Cincinnati: Streetcar scheme to hit the buffers? THE INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE

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MARCH 2014 No. 915 : GROWING AND CHANGING FAST

Manchester expands again... it’s Rochdale next Paris pledges big expansion Izmir plans two more LRT routes Vossloh to supply Gmunden ISSN 1460-8324 £4.10 Miami progress Solaris in Jena 03 A model of transit First Tramino for diversity in the US unveiled 9 771460 832036 FOR BOOKINGS AND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES CALL +44 (0) 1733 367603

11-12 June 2014 – Nottingham, UK

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OVER 65 SPEAKERS AND PANELLISTS – INCLUDING: ❱ Howard Smith: Operations Director, Crossrail ❱ David Hand: Divisional Director & LRT Practice Leader, Mott MacDonald ❱ Councillor Jane Urquhart: Portfolio Holder for Planning and ❱ Matthew Hudson: Head of Business Development, Customer Transportation, Nottingham City Council Experience, for ❱ Phil Hewitt: Chief Executive, Nottingham ❱ James Hammett: General Manager, UKTram ❱ Nils Jänig: Deputy Director, TransportTechnologie-Consult ❱ Paul Griffiths: Metro Programme Director, Centro ❱ Chris Coleman: Managing Director, Metrolink RATP Dev ❱ Mark Cartwright: General Manager, RTIG-Inform

❱ LRT’s strategic role as a city-building tool ❱ Marketing: Getting road users onto ❱ Tramways as creators of green corridors ❱ expansion: The ‘Network Effect’ ❱ The value of small-start/heritage systems ❱ The role of social media and new technology ❱ Funding light rail in a climate of austerity ❱ Ticketing and fare collection innovation ❱ HS2: A golden opportunity for light rail development ❱ Track and trackform: Challenges and solutions ❱ Beyond 2015: Where are the new UK systems? ❱ New perspectives on mixed fleet operations ❱ Future interchanges and additional revenue streams ❱ LRT vehicle design forum ❱ -: A proven model, so why wait for Sheffield? ❱ Safety and security forum ❱ RTPI: Giving our customers the right information ❱ UK project updates

SUPPORTED BY CONTENTS The official journal of the Light Rail Transit Association MARCH 2014 Vol. 77 No. 915 www.tramnews.net EDITORIAL EDITOR Simon Johnston Tel: +44 (0)1733 367601 E-mail: [email protected] 13 Orton Enterprise Centre, Bakewell Road, 106 Peterborough PE2 6XU, UK ASSOCIATE EDITOR Tony Streeter E-mail: [email protected] WORLDWIDE EDITOR Michael Taplin Flat 1, 10 Hope Road, Shanklin, Isle of Wight PO37 6EA, UK. E-mail: [email protected] NEWS EDITOR John Symons 17 Whitmore Avenue, Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs ST9 0LW, UK. E-mail: [email protected] SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR Neil Pulling 123 136 WORLDWIDE CONTRIBUTORS Tony Bailey, James Chuang, Paul Nicholson NEWS 104 SYSTEMS FACTFILE: 123 (), Richard Felski (), Ed Havens, Bill Vigrass (USA), Andrew Moglestue (), Izmir plans two more lines; French cities Neil Pulling explores Rotterdam's public Mike Russell, Nikolai Semyonov (), Vic Simons, partner to reduce costs; Oldham town route transport network and looks at the scope of Alain Senut (), Thomas Wagner (Germany). opens; Vossloh to supply trams to Gmunden. operator RET. PRODUCTION Tel: +44 (0)1733 367604 E-mail: [email protected] COMMENT 109 WORLDWIDE REVIEW 128 DESIGN Paul Griffiths examines how to make future Budapest automated metro line 4 testing Debbie Nolan development more affordable. begins; Morocco’s tramway plans for El Jadida ADVERTISING and Zanata; ground-breaking ceremony held COMMERCIAL MANAGER Vicky Binley TRAMINO: JENA’S FUTURE ARRIVES 110 for Los Angeles’ Crenshaw LRT. Tel: +44 (0)1733 367602 E-mail: [email protected] Witold Urbanowicz witnesses the launch of ADVERTISING MANAGER the first SolarisTramino for Germany. MAILBOX 134 Andy Adams Why didn’t make the UK mistake Tel: +44 (0)1733 367605 E-mail: [email protected] BRUSSELS’ TRAMWAY EXPANDS 112 post-war, revenue protection in Edinburgh PUBLISHER Geoffey Skelsey and Yves-Laurent Hansart and elsewhere... and why TAUT is right on Howard Johnston report on the network in 's capital. 'bustition'. Tramways & Urban Transit is jointly published by the LRTA and LRTA Publishing on the third Friday of each month preceding the cover date. MIAMI: A MODEL OF DIVERSITY 117 CLASSIC TRAMS: RVZ-6 TWILIGHT 136 LRTA WEBSITE AND DIARY The Sunshine State's largest conurbation is The end cannot now be long delayed for a Brian Lomas moving forward, as Vic Simons reports. classic Soviet design. Mike Russell reports. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] LRTA MEMBERSHIP (with TAUT subscription) Tramways & Urban Transit is sent free to all paid-up How can you avoid innovation 'block'? members of the Light Rail Transit Association. Why is it that humans could put man on the moon within just a few SUBSCRIPTIONS LRTA Membership Secretary (Dept T06), years of launching a space programme, yet take such a dreadfully long 38 Wolseley Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK. time to innovate in something as straightforward as light rail? BACK ISSUES You may think the answer is obvious - money - and to an extent you'd Tel: +44 (0)1406 373070 be right. Or, you may consider the comparison a sweeping one - and to a PRINT AND DISTRIBUTION degree it is. Depending on where you live on this planet, you might think Warners (Midlands) plc, The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, innovation that results in practical application is a) happening all the time, or b) almost Lincs PE10 9PH, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1778 391000. impossible to bring to fruition. How much harder is it to introduce tram-train in some LRTA REGISTERED OFFICE administrations than others, for example? c/o 138 Radnor Avenue, Welling, Kent DA16 2BY, UK. Clearly, some countries are more risk averse than others. Many grounds for Private company limited by guarantee, No. 5072319 in and Wales. conservatism are worthy of course - wanting to ensure new ways of doing things are safe LRTA CHAIRMAN and reliable being just two. Yet as Paul Grffiths from Centro, the transport management Andrew Braddock body of the West Midlands in the UK points out (page 109 of this issue), the reasons LRTA DEPUTY CHAIRMAN sometimes have much to do with a choice of structure that actually breeds a risk averse Vic Simons culture. Paul is dealing with a country known for its cautious approach (and this is the LRTA PUBLISHING REGISTERED OFFICE: sector he considers the innovative end of the rail industry!). c/o 8 Berwick Place, Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL7 4TU, As Paul explains, there are now efforts to unblock processes; the Enabling Innovation UK. Private Limited Company, No. 06169422 Team project is running a GBP3m (around EUR3.6m) competition, so there is in England and Wales. recognition that something needs to be done ­­­ ­- once and for all. If light rail is to keep up © LRTA Publishing 2014. Articles are submitted on the understanding they may also later be with other sectors (look how innovative the automotive industry can be when it sees the used on our websites or other media. A contribution is accepted on benefits) it must keep moving forward. Specifically in the UK context, much has been the basis that its author is responsible for the opinions expressed in it, and such opinions are not those of LRTA Publishing or the LRTA. made of the need to drive costs down. Otherwise, warns the country's government, light All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or rail may be priced out of much future transport thinking. However, it has already been transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, proven that its tramway schemes are often cheaper than overseas. including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the It ultimately comes down to political choice. Which UK mayor will soon be copyright owner. Multiple copying of the contents of the magazine empowered to launch - say - an innovative tram-train product requiring development of without prior written approval is not permitted. vehicles, in a way their counterparts on the Continent were able to years ago...? COVER: Pont de Woluwe, Brussels. Working the Howard Johnston, Publisher service in May 2011 was 2043. Geoffrey Skelsey

www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org MARCH 2014 / 103 News Izmir plans two further tramlines Turkish city unveils EUR195m scheme for 22km of light rail using 21 low-floor vehicles

zmir in western Anatolia A first 12.6km (7.8-mile) line shortly). The city will provide but tramway service will be (until 1930 known as with 21 stops will link Fahrettin 25% of the funding and the integrated with bus and ferry Smyrna), the third most Altay Meydani with Halkapinar state the remainder as a treasury lines. The project is not without populous Turkish city with via Konak; a second 9.7km loan. A third route is planned its critics, especially due the fourI million inhabitants, has (six-mile) line with 16 stops will from Sirinyer to Dokuz Eylül proposed uprooting of the operated a 16.2km (ten-mile) run from Alaybey to Mavisehir University, requiring extending famous mulberry trees on the light rail line (partly in subway) via Karsiyaka. The project is the tram fleet to 37 cars. city’s seafront boulevard, a since May 2000, as well as expected to cost TKL591m Construction time is estimated at factor that stands to become a electric commuter rail. Now the (EUR195m), including TKL128m 36 months. particular political issue in the city has announced plans to (EUR42.3m) for 21 low-floor The two lines are separate, municipality, especially around build two tramlines by 2017. trams (tenders will be issued on opposite sides of the bay, election time.

Göteborg invites tenders for 40 trams Oslo trams returned to Bekkestua Tenders have now been invited for the supply of 40 new single- On 19 January Oslo trams on ended trams, with an option for a line 13 reached Bekkestua further 60. A mix of 29m and 33m for the first time since 2009, cars is required (40 and 45m in sharing track with the metro the options). service to Avløs (and Kolsås Delivery to is to from 15 October 2014), and start in spring 2017 at the rate of featuring a mix of overhead two/month, and if 100 cars are ordered, to be completed in 2024. and on the same alignment, a possibly unique Hong Kong contracts arrangement. Trams and metro Hong Kong’s MTR has awarded shared this section before, but contracts for 148 new metro cars at that time the metro cars and modifying 348 existing cars. were fitted with pantographs CNR Changchun will supply 14 eight-car for HKD1.14bn and collector shoes, and with delivery to the 17km collected their power from the Shatin – Central link from 2017. overhead here. A Japanese consortium The metro and tramway (Itochu/Kinki Sharyo/Kawasaki meet at Lysakerelven, at what Oslo AnsaldoBreda tram 161 at Bekkestua interchange station with metro line 2 will supply 36 cars and used to be a flat junction. on 19 January. R. Budmiger reconfigure 348 existing vehicles Now a short subway has been by 2018 at a cost of HKD1.18bn. built for the trams, offering From Jar trams run fast to third rail was discussed first Bethesda shortlist increased capacity. The flat Bekkestua; the intermediate ten years ago, and originally Four groups have been crossing turning circle for station Ringstabekk is just for the trams would have been cut shortlisted for the PPP contract trams at Jar has been removed metro trains. At Bekkestua back to Lysakerelven. However to design, build and operate permanently. Trams pass the there is a stub terminus for it was realised trams could be the proposed Bethesda – New high platforms used by metro trams between the metro equipped with ATC and share Carrollton orbital light rail line: /Keolis/Vinci; John trains, and switch to side loops tracks, but the tram tracks are metro tracks so this has been Laing/Kiewit; Meridiam/Fluor; with low platforms on the raised to permit level platform mounted on 18 of the SL95 Macquarie/Skanska. The state outside for passengers. interchange. Conversion to AnsaldoBreda low-floor trams. will contribute USD750m to the USD900m project. Miskolc’s first ForCity The first of the 31 five-section26T EUR215m already spent to be lost on Dublin projects? ForCity low-floor trams being delivered by Skoda entered Only EUR10m of more than Street. Plans to reinstate a the contract covers substations, service on 20 January after EUR225m spent on shelved proposed northbound stop signalling, telecommunications, completing 11 000km of testing. projects for Ireland’s Dublin area in Dawson Street on the new security systems, and a control The EUR70m order was is likely to be recouped if the extension, which was previously centre. placed in February 2012, and 90% projects do not go ahead. Plans refused by Ireland’s planning The final total of Luas financed by the EU. The 1.5km for Metro North and the Dart board, have been formulated passengers for 2013 was a record extension of line 1 to Felsö-Majláth is under Underground have been deferred by the Railway Procurement 30.5m, a 4% increase of 1.2m construction. indefinitely on the basis that Agency. The original stop was on the previous year’s numbers. they require significant up-front refused on environmental While passenger numbers State to invest in Belo spending which the government grounds and following dropped in 2008 and 2009 at Horizonte metro cannot afford. objections. However, others the height of the economic The Brazilian Government In more positive news, road have lobbied for a stop in this downturn, they have been rising has announced that it is to invest BRL2bn (EUR616m) into closures to enable works to area and the RPA is to lodge fresh since, partly due to the opening expansion of the Belo Horizonte commence in earnest on the proposals in February. of extensions in 2010 and 2011. metro from one to three lines cross-city connection between Efacec has been awarded the One of transport minister Leo to create a 44.5km (27.6-mile) the Green and Red Luas lines EUR25m contract to supply Varadkar’s stated aims for 2014 system. started in mid-January between and install electromechanical is to see a further increase in St Stephen’s Green and Parnell systems on the Cross City line; passenger numbers of 2%.

104 / MARCH 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org French cities partner to Milan: reduce costs by up to 20% rebuild Amiens and Caens will jointly procure equipment for their light rail lines goes ahead nder an agreement cities will issue joint tenders has been plagued by technical Italian construction company signed on February for LRV design and safety problems since opening in 2002. Cooperativa Muratori e 4, the French cities studies. Joint rolling stock and The first line in Amiens will be Cementisti of Ravenna has of Amiens and Caen maintenance equipment orders a 10.5km north-south route with been awarded the contract Uwill jointly buy-in equipment will be placed in 2015. 20 stations, which has a tight to rebuild the interurban for their first light rail lines with Caen is planning two LRT budget of EUR200m including tramway serving communities the aim of reducing procurement lines totalling 15.7km (9.8 rolling stock. Construction is to the north of Milan. costs by up to 20%. miles) by 2018 to replace its TVR expected to begin in 2016, with The company has in turn In the initial stages, the two guided trolleybus system, which operations beginning in 2019. awarded Alstom a EUR40m subcontract to design, supply and install new tracks, electrification, signalling and communications systems. Work on the 14.3km (8.9-mile) line is due to be completed by the end of 2016. It is hoped through service to central Milano will be re-instated. Alstom will use its Appitrack system for rapid tracklaying, minimising disruption for local residents. The substations will be equipped to cope with recuperation of regenerative energy from the tramcar braking system. Automatic Train Supervision will offer a complete safeworking system, supplied from the company’s centre in Bologna. The rebuilt tramway will run on a new central reservation in the main highway. The line has been operated by a substitute bus service since October 2011 due to deterioration of the existing track. Milano tramway ATM had hoped to close its interurban tramways, and cut back the terminus to the city boundary at Niguarda Parco Nord, but politicians felt differently. Desio – Seregno has been closed since 1982 and will effectively be a new tramway. An order for new rolling stock is expected, to replace the three-car high-floor sets.

US transit numbers climb by 1.5% over previous year Nearly 2.7bn transit passengers due to the opening of new lines. opened in January 2012. travelled on US systems in the Utah Transit Authority in Salt The RTA in New Orleans The cut back terminus of the Desio third quarter of 2013, a 1.5% Lake City saw a 13.4% increase recorded a 71.2% increase in interurban at Parco Nord on the increase on the same period in in light rail patronage, thanks tram passengers thanks to the outskirts of Milano offered interchange 2012. Ridership has increased in to extensions opened in April completion of renovation work to the urban tramway. It is hoped the nine of the 11 last quarters. and August. Denver’s ridership (which saw a period of closure) new service will run through again by Light rail grew by 3.1%, in part surged by 25.3% with a new line and the opening of a new line. removal of the stop blocks. N. Pulling

www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org MARCH 2014 / 105 News Oldham town centre route opening takes Manchester to new heights Metrolink reaches 77km as new on-street line takes over from former heavy rail ‘Oldham Loop’

etrolink’s latest complete; this is expected to take new section of line place this spring. Journey times to Oldham town between Victoria and Rochdale centre opened to the are around 45 minutes. publicM as expected on 27 January. Works to undertake utility The route, which has four new diversions along the route of stops at Westwood, Oldham Metrolink’s Second City Crossing King Street, Oldham Central and in Manchester began in mid- Oldham Mumps, extends the UK January, marking the start of the system to 77km (48 miles), with three-year programme to deliver 76 stops. the line. The first stage of work The new line replaces the commenced in Corporation old heavy rail alignment from Street, between Withy Grove and Werneth to Mumps used since Market Street. conversion of the route to Subject to European funding, Metrolink. The former heavy rail which has yet to be confirmed, line closed in October 2009 to the section to Exchange Square allow the changes to take place. could open in 2015, although the Shifting trams to Oldham’s complete line from Victoria to St streets leaves only the one-stop Peter’s Square will not function extension from Rochdale station until 2017. The programme Trams returned to the streets of Oldham for the first time in 68 years on 27 January, when Metrolink switched its Rochdale-bound services to the new town to Rochdale town centre still to includes redevelopment of centre route; cars 3029 and 3017 run eastbound along Union Street, between the open before the 22.5km (14-mile) the Deansgate-Castlefield and Oldham King Street and Oldham Central stops. Mike Haddon Oldham and Rochdale line is Manchester Victoria stops.

