR1.83bn (2013 figures). When the first study programmes begin in 2023, it is ROCKDELTA: MANAGING NOISE AND VIBRATION estimated that two to three thousand visiting scientists will arrive each year to perform The world is moving towards a future in which 80% experiments; full completion of the site is of the population will be living in urban environments. planned for 2025. Beating competing bids The resulting increase in rail traffic brings the potential from other European cites, in May 2009 Lund of more noise and ground-borne vibrations, causing was chosen as the future site of the ESS. stress for people and damage to buildings and other In addition to serving these key academic structures. That is why as communities consider and research establishments, the new new rail projects, they are looking for more effective solutions to control vibrations, reduce maintenance and tramway is also envisaged as a regional prolong the life of track components. In that future you investment in sustainable growth, creating can make a difference with Rockdelta stone wool mats. the conditions for – and playing a key part The use of stone wool for vibration control may of – a climate-smart and attractive urban seem relatively new or even counterintuitive. development. Its implementation is therefore However, it has been successfully used on railways in not in itself a goal, but rather a means to an some of the harshest conditions in Scandinavia since end for a municipality focused on sustainable the early 1970s. Rockdelta stone wool mats are backed by over 80 years of production experience and development based upon major infrastructure over 43 years of expertise in vibration control. Vibration attenuation is achieved by decoupling the track projects; this includes the provision of from the surrounding environment using Rockdelta as a resilient mat – today, stone wool is the preferred high-quality, environmentally-friendly solution for track vibration control and structure protection in Scandinavia and many other countries across the globe. public transport. Rockdelta’s solution isolates the track to protect nearby structures The tramway’s route runs from Lund C from ground-borne vibrations generated by all forms of rail system: via the hospital, university, the Ideon and tramway, light rail, subway, metro, main line and high-speed lines. Medicon Village area, Brunnshög – Lund’s Find out more at: www.lapinus.com/tracks only major growth area – the research facilities

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org march 2021 / 97 Lund www.steconfer.com

MAX IV and ESS and the research-based Science The first steps toward a tramway Tamsr in Skåne - SPIS Village. It incorporates the former Lundalänken Following a study in 2011, the city began the busway with short extensions at each end. work required to create the six detailed legal To enable prioritisation of the tramway plans Experience from modern tramway plans required to make its tramway a reality in Skåne (both urban and regional), a 2007 installations elsewhere is that they are suited in early 2012. These plans were ready for study concluded that the proposed city lines in to integration with well-designed spaces and public consultation in May 2014, with the last Malmö, Helsingborg and Lund should be given the incorporation of around 40 000m2 of approved in November 2015. precedence. It was therefore natural to co-ordinate all three cities in 2012 under a grass track adds a valuable green element to Concurrently, in 2015 the Swedish common platform. The new body – ‘SPIS – the street space. The higher comfort levels Government introduced a new form of financial Spårvagnar i Skåne’ (Trams in Skåne) received and quality of the travel experience is also support for the development of sustainable a SEK27m (EUR2.7m) contribution from the expected to attract more public transport cities. Lund was one of the first to apply European Investment Bank for its studies. users, importantly those who currently use a and on 17 December 2015 the city received SPIS subsequently created a knowledge bank car as their primary mode of travel. confirmation of 40% (SEK298m/EUR30m) of and several reports concerning design and For the city, development along the tram the estimated tramway construction costs. technical guidelines, arranging study trips to corridor is also of great strategic importance: The same day, the City Council authorised Germany, Switzerland, the UK, France, and 30% of the expected growth over the next works to begin. This was a historic day, and Norway. The French tramway concept was identified as the main vision early on and several three decades is planned along the tramway, the goal of starting operations in late 2018 or visits were made to Le Mans; a combination of with a projected 40 000 new residents and early 2019 was set. Pre-qualification tenders quality design and high levels of safety was the workplaces. Positive effects have already been were published a week later, calling for bids to main objective and Le Mans therefore served as seen, in turn improving the conditions for construct 5.5km (3.4 miles) of tracks and the the archetype for the future tramways in Skåne. further sustainable growth and becoming a supply of seven low-floor trams. Sadly, no further progress on the tram project virtuous circle. On 12 May 2016 it was announced in Helsingborg has been made since 2015 and Several developers have stated that without that Swedish construction conglomerate work paused in Malmö in spring 2017, leaving the tramway they would not have been Skanska was the winner of the contract to Lund to move forward alone from this point. interested in investing in Brunnshög. While it build the tramway, including electrification is difficult to put an exact monetary figure and associated road works. On 30 May, on this, it is proven elsewhere that fixed rail a further SEK74.5m package was agreed infrastructure creates a security that increases with the national Government under its confidence in investing. Square metre prices Sverigeförhandlingen programme, increasing along the route have risen by an average of the state’s contribution to co-financing of the 25% and while there is still a lot of land to be project to 50%. Six months later the Regional sold, a great deal of interest is being shown. Council began the procedure to produce the formal tender documentation for the required vehicles and depot construction. The project’s total outturn costs of SEK1.495bn (EUR148.4m) are divided as follows: SEK890m (EUR88.3m) for The SPIS study tour to Le Mans in 2013. infrastructure, SEK310m (EUR30.8m) for the depot, and SEK295m (EUR29.3m) for rolling stock. The contribution from the national government totals SEK373m (EU37m). Responsibility for tramway operations was given directly to local bus operator Nettbuss Stadsbussarna (now Vy Buss) in February 2018. Its contract is valid until 2023 and this integration has made it possible to involve the bus operator in the work to form the safety documents to get permission for the operation of the tramway from Transportstyrelsen (Sweden’s Road and Rail Department).

Creating a sustainable depot Designed by Tengbom architects, the three-track depot features space for six vehicles: one track features an inspection pit, another has lifting jacks, with the final track featuring an automated washing plant. Early tenders were prepared to appoint a lead consultant to prepare all the construction

ABOVE BOTH: A sign of the development along the tramway: Solbjer at the start of construction on 12 March 2017 and on the tramway’s opening day, 13 December 2020.

98 / MARCH 2021 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org documents for the new facility, however following budget reductions in June 2017 it was announced that the depot would be delayed as the plans were revised. This forced a further delay to the opening of the tramline, from September 2019 to spring 2020. In January 2018 new plans were completed and a building permit given by the city. However, the first round of tenders saw no bidders – the lower budget, together with the construction demands, was not an attractive proposition to the market. The solution was to divide the tender into two parts, one for ground construction works, including track and electric installations, and one to build the depot itself. This time around Skanska was awarded the first contract, starting work in October 2018, while building of the depot was entrusted to NCC in December 2018 – with construction starting in early 2019. ABOVE: Track construction underway at Allhelgonakyrkan in May 2018. The striking building also houses the operational control centre and has been Lund’s tram depot, pictured shortly after completion in September 2020. designed with the highest environmental best practice in mind, featuring a sedum roof, rainwater collection and solar panelling. In April 2019, a further inauguration date was given to provide more time to complete the depot –16 August 2020. In October that year, the political steering group was informed that the depot would be further delayed and on 7 February 2020 a new opening date was given – 13 December. On 1 June last year, Skanska and NCC handed the depot over to Regionfastigheter, the administration responsible for Region Skåne’s houses and buildings.

Seven individual trams In July 2017 all pre-qualified companies received the final documents concerning the procurement of the system’s seven trams – including the option for a further three vehicles. Regional transport authority Skånetrafiken (formed in 1999 to amalgamate Culture – Inferno (05): A book written by Vehicle construction had been progressing the transport authorities in the counties of novelist and playwright August Strindberg well, but as the global COVID-19 pandemic Kristianstads and Malmöhus) specified a in Lund in 1897. started to take its toll on Europe, the national standard-gauge 2.65m-wide double-ended International – Saxo Grammaticus (06): lockdown in Spain forced a pause in the works vehicle with a length between 29m and 13th Century Danish historian who worked underway at CAF’s facility in Zaragoza in 33.5m. At least 70% low-floor, but preferably in Lund on behalf of Archbishop Absalon. March 2020. This resumed a month later, 100%, the parameters for the passenger Humour – Lindeman (07): Lund student on 21 April. saloon included at least 40 seats and and comedian, Hasse Alfredson’s legendary To accelerate operator tuition, five driver capacity for 240 standing passengers (at figure. trainers were sent to Zaragoza in July, and four passengers/m2). After the evaluation of bids from both CAF and Stadler, the Spanish manufacturer was CAF: A WORLD LEADER IN sustainable MOBILITY selected to deliver seven 100% low-floor, 33m five-section trams of theUrbos 100 type. CAF is one of the world’s leaders in the design In January 2019, the city announced a and implementation of comprehensive transit naming policy for its new trams, with the systems, providing project and engineering public invited to submit suggestions. A total management, feasibility analysis, system design, civil works, signalling, electrification and other of 484 proposals were received and following electromechanical systems, rolling stock supply and a review by a local jury at the end of March it system operation and maintenance. was revealed which names had been chosen A growing number of cities around the world and their themes: are choosing CAF urban mobility solutions as a Knowledge – Sfinxen (01): A female guarantee of sustainable, high-safety means of fairytale creature that adorns the city’s transport. For tramways, this is the proven Urbos university building. platform: a range of state-of-the-art trams, designed Youth – Åsa-Hanna (02): A book written with the highest levels of passenger accessibility, eco-design requirements, reliability and performance. by Lund-born author Elin Wägner. The company has supplied tram and light rail fleets to transport authorities throughout the world: in Scandinavia, this includes the cities of Oslo, Stockholm and Lund. Innovation – Blåtand (03): Named after Specifically, the LundUrbos vehicles are five-module, bi-directional the Bluetooth technology invented in Lund 100% low-floor units for ease of boarding and alighting as well as the free in the late 1980s. movement of passengers inside the tram. The trams also feature specific History – Brandklipparen (04): King wheelchair areas, thereby ensuring maximum accessibility for those with Charles XII’s legendary horse. Charles XII reduced mobility. Furthermore, the tram has been specially designed to www.caf.net ruled Sweden from Lund between 1716 withstand the demanding weather conditions in the city. and 1718.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org march 2021 / 99 Lund www.steconfer.com during the spring drivers and traffic managers The infrastructure works in detail Construction takes the form of U-shaped had been trained in Stockholm with the Main works began with an official plastic baskets mounted directly on the assistance of staff from Arriva, which operates ground-breaking ceremony on 17 February superstructure. Since the tramway is the capital’s Tvärbanan light rail line. 2017. This wasn’t the ‘first excavation’, but double-track throughout, there are four parallel Shortly after 07.00 on 20 July 2020, tram 02 instead marked the first roll-out of grass as rows, with reinforcement placed in the mould. (Åsa-Hanna) arrived in Lund following just the future tramway would feature extensive The baskets are tied together with a track bar over a week of travel from CAF’s manufacturing green tracks in line with the overall urban to maintain the gauge. On 24 October, rail facility in Zaragoza. Transported by boat from environmental enhancement programme. welding began and on 15 November the first Santander to Göteborg via the Belgian port The real work started in March 2017 when casting of the concrete beams. of Zeebrugge, 02 reached the city by road a large number of trees alongside the new On 13 November, the first switches at under a special transport between Göteborg tramway corridor were either cut down or Clemenstorget were installed. There are three and Lund. Early in the morning of 7 August, relocated; around 300 new trees of nine sets of Vossloh switches along the line – at the second tram, Sfinxen (01), arrived after different types have been planted in their place. the two termini as well as a transition at completing 5000km (3100 miles) of tests in On Clemenstorget (Lund C) there was a need Ideontorget – all located on a cast concrete slab. Spain. Following static tests at the depot, on to move six established platans (plane) and two The preferred trackform replicates that 17 August Lund’s first tram made its debut on lindens to make space for the new terminus; of Freiburg-im-Breisgau in Germany and is the city’s tracks. For this run Åsa-Hanna was these eight trees were moved to Brunnshög’s designed to sustain the green track during fitted with foam side profiles, normal practice Vindarnas park (Park of the Winds). Lund’s dry summers; the concrete beam to test clearances. A year later a further three platans construction also makes it easier to install a Trials and route testing continued and five more lindens were moved from range of surfaces between the rails. Space outside throughout September, becoming more Clemenstorget as plans for the design of the the beams allows rainwater to drain slowly, frequent from the last week of the month, square were modified. The new concept saw decreasing the risk of flooding by heavy rain. building up to commercial speed as Åsa-Hanna the square area raised by 200mm, resulting in Although around 80% of the route is laid undertook endurance testing. Car 02 had to more trees moving to Brunnshög. with grass track – not only absorbing noise run 5000km (3100 miles) in Lund without At the beginning of May 2018, roadworks and airborne pollutants, but also providing error so the handover could take place began with bus routes rerouted in the centre a clear delineation between the tramway and according to the contract; this process had to of the city to allow for the relocation of routes for other travel modes – other sections be restarted a few times, but on 20 November under-street utilities. The first rails arrived feature granite setts and even concrete at 2020 it was passed ready for service. from Voestalpine in Linz, Austria, on road junctions. All eight junctions are The remaining trams were delivered 11 September; these were shipped to Lund signal-controlled, offering full tram priority. during the autumn and by the December via Berlin where they received rubber The grass track is mown during the day, inauguration of the new line six were in the encapsulation before installation. subject to a strict safety regime, and cycle and city, with Skånetrafiken taking four (02-05) Tracklaying began shortly afterwards, pedestrian lanes run alongside the full length for initial service. undertaken by Anker AB, based in Varberg. of the tramway (around 80% of these lanes

RIGHT: The first CAF Urbos 100 tram, Åsa-Hanna (02), arrives in the city on 29 July 2020.

