THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE

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FEBRUARY 2016 No. 938 A BUMPER YEAR FOR TRAMWAY OPENINGS

Hard rails: Neglecting engineers could spell danger Olsztyn trams return after 50 years UK demonstrates ultra-light vehicle US Congress agrees funding plan ISSN 1460-8324 £4.25 Seville Montreal 02 Tram and metro From rubber tyres operations in Spain to steel wheels 9 771460 832043 For booking and sponsorship opportunities please call +44 (0) 1733 367600 or visit www.mainspring.co.uk

27-28 July 2016 Conference Aston, Birmingham, UK The 11th Annual UK Light Rail Conference and exhibition brings together over 250 decision-makers for two days of open debate covering all aspects of light rail operations and development. Delegates can explore the latest industry innovation within the event’s exhibition area and examine LRT’s role in alleviating congestion in our towns and cities and its potential for driving economic growth.

VVoices from the industry… “On behalf of UKTram specifically “We are really pleased to have and the industry as a whole I send “Thank you for a brilliant welcomed the conference to the my sincere thanks for such a great conference. The dinner was really city and to help to grow it over the event. Everything about it oozed enjoyable and I just wanted to thank last two years. It’s been a pleasure quality. I think that such an event you and your team for all your hard to partner with you and the team, shows any doubters that light rail work in making the event a success. and thank you for always being in the UK is here to stay and I really appreciated the extra respective to our suggestions.” can present itself in a way that is attention to detail on our behalf.” Sarah Alton – Communications & second to none.” Marsid Greenidge – Head of Marketing Business Partner, Colin Robey – Managing Director, Communications, Keolis UK Nottingham City Council UKTram

SUPPORTED BY ORGANISED BY 50 CONTENTS The official journal of the Light Rail Transit Association FEBRUARY 2016 Vol. 79 No. 938 www.tautonline.com EDITORIAL EDITOR Simon Johnston Tel: +44 (0)1733 367601 E-mail: [email protected] 13 Orton Enterprise Centre, Bakewell Road, Peterborough PE2 6XU, UK ASSOCIATE EDITOR Tony Streeter E-mail: [email protected] WORLDWIDE EDITOR Michael Taplin 61 Flat 1, 10 Hope Road, Shanklin, Isle of Wight PO37 6EA, UK. E-mail: [email protected] NEWS EDITOR John Symons 17 Whitmore Avenue, Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs ST9 0LW, UK. E-mail: [email protected] SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR Neil Pulling WORLDWIDE CONTRIBUTORS Tony Bailey, James Chuang, Paul Nicholson, Richard 64 Felski, Ed Havens, Bill Vigrass, Andrew Moglestue, Mike Russell, Nikolai Semyonov, Vic Simons, Herbert Pence, Alain Senut, Thomas Wagner. NEWS 44 TRACK DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS 61 PRODUCTION US reaches agreement on transportation bill; The unforseen consequences of neglecting Lanna Blyth Sydney commits to more LRT; Olsztyn the engineers at the base of the supply Tel: +44 (0)1733 367604 E-mail: [email protected] tramway opens; tram and S-Bahn orders for chain are considered by Andrew Parkinson. DESIGN Berlin; Moskva approves new tramlines; Debbie Nolan UK lightweight railcar launched; Edinburgh SYSTEMS FACTFILE: SEVILLE 64 ADVERTISING moves ahead with Leith extension plans. It’s among Spain’s most-visited and vibrant COMMERCIAL MANAGER Geoff Butler cities, but has a less than cohesive urban Tel: +44 (0)1733 367610 E-mail: [email protected] UK TRAM-TRAIN LAUNCHED 48 rail system. Neil Pulling explores. PUBLISHER Sheffield pilot creeps closer to main line rail Howard Johnston connection; Richard Buckley reports. WORLDWIDE REVIEW 69 Tramways & Urban Transit is jointly published by the Bombardier wins Innsbruck tram-train LRTA and LRTA Publishing on the third Friday of each 2016 TRAMWAY OPENINGS 50 order; Stadler to establish rolling stock month preceding the cover date. Michael Taplin considers the new tramways plant in Utah; LRT plans for Kampala. LRTA WEBSITE AND DIARY we can expect to see in 2016, with a Brian Lomas E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] potential record number of openings. MAILBOX 74 LRTA MEMBERSHIP (with TAUT subscription) Trams’ key social role, and safety queries Tramways & Urban Transit is sent free to all paid-up MONTREAL: FROM METRO TO LRT 56 members of the Light Rail Transit Association. Canada’s second city takes a multi-pronged CLASSIC TRAMS: BERN AT 125 76 SUBSCRIPTIONS AND MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES approach to tackling its public transit Mike Russell reports from the Swiss capital’s LRTA Membership Secretary (Dept T06), issues; Herbert Pence reports. celebration of 125 years of tramways. 38 Wolseley Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK. Tel: +44 (0)117 9517785 BACK ISSUES Tel: +44 (0)117 951 7785 Why LRT has never been more relevant PRINT AND DISTRIBUTION In the first ‘proper’ edition of 2016, Mike Taplin presents his round-up Warners (Midlands) plc, The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9PH, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1778 391000. of predictions for the year’s tramway openings – and the next 12 months LRTA REGISTERED OFFICE promise to be some of most interesting yet. With the potential of 20 new c/o 138 Radnor Avenue, Welling, Kent DA16 2BY, UK. systems carrying passengers this year, more and more cities are choosing Private company limited by guarantee, No. 5072319 the steel wheel on steel rail urban transportation solution to deliver in England and Wales. transit to the masses while combating congestion and pollution. LRTA CHAIRMAN The latter concern is particularly poignant given the dangerous levels Andrew Braddock of pollution recorded in some major cities over the past month. In China, for example, E-mail: [email protected] Beijing closed its factories and banned cars from the roads in December as smog LRTA DEPUTY CHAIRMAN reached hazardous proportions. Schools were closed and people were advised not to Paul Rowen take to the streets in some areas of the city as PM2.5 and PM10 levels reached 20 times LRTA PUBLISHING REGISTERED OFFICE c/o 8 Berwick Place, Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL7 4TU, the level considered safe by the World Health Organisation. UK. Private Limited Company, No. 06169422 Although this is certainly one of the most serious events to hit the headlines in in England and Wales. recent times, Paris has taken similar measures in banning cars on certain days of the © LRTA Publishing 2016 year over the past few years; and a stroll through central London can easily leave one Articles are submitted on the understanding they may also battling to breathe after extended periods on the streets. later be used on our websites or other media. A contribution is accepted on the basis that its author is responsible for the Elsewhere in the issue, Andrew Parkinson tackles the issue of track design and opinions expressed in it, and such opinions are not those of installation, asking whether enough attention is paid at the earliest stages of a new LRTA Publishing or the LRTA. All rights reserved. line’s development. He asks whether the right advice is being taken at the right time, No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in and whether the right questions are being asked, to save further cost down the line. any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and Andrew’s article on page 61 is well worth a read... retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from Finally, Herbert Pence takes a tour of Montreal and looks at the development of the the copyright owner. Multiple copying of the contents of the rubber-tyred Metro and how the city is restructuring its transport authorities. These magazine without prior written approval is not permitted. plans also include a commitment from new Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to steel- COVER: Cincinnati CAF Urbos tram 1175 on the city wheeled LRT to serve the airport and beyond. Enjoy the issue. Simon Johnston, Editor streets in November 2015. E. Schwarz

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2016 / 43 News

Bangkok Metro expansion, but US Congress agreement fares are ‘too high’ Test running on the 16-station on new transportation bill 23km (14.3-mile) elevated Purple line service that Five-year compromise hailed by Transportation Secretary Foxx connects Bangkok’s Bang Sue district with the Bang Yai district of Nonthaburi Province n 1 December railroads install positive train The FAST Act also includes began on 14 December. The first the US House of control, which many have been the establishment of a new passenger runs are planned Representatives and unable to do by the 31 December National Surface Transportation for May, with revenue service, the Senate finally 2015 deadline. and Innovative Finance Bureau Oreached agreement on a five- US Secretary of Transportation within the Department of operated by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority under a year USD305bn transportation Anthony Foxx said: “After Transportation to serve as a 30-year concession, planned bill, needed to avoid the cycle hundreds of Congressional one-stop shop for state and local for 12 August. of temporary extensions and meetings, two bus tours, visits governments to receive federal JR East subsidiary Japan threatened shutdowns of to 43 states, and so much funding, financing or technical Transport Engineering Co transportation programmes uncertainty – and 36 short-term assistance. (J-TREC) is delivering 21 three- that have bedevilled Congress extensions – it has been a APTA President Michael car Sustina trainsets; six have for seven years. long and bumpy ride to a Melaniphy said, “As the first arrived with the remainder The 1300-page bill, signed long-term transportation bill. long-term surface transportation due by February. Once service into law as the Fixing America’s It’s not perfect, and there is still bill in ten years, the significance starts, JR East will maintain Surface Transportation (FAST) more left to do, but it reflects a of this legislation cannot be the trains and traffic control Act by President Obama on bipartisan compromise I always overstated. This is excellent system over the next decade. 4 December, boosts highway knew was possible.” news for America’s public This is the first export order for spending by 15% and transit The increased funding is in transportation systems, their the Japanese company. spending by 18% by 2020. part paid for by replacing the 6% riders and the communities At the launch of testing, Thai It also authorises USD10bn for the Federal Reserve pays to large they serve”. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o- national rail passenger service banks with a floating rate tied to Originally the Democrat cha told the Mass Rapid Transit provider Amtrak and USD1bn for ten-year Treasury bonds. It also administration sent a Authority (MRTA) that it must vehicle safety programmes, no transfers about USD49bn from a USD478bn six-year bill to make fares more affordable. longer coupled to the Highway Federal Reserve capital account Congress in February 2015; General Prayut said Trust Fund. About USD200bn to the general treasury, so that it both houses are controlled by current fares of THB14-42 is provided to help commuter can be used for revenue accounts. Republicans. (EUR0.35-1) are too high for the capital’s low income residents, suggesting that the MRTA should investigate ways Sydney commits to more light rail to reduce fares and that new lower-cost lines may need to On 8 December the New between Parramatta and NSW Premier Mike Baird be built to serve low-income South Wales Government Carlingford (7km/4.3miles). said: “The project will kickstart areas. General Prayut also announced a commitment The new lines will be revitalisation and employment suggested the MRTA should to two more light rail lines partly financed by a Special growth along the Strathfield consider designing stations serving the western suburbs Infrastructure Contribution, corridor. The light rail network that include retail and parking of Sydney, estimated to cost in which is a levy of around will help Parramatta reach its space to generate income that excess of AUD1bn (EUR660m). AUD200/m2 of gross floor area of potential as Sydney’s second will help offset the investment The preferred route for the new residential developments, Central Business District, and cost. That, in turn, could lead Parramatta light rail line with thousands of new homes be a major boost to existing to cheaper fares, he said. runs for 22km (13.7 miles) planned for the area. This is in public transport services Earlier in the month, from Westmead to Strathfield addition to the AUD1bn the state in western Sydney”. The the Government approved (including the Olympic park) government has already reserved announcement sees the end of plans for the MRTA 21.2km via Parramatta and Camellia. in forward budget estimates previously-announced plans (13.2-mile) Orange line to Light rail will also replace for light rail. Work should start for a heavy metro from Epping Huai Khwang in the eastern the existing heavy rail service within five years. to Parramatta. suburbs; 12km (7.5 miles) Work will now start on a will be in subway. There final business case, including will be 17 stations, and an planning design and initial ridership of 114 000 consultation with stakeholders. passengers/day is anticipated. Community groups have been Completion is programmed for advocating light rail for several August 2022. years. The New South Wales The first construction Government is already building tenders for the estimated a AUD2.1bn (EUR1.39bn) light THB85.5bn (EUR2.16bn) are rail system connecting central expected in May, with land Sydney with Randwick and acquisition budgeted Kensington. at THB9.6bn (EUR230m). It has been confirmed that the A planned second phase new AUD2.1bn Sydney CBD would extend the route by Light Rail and the Inner West 17.5km (10.9 miles) west Light Rail line that opened in to Taling Chan. With both 2015 will operate separately, even phases open, ridership is though they cross on George expected to rise to 500 000 Street and are both operated by passengers per day. The new light rail line will include on-street operation through Parramatta. TNSW the Altrac consortium.

44 / FEBRUARY 2016 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Palermo finally Olsztyn opens Poland’s first opens tramway Italian Minister for Transport and new tramline in 56 years Infrastructure Graziano Delrio joined Mayor of Palermo Leoluca PLN497m tramway just meets EU financing deadline for completion Orlando to inaugurate the Sicilian capital’s 15.5km (9.6-mile) light rail network on 30 December. he official inauguration Orlando had told residents the of regular services on the service would be up and running first 7.5km (4.7 miles) by the end of 2015, and said he of the new Olsztyn would resign if no agreement on tramwayT took place on 19 operating the trams was reached. December, the first ‘new’ tramway The first line (Roccella – in Poland for over 50 years. Stazione di Palermo Centrale) Lying on the Lyna River in of the new EUR320m network the country’s north-eastern was ghost running throughout Warmian-Masurian province, December, causing many to Olsztyn’s first-generation metre- believe it would not enter service gauge tramway closed in 1965. Its before the end of the year. The modern replacement, the result city has contributed EUR87m to of a feasibility study conducted Olsztyn Tramino 3006 on opening day, 19 December 2015. Martyn Janduła the project, with the rest coming in 2009, features a double-track Following initial groundworks mins in peak hours and 15-20 from the Italian Government route that connects the main and utility diversions in 2010, a minutes at other times of the day. and the European Union. railway station with Kanta in construction contract was signed Solaris has supplied 15 Services on the four-line the Jaroty district in the south with FCC Construcción in June 29.3m bi-directional Tramino network are operated by 17 of the city with two branches. 2011 with work beginning in trams under a PLN120.6m five-section, 32.4m Bombardier The first is a 2km single-track March 2012, due for completion (EUR28.13m) contract awarded Flexity Outlook trams under a line to Kortowo near Uniwersytet in mid-2014. However, disputes in September 2012. The first EUR69m contract signed in Warminsko-Mazurski, the second over progress led the city to car was officially presented on back in 2006. The first cars were is a 600m double-track section to cancel this in August 2013. EU 19 June, with the last being delivered in 2011 and have Wysoka Brama in the city centre. co-financing from the 2007-13 delivered on 5 October. remained largely idle at the Route 1 services between budget meant the project had The project cost is estimated system’s Roccella depot since. Wysoka Brama and Kanta began to be completed before the at PLN497m (EUR116m), Bombardier will maintain the on 19 December, with the second end of 2015, so the project including the refurbishment vehicles for the first four years. route offering a connection to was retendered as five smaller of pedestrian areas and The 5.5km (3.4-mile) Line 1 the railway station opening on 27 contracts. new cyclepaths, with an EU connects Palermo central station December. A third route, between The 11km (6.8-mile) network contribution of PLN350m with Rocella, while lines 2 and 3 the station and Kortowo, followed has 20 stops, with services (EUR82m). The city has plans connect Notarbartolo with San on 31 December. Free travel was operated by city subsidiary MPK to expand the network with Giovanni Apostolo and Borgo offered until the end of the month. Olsztyn at frequencies of 7.5 further EU funding by 2020. Nuovo respectively. Moskva’s two new lines Bombardier marks SSL milestone Friday 18 December saw the line and 133 seven-car S7 units 1395th and final carriage of the for the Circle, District and GBP1.5bn S Stock order for the Hammersmith & City lines. London Underground presented LU has praised the reliability at Bombardier’s facility in Derby. of its modern fleet. Managing The intermediary car is the last Director Nick Brown said the in a delivery schedule that dates S Stock trains were delivering back to 2009. The final train will 110 000km between service undergo testing before entering failures, adding: “LU’s service in the second half of 2016. relationship with Bombardier In total, the firm is supplying creates thousands of jobs in the 191 trains for the Metropolitan, UK and is providing superb new An impression of Biryulyovo station on the new Moskva Fast Tram network. TNRU District, Hammersmith & City services for our customers.” and Circle lines, which make up The new trains are an On 8 December Moskva city a commercial speed of over around 40% of the network. The important element of a wider council approved two new 25km/h (15.5mph) and use build consisted of 58 eight-car modernisation of the sub-surface tramlines in the southern 30m low-floor trams. S8 units for the Metropolitan rail network. suburbs of the Russian capital. These extensions are part One is an extension of a line of a five-line ‘express tram’ approved in 2014 and will network: Shosse Entuziastov run 8.3km (5.2 miles) from – Ivanovskoye; Medvedkovo – Krasno Mayaka to Biryulyovo, Lianozovo; Krasnogvardeyskaya including 2.1km (1.3 miles) on – Domodedovo Airport; viaduct. Work should start later Planernaya – Khimki. this year. The other will link Also approved is an 11.7km (7.3- Biryulyovo (site of a new depot) mile) orbital line serving the and Zagorye, 5.2km (3.2 miles) Novomoskovskiy district, with a with 700m elevated. Both lines depot at Gavrikovo, due to act as will be fully segregated with a metro distributor after 2020. Bombardier staff and guests at the ceremony on 18 December. Bombardier