Paris pledges EUR787m Tangos to run through St Gallen for metro expansion from 2017 after Stadler wins order Paris’s regional transport to undertake public consultation authority STIF has approved an on three route options for an investment budget of EUR787m extension of line 1 from Château for 2014, including a new de Vincennes to Val-de-Fontenay, agreement to extend metro line including the potential locations 14 to Mairie de Saint-Ouen. of three new stations. The EUR450m cost of the Studies are to be conducted project, including four new for a westward extension of line stations and a depot, is to be from Colombes to Nanterre met by Société du Grand Paris and Rueil-Malmaison, at a cost (59%), the Ile-de-France region of EUR7m. Work on a 4.3km (19%), city of Paris (20%) and the extension of line T3 from Porte départements of Hauts-de-Seine de la Chapelle to Porte d’Asnières (1%) and Seine Saint-Denis (1%). is now expected to start in 2015. The six-section Main works are to start this year. With the extension of tramline sports the new livery for AB’s St Gallen light rail service. Stadler STIF has also approved a T1 from Asieres-Gennevilliers to funding agreement for the Colombes (Pont de Bezons) due second phase of the extension to start construction in 2016, it In 2017 a through light rail new cars will feature a first of Line 4 to Bagneux, including had been proposed to provide a service will be introduced class section, which has been a 2km of tunnel and two new bus link between across the Swiss city of feature of the AB, but not the stations. Work is due to start in Pont de Bezons and Nanterre/ St Gallen, linking Trogen on TB. There will be 133 standard 2014 on the EUR178m project, Rueil-Malmaison. However STIF the Trognerbahn (TB) and class seats and 12 first class. All funded by Ile-de-France (60%), has decided that this will be a Teufen on the Apenzellerbahn four doors will offer access to central government (26%) and tramway (7km). (AB) - both metre gauge. the low-floor sections. Hauts-de-Seine (14%). The first Other projects brought AB is handling the rolling Power is from eight 125kW 1.4km phase opened in 2013. forward were the 13.8km stock procurement, and on 23 motors in four bogies; top Ile-de-France is to provide 70% line T3b to Porte d’Asnieres January announced that it had speed is 80km/h (50mph). The of the cost of preliminary studies and phase 1 of the tram-train placed a CHF60m (EUR49m) Trognerbahn already operates for an extension of Line 10 from Tangentielle Ouest to Saint-Cyr- order with Stadler Rail for five 37m Stadler LRVs; these Gare d’Austerlitz to Ivry-sur- L’école in Saint-Germain-en- seven double-ended Tango 75% can work alongside the new Seine, with the remainder to be Laye (18.8km). Nine additional low-floor LRVs, to be built at Tangos during peaks, when provided by central government. tram-trains will be purchased for nearby Altenrhein. In a nod a 15-minute service will be During coming months, STIF is EUR43m, for delivery by 2019. to Swiss light rail heritage, the offered.

106 / MARCH 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org Seattle’s growth plans Sound Transit has set a Vossloh to supply trams USD1.1bn budget for fiscal year 2014, including USD146.9m for University Link LRT construction; for Gmunden expansion USD141.1m for East Link LRT design; USD138.6m for Northgate Link LRT extension; USD31.2m Extension will see new vehicles take over for combined service for development of light rail extensions south to Federal Way and USD21.8m to complete the he 1894, 2.3km (1.4- First Hill Streetcar. mile), metre-gauge tramway linking Blackpool North ’s Gmunden extension in doubt Trailway station with the lakeside Extension of the UK’s to the town’s North Franz Josef Platz, operated station is in doubt – for the want of by Stern & Hafferl, is worked a contribution of GBP2m (around by three 50-year old Düwag- EUR2.4m) to the overall cost by style bogie trams. Plans have Blackpool Borough Council. The been approved to extend the council leader has indicated line by 650m through the that it would be difficult, if not town via Rathausplatz and impossible, to find this funding, Klosterplatz to link with the 1912 despite GBP18m (around EUR22m) having been allocated Traunseebahn, a metre-gauge from other sources.. light railway to Vorchdorf also worked by Stern & Hafferl. Alstom to assemble In order to provide new rolling An impression of the five-section low-floor tram to be built by Vossloh for Stern LRVs in Brazil stock for the future combined & Hafferl. Vossloh Alstom is to invest EUR15m service, a EUR30m contract has at its Brazilian Taubaté hydro been placed with Vossloh for years. The articulated low- for the combined service, there is manufacturing site to create an assembly hall for LRVs. 11 five-section 32mTramlink floor trams will each carry 183 some speculation that the order The company has won South double-ended cars to be delivered passengers and be built at the includes a spares ratio to cover American orders from Rio de in 2015/16; the contract price Vossloh plant in Valencia, Spain. Stern & Hafferl’s Vöcklamarkt – Janeiro and Cuenca. includes maintenance for 16 As 11 cars seems too many even Attersee line as well.

Wien tries out parking safety warning system Wien suffers up to 4000 (route 37) and aims to alert incidents of parked motor drivers before they leave their vehicles blocking tram track cars. Sensors are installed close clearances, causing delays to the road on the tramway swept ranging from five to 40 minutes. path that detect if a car is parked Wiener Linien has been working too close to the tracks. with SLR Engineering and the Signs affixed to lamp posts or Austrian Institute of Technology traction masts bring this to the under the auspices of a transport attention of the driver. Results of ministry reliability programme the tests were collected at the end TramInTakt to find an effective of 2013 and are being analysed solution. to see if the scheme could be The result is being tested in extended to other points on the Geweygasse in the 19th District network. The trial installation in operation on Geweygasse in Wien. AIT

IN PICTURES

RET exercises its Flexity Swift option

Rotterdamse Elektrische Tram (RET) has exercised a EUR66m option for a further 16 Swift high-floor LRVs for the Schiedam Centrum – Hoek van Holland Strand route which is to be converted from heavy rail operation to enable through running from RandstadRail line B. The 42m three-section vehicles will have 104 seats and space for up to 166 standing passengers, with seven double doors per side, and will operate in pairs on the Hoekse Lijn at peak times. Bombardier confirmed the vehicles would be supplied from its Bautzen manufacturing facility in Germany, with Mitrac equipment from Mannheim and Flexx Urban bogies from Siegen. Deliveries are to commence in 2016. Bombardier

www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org MARCH 2014 / 107 London, 1 October 2014 Recognising excellence and innovation in the global light and urban rail sector

Entries open – 1 March 2014

For advanced booking Vicky Binley and sponsorship details t +44 (0)1733 367602 contact: @ [email protected]

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LR14 Ad.indd 1 13/01/2014 09:16 Comment DRIVING INNOVATION IN LIGHT RAIL

Paul Griffiths asks why innovation is stifled in the LRT sector – and suggest new thinking could make development more affordable.

ight rail arguably represents the innovative end of the If we ask the question: 'Why don’t we see more innovation rail industry in the UK. Over the last 20-plus years in light rail?' there are multiple answers. Promoters would it has driven new ideas in urban transport that now blame the procurement route, arguing that if you are buying a deliver around a quarter of a billion passenger journeys multi-million pound package of works it is difficult to focus on per annum. However, if the second-generation UK individual cost elements within that package. Designers might Llight rail revolution is to continue and grow to its fullest extent – be accused of limiting their liability by using tried-and-tested in the way that it has in France and Spain and is currently doing designs. Contractors want to know that the infrastructure will in the USA – then a new wave of innovation may well be the last and they won’t be brought back to correct defects a few years missing, necessary, element from the current mix. down the line. Operators want to know that the system is going The Green Light for Light Rail report published by the UK to work as reliably as possible, which promotes the tried-and- Department for Transport over two years ago focused on the tested approach. As a result we face a substantial degree of inertia costs and affordability of light rail, if we are to try out anything new. and whilst there is little to suggest This demonstrator project hopes that UK systems differ significantly to unlock these problems by first overall in cost from other locations, providing money for innovators to the barrier of affordability clearly finalise plans and get them looked at by still exists. In fact, this situation is a third-party expert. The second stage probably worse now that the funding will allow those ideas to be tested out of major projects has been devolved on light rail infrastructure. This should to a plethora of Local Enterprise go some way to removing the key Partnerships (LEPs) which, whilst problem of new ideas not being taken possibly keen to provide funding, up for want of adequate track record in do not necessarily have access to the a ‘live’ operational environment. substantial funds necessary to deliver As the call for entries to the light rail networks. competition is drawing to a close, we The proposed High Speed 2 lines have been really impressed with the could prove to be a real catalyst. number and imagination of the ideas Stations, often in out of centre coming to us. The next few weeks will The initial focus of the UKTram/Technology Strategy locations, will need fast and efficient Board innovation competition is trackform and energy be challenging in selecting the best of public transport options to disperse supply. New trackwork is currently being laid around them to go forward. The competition the thousands of passengers stepping the UK, including in central Birmingham for the Midland will be judged by a panel that includes off their high-speed transport. Light Metro Birmingham City Centre Extension. T. Sullivan members of UKTram’s Promoter, rail is well placed to be the tool to Engineering and Operator groups provide this service, opening up a “Light rail now has its chance with support from the Technology boom in cities not currently served. Strategy Board. It is of course critical Yet this will only be the case if to directly deliver the that there is confidence that any ideas affordability can be improved in order can be safely deployed, operated and to deliver robust business cases that innovation we need... and it maintained. can overcome the current resistance An investment of this size won’t to the mode. may just be the precursor solve all the problems of the industry,. Whilst the levels of research and However it will at least unblock the development spend within the UK rail to more funding” current failings in the market for at sector remain significantly lower than least some of the innovators out there in industries such as aerospace or automotive, there has over the and hopefully demonstrate the level of expertise and excitement last couple of years been a drive to bring forward innovation. that exists around the light rail industry to the UK Government The UK’s Railway Industry Association has been working with and others responsible for funding. It may be the precursor to its membership to bring new ideas, contacts and processes more funding. Who knows, that may be what helps to launch that will drive innovation under the Unlocking Innovation the next generation of more affordable light rail schemes in our banner. Major funding has been released through the Enabling towns and cities. Innovation Team, part of the Future Railway initiative, and it has funded a number of innovation projects. Light rail now has its chance to directly deliver the innovation Paul Griffiths has spent over 25 years working in we need. UKTram, working with the Technology Strategy Board, transportation and infrastructure. He is currently Metro Programme Director at Centro where he is responsible is running a competition with GBP3m (EUR3.6m) of funding to for the ongoing expansion of the Midland Metro LRT demonstrate innovations directly related to light rail. The focus system. He has previously worked for the Greater is on trackform and energy supply issues. The rationale is that, Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (now other than rolling stock, these are some of the highest areas of Transport for – TfGM) as Projects Director and expense and those that can possibly offer the biggest rewards. led the team developing Metrolink Phase 3.

www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org MARCH 2014 / 109 News focus TRAMINO: JENA’S FUTURE ARRIVES Witold Urbanowicz witnesses the launch of the first Solaris Tramino in Jena, the first Polish tram delivered to a German city.

ena’s first new SolarisTramino was officially presented in the German city on 9 November. The motto of the event was ‘Direction: Future’. Numerous citizens attended theJ ceremony; attractions included historic trams and a new bus, also produced by ’s Solaris. In contrast with Traminos in Pozna , where three-bogie five-segment trams are operated, Jena’s vehicles have three segments; this is the first Solaris-produced tram of theGT type popular in Germany. Each segment sits on its own bogie, placed in the middle; such a solution gives a more even distribution of mass and joints are less burdened. The bogies turn a maximum of 4.5°; the middle bogie has two powered axles, while the bogies at the end from both sides have one powered axle. Jena’s bi-directional trams are 29.3m long and 1000mm gauge with a passenger capacity of 168, including 61 seated (double or ‘one and a half’ seats are located by the windows). Vehicle width is 2.3m. “Jena’s first Tramino was officially presented on 9 November. There are four sets of double doors (each 1300mm wide). The The motto of the event was ‘Direction: Future’ ” middle doors are not opposite each other in order to meet the requirements Urbino buses, so can use a lot of the same parts What are your future plans – will of carbody endurance as such layouts weaken (buttons, seats, etc). By employing such a Q you replace all the older trams? the structure. policy we can save a lot of money. We are thinking about the future now Homologation was completed by the end A and are creating, together with an of 2013 – German certification is based on Why did you choose Tramino - a external company, a development plan for local requirements, so authorisation will only Q rather new product? the period to 2035. allow the trams to run in Jena – and the new We faced the need to purchase new We are studying two alternatives. One vehicles entered passenger service in January. A trams and vehicles from the GT6 family, involves the renovation and reconstruction The first tram was named Erlangen after which we’re running at the moment, are no of the trams that we have; this would also Jena’s Bavarian partner city. Remaining cars longer produced by Bombardier and there go towards extending the vehicle – both the will be named after further partner cities was currently no chance of obtaining similar old rolling stock and even Tramino Jena lack – San Marcos (Nicaragua), Berkeley (USA), trams from other places. capacity. The second option is new trams, Auberville (France) and Lugoj (). We wanted to stay with the GTx type which would be longer from the start. We are (where each segment has its own bogie) and currently analysing which solution is better Interview with Udo Beran, head of Solaris offered a tram structurally similar and more realistic. Jenaer Nahverkehr: to those we have on the fleet currently. The Of course it is cheaper to buy new trams Polish company presented an attractive price than to continuously renovate old ones and What are Tramino’s advantages and was ready to produce a small number we can also use tax reliefs and discounts. Q over Jena’s current fleet? of vehicles (five); of course Solaris’ success However, the acquisition of new trams will This tram is technologically 20 years was the result of public tender open for the not be possible without the financial support A ahead of our older vehicles. Secondly, European market. of the Land – the Tramino was 75% funded by the Tramino offers greater comfort for the Land of Thuringia. passengers through the use of efficient air Did you learn from Poznań’s conditioning. Great emphasis was placed on Q experience, where the Tramino Will there be any investment in adjusting the vehicle for disabled users – in has operated for a longer period? Q infrastructure? the old trams we had hand-operated ramps, The Tramino used in Pozna had a big We plan an extension in the north of the here we have automatic ramps. In this respect influence on our choice, even though it A city to the new settlement at Tramino better fits our infrastructure, so is a vehicle with a completely different Himmelreich; we are talking about extending people in wheelchairs will be able to board design. We appreciated the way the the route more than a kilometre. By the end the tram easier. contract was executed, the approach to of 2013 the city council will make a final Another important factor is the uniformity vehicle maintenance and the step-by-step decision on the timescale of this project [this of rolling stock – we already operate Solaris introduction to service. scheme has now been agreed - Ed].

110 / MARCH 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org ABOVE: With a more spacious interior, greater accessibility and the latest passenger information systems, the Tramino is already proving popular.

ABOVE: The 9 November launch was well attended by local dignitaries and the wider population, keen for a first glimpse of the city’s new trams.

LEFT: Tramino for Jena marks a significant overseas order for Solaris, and a step change in technology for the city’s fleet.

RIGHT: Three generations of rolling stock: Gotha car 101 at the front, a Bombardier GT6M-ZR low-floor car wearing the city’s 2001 centenary livery on the left and a Tramino bringing up the rear.