FAR RIGHT: Blåtand (03) arrived on 12 October and was pushed into the depot using a 113-year-old tram borrowed from the museum tramway of Malmköping.

BELOW: Åsa-Hanna (02) undertakes a test “Around 80% of the route is laid with grass track – not only absorbing run on 24 October 2020 during the 5000km proving period. noise and airborne pollutants, but also providing a clear delineation between the tramway and routes for other modes of travel.”

100 / MARCH 2021 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org ABOVE: Tramway installation required a new bridge for the E22 motorway, moved into place on 9 April 2018. The E22 is used by 40 000 cars on a normal day.

LEFT: The finished bridge on 9 January.

ABOVE: The underpass at Tornavägen was built for the busway in 2002, featuring a nice brick wall design . RIGHT: A service bound for ESS at Telefonplan, the stylised tramstop’s wooden benches and sedum roof are clearly visible. are new), a further demonstration of the In January 2019, the municipality signed a electro-magnetic (EM) sensitivity in these two city’s commitment to sustainable travel. contract with state-owned rail infrastructure institutions that could be adversely affected manager Infranord for maintenance of the by the new tramway. To address these issues, New landmark structures system. Exactly one year before the start of a system to reduce potential interference was A complicated construction challenge was the the operation, on 13 December 2019, the developed by Dutch company Microsim. replacement of the bridge that carries the E22 tramway was finally approved and handed Installed on two sections of the route – the highway over the tramway. This major road over to the municipality. intersection between Kävlingevägen and artery incorporates Sweden’s first motorway, Getingevägen to Ideontorget, and from the linking Malmö and Lund in 1953. The old Electrification and EM management roundabout at Odarslövsvägen to ESS – the structure was too low to allow safe passage of As the new tramline passes two sites which solution feeds each pole, making the electrical trams underneath and too narrow to allow the utilise delicate electronic equipment, the loop as small as possible to reduce EM addition of two further lanes on the highway. hospital and the university, detailed interference. The main feed is placed between A new 5000-tonne structure was assembled studies between 2014 and 2017 revealed the rails. In every pole there is a patented 60m to the east and moved into place following demolition of the old bridge. The whole process required closure of the E22 for two STECONFER: POWERING LUND’S TRAMWAY weeks, although through efficient management the new bridge was hoisted into place on Steconfer has carried out the complete overhead line installation of the Spårvägen Lund project, 9 April 2018 and the highway re-opened two including earthing and bonding and the return days earlier than planned. current management. The unique tram shelter design is based This project was very exciting, mostly due to some around the theme of movement: one end is particular and complex aspects. Along a considerable rounded to resemble the front of a tram and length of the route, there is sensitive research equipment this end faces in the same direction of that, together with the university hospital’s X-ray travel. Each shelter spans the full length departments, forced the construction of the overhead of a tram and also features a sedum roof, contact line to minimise the risk of EMF (Electric and Magnetic Fields) affecting those facilities. sustainably-sourced wooden details on the This system, the second in the world, consisted of the ceilings and the benches, as well as digital assembly of section insulators on every console in order passenger information screens. to interrupt the electrical continuity of the contact wire in between consecutive cantilevers. This also brought Taking an innovative approach, in May 2018 the need to inject current on both sides of all the insulators, section by section, to keep the system energised. the municipality decided that squares and Besides this, inside the depot’s workshop, a motorised rigid catenary was installed, improving the safety of tramstops should be heated using residual tram maintenance. This retractable catenary is specially designed for Lund’s rolling stock; its basic function heat from the research facilities MAX IV and is to physically remove the catenary to allow free access of personnel ESS; smart sensors determine which surfaces onto the roof of the vehicles or to lift bogies for maintenance. need to be heated and when, reacting to both The installed system is a ‘trolley’-type catenary with mechanical compensation, composed of a hard-drawn electrolytic copper temperature and precipitation. The platform contact wire, supported on cantilevers or cross-spans, including www.steconfer.com height is 300mm and each is 45m in length, under bridges or across viaducts. except for the 33m platforms at Lund C.

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divider, allowing the tram to pass with the current on. This award-winning concept has also been deployed on the new Uithoflijn in Utrecht and on the tramway in Delft. Electrification works were undertaken by Steconfer, with the system’s 107mm2 overhead contact wires are suspended from poles 5.5m above the tracks; these are located either between or to the side of the running track. The first masts were erected in Brunnshög in February 2019, with overhead wire installed at Clemenstorget in July 2019 and continuing throughout the summer. The 750V dc power supply is provided ABOVE: The tramway’s second substation is lifted ABOVE: The EMC mitigation system uses feeder with five evenly distributed substations, into place on 4 November 2018. cables along the rail, feeding the overhead at each pole. built by Eitech in Prague using components from Secheron and ABB, in terms of load, of disruptions to service. The five substations The long-awaited opening converting 11kV to 750V dc; voltage is can also act as back-ups for each other, with At the start of service, not all trams had been allowed to vary between 500V and 900V. any malfunction in one allowing for power delivered and not all drivers were trained. The rectifier transformers used are of the dry to be supplied from an adjacent installation This meant the timetable until 31 January type of 1100kVA with two secondary windings without causing undue delays to the tram. offered departures every 20 minutes on for a 12-pulse supply. The 12-pulse rectifier for The first substation was installed on weekdays and every 30 minutes at weekends. 750V dc has a rated power of 1000kW. 4 October 2018, at the MAX IV tramstop. The seventh and final tram (07 – Lindeman) Power is supplied to one of these substations, As each weighs 40 tonnes, they were delivered arrived on 4 January to complete the fleet, feeding a loop for the other four. As the sole ready for connection and lifted into place with allowing the normal timetable to be assumed user of electricity on the line, the tramway is a crane truck. The last was installed between the from 1 February, with trams running to not affected by others, thus minimising the risk ESS stop and the depot on 6 December 2018. ten-minute headways in the peak. End-to-end journey times are 15 minutes, offering a commercial speed of 21km/h (13mph). The Skånetrafiken fare system is valid on the tramway, with a single journey priced at SEK27 (EUR2.60) and a 24-hour ticket costing SEK54 (EUR5.20). Lund’s new tramway is an important step in the city’s ambition to be carbon neutral by 2030, beating by a full two decades the EU’s ‘Green Deal for Europe’, which aims for the whole continent to reach net zero by 2050.

about the author

Per Gunnar Andersson MSc (CE) Dr. Eng is a Founding Partner and Senior Consultant in public transport and urban planning for Trivector AB. Based in Lund, Trivector was founded in 1987 by three researchers, from the Department of Traffic Engineering at Lund University, and now has offices across Sweden. Per Gunnar is also Chairman of the Museum tramway in Malmö. ABOVE: At 86m, Brunnshögstorget tramstop is one of the highest tramstops above sea level in Sweden. “The seventh and final microsim®: MANAGING EM INTERFERENCE tram arrived on 4 January Microsim® has been a consultant and engineer for many rail projects over more than 25 years, with many to complete the fleet, related to Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC). Tramways, like any other electrical system, cause electromagnetic fields in their surrounding environment. Though the power supply of trams and light rail systems are generally referred to as ‘DC’ allowing the normal (direct current), the reality is far from DC. The instantaneous power consumption of vehicles can and will change almost constantly, as will the magnetic fields caused by the currents. As vehicles move, the currents timetable to be assumed within the vehicles also move, causing changes in the environment. The nature of those changes do not cause problems for humans, animals and most electric equipment, from 1 February.” but some instruments – especially those used in universities and hospitals – will malfunction in the presence of magnetic fields. In these instances, shielding is no option so the ‘conventional’ power supply needs to be redesigned to lower the magnitude of the fields below the level of sensitivity of instruments. For the Lund tramway, Microsim® calculated the magnetic emissions of both the infrastructure and vehicles using 3D modelling tools and designed the necessary modifications to the power supply system. Similar solutions have been designed for tramway systems in Utrecht, Jerusalem and Delft. > For further details, contact [email protected]

ABOVE: Snow on the ground on 8 January in this view between Telefonplan and Solbjer.

102 / MARCH 2021 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Advertorial Heavyweight lifting champions A world leader in railway lifting equipment, EMANUEL has case study: lund tramway made product customisation its point of strength. EMANUEL prides itself in its understanding of its customers' needs and the identification of the ounded over 120 years ago, Tailor-made products most appropriate solutions to suit their projects. EMANUEL is a world leader in EMANUEL’s products are developed to allow In August 2020 the company delivered the lifting equipment, producing for simple customisation according to the first lifting columns to the new tramway depot apparatus for railway vehicles, customer’s requirements. The company has in the Swedish city of Lund. Here, together with tramways, heavy road vehicles and structured its operations to plan and optimise Swedish partner Interlift AB www.interlift.se( ), Fwelding positioners. projects, working collaboratively with EMANUEL has worked with Skanska to adapt its An innovator in the production of lifting customers to implement new solutions and specialised equipment to both the customer’s systems for the automobile sector, as the systems that meet any project’s specific needs. requirements and to the design of the new depot. company evolved it moved into the railway Vehicles for the new tramway – running industry – this decision marked a turning High quality performance between the city’s central station and the European Spallation Source (ESS) research point in its growth, enabling it to become a Compliance with increasingly strict safety centre – will be serviced using 12 ergonomic, recognised global leader. regulations and a continuous commitment compact EMANUEL lifting columns.T hese to simplifying the maintenance operations lifting columns are able to lift a tram to its International partners of vehicles, EMANUEL uses the highest maximum height in less than three minutes, EMANUEL has become a key supplier to the quality materials and the latest cutting-edge with a total lifting capability of 72 tonnes. world’s largest train-builders and railway technologies in order to guarantee years of With inverter technology on each column, maintenance companies. Thanks to its global reliable and effective performance. energy-saving is ensured, making it possible to distribution network, today the company vary the speed of lifting, raising the quality of the exports its equipment all over the world. maintenance operations to the highest standards. With exports exceeding 70% of total sales, This contract is a new success story for both EMANUEL continues its expansion strategy EMANUEL and its customer – for today and for despite the challenging global situation. many years to come.

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Blackpool’s tramway is a fine example David Gibson begins his introduction to tramway electrification, of simple and elegant overhead line making the case for more simplification and better integration, installation; note the single wire, traditional finials on the poles and rather than full replacement, of the overhead contact system. sympathetic construction of the substation at Fleetwood Ferry. Neil Pulling

he majority of the world’s “Although greatly frequency and voltage to apply to ac tramways and light rail systems motors. These are smaller and lighter than take their traction power from enhanced over the traditional dc motors, and require a lot electricity supplied by overhead less maintenance than the ‘traditional’ dc contact wires; this has been the last 130-plus years, the motor with its commutator. primaryT technology employed for well over a Aside from these key components, and century and is a well-proven system. essential components of trolley poles and bows being replaced with In fact, the electric tram is one of the few pantographs, alongside articulated vehicles technologies developed in the 19th Century the traction power system becoming the norm, the modern tramcar is that has survived essentially unchanged into still essentially similar to its predecessors. the 21st Century – it is because of this essential remain largely the same.” The majority still require a dc feed between simplicity that it is possible in so many cities 600 and 750V; with the introduction of larger around the world to see tramcars built in the • Substations transform high voltage mains and heavier vehicles, an increase in voltage is 1890s alongside the latest low-floor vehicles. electricity to a lower voltage direct current generally required. However, the last two decades have (dc) feed that can be distributed via a brought a number of emergent alternatives system of overhead contact wires Looking at the numbers to the overhead contact system and here we • This dc supply is transmitted via the wire to The purpose of any tram or light rail vehicle shall explore a few of them and their relative a roof-mounted current collection device (LRV) is of course to carry passengers. advantages and disadvantages. which maintains a constant contact A fully-laden vehicle is substantially • Traction motors, mounted beneath the heavier than an empty one, and an average In the beginning… vehicle, transform this electricity into passenger weighs around 65kg according Modern tramcars still rely on the basic useful tractive force; earth return is to UK Department for Transport standards, design principles established by ‘the father provided by the rails although this seems a little low to me. of electric traction’ Frank J. Sprague in the • Controllers regulate the voltage applied A typical modern tram/LRV has capacity USA in 1887. Although greatly enhanced over to the motors to give the right speed and for 220 passengers, these passengers therefore the intervening 130-plus years, the essential acceleration rate. In modern equipment weighing in at just over 14t. The vehicle components of the traction power system this involves inverters that produce carrying these passengers has an average remain largely the same: three-phase alternating current of variable weight of about 40t; giving a total of 54t.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org march 2021 / 105 ABOVE: Mainz GT6M-ZR 204 (built in 1996) on Gaustrasse in November 2017. Since the system’s expansion in 2004, this incline, at 9.549%, is the steepest adhesion tram route in Germany. Neil Pulling