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2016 / 45 News

UK Government cuts Tyne & Wear contribution Tyne & Wear Metro modernisation plans have been hit by a GBP33m cut in funding to the overall GBP389m (EUR530m) programme across the 2010-21 period. The UK Government’s maximum contribution was to be GBP350m (EUR477m) with the rest coming from local authority funds, but in Another 47 Flexity trams have been ordered by BVG. The new Stadler/Siemens S-Bahn train for Berlin. the recent Government Spending Bombardier Stadler Pankow GmbH/design: büro+staubach berlin Review it was announced its total final contribution will be GBP317m (EUR432m). There will now be a focus on New tram and S-Bahn the most urgent renewal projects to tracks, overhead lines and signals with a number of planned orders for German capital schemes having to be shelved, including accessibility upgrades Large rolling stock orders placed with Bombardier, Siemens and Stadler and other improvements to stations. However, Passenger Transport Executive Nexus said ombardier Transportation sets from an earlier order from and S47, with the first entering it had been encouraged by the announced on 21 five to seven sections. service in 2020. Government’s response to the December that it is to A day after this announcement Currently, the S-Bahn uses need for a new fleet of 90 vehicles deliver a further 47 Flexity DB subsidiary S-Bahn Berlin three rolling stock designs, to replace the existing rolling BerlinB to operator BVG, which GmbH, which operates Berlin’s two of which date from before stock built in 1980. The new has taken up an option from an metro network, signed a deal Germany’s reunification in 1990. Metro fleet could cost as much as agreement signed in 2006 – BVG’s with Stadler Pankow and Siemens While the Class 481/482 vehicles GBP400m (EUR545m). latest option is worth EUR176m. for up to 1380 vehicles. A firm introduced in 1996 are the most The Department for Transport The deal provided for supply order has been placed for 106 numerous at 500 ‘quarter trains’ has also recognised the of up to 206 vehicles, making trains, the first ten of which will (1000 vehicles), the former West Combined Authority’s ambition the Flexity the German capital’s be pre-production/test vehicles to Berlin Class 480 (in use since for expansion of the system and standard tram and taking the be assembled in Berlin by Stadler. 1986), and eastern Class 485 (in future integration of the Metro place of earlier Tatra vehicles. They will be the first BerlinS-Bahn use since 1987), remain in service. with the rail network, and will Deliveries and orders have now trains to be air-conditioned. Problems with Class 481/482 continue to work with Nexus on reached 189 trams; the 100th was The plan is to use the new trains from 2010 led to severe developing the business cases to handed over in summer 2015. trains on the Ring and south- disruptions and to refurbishment achieve these ambitions. Bombardier is also to extend 20 eastern feeder lines S8, S46 of older stock to help compensate. Change at the top UK industry tests lightweight railcar for Bombardier Transport Design The first unit uses a 135kVA Dr Lutz Bertling unexpectedly International (TDI) and Severn diesel generator to power stepped down as President of Lamb Transportation have electric bogies, but vehicles Bombardier Transportation on revealed a new design for a can be fuelled in different 9 December. He is replaced by standard-gauge light railcar, ways including LPG or Laurent Troger, appointed Chief which has been under test at bio-ethanol. There is an Operating Officer in 2015, who Long Marston in Warwickshire option for an advanced series joined Bombardier in November (UK). It is intended as the first hybrid, involving fuel cells and 2004 as Vice-President Services of a new generation of vehicles lithium-ion batteries. for Europe after working for and comprises a bi-directional, TDI is to finalise funding Alstom for 15 years. 18m-long, 2.6m wide diesel- for the ‘VLR’ (Very Light Dr Bertling joined Bombardier electric railcar with 66 fixed Rail) demonstrator, which is in June 2013, and at an investor seats and an overall carrying running as a parallel project day on 24 November spoke about capacity of 120 passengers. and will utilise a modified the company turnaround plan It is capable of operating It is hoped the latest lightweight UK version of the Turkish body OneBT, emphasising the need to at speeds of up to 65km/h demonstrator from TDI/Severn Lamb shell and be powered by self- can find orders across small-start increase product standardisation (40mph) and has modern HVAC propelled, hybrid drive bogies systems worldwide. TDI and centralise the global supply and passenger information currently being developed chain. He gave similar interviews systems. The vehicle has been niche product that can be in association with Warwick on 1 December. ordered by Konya Seker, a food configured either as a single Manufacturing Group (part Canada’s La Caisse de dépôt et processing company located in or bi-directional vehicle of Warwick University), Prose placement du Québec (CDPQ) central Turkey. depending on the intended and Unipart Rail. This is recently agreed to acquire a 30% The railcar has been application. Internal layouts intended to run on a portion of stake in the company (TAUT 938). designed by TDI and and aesthetics can be varied. the former freight line linking Three of the seven board directors constructed by Severn Lamb All vehicles are DDA/RVAR Dudley Port station with are to be CDPQ appointees. with a view to developing a compliant. Dudley town centre.

46 / FEBRUARY 2016 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org ‘Tube’ to Lewisham? Edinburgh moves ahead Transport for London has confirmed it is to begin detailed technical work on extending the UK capital’s Bakerloo line from with expansion plans Elephant and Castle to Lewisham via Old Kent Road. This would allow TfL to seek permission to City of Edinburgh Council agrees first phase proposals for Leith extension start building work by 2020. An extension could be open by 2030. he City of Edinburgh TfL carried out an initial public Council (UK) agreed consultation in 2014 on route to first phase proposals options with more than 15 000 for the extension of people responding and 96% in Tthe tramway through Leith favour of an extension. Since then, to Newhaven at its meeting further work has been carried out to assess possible routes and in December. An accelerated stations, including options serving GBP3.25m (EUR4.4m) package over 200 alternative destinations of work will be put into place suggested during the consultation. over the next 18 months comprising project development T2 fleet boosted and preparation of the Outline The last Alstom Citadis (466) to boost Paris’ line T2 fleet ready for Business Case. A further the extension to Pont de Beson GBP1.75m (EUR2.4m) has been was delivered in early December. set aside to secure land along line Another arrival is former 1b for future development. It is St Etienne articulated tram 955, expected this funding will come modified as a freight tram for from a call for an extraordinary demonstration purposes. Edinburgh’s tramway currently terminates at York Place; new proposals have dividend payment from the Rosa Parks RER station on line E now been agreed for the next phase through Leith to Newhaven. TAUT archive council’s Lothian Buses arm’s- was opened on 13 December. length company, which has now an invitation to tender and the the GBP162m (EUR221m) project New French ticketing JV been factored into the company’s start of a prequalification process would proceed. The creation of the Wizway financial planning. for bidders. At the conclusion Tram patronage to December Solutions joint venture dedicated The first stage, which runs until of stage one, project financials 2015 increased by 12% compared to mobile ticketing technology was summer 2017, will involve the would be further refined to take to the same period a year before announced on 3 December. Four founder members each have a 25% establishment of a project team, into account assumptions in areas and the projected total of 5.1 share: Paris transport authority the development of financing, such as patronage and capital million passengers for the whole RATP, national railway SNCF, plus stakeholder engagement. costs, as well as Government of 2015 looked certain to be digital security company Gemalto It will also bring forward work guidance on borrowing. At this achieved. It means the tramway and telecoms provider Orange. covered in a proposed second point a final decision would be continues to outperform targets Wizway Solutions’ aim is to phase, including initial work on made by the council on whether set in the business model. develop technology for NFC- enabled mobile devices that allows ticket purchasing through apps and secure storage of tickets on SIM cards. The venture is still Shanghai T2 begins construction subject to regulatory approval. Construction of the first phase December between Wenhui First ‘2CC’ section opens of the tramline to run from and Meijiabang roads, The first 600m section of Sanxin Road N. to Rongle Road according to constructor 4th Manchester Metrolink’s Second City Crossing (2CC) from Victoria E. in Shanghai’s Songjiang Engineeering Co. Station to Exchange Square (UK) District is underway, it was T1, which will have 25 opened on 6 December. confirmed on 11 December. stations, will run from A Monday-Saturday daytime The 19-stop T2 line is the Xinsongjiang Road to Xinqiao; service from Shaw & Crompton first of two routes planned both T1 and T2 will feature improves services on this section to open by 2017, and will be connections to the city’s of the Rochdale line to a tram operated by 30 four-section Metro line 9. Eventually a every six minutes. Seven extra A joint venture of Alstom/Shanghai trams are required, three having Alstom Citadis low-floor six-line network is planned for Rail Traffic Equipment Development trams ordered in Spring 2015. Songjiang District, a garden been found by reducing double Co signed a EUR72m order in 2015 for units to single units over the Foundations for the trackbed city home to almost 1.6 million 30 Citadis to work Songjiang T1 and T2. whole of the Rochdale to and pilings were underway in residents, to open by 2020. Alstom Ashton service. Antwerp extension PPP A Design-Build-Finance-Maintain NEWS IN PICTURES PPP involving capital expenditure of EUR200m has been signed with Luxembourg mock-up on display TramContractor NV (a consortium A full-sized mock-up of the CAF Urbos low-floor tram for of BAM and PGGM) for the 10km Luxembourg went on display in the Kirchberg district on (six-mile) Noorderlijn tram project 7 December; it will remain on show for public viewing – also known as Brabo 2. The line is until 31 January. part of future tramline 1. At 15m, the model is around one-third of the length of Work is to start in March on the one of the 21 Urbos trams that CAF will supply under a extension from Frankrijkle along EUR83m contract signed in 2015. The 2.65m-wide cars will Noorderlaan to a new park-and- have capacity for 450 passengers. ride site at Havana, and should Series production is due to begin this year, with be completed by the end of 2018. first deliveries scheduled for early 2017, ahead of BAM Maintenance is then to be commissioning of the initial section of the route in the responsible for the tramline for a second half of that year. LuxTram period of 28 years.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2016 / 47 UK tram-train UK Minister launches first tram-train Richard Buckley reports on progress on the connection of Sheffield Supertram to the UK rail network.

he first VosslohCitylink tram-train tramway network are to arrive by mid-2016 looks smart. There is capacity for a further (designated Class 399) was to supplement services. Operator Stagecoach 140 standing passengers. delivered to Sheffield’s Nunnery Supertram is advertising for extra staff; about One obvious difference is the covers Depot on 1 December 2015. It was 18 drivers will receive National Rail training so over the bogies (three of the four bogies are immediately shunted in to the they can drive on the mainline. An equivalent powered to cope with Sheffield’s challenging paintshop,T where additional Supertram livery number of conductors will be required, but gradients of up to 10%), which should make details were applied ahead of an unveiling by they will not require any special training. the cars safer in pedestrian areas. Advances in UK Parliamentary-Under Secretary of State for technology such as improved air suspension Transport, Andrew Jones, on 10 December. The Citylink in more detail should provide an exceptionally smooth ride. The visiting party included local authority The new Citylink vehicles are 37.2m long and Top speed is 100km/h (60mph). representatives and Member of Parliament 2.65m wide and comprise three articulated for Sheffield Attercliffe Clive Betts, who sections. They are slightly taller than Sheffield’s What next? undertook a depot tour to see the adaptations current Siemens-Duewag trams at 3.6m. A lot Spanish Staff from Vossloh Rail Vehicles made for the new cars before 399-201 was of equipment, such as the ac/dc transformers, is accompanied 201 to Sheffield, and will driven out onto the trackfan, where Mr Jones carried on the roof while the current collector remain for the next few months to assist cut a ribbon tied across one of the doors. is a light one-arm pantograph. They will all in the commissioning and testing of each The Transport Minister remarked: “This be capable of operation at the present 750V dc vehicle. Initial testing is confined to the Government-funded pioneering project will line voltage and the 25kV ac railway standard, depot, although from January the Supertram transform travel in South Yorkshire... Good future-proofing them if the planned London tracks will be prepared for the new cars. Later strategic transport links and infrastructure St Pancras – Sheffield rail electrification were in the spring the 160m Tinsley Chord should are central to rebalancing the economy, to be extended to Doncaster. be constructed and during the summer the bringing the country closer together and [to] The internal layout is similar to the three new vehicles designated for tramway the success of the Northern Powerhouse.” existing fleet. A major benefit is the increased operation should begin service. The Sheffield – Rotherham tram-train pilot low-floor area (70%), shown by a single step In the autumn the new platforms at is a partnership between the Department up from the entry level (425mm above the Rotherham Station and Parkgate will be built for Transport, the South Yorkshire Passenger rail head) to the higher seating areas at the and over the winter the electrification and Transport Executive (SYPTE), Network Rail, ends and in the centre; this is assisted by adaptation of the network will be completed. Stagecoach Supertram and Northern Rail. a slight gradient from the doorways to the Passenger service over the entire route is SYPTE Executive Director Stephen Edwards steps. There is space for two wheelchairs at expected to begin in early 2017. added: “The arrival of the first vehicle is a each end of the car. Of the 104 seats (96 fixed, milestone for the pilot scheme, to test whether eight folding) some are in facing pairs, but Images by Richard Buckley, 10 December 2015. the technology could be used elsewhere.” All more of them face in one direction ‘train- Grateful acknowledgement is given to Victoria three vehicles suitable for use on the existing style’. The upholstery is less generous, but still Greenwood, SYPTE Senior Communications Officer.

Citylink tram-train 399-201 standing on the track fan at Nunnery Depot prior to Andrew Jones, the UK Under-Secretary of State for Transport, cuts the ribbon the ribbon-cutting ceremony on 10 December. over the leading door, watched by the Director-General of the PTE.

Tram-train services will use the railway bridge over the Don Navigation in the background. The under- construction bus bridge has been raised far higher Note the painted warning of which wheel profiles A major improvement is having only one step instead than the limited leisure traffic would justify because are fitted to the vehicle, one way of avoiding mistakes. of two between the two levels inside the saloon. of the need to clear the overhead wires on the railway.