Interview with Andrzej Rosa, Solaris’ The trams seem to have a smaller Are there many German Contract Manager of Tramino Jena: Q capacity than those for Poznań. Q components? Is this a typical German feature? Drives, bogies, windows, interior linings What are the differences Tramino Pozna is 2.4m wide and here we A and panels, as well as the lighting, have Q between the Tramino supplied to A have 2.3m, evident in the tram’s interior. been supplied by German companies. Many Jena and Poznań? The seats have a standard width, you can’t offer other parts have however been sourced from It’s a completely different vehicle narrower ones, and moreover, in the Polish other countries. For example, the seats are A concept. The Tramino for Pozna is a trams there are usually single seats, which from the Polish company Ster. five-segment tram, based on three bogies, creates more standing space. In Germany the while for Jena we’ve built a tram consisting of clients want as many seats as possible. The head of Jenaer Nahverkehr three segments, each with its own bogie in Q emphasises a commonality of the middle. What atypical solutions have parts with Solaris buses so they can There are not so-called suspended Q you offered, apart from the have a common warehouse. Are segments, this a GT type tram. The dynamics middle door layout? there many such parts? are quite different. Customers believe that There are a few interesting technical common. From the operators’ point these trams wear out the tracks less and are A features, especially in the electronic A of view these are important elements, easier to use. systems. Noteworthy is the tram control because they quite often wear out and are system from Vossloh Kiepe – a well-known replaced. How influential was the German supplier. Stop announcements and Q contracting authority on the crossovers positions are controlled by GPS How important do you think overall appearance of the Tramino and the data transmission uses wi-fi. Q the presence of Urbino buses in for Jena? In addition, the tram is dressed in laminate Jena was on the decision to purchase The final appearance is the result of panels with metal covering (plates) only the Tramino? A joint work with the client. Design, over the windows. These materials are Of course I believe that it was a colours, shape – it’s all been done in lightweight, affordable and easy to install, A significant factor in the decision. Good accordance with the customer’s not to mention their impressive bus references demonstrated our quality and requirements. The authority also influenced anti-corrosion properties. ability to deliver the product in accordance the appearance of the interior, for example with customer expectations. it chose the upholstery of seats, lighting What is the design of Due to the presence of buses we weren’t and flooring. Blue decorative LED lighting Q bogies? anonymous. This created a good atmosphere has also been installed. I think the end result They all are flexible, but non-turning for negotiations – the contact with the is impressive. A ones – they turn only by 4.5 degrees. customer is most important.

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org MARCH 2014 / 111 Belgium’s capital modernises STILL GROWING: BRUSSELS’ TRAMWAY EXPANDS

russels’ tramway is changing Geoffrey Skelsey and the extent to which the tram network shrank rapidly. It may lack the glamour down to the 1990s. From a peak of 244 of new French systems, or Yves-Laurent Hansart report route-km (152 route miles) in 1955 served by the stately perfection of large on the network in Belgium’s 977 motor trams, the network had declined German networks, but the by 1970 to 176 route-km with 577 cars. BBelgian capital’s system is enlightening as it capital, where a sprawling No route extension (apart from minor combines innovation with the challenges of traditional system is mixed diversions and the subway lines) opened maintaining a sprawling traditional network. between 1952-82, but eight route extensions Like some other transport undertakings, with growth and innovation. were added over the ensuing 24 years, the STIB/MIVB (Société des together with the major prolongation of the Intercommunaux de Bruxelles/Maatschappij north-south subway. This was partly offset voor het Intercommunaal Vervoer te Brussel) which it roughly equalled in 2008; the latest by closures mainly associated with metro has experienced unprecedented traffic increase of 9% exceeds the average across all extension, but since 2010 two further long growth over the last decade, reflecting modes. Tram traffic is back to a level last seen extensions have made the system the longest higher costs of motoring, increasing road in the 1960s when the network was much since 1980. congestion, and improving public transport larger. standards. Such growth partly reflects demographic New tramways Overall traffic on buses, trams, and metro change. In the 1970s and 1980s the Brussels The 2.2km (1.37-mile) extension between has increased by 60% since 2003; traffic population declined, to a low point of Herrmann-Debroux and Pont de Woluwe, receipts have grown 87%. There were 948 000 in 1996. The revival of ‘city living’, Musée du Tram opened with three new 348.8 million journeys in 2012-13, an amongst other factors, has reversed this intermediate stops for public use in March increase of 5.76% over the previous year. trend and by 2010 population had recovered 2011, over a section previously abandoned in Tramway traffic (123.5 million in 2012-13, to about 1.1 million, last attained in 1970. 1963. Although at first served by an extension up from 74.2m in 2008) has grown partly Additionally, operating economies and to existing service 94 this was recently split as a consequence of line extensions, better better revenue protection have brought a into two overlapping services (93 and 94) to services, and increased capacity resulting substantial improvement in the farebox improve reliability. A new terminal siding has from larger vehicles. This now comfortably recovery ratio, to about 55%. been built just west of the Tram Museum, at exceeds bus traffic (93 million journeys), In this context it is important to remember the foot of Boulevard de la Woluwe: authority

112 / MARCH 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org The reorganisation of services on the eastern peripheral route ended through running between the east side and Gare du Midi, requiring through passengers to change at Rond Point Winston Churchill. In October 2013 cars pass each other on the roundabout, with 4039 on service 3 in the foreground proceeding towards Midi and beyond. It has picked up passengers from 4034 on the right, on service 7 which will terminate at Vanderkindere, one stop further on. Yves-Laurent Hansart

The 2011 extension terminates in a new siding at Pont de Woluwe, close to the Brussels Tram Museum. Working the service in May 2011 was 2043 of the 2000 series, which entered service in 1995. Geoffrey Skelsey

No 3002 of the ‘short’ five-module Outlook at Esplanade terminus. This terminus was built for the 1935 international exhibition but was much altered for the 1958 Expo nearby. Geoffrey Skelsey

has been given to further extend the service Eurocontrol extension other active plans when the long-delayed extension to Van up the boulevard, eventually as far as include the long-promised 3.3km (two-mile) Haelen opened in September 2008; the Roodebeek Metro station. line serving the University Hospital at , final such triangle, at Ban Eik, was removed The second new route, between Place branching off existing service 19 north of early in 2010 after withdrawal of the last Meiser and Da Vinci (also with three new Simonis station. Also planned is diversion single-ended trams, the four-axle 7000 type. intermediate stops), runs mainly along a of the main north-south Rue Royale line A related change was the rearrangement central reservation in Boulevard Léopold III, to serve the Central station (restoring tram of the sub-surface Montgomery terminus built many years ago. It was brought into use links lost in the 1970s), although enthusiasm of services 39 and 44 to allow stub-ended from August 2010 for depot workings, and for this seems to have waned latterly. The operation using the exit ramp in both opened for normal public service on intention is to start work on the former in directions in the evenings, which allowed 1 September 2011. This route, and the 2014 with completion about two years later. inbound services to avoid the sharp curves Woluwe extension, have been partly A glance at the map will show how the in Rue G & J Martin, preventing complaints equipped with catenary overhead, the first rather random network left after the 1970s about noise. The single line terminus cannot on the system since abandonment of the closures is developing into something more accommodate peak hour services so the old Erasme route in 1999. The present service coherent, with new orbital links and an loop arrangement remains in use during the (numbered 62) is a shuttle between Da Vinci emphasis on intermodal connections, such day. and Bienfaiteurs loop on the Meiser – Liedts as extension of service 25 to the future RER Amongst other network improvements the section, but this is to be extended when station at Boondael. relatively recent Dieweg siding was restored operational issues are resolved, probably in to use in April 2009, as the new southern 2014. From 30 August 2010 the terminus Further changes terminus of service 97; and the track layout at Bordet (service 55) was altered and cars Brussels’ tramway is a dynamic undertaking in Place Poelaert outside the vast Palais de were extended by one additional stop to Da with constant minor alterations to cater Justice was altered in 2007-09. From 24 Vinci, along the route of the NATO extension, for new traffic opportunities and technical August 2009 the original centre siding was which should be completed in 2014. changes. replaced with two reversing sidings, now Together these two new lines brought the The last two wye termini, once a used to recess the northbound overlapping total route length to 139.6km (86.7 miles), commonplace, have been abandoned now service 94 as well as service 97. These sidings a net increase of over 8km (five miles) since that all rolling stock is double-ended. The are equipped with an unusual double slip 2001. Apart from the impending NATO/ wye terminus at Silence was superseded point - or ‘traversée jonction double’- as is

www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org MARCH 2014 / 113 Belgium’s capital modernises

Brussels Tramways 2013

ESPLANADE 62 indicates route terminus *part-day service 3 19 (see www.stib.be for details) 7 51 HEYSEL DE WAND STADE 3 93 7 7 Arbre-Ballon 19 92 19 51 STATION Laarbeek UZ GR. Brussel BIJGAARDEN 93 3 Haren 32 55 Depot Under construction BERCHEM 19 32 82* DA NATO 83* 51 55 VINCI Schaerbeek Depot 19 32* 92 55 4 31* 25 7 25 NORD 62 SIMONIS 93 25 ROGIER 62 MEISER 55 BIENFAITEURS 25 62 7 82/83 51 Planned diversion 25 3 via Gare Centrale 4 Roodebeek Molenbeek 92 Depot 31 39 Cureghem 32 93 Works 94 BAN 39 44 EIK MONTGOMERY TRAM MIDI Porte de Namur MUSEUM 31/81 LOUISE 81* MARIUS 83* Woluwe RENARD 94 97 81/83 Depot 81 TER- 31* 81* Avenue de 93 VUREN Roi Depot 92 94 83 97 7 44 FLAGEY 25 94 97 [X] Depot Delta 32 82 92 BUYL 3 X 97 4 7 Flagey - Buyl LEGRAND ULB depot cars only VDK 93 51 7 RPW 25 94 MARIE JOSÉ 4 RPW: RP W. Churchill 92 VDK: Vanderkindere BOONDAEL Planned 4 97 STATION Marconi 25 DIEWEG KEY Depot 97 PARKING surface track STALLE FORT JACO tunnel and station 4 92 planned extension 51 Depot DROGENBOS 32* 82* VAN HAELEN

114 / MARCH 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org SERVICES OPERATING IN SEPTEMBER 2013 3 Esplanade – Gare du Nord – north/south tunnel – Gare du Midi – RP Winston Churchill (13.2 km) [type 4000] 4 Gare du Nord – north/south tunnel - Gare du Midi – Vanderkindere – Parking Stalle (10.0 km) [type 4000] 7 Heysel – De Wand – Meiser – Montgomery – Legrand – Vanderkindere (16.1 km) [types 3000/4000] 19 Groot Bijgaarden - De Wand via Simonis (inter-suburban service) (9.2 km) [type 3000] 25 Rogier – Meiser – Boondael Gare (curtailed evenings and Sundays at Buyl, Ixelles Depot) (11.6 km) [type 3000] 31 Gare du Nord – north/south tunnel – Gare du Midi – Marius Renard (evenings only) (8.3 km) [type 3000] 32 Da Vinci – north/south tunnel – Gare du Midi - Forest – Drogenbos (evenings only) (15.5 km) [type 3000] 39 Montgomery - Ban Eik (8.8 km) [type 7700] 44 Montgomery – Tervuren Station (9.3 km) [type 7700] 51 Heysel – Gare du Midi – Silence – Van Haelen (15.8 km) [type 7900] 55 Da Vinci – Gare du Nord – Rogier (5.7 km) [type 3000] 62 Da Vinci – Meiser – Bienfaiteurs (4 km) [types 2000/3000] 81 Marius Renard –Gare du Midi – Montgomery (daytime only) (12.1 km) [type 7900] 82 Berchem - Porte de Ninove –Gare du Midi – Drogenbos (daytime only) (13.4 km) [ type 3000] 83 Montgomery - Gare du Midi – Berchem (evenings only) (13.9 km) [type 3000] 92 Schaerbeek – Rue Royale – Chaussée de Charleroi - Fort Jaco (12.7 km) [varied] 93 Stade (Houba de Strooper) – Rue Royale – – Legrand (11.5 km) [varied] 94 Place Louise – Herrmann-Debroux – Musée du Tram (12.2 km) [types 2000/3000] 97 Place Louise – Barrière - Forest – – Dieweg (9.9 km) [type 7700]

[Predominant vehicle types late in 2013 are given in square brackets] the new Van Haelen terminus. The task of maintaining and upgrading the tramway is never-ending and in recent years there have been extended periods of line closure (with shuttle bus replacement services in place) to facilitate complete renewal of foundations, track, and paving. Some 12.1 single-track km were replaced during 2012. Major new recent works have included renewal along the Berchem branch, including reordering of the complex crossing at Schweitzer; replacement of the right- angled crossing at Uccle Globe; relaying in Rue Theodore Verhaegen, between Barrière and Fonsny, and on the Stokkel branch in Avenue Orban (which unusually involved single-line working alongside the works). Upcoming projects include reconstruction of the short section in Chaussée de Waterloo between Longchamp and Bascule stops on busy service 7, where segregation will lessen conflict with road traffic. A troubling aspect has been deterioration of block paving installed on some routes about 20 years ago, which has left degraded road surfaces: the section of routes 25 and In 2013 work was well under way on the route extension from Da Vinci to NATO and Eurocontrol 94 in Avenue du Pesage near Boondael is headquarters, as seen in this view of the future interchange site at NATO. Yves-Laurent Hansart amongst those due for early renewal. The opportunity is being taken in the course of Tracks are already in place along 3.5km into, and possibly across, the historic centre, relaying to re-space tracks so that eventually (2.2 miles) of the route (between Flagey where trams last ran in the 1970s. trams wider than the present 2.3m limit can and the ULB) but the most difficult new be operated. construction would be along the relatively Current services A surprise in May 2013 was the narrow inner end of the route, between After a major service restructuring in announcement of studies into the restoration Porte de Namur and Flagey: it is hoped that 2006/7, which aimed to improve reliability of tramway service along the Chaussée through motor traffic could be diverted. by routing through the north-south tunnel d’Ixelles, abandoned in 1972, providing The suggestion brought vocal local only those services with predominantly a new link between Porte de Namur and opposition - and a petition against the segregated track, the network has settled an interchange at Delta (5.9km/3.6 miles). project was being circulated in autumn 2013. down. Normal services in September 2013 are Despite offering up to 12 journeys an hour by It remains to be seen how far the plan will given in the table on this page. articulated buses present service 71 cannot progress. A longer-term aim to is to extend It can be seen that new low-floor cars of cope. the service westwards from Porte de Namur classes 3000 and 4000 now predominate.

www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org MARCH 2014 / 115 Belgium’s capital modernises

Traditional trams have gone from most services in the central area, although some PCC-type cars still run on services 92, 93 and 97, as well as on their stronghold of the eastern feeder lines serving Ban Eik and Tervuren (39 and 44). The end of all traditional trams on the north-south tunnel and the east side peripheral line (Meiser – Legrand) was a significant landmark.

Goodbye to the PCC Brussels was for many years a principal exponent of PCC-based technology, purchasing 361 cars of four types between 1951 and 1978. The curtain began to fall with the withdrawal of the first type, the four-axle 7000-series, the last of which ran in February 2010 after nearly 60 years’ service. Remaining PCCs are all in the six- and eight-axle series, the earliest of the former having been built single-ended although all had been converted to, or built as, double- floor deliveries and the eventual extinction ended by 1986. The 127-strong six-axle fleet of the PCC. (7701–7827) began to diminish as the latest A larger fleet (and longer cars) has placed low-floor cars arrived in significant numbers, pressure on existing depot space, although and by late 2013 only 71 remained in regular the elderly premises at Ixelles have been service. The latest extension of the ‘pre-metro’ underground extended and improved. Some cars have had Brussels’ eight-axle PCC fleet (7901-7961) tramways opened in 1993 between Gare du Midi and to be out-stationed overnight on the terminal Albert. This is Porte de Hal, one of four stations. Note entered service in 1977-78, and although they tracks at Esplanade, but the new Haren Depot the cutaway section of platform designed to cater for were at one time tipped for early withdrawal tramcar operation, with higher end sections aligned became fully operational in April 2009, with on account of high current consumption and for metro trains. Studies are under way into the its own car allocation and the ‘index’ number awkward loading, their high capacity and extension of this tunnel at each end, and its eventual ‘3’. Work is in hand to build a seventh depot robust technology has so far kept them all in conversion to metro use. On the left is the first of the in the south of the city, on the ‘Marconi’ site service. A modest refurbishment programme long (seven module) 4000-type Flexity Outlook cars, adjoining Parking Stalle terminus, and access is at present under way at Cureghem works. delivered from 2006. Yves-Laurent Hansart points and tracks were laid in mid-2013. A shadow lies over the earliest low- Although much maintenance takes place at floor cars (2001-51) delivered from 1993, be uncertain, given their relatively heavy depots there are workshops at Rue de Belgrade and a decisive element in the tramway’s maintenance costs. (for electrical components), Cureghem, reinvigoration. They were a brave early This leaves the new generation of low-floor and Haren (paint shop). The intention is to attempt to produce an all-low-floor car, and cars, the Bombardier Flexity Outlook design centralise all heavy repairs at Haren from emerged from years of painstaking research which came in two formats: a three-truck about 2017. and trials in the vain hope of capturing part car with five body units (type3000 ) and a Next issue: In part two of this article of the growing market for trams of this type. four-truck car with seven units (4000). The we look at developments on the Metro. They were also amongst the last European first arrived in Brussels in 2005, and further trams to derive from a specifically ‘national’ orders have subsequently brought the totals Thanks to the Belgian journal Tram 2000 development programme. From the start in service or in course of delivery to 151 type and to material supplied by the STIB and by the their unique truck design has given rise to 3000 and 69 type 4000. The 132 remaining national rail infrastructure authority Infrabel. vibration that has limited their effective use, PCCs are thus now very much a minority. Copies of the authors’ comprehensive history and in 2013 an intervention from the Mayor The total fleet is now as large as it was in the of the STIB since 1945 (Brussels: A Tramway of Schaerbeek sought their removal from the 1980s, and the average unit capacity is far Reborn) are still available from the Light Rail new 62 service. Their long-term future must higher. Coming years will see further low- Transit Association.