ABOVE RIGHT: The tram subway exit near to Marseille’s Eugène Pierre stop. Short steep climbs such as this place the greatest demand on the traction system. Neil Pulling

RIGHT: Simple, elegant overhead on Linz’s Hauptplatz, showing how even wide boulevards can feature overhead contact lines without installing intrusive support poles. Neil Pulling

The power required to operate the tram in effort. At very low speed, little power is regular service, neglecting auxiliaries, is used “It takes 25 times more produced, and mechanical braking usually for acceleration, overcoming gradients and power to move a laden takes over; electrical braking can operate running at a constant speed. down to standstill, though it will entail As you might imagine, acceleration tram from a standstill to needing power at very low speed. requires the most power as it takes a lot to Given the stop/start nature of a tramway move a 40-54t vehicle from a standstill up to operating speed than or light rail service, a tram or LRV spends operating speed; around 25 times higher than the majority of its working life accelerating, running at a sustained, moderate speed on running at a sustained running for a short time at a constant speed, level track. The power required is calculated and then decelerating to a standstill at a stop using basic Newtonian physics: the tractive speed on level track.” or junction. This sequence is then repeated. effort required for acceleration is the mass It should be noted that no mechanical multiplied by the acceleration rate, typically further back to achieve braking. In this power is delivered until the vehicle moves, 1.3m/s/s, which in this case comes to 70kN. region, electrical braking happens down but doing this requires a high current in the Rolling resistance – the energy losses to very low speed. With ac motors, this motors; tractive effort is largely proportional experienced through friction and drag, happens intrinsically when the speed is, or to current, so a high current is required to significantly lessened when using a steel tries to be, above the synchronous speed of accelerate, and this flows through circuit wheel on a steel rail (around 10%) compared the applied frequency. resistance and causes quite high power losses to a grippy rubber tyre on a high friction Modern vehicles use electrical braking to (loss is proportional to current squared). asphalt or concrete surface – will be around slow the vehicle, and during this process – 2kg/t, giving 1.1kN. (1kg is approximately also when going downhill – kinetic energy An example 10N, although this varies slightly with is transformed back into electricity. This is Consider a typical urban tramway with gravitational variations). Power is effort fed back into the line as regenerative braking, stops located 500m apart, a speed of 50km/h multiplied by speed; and energy is power and also supplies the vehicle’s auxiliaries. (31mph) between stops, and an acceleration multiplied by time. Most dc traction supplies are not capable of rate of 1.3m/s/s. The controller/inverter will provide a feeding back into the ac grid; this could be During acceleration, mechanical power ramp-up of frequency and voltage to the accomplished, but there are many issues to input is converted to kinetic energy of around motors, with current limited to give the be overcome and these are not necessarily 5MJ. To overcome rolling resistance over required acceleration rate, and avoiding related to engineering. the 500m between stops will require 0.51MJ overload. The now-universal TBC (Traction Generally, if the line is not receptive – i.e. (0.14KWh). Typically, we only see around 30% and Braking Controller) is pushed into a there are no other vehicles in the vicinity recovery of energy by regeneration. Why is forward position by the driver to increase taking power, the voltage will rise. In this this so? Firstly, the line is not always receptive, speed, pulled back towards ‘neutral’ to case, braking resistors on the vehicle cut in and even when it is, some energy will be lost maintain a constant speed, and pulled to limit the voltage, and to maintain braking due to losses in the motors, inverters and

106 / MARch 2021 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org BELOW RIGHT: Praha’s 15T low-floor trams feature advanced individual wheel drive and three-phase synchronous motors. Neil Pulling.

line resistance. Accelerating and decelerating requires a high power flow, positive during acceleration, and negative during braking, up to about 1MW, causing very high current in the motors, inverters and the line. This can give losses of around 120kW. We also have mechanical transmission losses of about 3% due to friction in gears and bearings, giving about another 15kW. These losses also occur under braking, so in total we lose around 3MJ; much higher than the energy actually required to move the tram. How can we improve things? To begin with, if you introduce a small energy store onboard the vehicle, it would be possible to recover more of the kinetic energy, and any energy losses in the line would be vastly reduced. Supercapacitors are ideal for this purpose; they can handle high power flows, and don’t have the intrinsic lifetime limits of batteries – current thinking suggests a useful life of five to seven years before battery replacement. They will add around 2% cost to the vehicle, and less than 1% to the weight (approx. 300kg) with their control electronics. We should then be able to recover around 50% of the input energy. The power flow of a sample 500m journey for a conventional We can also reduce the losses in the motors. tram carrying 220 passengers. It As explained above, all traction motors accelerates at 1.3m/s/s to 50km/h, today are ac machines, and come in two runs at this speed for a short time and basic types: asynchronous or synchronous. decelerates again to a stop. Author The asynchronous, or induction, type is the most common, it’s a mechanically simple and robust machine, but does suffer from three major electrical losses: magnetising, and stator and rotor resistance. It runs with “The permanent magnet motor is now an obvious choice. It is standard in automotive use, but the rail industry has been behind the curve.” the rotor at a slightly lower speed than the synchronous speed of the applied frequency, otherwise known as slip, and represents a rotor power loss, low in proportion at full speed (about 3%), but high at low speed. A tram operates at high tractive effort and low speed whilst accelerating and braking, so slip loss is considerable. The magnetisation of induction motors also requires current, and motor’, in which voltage or current is the this causes extra loss in the stator. main control parameter. about the author Synchronous motors, if they have Developments in permanent magnet permanent magnets, have largely only the technology over the last 20 to 30 years have David Gibson is an electrical engineer with a lifetime interest in electric traction. He is also the stator loss, and so are more efficient, so brought considerable weight and volume LRTA Regional Officer for the East Midlands. the overall electrical losses will be halved. reductions, and make the permanent magnet David investigated the idea of incorporating They are also smaller and lighter, and can motor an obvious choice. It has become a permanent magnet synchronous motor as be incorporated into the wheels themselves standard in automotive use, but the rail an integral part of the wheel to reduce weight without gears, removing transmission loss industry has been behind the curve in making and space in the design of low-floor trams; these and giving a further weight saving; this it a standard item in the same way. studies increased in scope to enable individual enables over 60% energy recovery. They can wheel steering to remove the need for bogies. be operated in two forms, as a synchronous Next Month: Alternatives to the overhead The project resulted in the formation of Stored Energy Technology Ltd to take this forward, with machine, with frequency as the main control wire and how we create more energy-efficient successful demonstrations of the technology. parameter, or configured as a ‘brushless dc trams and LRVs.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org march 2021 / 107 Sheffield

Sheffield’s Supertram was physically little changed after its 1994 systems united debut as the UK’s first kingdom low-floor tramway, factfile but a 2018 addition No. marked another first Sheffield, in British light rail Sheffield 161 United Kingdom operations.

he city of Sheffield in in 1974 is the body accountable for Siemens-Düwag 1899. Developing into a mainly radial South Yorkshire has public transport. Most services within 102 at Castle Square cross-city system that peaked in the also held metropolitan its remit are run by private sector in central Sheffield 1930s, the 1960 closure put it amongst borough status since 1986. operators, including the Supertram on 9 December the last traditional British tramways. The current population light rail network which SYPTE 2020. The colours on Supertram grew from a 1976 these shelters and isT around 585 000; conurbation identifies as having around 12m recommendation to create a overhead masts are definitions vary, but it is in the top annual journeys. as originally used on segregated regional passenger ten largest in the UK. Sheffield spreads over unusually Supertram stock. transport system. A 1985 submission The ‘Steel City’ epithet refers to an hilly terrain for a major British city, a to the UK Parliament was more historic and remaining presence in feature recognised in the council’s logo. specifically for light rapid transit, that industry, although many claim Extending from around an historic with contracts for infrastructure and that it is also the UK’s greenest city, fortification as recalled by Castle stock being placed in 1991. Along with with the highest ratio of trees per Square on today’s tramway, it grew the challenging topography, two person than anywhere else in Europe. during 19th Century industrialisation structures became emblematic of the Involving the local authorities of that drew upon plentiful local coal new bi-directional system. Carrying Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and and water. A target for competing tracks and a walkway into the central Barnsley, the Sheffield City Region railway companies, Sheffield became area, a new bowstring bridge spanned Combined Authority was established a centre for goods and passenger a road intersection; the adjoining delta in 2014 with aspects of transport traffic; it is located 265km (165 miles) junction of double tracks to integrate amongst its delegated responsibilities. north of London St Pancras using the the three tramway arms was built on Now responsible to the Combined Midland Main Line. the Park Square traffic island. Authority, South Yorkshire Passenger Sheffield introduced horse trams Words and pictures Services on the second-generation Transport Executive (SYPTE) created in 1873, with electrification from by Neil Pulling. tramway were launched as South

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THE FLEE E quipped for gradients up to 10%, both of the eight-axle, bi-directional, 2.65m-wide Supertram types provide level access and low-floor areas in the outer of their three sections. Without exterior doors, the centre sections have a raised floor and facing seats. Interior fittings are similarly styled. Unique to the Sheffield system, the first of the 34.8m Siemens-Düwag trams now numbered 101-125 was received from Germany in 1993. A mid-life refurbishment programme completed between 2006 and 2009 and other works have been completed at Nunnery depot. Stagecoach identifies capacity for 88 seated and 162 standing. Air-conditioning is only provided in driving cabs. The option to refurbish the current fleet in 2024 to extend their life by 15 years has been considered, but assessments undertaken in 2017 indicate that replacement would be more cost-effective. Plans envisage a new fleet of 28 trams entering service by 2027, allowing for frequency improvements on the core routes to 7.5 trams per hour. There are also seven 37.2m fully air-conditioned Stadler (originally Vossloh) Citylink tram-train vehicles (96 seats, capacity for a further 140 standing). These are classified as British Rail 399, numbered 399201-399207, with the first received from Valencia, Spain, in late 2015. The initial four were for the Rotherham service, with the remainder to increase stock for tramway services. They accordingly have wheel profiles to match their areas of operation. As with the trams, there has been re-formation of tram-train vehicles after accident repairs. Sheffield’sCitylink are dual- voltage, although only the 750V dc capability is currently used as the 25kV ac standard railway electrification has yet to reach the Sheffield area.

ABOVE LEFT: Installed to take tracks beneath a road junction, the short inclines near the University of Sheffield stop are extreme, even by the system’s standards.

LEFT: Meadowhall South/Tinsley, with 116 having cleared the single-track Meadowhall Interchange access. The junction for Tinsley Chord, a 160m connection between tramway and railway, is to the far right. “ Sheffield spreads over unusually hilly terrain for a major British city, extending from around an historic fortification as recalled by Castle Square on today's tramway.”

Park Square Bridge, built for the Supertram project. One of two trams in this advertising wrap in 2020, 111 heads away from the city centre with a driver instruction working.

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network facts

O pened: Tramway 1994; Tram-Train 2018 L ength: Tramway – 29km (18.1 miles); Tram-Train – 5.5km (3.4 miles) Stops: 50 Lines: 4 Depots: 1 Approx. weekday hours: 05.30-00.00 Main frequency: 10-12 minutes ABOVE: The only end-of-line terminus with

two platform faces, Meadowhall Interchange. Gauge: 1435mm Here in April 2007, this Stagecoach livery was Power: 750V dc, overhead supply becoming replaced by the blue ‘beachball’ style. Fleet: 25 trams; 7 tram-trains ABOVE: The Malin O perator: Stagecoach – Bridge branch, with www.stagecoachbus.com/supertram 115 passing the R egional network: facade of the former www.travelsouthyorkshire.com Holme Lane depot C ivic information: www.sheffield.gov.uk from the original and www.southyorks.gov.uk system, used now T ourist information: as the Tramways www.welcometosheffield.co.uk Medical Centre.

ABOVE: Sheffield Station/Hallam University stop in September 2016. The Granville Street alignment has been considered for conversion to road use, with the tramway re-routed on the opposite side of Sheffield’s main station.