48 / FEBRUARY 2016 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Advertorial

FUND FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF COMPETITION IN THE FRENCH PUBLIC TRANSPORT SECTOR:

Operators bidding for certain urban transport contracts in France over the 2012-2016 period should be entitled, under certain conditions, to the compensation of all or part of their bidding costs.

n the context of the French concerned in order to contribute to as to increase the number of bidders and Competition Authority’s decision the payment of all or part of outside enhance competition between them). no. 10-DCC-198 of 30 December consulting costs). The above mentioned fund relates 2010, a fund has been put in place To contribute to the compensation, by to the contracts which will be put to to enhance competition in the the PTAs concerned, of bidding costs tender between 2012 and 2016 for the urbanI transport services sector, with a view: incurred by players challenging the operation of 44 urban transport networks, To finance consulting services incumbent operator (grant of lump which are currently operated by purchased by public transport sums to the PTAs concerned in order VEOLIA TRANSDEV and/or its affiliates/ authorities (“PTA”) concerned, so as to to contribute to the compensation by subsidiaries1. strengthen the role of such PTAs in the such PTAs of all or part of the bidding effectiveness of the tender procedures costs incurred by unsuccessful bidders For 2016, the contracts concerned are (grant of lump sums to the PTAs other than the incumbent operator, so listed below:

URBAN TRANSPORT NETWORK DATE OF EXPIRY OF CURRENT CONTRACT

Tulle 30/06/2016

Thiers 31/08/2016

Bollène 31/08/2016

Fougères 31/12/2016

Vernon 31/12/2016

1 The detailed description of the fund is attached FOR FURTHER INFORMATION to the decision of the French Competition Authority no. 10-DCC-198 of 30 December Operators interested may contact the relevant PTAs or the Manager in charge of the operation of the fund, under the supervision of the Trustee appointed by the French 2010 relating to the setting-up of a joint venture Competition Authority: between Veolia Environnement and Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, available on the

Mr Gilles Panetto / Mme Caroline Montane (Tel: +33 1 58 19 30 42 / +33 1 58 19 34 67) Authority’s website at:

[email protected] / [email protected] Natixis, 68-76 quai de la Rapée 75012 Paris www.autoritedelaconcurrence.fr/user/ avisdec.php?numero=10-DCC-198.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2016 / 49 New tramways NEW TRAMWAYS FOR Will this year be a better one for tramway openings than 2015? Michael Taplin reviews a record number of new 2016 systems expected to open. he past 12 months must have set of Columbia is partly to blame (apparently awarded by Enterprise du Métro d’Alger. something of a record for new the fire chief has to sign off the system as Alstom is delivering 24 Citadis trams from tramways that were predicted safe), but the realisation that a peer review its Algerian assembly plant in Annaba to begin passenger operations, was needed, and the myriad of minor that opened in May 2015. Completion is but which failed to do so, works consequent upon the result of that expected before the end of 2016, but a plan meaningT that 2016 should be a record is the main reason. Unfortunately this to speed-up construction has had to be year for tramways that do open. It appears long-running situation has probably put adopted to achieve this. that our review this time last year (TAUT the dampers on subsequent expansion of Sidi Bel Abbès. A 17.8km (11.1-mile) 926) was too optimistic in respect of this demonstration line, not least because tramway is under construction by Turkish Beijing, Chengdu, Huai’an, Zhuhai, there have been three mayors involved contractor Yapi Merkezi under a USD420m Granada, Kaohsiung, Seattle (First Hill) since work started. contract awarded in June 2013. Alstom and Washington, DC (again). There was one tramway that managed to is delivering 34 42m Citadis, again from It is difficult to identify a common theme open in 2015 that we did not flag up a year Annaba, which should be carrying that has caused this situation. Political ago: Olsztyn in Poland. Since 19 December, passengers in December 2016. The network optimism might be one – politicians love 15 29.3m Solaris Tramino 100% low-floor is designed to link bus and railway stations to make grand commitments that even trams (3001-15) have been operating with the city centre. the best of engineers cannot honour. revenue services. They are the first trams At the end of the day there are engineering, in the city for 50 years. There was an testing and safety processes that have to opportunity earlier for residents to try out BRAZIL be fulfilled and cannot be rushed; in terms the new system on 6 December. The 7.3km Cuiabá. The sad tale of the new tramway of public perception, a new system or a (4.5-mile) system offers three services, in Cuiabá remains to be resolved. One of new line has to run well from day one. linking the railway station (Dworzec many new light rail and metro projects Another factor is the failure to take account Główny) with Kanta with a branch from intended to serve passengers for the 2014 of wisdom accumulated elsewhere and Wyska Brama, and a longer branch to the FIFA World Cup, the 22km (14-mile) a determination to do things with local university – you can read the full story of system linking the city with the airport expertise. Granada, Seattle and Washington Olsztyn’s new tramway in a coming issue. and Coxipó only saw 500m built before could fall into this category. work was stopped due to lawsuits; it has When this author saw Washington trams only proceeded in fits and starts since. on test at the end of November 2014, he ALGERIA Completion estimates have doubled, but never thought that would still be the case Ouargia. A Spanish-led consortium has there is no additional funding. over a year later. The rather odd regulatory been building a 12.6km (7.8-mile) tramline Meanwhile 40 CAF Urbos 3 trams sit at regime in the micro-state that is the District since 2013 under a EUR228m contract the depot site while track is laid, and seem unlikely to carry a passenger anytime soon – let’s hope that 2016 breaks the deadlock. Rio de Janeiro. This year will see the Summer Olympics held in Rio, and it looks as if the city’s new tramway, promised to be running before the visitors start arriving, will be delivered by the VLT Carioca consortium of local contractors and Alstom. Operations will be undertaken by RATP Dev. Half of the 28km (17-mile) Porto Maravilha system should be open in April, including the line between Santos Dumont airport and Novo Rio bus station. The first of 32 Alstom Citadis 44m 100% low-floor trams arrived from France in July 2015; 25 cars from the order are being locally assembled at Alstom’s Taubaté plant. The firm’s APS ground-level power supply system is being installed throughout the network. Test running started on 21 November 2015 and passengers were carried on short sections in December. Santos. The 11.2km (seven-mile) Santos tramway on former railway alignment is November snow gave the opportunity to test Olsztyn’s Solaris trams in wintry conditions.OlsztynskieTram now almost complete and has been carrying

50 / FEBRUARY 2016 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org ABOVE: As Rio de Janeiro readies for the Olympic Games, its new tramway is ABOVE: A Vossloh-Kiepe tram on test in Santos, Brazil. MOPC in the testing phase. VLT Carioca invited passengers in demonstration mode Almost all of the major rolling stock technological route for its 8.9km (5.5-mile) on half the line from Samaritá to Barreiros manufacturers operate joint ventures or line, with ten Sirio trams. The first (Italian- since April. Commercial service was posted have technology licensing agreements built) trams arrived in October 2014, and for December 2015, but by the end of in China, but notably AnsaldoBreda and were on display shortly afterwards during November this had still to be confirmed. CNR Dalian signed a ten-year technology an exhibition, but powered trials on the The first three 43.7m 100% low-floor, licensing agreement in 2012, which led TramWave-equipped line between Shui double-ended Citylink trams were built by to many Chinese cities choosing the Yong Keng and Sun Yet-San university Vossloh in Spain; the remaining 19 were AnsaldoBreda Sirio 100% low-floor tram hospital did not start until July 2015, assembled by T’Trans in Rio de Janeiro. design for their new systems. Many of these since when there has been silence. A 20-year operating concession has are due to open in 2016-17. AnsaldoBreda Chengdu in south-west China, famous been awarded to BR Mobilidade/Baixada has since been taken over by the Japanese for its Panda-breeding sanctuary, started Santista. conglomerate Hitachi. building a 20.2km (12.6-mile) tramway Beijing has been building a 9.4km in June 2013, and should have launched (5.8-mile) tramway in its western suburbs, passenger operation two years later. CHINA including 4.4km (2.7 miles) without However the city seems to have been 2015 was a bumpy year for China and overhead wire where the Ansaldo STS concentrating on its two-line metro, its economy. It was also a year in which TramWave surface contact system will be opened in stages in 2010-15. the two state-owned manufacturing used. Thirty-one five-sectionSirio trams Rolling stock news is confusing, with concerns China Northern and China will be operated on this and subsequent trams from Vossloh-Kiepe announced, Southern were merged to create the lines in the Chinese capital, and the first then replaced by 17 from CNR Changchun. giant CRRC Corporation, which now vehicles were to be delivered by the end of Subsequently, 22 32m trams were said to accounts for 80% of rolling stock 2014 for passenger service in 2015. However have been ordered from CNR Tangshan, production in China. There does not the reports of openings have since gone but other reports talk of local assembly seem to have been any rationalisation of quiet and no photographs have emerged of an Alstom Citadis variant. production sites or designs yet, but then yet, so the project is presumably delayed. Demonstration operation on 9.6km CNR and CSR did not worry about internal Zhuhai, a city of 1.6 million in the (six miles) in Yizhou Avenue was due to competition either. Pearl River delta, went down the same start in November 2015, but there is no evidence that it did. Perhaps 2016 will see regular passenger service. Huai’an is a city of 2.5 million population in eastern China’s Jiangsu province. Plans for a 20.3km (12.6-mile) tramway linking the city centre with Huai’an District were released in April 2014. The 26 100% low-floor trams were ordered from CSR Zhuzhou for delivery in 2015, featuring Siemens electrical equipment, including supercapacitors for off-wire operation. They are of the type already in operation in Guangzhou. The line was approaching completion in October, with tram testing in progress, and although passenger service in 2015 was predicted, 2016 seems more likely. Ningbo is a Chinese city marked in the UK by the naming of the 62m A52 ring road bridge on Nottingham Express Transit’s recently-opened tramway alignment through the Queen’s Medical Centre. The relationship is based on the University of Nottingham opening a campus at the Chinese city’s university in 2005. It is Construction continues at Cuiabá's tram depot, while the CAF low-floor trams sit idle. SICOPA appropriate therefore that Ningbo (about

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2016 / 51 New tramways

passengers/day. The first left the French factory at La Rochelle in May, and was being tested on the new line in October. The first passengers will be carried in 2016. QATAR Doha. When trams start operating in Doha in 2016 they will be on an 11.5km (7.1-mile) system financed by the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development and serving the university campus, which is set to be a car-free zone. Services will be provided by 19 three- section, double-ended, 27.7m Siemens Avenio low-floor trams, but there is no overhead as trams are equipped with Sitras HES (Hybrid Energy Storage) units with supercapacitors and batteries; the HES units will be charged from 750V dc overhead conductor rails at stops, using small pantographs. The trams are also fitted with climate control systems that will keep the interiors at 25°C even when outside temperatures reach twice this figure. Construction was due to be completed in January. ABOVE: In the Chinese city of Huai’an these trams will soon be ready to carry passengers. D Deng The trams will serve Education City 150km/90 miles south of Shanghai) should 3 and 6 in the Dahanyang Zone south- station on the Green line metro, be building a tramway, a 9km (5.6-mile) west of the central area. The trams will which is under construction. line in Yinzhou District. recharge batteries and supercapacitors at Announced in March 2014, it was stops, as well as from regenerative braking, optimistically predicted that service would relieving the need for overhead along the SPAIN start before the end of 2015, but 2016 is line. Commercial service is planned to start Cadiz. The Bahía de Cadiz tram-train more likely; Ningbo’s trams will be of the before the end of 2016. scheme is a project dating from 2008 to same type delivered to Guangzhou and link the city of Cadiz on its peninsula over Huai’an. The city has also built two metro shared track with RENFE mainline trains lines, opened in 2014 and 2015, and runs a ECUADOR to La Ardila (10.5km/6.5 miles), and then Bus Rapid Transit line using electric vehicles Cuenca. The third-largest city in Ecuador, on 13.5km (8.4 miles) of tramway through featuring supercapacitors. and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cuenca San Fernando, continuing south to Qingdao and Foshan. All reports of a is building an 11km (seven-mile) tramway Chiclana (La Hoya). Seven 1668mm-gauge new tramway in Qingdao, the site of CRRC across the city centre, including 4km (2.5 37.7m articulated dual-voltage (750V dc subsidiary Qingdao Sifang, which unveiled miles) in the historic centre that will be and 3000V dc) 55% low-floor tram-train the world’s first low-floor articulated tram equipped with Alstom’s APS ground-level cars were built by CAF. powered by a hydrogen fuel cell, seem to power supply system. The USD142.6m project Completion was supposed to be in 2013, have disappeared. It seems that production is in the hands of an Alstom-led consortium. but like other projects in Spain, this one examples will in fact be delivered to the Alstom is supplying 14 100% low-floor was suspended for many months for city of Foshan, which will have eight 33m Citadis trams to carry up to 120 000 financial reasons, until work started again of the Ballard fuel cell-powered cars (a licence-built Škoda ForCity) for an 8km (five-mile) demonstration tramway connecting to metro line 2. It is not clear if this will be carrying passengers in either late 2016 or early 2017. Shenzhen, just across the border from the Hong Kong SAR, has been building two tramlines since December 2013, creating a 15.3km (9.5-mile) network serving Longhua District and designed to integrate with the city’s five-line metro system. Three lines totalling 51km (32 miles) are envisaged. Initial operation in 2015 was planned, but opening is now said to be before the end of 2016. No rolling stock details are known. Shenzhen Metro is the operator of the recently-opened Addis Ababa light rail system under the auspices of the China Railway Group. Wuhan is another city to see the fruit of co-operation between Siemens and Chinese rolling stock builders. Twenty-one 100% low-floor trams from CSR Zhuzhou Electric are arriving to equip a 20km (12-mile) tramline connecting future metro lines The TramWave surface current collection system provides power for a Zhuhai tram during tests. TDM

52 / FEBRUARY 2016 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org in 2015; it may be completed in 2016. signed a five-year USD15.8m operations The cars have been tested on both RENFE USA and maintenance contract with the city and tramway tracks. Cincinnati. A 5.8km (3.6-mile) loop in October 2015. Granada. Construction of a 15.9km tramway is approaching completion in Detroit. The last trams on Detroit’s (9.8-mile) north-south tramline started Cincinnati, but it nearly never happened. first-generation tramway ran in 1956, in 2007, and was originally intended to First proposed in 2007, there were two and 50 years later the city was in steep be complete before the end of 2012. ballot initiatives that tried to stop the decline, resulting in the filing of Chapter 9 However funding ran out in 2011 with USD148m project, but citizens voted it bankruptcy in July 2013. The population the project 70% complete and there was through. The new mayor then tried to has more than halved in the past half a two-year delay. The line includes a muster a majority of the city council to century and an engine of regeneration 2.5km (1.6-mile) subway with three cancel the project after work had started, was determined to be a signature transit stations under the city centre. CAF has but in December 2013 six out of nine service on the city’s principal thoroughfare, delivered 15 five-section 32mUrbos 3 100% councillors voted to continue the project. Woodward Avenue. low-floor trams. The route is a figure-of-eight loop around With the city unable to come up with Testing on the northern section the central business district, with its main sufficient funds, it was left to the Federal (including the depot) has been in progress stop at the Riverfront Transit Center. government and private investors to seize for more than a year, but parts of the It is possible a second phase will take the initiative. Originally intended to run southern section near the RENFE station the line from Over-the-Rhine to Uptown 15km (nine-miles) along Woodward, by remained to be completed in autumn 2015. (University and Zoo). 2011 a shorter 4.8km (three-mile) line was Nevertheless it seems likely that passenger Five 100% low-floor CAFUrbos trams given the go-ahead under the auspices service will start in 2016. were ordered, and assembled at the of the private company M1-Rail and company’s US manufacturing facility in USD37.2m in federal funding has been Elmira Heights, NY; the first arrived on 30 granted towards the USD127m project. TAIWAN October 2015; they are numbered 1175- Construction started in July 2014, with Kaohsiung. The port city of 2.8 million 1179 to follow on from the city’s first- the aim of offering passenger service from in the southern part of the island of Taiwan generation fleet, which was scrapped in December 2016. The company intended has been making good progress on the 1951. The first powered test along the line to award Czech manufacturer Inekon a first 8.7km (5.4-mile) stage of a 22.1km was on 1 December, and passenger service is USD30m contract for six trams, but that (13.7-mile) orbital light rail line. This serves due to start on 15 September 2016. deal fell through at the last minute, and the New Bay Area, linking an exhibition Kansas City. The state of Missouri’s instead Brookville Equipment Corporation centre, the port terminal and the arts largest city has built a USD102m, 3.2km will supply six 20m Liberty three-section centre/public library. It follows the original (two-mile), downtown circulator tramway, trams for USD32m. They will be fitted with harbour railway line and will provide with works starting in May 2014. A special batteries as 60% of the line will be without interchange with the Orange and Red MRT taxation district has been created to provide overhead current supply. metro lines. Construction started in June funds for the project, which will link Union St Louis had one of the largest first- 2013 and trial operation began in October, Station to a large street loop at River Market. generation tramway systems in the US, with members of the public able to ride the Branded RideKC, the line is expected to but the last line was closed in May 1966. line in invited groups. offer passenger service in April or May 2016; Now under construction is a small CAF has delivered nine five-section 34m travel will be free of charge. downtown circulator, the 3.2km Urbos 3 100% low-floor trams, featuring Four CAF trams were sourced as an (two-mile) Delmar Loop linking the the ACR Rapid Charge Accumulator add-on to the Cincinnati order and delivery Missouri History Museum and University system with supercapacitors and batteries of 801-4 started last November. The first City. A USD25m federal grant kicked off for catenary-free operation. There is no powered run on the streets was made on progress on the USD43m scheme in July overhead between stops; ACR charging 12 November. 2010 and it is hoped to carry passengers points are installed at all 14 stations. The city has a USD15m contract with before the end of 2016. A six-minute headway will be operated Cisco Systems to make the tramway the Unfortunately costs have increased to when commercial service begins, city’s digital backbone for the ‘Internet USD51m, and additional funding has been predicted to be in mid-2016. of Everything’. Herzog Transit Services requested from county sales tax proceeds. Originally intended to be operated by ex-Milan Peter Witt trams sourced through Gomaco, the line will now use two leased ex-Portland Gomaco-built Brill semi-convertible replicas, with their bow collectors replaced by pantographs. Santa Rosa – San Rafael. Sonoma- Marin Area Rail transit (SMART) is the name for a 69km (43-mile) diesel light rail interurban that will link California Bay Area communities and eventually reach Larkspur for the ferry to San Francisco. Funded by a 0.25% sales tax measure approved in 2008, the line follows former Northwestern Pacific railway right-of-way. A 30-minute service on the initial operating section should start during 2016 using four two-car and three three-car DMUs supplied by Nippon Sharyo. Seattle (First Hill). Running nearly two years late, part of the reason this 4km (2.5-mile) USD134m project to link Capitol Hill and International District has been held up is rolling stock considerations. The six trams were ordered from Czech The short Avenio for Doha; its mini pantograph will collect power only when the tram is stationary. Siemens company Inekon, but because federal