An extension opened in 2011 brought trams back to the full length of the Boulevard Typical of major track works found across the network each year was the du Souverain, between Herrmann-Debroux and Woluwe. Tram 7789 was one of few 2012 relaying of the busy right-angled crossing at Uccle-Globe in the south of remaining in yellow livery when pictured shortly after opening in March 2011; all the city. This necessitated temporary termini for two of the converging tram vehicles in regular service are now in the new grey and bronze. The tramway took over routes, as well as widespread road closures. This view was taken at the end two traffic lanes in this dual carriageway road. Yves-Laurent Hansart of August 2012. Geoffrey Skelsey

116 / MARCH 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org Miami MIAMI: A MODEL OF TRANSIT DIVERSITY

With a range of transit modes, the Sunshine State’s largest conurbation is moving forward with major improvements – including the potential for a long-held dream of an LRT line to the beach. Vic Simons reports.

lorida’s largest conurbation is Over the coming three decades the located in the south-east of both city experienced rapid growth, from a the state and the US, and covers population of around 1700 at the turn of three counties in South Florida. the 20th Century to almost 30 000 by 1920. The city is in Miami-Dade County Fine weather and good soil helped drive Fwith a population of around 2.5 million. The prosperity, as did the coming of the electric city proper has a population of just under streetcar in 1906. 400 000 and is not the largest in the state, The first of three short-lived lines, ridership TOP: An Orange line Metrorail train approaching that honour falling to Jacksonville (around on this short route (less than two city blocks) Government Center on 2 December 2013. The tracks 200 miles away to the north) with more than could not support the operating costs and it below are for the city’s Metromover system. twice that. lasted a little under 18 months. Another short The county includes 34 municipalities battery-powered line began operations in ABOVE: A Metromover train at Government Center. (small towns), plus some unincorporated 1915, but only for four years. areas. Other than Miami the major Streetcars reappeared again in 1922 in a population growth, buses no longer met the municipalities are Miami Beach, Miami much more substantial network, this time public’s mass transit requirements. These Gardens, Coral Gables and Florida City. lasting somewhat longer, until 1940 when concerns led to the opening of the Miami Miami has a brief history. Although the they succumbed to bus operation. Streetcars suburban rail system, Metrorail, in 1984. region records Spanish settlers as far back as also ran in the separate city of Miami Beach It was not until the opening of the 23rd the 16th Century, the County of Miami-Dade from 1920 to 1939. station adjacent to Miami International was incorporated in 1836, and the city almost By the late 1960s, both the city and county Airport (MIA) in 2012 that the currently 60 years later with a population of under 400. governments realised that, due to massive planned network was complete. The Miami

www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org MARCH 2014 / 117 Miami

International Airport Metrorail station, also known as the MIA station, is located at the Miami Intermodal Center, which is becoming a major transport hub linking with Amtrak and Tri-Rail later this year. MIA Mover is an automatic peoplemover linking the Transportation hub with Miami International Airport. There are also a number of bus routes calling or terminating there. Metrorail runs almost entirely on an elevated guideway – the region’s high water table made the cost of an underground system prohibitive – and provides spectacular views of the city. This is necessitated by the marshy low lying surface being on average around two metres (six feet) above sea level, and subject to regular flooding.

Metrorail Metrorail opened in 1984 and is now a two-line operation, with the lines starting at Miami International Airport station (Orange line) or Palmetto station (Green line), both routes running through the Greater Miami area to Dadeland South station where there is a connection to the 32km (20-mile) long South Miami-Dade Busway. On Metrorail, services operate approximately ten to 30-minute headways on each branch, with a combined frequency of approximately every 5-15 minutes. Stations are mostly island ABOVE: Metrorail train entering Tri-Rail station bound for Palmetto on 3 December 2013. The Budd-supplied platform with sheltered waiting areas with cars date from 1984 and are subject to replacement in a USD313.8m contract signed with AnsaldoBreda in 2012. seating. All have ticket machines, timetables and next train information, with fare gates in BELOW: A Bombardier-built Metromover car approaching Museum Park station. operation. Most stations have either lifts or escalators or both. There are two connections with Metromover, Tri-Rail (suburban railway) interchange and an interchange with the Busway at the southern end. Virtually every station has bus connections. The fare system revolves around the EASY Card fare collection system. This is either paper (EASY Ticket), valid for up to 60 days of

118 / MARCH 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org use, or plastic; the reloadable EASY Card has a USD2 set-up fee and is then valid for 20 years. The basic bus or rail fare at January 2014 is USD2.25 per journey with transfers available at USD0.60 each with the use of an EASY Card or EASY Ticket; there are higher fares and transfer fees for express buses. There is a USD1 transfer from Tri-Rail, which is good value and saves the lengthy ticket machine queues at the Tri-Rail interchange station. Whether such queuing will be alleviated when Tri-Rail is extended to Miami Intermodal Center early in 2014 remains to be seen. One day, seven-day and monthly passes are available. When TAUT first visited Miami in 1985, the northern terminal was Earlington Heights. At that time the station did not have a driveway entrance; instead users parked their cars under the nearest tree (for shade) before walking up steps to the station. By 2013, the station entrance was unrecognisable, with a car park, bus turning loop and proper passenger facilities. Park- and-ride facilities are available at most stations outside Miami core city area.

Metrorail rolling stock The rolling stock in Miami is almost identical to that used in Baltimore. Both cities were able to give the manufacturer Budd a combined order, thus achieving significant cost savings. Whilst clearly well-maintained at the system’s facility to the south of the Green line near Okeechobee Metrorail station, the vehicles are showing signs of age particularly with regard to worn seating. Miami-Dade Transit has confirmed that the entire fleet will be replaced by 2017. Using the third-rail current collection system, trains are operated as married pairs with two pairs (four cars) being the normal configuration, although a third pair can be added at busy periods. Each car than city centre public transportation; there running times are nearly double this which is approximately 23m-long, and 3.1m wide are interchanges with Metrorail at Brickell makes the provision almost self-defeating. and can carry a full passenger load of 166. and at Government Center stations. However, certain journeys divert from the Although trains are built to have a 105km/h The original C-100 vehicles have busway for short periods to serve a shopping (65mph) speed, MDT has set its maximum been largely replaced by Bombardier APM 100 centre and residential area. There is also a operating speed at 93km/h (58 mph). vehicles manufactured in Pittsburgh. Due to 'Busway MAX' service at peak periods that In late 2012, AnsaldoBreda was selected the high station density of one every two city does not serve all stops. to fulfil the USD313.8m order for 136 blocks – 21 stations over a total 7.1km There are plans to turn the busway into a replacement metro cars and it is understood (4.4-mile) route length – the maximum toll motorway, requiring a significant number that deliveries of the first six prototypes are 55km/h (34mph) operating speed is never of new bridges or underpasses. What is planned to begin in 2015 with completion reached, with the average operational speed certain is that the bus provision is inadequate some two years later. The contract includes being a more stately 14.5km/h (9mph). with major overcrowding issues, leading to the provision of spare parts, staff training Despite the low speed, the system performs bunching and further deterioration of the and a simulator and is being financed from a useful function in moving people around service. In the short term, many more buses transit system sales surtax revenue bonds. the city centre, carrying over nine million are needed, but surely this is an ideal case The air-conditioned vehicles also feature passengers in 2012. for LRT conversion with full traffic signal bicycle racks, passenger wi-fi connectivity, priority. This would provide the greatest LED lighting, CCTV and digital passenger South Miami-Dade Busway benefit to the largest number of people and information displays with the main This is a 32.18km (20-mile) concrete road with the cost would be significantly less than components being built in the United usage restricted to public transportation and conversion to a toll freeway. It should be States and local final assembly in Miami emergency vehicles. It is not guided. It begins noted that a modern LRV holds 200 people Dade County. A test track is being added at the Dadeland South Metrorail station compared with an 18m bus, which can carry to the Metrorail facility as part of the final terminus and runs parallel to the heavily- a capacity of around half that number. certification process. The contract complies congested US Route 1 to Florida City with with 'Buy America' provisions, which also numerous traffic light-controlled crossings. Light rail to Miami Beach? enables federal funding. Whilst there is clearly some bus priority, TAUT spoke to Miami-Dade Transportation this is not always the case with significant Assistant Director for Planning, Engineering Metromover delays at some crossings, with vehicles and Development, Albert Hernandez, This is a free automated people mover in blocking the route posing a particular who described the thinking that led to Miami’s downtown area. It opened in 1986 problem – there is clearly a case here for the decisions not to proceed with further and was extended in 1994, and operates on UK-style box junction control. Whilst the Metrorail extensions. The basic issue is that three alignments. The rolling stock is more conception was excellent, with a 40-minute traffic levels, among other things, do not akin to airport transit people movers rather end-to-end journey time planned, in practice justify the investment. The current focus for

www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org MARCH 2014 / 119 Miami

improvement is on limited stop express bus provision with LRT-style bus stops with full passenger information and waiting facilities. Hernandez outlined an in-progress study, under the auspices of the mayor’s office, which is looking at a light rail link from downtown Miami to the Miami Beach via the MacArthur Causeway. The USD325 000 Beach Corridor Transit Connection Study is being financed by six study partners and is considering all options, with the study conclusions expected by the end of 2014. The study follows the cancelled Bay Link proposal of 2003 that proposed a USD400m light rail link over a similar corridor. Bay Link was never taken forward due to concerns over funding, potential cost over-runs and prioritisation of other transit corridors. Documents suggest the study will review all options, including wire-free applications: “The consultants shall conduct a review of new and emerging technologies at the national and global level that potentially mitigate many of the concerns expressed with the light rail/streetcar technology. “These alternative technologies shall meet the ridership, capacity and operational

ABOVE: Front view heading north Northbound from Dadeland. Tri-Rail service at Fort City skyscrapers Lauderdale Airport on can be seen in the 3 December 2013. background.

RIGHT: The new Tri- Rail station under construction at Miami Central as seen from the Metrorail platform.

BELOW: Information display at Museum Park Metromover station, showing the city’s tight downtown core area served by the two systems.

120 / MARCH 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org strained financial circumstances and both demands within a highly urbanised area. Fares are zonally-based with six fare zones. the city and county governments recognise For example, there are various types of An end-to-end round trip costs USD11.55 (as that more needs to be done. The busway is an catenary-free technologies [without hanging at December 2013) and there are discounted under-utilised resource and much more can cables] currently available in the mass transit fares available for children aged 5-12, be done with this asset. industry, such as catenary-free systems now students, seniors and disabled persons. At The possibility of light rail between Miami operating in historic Seville, Spain; Angers, weekends there is a system-wide flat fare of and Miami Beach is welcome, although France; and Dubai, United Arab Emirates.” USD5 for a day pass. Transfers are available to the physical constraints of running along Metrorail and bus operators en route. the MacArthur Causeway should not be Tri-Rail Operated by the South Florida underestimated. However, there seems to be Tri-Rail is a commuter rail system operating Transportation Authority, Tri-Rail uses a will from all the stakeholders involved to across the three South Florida counties: Palm standard double-deck US commuter rail investigate all possible opportunities and we County, Broward County and Miami-Dade. rolling stock with a locomotive usually at await the results of the Beach Corridor Transit The system operates seven days a week, the north end and a driving passenger coach Connection Study with interest. running from Magnolia Park in Palm County at the other; three-car trains are the norm Miami is a thriving vibrant city with in the north, to Miami International Station/ although there are facilities for adding extra a wonderful climate, although shoreline Hialeah Market. There is interchange with cars when needed. erosion is proving a key challenge for Metrorail at the Tri-Rail station, the stop prior There are proposals to provide a high-speed authorities and unpredictable weather has to the existing southern terminus. Early in rail service between Miami and Orlando, seen the region facing more than its fair share 2014, the route will be extended south to utilising the Florida East Coast Railroad of hurricanes in recent years. Miami Intermodal Center. tracks. A downtown Miami terminus site That said, people flock from all over the Running times are quite slow for what has been identified, where there will be USA to spend their retirement years in the is an approximately 115km (70-mile) facilities for interchange with existing transit area. It has all the usual big city attractions, end-to-end journey, which is scheduled to provision. The scheme is still in the planning in addition to the lure of the magnificent take around 1 hour 49 minutes. Service levels process, so no costs or timescales have been beaches. Being the nearest major metropolis are approximately hourly outside the established. to Cuba there is a large Hispanic population, Monday to Friday peaks when extra services It seems that Miami-Dade and Tri-Rail which has a significant impact on the city’s are provided. are providing good service under somewhat cultural melting pot.

Thanks are due to Albert Hernandez and Karla Damian from Miami-Dade Transit for their time and assistance in the preparation of this article.

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0089_Paisley_Edinburgh_A4.indd 1 10/01/2014 13:19 Rotterdam

Neil Pulling explores SYSTEMS THE Rotterdam’s public transport network and the Rotterdam FACTFILE scope of operator RET, facing extra No. Rotterdam, challenges in its 78 The Netherlands new contract term.

otterdam in the The core of termed the Randstad – means the steam propulsion from 1905, the Netherlands’ Zuid- Rotterdam’s much- centres of many sizeable communities lines eventually standardising with Holland province initially modified tramway are very close. From second-city 1435mm gauge. The RET title was developed on firm retains its street- Rotterdam, with approximately adopted in 1927 with a move into ground near the walls running nature; 1.6 million in the metropolitan area, city ownership and tram services, the junction at channellingR the Nieuwe Maas river, a to the Dutch capital Amsterdam is including interurban and island Eendrachtsplein. Rhine outfall that remains the city’s All pictures by about 60km (37 miles). routes, peaking within three years main visual and economic feature. Neil Pulling On the conventional railway when it ran 25 lines. It has been exploited to create the that separates them – as opposed Moving from the administration Port of Rotterdam, the busiest in to the high-speed direct line – are into a separate but wholly city-owned Europe, reaching to the North Sea substantial cities like Delft, Den company in 2007, RET now operates at Hoek van Holland – ‘The Hook’ – Haag and Leiden. Commuter traffic is nine regular tramlines, of which only about 26km (16 miles) to the west. The therefore significant, needing many line 2 is wholly south of the Maas. destruction of central Rotterdam and interchange options to disperse loads. Line 10 is a hire and summer- its transport infrastructure during Centrally sited, Rotterdam Centraal only heritage service, with line 12 World War Two brought waves of new station (CS) is the greatest transit being for football fans between CS building in the following decades, concentration. and Feyenoord stadium. Under the including by 1958 the start of metro The initially Belgian-funded common ticketing framework, RET construction. company Rotterdamse Electrische also runs five metro lines, around 230 Extreme urbanisation of the western Tramweg Maatschappi’s electric buses and since 2008, river ferries. Netherlands – a curved agglomeration tramway supplanted horse and As well as going over to a wholly

www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org MARCH 2014 / 123 Rotterdam

THE FLEET

Then novel in having a low-floor section, a new AlsthomTFS-2 (Grenoble 2020) was tested in Rotterdam in 1988. RET has subsequently ended up with more than any other operator, as a result of a first contract in July 2000 and another in July 2007. There are two uni-directional versions; both are 2.4m wide, five-section 100% low-floortype 302 with a 181/182 capacity. Numbers 2001-60 were received in 2002-04. Locally designated ‘Citadis II’ 2101-53 were delivered from June 2010 to September 2012. Amongst the differences,Citadis II is 0.45m shorter at 30.85m, allowing wider route access. Interior comfort was improved by full air conditioning, better information presentation and padded seats rather than the hard mouldings of the earlier type. Externally a prominent rear windshield wiper distinguishes the Citadis II. The last non-Citadis type in fleet service was the 23.5m long high-floor DüwagZGT 700-series built 1981-85. Regular use, often on line 2, was expected to end in late 2012, but those kept as Like several of the terminus loops, Nesserdijk is set amongst housing concentrations. reserves were in frequent use into late 2013. RandstadRail line E uses 22 three-section 5500-series high-floor metro units, supplemented by RET- “Urbanisation means the centres of many liveried 5600 counterparts. sizeable communities are very close”

Two RET light rail formats at Melanchthonweg interchange. The upper level is RandstadRail line E.