Yorkshire Supertram in March 1994 with two more passing through, which is also nearer the city centre ABOVE: At the end (YouTube has videos of these early despite having no loop or siding space. and bus interchange. of a route which lost operations) with branding soon More than most of Supertram, the The south-eastern arm has a potential demand changed to The Supertram. north-western arm replicated some notably scenic climb on hillside and due to demolition of housing blocks, The initial service ran between a route of the city’s first-generation viaduct away from central Sheffield. Herdings Park in temporary city centre terminus, tramway. In the Hillsborough area, It also has two termini, Herdings April 2009. Like Fitzalan Square/Ponds Forge, and which often has dense traffic on its Park and Halfway. The latter’s route most Supertram Meadowhall. Near the M1 motorway narrow streets, the tramway diverges fringes countryside, including a brief termini, it has one in the north of Sheffield, Meadowhall to two termini, Malin Bridge and incursion to the county of Derbyshire platform face. was an early ‘out of town’ regional between White Lane and Birley shopping centre, the second-largest Lane. Two stops serve another large in the UK at its opening in 1990. “ More than most of shopping complex, Crystal Peaks. The transport interchange opened Organisational change in 1997 in the same year, with the later Supertram, the introduced the service’s present dedicated tram platforms adjoining branding, Stagecoach Supertram. those used by trains. north-western arm Based in Perth, Scotland, and also The Meadowhall line includes having a strong presence with the Supertram depot and control replicated some of Sheffield bus routes, Stagecoach centre, sited next to Nunnery Square the route of the city’s acquired the tram maintenance and stop, bounded by the tramway and operation concession in a deal that the Sheffield – Retford railway. original tramway.” runs until March 2024. The company Although with several road bought out the specially constituted crossings, the Meadowhall line public body, South Yorkshire mainly occupied reserved space. Middlewood. Supertram’s long Supertram Limited, although the Later openings added more of this south-eastern arm opened in spring principal assets remain with SYPTE. format but also introduced shared road 1995, bringing a connection with Stagecoach adopted a mainly white space on city streets and outer main the main railway station – often livery as then used on the company’s roads. The north-western arm which called by the old name of Sheffield buses to replace the trams’ original passes just north of the main central Midland – by way of a cross-platform pale grey and dark blue. Those colours shopping area was completed by late footbridge. Although well-signposted, remain however on most shelters and 1995. Immediately outside of the city’s this is something of a back-door overhead equipment masts. A later cathedral, the so-named tramstop access, with the station’s main mainly blue Stagecoach livery was functions as a terminus for two lines entrance on the opposite side applied from January 2006 as trams

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Parkgate Light rail line Supertram routes 2021

National rail line Yellow Route Tram-train line Middlewood – Meadowhall Interchange Tram stop Blue Route Rotherham Parkgate Proposed stop Malin Bridge – Halfway Depot Bradgate Eastwood Purple Route Cathedral – Herdings Park Rotherham Central Richmond Tram Train (sometimes as Black Route) Park Rotherham Cathedral – Rotherham Parkgate M1 Parson Cross Moorgate Herringthorpe

Magna Middlewood P&R Meadowhall (location tbc) P&R Interchange Leppings Lane Meadowhall South/Tinsley Grimesthorpe Hillsborough Park P&R Carbrook Valley P&R P&R Hillsborough Entertainment Malin Pitsmoor Bamforth Street Bridge Arena/ Langsett/ Olympic Upper Whiston Primrose View Attercliffe Legacy Park Infirmary Road Shalesmore for Kelham Island Woodbourn Castle Square Road Netherthorpe Cathedral Nunnery Road Square P&R Cricket Inn Hyde Park University of Fitzalan Road Sheffield Square/ West Street Ponds Forge Sheffield Station/ City Hall Sheffield Hallam University Granville Road/ Handsworth The Sheffield Park Grange Croft College Spring Lane Park Grange

Woodhouse Arbourthorne Road Manor Top

Newfield Green Hollinsend Gleadless Hackenthorpe Beighton Townend Norton Lees Birley Moor Moss Way White Lane Road Beighton/Drake Herdings Park House Lane Herdings/ Donetsk Way Leighton Road Birley Lane Crystal Peaks 1 2 Waterthorpe

Kilometres Westfield

Meadowhead Ridgeway P&R Halfway

ABOVE: Sheffield-bound passengers are not fooled by 399201’s destination display at Rotherham Central on the first day of tram-train ABOVE: On railway tracks near where tram-trains diverge to a siding containing services, 25 October 2018. Ramps either side of the tracks lead to higher Rotherham Parkgate’s Supertram platform. The River Don Navigation is to the left. main line platforms.

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underwent refurbishment. Another by through-running between the early change was to remove platform respective corporation tramways. ticket machines in favour of onboard A research project for future hybrid conductors, still a system feature. rail projects, the Tram-Train The request stop operation introduced Pilot involved national railway in 1999 is emphasised by onboard infrastructure body Network Rail. audio and visual announcements. Of great local benefit since its Sheffield had a post-World War inception, over 1.5m passenger Two building programme to handle journeys used the service during the growth and replace old housing pilot phase, after which tram-train stock, but many of the resulting tower formally became an integral Supertram blocks were being demolished when operation. The approximately 5.5km and after Supertram was launched. (3.4 miles) added became the first The fewer concentrated employment British interspersing of heavy rail and centres, particularly along the Don street-running light rail stock: for Valley as served by the Meadowhall further details of the project see TAUT line, plus the continuing effects of 953 and 972. New dual-system stock bus deregulation, are also held to running from central Sheffield on the have inhibited demand. Despite good Meadowhall line shares route beyond park-and-ride provision and bus Meadowhall South/Tinsley stop with interchanges, overall the system did passenger and freight trains. not enjoy passenger levels that might By way of a new 160m connection have encouraged early expansion. – also the transition point between The only extension since the the two control systems – Supertram 1994-95 openings was the product began services to the new Rotherham of a protracted and closely-observed Parkgate terminus. The only other development to introduce new stop added, and becoming tram-train technology to the UK. Supertram’s third railway interchange, Coincidentally, Supertram’s October Rotherham Central has paired 2018 expansion recalled a local platform faces for the two rail modes connection between Sheffield and which join end-on, albeit with Rotherham, formerly represented different boarding heights.

tOP left: Track-sharing from October 2018: tram-train 399204 is about to cross a Class 20-powered railhead treatment train esls entia facts near the future Magna stop site, between Meadowhall South and Rotherham. L ocal travel: SYPTE staffed information points include midDLE left: The interior of a Supertram Meadowhall Interchange and Sheffield Citylink. As with the system’s Siemens-Düwag Interchange (near the station). trams, the centre car has a higher-level floor The Travel South Yorkshire website and the types have similar interior fittings. identifies all public transport services, including Supertram, irrespective StagecoachLeft: Supertram and bus of operator. Stagecoach embeds services at Halfway. This potentially Supertram information amongst its confusing name for a terminus is said to have much wider website. originated from a public house in the area. The system features no platform ticket machines; fares are payable to onboard conductors, now accepting contact- free payments. Other pre-payment options are available. The all-system Tram-only Dayrider costs GBP4.40 (EUR4.95). Some passes include other modes, for example the tram/bus/train: SYConnect+ Day at GBP8.80 (EUR9.90) – zone maps can be found at www.sytravelmaster.com/all-zone Supertram accepts English national travel cards (as per ‘Pensioner Bus Pass’) irrespective of the issuing authority for free travel.

What is there to see? Supported by a large student population, Sheffield is a regional entertainment centre. The city’s Botanical Gardens are located a mile south-west of the centre. Kelham Island Museum near Shalesmoor tramstop focuses on local industrial heritage. Nearby tram interest includes the Nottingham and Manchester systems, both around 65km (40 miles) distant by train. Like Sheffield in being on the eastern edge of the picturesque Peak District, the Crich Tramway Village (www.tramway.co.uk) collection includes several former Sheffield ABOVE: In a cream-blue livery applied in 2010 to celebrate 50 years since the original tramway’s closure, 120 climbs Corporation trams. towards Leppings Lane stop on 9 December 2020.

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“ Sheffield city region is keen to expand tram-train coverage to make better local use of railways as feeders to central areas.”

Funding was approved in March 2020 for a new tram-train stop with park-and-ride facilities at Rotherham’s Magna Science Adventure Centre as part of the UK Government’s Transforming Cities Fund. The service is organised as four lines, distinguished as the Blue, Yellow, Purple and (styled as) Tram Train / Black routes, the colours and letter abbreviations also appearing on destination displays. Line overlaps make the system’s busiest point a short section serving Cathedral, Castle Square and Fitzalan Square/Ponds Forge – all three stops being within about 350 metres. Timetables have been subject to modification amongst the measures taken in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The multi-agency ‘Sheffield Midland Station and Sheaf Valley Development Framework’ published in March 2020 includes a proposal to remove trams from the Granville Street alignment past the main station, enabling reuse as an inner relief road. Replacement tracks would run between near the Sheffield College and Fitzalan Square stops, bringing improved city centre access and interchange facilities, with overall higher ridership potential than at present. Sheffield City Region is also keen to expand tram-train coverage to make better local use of railways as feeders to central areas. Uncertainty rose in late 2020 over the eastern leg of the High Speed 2 railway project. For Supertram, as with Nottingham’s NET system, this relates to planning for any connecting role that light rail may have. On the existing system, a six-year multi-million-pound programme to ABOVE: replace the majority of track on the City-bound system concluded in late 2020. 399203 by the SYPTE is also reviewing its options Sheffield & for the future, with a report from Tinsley Canal last year confirming the need for near Attercliffe a renewal of both the fleet and key stop. infrastructure elements. These include the power supply system, control RIGHT: and communication systems due to Towards the end of the climb life-expiry and obsolescence of crucial from central components. Sheffield on Park Three options for operations Grange Road. and maintenance after the current As here in concession ends in 2024 have also autumn been shortlisted for consideration, 2016, new with a preferred long-term plan for construction the establishment of an arm’s-length was apparent along the route. organisation to operate the services and maintain both the network and fleet. SYPTE would separately procure delivery of the network renewal, estimated at GBP439m (EUR494m).

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org march 2021 / 113 Worldwide Review

ALGERIA CONSTANTINE. The first tests on the 3.4km (2.1-mile) six-station tram extension from Ali Mendjeli to Abdelhamid Mehri University were carried out on 23 January. IRJ

AUSTRALIA CANBERRA. Environmental approval has been given for Stage 2A of the light rail line to Commonwealth Park. The 1.7km (1.05-mile) extension will be wire- free, and the upcoming budget is to allocate AUD2.1m (EUR1.3m) to design works. Construction is to begin in 2022 for a 2024 opening. The environmental approval process for Stage 2B (Commonwealth Park to Woden) is underway and is expected to take 18 months; the new budget will The new terminus at Montrochet for Lyon tramline T2. Y. Allain also allocate funding to study an extension from Woden to Mawson. May 2023 now suggested for the at the intersection of King Street, another under construction). Bus replacement services were in inauguration of service. T-2000 Queen Street, The Queensway, The line is wholly underground place 10-23 January for the section OOSTENDE. Delays in deliveries and Roncesvalles Avenue. and worked by 52 six-car trains between EPIC and Gungahlin Place and driver training with the new This will see the dedicated streetcar built by CRRC Changchun. as work began on a new AUD12m CAF low-floor trams has seen lane extended and stops upgraded, The network, the world’s largest, (EUR7.6m) stop at Sandford Street. De Lijn reverse its decision not and will take place at the same is now 772km (480 miles) with ABC News, Canberra Weekly to transfer Hermelijn trams to time as track replacement 459 stations. Line 14 and the MELBOURNE. The first of 65 the coast for the summer season. through Queen Street West. remaining section of line 18 will seven-car commuter rail trains Eight will come from Antwerpen Overhead line upgrades will take open later this year. RGI being delivered by Downer/ and Gent. place on the rest of the Queen Street CRRC Changchun entered service corridor, and on Queen Street East COSTA RICA on the Pakenham line from BOLIVIA towards the Beaches. SAN JOSE. CRRC Qingdao Sifang 26 December. RGI COCHABAMBA. President In the spring, the Main Street has delivered eight 1067mm-gauge SYDNEY. The NSW Government Arce visited the works for the bus and streetcar terminal will two-car DMUs for commuter rail wishes to buy three more trams new Mi Tren light rail system on close for a month for pavement service. The government has to relieve crowding on the Inner 4 December, saying that the upgrades, while in May the city announced plans to create an West line L1; for delivery in 2023. Red and Green lines would be will begin water main replacement 84km (52-mile) electrified network Currently 12 CAF Urbos 3 trams carrying passengers by December on Broadview Avenue. Track in the metropolitan area. RGI from 2014-15 are in use. UTM 2021, with the Yellow line replacement and platform following in mid-2022. extensions at Dundas West Station CRIMEA AUSTRIA At the time of his visit seven will be undertaken later in the year SEVASTOPOL. This city had a LINZ. The base frequency on Stadler Metelitsa trams had been to reduce delays entering the stop, tramway from 1898-1942, when the Pöstlingbergbahn is to be delivered and were being tested involving closure of the bus and war destruction resulted in its improved from 30 to 20 minutes on a 2km (1.2-mile) section. UTM streetcar loop. Further trackworks demise. Traffic problems have to address overcrowding. EB will begin at the intersection of increased since the annexation by WIEN (Vienna). Bombardier BRAZIL Lake Shore Boulevard West and Russia, and the construction of a Flexity cars up to 318 had been SÃO PAULO. Tenders have been Kipling Avenue and Kipling Loop. bridge link to the mainland. Now delivered by the end of 2020. invited for the operation and All works will see bus replacement the council has launched a study Withdrawn are E1 4540/2/58 and maintenance of commuter rail lines services in place. for the possible introduction of a 4833 and trailers 1312/7/25/39. 8 (Diamente) and 9 (Esmeralda) In January, tram service returned light rail system. N. Semyonov Still in service in January, mostly for 30 years; 34 new trains will need between High Park Loop and on line 26, were 4549/52/4/74, to be procured. RGI Broadview Avenue, although bus CZECH REPUBLIC 4780/4 and 4808/44/58/61/2. EB replacement continued between BRNO. DPMB has signed a CANADA Parliament and Main Streets as framework agreement with Škoda BELGIUM TORONTO. On 4 January the overhead upgrades were completed for up to 40 ForCity Smart trams; BRUSSEL/BRUXELLES. subway bus interchange at in the east end. D. Drum, P. Webb the first five are to be delivered STIB-MIVB has agreed with the Islington station was moved to within two years, with options for Vlaanderen regional government the new Kipling Transit Hub. CHINA the additional 35 vehicles lasting that a 6km (3.7-mile) extension This affects mainly bus services CHONGQING. On 20 January until 2026. of tramline 62 should be built to from Mississauga. The Islington the 17.9km (11.1-mile) metro The double-ended low-floor Zaventem airport by 2026. Work station has structural problems. line 5 from Shiqiaopu to Tiaodeng cars will have capacity for 230 should start in 2023. T-2000 The TTC has released its 2021 was inaugurated. The same date passengers (60 seated) and will CHARLEROI. The first tram to tramway modernisation works saw the completion of loop line replace KT8D5 trams (from the be returned to Jumet works after programme, that includes a range 4 with the opening of the 7.3km 1980s and ’90s) on line 8 and the renovation by Alstom was 7420 of works to replace track and (4.5-mile) section from Chongqing future route to the university. TP on 7 January. T-2000 overhead wires in line with other Library to Erlang. urbanrail.net LIÈGE. On 25 January the mayor city initiatives such as replacing SHANGHAI. The 42.3km DENMARK announced that the consortium sewers, improving pedestrian (26.3-mile) automated north-south KØBENHAVN. DSB has awarded building the new tramway had safety, and enhancing streetscapes. metro line 15 from Gucun Park an eight-year contract to a told him the pandemic would From January, replacement to Zizhu Hi-tech Park opened on Cowie/Parsons/SYSTRA joint delay completion until 2023, with began of track, overhead and sewers 23 January, with 29 stations (and venture to support the migration