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2016 / 53 New tramways

Cincinnati Henry

Findlay

Elder

McMicken

Cincinnati Urbos 1175 undergoing powered Central Avenue testing on 10 November 2015. E. Schwarz Liberty TRAMWAY EXTENSIONS Walnut Vine Main Sycamore Broadway

Twelfth Twelfth Central Parkway

Central Parkway HORSESHOE CASINO Court The UK’s Midland Metro saw the first phase of its Birmingham city centre extension, to Bull Street, open on 6 December. The next Ninth section will take trams to New Street station in spring 2016. Mike Ballinger Eighth Up to 25 new tramways could be opened in 2016, though perhaps 20 is a more Seventh conservative prediction. Many existing systems are of course building extensions. In the UK Midland Metro trams will reach Sixth New Street station in Birmingham very soon, while in Norway the Bergen tramway will reach the airport. Germany’s Bochum- Fifth Gelsenkirchen is building its new tramline through Langendreer to Laer for route 310, while Düsseldorf will open the Wehrhahn Fourth tram subway, replacing surface tracks. Gent, in Belgium, will see two new extensions in 2016, to UZ Gent and Zwijnaarde. Third Los Angeles will open major extensions to its light rail system in early 2016, the Gold line Downtown/ Foothill extension reaching Azusa, and the OTR circulator Second Expo line the coastal city of Santa Monica. Dallas is also looking to open a 4.2km Uptown connector THE BANKS (2.6-mile) extension of its Blue light rail line south from Ledbetter Station toward the Station locations University of North Texas at Dallas, while its new Streetcar service should reach the A 5.8km (3.6-mile) tramway loop in Cincinnati is nearly complete. The first of five CAF Urbos low-floor Bishop Arts District in 2016, too. March sees trams arrived at the end of October and passenger service should begin in September 2016. the opening of the first phase of the Phoenix, AZ, Northwest light rail. funding is involved a local company, Washington, DC. The DC Government A world away from the west of the US, Pacifica Marine, had to be brought on board bought three Inekon trams in 2007 (they Lviv in Ukraine should open its new Sykhiv line and Paris will see line T3 extended from to provide local content and final assembly. were not delivered until 2009) and boosted Port de la Chapelle to Port d’Asnières. Unlike the existing South Lake Union the fleet with three similar US-built tramway, the new fleet will operate under (United Streetcar) trams in 2013. They battery power on part of the downhill are to be used on the 3.9km (2.4-mile) segment of the line on Broadway (due H Street/Benning Road tramline, where to stated difficulties crossing trolleybus construction was largely completed in wiring). All this has complicated 2012 (apart from a depot), with a target construction, testing and acceptance, date for service of summer 2013. which were still in progress in December The service will be operated and 2015. A Streetcar Safety Day was held on maintained by RATP Dev subsidiary RDMT 3 December to let people inspect the trams (RATP Dev McDonald Transit). Training and learn how they will operate. Passenger and testing did not start until August 2014, service in 2016 now seems certain. with predictions of service before the end Read more about Seattle’s new light of 2015. This was not achieved and the A test train on Los Angeles’ extension to rail lines and its plans for future expansion latest prediction will see trams carrying Azusa runs through Arcadia. LACMTA in TAUT 937. passengers during January this year.

54 / FEBRUARY 2016 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org London, 5 October 2016 ENTRIES OPEN 4 APRIL Best Customer Initiative Best Environmental and Sustainability Initiative Employee/Team of the Year Manufacturer of the Year Most Improved System Operator of the Year Outstanding Engineering Achievement Award Project of the Year EUR50m Significant Safety Initiative Supplier of the Year EUR10m Technical Innovation of the Year (Rolling Stock) Technical Innovation of the Year (Infrastructure) Judges’ Special Award Vision of the Year For advanced booking and sponsorship details contact: Geoff Butler – t: +44 (0)1733 367610 – @ [email protected] Alison Sinclair – t: +44 (0)1733 367603 – @ [email protected] www.lightrailawards.com Montreal MONTREAL: FROM RUBBER TYRES TO STEEL WHEELS From the creation of a rubber-tyred Metro network, driven by the 1967 World’s Fair, to comprehensive commuter rail services and modern LRT plans to reach the airport, Canada’s second city has many solutions to its particular transit challenges. By Herbert Pence.

espite covering such a vast land mass (behind only Russia), Canada’s size belies its population of just under 36 million residents. While DToronto is the country's largest city, Montreal is the largely island-based home of an impressive metro network and radial commuter rail lines (train de banlieue) that are powered by both electricity and diesel engines. The omission of surface-running LRT is now being addressed. Montreal became Montreal because of transportation. Located just east of rapids in the Saint Lawrence River (Fleuve Saint- Laurent), ocean-going vessels could sail to the falls, but not past. It became necessary to trans-ship goods and passengers onto smaller vessels for the onward journey to the interior of the country and the Great Lakes. Thus the city was born. It was originally named Ville Marie (City of Mary) reflecting the influence De la Concorde on the Orange line shows the airy, of the Roman Catholic Church on civic welcoming design of a typical Metro station. STM matters and was later renamed for the small mountain peak on the island, Mount Royal. As with all major North American Development of the Metro metropolitan areas, Montreal once hosted It serves well to mention at this point that THE SURVIVORS a comprehensive streetcar network and 105 two lines and 20 stations of the eventual CCF-Brill trolleybuses also plied the streets four-line Metro were opened at the same Montreal’s streetcar operation featured one- and two-man cars, the latter distinguished by for nearly three decades (1937-66). Alas, in time, 14 October 1966, although planning a two-tone green and cream livery to better 1959 the streetcar services were folded up, preceded this by well over a decade. inform intending passengers where to board: to be replaced by autobuses. A few Montreal Montreal was preparing for the 1967 car 2052 was built for the Springfield (Mass.) Tramways cars survive in preservation: World’s Fair and Mayor Jean Drapeau took the Street Railway in 1927 by the hometown Wason Ste. Constant, Quebec, and Shore Line, opportunity to push, shove, cajole and lead Manufacturing Co. In 1940, this and 38 identical Connecticut Trolley Museum and Seashore the city into the forefront of contemporary cars were sold to Montreal to carry growing Trolley Museum in the USA. mass transit service. A million people trialled World War Two loads and operated until closure A traditional interurban line, the 76km the new service in its first weekend alone. in 1959. Car 957 was built in 1911 by Ottawa Car Co. (47-mile) Montreal and Southern Counties Always seeking the very best in public and survived as it was used to paint safety stripes on street surfaces. Both are now preserved at the Railway operated south to the city of Granby; transportation, Montreal has a history of Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, this was finally closed due to required experimentation with the latest in rubber- Maine (US). Seashore Trolley Musuem St Lawrence Seaway improvements to tyred autobuses, beginning in the 1920s. Victoria Bridge (originally designed by There was the Vesare 801, a three-axle Robert Stephenson of Rocket fame) in 1956. vehicle, as well as 800, a four-axle monster. Montreal has a split passenger They were soon gone. transportation system. The Societe de By Spring 1967 the 750V dc third rail transport de Montreal (STM) is responsible for network comprised three lines, all of which, the city’s autobus and Metro, while the Agence aside from a section of the 4.35km (2.6-mile) metropolitaine de Transport (AMT) provides Yellow line, are underneath Montreal Island: commuter rail service and operates one Green – Atwater north-east to Frontenac, express autobus route. A number of suburban Orange – Henri-Bourassa south-west through communities operate their own autobus the city to Bonaventure on an L-shaped line, services, including Laval and Longueuil. and Yellow – Berri-De Montigny (Berri-UQAM Looking to the next two years, STM today) under the St Lawrence to St Helen’s and AMT will be busy with celebrations. Island, site of the World’s Fair, and on to In 2016, the Metro celebrates its 50th Longueuil. St Helen’s island was enlarged with anniversary and the following year UITP the spoil excavated from metro construction. will hold its annual convention in Montreal. For eight years, rail transit advocates had to The same year sees the city celebrate its be satisfied with riding the existing rubber- 375th anniversary, while the nation marks 150 tyred Metro, constructed and equipped with years of independence. In a good way, transit French assistance with a design inspired will be challenged. by the Paris Metro. Since the beginning,

56 / FEBRUARY 2016 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Michelin tyres have been used for running Montreal, moving westward to Parc in June and flanged wheels are used when passing 1987 and linking up with the Orange line at through points and in the workshops, for Snowdon in January 1988. precise alignment. For service between Development then took a near two-decade the Metro and the 1967 World’s Fair, a hiatus before the latest expansion to the 1495mm-gauge heavy rail line called Expo city of Laval, a 5.2km (3.2-mile) route that Express was built onto the islands of St opened in April 2007, taking the Metro Helen’s and Notre Dame. The driverless underneath the Rivière des Prairies north service was advanced for its time and ran of Montreal Island for the first time. for almost five years after the Fair; the rolling With three new stations, the line now stock was held for many more years before terminates at Montmorency, close to being broken up when no operator expressed Collège Montmorency and the Laval interest in purchasing the used cars due to campus of the Université de Montréal. the unusual gauge. Montrealers are used to subterranean life, An extension of the Green line north-east especially during bitterly cold winters. There to Honoré-Beaugrand Street was completed is a labyrinth of over 30km (approx. 19 miles) in 1976 and another on to Angrignon Park of walkways under city streets and some in the west in 1978. A planned reach of the shops and retail businesses have two main Orange line north-west to De Salaberry Street entrances, one at street level and another one was curtailed due to spiralling cost estimates level below ground. Without the need to wait and in May 1976 the province imposed a for traffic lights and road traffic, pedestrians moratorium on Metro construction works. move unimpeded between destinations. MP-73 79-691 (one of the second batch of deliveries) A western leg of the Orange line proceeded When the next Blue line extension is at Youville Workshop, clearly showing the complicated bogie used on all Metro cars. Inside the during the 1980s: from Bonaventure first to eventually constructed, AMT will oversee city’s workshops and depots traditional metals are Place-Saint-Henri (via an interchange station the building programme and transfer the used to precisely guide the cars and hold them steady with the Green line at Lionel-Groulx) in April extension to STM for operation. The 5.5km while maintenance is being performed. STM 1980; north to Snowdon (future interchange (3.4-mile) eastward extension will be to the with the Blue line) in September 1981; east of Saint Michel terminus and onward “Montreal’s metro is Côte-Sainte-Catherine (January 1982); to Anjou with five new stations. For the Plamondon (June 1982); Du Collège moment, this improvement – a 30-year entirely underground – (January 1984) and finally in November ambition of the city – is on hold. 1986 to the current terminus at Côte-Vertu. there is no surface running Meanwhile, construction was already An unusual rail heritage underway of a west-east (Blue) line that Beginning in 1914, Montreal commuter – avoiding salt, rain and opened in stages between June 1986 and service was expanded by an electrified ‘steam’ January 1988. Starting from the north-west, railway. The 5km (3.15-mile) Mount Royal snow, all deteriorating the Blue line runs on an almost parallel Tunnel was constructed by the Canadian alignment to the Green line. The first section Northern Railway which discovered that all factors in vehicle life.” was Saint-Michel to De Castelnau in central suitable routes into the city were taken by

15 Saint-Jerome ➤

MONTMORENCY Mascouche N De la Concorde Cartier Deux- Montagnes

Henri-Bourassa HONORÉ-BEAUGRAND

Sauvé SAINT-MICHEL Crémazie Radisson Jarry D'Iberville Langelier Cadillac Pointe-Claire / Fabre Fairview Des Sources JEAN-TALON Assomption De Castelnau Beaubien Parc Viau Rosemont Pie-Ix Laurier Joliette CÔTE-VERTU Acadie Préfontaine Vaudreuil-Hudson Mont-Royal Frontenac Outremont Sherbrooke 40 Du Collège Edouard- Papineau 13 Montpetit LONGUEUIL-UNIVERSITÉ- BERRI-UQAM Beaudry De la Savane Université-de- DE-SHERBROOKE Trudeau Airport Namur Montreal Saint-Laurent Plamondon Place-des-Arts Jean-Drapeau Côte-des- McGill Côte-Sainte-Catherine Champ-de-Mars Neiges Peel SNOWDON Place-D'Armes Dorval Guy-Concordia Square-Victoria Villa-Maria Atwater Bonaventure LEGEND Vendôme Lucien-L'Allier Metro station Place-Saint-Henri Georges-Vanier Mont-Saint-Hilaire LIONEL-GROULX Intermodal station Turcot Charlevoix Commuter train line Lochine Proposed LRT route Jolicæur Lasalle Monk De L'église Proposed LRT extension Verdun Candiac ANGRIGNON

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2016 / 57 Montreal

north of the city, opened in December 2014 and uses hybrid Bombardier locomotives. In order for the Mascouche trains to traverse the Mount Royal Tunnel they run on overhead power from Central Station out to Station Ahuntisic where the pantograph is lowered and diesel engines are started for the trip’s continuation. This new service runs partially over existing (rebuilt) alignment and partially over 13km (eight miles) of new track. A criticism levelled at the new line is that its eight daily journeys serve a relatively Plinthed electric loco 6710 at Deux Montagnes. The interior of an MR-73; the entire fleet of second- unsettled swathe of land, although critics are This faded and weather-worn loco and her sisters generation trains underwent a major refurbishment unaware of or refuse to consider commuter provided power to passenger trains. H. Pence programme between 2005-2008. STM rail as a developmental tool.