Summer 2012 near Weena stop: the main works in the central area are now complete.

NS SLT stock at Hoek van Holland Haven. With nearby Strand (beach) terminus, this should be on RET metro line B by 2017.

Alstom Citadis 2005 slows for the road junction near Beverwaard depot.

Becoming the last non-Citadis stock, Düwag 700-series were regularly used on line 2: Maashaven in June 2012.

124 / MARCH 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org low-floor tram fleet in the 21st century, a dynamic passenger information system has been installed across the system. The TramPlus project dating from 1994 was to upgrade existing lines and build new ones, totalling 14, with more dedicated space and faster running. This was not fully implemented, however: current line 2 and those in the 20-series are TramPlus projects, although the distinction is not made in RET service information. Clearances on these routes allow use of the longer original Citadis series. Like the other major Dutch urban public transport networks, Rotterdam avoided seemingly imminent enforced privatisation of services. In late August 2013, the administrations of Rotterdam and other communities in the metropolitan area designated the incumbent RET as retaining its role until at least 2026. Nevertheless, NETWORK FACTS economic conditions that once Opened: 1879 (electrification prompted the prospect of contracted from 1905) services are now reflected in higher September 1996. The Erasmusbrug Two Citadis types Regular tramlines: 9 expectations, including 4% annual renewed the tramway’s presence on at Eendrachtsplein: ridership increases, yet with staff cuts both sides of the river, as part of a plan the rear screen Stops: 322 and reducing subsidy levels. Metro to make trams a part of the TramPlus wiper is a prominent Distance: Approx. 80km (50 miles) Citadis II Depots: 2 stations are due for refurbishment modernisation. The tramway had distinguishing with greater use as retail sites, with become a two-part operation in 1968 feature. Approx. weekday hours: 05.00-00.30 measures taken to reduce disruptions when the new metro took over the Erasmusbrug over Main frequency: 10 minutes and improve security. cross-river role; the replacement the Nieuwe Maas Gauge: 1435 mm A narrowing of the Maas channel Willemsbrug did not have tracks, dwarfs road traffic Power: 600v dc overhead supply just south of the city centre is crossed unlike its predecessor which and the tram on the by the Erasmusbrug, a cable-stayed previously united the system. main span. Fleet: 113 + reserves road bridge which opened in Marked by a cluster of high-rise INFORMATION City transport: www.ret.nl Civic information: www.rotterdam.nl Tourist information: (English) http://en.rotterdam.info/visitors

www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org MARCH 2014 / 125 Rotterdam buildings on the north bank of the former Calandlijn with overhead Maas, Rotterdam’s central business power supply, as is line E which district includes CS and has the uses the 2.4km (1.5-mile) twin-bore greatest convergence of tram routes. Statenweg Tunnel. This allowed Here the drastic rebuilding of CS diversion of RandstadRail from the (official relaunch event due 13 March retained section of Hofplein line 2014), the new Weena road tunnel into Rotterdam CS metro platforms and office developments contributed in August 2010. Power switchover to the tram tracks running through is at Melanchthonweg, northwards building site conditions for several using overhead supply. For part of years. The greatest change for light rail the approach to Den Haag, RET stock at CS has been below ground however, shares infrastructure with HTM’s with RET’s former Erasmuslijn RandstadRail Regio Citadis. metro becoming integrated with the Schiedam Centrum is one of RandstadRail service to Den Haag, the Rotterdam’s main transport hubs, Dutch government seat about 26km combining national rail (NS), (16 miles) to the north-west. buses, metro and trams. Beyond the Since the first metro opening interchange, lines 21 and 24, the latter RandstadRail in February 1968, the system has implemented in December 2012, serve “Since the metro’s Bombardier Flexity expanded to provide concentrated the north-western housing estate. Swift 5500 stock on coverage in the centre and across a Once essential to the ferry trade which opening it has the shared route mainly north-east to south-west axis. is now more road-based, the heavy rail of lines E and D at Later tramway expansions were used NS line west of Schiedam Centrum to expanded to provide Maashaven. to serve primarily residential districts Hoek van Holland is to become part elsewhere. The central intersection of metro line B, with completion due dense coverage” Third-rail only Bombardier of the two core metro routes, Beurs, is by 2017. Extra stops and increased 5300 stock in also the busiest tram stop. frequencies will be more suited to the (others being in Blackpool, Dijon and the cavernous To better distinguish between leisure and residential demand that Brussels) built under the EC-supported Wilhelminaplein metro services using the different now prevails in the area. TramStore 21 project to promote good metro station on branches, previous line names were Tightly located between a northern environmental practices. Located near the descent to re-designated by letter. City lines are Maas channel and housing, Kralingen the A15/A16 motorway junction and the Nieuwe Maas now A-D, E being RET’s provision near Avenue Concordia stop is the on line 23, Beverwaard incorporates a tunnel. under the RandstadRail brand, with elder of RET’s two tram depots. rooftop 500-place park-and-ride site, the full Slinge – Den Haag service Replacing the one-time metro facility with additional space for the 91 tram beginning in December 2011. The Hilledijk, Beverwaard depot in south- capacity to be expanded. metro is mainly third-rail, although eastern Rotterdam opened in August Maps and all-mode journey planner: there are sections on the east-west 2011, the first of four new facilities www.ret.nl/en

126 / MARCH 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org

Citadis II padded seating and air conditioning are big improvements over the earlier type.

The shorter Citadis II are needed on non Tramplus-type routes: riverside Willemsplein line 7 terminus.

ESSENTIAL FACTS Local travel: All ticketing is via the OV- chipkaart system; tickets activated by first validation. Visitors are likely to use the disposable version, from machines and information points at CS, Beurs and Zuidplein metro stations. A one-hour bus and tram ticket costs EUR3, with travelcards (tram, metro and bus) for one, two or three days priced at EUR7, EUR10.50 and EUR14. Only EUR3 more per day than for travel-only day tickets, the Rotterdam Welcome Card includes significant discounts at many attractions. What is there to see? Great panoramas are from Erasmusbrug footpaths and Euromast near line 8, Euromast / Erasmus MC, with an outstanding Maritime Museum between Leuvehaven and Beurs tram stops. Harbour and other river tours are from the Spido building near line 7 Willemsplein terminus. There is also a large transport collection in the care of RoMeO Foundation at the former Hillegersberg tram depot near lines 4 and 8 stop Kootsekade: www.stichtingromeo.nl

Rotterdam CS has been rebuilt above and below ground.

The tram platforms at Schiedam Centrum are slightly away from the elevated NS and metro railway station.

www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org MARCH 2014 / 127 Worldwide Review

AUSTRALIA BELGIUM SÃO PAULO. The first trial possible conversion to standard . From 26 January ANTWERPEN. Work has started operations on the BRL6.4bn gauge in the future. BS route 75 was extended in the city on the Norderlijn tramway (EUR1.97bn) Bombardier equipped OLOMOUC. The first 1.4km on existing tracks via Flinders extensions, which will see a 27km monorail line 15 started section of the new tramline to Street and Harbour Esplanade to brand new route 1 from on 23 December. The first 2.9km Nové Sady was opened on 29 Etihad Stadium in Docklands. Rooseveltplaats to Havanasite section between Vila Prudente and November. Two double-ended Both entrances to Essendon depot (Ekeren P+R) via Punt aan , Oratorio is due to open in March. trams provide a shuttle service to and about 500m of track in Mount and the extension of line 7 from Some 54 seven-car trains are being Santovka. BS Alexander Road were renewed St-Pietersvliet to Eilandje in the delivered. IRJ during the period 1-8 February. former docklands. T-2000 ESTONIA Trams to serve the inner sections BRUXELLES (Brussels). The CANADA TALLIN. Contracts valued at of routes 55 and 59, and all of scrapping of further articulated TORONTO. Go Transit has ordered EUR26m for the renovation routes 57 and 82, were kept on the PCC trams has been suspended a total of 65 bi-level commuter rail and extension of tramline 4 to reserved track north of the zoo while the undertaking evaluates coaches from Bombardier, with Peterburi were placed on in Royal Park while the work was its future tramway fleet needs. two options for an additional 23 January with Estonian taking place. M. Rowe Long Bombardier Flexity trams 75 coaches, which when taken up contractors. WSJ NEWCASTLE. The New South were delivered up to 4063 by the will bring the value of the contract Wales government has ruled that end of 2013. Double-ended PCC to CAD481m (EUR320.3m). the location of Wickham will be works car 7019 (at 62 years, the Delivery is scheduled to start in HELSINKI. Consultants are the future interchange between oldest tram in the STIB service June 2016. Metrolinx carrying out geotechnical surveys the curtailed heavy rail line and fleet) has been treated to body for a proposed 7.8km underground the light rail route intended to repairs and also a repaint in CHINA loop railway that would serve the central area and also the white livery. The turning circle at CHENGDU (Xian). Alstom permit better distribution of waterfront. J. Chuang Berchem station is being replaced has been awarded two contracts passengers from commuter rail SYDNEY. With the imminent by a stub terminus. The centenary worth EUR75m to supply traction services. The Finnish parliament opening of the Inner West of line 81 on 1 May will include equipment for more than 550 is due to decide on the project later tramway extension from Lilyfield a series of posed photographic metro cars that are due to operate this year. Liikennevirasto to Dulwich Hill, the government opportunities with cars 1428, 1429 on Chengdu lines 3 and 4 and has announced that the new and 5025 in the morning, and a Xian's metro line 3 from next FRANCE terminus will be in zone 2, so service of museum trams between year. Alstom BESANÇON. Tram testing fares will be maintained at the Sq Montgomery and Midi during CHONGQING. The 26.2km through the city centre started on same price as on the existing line. the afternoon (from 12.30- branch of metro line 6 from 15 January between Planoise and The cost of a day pass is AUD9.20 18.00). T-2000, M. J. Russell Lijia to Beibei was opened on 31 Viotte. Passenger service should (EUR5.97). J. Chuang OOSTENDE. The 47 trams on December. urbanrail.net start in December. IRJ the coastal line, which date from DALIAN. On 30 December, BORDEAUX. Tramline C was AUSTRIA 1982/83, are to be replaced metro line 8 was inaugurated. It extended by one station from WIEN (Vienna). Delivery of between 2017-20. De Lijn has covers a distance of 40km from Les Aubiers to Berges du Lac on ULF trams reached the total of 99 invited tenders for the supply of Hekou tram terminus, west 1 February. T-2000 by the end of the year. E1 4547, 62 37m trams. In the meantime, along the Liaodong peninsula CLERMONT-FERRAND. The 4834, 4838, and trailer 1270 have 15 of the BN cars are to receive a to Lüshunxingang. There are Translohr rubber-tyred tramline been withdrawn from service and minor overhaul. T-2000 just six intermediate stations on A was finally completed on 14 dismantled. Route 67 will be cut this route. urbanrail.net December when the EUR29.6m, back from Oberlaa to Alaudagasse BRAZIL SHENZHEN. MTR Corporation of 1.7km, extension from the depot in March to permit work to CUIABA. The head of World Cup Hong Kong has signed a strategic to Les Vergnes was opened. start on U-Bahn construction at projects for Matto Grosso state has co-operation agreement with Twenty-one of the 25 cars are Oberlaa. Since this new building admitted that the new 22.2km the District Administration for now in peak service, and there will cut off the substation which tramway system will not be ready the extension of metro line 4 is some discussion about a feeds power to the route, one of in time for the 2014 FIFA World north from the current Qinghu supplementary order for two the mobile rectifier trams (7001) Cup. Completion is now expected terminus to Guanlan. A feeder more (car 27 is due this summer in the fleet has been placed at the in December with an opening in tram service is to be provided at to replace the one destroyed by new terminus to feed the outer end 2015, although the first CAFUrbos the new terminus to serve Longhua fire). T-2000 of the line. BS 3 has been delivered. A. Bailey New District. RGI LYON. On 19 February, tramline SHENYANG. On 30 December, T1 was extended by 2.3km to metro line 2 was extended Debourg metro station. T-2000 from Santaizi to Hangkong- MARSEILLE. Tenders have been hangtiandaxue. urbanrail.net invited for a feasibility study into TIANJIN. The city's metro line the 4.1km eastern extension of 3 was extended further from metro line 2 from Dromel-St- Gaoxinqu to Nanzhan on 28 Marguerite to a new destination December. urbanrail.net at St-Loup-Pagnol. IRJ NANTES. The Dualis tram- trains that were withdrawn BRNO. The new Vario LF2 trams temporarily will be back in are 1590/8 (2013) and 1525/39 service by 28 February, ready for (2014). Tatra T3 1497, 1530/9/90/7/8 the inauguration of the Nantes- and 1601 have been withdrawn at Châteaubriant service. All 48 cars the same time. BS (24 in Lyon and 24 in Nantes) LIBEREC. Inter-urban line 11 to were being checked by Alstom for Jablonec was to be closed from cracks in their axleboxes. Six were February for 15 months to permit to be ready for driver training by access for more reconstruction 20 January, and another 11 by the work. The metre gauge will be end of February. The Lyon cars will A Besançon CAF tram rolls through the city centre on 15 January. Compare this retained, but the new track follow in March. A. Senut view with the same scene on page 52 of last month’s TAUT. GINKO infrastructure will be laid out for ROUEN. The 28 TFS2 trams

128 / MARCH 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org dating from 1994 were shipped off to in January. Gaziantep has purchased them for the sum of EUR5.2m. Normandie.fr TOULOUSE. Since the extension of tramline 1, patronage has increased to 30 000 per day. The opening of the 2.4km airport branch has had to be rescheduled from December 2014 to April 2015. A. Senut

GERMANY . The official re- opening of the Königsplatz interchange on 15 December was marked by a day of free travel on the whole tram and bus network. All five tramlines reverted to their normal routing, and now offer a five-minute frequency on schooldays. BS BERLIN. DB AG has invited tenders for 1380 new S-Bahn sets, enough to replace the entire current fleet. However, how many are ordered depends upon the outcome of the current franchising exercise,and at least five groups The first PESA Twist tram for the Katowice-based Tramwaje Slaskie in Poland. MPK are interested in winning the contract. BS KÖLN (). The rebuilt LRVs from Stadler for EUR73m. ten years further service. Routes BRANDENBURG. T h e Stadtbahn surface station at Delivery will start in summer 1, 5, 19, 23, and 33 are still operated undertaking is purchasing Severinstrasse was brought into 2016. SSB by these cars only. P. Muraro 1992/94 Duewag low-floor cars use on 23 January. DS WUPPERTAL. The Schwebebahn PALERMO. The financial 500/1 from Halle, enabling the LEIPZIG. Ex-Rostock low-floor will be closed from 12-27 April problems that were reported last replacement of two more KT4D trailers 939-43 have joined the to permit the rebuilt depot at year have been overcome and (173 and 180), to be sold to operational fleet of 272 motor Oberbarmen to be brought into construction work is in full swing Tallinn. DS trams and 43 trailers. Thirteen use. BS on all three lines. Test running is BREMEN. A final decision on Tatra trams are to be overhauled so far confined to the depot areas. the purchase of new trams will be during 2014. It is possible line 1 will open in made before the summer. Tenders MAGDEBURG. A passenger BUDAPEST. Full-scale testing on September. P. Muraro will be invited for between 15 service was re-introduced on the 7.4km automated metro line TORINO. The last 12 7000-series and 77 new cars. BS route 10 as far as Betriebshof Nord 4 from Kelenföld vasútállomás cars remaining in service ran DÜSSELDORF. The short from 23 December. The rest of to Keleti pu via Kálvin tér for the last time on 7 December. branch to Medienhafen opened the line to Barleber See is still commenced on 23 January, with The entire batch of 51, delivered for business on 8 January. Line subject to bus replacement due to passenger service expected to in 1983-87, has been scrapped 719 provides the link from Hbf damage resulting from last year’s begin on 30 March. Alstom four- following a series of problems on an all-day basis. Forty six-axle floods. BS car trains are driven by Siemens with the electronic systems. The Stadtbahn cars are to be purchased MÜNCHEN (Munich). The first ATC. IRJ early withdrawal of these trams to replace the remaining GT8SU Siemens-built C2 U-Bahn set, led to the abandonment of the and the 11 Stadtbahn-B cars with 7701, was delivered on 20 section of tramway from Corso steel bodies. DS January. A total of 21 sets are on FIRENZE. The city council Regina Margherita to Piazza KARLSRUHE. Part of route 5 order. DS decided in November to go Hermada stub terminus. The will be closed from early March POTSDAM. On 23 January, ahead with tramlines 2 and 3. The single-ended 2800 and 5000 until December to permit the routine monitoring of Stadler 8.6km line 2 will link Aeroporto series cars cascaded from other track to be re-laid, with wider Variobahn low-floor trams Peretola and Piazza Liberta, while routes now use the Corso clearances and stop platforms revealed a problem with wheel the 4km line 3 will run from Tortona loops. These changes built. During that time, route 5 wear, resulting in the whole fleet Careggi to Viale Strozzi. TR led to a shortage of trams, so will operate Rheinhafen – Kühler, being withdrawn from service for MILANO. The opening of metro the western section of route Krug – Europaplatz – Kronenplatz a week to permit investigation in line 5, the complete reconstruction 13, worked exclusively by 2800 – Kühler, and Krug – Rheinhafen. co-operation with the supplier. of the area around Stazione series articulated trams, had to The run-out of first-generation Five cars returned to service on Garibaldi, and a very large be replaced by a new bus route 13, articulated trams will reduce to 28 January. DS programme of track and point which operates the whole length six on weekdays only. The three SAARBRÜCKEN. The operation renewal underway since 2011, is of the former tramline. The 2800s LRVs loaned from Saarbrücken for of the cross-border section of causing several route diversions are the only type of tram that four years have been returned to line 1 from Auersmacher and and temporary suspension of are allowed to cross the bridge their home system. BS Sarreguemines was threatened by circular services 29 and 30. Route connecting Piazza Vittorio Veneto . Since 15 December new access charges demanded by 19 is operating Roserio – Stazione and Piazza Gran Madre, as the 5000 tram-trains on lines RT3 and RT4 RFF. BS Genova FS, thus replacing the and 6000 series are considered to have been extended via Rathaus STRAUSBERG. On 22 January western section of the circular be too wide. A new tram service and Königsplatz to Holländischen KT8D tram 22 was sent to Praha, service. After long delays, work 13 barrata was introduced on the Strasse. Cars on line RT5 run to be overhauled by Cegelec is in progress to extend route eastern section from Piazza Gran via Rathaus to Auestadion. Ten and gain a new low-floor centre 15 from the present terminus Madre to Piazza Statuto on 13 12-year old low-floor trailers section. Strausberg-live.de to Rozzano Centro. The 1929 January, extended a week later are being purchased from the . SSB has exercised Peter Witt cars are receiving yet to Rondo della Forca. Work is Rostock system. BS its option to order 20 more Tango another overhaul for a remarkable in progress to extend the metro