114 / MARCH 2021 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org of the S-bane network to an from Hbf to Turmstrasse, with automated system with CBTC. IRJ completion expected in 2023. Further to last month’s news, FINLAND the firm order with Bombardier HELSINKI. HKL has signed a for more Flexity trams is for 20 (17 contract to sell its 40 withdrawn XLZ and three MZ) for delivery Variotram trams to a buyer in in 2022; options will take the Germany. Despite a series of order to 117. The 50m XLZ variant modifications over the years, the will be used on line M4, replacing trams have never proved reliable coupled sets of GT6N cars. The last and have been in storage since 2018, day of Tatra KT4D operation on with Bombardier assisting HKL line M17 was due to be 12 February. in finding them a new home. RGI The first ten of the new Siemens/ Stadler S-Bahn trains of series 483/4 FRANCE entered service on line S47 with BREST. On 15 December the the inaugural run leaving city council voted to proceed Schöneweide station shortly after On 3 January the Utrecht–Nieuwegein light rail line resumed operation using CAF with a second tramline, 5.4km midnight on 1 January. low-floor trams. 6059 is seen in Nieuwegein. OVnieuws (3.4 miles) from Gares SNCF to Betriebsbahnhof Schöneweide Hôpital Cavalerie. Work on the station was renamed Johannisthal 20 to 26. An option for ten more KOLKATA (Calcutta). WBTC EUR151m project will start in from 15 December. BS remains open. IRJ has introduced a Trampass that 2023. Ten more trams will be BOCHUM-GELSENKIRCHEN. KREFELD. A fire in the tram depot offers a day’s unlimited travel on required. Opening should be in Delivery of Stadler Tango in the early hours of 26 January all classes of tram for INR100 February 2026. BS high-floor Stadtbahn cars 6241-46 saw damage to Stadtbahn-M 843 (EUR1.14). It has also colour- LYON. The 1.3km (0.8-mile) started on 17 December. BS and smoke damage on a further coded tramlines: 5, Esplanade extension of tramline T2 south BREMEN. The initial delivery ten trams with disruption to the – Shyambazar (Red); 11, Howrah from Perrache was due to open in of Avenio (3201-29) were built morning run-out. DS Bridge – Shyambazar (Green); 18, February. This is mostly over the in Wien, but later deliveries are LEIPZIG. NGT10 trams up to 1046 Howrah Bridge – Bidhan Nagar existing tracks of line T1, but a coming from Siemens’ new Serbian were in service by 31 December, (Purple); 24/29, Ballygunge – new stub terminus has been factory at Kragujevac. There are two with seven more of this batch due Tollygunge (Pink); 25, Esplanade constructed at Montrochet. Y. Allain series: 3201-42 are city cars, while to be delivered. BS – Gariahat (Yellow); 36, Esplanade PARIS. The first of 11 Alstom 3401-35 will be EBO-equipped for NÜRNBERG. A planning – Kidderpore (Blue). Dualis 42m tram-trains for line use on rail lines to be covered by application has been made for the The Telegraph India T13 was delivered to Versailles- extensions of lines 1 and 8. planned tramway extension from MUMBAI. Bombardier has Matelots depot in mid-January. The new Windhoff SF50 track Gibitzenhof to Finkenbrunn. been named preferred bidder for They should carry passengers scrubber tram 3903 entered service Refurbished GT8N trams entered the supply of 39 six-car metro trains in June 2022. before Christmas. BS service on 22 December. DS for the 32.3km (20-mile) Green Following rejection of an Alstom DÜSSELDORF. Rheinbahn is to ROSTOCK. Finance has been line, now under construction. appeal, the preferred bidder for celebrate its 125th anniversary agreed to purchase 28 new trams, MMRDA has appointed the supply of 146 RER line B trains on 25 March with four trams and expected to cost EUR105m. BS consultants to carry out a range is a consortium of Bombardier two buses painted in a special STUTTGART. Voith has been of technical and economic studies and CAF, with a contract price of red livery. The trams were 2210, awarded a contract to supply of various transit modes, EUR2.56bn. Alstom has, however, 3308 and 4250/1. DS transformers for 50 Stadtbahn sets including light rail. RGI filed an injunction further GENERAL. Most German (3301/2-3345/6 Siemens, built challenging the award. RGI undertakings ran normal 1999-2000, and 3347/8-3399/3400 ISLE OF MAN RENNES. The opening of timetables until 22 December, after Bombardier, built 2004/5). BS DOUGLAS. Work on the Douglas metro line B was scheduled for which holidays and lockdown- WÜRZBURG. On 11 January promenade has again been June, but due to the pandemic reduced service came into force, planning permission was given for suspended due to pandemic-related could be delayed until late often using timetables last seen the project to build new tramline 6 restrictions, putting into question August. T-2000 in March/April 2020. These were from Juiiuspromenade to the planned June completion date. TOULOUSE. The EUR3.8bn initially due to run to 10 January, Frauenland (Washington St). BS Plan des Déplacements Urbains but the continuing lockdown saw ITALY (PDU), adopted by Tisseo in them extended for several weeks. GREECE NAPOLI. Tramlines 2 (Piazza 2018 and including a third metro Dates varied from state to state. BS ATHINA. Trams returned to the Nazionale – San Giovanni) and 4 line, has been annulled by the HAMBURG. Infrastructure work city terminus at Syntagma on 20 (Piazza Municipio – S. Giovanni) Administrative Tribunal at the that saw the closure of U-Bahn November after over two years of resumed operation from end of an appeal process by 2 line U3 between Baumwall remedial infrastructure works. BS 4 January, joining line 1, which Pieds 2 Roues (which represents and Hbf eventually started on re-opened in January 2020. pedestrians and cyclists). 1 February. Bus replacement will HUNGARY Line 2 operates in the morning The appellants argued that the last 14 months. DS BUDAPEST. Bids have been and evening peaks only (on a PDU did not address the rise in INDUSTRY. Stadler Pankow has received from Alstom and Stadler 25-minute headway). The section emissions from motor vehicles by been renamed Stadler Deutschland. for 42 new trains (with options of route 1 beyond Poggioreale, failing to provide an appropriate With operational subsidiaries for a further 12) for HÉV service on to Via Stadera, remains out of use. cycling budget, taking account Stadler Rail Service Deutschland, lines H5, H6 and H7. OR This change restores regular of the 2017 recommendations Stadler Chemnitz and Stadler SZEGED. The first Stadler tram- service, after a suspension of more by the Mission Régionale d’autorité Mannheim, the company employs train for the Hódmezvásárhely than four years, to the 3.5km environnementale. actuToulouse around 1700 people in Germany. service was delivered on 9 January. (2.2-mile) section between San KARLSRUHE. Driver training in It is hoped to start passenger service Giovanni (depot) and the foot GERMANY the new tram subway was due to in the last quarter of 2021. A. Varga of Corso Garibaldi and increases AUGSBURG. The opening start in March, with opening fixed service on other sections. However, of the extension of tramline 3 for 12 December. INDIA due to reduced demand during to Königsbrunn will be on Dual-voltage cars up to 971 were BUNGALURU (Bangalore). the pandemic, scheduled service 12 December. BS delivered by 31 December. BS The Namma Metro Green line was on the three lines requires just 12 BERLIN. Planning approval KÖLN (Cologne). KVB has extended by 6km (3.7 miles) from trams, from a fleet of 35. S. J. Morgan has been issued for the 2.1km increased its order for Bombardier Yelachenahalli to Silk Institute on ROMA. EUR213m has been (1.3-mile) extension of line M10 high-floor Stadtbahn cars from 15 January. urbanrail.net allocated from state funds to