The Metro’s future STM is upgrading rolling stock for the Metro, with 468 Bombardier-Alstom cars currently under delivery. The MPM-10 (Montreal Pneumatic Material – 2010) stock is named Azur, following a naming competition with over 6000 entries. The 240-tonne rubber- tyred cars will add up to 10% more capacity through a new walk-through design for their entire length – a first for Montreal. By removing cabs and car ends, the nine-car formations (comprised of three three-car trainsets) will help provide the additional space. The Azur contract was signed on 22 October 2010 with Alstom and Bombardier both using local manufacturing facilities to fulfill the order. Interior of Youville Workshops with three generations of Montreal Metro rolling stock. From left, Canadian Night-time testing of the new 152.4m-long, Vickers MR-63 (1996-present) Bombardier-Alstom MPM-10 (2015-) and Bombardier MR-73 (1976-present). STM 2.51m-wide trains began in 2014, but a number of teething issues prevented more comprehensive testing until earlier this year. For instance, about 200m of tunnel had to be widened to avoid trains scraping on the tunnel bores and electrical issues added to the delays. Daytime testing began in August 2015 and it is hoped that by the time you read this Montrealers will be enjoying the first services aboard the new rubber-tyred trains. As the MPM-10 trains enter service, they are assigned to the Orange line to replace the MR-73 stock which will cascade to the Green line. These in turn will replace the original An MPM-10 undergoing night-time testing on the The interior of a new Bombardier-Alstom Azur Canadian Vickers MR-63 trains which will be Blue line in 2014. STM (MPM-10) car. STM scrapped. When this process is completed, the remaining MPM-10 cars, of which final competing railways. The tunnel opened on body restructured. Its name will also change deliveries are scheduled for 2018, will go to 21 October 1918 and formations of passenger to Agence Regional de Transport (ART) and its the Yellow line. The existing MP-73 trains carriages were hauled by electric locomotives; function will be under the direct supervision are planned to soldier on until 2036. This indeed, the original rolling stock served the of six elected officials, the mayors of Montreal is possible mainly due to a comprehensive line until it was re-equipped in 1995 and and selected cities and seven experts selected overhaul of the fleet a decade ago, but also loco 6710 of the original provision is now by the Province of Quebec. A professional since the cars live underground in their plinthed at Deux Montagnes, the route’s executive will carry out the day-to-day work. entirety – there is no surface running on the outer terminal. The new service began on STM will become the operator of all autobus, Montreal Metro – avoiding salt, rain and 1 January 1996. Metro, express bus and commuter rail services snow, all deteroriating factors in vehicle life. The re-equipping saw the introduction of under the new moniker of Réseau de transport In the next three years, all passengers on Bombardier-built MR-90 electric multiple métropolitain. The decision to reorganise in the 71km (44-mile) system will be riding unit (EMU) carriages and the conversion of this way has been taken to give elected officials different trains with frequencies reduced to the electric power supply from 600V dc to in Montreal the remit to oversee all major 90 seconds. Fortunately, Quebec Province has 25kV ac 60Hz. The conversion took place over transport improvements in the area rather unlimited water resources for the generation three summers, ending in 1995. This 30km than being governed from the provincial of inexpensive electricity to power the trains. (18.6-mile) commuter line is significant tier; merging 16 agenices into five, this In a world becoming more concerned about in the urban rail landscape of the city, streamlining process will give more control air pollution levels, this renewable energy transporting 7 675 000 of Montreal’s over city transport priorities and hopefully source will become more appreciated. 17 786 700 commuters in 2014 – all this a remove wider political considerations. Passenger groups were consulted century following the start of construction. AMT currently operates all commuter rail extensively on the interior design of the Whilst all of this is going on, the structure services. Lines are either entirely electric or Azur, including the seating and its location, of public transit services is busily undergoing diesel, except for the new Ligne Mascouche, while the key features came from the drawing a major change. AMT is to be relegated to a also known as Train de l’Est. This CAD671m board of Jean J. Labbe, an award-winning planning agency and will have its governing (EUR445m) line, that runs 52km (32 miles) and distinguished transportation designer

58 / FEBRUARY 2016 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org The first MPM-10 carries the Premier of Quebec and The new St Lawrence crossing will offer six vehicular This train is representative of the equipment that the Mayor of Montreal at Bombardier’s La Pocatière traffic lanes, a dual-track rail alignment and pedestrian could be used on the West Island and South Shore plant in late November 2013. Bombardier and cycle paths. Arup/Infrastructure Canada LRT services. AMT responsible for vehicles that include the US much like London’s Gatwick or Heathrow Railway Bridge, this would impact the Acela Express and high-speed trainsets for Express services. Trudeau Airport is the landlord’s freight traffic. The numbers add China. Interestingly, Labbe graduated from fourth busiest in Canada, based on up to a need for a new river crossing, built the University of Montreal in 1979 with a boarding passengers. to contemporary standards as it is more Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Design. STM offers frequent Metro service to the desirable to build a new structure than to The STM capital project cost will approach eastern portion of West Island, with the rehabilitate the present one – even then a CAD2.5bn (EUR1.65bn). Not only is there ultimate terminus being Angrignon on further CAD250m is projected in expenditure the cost of the new rolling stock, but there the Green line; this is fed from the west by to maintain the existing structure until the are also infrastructure costs to accommodate numerous autobus services. This interchange new one opens in December 2018. their 21st Century design. is undoubtedly a disincentive for some riders, Construction of the new 3.4km The 2016-18 STM capital expenditure hence the desire for a direct rail link. (2.1-mile) Champlain Bridge envisages an programme also includes autobus South Shore is defined as that portion eight-lane structure – six for vehicular replacement, the establishment of 65km (40 of the Montreal contra-urban lying south traffic and a double-track rail alignment, miles) of additional reserved traffic lanes, of the St Lawrence River; it has no SMT with additional pedestrian and cycle priority traffic signals and the iBus project to Metro service, although there are two AMT lanes – immediately downstream from the give prospective passengers real-time transit commuter rail lines serving the area. Ligne existing bridge. Finance for the CAD4.2bn information. The costs are being shared by Candiac would be the route most affected (approx. EUR2.8bn) project is expected to the Canadian Government (75%) and local by an LRT system; it offers nine single trips come from Caisse de depot et placement du government (25%). Quebec (Quebec Deposit and Investment “New Liberal Party Prime Fund), a fund created by Quebec’s National Moving to surface LRT Assembly to hold, invest and pay out Considerable interest is placed on a proposed Minister Justin Trudeau pension monies from Quebec companies new light rail service to West Island and the and governmental bodies. It is designed South Shore. The service is a gleam in many has promised to spend on to contribute to Quebec’s economic people’s eyes, but there are many challenges development and the fund’s assets in June to be overcome before the first shovel of earth two projects related to 2015 were CAD240.8bn (EUR159.6bn). is turned. To define the two routes, readers Certainly participation in the new should know there is no island named West. Montreal rail schemes.” St Lawrence crossing meets this goal. Rather West Island refers to the western part These needs have also attracted the of the island on which Montreal is situated. each way daily with no Saturday or Sunday attention of Justin Trudeau, the new Liberal Travellers flying into or out of Montreal will service. There is an AMT express bus service Party (centrist) Prime Minister of Canada. have landed in West Island at the Montreal- via the six-lane Champlain Bridge with 74 From the Province of Quebec, in which Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport, weekday journeys in each direction; to speed Montreal is located, during his 2015 election named after the famous former Prime all autobus services to the South Shore, one campaign, he promised to spend deficit Minister – and father of current Canadian travel lane is reversed against traffic at rush monies on urgently-required infrastructure leader Justin Trudeau. hours on the bridge. Nonetheless buses have and two of the projects on his campaign Trudeau (formerly Dorval) Airport is the disadvantage of competing for space on ticket are related to Montreal rail schemes. served by VIA Rail, Canada’s passenger crowded city streets and dual carriageways. With a strong transit tradition in the service, with eight weekday trains in each population, Montreal has long been able direction. AMT’s diesel-powered Ligne Bridging the gap to offer competitive service to the Vauderuil-Hudson has a stop which remains The catalyst for much of this light rail automobile. By constantly making upgrades named Dorval, and the stop for both services development activity is the deteriorated to their services, AMT and STM meet the is connected to the airport by a shuttle bus condition of the present Champlain Bridge. expectations of funders and riders alike. service. AMT provides the commuter rail From construction beginning in 1957, the The Azur cars, the route extension to service, with nine inbound trains to Montreal bridge opened in 1962 and is now suffering Mascouche and serious discussion of a new until 09.20 and four trains after 09.20 until badly from corrosion. In order to keep the LRT alignment to serve West Island and the 20.55. Outbound trains from Montreal road surface safe during snowy and icy South Shore, demonstrate to the citizenry follow the same pattern, with ten trains weather, liberal amounts of salt are used; this that planners, management and political beginning at 15.10. Four STM local bus in turn causes accelerated erosion of concrete leaders recognise the importance of good service routes are provided, one being and metal surfaces, including reinforcing public transportation in Montreal. appropriately indicated 747. bars, when exposed. Reports suggest that The airport has indicated its commitment CAD100m (EUR66m) has been spent in Assistance is gratefully acknowledged from: to a light rail solution, with intending maintenance over the past 12 months alone. STM – Phillippe Schnobb, Chairman of the passengers less likely to be caught in traffic Even at six traffic lanes, the amount Board; Mario Beausoleil, Superintendent of jams common to the larger metropolitan of vehicular traffic exceeds the bridge’s the Metro Control Centre and Amelie Regis, area. There is also an emotional competitive capacity – some 49 million vehicles cross Conselillere Corporative – Affaires publiques; factor with Toronto’s Pearson International the bridge annually. Therefore a need exists AMT – Paul Cote, CEO; Stephane Lapierre, VP Airport, it having a DMU rapid transit-type for additional rail service to the South Shore Operations; Mme. Fanie St. Pierre, Conseillere service from Union Station with a 25-minute and while running tram-trains would be – Relations Medias; the Montreal Times and ride that operates on a 15-minute headway, physically possible on the Canadian Pacific Montreal Gazette.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2016 / 59 AS UNIQUE AS YOUR CITY!

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IN YOUR NEXT ISSUE OF

TRAMS RETURN SYSTEMS FACTFILE: THE GREAT TRAM TO OLZSTYN GENEVA WIRE-FREE DEBATE December 2015 saw the completion of the A once-great tramway system that Tramways & Urban Transit asks the experts most ambitious investment to be led by a reduced to a single line is continuing the in more depth the key operational Polish local government in recent years. late-20th Century revival that has returned and lifetime questions surrounding Olsztyn, a city of 175 000 residents, became it to the core of Geneva’s city transport off-wire tramway solutions. Are we the 15th city in the country to operate a network. Neil Pulling explores the ready to lose the requirement for tramway. Martyn Janduła reports. cosmopolitan Swiss city. overhead wires altogether? PLUS... MARCH + Classic Trams ISSUE + The latest news, rolling stock orders and movements, system developments, transport policy and leading industry on sale comment from around the world 19th February Rail technology

The process of laying rails in street environments is a straightforward THE COST OF A one, but are designers giving enough consideration to the choice of materials used and are we paying enough attention to ongoing HARD FUTURE maintenance? Neil Pulling Andrew Parkinson argues that neglecting engineers and their knowledge at the base of the supply chain could have dire consequences for quality and cost of rail joining and repairs in the future.

wave of progress in the light A little background more efficient manufacturing techniques, a rail market over the past 15 There was little forward movement in the better understanding of wheel/rail interface years has seen tremendous steels that our trains and trams run on for mechanisms, the introduction of bespoke improvements in safer vehicles over 100 years – materials were relatively soft maintenance regimes and even a significant and technologies, as well as and in structural terms they were relatively improvement in steel cleanliness and quality. Apassenger comfort enhancements that are simple. They were easy to manufacture and Taken strictly from a scientific viewpoint, proving successful with our customers – this generally easy to maintain, even if this wasn’t there are a myriad of behavioural is seen by ever-increasing ridership figures always to the highest standards. attributes that must be characterised to both in the UK and more widely Europe. Around 30 years ago, however, there began fully understand any material, and in Environmental concerns have also played a change in their manufacture that saw a order to be able to predict and manage its high on the list of promoters’ priorities, metallurgical bias begin to creep in. The aim performance. In safety critical fields such winning deserved investment for further was to create harder (and longer-lasting) rails as the aerospace, power generation, oil, extensions so that light rail increasingly by producing a pearlitic structure within the gas and chemical sectors, an improved impacts less and less on the wider world. metal: a lamellar configuration formed from understanding of materials and advances in All of these advancements have combined alternating layers of hard and soft micro- predictive metallurgy have helped improve to a greater or lesser degree to tempt people structural constituents. A stronger, harder the selection criteria for materials for any away from their cars so that year on year rail would result in greater resistance to key designation. This has more easily enabled the passenger numbers are constantly on the up. degradation mechanisms of wear and fatigue cost of such lengthy development processes Yet despite such promising progress in in the track, which would increase the service to be absorbed into the resulting product. recent decades in a wide range of areas there life of rail as a result. However, in the modern business world – is still the potential to overlook the obvious A life of 20 or more years is no longer and in an era of constrained finance – every or leave important considerations aside in a uncommon – although it has to be noted that penny counts and such extensive research rush to develop new lines, or even to make this increased lifespan is also due to more and development phases as found in those mistakes –and rail steels and their application consistent steel structures being formed fields above are often unfeasible elsewhere. offer the perfect example. thanks to process simulation, improved and Public finances for major transport schemes