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from Lingotto to Piazza Bengasi, so route 18 is still bus operated, but the Piazza Caio Mario – Corso Settembrini section has been re- opened and is now worked by route 10. The northern section of the 10 is out of service due to work on the railway in the Via Stradella area. Thus current routes are: 3, Piazzale Vallette – Corso Tortona; 4, Falchera – Strada del Drosso; 7 circular, Piazza Castello – Porta Nuova – Piazza Castello (clockwise only, weekends/holidays only); 9, Piazza Stampalia – Corso d’Azeglio; 9 barrata, Stadio Juventus – Piazza Bernini (football days only); 10, Piazza Statuto – Corso Settembrini (not Sundays); 13 barrata, Rondo della Forca – Piazza Gran Madre; 15, Via Brissogne – Piazza Coriolano; 16 circular (clockwise and anti-clockwise); 79, Sassi – Superga (rack tramway). It is hoped to restore tram operation on the whole length of route 13 as soon as some new cars can be Granada’s new tramway is seeing test runs with its CAF-built cars. Metropolitano de Granada delivered. P. Muraro VENEZIA. It is hoped to open POLAND KTM-5 tram 2042 has been is now 215. The peak headway the new extension of the Translohr POZNAN. Moderus Beta acquired and reconstructed as has been reduced from 20 to 15 line from Mestre to Marghera MF02AC trams 431 and 432 were works car 06. transphoto.ru minutes. BS in March, followed by the delivered in December. After two extension across the causeway to months of closure, the tramway SPAIN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Piazzale Roma in September. A junctions at Most Teatralny BARCELONA. On 27 January, DUBAI. The first test runs with vehicle was put on display here in and Rondo Kaponiera were re- the first of 19 type 113 four-car the Alstom Citadis trams on the December. P. Muraro opened in December and January EMUs from CAF/Alstom entered APS-equipped tramline were respectively. BS service for FGC on lines S1 and made on 26 January on 2.5km MOROCCO S2. They will be followed by five of line from Al Sufouh depot. GENERAL. Tramway projects ROMANIA three-car type 114 sets intended Passenger service should start on have been announced for the BUCURESTI. The first two of for line L7. IRJ 14 November. Gulf News cities of El Jadida and Zanata. 16 six-car metro trains built in MÁLAGA. Further to last month’s The latter is a new town with Spain by CAF were delivered in article on 2014’s new systems, a population of 300 000 to be December. TR it was the Andalucia Regional EDINBURGH. The tram and bus built between Casablanca and Council (Junta) that has been fleets are to be fitted with wi-fi Mohammedia. A. Senut RUSSIA trying to speed up completion routers to enable passengers to gain MARRAKECH. Tr a m w a y KRASNOYARSK. KTM-5 tram of work, rather than the city free access to Internet facilities. The construction is expected to has been given a new body with council. The arrival of a new project is part of the Connected commence at the end of 2014. a low floor at the centre platform, Junta President in 2013 led Capital programme, and the Further details are due to be and renumbered 251. transphoto.ru to a compromise, but the line GBP2m (EUR2.4m) cost will be announced in April. A. Senut MOSKVA. The Alstom Citadis will continue in subway from met by the UK Government. Free demonstrator, now carrying Guadalmedina to Atarazana wi-fi has been offered as a trial on NETHERLANDS fleet number 0201, was expected market, with the extension beyond buses on the Airlink service. AMSTERDAM. The tram to carry passengers on line 17 to La Malagueta abandoned. LONDON (UNDERGROUND). terminus for route 10 at Van in February. The tramline to However, it is proposed to build a Dates for two one-day strikes have Hallstraat has been renamed metro Chistye Prudy re-opened new inland surface line to Hospital been announced for February, Westerpark. OR on 8 December, and line A is Civil. P.J. Owen after staff voted to protest at DEN HAAG. Eight-axle tram 3035 now worked by partly low-floor the closure of ticket offices TAUT( is being converted to a restaurant KTM-23 trams. It has now been SWITZERLAND 914). From 8 January, work to tram, after 150 private investors established that the 67 trams GENEVE. Tramline 18 will be replace escalators at Embankment raised EUR100 000 to help of this type are 4601-35 and extended to Carouge from 28 station means that Bakerloo and finance the project. digitaletram.nl 5601-32. Nineteen KTM-8 trams June. BS Northern line trains will not stop have been sold to Taganrog; the LAUSANNE. The first of the new there for around ten months; only ones remaining in Moskva cars, Be4/6 218, entered service on District and Circle line trains will OSLO. Up to 12 Duewag are 4083/150/60. Also sold to 18 December, but cannot yet run continue to use their platforms, Stadtbahn-N trams are to be Taganrog are KTM-17 5213/8- in multiple with first series trams. which are not affected by the purchased from Kassel to address 20/37. N. Semyonov As the latter are overhauled their escalator work. the rolling stock shortage. The NABEREZHNYE CHELNY. diesel motors are being removed, MANCHESTER. A masterplan trams date from 1981-86. LTF The city council has taken over since all depot tracks are now is being prepared to upgrade the the tramway from the Kamaz electrified, and the option area around the Cornbrook stop. PANAMA company, which is the largest of running on CFF tracks for While Cornbrook is mainly used PANAMA CITY. 7 February employer in the city. However, workshop attention is no longer for interchange purposes, the was the opening date for the truck builder Kamaz will still needed. BS area at ground level is considered first section of the metro, from pay a subsidy of RUB30m NEUCHÂTEL. The operator ripe for regeneration. Bombardier Los Andes to Albrook (a distance (EUR0.63m) per year to the transN has renumbered its lines Transportation, together with of 13.7km, of which 7.2km is council. BS following the merger with La- consortium partner Vossloh underground). urbanrail.net NIZHNY TAGIL. Novosibirsk Chaux-des-Fonds. Tramline 5 Kiepe, has agreed an option for

130 / MARCH 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org the additional ten M5000 light rail extension of the High Speed Line and Whitley Bay; Station WEST MIDLANDS. Centro vehicles required for the expansion to Leeds. The South Yorkshire improvements at Northumberland has launched a consultation on to Trafford Park. The option forms Integrated Transport Authority Park, Simonside and Pelaw; its ability to remove GBP14m part of the contract signed in 2007 is backing Meadowhall, but only Vegetation clearance; Overhead (EUR17m) from its current and is valued at approximately if a package of improvements line replacement between GBP146m (EUR176m) budget GBP18m (EUR22m), with is included. It believes the HS2 Heworth and Hebburn; Metrocar for the 2014/15 year to meet Bombardier’s share valued at company proposals would not refurbishment programme Government financial restrictions. approximately GBP14m (EUR17m). bring regeneration of the area to (which will pass the half way mark A range of savings has been To date, Bombardier and Vossloh its full potential. in the Spring when the 43rd of proposed, including removing Kiepe have delivered 77 vehicles The Passenger Transport the 86 cars to be refurbished the right for West Midlands to Manchester, with the option Executive on behalf of the ITA is will come back into service); pensioners to travel free on local of extending the total number of developing a masterplan for the Completion of work to install lift trains and trams. Instead, a M5000s to 104 if all are taken up. area. One of the main objectives is at Walkergate; Refurbishment GBP30 (EUR36m) annual pass Metrolink expects to replace all to provide the best possible access of Hebburn, Jarrow, and Bede is being suggested, as currently T68 and T68A trams by the middle from the Sheffield city region to the stations; Replacement of exists in Tyne & Wear. However, of this year. new Meadowhall transport two escalators at Gateshead critics of the proposal have Work to expand park-and-ride complex. A ‘Supertram Express’ Interchange (short ones between suggested that savings could be facilities at Whitefield stop began link with the central business ticket concourse and bus station), made on Centro’s GBP19.5m in January. This involves district in Sheffield city centre is following replacement of the (EUR23.5m) operational budget construction of an upper parking one of the projects under four main escalators in 2013; devoted to buildings, management, deck, which will increase parking discussion. Beginning installation of a new and staff. A final decision was capacity from 127 to 216 spaces but Proposals for Rotherham include train management system at the expected in mid-February. will require closure of the car park double-tracking the Holmes Metro Control Room at South for five months. Chord, a single track section that Gosforth; and installation of a new USA NOTTINGHAM. The Planning restricts rail stops at Rotherham radio system for drivers’ cabs. AUSTIN, TX. The diesel light rail Inspector considering a plan for Central; and looking at expansion A petition has been launched line to Leander is to get a USD27m the construction of new housing of the tram-train experimental by campaigners pressing Nexus to upgrade to increase capacity by at Nuthall has indicated that she line to include an extension to extend Metro to serve Washington, adding passing loops at three considers the proposed extension South West Sheffield and the a significant conurbation of 53 000 stations by 2016. E. B. Havens of the NET network to include Waverley development. people. The on-line petition is BALTIMORE, MD. A USD13m Kimberley as both desirable and TYNE & WEAR. Nexus, the directed at the Department for contract to install Positive Train enjoying reasonable prospects Tyne & Wear Passenger Transport Transport. An extension could Control on the MARC commuter of being brought forward. Executive, has announced plans use the redundant Leamside line, rail line has been awarded to The proposal has been suggested in to invest GBP35m (EUR42m) in an option Nexus investigated in Wabtec. E. B. Havens the past and campaigners have said Metro modernisation during 2014, 2006 but decided it would be better BOSTON, MA. The operation and the latest comments boost their somewhat less than the average used to provide maintenance contract for MBTA’s case. Nottinghamshire County spend of GBP50m (EUR60m) over services to the Tees Valley. Other commuter rail lines will switch to Council has been considering the last three years. It is expected proposals have included Keolis in June, under a contract a motion to support further the bulk of the work will be carried an extension of the South Hylton that is worth USD2.68bn over a extensions to the region’s tram out at weekends and at night, with metro line, and re-opening the period of eight years. E. B. Havens network. no weekday closures envisaged. Leamside line as a freight route to CHARLOTTE, NC. The city SOUTH YORKSHIRE. HS2 Ltd This will be the fourth year of relieve the East Coast Main Line. council has voted to spend up to (the Department for Transport- the GBP389m (EUR469m) Metro: Nexus has indicated that it is USD12m on engineering work owned company behind the All Change programme. Works looking at the potential for a for the proposed USD126m planned new high-speed in 2014 include: Replacement number of future transport heritage tramway extension. The rail network) has proposed of CCTV cameras and public corridors, and that Washington is city has applied for a federal grant Meadowhall as the location address system; Track and on the list. It says it hopes to report of USD63m from the FY 2015 Small of a station for the proposed drainage renewal at Shiremoor in the spring. Starts fund. The first part of the brand new line is currently under construction. E. B. Havens CINCINNATI, OH. When the city centre tramway opens in 2015, the fare for a two-hour ticket is likely to be USD1.75, with a day ticket costing USD3.50. Service will run 06.00-22.00 Sunday-Thursday, and 06.00-24.00 on Friday and Saturday. Some 3000 passengers per day are expected. E. B. Havens DALLAS, TX. It is now hoped to open the airport LRT during September. Work has started to extend the Blue light rail line 4.1km from Ledbetter to the University of North Texas, with the opening scheduled for late 2016. E. B. Havens GENERAL. Under the omnibus budget bill for fiscal year 2014 agreed by both Democrats and Republicans in both Houses, and signed into law by President Obama on 18 January, the Federal Transit Administration received the full USD8.6bn funding The first powered test of an Alstom Citadis In Dubai took place on 26 January. Power comes from the APS surface contact authorised for core programmes, system. R. Gajjar including USD1.94bn for New

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Starts and USD600m for TIGER two cities will be opened on 14 bridge loop is completed next severely damaged when it was in programme investments. June. There will be free rides for year. Another push is being collision with a heavy truck on received the weekend. E. B. Havens made to finance a new Columbia the Embarcadero on 4 January. USD150m in grants for capital NEW ORLEANS, LA. Trams River bridge on Interstate 5, It is hoped that a repair will be investment. F. M. Cain returned to the St Charles line from including a new MAX light rail possible. G. Barsky HOUSTON, TX. Metro has issued 5 January in time for Carnival, after extension to , WA, TUCSON, AZ. The third tram to a warning letter to CAF USA most track renewal was completed. this time financed by tolling be delivered by , concerning late delivery of the The project is due for completion the existing bridge. The federal out of sequence 104, arrived on 7 39 LRVs on order in a USD153m in April. budget deal agreed in Washington January. Car 103 was expected by contract. Delivery is supposed NEW YORK, NY. Following in January includes awarding 1 February. E. B. Havens to be complete by the end of the resignation of Metro- USD65m towards the light rail WASHINGTON, DC. The first of September, but the prototype has North’s President in the wake project. E. B. Havens the United Streetcar trams for the yet to be accepted. It is six months of the December accident, the ST. PETERSBURG, FL. A H Street line was delivered from late. R. Glucksman head of Miami Tri-Rail, Joseph 4 November referendum will Portland to Anacostia depot on 21 LOS ANGELES, CA. T he Giulietti, has been appointed to decide on a sales tax increase that January. E. B. Havens ground-breaking ceremony for succeed him. Governor Cuomo would be used to finance a light rail the 13.6km Crenshaw light rail has backed plans to bring some starter line between St Petersburg MUSEUM NEWS line was held on 21 January. The Metro North services in to Penn and Clearwater. E. B. Havens BEAMISH (UK). Blackpool 280 line will link the Expo line with station by using Amtrak’s Hell SAN ANTONIO, TX. T he entered service on 11 January. LAX airport, but will not enter Gate line, with stops in the courts have upheld VIA’s right to Following the recent transfer of the airport. A people mover link Bronx. E. B. Havens issue sales tax backed bonds to Gateshead 52 from the National will be provided so that NORFOLK, VA. Two options are finance two city centre transit Tramway Museum collection passengers can reach the terminals. being studied for the USD1.3bn interchanges that would be used to Beamish for its eventual Completion is expected in 2019. extension of the light rail line to by the proposed tramline. The restoration, the two organisations The Expo line has already Oceanfront in Virginia Beach. It Texas attorney general had earlier have collaborated on the loan of hit its 2020 target of 27 000 is hoped construction can start in ruled this out on the basis that the Blackpool 167, which was due to passengers per day (the 2018. E. B. Havens sales tax was approved for transit leave Crich at the end of January actual December average was PHILADELPHIA, PA (SEPTA). excluding light rail. E. B. Havens for a stay at Beamish until the 27 360). USD1.2bn is to be spent Tramline 15 was cut back with SAN FRANCISCO, CA (BART). end of April. The tram carries a modernising the 23-year old effect from 23 January to permit The extension contract has World War Two livery and will be Blue light rail line which links the the start of a two-year project to been signed with Bombardier to employed as part of the imminent city and Long Beach. E. B. Havens raise the Richmond Street railway bring the number of new cars on opening of the refurbished MILWAUKEE, WI. The city bridge, which often has to be closed order to 775. Ten pilot cars are due Home Farm, which is to be set in has obtained FTA approval to when high vehicles became stuck in the spring of next year, with the the period. vary the approved route of its underneath. E. B. Havens remainder scheduled to arrive in The overhaul of Sheffield 264 proposed city centre tramway to PORTLAND, OR. The Portland 2017-21. E. B. Havens has shown it to be in much better use parallel running in paired Development Commission SAN FRANCISCO, CA (Muni). condition than expected and it has streets, rather than double track has agreed to contribute nearly Route N-Judah will be closed at been decided to re-deck the on Broadway. FTA is contributing USD1.5m towards the project weekends from March to permit vehicle, a job not originally USD54.9m. E. B. Havens to double-track the Portland re-railing in the Sunset tunnel. expected to be undertaken during MINNEAPOLIS - ST. PAUL, Streetcar alignment near Portland The USD16.1m project will this overhaul. Preparations are in MN. The 17.6km Central Corridor State University. Work should be run until February 2015. Heritage hand for this year’s Great North Green light rail line linking the finished before the Willamette tram 162 (Jewett 1914) was Festival of Transport, which is to be held in April. BLACKPOOL (UK). Plans by the Fleetwood Heritage Leisure Trust to establish a tram museum in Fleetwood are under review due to the success of the Blackpool Transport Services heritage fleet and the transfer of further trams back into that fleet from the Lancastrian Transport Trust. It is thought that a separate tram museum would now no longer be viable as the FHLT fleet more or less duplicates vehicles in the heritage collection. Further vehicles which were sold or donated for preservation returned to Rigby Road depot in December, including Coronation 663, Balloon 715, PW car 259, Brush car 632, and Jubilee 761. CARLTON COLVILLE (UK). The East Anglia Transport Museum will open to the public from 3 April every Thursday and Sunday until 28 September, as well as all Saturdays from 31 May and all Bank Holiday weekends and school summer holidays (except school holiday Mondays). Special events will be staged on 10/11 May A Panama City metro train on test on an elevated section of the new line. Alstom