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PORTUGAL modern low-floor air-conditioned LISBOA. The Government has bogie car with nostalgic features. approved Metropolitano de The manufacturer hopes to Lisboa’s investment budget of obtain business from other EUR10.6m for 2021-23. P. R. Costa undertakings interested in PORTO. Heritage tram operation running tram tours. A. Shanin on lines 1, 18 and 22 was ZLATOUST. Tatra T3K Izh 001 suspended from 15 January due to entered service on 3 January. A coronavirus restrictions. M. J. Russell second car is expected. transphoto.ru SINTRA. The heritage tramway was closed from 1 December and SINGAPORE will not re-open until April at the SINGAPORE – JOHOR BAHRU. earliest. P. R. Costa Ground-breaking for the international transit link took RUSSIA place at the Woodlands depot CHELYABINSK. Prototype on 22 January. The 4km (2.5-mile) 71-628 100% low-floor bogie line should open in 2026. RGI tram from Ust-Katav arrived for SOUTH KOREA Zürich experienced its heaviest snowfall for many years on 14-15 January. This trials on 20 January. transphoto.ru Forchbahn set was sent out to clear line 11 tracks before service could resume. U. Notzil KHABAROVSK. The city is SEOUL. The Daelim-led expecting to receive 67 Ust-Katav consortium responsible for the rebuild the former STEFER UTRECHT. The Nieuwegein 71-623 trams from the Moskva Sillim line metro project has 950mm-gauge tramway to light rail line (service 60) re-opened fleet when new low-floor trams awarded a 30-year maintenance Centocelle. The line will be on 3 January using CAF low-floor arrive in the capital. A. Shanin and operations contract to a converted to 1445mm gauge trams. Service 61 to IJsselstein KRASNODAR. Construction of consortium of Hyundai Rotem and to standardise with the ATAC should restart at the end of a new 2.5km (1.6-mile) tramline Gwangju Metropolitan Transit. tramway and a 500m extension February. The through service along Moskovskaya Ulitsa began The 7.8km (4.8-mile) rubber-tyred built to take the line from Termini from Nieuwegein/IJsselstein to on 16 January. transphoto.ru line to Seoul National University is Laziali to Termini FS. At the University Science Park should MAGNITOGORSK. Ust-Katav expected to open in spring 2022. outer end there will be a 3.3km start in July/August. IRJ has delivered nine 71-23-02.01 Employees of the Ui-Sinseol (two-mile) extension to Tor trams, bogie cars with a 40% low- light metro are trialling a facial Vergata. Eight new low-floor NORTH KOREA floor section at the centre doors. recognition payment system LRVs will be ordered. TR WONSAN. It is understood that Also arriving from NPO Gorizont that works with face coverings the 8.5km (5.3-mile) tramway are five rebodied 71-605RM13 at 13 stations. IRJ, NFC World LATVIA loop was completed in November rebodied high-floor trams. RGI RIGA. Tramlines 3 and 9 were 2020, but it is not clear whether MOSKVA. Further to our SPAIN temporarily withdrawn from 15 passenger service has started. BS December report, it is reported A CORUÑA. The city council January due to the drop in ridership that the Vagonmash factory in has decided not to re-activate the as a result of the coronavirus POLAND Sankt Peterburg does not have the heritage tramway, where service pandemic. Trams and buses can ŁÓDŹ. Tram 1955 (ex-Bochum capacity to deliver the 90 100% was suspended in July 2011. load only to 50% of their capacity. 431) suffered a derailment on line low-floor bogie trams ordered from The line will be dismantled and Škoda 15T low-floor articulated 8 on 1 February, hitting the viaduct Sinara City Transport Solutions the stored cars sold. BS tram 57561 was delivered on of a road overpass and breaking in in the required timescale, so the BARCELONA. The Catalan 18 January. transphoto.ru two at the articulation between work on this order will now be infrastructure budget for 2021 the first and second sections. carried out at the UKVZ factory at has allocated EUR946m for MEXICO Three passengers were injured. Ust-Katav as type 71-628. works to start on the unfinished MEXICO CITY. A fire at the Buen DS, fakt.pl On 31 December passenger middle section of metro line 9 Tono substation in the metro WARSZAWA. Tramwaje service started on the 1.8km between La Sagrera and Zona headquarters on 9 January put Warszawskie has released the first (1.1-mile) extension of metro Universitaria. It should be ready lines 1-6 out of action for more images of the first of its future line 15 from Lefortovo to to open throughout in 2029. than a week; severe overcrowding Hyundai Rotem low-floor trams. Elektrozavodskaya, creating an Two of four new CAF-built on other lines and buses resulted. The base PLN1.825bn (EUR406m) interchange with line 3. 6000-Series five-car metro trains The southern half of the light rail order, signed in June 2019, Female drivers were employed entered service on broad-gauge line, between Estadio Azteca and for 123 trams has been on the metro from 1 January, line 1 in January. R. Felski, RGI Xochimilco, which closed on delayed due to pandemic- for the first time since 2014 MADRID. High levels of snowfall 2 May 2020 for track renewal and related production difficulties, (although recruitment last took saw major transport disruption related work similar to that carried with factory testing to begin this place in the 1980s). DS, urbanrail.net and on 9 January, all bus and out on the line’s northern half in summer and delivery to the city PERM. The new 4.5km (2.8-mile) tram services were suspended 2019, reopened on 11 January. at the end of the autumn. section of tramway along Revolutsii (except ML-1 between Pinar Mexico News Daily, S. J. Morgan Deliveries of further vehicles will Ulitsa to Ulitsa Sibirskaya was de Chamartín and Virgen del MONTERREY. The first of 26 begin in early 2022, for completion brought into use for line 11 from Cortijoolo, which is in subway). DS Chinese-built metro trains for in April 2023. Up to 60% of 16 January, later joined by line 6. line 3 was delivered in December components come from the EU. 59.ru SWEDEN and underwent testing in The contract includes 85 SANKT PETERBURG. A STOCKHOLM. Stadler has January. Skyscrapercity double-ended and 18 single-ended contractor repairing tramlines in started delivery of the 22 trams with a length of 33m, as well the last three months of 2020 did three-car 891mm-gauge trains for NETHERLANDS as 20 24m single-ended trams. not complete the works before the Roslagsbanan, the first new AMSTERDAM. New coronavirus Options are for a further 45 the start of winter snow. Another stock on this line for 30 years. EB timetables from 2 January double- and 45 single-ended trams contractor is now being sought. (reducing the peak run-out by with a length of 33m. TP A second former depot, SWITZERLAND 24 trams to 131) plus the delivery WROCŁAW. The option for 21 Ryanskoe near Komosolskaya BASEL. 1971-72 trailers with of new CAF trams, meant that more Moderus Gamma trams in metro station, is being converted low-floor centres sold to Beograd all 12G trams (817-41) were the September order for 25 of to a food court. N. Semyonov are 1477/84/94. BS withdrawn from service. It is these cars has been exercised, YEKATERINBURG. Transmash LOCARNO – DOMODOSSOLA expected that 11G 901-20 will bringing the fleet on order to 46, has marked its anniversary by (FART). A CHF94m (EUR87m) follow in April. T-2000 valued at PLN372m (EUR82.8m). DS delivering a ‘Retro Tram’; a order has been placed with Stadler

116 / MARCH 2021 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org for eight aluminium-bodied city of Craiova. infotram.pl articulated cars, four three-section MARIUPOL. Second-hand 49m units for local service and T3 trams 1001-11/21-35 have four four-section 63m trains for the been renumbered 741-66. 52.1km (32.4-mile) international Eight more ex-Praha trams are route. They will be delivered awaiting regauging. BS in time for the line’s centenary in November 2023. T-2000 UNITED ARAB EMIRATES MONTREUX – ZWEISIMMEN DUBAI. The Red line metro (MOB). Introduction of through ‘Route 2020’ opened over the service to Interlaken using gauge- 4.4km (2.7 miles) from Jebel Ali changing trains has again been (interchange with the main Red postponed, to the December 2022 Line) to Al Furjan on 1 January. The timetable change. EA extension adds two intermediate ST GALLEN – APPENZELL (AB). stations, with another three to The 1968 BDe4/4 46 and 47 have open before the Dubai Expo 2020. been sent for dismantling; they The Expo was postponed due to were last used in April 2020. EA coronavirus and will now take ZÜRICH. All bus and tram place between October 2021 and operations ceased at 22.00 on March 2022. urbanrail.net, Gulf News The 71-415R ‘Retro’ low-floor tram makes its first trial run in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg. I. Revenkov 14 January after 310mm of snow fell. The disruption continued UNITED KINGDOM 484s (reconstructed former Tube East Midlands Airport. It is seen the following day, when SBB BLACKPOOL. Bus services were D Stock) will work future services. as a first step in setting up a wider S-Bahn services were also affected. reduced from mid-January due On the last day of the Class 483s, network for the East Midlands, Tramlines 2, 3, 13 and 14 operated to COVID-19 restrictions, but sets 006 and 007 provided the when linked to other proposed in full; lines 4, 9 and 11 were the tramway retains its basic service. The Isle of Wight Steam extensions to the (NET) network. curtailed (Forchbahn served all 20-minute day, and 30-minute Railway is likely to receive 007, Fare increases took place stops to replace line 11 to Rehalp). early morning and evening winter while another unit will go to the from 3 January; a day ticket Other lines were cancelled. frequency. London Traction Transport Group (previously GBP4/EUR4.55) is The Polybahn funicular is out EDINBURGH. The inquiry to be operated on the Epping – GBP4.20 (EUR4.80), though a of service from 16 January to 16 into the construction of the Ongar heritage line in Essex. day group ticket remains at December for renovation work. DS tramway’s first phase could end LONDON (UNDERGROUND). GBP10 (EUR11.40). up costing GBP11.8m (EUR13.4m) Test trains have started running SOUTH YORKSHIRE. TAIWAN after a further GBP500 000 over the new 3.2km (two-mile) Supertram’s timetable changed KAOHSIUNG. A further 4.1km (EUR570 000) was allocated for Northern line branch from again from 17 January. Blue (2.5 miles) of the city’s ‘Circular’ the 2021-22 financial year. Kennington that is to serve and Yellow routes reverted to a light rail system opened on Peak enhancement ceased the Battersea Power Station 15-minute frequency daytime, 12 January – between Hamasen 12.00-14.00 from 8 January, regeneration area. Work on 20 minutes in early mornings and Gushun District Office in the following a reduction in signalling and fit-out of the two and 30 minutes evenings. north-west, and from Lizihnei to passengers at those times. new stations is still needed before Sunday frequency is 30 minutes Kaisyuan Park in the east – bringing GREATER MANCHESTER. A planned autumn opening. on all routes. The Purple route the line to 12.8km (eight miles). reworked Transport Strategy for 2040 The financial position of and tram-train (Black) services Free travel was offered until and Five-Year Transport Delivery Transport for London (TfL) were unaltered, although the end of February, and the first Plan are to include GBP2.5m remains critical with proposals tram-train services had to be of 15 Alstom Citadis XO5 with (EUR2.84m) to fund business from Mayor Sadiq Khan on how suspended due to flooding on the autonomous charging packs cases for new rail stations and the undertaking could break even railway in January. entered service. The opening Metrolink stops. The money by 2023-24. These involve TYNE & WEAR. The section increases the number of stops in is to be allocated as part of a increasing the scope of road between Heworth and Regent service from 14 to 23. GBP69.5m (EUR79m) package vehicle charging to raise Centre/Four Lane Ends – the The full 22.1km (13.7-mile) loop of improvements approved in GBP1.1bn (EUR1.25bn) busiest on the Metro system – is to is due to be completed in 2023. January. annually, but also include a close 15-28 February for renewal Focus Taiwan The Metrolink Performance re-drawing of Zone boundaries. of overhead power lines. Report has shown that in the Other measures could include Services will be replaced by TURKEY 12 months to December 2020, delaying the resumption of the buses, with an enhanced Metro GEBZE. A TRY2.8bn (EUR324m) 98.1% of scheduled miles Night Tube, Night Overground service operating from Four Lane automated metro is under were operated (target 99.4%). and the Waterloo and City line, Ends via Whitley Bay to St. James construction to complete in 2023, Although the 2020-21 financial plus off-peak service reductions as an alternative route from linking the city centre and Darica. shortfall of GBP64m (EUR72.7m) on some Tube lines once the North Tyneside into Newcastle The 15.6km (9.7-mile) line with is expected to be covered by vaccine roll-out is completed. city centre. The work is part of 12 stations, all underground governmental support, the Fares will rise from 1 March with the GBP30m (EUR34m) overhead excepting a short 900m surface report warns that “long-term the daily pay-as-you-go cap on renewal programme. section, is planned to open in 2023. funding remains uncertain” multiple trips increased by up to The North East region is to Rolling stock will be seven 90m and that patronage and revenue 3.3%, and subsequent increases formally approve the GBP6bn four-car trains built by Bozankaya, are “unlikely to return to by the RPI rate of inflation. (EUR6.8bn) North East Transport the first Turkish production pre-COVID levels for several years.” New TfL Commissioner Andy Plan on 16 March. Potential of metro trains, for delivery INDUSTRY. A comprehensive Byford wants the Elizabeth line schemes include new Tyne and beginning at the end of 2022. guide to tramway signage and (Crossrail) to open this year Wear Metro lines to the west of End-to-end journey times of other safety-critical markings has rather than next, at a cost below Newcastle, through Cobalt and 19 minutes are projected. BS been published by the UK’s Light its latest additional budget of the Silverlink, and a ‘Leamside Rail Safety and Standards Board. GBP825m (EUR937m). and Wearside’ loop, with new UKRAINE ISLE OF WIGHT. The ex-London NOTTINGHAM. The LRTA’s Metro stations at Mill Lane KYIV. On 30 December Tatra- Underground 1938 Stock operated campaigning arm TramForward in Hebburn, Murton Gap, Yug was announced as preferred for the last time on 3 January, has welcomed suggestions to Killingworth Moor, Ouseburn, bidder to supply 20 100% low-floor with the Ryde – Shanklin line extend the Clifton line to Clifton and Boldon. There would also trams of type K-1T206, the same then closed for upgrading works Pastures (to serve a 3000-house be refurbished interchanges in design ordered by the Romanian until 31 March. Vivarail Class residential development) and Gateshead and Heworth.