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2016 / 61 Rail technology

are stretched and continually challenged, A recent high-speed rail presentation in while the price of each major component London highlighted just how difficult a and substructure is assessed and studied, the challenge this was for many traditional heavy pricing of each new project driven down to industries, including rail, losing much- more ‘affordable’ levels at each step. needed engineers to its more glamorous, One of the most popular methods of highly-funded transport cousins. achieving such cost-reduction has been We all therefore have a role to play in through the use of supply chain consolidators promoting our industry to the engineers of or logistics providers, companies that can the future and providing opportunities in ensure the right materials are supplied at our businesses that will create the enthusiasts the right time along the production line. of the future. Such organisations have helped reduce the number of suppliers a first-tier manufacturer How hard is too hard? has to deal with (adding simplicity through Lateral rail movement in this location has caused An example of one of the technical the removal of additional commercial premature distress to the surrounding surface. The challenges facing the engineers and paperwork – in theory, at least), as well as situation becomes even worse on tight curves. With metallurgists of today is the race to develop embedded rail the process of repairing either rails or reducing the cost of parts at the same time as the road surface becomes more problematic. TAUT rail materials that can satisfy the increasingly improving their availability at the point-of- stringent demands of modern rail systems, need. Delivery dates become more achievable i.e. higher axle loads, increased vehicle because of this consistency and ease, and speeds and traffic densities. overall build risk is reduced for the first-tier Back to the earlier example of rail manufacturer due to a smaller supply chain. development: it is currently accepted that In all, these organisations have been a major a hard rail profile is superior for urban boon – or have they? rail applications. The standard, or most commonly-used rail, is currently 260 Disturbing modern trends Brinell (HB) hardness, or R260. Many new Some emerging macro trends from recent products have increased this to 330 or years have arguably damaged the industry 350HB, even in excess of 400HB; these rails and the ability of the supply chain to promise a significant improvement in both move forwards: performance and life extension, helping to As first-tier manufacturers have moved deliver cost-saving benefits that can’t easily The selection of rail type is crucial as welding tram away from locally-produced, proprietary be ignored by any infrastructure manager. rail can be made more difficult with new harder rail products to more generic, non-proprietary compounds, increasing time and cost. TAUT archive Because these advances have been brought ones, quality specifications have about in such a short time in what is, inadvertently widened. “As an industry, we are frankly, a conservative industry, a form of The increasing length of the supply chain ‘arms race’ has emerged between materials has resulted in an increase of initial start-up not attracting the level of manufacturers who are now all seeking to time, greater levels of work-in-progress and offer more attractive initial benefits in return reduced flexibility. high calibre engineers for a modest price premium. And surely, a The flow of innovation has been doubling of life to first maintenance is worth somewhat stifled by the barriers that now with detailed core a small rise in initial rail cost? This very much exist between the Original Equipment depends on just how that increase in requisite Manufacturers (OEM) and the innovation knowledge of our hardness has been achieved. delivered by suppliers. Some key knowledge Methods for increasing the hardness of rail providers from lower down the chain are operating environment.” are based around the premise of influencing arguably hidden or have become drowned- the basic microstructure design, the two out by overriding commercial concerns, It is important that we recognise that the main methods of which are heat treating and and this has led to a reduction in the construction of urban rail infrastructure is the addition of alloying elements. knowledge base of those higher up the one of the more challenging disciplines due Heat treating as a principle is fairly simple, chain, stifling innovation data flow. to the myriad of interfaces and stakeholders, essentially involving cooling hot metal and we must leave as little room for delay and at a faster rate than that at which it would In structures where there is no chain risk of criticism as possible. naturally cool in the air. Of course this must consolidator, and where a reduction in However, this shift – while important on be balanced against a critical cooling rate, suppliers has still been sought, the suppliers the one hand – can drive detailed technical below which the rate must be maintained have instead been pulled closer. This results considerations to the sidelines and mean that to avoid the formation of undesirable in improved operational efficiency at the top the balance of engineers recruited into these microstructures that are detrimental to of the chain, and increased openness in the projects is less towards the technical experts the properties of the metal, and in turn, customer-supplier relationship – and thus an and more focused on the project managers. serviceability of the rail. It is a simple increase in shared knowledge. As an industry, we are just not attracting approach, but one which has its limitations the level of high calibre engineers with and which becomes more risky the further A more demanding customer detailed core knowledge of our operating the manufacturer steps away from the Aside from the business case aspect, there is a environment and the solutions to the baseline hardness. rapid parallel shift towards enhanced project critical – but ‘boring’ – areas such as track On the other hand, alloying the base management and stricter delivery schedules dynamics, formation stability and wheel/ composition to even small amounts of alloy – this is one consequence of a move towards rail interaction. Let’s face it, which graduate (chromium and molybdenum have been shared project ownership and tighter risk engineer today wishes to spend months or traditionally used) can have a significant profiles. If these are effectively managed, they years cutting and polishing metal samples influence on the refinement of the pearlite can help to avoid the enormous cost of a late- to determine one’s superiority over another, structure and its resultant hardness. Alloy running project as well as virulent public and when they can gain easier-won glory through quantities must be carefully controlled to media outcries and criticism over delays. a successful keynote project? ensure that only desirable microstructures In short, our customers are demanding And how does the appeal of the rail develop, and limited to accommodate the more modern technology and media forums industry fare when faced with competition increased cooling rates experienced by that in combination, as we all know, allow from the more ‘glamorous’ automotive welding over that of newly-manufactured individuals and groups to criticise – more and aerospace industries, when rail is also rail following hot-rolling. Even lower levels anonymously – even the best of efforts when perceived as attracting less funding and being of alloying are required where heat-treated the outcome is not as expected. slower to embrace emerging technologies? alloyed rail is concerned.

62 / FEBRUARY 2016 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Increasing the quantity of carbon above The timescales between rail renewals that traditionally used in rail has recently can be extended through better been found to increase resistance to wear understanding of the loads and the and rolling contact fatigue, but even here materials used. Neil Pulling judicial alloying is necessary to limit inherent brittleness. A growing body of data is also suggesting that rails of more than 300HB hardness may even suffer more adversely from ‘squats’ leading to an increase in grinding frequency and therefore maintenance costs, as well as a shortening of the potential lifespan. Squats are a type of metal fatigue resulting from wheel impacts on the railhead which ‘bruise’ the steel and over time lead to degradation of the track. As with other degradation phenomena, squats can deteriorate further with time and, if unmanaged, can lead to rail fracture. So perhaps the tendency towards increasing hardness is not the be-all and end-all answer to our dilemma. All of these factors take on a new dimension outside of the controlled conditions of the steel mill – care is needed to ensure that the carefully designed and manufactured material properties can be correctly maintained in the field or on-track during renewal or maintenance procedures.

A little forethought As a light or urban rail operator, specifier or designer, it is imperative to understand the downstream processes of installation, maintenance and repair of any rails you are specifying because each of these routes has benefits and drawbacks. Some of those materials discussed are dangerously close to the edge of their operating envelopes when it comes to thermal processes such as flash-butt welding, aluminothermic or arc welding, and other joining and repair methods. Their altered chemical composition can make them more sensitive to the heating and cooling regimes required for joining and repairs, meaning that they possess an increased tendency for the formation of undesirable metallurgical section of the line experiencing the same intended application. A 9-12 month phases that can weaken the metal grains. loading conditions each and every time. delay while testing is conducted could In the very worst case scenario, this could This has created a driver within the light then be accrued. induce cracking in the rail as it cools. rail industry to explore ‘better’ materials, Each country and generally each track but in the rush to do so, consultation with All of the above are examples experienced operating system has its own specifications those technical engineers working at the in this year alone, so far from being alarmist for application of the relevant European base of the chain is being overlooked and so these events are very real situations that Standards – usually based on hard experience decisions are being made that aren’t fully- downstream suppliers have only recently and lessons learned. However, this also informed – with potentially expensive and had to deal with. means that the approvals for a join or repair risky implications that could include: weld for steel X in country Y is not necessarily A heat-treated steel welded to a non- Moving forward applicable for the needs of country Z. heat-treated one, resulting in inconsistent The message is clear: modern engineering Traditionally, UK standards have been properties across the joint. Or, having to can provide world-class systems that support developed by heavy rail infrastrucure owner use a three-piece composite weld, which the growth in passenger confidence and and operator Network Rail. These are then is more expensive and time-intensive to numbers, as well as providing greater returns adopted by the wider industry several years install and repair. on investment. But equally, it is clear that we later after full material characterisation and Selecting a rail grade unsuitable for use must ensure the integration and adoption property evaluation has been carried out, as in embedded track as the temperatures of the latest technical knowledge in such well as this time allowing any operational involved in weld repairing would result critical areas of rail engineering. This means issues to be picked up and dealt with. But the in thermal damage to/breakdown of the not losing contact with downstream material needs and operating conditions of surrounding polymeric medium. sub-suppliers on whose knowledge our light and urban rail and high-speed rail are Digging-up of the track or relaying new future success depends. very different and so this model is changing. rail could be required in this case. Many people will have heard the old Light rail systems have far tighter curves, Designing a track without allowing space phrase, “Look after the pennies and the more stretches of track where vehicles in the pre-cast system to join the rails. pounds will look after themselves” – accelerate and decelerate more rapidly, Selecting a rail steel approved for and applying a similar rationale to our lower axle loads and lower vehicle speeds. a specific application without fully engineering knowledge means covering the High-speed rail is potentially much less understanding what that approval is for, detail up front, because neglecting it in a rush demanding, as many lines are dedicated only to find with weeks before installation to find ever-harder rail materials could end up to carrying one type of vehicle with each that the approval does not cover your costing our successors millions.

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A wealth of attractions, events and distinctive SYSTEMS atmosphere combine to SPAIN make Seville amongst Spain’s most visited FACTFILE cities. Public transport Seville, constituents are No. Seville somewhat less cohesive, 101 Spain Neil Pulling finds.

apital of the Andalucia rapid and the system closed by 1960, Advertising- economy, 1992 also brought the autonomous community, with two interurban lines lasting liveried Urbos 303 country’s first high-speed rail service, Sevilla (Seville) is until 1965. Buses became and remain outside the 16th a 1435mm line between Madrid Spain’s fourth biggest Seville’s main public transport Century Archivo and Seville. Reshaping Seville’s rail de Indias, store for city. Sustained growth mode, a vastly bigger undertaking map, two surface termini closed and Spanish Empire Cthroughout the 20th Century’s second than today’s tram or metro. There is were replaced with Sevilla-Santa documents and half has slowed, with the 2011 census unified ticketing under the transport name of the stop Justa. Centred on Santa Justa, five figure of a population of 704 000 provider’s association, Consorcio de closest to Seville routes branded Cercanías Sevilla showing that little changed over the Transporte Metropolitano del Área Cathedral. The mainly serve suburbs and outlying previous decade. Largely on level sites, de Sevilla. For visitors in particular cathedral (the communities on Iberian gauge tracks. the metropolitan area has around however, urban transport lacks features largest Gothic These and some regional services have 1.25m residents. The Guadalquivir of user-friendliness comparable to example in the city centre access at underground- river system is the main geographical German or French counterparts. The world) is in the sited San Bernardo station, as opposed background. feature, while most of Seville is located arrangements owe much to the city’s to the more remote Santa Justa. San on the eastern bank of the Canal de development and administration, Bernardo is noteworthy as the one Alfonso XIII, a channel truncated in with projects also affected by Spain’s point at which all three of Seville’s 1946 for flood control. post-2008 financial crisis. urban rail operations join together. Begun in 1887 with mule haulage Although the Universal Exposition City-owned Transportes Urbanos de and electrified from 1899, the metre- (Expo ‘92) did not bequeath enduring Sevilla, Sociedad Anónima Municipal gauge tram network was over 70km structures comparable to the Ibero- (Tussam) constituted in 1975, has a (43.5 miles) long into the 1950s. American Exposition of 1929, it did All images by 630km (391.5-mile) network, nearly Unable to service the city’s physical raise the city’s international profile. Neil Pulling, all bus routes. Tussam also runs the expansion however, closures were Another boost for southern Spain’s November 2015. surface tramway branded Metro

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THE FLEET

Four CAF Urbos 3 (301-304) handle all T1 services. Capacity 204 passengers, 54 seated and two wheelchair spaces. Length 32m; at 2.4m wide they are narrower than their predecessors. Both types are air-conditioned, bi-directional and fully low-floor over five sections. Normal livery is silver plus narrow TUSSAM red banding; short-term advertising wraps also appear. T1’s depot access track is between Prado and San Bernardo stops. Metro’s bi-directional 17 CAF Urbos 2 vehicles (101-121) are 31m long, 2.65m wide and have a different seating configuration to T1 trams. The silver livery has contrasting door markers plus detailing in Andalucian green, which also features prominently in signage. One Seville tram (as 2111) was added to the batch of redundant Vélez-Málaga Urbos 2s briefly used in 2014 as a stop-gap for newer CAF stock by Sydney Light Rail. Seville’s metro depot is visible from the line, south-east of Cocheras station.

ABOVE: San Bernardo has tram, bus, metro and national rail in proximity.

LEFT: Extending track beyond San Bernardo to Santa Justa main line station would greatly enhance the value of T1.

BELOW LEFT: Tram 304 curves towards Plaza Nueva on the edge of Seville’s Old Town.

BELOW: Overhead charging in progress at Plaza Nueva.

“Begun in 1887, the metre-gauge tram network ran into the 1950s. Unable to service city expansion, closures were rapid with the final two interurban lines closing in 1965.”

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Pantograph down, westbound 304 leaves the overhead Wider than T1 Urbos 3 trams, Seville metro Urbos 2 has From the city’s previous tramway, 1929-30 near Plaza Don Juan de Austria. a more varied interior. series 177 is at Plaza de Armas, Seville’s long- distance bus station. Final generation 314 is LEFT: The metro crosses by the old tracks at Ronda de Triana. the Guadalquivir flood plain west of Seville: San Juan Bajo station is in the Half of the T1 fleet crosses at Archivo de foreground. Indias on the evening of 30 October 2015.

NETWORK FACTS Lines, tram: 1, Metro Centro – opened 2007 Lines, metro: 1, Metro de Sevilla – opened 2009 Distance, metro/stops: 18.1km (11.2 miles) / 22 Distance, tram/stops: 2.2km (1.4 miles) / 5 Depots: One each, tram and metro Approx. weekday hours/frequency, T1: 06.00-23.30/9 minutes Approx. weekday hours/frequency, Metro: 06:30-23:00/4-7 minutes Gauge, tram and metro: 1435mm Power: 750V dc overhead supply (T1 plus ACR wire-free) Fleet, tram: 4 Fleet, metro: 21 Tram operator: TUSSAM (www.tussam.es) Metro operator: Metro de Sevilla Sociedad Concesionaria de la Junta de Andalucia SA (www.metro-sevilla.es)

INFORMATION Transport association: www.consorciotransportes-sevilla.com Civic information: www.sevilla.org Tourist information: www.visitasevilla.es The elaborate San Juan Bajo metro installation includes a funicular.

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Plaza Seville Metro Nueva Prado de San Sebastián and Tramway San Sevilla Santa Justa Archivo de Puerta Bernardo Padre Pío Indias Jerez Palmete Nervión Gran Plaza 1º De Mayo

Puerta Plaza de Cuba Jerez San Bernardo Amate Prado Parque de de San Guadalquivir los Príncipes Sebastián La Plata San Juan Bajo Blas Infante Cocheras San Juan Alto

Guadaíra (site of)

Cavaleri Virgen Del Rocío Pablo de Olavide

Ciudad Expo Condequinto

Montequinto

Europa Metro Tram Heavy rail Olivar de Quintos Depot

Centro, a single line (T1) a little over storage system. Unlike similar stock 2km (1.2 miles) long. Prominent in the in Zaragoza that recharges at ground- very centre of Seville, the initial 1.3km based strips, T1 has short overhead (0.8 miles) and four stops opened in gantries at the three western stops. October 2007, with the San Bernardo A perverse aspect of intended aesthetic extension added in April 2011; all gain is that these stocky gantries lack originally used overhead supply. the elegance of the lampposts – still in The western terminus is Plaza place – that previously supported the Nueva, the original tramway’s focal wires. Despite generous dwell times point. It is at the Old Town’s edge, due to pantograph movements and where narrow streets give way to charging, with leisurely progress where grander thoroughfares as used by pedestrians wander and overall short T1. Protecting views on two of these, transit, T1 appears to be well-used. Avenida de la Constitución and Calle Truer to its name than Metro San Fernando linked by a short curve Centro in using fully segregated at Puerta de Jerez, underpinned the tracks, Metro de Sevilla was built and ABOVE: A metro rarity: platform edge doors giving access to wire-free policy. It also obviated is operated by a PPP consortium. It is low-floor vehicles. temporary removal of the overhead contracted until June 2038; former supply for clearance during Holy member CAF sold its interests in 2014. Week processions. Limited space led Today’s service emerged from the 1999 to interlaced track near the cathedral. revival and modifications of a 1974 Wiring is in place from near the plan for 27.2km (17 miles) of multi- Royal Tobacco Factory – now line route. This had been shelved in university premises and a setting for 1983, with some works completed. Bizet’s Carmen – eastwards to beyond With substantial central coverage San Bernardo terminus, a turnback removed over concerns for historic on grassed track. The only other fully buildings and related costs, the metro overhead-wired stop, Prado de San line became configured more as a Sebastian, is a main convergence of link for eastern and western suburbs. bus routes. Tram and metro overlap between San The CAF Urbos 2 vehicles initially Bernardo and Puerta de Jerez, with used on T1 went to join others Prado being the other interchange. operating the entirely separate, but About 60% of the metro’s 18km similarly named, Metro de Sevilla. (11 miles) and most stations are below Their replacements, four new CAF ground; the tunnels were created by Urbos 3, provide off-wire running with a mix of cut-and-cover and boring Urbos 2 120 approaching Pablo de Olavide, serving a university and their proprietary ACR on-board energy machine, the latter used on the central projected as a tramway interchange.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2016 / 67 Seville section, including beneath Canal de station, its elevated bulk belying the Alfonso XIII. Three years later than sometime ‘light metro’ tag. Nearby a projected, most opened on 2 April diminutive automatic funicular car 2009 with full completion by the provides a link with housing on the year’s end. There were 22 stations in hill through which the metro burrows. the approximately EUR600m metro The metro has five designated project, of which Guadaíra on the park-and-ride sites, with street parking eastern arm remains little more than also apparent near outer stops. foundations. On undeveloped land Rebuilding from decline after a peak next to a railway, it is a potential in 2011, the operator now identifies Cercanías Sevilla interchange. around 14m passengers annually. The next metro station east, Pablo de Ciudad Expo and Olivar de Quintos Olavide, is open but it also lacks an metro termini are at surface level. intended transfer role. In this case, Each has the potential for outward the Alcalá tramway is missing. extension, part of Seville’s long- Construction of the new 12km standing metro vision. The densely- (7.5-mile) line began in 2010 for an packed area north from Plaza Nueva envisaged 2012 opening, but stalled has patchy bus coverage due to narrow with well over half the budget spent. streets, conditions supporting the case The part-complete infrastructure has for a future east-west line 2 and north- been subject to theft and vandalism, south line 3. The very busy ‘C’ (circular) although the project is not abandoned. bus routes are mirrored by a possible All metro stations have barrier- line 4 metro circuit. It is, however, an controlled platform access and extension of T1 that may yield more platform edge doors. The system was benefits relative to outlay; it could built for double-length trains, but such certainly be achieved more quickly. formations are infrequent. Examples From the end of T1 track beyond are Easter Week celebrations, which San Bernardo to Santa Justa station, saw 24-hour operation in 2015, and the avenues are wide enough to some football games – but fleet size incorporate tram space. Lined is a limiting factor. Stations are with commercial and residential generally spacious, although there properties, they would add to the ABOVE: Both metro termini are on the surface: the approaches to are constricted areas. demand inherent by linking one Ciudad Expo. A notable installation is a viaduct of Spain’s busiest stations with its BELOW LEFT: If completed, a joint Guadaira station would be a (part of the 13% of the metro on such city centre. metro/heavy rail interchange. structures) crossing the Guadalquivir’s through-channel and flood plain. More detailed maps and schedules on BELOW RIGHT: The metro has side and island platform layouts: At the western end is San Juan Bajo the TUSSAM and Metro websites. San Bernardo station. “Ciudad Expo and Olivar de Quintos metro termini are at surface level. Each has the potential for outward extension, part of Seville’s long-standing metro vision.”