132 / MARCH 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org (Suffolk Made & Operated); 22 June (Hop on a Bus Day); and 6/7 September (Autumn Gala Weekend). Trams and trolleybuses will be running on all opening days, with extensive use being made of the operational fleet on gala days. CRICH (UK). The remains of a North Metropolitan horse drawn tramcar have been deconstructed, with relevant parts retained to act as patterns for future horse drawn tramcar projects; the vehicle was in poor condition. As part of the process it has been discovered that the vehicle was number 935 in the North Metropolitan fleet. LIEGE (BE). Aachen two-axle tram 2603, which has been on open display in the yard of ASEAG-Energie in Kohlscheid, Germany, has now been moved across the border to the Liege transport museum, where it joins The first short Siemens S70 tram for Atlanta leaves the Sacramento factory. Atlanta Streetcar Aachen 1006 under cover. DS SUNDERLAND (UK). The North Steam & Model Railway Club at Mike Ballinger, Richard Buckley Times, IRJ International Rail East Electrical Traction Trust has the Kiwi North complex. The and Eric Pounder. Journal, Manchester Evening News, an agreement in place to acquire club aspires to electrify part of Acknowledgements are also Nottingham Evening Post, OR Op Blackpool Hovertram 735 and for its 1067mm gauge line to operate due to Centro, EATMS, Fylde De Rails, Ottawa Citizen, RGI it to be looked at by Blackpool’s the cars. Tram 520 has been partly Tramway Society, MTPS, Nexus, Railway Gazette International, Illuminations Department, which restored. W. Bolton SYPTE, TfGM, TfL, TMS, The Scotsman, Times of India, will lead a restoration programme. WIRRAL (UK). Operation Birmingham Mail, BS Blickpunkt T-2000 Tram 2000, TA Transit The tram has been in store with has been guaranteed for 2014 Strassenbahn, digitaltram.nl, DS Australia, Transphoto.ru, TR the Scottish Transport Trust for following an agreement for all Drehscheibe Strassenbahn, EA Today’s Railways, TW Trolley six years, and has not operated operations to be in the hands of the Eisenbahn Amateur, EB Eisenbahn, Wire, urbanrail.net, and the in illuminated mode since 2001. Merseyside Tramway Preservation Edinburgh Evening News, Irish Wolverhampton Express & Star. Funding for restoration is yet to Society from the beginning of be settled and an appeal has been the year. Services resumed after launched but the tram is expected the Christmas break on 4 January to move to the new depot of the in the usual format of Saturdays NEETT at the Sunderland Land, and Sundays from 13.00. Operation Sea and Air Museum before Easter. is now entirely by volunteer staff. The current fleet to be based in It is hoped that more events can be the new depot will be Blackpool held on the line and at the Taylor Balloons 708 and 721; Twin Set Street depot with continued 674+684; and Centenary Car 647, operation of the preserved plus Krefeld 412, for which dual operational fleet, which will soon gauge track is needed. A Tram be joined by Liverpool 245. and Transport Sunday event is proposed for 10 August. CONTRIBUTORS WHANGAREI (NZ). 1924 UK and Ireland items are welcomed ex-Lisboa trams 520 and 526, by the Home News Editor, John which were purchased from Symons, 17 Whitmore Avenue, Aspen, CO, USA by another New Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent ST9 Zealand museum, are now in 0LW, UK. E-mail [email protected] the workshop of the Whangarei Contributors this month include

                              

www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org MARCH 2014 / 133

Letters

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

Chicago: A senior engineer adds his expert knowledge The article : Modernisation and Renewal, published opened in 1984 and the west line, originally Garfield, was in TAUT 913, will greatly aid the understanding of the renamed in 1958 to the Congress branch as it relocated from development of the city's transit system, but I have many an elevated alignment to the median of the, then, Congress observations. Expressway, now Eisenhower Expressway. Firstly, it is important that the definition of the CTA rapid – Brown line, formerly the Ravenswood branch of the transit system – the ‘L’ – is fully understood. Though the Northwestern Elevated Railroad opened in 1907, not 1949. original Alley ‘L’ ran only above ground, the name has since The newest Bombardier 5000 series trams were removed been used for all rapid transit in Chicago, regardless of its from service in December 2011 due to irregularities with location above, on or below ground. truck/bogie components and not wheel components. This The ‘L’ was steam-hauled upon opening in 1892; the stock is also found on Red and Green lines as well as Pink line. Metropolitan West Side Elevated was the first electric ‘L’ trains run in formations from two to 12 cars in coupled operation in 1895. South Side and Lake Street began as steam- pairs, though regular services only use eight cars maximum. operated lines and served both inner and outer suburbs, The enhanced USD5 fare is for passengers riding from the although boundaries have changed greatly in 130 years. airport into the city, not to the airport, while the basic cash The ‘L’ and Surface lines were competitors until CTA took fare of USD2.25 is payable for all ‘L’ lines. The new fare system over all operations in 1947. With the formation of the CTA is called Ventra, not Ventura. There is no fare integration in 1945, both the surface streetcar and bus lines and the with . Clarifying the situation with suburban rail elevated/subway lines in 1947, the ‘L’ became the surviving operations, Metra owns some, but not all, the infrastructure rail-based public transport in the city when and most trains in a complex arrangement. the last streetcar line was converted to bus The RTA bought the Rock Island and operation in 1958. “I hope this further Milwaukee lines before Metra was In relation to the claim that Chicago established, while Metra bought the IC purchased more PCC cars than any other information will suburban lines and owns only some cars North American city, in reality Toronto had greatly aid in the on the BNSF lines. more PCC cars, 745, although many of the The Metra Electric has three branches, latter’s were bought used. The Milwaukee understanding of this South Chicago, University Park and Road was purchased by the RTA, Metra Blue Island. There are two Rock Island operates the lines. city's transit system” lines, both start at La Salle Street Station Examining the ‘L’ lines in more detail, all and one, the Beverly or Suburban line, eight run into or through the city, not seven as stated, and a branches off around 89th St and goes a short distance west few important corrections/additions should be noted: before turning south again. It has local stops very close – The Purple Line Express serves all stops from Belmont to together and rejoins the main line at Blue Island. La Salle the Loop and return to Belmont and operates in peak hours Street station is a short walk from the CTA Blue line La Salle only. At other times, the Purple line operates only between subway station and the Loop La Salle/Van Buren station. Howard and Linden. The main line goes straight to Joliet with only two stops – Only two lines are considered ‘subway’. between the junction with the Beverly or Suburban line and – The subways and loop both serve the Central Business Blue Island – the Metra website has maps of each. Also, trains District. The North Shore Line interurban operated around on the Suburban Line only go to Joliet in non-rush hours and the Loop, and not across it, until its closure in January 1963. on weekends and holidays. Exiting northwards from Union – Skokie line was built by the North Shore line and opened Station are the Milwaukee District North service to Fox Lake, in 1925 with local ‘L’ service from Howard Street through the Milwaukee District West service to Elgin and weekdays to Evanston to Niles Center (now Skokie). The line was the North Big Timber Road and the North Central service to Antioch. Shore’s high-speed bypass through the Skokie Valley to avoid Rolling stock is now unique to Chicago, although there the slow running and frequent stops on the old Shore line are different bi-level cars in the East and West. Although the route along the lake. The local ‘L’ service continued until 1949 article states that South Shore line rolling stock provision is when CTA abandoned it and put on buses. After the North single-level EMU, there are a few bi-level cars similar to Metra Shore line abandoned all service in 1963, CTA with Federal Electric. Lastly, the Kenosha Streetcar is the same as opened and local grants created the Skokie Swift (now Yellow line). in 2000. There are plans to extend south, but no funds. – Pink line runs for approximately 15km (9.4 miles) from On page 17 the caption should read: A Bombardier four-car 54th/Cermak to the Loop and is the newest ‘L’ line. It was train, headed by car 5134, approaches the Clark/Lake stop. formed from the Douglas branch of Blue line, the connector The main Loop crossing at Wells and Lake, known as Tower track (ex-Metropolitan West Side Elevated) between Blue and 18, is in the background. The train will use the north and Green lines and the Green line from the connector to the east legs of the Loop on its way to Cottage Grove. The top Loop. Thus three pieces were put together to form Pink line. image on page 18 is of Brown and Orange line trains passing, – Green Line runs 28km (17.4) miles from Harlem to while the bottom image is of 3200 series stock, not 5000. Cottage Grove and 29.3km (18.2 miles) to Ashland, via the I hoped these detailed explanations help provide an Loop to the south side of Chicago. Alternate trains run to accurate overview of services in and around Chicago. terminals at Cottage Grove and 63rd St on the east branch Walter Keevil, CTA Chief Rail Equipment Engineer (retired), Chicago and at Ashland/63rd on the west. – Blue line is the former Milwaukee and Garfield lines (not [The author writes: I accept these comments, and would have preferred Milwaukee and Douglas as stated). The final O’Hare portion greater input from the CTA to avoid any confusion.]

134 / MARCH 2013 www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org Revenue protection in Edinburgh many British cities replaced trams with and elsewhere trolleybuses, while Toronto joined in the TAUT 914 (Edinburgh’s Almost Ready to US effort to develop the PCC and bought Roll – page 58), makes reference to revenue nearly 300 of the new cars before World War protection targets. In June 2008, Neil Two; and secondly the post-war era, when Renilson, Chief Executive, Transport although nine British cities believed in trams Edinburgh Ltd (the body then intended to in 1945, all had decided to abandon them by co-ordinate and Lothian 1955, whereas Toronto bought another 450 Buses) – and then chief executive of Lothian all-electric PCCs and continued with street Buses – wrote to me: “I am pleased to be able railway services, also building subways and a to assure you that the ticketing system to be new trolleybus system. employed, and the use of inspectors on every He suggests that the crucial cause of tram, are designed to ensure that fare evasion the demise of British trams was the cost levels on Edinburgh’s trams, when operation of new vehicles; this was exacerbated by commences, will be kept to an absolute operating practice and especially by the UK’s minimum. We will endeavour to take very Bombardier tram 3043 on the temporary alignment centralised political system, which made it possible action to prevent fare evasion, in to Oldham Mumps on 26 September. Neil Pulling much more difficult for tram supporters to order that we do not find ourselves in the make their case. He points out that Toronto’s situation encountered in certain other tram energised and connected at one end to the system has always been largely on-street systems of widespread and substantial fare existing track since it had been running test and that interface with other traffic was not evasion.” trams for some time. So, it took one week to a convincing reason for British trams to be There are occasional varying claims or perform the track work to connect the line phased out. reports on fare evasion on existing systems. at one point? It would be interesting to learn Finally, Dr Webb points out that the four The level of compliance undoubtedly varies from Metrolink what the justification for a cities that regularly top the list as the most in different cultures. My experience on, say, week-long shutdown was. liveable all have intensive electric surface transit German and French urban public transport, Robert Missen, Kraainem, Belgium systems. Toronto, Melbourne and Vienna of ticket inspections has not made evident to have extensive tram systems and the smallest, me that many passengers were found without Why Toronto kept trams when Vancouver, has a large trolleybus system. This tickets. It is not on light rail, but on the the UK took the scrapping route is no coincidence: trams, and to a lesser extent Paris urban and regional metro, that I have Readers may be interested in a study by trolleybuses, support healthy downtown witnessed the most blatantly determined Dr Philip Webb of the Cities Centre at the neighbourhoods in a way that subways and efforts at fare evasion. University of Toronto, which appears in our diesel buses cannot. Subway stations are too John Wilson, by e-mail sister publication, Tramway Review, (issues far apart, while diesel buses are slower and less 236/237, December 2013/March 2014). comfortable, and with lower capacity cause a Oldham’s new line: Why did it have He has analysed the causes of the rise in costs and a drop in ridership. to shut down for a week? disappearance of trams in Britain by It’s a lesson many cities are now learning, I fully agreed with the editorial in TAUT 914 contrasting what happened in the same years and it’s sad that it was not understood back in entitled When you pay for a tram, why expect a in Toronto, where streetcars survived and the 1950s. bus? It was thus a shame that the same edition today provide a thriving service. Purchase your copy of Tramway Review also mentioned that Metrolink suspended its Dr Webb’s analysis is based on his article in 236 and 237 (December 2013 & March service to Oldham and Rochdale for a whole Modern Tramway for November 1980, updated 2014) from the LRTA Shop – www.lrta.info/ week simply to connect the new town centre to allow for intervening developments. It shop/section.php/147/1/tramway_ line in Oldham. The new line was already contrasts two eras: Firstly the 1930s, when review_2013_2016

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

MARCH 2014 Crabtree: Modernisation of the Great Bracegirdle and Carl Isgar: Gosselies Saturday 12. Manchester 14.00. Saturday 1. West Midlands 14.00. Orme Tramway, Llandudno. (TLRS) at Last (and more in Belgium). (TMS) Open models meeting. (TLRS)

General meeting. (TLRS) Monday 17. Sheffield 19.30. Robert Saturday 29. Beeston 14.00. Monday 14. Liverpool 19.30. Dennis Pritchard: New trams and old in Tuesday 4. Southampton 19.30. Modelling. Bring along what's on Gill: An evening of nostalgia. (TLRS) Vienna; more Czech trams. Venue: Mike Russell: Ostalgia - DDR trams in your work bench. (TLRS) Monday 14. Richmond 19.30. John Scout Headquarters, 60 Trippet 1974. (LRTA/SEG) Saturday 29. Garstang 14.00. Parkin: Blackpool trams. (TLRS) Lane, Sheffield. Saturday 8. Birmingham 14.00. Computer technologies in tramway Tuesday 15. London 19.00. Geoff Monday 17. Wickham 19.30. AGM Roger Taft: The poles came off in modelling. (TLRS) Tribe: Tramways of Southern and and models competition. (TLRS) Wolverhampton. (LRTA/TLRS) Eastern France - 2012 Tuesday 18. London 19.00. Alan Saturday 8. Manchester 14.00 Huw APRIL 2014 Thursday 17. Dartford 19.30. Alan Murray: North American miscellany Cairns: Soller Tramway. (TLRS) Southampton 19.30. Pearce: LRTA archives. (TLRS) Wednesday 19. Bristol 19.30 Brian Tuesday 1. Friday 25. Leicester 19.45. Martin Monday 10. Richmond 19.30. Mike Lomas: France 2012. Bruce Oliver: British DMU and EMU Jenkins annual lecture: More Skeggs: Reel Films - more from his Thursday 20. Dartford 19.30. Mike liveries since privatisation. (LRTA/ . (TMS) archive. (TLRS) Skeggs: More archive film. (TLRS) SEG) Saturday 26. Beeston 14.00. Andy Tuesday 11. Leeds 19.00. Paul Abell: Saturday 22. Taunton 14.00. TBA Tuesday 8. Leeds 19.00 Richard Lawton: Isle of Man Railways. (TLRS) More Dearne District Light Railways. to be arranged, (One week later than Buckley: Two centenaries, Attersee