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Railroad and Metro North For more detail on Buenos Aires’ commuter rail service to meet the heritage tramway, see TAUT 998. 31 December deadline. CRICH (UK). The 1877-built Mass Transit, R. Barrows Bradford Cabmen’s Shelter PHILADELPHIA, PA (SEPTA). returned to the museum in Overnight service in the tram December after work to return subway was cancelled from it to as close to original condition 14 December as part of as feasible. It now needs to coronavirus precautions. be fitted out internally. Plans for the King of Prussia NORTH YORKSHIRE MOORS extension of line 100 (Norristown RAILWAY (UK). Restoration High Speed Line) have of 1890-built Cockerill Type IV progressed to selection of an steam tram engine ‘Lucie’ has been alignment that meets most completed. The engine started objections made in the last two life in Belgium but has been in decades, although the cost of the UK since 1987. Its restoration the 6.4km (four-mile) branch has been nominated for a Heritage has increased to US2bn. There Railway Award. The January snows that swept across Europe showed the need for Russian systems to mobilise their snowbroom trams; Kyiv C-10 in action on 29 January. Enakomtec will be five stations, including SEABURN (UK). A petition the King of Prussia Mall (at has been launched to persuade Fares will increase by an average as US Secretary of Transportation present totally car-dependent), Sunderland Council to maintain 1.6% from 1 April, affecting on 10 January, in the wake of the with free shuttle buses to King of the old tram shelter at Seaburn single, day and season tickets but riots in Washington, DC, and Prussia Town Complex; SEPTA as a free facility, rather than with some alternative fares to cater in advance of the formal end plans to purchase a further four it being converted into a cafe. for changed travel patterns as a of the Trump administration. N-5 rapid transit cars. The 1901-built structure is result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pete Buttigieg assumed the post The FTA issued its combined Grade II listed. For more on the expansion of the under the Biden administration Environmental Impact Statement/ SEATON (UK). Services proposed Tyne & Wear Metro see TAUT 998. on 20 January. The Deputy Record of Decision for the project for the New Year period were VERY LIGHT RAIL. A Transportation Secretary is Polly on 15 January. ERA, R. Allman abandoned due to pandemic Black Country Innovative Trottenberg, formerly a New York SANTA CLARA, CA. VTA restrictions; it is hoped services Manufacturing Organisation City transportation commissioner. has been allocated USD100m in can resume from 1 April. has been formed to oversee The final move of the Trump federal funding to complete the The renewal of the A3052 road development and operation of administration was to confirm 10.4km (6.5-mile) BART Silicon crossing at Colyford took place the GBP25m (EUR28.4m) Very USD14bn in federal funding Valley extension project, due to as planned and the road Light Rail innovation centre in for public transit through the be built in 2022-28. R. Barrows re-opened to traffic on 12 January. Dudley. Its newly-constructed Coronavirus Response and SEATTLE, WA. Sound Transit Further track, signalling and test track will be used from Relief Supplemental is now running test trains on the overhead work at Colyford March to test the battery-powered Appropriations Act. 6.9km (4.3-mile) Northgate Link station is to continue in February VLR shuttle which has been President Biden has announced light rail extension. Passenger and March. built as a prototype for the 8km his USD1.9trn America Rescue service is due to start in September. (five-mile) line. Plan that includes USD20bn for The USD1.9bn extension, with CONTRIBUTORS WEST MIDLANDS. The first transit agencies. underground stations at Roosevelt Worldwide items for new bridge decks are to be installed CNN, Mass Transit and U District, is expected to serve inclusion should be sent to in Sandwell in the spring, with LOS ANGELES, CA. Car 1235, 45 000 passengers/day. R. Barrows Michael Taplin at Flat 8, Roxan full construction expected to begin the last of 235 KinkiSharyo P3010 WASHINGTON, DC. During Villa, 33 Landguard Manor Rd, in the first half of the year along LRVs, was delivered on 7 January, the period of the Presidential Shanklin, Isle of Wight PO37 6EA, Castle Hill in Dudley. completing the USD1.02bn order. inauguration, from 15-21 January, UK. Fax: +44 (0)1983 862810; Exterior works on phase two The cars are allocated as follows: an extended security perimeter [email protected] of Wolverhampton’s new station A line (54 LRVs), C line (30), saw the closure of 13 city centre UK and Ireland items are building are nearing completion. E line (56), L line (53), Crenshaw/ Metro stations, with a Saturday welcomed by Home News Editor Once completed, final works will LAX (42). The Source service in force. Pentagon station John Symons, 17 Whitmore begin to connect the station to the NEW YORK, NY. The New Year was also closed. R. Barrows Avenue, Werrington, Stoke- as-yet unopened Metro extension. saw the opening of the Moynihan on-Trent, ST9 0LW, UK. Fares were revised from Train Hall in the former Post MUSEUM NEWS E-mail: [email protected] 2 January by an average of 1%, Office building on 8th Avenue BLACKPOOL (UK). Forthcoming Acknowledgements are due to although many popular tickets opposite Penn Station, with redevelopment of Rigby Road ABC News, actuToulouse, Blickpunkt remain unaffected. which it will operate as a single depot means that various Strassenbahn (BS), Canberra complex (expanding concourse privately-owned trams will require Weekly, CNN, Drehscheibe (DS), USA space by 50%). It serves Amtrak alternative accommodation. Fylde Edinburgh Evening News, Eisenbahn BOSTON, MA. The first and LIRR commuter rail trains. Transport Trust is to transfer twin (EB), Eisenbahn Amateur (EA), CRRC-built six-car metro train Also opened was the East End towing car 671 to the North West Electric Railroaders Association entered service on the Red line Gateway from 7th Avenue to the Museum of Road Transport at (ERA), fakt.pl, Focus Taiwan, from 30 December. J. Haywood LIRR concourse and MTA subway St. Helens where it will form part Gulf News, infotram.pl, CHICAGO, IL. METRA has lines 1-3, A, C, and E. of a display area. The Fleetwood International Railway Journal (IRJ), approved the purchase of 500 The MTA is mid-way through a Heritage Leisure Trust (which Manchester Evening News, Mass stainless steel commuter rail cars scheme to replace the Metrocard keeps Brush car 290 at Rigby Road Transit, Mexico News Daily, from Alstom, and an initial order with its OMNY contactless and six others in its care stored New Civil Engineer, NFC World, for 200 has been placed. R. Barrows fare system; this is expected to at Wyre Dock) is seeking new Nottingham Evening Post, Op EL PASO, TX. A schedule conclude in 2023. Customers owners, as the organisation is de Rails (OR), Railway Gazette of tramway testing dates running can now purchase OMNY cards being wound up following failure International (RGI), Skyscrapercity, until early June has been at retail outlets, with reduced to create a transport tourist The Source, Telegraph India, Today’s published, with daily operation fares for seniors and people with operation in Fleetwood. Railways (TR), Tram-2000, Transport- without passengers 07.00-16.00 disabilities. A mobile app will BUENOS AIRES (AR). Heritage publiczny (TP), transphoto.ru, (15-19 March, 12-16 April, also be launched this year. tramway operation resumed from urbanrail.net, Urban Transport 10-14 May and 7-11 June). Positive Train Control was 2 January, after closure due to the Magazine (UTM), Wolverhampton GENERAL. Elaine Chao resigned introduced on the Long Island coronavirus pandemic. F. Romero Express & Star and 59.ru.

118 / MARCH 2021 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Letters

Mailbox Get your views into print [email protected] Letters submitted by post should be clearly typed and preferably not handwritten. We reserve the right to shorten contributions for publication. Three key steps to a post-pandemic way forward I thought the article by Matt Johnston in January’s TAUT (997) major environmental and social objectives (see my article in was both inspirational and practical, and the Mainspring TAUT of February 2020 – 986), which have become even more Knowledge research paper from which it is drawn is very valuable. crucial following COVID-19, as Matt points out. Disastrous as it has been, and sadly continues to be, the We need to adopt a more plan-based approach, with pandemic has created an opportunity for thinking our way evolution of schemes based on a disciplined use of numeric forward, as Matt emphasises, rather than simply ploughing the and verbal analysis related to objectives. Yes, many plans exist, old furrow: which, alas, seems to be our Government’s intention. but they tend to be blockbusters full of coloured tables and But operational and technical innovation need the right devoid of maps, with reasons for subsequent choices all too framework to flourish with full effectiveness and we still often unclear. Explain, for example, on one side of A4 why the lack this in Great Britain. There are several areas where a Government has decided to spend the equivalent of several fully-effective service provision is held back by the almost decent tramway lines on digging a hole under the Stonehenge Victorian ‘corset’ of Government policy. Examples of a few World Heritage site so that road traffic can move a bit easier! items which I think demand immediate attention follow. Practical expertise in public transport: There are many The 1985 Transport Act regime: Fragmented local public hard-working and well-educated people in the transport transport that has, I would suggest, undermined the potential professions. But, outside the operating companies, few seem to for developing bus and tram services as an integral part of city have real understanding, let alone experience, of the market management (2000, 2008 and 2017 Acts notwithstanding). factors, economics or possible effects of public transport in Why not replace them by area concessions, let by transport its various modes. The same goes for walking and highway authorities with clear administrative and funding muscle? management, both very important and related fields. There would still be a key role for the operating groups, large In a way it’s circular: local authorities have, with a few and small, indeed as concession partners they might have exceptions, not done much in these fields for years, hence more influence on informing public decision-making. And of limiting potential careers. This means that the widespread course Government is currently moving towards a concession emphasis on ‘sustainable transport’ in policy documents has structure for passenger rail services; an opportunity for a led to little practical development. co-ordinated approach to all public transport? We need urgently to educate a large number of people if this Decision processes for tramways (and other local is to change. But who is going to do this? Brexit and the loss of transport modes): The reliance on WebTAG continues to Erasmus [an EU student exchange scheme] certainly don’t help. throttle scheme development and divorce transport from Reg Harman, by e-mail

More on Tatra bogie design licences support. Because of this, the export of ČKD Restructuring and finding new allies In his letter in the February 2021 issue of TAUT Tatra trams was limited to some communist or It is heartening to read the plethora of (998), Mr Jackson is absolutely right about ‘third’ countries as officials were afraid of legal recent reports that highlight the benefits the relation of the bolster construction to the proceedings from TRC in the case of exports to of tram, light and ultra-light rail schemes definition of a PCC car and the fair use of this Western Europe or similar countries. in transforming connectivity, access to patented principle by Tatra under the Licence One important aspect of these goings-on opportunities and improving both air quality Agreement with TRC signed on 15 May 1948. was the development of the so-called and the wider environment. These are all This would have remained entirely valid ‘licence-free bogie’ (the official term of those messages that we have been trying to get had Czechoslovakia remained a normal years), which would involve the complete across as an industry for so many years. democratic European country as it had been termination of the TRC licence and enable the It has also been stated in these pages many before the 1948 turnover to an eastern-style export of trams outside the Eastern Bloc. times that there appears to be a collective belief communist regime controlled from the Soviet Yet the description of the bogie as that the UK Department for Transport requires Union. Because of these events the Licence ‘licence-free’ does not mean that it omitted a dedicated resource and funding for helping Agreement was never validated in the way all TRC patents. The design effort had begun to study and deliver new schemes. While this that was provided for in the agreement; this in 1952 and continued into the 1970s. is vital, we arguably also have an important should have been done by May 1950. Development was a very complex task and ally in HM Treasury in that a former light rail The contracting party paid only the initial simply not achievable within the small budget, Minister is now the Minister responsible for fee of USD10 000 (covering the first 25 PCC limited design capacities and extremely short the National Infrastructure Strategy and the cars produced in 1951 and 1952) – no further deadlines of the 1950s and 1960s. Infrastructure Projects Authority. royalties were ever paid to TRC. Also, no The totally licence-free concepts did not In a November debate in Parliament, patents from the list in ‘Schedule A’ defined work, so the compromise way was a partial Jesse Norman MP said: “Light rail... has such in the agreement for registration in licence-free design, but this compromise made great potential. It is extremely inexpensive Czechoslovakia, were registered. This approach no sense so the main part of the production compared with some of the heavier rail was not an invention of the industrial plants (except for the metre-gauge variant) stayed on alternatives, and it could be a beautiful new Tatra and ČKD, but part of a state policy the licence modification. industry for the UK to develop." towards the so-called ‘capitalist states’. It took These are the basic details of the story. With the air quality benefits seen in last almost 20 years of awkward negotiations within Of course, there is some documentation and year’s lockdown already disappearing – and the Czechoslovak party about how to avoid the drawings of the variations of the new layouts indeed a landmark court ruling (TAUT Mailbox duties to TRC and not pay any royalties. and I hope that another of our Czech experts 998, page 78) – the clock is ticking. Now is the Under normal conditions the most effective will analyse them and add these comments time for action as well as words, keeping up and economic course for the Czechoslovak to the forthcoming book about the T I model the pressure on both those who decide the plants would have been to pay royalties to and following later developments. policy and those who hold the purse strings. TRC and utilise its know-how and technical Robert Mara, Praha (Czech Republic) Jim Harkins, Light Rail (UK), by e-mail