ESSENTIAL FACTS Local travel: Beyond specifics at each stop, wider information is not very What is there to see? Seville is home to flamenco and tapas, with Sherry apparent, an omission extending to tourist offices. Although not geared to made nearby: all flourish in the mainstream, not just for tourists. Structural visitors, try the Tussam office near T1 Prado de San Sebastian. Tussam single attractions include the cathedral, Alcazar palace and Plaza de España with journeys EUR1.40; one and three-day tickets EUR5 and EUR10 respectively. adjoining Maria Luisa gardens: all by or near T1. Guadalquivir tour boats There is a fare distinction if journeys include a transfer. from near Torre del Oro – the ancient ‘Tower of Gold’ is a city emblem. Metro stations have better service information. Three ticketing zones: Notwithstanding extremely hot summers, just wandering around is a key one-day metro ticket ‘Bono de 1 día’ at EUR4.50 avoids such complexities. attraction: the area between Plaza Nueva and city wall remnants near Stored-value cards are interchangeable between modes, although each is Macarena Basilica is very atmospheric. Jerez de la Frontera, Cadiz and charged separately. Cordoba each offer easy day trips by train or bus from Seville.

68 / FEBRUARY 2016 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Worldwide Review

ARGENTINA BUENOS AIRES. R o c a line commuter rail service electrification was extended to Quilmes on 5 December. Outgoing President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner rode on the first new EMU supplied by CSR of China on her last official engagement. Two weeks later (18 December) incoming President Mauricio Macri officially opened the extension of metro line H from Corrientes to La Heras. The intermediate station at Santa Fe will open in April, when work to complete the interchange with line D is completed. RGI

AUSTRIA INNSBRUCK. An order for regional tram-trains has been placed with Bombardier, which will supply 16 28m Flexity cars (with an option for four more) plus maintenance support. RGI The Chinese-built SuperiorPlus 100% low-floor tram is now at the Inekon factory in Ostrava, Czech Republic, for completion GRAZ. The extension of line 7 to prior to being marketed in Europe. D. Kostal Medezinischen Universität Graz is planned for 10 September, but through its bank BNDES to help 12 from Qufu Rd to Qixin Rd extension to Kehl in Germany was trams will be temporarily cut fund the 24.2km (15-mile) metro (22.8km/14.2 miles), line 13 from in place in December. J. S. Wilson back from the existing loop at line 2, and the 5.6km (3.5-mile) Changshou Rd to Shibo Avenue, St Leonhard on 8 July. Nine trams eastern extension of line 1. IRJ and line 11 from Luoshan Rd GERMANY of series 260 and 580 have been to Kangxin Highway (4.1km/2.5 BERLIN. On 8 December it was sold to the Romanian city of Braila CANADA miles). urbanrail.net announced that DB subsidiary for EUR59 500. EB, BS TORONTO. The last Bombardier S-Bahn Berlin has been awarded WIEN (Vienna). The delivery of Flexity delivered in 2015 was 4414, CZECH REPUBLIC a further contract to operate the short ULF trams concluded with which arrived on 14 December; PRAHA (Prague). Twenty Tatra Ring and Branches service group, the arrival of A1 130 in October. since that date passengers have been T6A5 bogie trams are being sold covering 2021-35. RGI Siemens immediately followed able to board trams through any to the Sofia tramway system in CHEMNITZ. Introduction of with the production of long ULF door. Proof of payment is required Bulgaria. A. Prescott Vossloh Citylink cars 431-6 was cars; B1 772 was undergoing trials (Metropass, transfer or Presto card) deferred from 13 December, and on line 67, also in October. EB and all trams were Presto-enabled EGYPT should now take place in April. WIEN – BADEN (WLB). It is by 31 December. Articulated tram EL QAHIRA (Cairo). Alstom has V. Dornheim proposed to invite tenders for the 4234 has been scrapped. been awarded a EUR15m contract DRESDEN. Volkswagen has delivery of up to 18 new trams Developers are challenging the to equip the depot of metro line 1 announced the end of Phaeton to complete the replacement of decision to replace the Scarborough with a signalling system. automobile production in its high-floor cars by 2020. EB RT line with a subway extension Expressions of interest have been central Dresden factory, which rather than the planned light rail, invited for 13 new metro trains, in turn meant the withdrawal in BELGIUM arguing that a three-stop subway which the National Authority January of the freight tram service BRUXELLES/BRUSSELS. would not give transit access as for Tunnels will purchase using from Friedrichstadt railway yard The changes to SNCB S services good as a seven-stop LRT, and a EUR100m ERDB loan approved after 15 years. DS described last issue, including the the process to impose developer on 9 December. They will be DÜSSELDORF. Am Steinberg opening of the railway tunnel contributions to the subway costs used to increase capacity on line 2. depot is to be reopened as a base between Schuman and Meiser, was flawed. D. Drum Fares are to be raised in 2016, for for museum trams, in order to were postponed from 12 December the first time since 2010. RGI free-up space at Lierenfeld depot to 9 April as a consequence of CHINA HELSINKI. HSL is taking in readiness for the opening of the terrorist alerts and availability BEIJING. A 30-year PPP concession delivery of the production series Wehrhahn tram subway. DS of emergency teams to test the with MTR Corporation and of Transtech Skoda Artic trams; FREIBURG-IM-BREISGAU. The facility. The full metro, tram Beijing Capital Group has been 403 arrived in December. Forty new line 4 (pink) was launched by and bus network ran from 30 signed for a 50km (31-mile) metro Artic trams should be in service preserved tram 56 and CAF Urbos November. T-2000 line, 16, due to open in 2016-18. RGI by May 2018. TR 306 on 11 December, covering the HASSELT – MAASTRICHT. HANGZHOU. Metro line 1 was 1.6km (one-mile) branch to the The city council of Maastricht has extended east by 5.7km (3.5 miles) FRANCE technical facility of Universität decided the future international from Wenzelu to Xiasha Jiangbin GRENOBLE. With 14 of the Freiburg. A further 1km (0.6-mile) interurban tram-train will not on 24 November. urbanrail.net original Alstom TFS low-floor extension to Messe will open in reach the railway station, but QINGDAO. Metro operation trams (2002/6-9/10/1/5/6/20-2/36) December 2017. R. Deacon instead terminate on the west side started on 16 December, with the renovated and in service, work is GERA. With its undertaking in of the Wilhelmina bridge at Mosae opening of line 3 from Qingdao in progress on a further eight cars the hands of receivers, the Forum. Vlaamse politicians have Beizhan (North Railway Station) (including 2001/3). lineoz.net city council has decided to still to formally respond. OR to Shuangshan (12km/7.5 miles). LYON. The T3 tramway branch bid EUR29.5m to buy back the urbanrail.net to Grand Stade was inaugurated infrastructure and vehicles. DS BRAZIL SHANGHAI. Saturday 19 on 1 December. E. Stuart HALLE/SAALE. A new timetable SALVADOR. The state has agreed December saw the opening of STRASBOURG. The tram bridge took effect from 21 December as to provide BRL2bn (EUR500m) three sections of metro: line over the river Rhein for the the long-term infrastructure work

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2016 / 69 Worldwide Review

The Tangshan Railway Vehicle Company in China has signed an agreement with This photo shows progress with the construction of the tram subway in Canada’s Ballard to develop a fuel cell powered tram design. TRC Karlsruhe. K. Matzka around Steintor was completed of the operating contract, due to The enhancement for Connolly MALAYSIA and routes 1, 2, 4, 5 and 10 be tendered in 2016. IRJ routes is in response to continuing GEORGETOWN. Plans have returned to their normal routes. passenger growth (8% in the last been unveiled for a light rail Further city centre work is due to INDIA 12 months) and includes an link between Penang Island and start on 28 April. DS CHENNAI (Madras). Heavy increase in basic weekday the Prai Industrial Estate on the KÖLN (Cologne). Tr a m s rain on 22-23 November caused frequencies from 15 minutes to mainland. Star 5101+5102 were decorated extensive flooding. The elevated every ten minutes, with earlier for the inauguration by metro continued to operate, trains towards the city centre NETHERLANDS Oberbürgermeisterin Henriette despite floodwater partially and extra peak trains to and AMSTERDAM. T h e l a s t Reker of line 17 to Severinstrasse inundating the depot. TMRG from Dundalk and Drogheda. Blokkendozen trams in passenger on 12 December, bringing Saturday services will initially service are 794, 801/9. Several a further 2.2km (1.4 miles) of tram ITALY run to basic 15-minute headways others remain in store. Combino subway into operation.Trains ROMA. Heritage tram 2235 was with a 20-minute basic service on 2145-51 have had safety run in both directions on decorated with illuminations Sundays; both are expected to see equipment fitted so that they may both tracks due to the lack of a for the holiday season and was further improvement at a later be operated on line 26 (originally crossover. Regular service between to run from 18.00 to 22.30 from timetable change. only 2131-44 had this equipment). Rodenkirchen and Severinstrasse 6 December until 6 January. A similar exercise for Heuston DEN HAAG. The province, the started on 13 December with a Notizie Lazio services is expected imminently. city region and the city of Delft day of fare-free operation. have finally reached agreement The north-south tram subway IRELAND ISLE OF MAN on paying for the new Sint still has a gap between Heumarkt DUBLIN. Further to last GENERAL. Scale models of Isle Sebastiaans Bridge, permitting and Severinstrasse, where the issue’s news, an order for seven of Man Railway locomotive 12 the completion of line 19 to be Stadtarchiv collapse took place, additional Alstom Citadis trams Hutchinson and Manx Electric programmed for 2020. OR a gap that will not be filled for has been placed by Transport Railway tramcar 21 have been ROTTERDAM. As the first of several years. DS Infrastructure Ireland as the next commissioned by Isle of Man the 16 three-section Bombardier KREFELD. With infrastructure step in the Luas Cross City project. Railways. They form part of a range Flexity Swift for the conversion of work at Rheinstrasse central The additional vehicles will of souvenirs available online, the Hoek van Holland line was interchange completed, the cost EUR36.5m excluding VAT. and from tourist information delivered (5701), RET ordered four Krefeld tramlines returned They will be the largest trams in centres and stations. six more 42.7m sets to increase to their normal route via Ostwall the fleet, comprising nine modules capacity on RandstadRail line from 23 December, followed on with a total length of 54.6m as JAPAN E (Den Haag–Rotterdam). They 7 January by the return of against the current Green line SAPPORO. A ceremony was will permit a five-minute peak Rheinbahn lines U70 and U76. trams, which have a length of 43m. held on 19 December to mark headway from 2017. OR MÜNCHEN (Munich). Work The trams will have a seating plus the completion of a city centre on the Ostfriedhof junction was standing capacity of 379, 60 more tramway link, which opened for NEW ZEALAND completed on 29 November, than the current fleet. service the following day. WELLINGTON. A joint venture with the grand union reinstated. Green line stops between The new 449m line connects of Transdev and Hyundai Rotem From 30 November routes 15, Sandyford and St Stephen’s Green the northern terminus of the has been named preferred bidder 17 and 25 resumed their normal will need to be lengthened to Yamahana line at Susukino with to operate suburban commuter routes. DS accommodate the longer trams, the eastern terminus of the Ichijo rail services for 15 years from NÜRNBERG (Nuremburg). which are to be constructed by line at Nishi-Yon-Chome, adding 1 July; 400 TranzMetro staff will The contract for new U-Bahn Alstom at La Rochelle in France. an intermediate stop at Tanuki transfer to the new operator. RGI trains from Siemens was signed They will be operated both Koji. The link will enable Sapporo’s in early December; 21 sets are on from Sandyford depot and three routes to be combined as a NORWAY order, with an option for 13 more. the proposed new depot at single tramway circulator route BERGEN. Keolis has been Delivery will start in mid-2018. DS Broombridge. The trams will be around the city centre. RGI awarded an extension to its PLAUEN. Three more 70% low- tested on the existing Green line in SENDAI. The city’s second metro contract to operate the Bybanen floor trams have been ordered advance of services commencing line, the 13.9km (8.6-mile) Tozai tramway until July 2018, with an from Bombardier for EUR6.3m, on the Cross City line at the end line, underground, and with option for a further year. for delivery by the end of 2017. DS of 2017. 1500V dc overhead electrification, RHEIN-RUHR. VRR has acquired Public consultation took place was inaugurated on 6 December; POLAND 48 class 422 S-Bahn sets from DB in December on a major DART 15 four-car Kinki Sharyo trains SZCZECIN. The first two new Regio, and will make the trains service expansion planned for with linear induction motors run Moderus Beta MF15 three-section available to the winning bidder early this year. from Arai depot. IRJ articulated trams are 601/2. DS

70 / FEBRUARY 2016 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Reconstruction of Budapest tramline 19 took place in December 2015, seen here Modernisation of the tram/metro interchange (M2) at Széll Kálmán tér in with the iconic Széchenyi Chain Bridge in the background. S. Johnston Budapest on 30 December 2015. S. Johnston