Wednesday 12. usual. Check 01275 857903 for venue and Woltersdorf. Saturday 26. Garstang 14.00. Brighton(Southwick) 19.40. Malcolm details.) (TLRS) Wednesday 9. Brighton North Lancs Area AGM and trams in Keeping: Transport film miscellany. Thursday 27. Manchester 19:00. (Southwick) 19.40. Tony Sullivan and Geneva. (TLRS) (TLRS) Peter Thompson: Bratislava, Brian Boddy: Dresden then and now. Saturday 26. Taunton 14.00. Bob Friday 14. Glasgow 19.30. Mike Budapest, Milan and Eccles (TLRS) Manders Europe. (One week later Russell: Russian tramways – a Metrolink line. Friday 11. Glasgow 19.30. Charlie than usual. Check 01275 857903 for current overview. (STTS) Friday 28. Edinburgh 19.30. Loarridge: Transport in Colorado. venue details.) (TLRS) Saturday 15. Taunton. Moved to Graham Whiteley: From Montpellier (STTS) Monday 28. Wickham 19.30. Wally the 22nd. (TLRS) to Paris by tram. Saturday 12. Birmingham 14.00. Stamper: Irish Railways, Part 2. Monday 17. Liverpool 19.30. Mike Friday 28. Leicester 19.45. Bob TBA. (LRTA/TLRS) (TLRS)

www.tramnews.net . www.Irta.org MARCH 2013 / 135 Classic Trams RVZ-6 ENTERS TWILIGHT ZONE The end cannot now be too long delayed for the RVZ-6, arguably the last of a series of tramcars built to a distinctive Russian design. Mike Russell explains. 1

his month’s article is a The car exhibited a distinctive aspect: in daily service on its one remaining, but valediction, albeit a slightly sturdy, workmanlike and heavy in appearance. severely truncated, route. premature one. Another Reliable these vehicles certainly were, and At Komsomolsk-na-Amure, Russia’s distinctive model of bogie many achieved over 30 years of frontline easternmost tramway, the 19 RVZ-6 tramcar is in its last years of service, a remarkable achievement in a country remaining in service were all refurbished in passengerT operation and whilst nobody can where tramcars are subjected to intense the late 1990s in the local aircraft factory predict exactly when or where the last rites operation in extremes of temperature. Their and thus should be good for several more will occur, the end cannot now be too long basic maroon factory livery, with lighter relief, years of service. In Khabarovsk, 20 RVZ-6 cars delayed for the RVZ-6 – arguably the last of a exuded an image of dependability and in the continue to provide service interspersed with series built to a distinctive Russian design. Soviet years at least, cars were emblazoned tramway products of the Ust-Katav and The RVZ-6 was a product of the Riga with the RVR motif on the front dash. The Skt Peterburg factories. Railway Carriage & Wagon Works – an whole appearance can only be described as a Russia’s only other tramway still operating organisation with a long and rich history. ‘classic’ of Soviet design, if such a thing exists. RVZ-6 cars is the diminutive system at Its construction of railway vehicles began Although tramcars are still built in Russia, Osinniki in the Kuzbass metallurgical region long before World War One, but it was not none of the subsequent products embodies of Siberia, where four cars still work the three- until the aftermath of World War Two that it the styling or bodywork characteristics of the route system amongst more modern products turned to the production of tramcars. Riga-built RVZ-6 cars, which seemed to be from Skt Peterburg, Ust-Katav and Minsk The first model, built from 1947 until synonymous with Russian tramway operation. (). As with the majority of cars supplied 1961, was the MTV-82, a bogie tramcar As sometimes happens, a successful to other systems, all these vehicles are fitted that inaugurated a distinctive ‘Riga’ look design was succeeded by a less welcomed with bow-collectors for current collection. on the products of the works. The MTV-82 development. From 1974 to 1982, the Riga The other two surviving operators are to was supplied to a large number of tramways works built a small run of a new design, the be found much further west. The tramways in the former and the total RVZ-7. This featured a sloping one-piece of Belarus were once prolific operators of constructed reached around 1785 before windscreen and ribbed body panels, quite these cars, but the large fleet in Minsk was production ceased. None have been operated different from the traditions of the RVZ- replaced by locally-built bogie cars from 2001 in regular passenger service since the early 6 models. These were supplied mainly to onwards (though a small number survive for 1980s, but a number survive as museum or Nizhniy Novgorod, Kazan and Novosibirsk, museum purposes), whilst Vitebsk maintained operational heritage vehicles, and the eastern and later almost all the survivors were sent a gradually diminishing number as new cars Ukrainian city of Harkiv (Kharkov) retains to Nizhniy Novgorod, where they remained with low-floor centre sections were introduced a large fleet as works vehicles of various in service until 1983. Their predecessors from 2009. Last year was scheduled to be descriptions. greatly outlasted them. One non-operational the final one forRVZ-6 operation in Vitebsk, A small number of models were then RVZ-7 is preserved by the Nizhniy Novgorod but it is believed that two can still be seen in built for Moskva (Moscow) in the 1950s, undertaking in its open-air museum. Monday to Friday peak periods. designated RVZ-50, 51, 55 and 57, but none The year 1988 effectively spelt the end The sixth operator is the Daugavpils were supplied to provincial systems. of tramcar production at the Riga works, tramway in Latvia and here the RVZ-6 cars which then returned to a concentration on exhibit two unique characteristics: some Riga’s most successful design products for the railway industry. There was, are formed into more-or-less permanently A development of the MTV-82, the RVZ-6 though, one last hurrah – the construction of coupled pairs for multiple-unit operation on was built to wider dimensions – incidentally three prototype articulated cars, all initially trunk line 1, whilst all cars are fitted with rendering it unsuitable for operation in the trialled on the local tramway. Two of these trolley poles for current collection. Some city of its construction, where restricted TR1 and TR2 cars had a relatively short life. 16 cars remain in traffic, of which ten are track separation at the time rendered use Whilst the first, built in 1988, became Riga coupled into five pairs. Both features are of 2.5m-wide vehicles impracticable. The 901 and remained in operation until 2009, destined to disappear, though the latest model was neither the first nor last tramcar Riga 902, built in 1994, was passed onto Baku news (TAUT 914) indicates there may be from the Riga works but it was by far the most (Azerbaijan) in 1997, where it ignominiously a short-term reprieve as Daugavpils has numerous and successful, with an estimated ended its days withdrawn at the city’s final suspended delivery of a batch of Belarus-built 6020 examples built from 1961 to 1988. tramway abandonment in 2004. low-floor articulated cars intended for fleet Although usually referred to by the generic The third car, built in 1994, initially spent replacement. As the opportunity was to be description RVZ-6, in fact this designation three years in Odessa but in 1997 returned taken to convert to pantographs for current technically applied only to the first cars, to Riga where, as 903, it lasted in service collection, it seems that trolley-pole equipped generally those built in 1961-65. This was merely a year. RVZ-6 cars may in practice be a feature of the followed by a modified design, designated Daugavpils scene for a little while to come. RVZ-6M, built 1967-74, whilst by far the most Final survivors Nobody can say exactly when the last of numerous were cars of the last configuration, Out of over 50 Soviet tramways that operated the Riga-built cars will operate in passenger RVZ-6M2. These were built from 1974-88 and RVZ-6 cars, only six now retain any in their service; as with so much else in this all cars that remain in passenger service are of passenger fleets, and total numbers have enigmatic part of the world, the likelihood is this type. been reduced to just 65 cars. As befits such that we shall only know retrospectively. Yet The model was supplied to a wide variety a ubiquitous design, these are to be found at the tramway scene will be less characterful of Soviet tramways, and not just those in the extremities of the former Soviet Union. without their looming presence and it is Russia; this version found itself operated The three Far Eastern systems all retain right that we should offer a salute to a design in Kazakhstan, , and Latvia, to say RVZ-6 vehicles – Vladivostok has a small that kept the lines in many Soviet cities in nothing of the extremities of Russia itself. residue of four such cars, which can be found operation during trying times.

136 / MARCH 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org 1 Car 01 in the Komsomolsk- na-Amure fleet dates from 1982 and sports an advertising livery, like most of its compatriots, in this view from the control building at Rechnoy Voksal terminus, on 17 August 2009. This area was subjected to flooding from the river Amur in September 2013 and tramway service was temporarily suspended.

2 A classic Soviet-era tramcar against a classic background of Stalin Empire buildings; Prospekt Lenina, Komsomolsk- na-Amure, on 17 August 2009 as car 21 heads south towards the town’s railway station terminus. This car remains in the operational fleet.

3 Khabarovsk cars 168 and 136 cross on the double-track side reservation alongside ulitsa Krasnorechenskaya on 19 August 2009 whilst working journeys to and from Khimfarmzavod terminus in the south of the city; 168 has 2 since been withdrawn. 4 The once mighty Vladivostok tramway may have been reduced to one severely truncated line, but this did not prevent the operator from repainting one of its surviving RVZ-6 cars to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the city tramways, which have since reached their centenary. This view was taken at the market on 24 August 2009.

5 Osinniki car 32 crossing the tram-only bridge across the 3 4 local railway tracks on 18 July 2009 on a return journey from Shakhta Osinnikovskaya. The tram tracks on the bridge are interlaced. This car is still in service and Osinniki is the last RVZ-6 operator to maintain them in a traditional livery.

6 An overnight snowfall has covered tram tracks in Vitebsk on 27 March 2012 as two surviving RVZ-6 cars, 419 and 401, prepare to take on passengers in vul. Gertsena. Although scheduled for withdrawal in July 2013, two 5 6 RVZ-6 cars are understood to have survived in Vitebsk.

7 Daugavpils, Latvia’s second city, is the last place still operating coupled RVZ-6 cars. On 11 May 2012, coupled set 046+045 emerges from Valkas iela on line 1 onto 18 Novembra iela at the junction with line 3.

8 Daugavpils 065 operating on the delightful line 2 on 12 May 2012, leaving the short section of double-track to enter the long single-track section in Ventspils iela. 7 8 All photography by Mike Russell.

www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org MARCH 2014 / 137 BOOKSHOP Order online from lrta.info/shop – or by post from: LRTA Publications, 31 Ashton Road, Wokingham RG41 1HL Postage & packing – Any UK address: Add 10% (minimum £2.00, maximum £7.50) All addresses outside UK: Add 20% (minimum £4.00, maximum £15.00)

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138 / MARCH 2014 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org IN YOUR NEXT ISSUE OF

BRUSSELS METRO LE HAVRE ORDERS 2014 In part two of their focus on light rail in Opened in late 2012, Le Havre’s tramway Which trams have been ordered, where the Belgian capital, Geo rey Skelsey connects the city from east to west and and by whom? In his latest major survey, and Yves-Laurent Hansart turn their north to south – and can also take people Mike Taplin exclusively reports on new attention to the city’s metro. right to the beach. Neil Pulling reports. vehicle sales around the world. PLUS... APRIL TAUT takes a detailed look at light rail in Algeria, a North African country that has rapidly developed modern ISSUE tramway systems – and has plenty more on the cards. Also... all the regulars, including detailed news on all the light on sale rail developments worldwide. 21 March

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Cincinnati: Streetcar scheme to hit the bu ers? THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE Comment DRIVING INNOVATION For online payments visit: www.lrta.info/personal www.lrta.org www.tramnews.net IN LIGHT RAIL Paul Griffiths asks why innovation is stifled in the LRT sector – and suggest new thinking could make development more affordable. MARCH 2014 N O. 915

ight rail arguably represents the innovative end of the rail industry in the UK. Over the last 20-plus years If we ask the question: 'Why don’t we see more innovation it has driven new ideas in urban transport that now in light rail?' there are multiple answers. Promoters would deliver around a quarter of a billion passenger journeys blame the procurement route, arguing that if you are buying a BRUSSELS: GROWING per annum. However, if the second-generation UK multi-million pound package of works it is difficult to focus on lightL rail revolution is to continue and grow to its fullest extent – individual cost elements within that package. Designers might in the way that it has in France and Spain and is currently doing be accused of limiting their liability by using tried-and-tested in the USA – then a new wave of innovation may well be the designs. Contractors want to know that the infrastructure will Student membership available online only. AND CHANGING FAST missing, necessary, element from the current mix. last and they won’t be brought back to correct defects a few years The Green Light for Light Rail report published by the UK down the line. Operators want to know that the system is going Department for Transport over two years ago focused on the to work as reliably as possible, which promotes the tried-and- costs and affordability of light rail, tested approach. As a result we face a substantial degree of inertia and whilst there is little to suggest if we are to try out anything new. that UK systems differ significantly This demonstrator project hopes overall in cost from other locations, to unlock these problems by first the barrier of affordability clearly providing money for innovators to still exists. In fact, this situation is finalise plans and get them looked at by probably worse now that the funding a third-party expert. The second stage of major projects has been devolved will allow those ideas to be tested out to a plethora of Local Enterprise on light rail infrastructure. This should Partnerships (LEPs) which, whilst go some way to removing the key possibly keen to provide funding, problem of new ideas not being taken do not necessarily have access to the up for want of adequate track record in substantial funds necessary to deliver a ‘live’ operational environment. light rail networks. As the call for entries to the The proposed High Speed 2 lines competition is drawing to a close, we Commercial members (12 issues) UK International could prove to be a real catalyst. have been really impressed with the Stations, often in out of centre number and imagination of the ideas locations, will need fast and efficient The initial focus of the UKTram/Technology Strategy coming to us. The next few weeks will public transport options to disperse Board innovation competition is trackform and energy be challenging in selecting the best of the thousands of passengers stepping supply. New trackwork is currently being laid around them to go forward. The competition the UK, including in central Birmingham for the Midland off their high-speed transport. Light will be judged by a panel that includes Metro Birmingham City Centre Extension. rail is well placed to be the tool to T. Sullivan members of UKTram’s Promoter, provide this service, opening up a Engineering and Operator groups £54.00 £67.00 boom in cities not currently served. “Light rail now has its chance with support from the Technology Yet this will only be the case if Strategy Board. It is of course critical affordability can be improved in order to directly deliver the that there is confidence that any ideas to deliver robust business cases that can be safely deployed, operated and can overcome the current resistance innovation we need... and it maintained. to the mode. may just be the precursor An investment of this size won’t Whilst the levels of research and solve all the problems of the industry,. development spend within the UK rail to more funding” However it will at least unblock the sector remain significantly lower than current failings in the market for at in industries such as aerospace or automotive, there has over the least some of the innovators out there last couple of years been a drive to bring forward innovation. and hopefully demonstrate the level of expertise and excitement The UK’s Railway Industry Association has been working with that exists around the light rail industry to the UK Government its membership to bring new ideas, contacts and processes and others responsible for funding. It may be the precursor to that will drive innovation under the Unlocking Innovation more funding. Who knows, that may be what helps to launch banner. Major funding has been released through the Enabling the next generation of more affordable light rail schemes in our Innovation Team, part of the Future Railway initiative, and it towns and cities. Manchester expands again... it’s Rochdale next has funded a number of innovation projects. £41.00 Light rail now has its chance to directly deliver the innovation Commercial members online only (12 issues) Paris pledges big metro expansion we need. UKTram, working with the Technology Strategy Board, Paul Griffiths has spent over 25 years working in is running a competition with GBP3m (EUR3.6m) of funding to transportation and infrastructure. He is currently Metro demonstrate innovations directly related to light rail. The focus Programme Director at Centro where he is responsible Izmir plans two more LRT routes for the ongoing expansion of the Midland Metro LRT is on trackform and energy supply issues. The rationale is that, system. He has previously worked for the Greater other than rolling stock, these are some of the highest areas of Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (now Vossloh to supply Gmunden trams expense and those that can possibly offer the biggest rewards. Transport for Greater Manchester – TfGM) as Projects Director and ISSN 1460-8324 led the team developing Metrolink Phase 3.

£4.10 0 3 Miami progress Solaris in Jena First Tramino for A model of transit 9 771460 832036 www.tramnews.net . www.lrta.org MARCH 2014 / 109 diversity in the US Germany unveiled / 109

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