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org MARCH 2021 / 119 Classic Trams Hall e’s 1 electric ‘130’ This year marks another milestone in the history of tramways in Halle, Germany – an opportunity for Mike PART Russell to review its heritage fleet, museum and operations. ONE

alle, in Germany’s Land of buildings, once an important part of the of the interurban line. This is the car that Sachsen-Anhalt, holds a special kingdom of Prussia. Its ancient buildings inaugurated the supporters’ tramway museum place in the country’s tramway were almost totally destroyed in Allied air movement in Halle, from which the current history. It was here in April raids during World War Two, its fate being impressive heritage collection has developed. 1891 that the first commercial bound up with its proximity to the huge Buna It started life in 1912 as 33, was assimilated Happlication of electric traction, with current chemical works at nearby Schkopau. into the consolidated Halle fleet in 1951, and collected from an overhead wire, took place. Yet a fourth operator, the Merseburger set aside for museum purposes in 1968. In so doing, it bestowed upon this ancient city Überlandbahnen AG (MÜBAG), had been Car 15, still undergoing restoration, was the honour of possessing Europe’s first system founded by AEG in 1913 to build further built by Herbrand of Köln in 1909 as part of electric tramways. Now, 130 years later, the regional tramways radiating from Merseburg. of a batch for Leipzig and in 1956 was fitted city’s large network of tram routes presents Eventually just two lines were built, to Mücheln with a new narrow body by Gotha before an imposing sight – but as in the case of other (opened in 1918) then (in 1919 and 1920) the being transferred to the Naumburg tramway; self-respecting undertakings, its history has first stages of a line to Bad Dürrenberg, that it joined the Halle collection in 1981 after not been ignored and the opportunity has reached its ultimate goal in 1926 and since older generations of trams in Naumburg had been taken recently to parade the older rolling 1968 has been the sole surviving route of this been replaced by post-war DDR-era cars. The stock for the delectation of the public. project. The MÜBAG and ESH-M were fused in Halle and Naumburg tramways have a strong The city’s first horse-drawn line was 1932 and the final amalgamation of all Halle’s connection because the latter’s older rolling opened on 15 October 1882 by the Hallesche tramways took effect in the East Germany era stock, including examples fitted with new Strassenbahn and, in common with other from 1 July 1951. Gotha bodies such as 15, were replaced by German cities, more than one operator Even during the difficult years of the surplus Lindner-bodied Halle cars in the mid- provided services in the early years. In Halle’s DDR, the tramway company recognised its 1970s after almost half a century of service case, the second operator – Stadtbahn Halle importance in transportation history and on their home system, such was their good – had entered into a contract with the city various cars of older generations were put condition. Another car undergoing restoration council in December 1888 and began service aside for a future museum fleet. Initially these is 109, built by Wismar in 1921 and later de- on 30 August 1889 with a small network of were drawn from the ranks of time-expired motored as trailer 205, before later still being short routes operated by horse-drawn trams. passenger cars, but the collection was later transferred to Erfurt as trailer 248. AEG of Berlin acquired the company in swelled by the inclusion of other models Halle underwent a major fleet renewal and 1890 with the promise of early electrification that had ended their days with the works fleet. expansion programme in the mid-1920s and and renamed the company AEG-Stadtbahn several examples of rolling stock from that Halle. The first such line, between Rossplatz Historic expediency period have been saved, not least because and Schmiedstrasse, opened on 24 April 1891. With a history stretching back to the many of the Lindner-built examples survived By 1 July of that year all the AEG-Stadtbahn earliest years of electric traction, it would in the passenger fleet for over 50 years. Car lines had been electrified. have been remarkable had any early rolling 141, though, was built by Schöndorff in 1925, stock survived by 1968, but the customary became a works car in 1965, and joined the Electric revolution methods of expediency were later deployed heritage fleet in 1982. In the case of 158, It is easy now to fail to appreciate just how to fill gaps. The first type of electric car has this came from the Gotha factory in 1926 revolutionary this move was, for the concept been represented by the remains of a similar and in 1958 was rebuilt as driving school car of the electric tramway drawing power from vehicle dating from 1894 supplied to the VF2; it then enjoyed a second career in this overhead wires had only been developed on long-deceased Altenburg tramway as that role at Brandenburg (VFm1) and returned Frank Sprague’s pioneer experimental line undertaking’s car 4. The remains of this car to Halle in 1991. In its unusual purple and in Richmond, Virginia (US) in the winter of survived on a chicken farm and were brought off-white livery it contrasts strikingly to most 1887-8, after much tribulation. to Halle in 1983, where reconstruction to of the German trams of the period, and is Electric traction was a clear improvement replica status took place ready for its leading generally employed by the museum for driver on horse-drawn operations and the entire position in the 1991 centenary parade. instruction. From the same era came 644, equine system in the city was converted The next oldest car masquerades as originally 164 and built by Lindner in 1927, to electric traction by 1899. The Hallesche Halle 2. It is one of many former Plauen cars later serving as works car 0126. This tram is Strassenbahn was acquired by the city on that have found their way into the historic used to house the museum’s model tramway 1 January 1911 and the AEG-Stadtbahn on fleets of other metre-gauge tramways in the display, renowned in Germany. 1 April 1917, the two being amalgamated in former East Germany, for Plauen retained its From the Ammendorf factory come three 1918 under the title Städtische Strassenbahn pre-World War One stock in service much cars of the 1928 delivery, which have spent Halle. Meanwhile a third operator had sprung later than elsewhere. Car 2, originally Plauen their entire lives in the city and were added to up, the Elektrische Strassenbahn Halle- 40, was built by MAN in 1911 and joined the the collection in 1979-1986. Of these, 401 is Merseburg (ESH-M), with a 15km (nine-mile) Halle museum in 1968. It has been repainted normally to be found hauling trailer car 260, interurban line extending south from Halle in the red and cream livery of the Hallesche built by Niesky in 1925, whilst 410 operates via Schkopau to Merseburg that opened in Strassenbahn, whose trams were referred to solo. These cars are two of those that were stages in spring 1902. locally as the ‘red cars’, those of the AEG- reassigned four-digit fleet numbers (1401 and Today, the reader might wonder why Stadtbahn being the ‘green cars’. 1410) briefly in 1966-7 before reverting to such an apparently unprepossessing town as Former Merseburger Überlandbahn 78 is three digits (681 and 690 respectively). Sister Merseburg might have merited this facility, the next oldest vehicle – a product of the local car 403 is under restoration. but this would be to ignore the fact that it factory of Gottfried Lindner at Ammendorf, was an ancient settlement with many historic itself located alongside the urban portion To be continued in the next issue.

120 / march 2021 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org 1. Naumburg 15 is one of a group of veteran trucks regauged and fitted with narrow-width bodywork at the Gotha works in 1955-7. The truck originated with Leipzig as 917, originally 210, one of its Type 16 cars built in 1909 by Herbrand of Köln. It is depicted in its Naumburg days, on 6 July 1974, working a Ringbahn service at Friedensplatz.

2. The comprehensiveness of the Halle heritage fleet permits extensive parades, exemplified by this one at Freiimfelderstrasse depot during events marking the centenary of the opening of Europe’s first electric tramway system on 29 June 1991. Locally-built Lindner car 401 of 1928 is in the lead.

3. The remarkable reconstruction of the body of this former Altendorf tramways car to recreate number 4 of the original AEG-Stadtbahn Halle electric cars of 1891 is a prize exhibit. 2 On 30 June 1991 it was seen taking the curve from Grosse Brunnenstrasse into Burgstrasse.

4. The ‘red cars’ of the Hallesche Strassenbahn are recalled through this former Plauen tramcar (40) of 1911, pictured during the centenary events on 30 June 1991 leaving Freiimfelderstrasse depot for a short city tour.

5. The first car saved by the local enthusiasts’ group, the Hallesche 3 4 Strassenbahnfreunde, was this former MÜBAG car 78, built by Lindner of Ammendorf in 1912 and numbered 33 in the fleet. Pictured in Freiimfelderstrasse on 30 June 1991.

6. A second car from the era before the Überlandbahn that was fully incorporated within the main city system is trailer 193 from 1941. Hauled by LOWA motor car 505 of 1952, it is seen at Reileck during a parade on 14 October 2007 to mark 125 years of tramway service in the city.

5 6 7. There is no mistaking Driving School car 158 as it processes across the junction at Steintor on 14 October 2007 during a parade marking the 125th anniversary of the start of tramway operation in Halle.

8. A scene from 29 June 1987 with Lindner car 401 in Marktplatz about to depart. Some of these robust cars gave over 50 years of service in the city, only finally being withdrawn in 1981.

All photography by Mike Russell, 7 8 on dates stated.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org march 2021 / 121 NEWS FROM THE LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT ASSOCIATION GBP10bn for a ten-year plan Obituary: Richard Wiseman (1925-2020) ust weeks before its takeover of Bombardier Transportation, Alstom The death occurred on 19 December 2020 J published a blueprint for levelling up of Richard Wiseman, a long-standing in the UK through transport investment member of and contributor to the (see News, page 90). Its report The UK’s Association. He was 95. New Green Age: A Step Change in Transport Richard Joseph Stewart Wiseman was Decarbonisation calls for a GBP10bn, ten-year born on 21 February 1925 in Longton, programme of investment in light rail and Stoke-on-Trent. As his father was a medical mass transit schemes. practitioner with the RAF, the family lived Comparing the UK’s 12 mass transit in many places in the UK and also overseas systems with double that number in France in Aden. Richard went to boarding school and four times fewer than Germany, such a in Devon, and in 1943 was called-up to the programme would meet the Government’s An Alstom Citadis tram (right) in service on the Royal Navy where his duties took him as far Nottingham light rail system. Tim Kendell afield as Colombo and Bombay (Mumbai). objective of levelling up the UK’s regions and On demobilisation, he gained a nations, the report claims. Authority has also recently announced plans degree in Geography from Nottingham LRTA Chair Paul Rowen said: “It is for such a system to be introduced.” University and became a teacher. In 1963 encouraging to see a major transport player In Nottingham, car ownership is the he joined the staff at Brunt’s Grammar taking the lead and showing how investment lowest outside London and despite a growing School, Mansfield, ending there as Head and decarbonisation through light rail population, car traffic volume has remained of Geography and a housemaster. He took schemes can bring both economic and static – demonstrating modal shift in action. early retirement in 1978. environmental benefits. I look forward to a A ten-year programme would Richard joined the Association (LRTL) in positive response from the UK Government, ‘pump prime’ development, with the bulk 1942, serving as Area Representative for the backed by the finance needed to make the of the investment coming from the private East Midlands (1951-1954) and Sheffield suggestions made in this report a reality.” sector through joint ventures, without the (1954-1960). A member of the Historical The report lists 20 areas across the UK need for upfront Government capital. City Publications Committee, responsible for with a population greater than 250 000 that mayors, regions and authorities would also Tramway Review (TR), he was also Secretary suffer an estimated GBP8bn combined loss require support to draw up programmes. of the Committee from 1956 to 1960. of production each year due to congestion. “This report backs up and underlines the In 1955 he became a founder member of Many of these towns and cities feature LRTA importance of our campaigns for light rail the Tramway Museum Society and, having members campaigning for mass transit. and clean air,” added Mr Rowen. procured for preservation Standard car 189 Mr Rowen added: “The list includes Leeds, from the Sheffield Transport Department, the largest urban area in Western Europe For the full report, visit www.alstom.com/ he was largely instrumental in identifying without a mass transit system. The LRTA is sites/alstom.com/files/2021/01/13/Alstom_ the site at Crich and played a leading role delighted that the West Yorkshire Combined UK_Decarbonisation_Report.pdf in the establishment of the museum there. In recognition of his services, he was elected TMS President for 1998-99. UK Government delays action on air quality Editor of Trams magazine under the auspices of the TMS from 1961-69 and also Cross-party attempts to set binding air quality on the death of nine-year-old Londoner of TR between 1982 and 2004, he remained targets for PM2.5 particulates were defeated Ella Kissi-Debrah due to poor air quality, a contributor to the latter for the rest of his in the House of Commons at the Report Stage Ministers claimed that more time was life. He edited singly, or with John of the Environment Bill on 26 January. needed to set air quality standards. The Gilham, seven LRTA regional handbooks The two amendments put forward by the Government also decided that further (1994-2007) and, drawing upon his Conservative Chair of the Environment Food discussion will not take place until May, immense photograph collection was the and Rural Affairs Select Committee (Neil meaning the Bill is unlikely to become law author of further books: Classic Tramcars, Parish MP) and Shadow Labour Environment before the UN Climate Change Conference Sheffield Trams in Colour since 1950 and Minister (Luke Pollard MP) sought to ensure (COP26) in Glasgow in September. Edinburgh Trams – the Later Years. that WHO air quality guidelines of 10µg/m3 LRTA Chair Paul Rowen, a former MP, said: Taking a keen interest in European of PM2.5 were met by 2030. “These defeats and delays are unacceptable. systems, Richard closely followed the Despite several members referring to It is time that government actions matched development of second-generation tramways, especially those in France. figures that suggest up to 40 000 people a their rhetoric. All those with an interest in He gave numerous lectures on these topics. year die in the UK each year due to poor air the environment should lobby their MPs.” It was through the LRTA that he met quality, and the recent coroner’s verdict For more information, visit www.lrta.org. his wife, Anne. The Association held its Sheffield meetings at St Chad’s church hall in Woodseats and Anne was the vicar’s (including the interurban March meetings Part 3: Liberec daughter. Married in 1956, they had two metre-gauge line to Jablonec, and Ostrava) sons, Ian and Gordon. In her final years, Anne was to suffer from 10 March – Alan Watkins, South Wales Meetings start at 16.00 GMT with free Alzheimer’s disease and Richard became Regional Officer (rearranged from February) registration for members at via www.lrta.org her devoted carer. She died in January 2020. Light rail developments in South Wales He is survived by his two sons and two All in-person meetings are cancelled until grandsons. 24 March Robert Pritchard further notice – stay updated at www.lrta.org ISW, GJW & GBC Tramways of the Czech Republic & Slovakia Bookshop

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