ROMANIA CHUR–ST MORITZ (RhB). 25 November; 5639 will be agreement with Stagecoach buses IASI. The Technopolis (CUG) Stadler delivered the first of six ex-Praha 7074. transphoto.ru to help alleviate the problems tramline, closed since 1997, was seven-car trains for the Albula being experienced by commuters reopened on 13 December after line to Landquart depot on UNITED ARAB EMIRATES due to the closure of the Forth complete reconstruction. Line 9 2 December. Each train has two DUBAI. Property developer Road Bridge for emergency repairs. runs to Podu Ros. transphoto.ru low-floor trailers and will work Nakheel has awarded Serco a From 10 December Stagecoach with a Ge4/4 locomotive in five-year contract extension for diverted bus services between Fife RUSSIA push-pull mode. RGI operation and maintenance and Edinburgh to the Ingliston DZERZHINSK. Tramway service INTERLAKEN – of the 5.3km (3.3-mile) Palm park-and-ride site to facilitate ceased on 17 December after the GRINDELWAD (BOB). The Jumeirah Monorail. Serco began transfers to and from Edinburgh undertaking was unable to find new 708m Buechitunnel between operating the Monorail in Airport, freely available on the funds for essential maintenance. Zweilütschinen and Lütschental August 2010. tram to Stagecoach customers. Sixteen trams from the fleet of was opened on 20 November, Transport for Edinburgh has over 100 were in service on the with regular service from the UNITED KINGDOM launched a trial to allow mobility last day; 1933 H class tram 01 was following day. TR BLACKPOOL. The heritage tram scooters to travel on trams. A pilot also at the depot. Novosti LIESTAL–WALDENBURG (WB). fleet was active until the end of has been set up inviting owners MOSKVA. F r u n z e n s k a y a Plans to convert the 13.1km 2015 with ‘Santa Specials’ and to apply for a permit allowing the metro station was closed for (8.1-mile) light railway from private hires, and an expanded scooters to use trams for the period 14 months from 2 January to 750mm to 1000mm-gauge by programme has been proposed between 1 January and 31 March. permit reconstruction of the 2022 have been approved. RGI for 2016. Heritage services will Three vacant senior positions ticket hall and the replacement of VEVEY–LES PLÉIADES (MVR). be provided every weekend from have been filled, a Transport for escalators. transphoto.ru The first Stadler GTW with rack 5 March to 6 November and daily Edinburgh Chief Executive, a SAMARA. Sankt Peterburg equipment is ABeh2/6 7501, between the following dates: Managing Director of Lothian Ust Katav 71-623 tram 7505 delivered in October. EA 7-11 March, 4-22 April, Buses and a General Manager was returned to the factory in 30 May-3 June, 1 July-1 September for Edinburgh Trams. George November, and subsequently SWEDEN and 17 October-4 November. Lowder MBE has been appointed delivered to Samara where it STOCKHOLM. The ten-year Enhanced winter services Chief Executive of Transport appeared on test as 938 on 17 concession for the operation will run on 30-31 January; for Edinburgh, Richard Hall has November. transphoto.ru of the suburban commuter rail 27-28 February and 26-27 secured the Managing Director network from December 2016 November. Enhanced services role at Lothian Buses and SPAIN has been awarded to MTR Nordic, (six trams) will also operate Lea Harrison will be General JAÉN/VÉLEZ-MÁLAGA. The a subsidiary of Hong Kong’s over Bank Holiday weekends Manager at Edinburgh Trams. Junta of Andalucia has offered MTR Corporation. RGI and for special events such GREATER MANCHESTER. to meet 40% of the operating as ‘Fleetwood Tram Sunday’ The trial of overnight parking costs of the suspended tramlines TURKEY (17 July). Illuminations tours will at 15 car parks began on 4 in these two towns, if the ISTANBUL. A terrorist bomb run 3 September-6 November. December and will run to the city councils will cover the exploding on a bridge at Increasing the operation end of February. The trial has remainder. TR Bayrampassa-Maltepe station means additional opportunities been implemented on Friday and GRANADA. The last of the 15 caused the suspension of light will be available for volunteer Saturday nights. CAF Urbos 3 32m trams was rail metro service on 1 December. conductors and drivers, and Transport for Greater delivered on 26 November and it is also intended to recruit a Manchester has submitted a will join the testing programme UGANDA team of customer service and planning application for a new on the new 16km (ten-mile) line. KAMPALA. Uganda and China depot tour guides. transport interchange in Ashton- have signed a memorandum of CAMBRIDGE. Passenger under-Lyne. Plans include a SWITZERLAND understanding that could lead numbers on the Cambridgeshire single covered concourse to BASEL. After 15 years in service, to the construction of an Addis Guided Busway are continuing replace the five ‘island’ platforms, a CHF28m (EUR25.8m) mid- Ababa-style light rail system in to rise with 327 000 trips being improved waiting areas, cycle life overhaul of the 28 Siemens Uganda’s capital city. A 35km taken in November, a 6% increase parking and easier access to Combino trams is in progress, (22-mile) network is estimated over November 2014. Almost both the tram terminal platform with 303 the first to be released to cost USD440m. IRJ 14 million passengers have and the nearby railway station. carrying the darker shade of been carried since the busway Subject to planning permission, green already applied to the new UKRAINE opened in 2011. work would start in late 2016/ Bombardier Flexity. Work is taking KYIV. Ex-Praha T3 7135 EDINBURGH. Edinburgh Trams early 2017 with the interchange place in the BVB workshops. DS entered service as 5638 on has entered into a temporary being open for use in late 2018.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2016 / 71 Worldwide Review

intended). Tram 120 has entered station when the power was cut. service with a repaint of the It is understood the driver had section from 118 into the the control held open with a mock-up Sheffield Corporation restraining device. E. B. Havens livery carried by 120. CHICAGO, IL. CTA has awarded The official unveiling of the first a USD13m contract to Kiewit of the new Vossloh tram-trains Infrastructure Ltd for the 4km took place at a ceremony at the (2.5-mile) Green Line West Track Nunnery Depot on 10 December Renewal Project between Laramie (see page 48). Parliamentary and Harlem/Lake stations. Under-Secretary of State for E. B. Havens Transport Andrew Jones MP CINCINNATI, OH. Powered together with the tram-train testing of CAF trams on the street project team and local stakeholders began on 1 December. E. B. Havens took part in the event. CLEVELAND, OH. Thirty-seven The new vehicle has now of the 48 Breda LRVs delivered begun its testing programme and in 1980-81 remain available for it is expected that the first three service on the Shaker Heights Following a collision in November, Sheffield Supertram 120 has been reformed vehicles will enter service on the lines; many of the remainder have with the undamaged end of 118 and returned to service. Tram 118 will be repaired current network in the summer. been stripped for parts to keep the using the damaged end of 120, seen here on the back of the unit. R. Buckley Tram-train passenger services are fleet running. E. B. Havens INDUSTRY. The University Costing GBP563m (EUR768m), the expected to start in early 2017. EL PASO, TX. Utility relocation of Huddersfield's Institute of upgrade will increase the station’s TYNE AND WEAR. Storms on work for the 7.7km (4.8-mile) Railway Research has secured a capacity by 40%, improving 6 December damaged the future Downtown tramline GBP140 000 (EUR190 000) grant accessibility and reducing overhead line between Pelaw started on 7 December, and after from UKTram’s Low Impact interchange times between and Sunderland such that a Christmas break resumed on Light Rail initiative to develop a the Underground lines and services were suspended until 3 January. E. B. Havens software-based asset management the Docklands Light Railway 10 December pending repairs HONOLULU, HI. The first 16km tool to help operators calculate when it is completed in 2021. being undertaken by Network (ten miles) of the automated mini- appropriate rail wear limits. The station will remain open Rail, which is responsible for metro should be open by the end With the aim of increasing throughout the work. the Sunderland line. A shuttle of 2018. Pacific Business News maintenance intervals, IRR NOTTINGHAM. B eeston’s service was maintained over the INDUSTRY. Stadler Rail is to researchers will utilise computer interchange, which opened in Sunderland – South Hylton section establish a rolling stock plant in modelling of the interface between July, has been the subject of a for part of the closure period, but Utah as the first phase of a 15-year rail vehicles and track to develop passenger survey carried out bus substitution was necessary plan to expand the company’s the new tool. by Nottinghamshire County between Pelaw and Sunderland. presence in the North American Dr Adam Bevan of IRR says Council. It found 94% of users are Punctuality on the Metro market. The first stock to be there is currently no rail wear satisfied or very satisfied with the network fell by 7% below the target assembled there will be the DMUs benchmark for UK networks, with interchange; 87% of passengers of 87.2% between August and ordered by Tex Rail for commuter engineers drawing on their own rated it highly for its convenience, October. Although this is better service between Fort Worth experience, often taken from main accessibility and safety; 80% of than the 64% rate recorded over and Dallas/Fort Worth line railways. The result is often the passengers use the interchange the previous winter, which led International Airport. adoption of overly conservative several times a week; there was a to operator DB Regio being fined Stadler recently acquired the rail wear limits, meaning that rails are 19% shift away from the car to GBP271 000 (EUR296 000), it is vehicle division of Vossloh-Kiepe, replaced prematurely, increasing the tram for people who would still considered unsatisfactory. which is able to offer tram-train costs and disruption. previously have made the same Milton Keynes-based TXM Rail designs. IRJ The project is due for completion journey by car; 28% of trips has won a four-year contract of KANSAS CITY, KS. The second by October 2016, when the on the tram are new journeys planned permanent way works. CAF tram was delivered on tool will be made available to which would previously have not TXM Rail is to establish a depot in 9 December. E. B. Havens UKTram members, with IRR been made at all; 35% of passengers Newcastle upon Tyne. LAS VEGAS, NV. The Regional providing technical consultancy use both bus and tram, revealing a Transportation Commission to customise it to specific network strong preference for multi-modal USA has produced an urban transit conditions. travel and demonstrating the ANAHEIM, CA. The modern plan that advocates light rail in LONDON (TRAMLINK). importance of the interchange. tramway plan survived a the most important corridors, Variotram 2563 was delivered to SOUTH YORKSHIRE. The meeting of the Orange County including The Strip and McCarran the Tramlink depot at Therapia shortage of trams following Transportation Authority, despite International airport. E. B. Havens Lane on 6 December, completing the collision at Shalesmoor has the 5.1km (3.2-mile) line being LOS ANGELES, CA. The Expo the second order for four trams. meant reduced services on the estimated to cost more than line extension to Santa Monica At the end of the year 2560 and Purple route; bus replacement USD300m. Further studies will should be opened for passenger 2562 were in service use, with of the Monday-Friday daytime be carried out. E. B. Havens service in April or May. E. B. Havens 2563 joining 2561 undergoing service started on 7 December. ATLANTA, GA. The city council NEW YORK, NY. The MTA’s commissioning tests. However, the re-introduction to has approved a tramway expansion 2015-19 capital plan includes LONDON (UNDERGROUND). service of tram 120 together with programme that includes five funding for ten subway trains with The Mayor and Transport for the undamaged section of tram cross-town lines, plus the orbital inter-car gangways. E. B. Havens London are working with Network 118 led to the previous temporary Beltline, totalling more than PHILADELPHIA, PA (PATCO). Rail and Southwark Council route being reinstated from 10 80km (50 miles). A referendum will Normal service resumed on on plans for a new Thameslink December with trams operating be needed for a sales tax increase 2 January following the station at Camberwell. This would from Cathedral to Herdings Park to fund the proposals over several completion of trackwork on the reduce journey times into central at all times of the day, but still years. E. B. Havens Benjamin Franklin Bridge. London by up to 20 minutes, and not extending to Meadowhall BOSTON, MA. A six-car Red J. W. Vigrass improve access to locations across except on Sundays. line rapid transit train with 50 PHILADELPHIA, PA (SEPTA). the city by providing connections The remaining damaged passengers on board ran away Plans are being developed for to the Underground and Crossrail. sections of trams 118 and 120 are from Braintree Station on 10 the purchase of about 100 new Work is expected to start shortly being repaired at the Supertram December while the driver was trams by 2027 to replace the on revamping Bank station, the depot (they have not been sent attending to trackside equipment, Kawasaki cars dating from the third busiest on the Tube network. to Derby for work as originally and was halted near JFK/UMass 1980s. E. B. Havens

72 / FEBRUARY 2016 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org the current year. These include the Rockhill Trolley Museum to an ‘Easter Extravaganza’ on 26- the Newtown Square Railroad 27 March; a ‘1940s Weekend’ on Museum in Drexel Lodge Park for 14-15 May; a ‘London Event’ on restoration. E. B. Havens 9-10 July; a ‘Trolleybus Weekend’ on 24-25 September; and a CONTRIBUTORS ‘Halloween Event’ on 29 October. Worldwide items should be Trams and trolleybuses will sent to Worldwide Editor operate all weekends between Michael Taplin at Flat 1, 10 Hope Easter and the end of September, Road, Shanklin, Isle of Wight and during main school holiday PO37 6EA, UK.Fax: +44 periods. (0)1983 862810 or e-mail: KINGSTON, NY (US). The [email protected] Trolley Museum of New York has UK and Ireland items received PATH car 143, one of are welcomed by the Home the transit cars stored since the News Editor, John Symons, 9/11 terrorist attack, when it was 17 Whitmore Avenue, Werrington, abandoned at the World Trade Stoke-on-Trent, ST9 0LW, UK. Center station. E. B. Havens E-mail: [email protected]. The mock-up of the CAF tram that will be delivered to Utrecht. R. Naber LOFTUS (AU). Two-axle tram Acknowledgements are due to Ballarat 12 (Meadowbank 1915), Mike Ballinger, R. Barrows, BS PHOENIX, AZ. The first segment willing to sell 150km (93 miles) built for Melbourne as Prahran Blickpunkt Strassenbahn, Richard of funding from the voter- of local rail tracks for commuter & Malvern 71, is to be restored to Buckley, Cambridge News, DS approved Proposition 104 will be rail. E. B. Havens 1960s condition for the museum Drehscheibe, EA Eisenbahn Amateur, used to build a light rail line from WASHINGTON, DC. T he centenary later this year. TW EB Eisenbahn, Irish Times, IRJ the city centre south along South H St/Benning Rd tramway PERTH (AU). The PETS museum International Rail Journal, Paul Central Avenue to Baseline Rd. started its 21-day pre-revenue at Whiteman Park has acquired Jackson, lineoz.net, Manchester E. B. Havens test on 16 December, which Melbourne W6 tram 998 from Evening News, Notizie Lazio, PORTLAND, OR. On Portland if successful should see the the Ballarat museum; it will be Novosti, OR Op De Rails, Pacific Streetcar five city centre stops are line finally opened in January. reconditioned for service. TW Business News, Eric Pounder, Star, being closed on a one-month trial Metro vending machines sold PHILADELPHIA, PA (US). RGI Railway Gazette International, basis in February to see if running their last paper tickets at the Former Red Arrow broad- T-2000 Tram 2000, TR Today’s times can be improved. beginning of November; All gauge tram 23, a double-ended Railways, transphoto.ru, TW, SACRAMENTO, CA. ticketing is now by SmarTrip cards PCC-type car built by St Louis urbanrail.net, and Wolverhampton Community meetings have been (which cost USD2 plus the loaded in 1949, has been moved from Express & Star. held to discuss plans to extend value). Paper tickets will not be light rail by 21km (13 miles) to accepted after 6 March. R. Barrows the international airport, north of the city. E. B. Havens MUSEUM NEWS SALT LAKE CITY, UT. The S line AMSTERDAM (NL). Newly- tramway in the southern suburbs, restored NZH tram A106 opened two years ago, carried over (Uerdingen 1910) carried 370 000 passengers in 2015, up passengers for the first time on 19% on 2014. E. B. Havens 28 November, when members SAN FRANCISCO, CA. Proposals of the NZH historical society to block Market St for Superbowl marked their 30th anniversary. City during the period 23 January The tram was withdrawn in 1949 to 12 February have drawn the and restoration work started anger of many Castro shopkeepers in 2006. who rely on the F line for business. BEAMISH (UK). The restoration The heritage trams would operate of Sheffield tram 264 at Beamish Fishermans Wharf – Ferry is progressing well with the Building only. E. B. Havens tram reassembled and subject to SAVAN NAH, GA. The River Street extensive testing at the end of Waterfront Streetcar has been 2015. It was then expected out of service for a year awaiting to receive a repaint and the repairs to the track. E. B. Havens installation of new corner SEATTLE. The November ballot windscreens manufactured will feature a tax proposal to fund to replace the temporary ones a USD15bn transit expansion previously fitted. It is expected programme, including new, and that the tram will be available for expansion of existing planned, use on the museum circuit in the light rail lines. E. B. Havens spring, for the first time in more ST LOUIS, MO. The St Louis than 13 years. County Council has approved The next tram to receive a an extra USD3m for the Delmar substantial overhaul will be Loop tramway project, which in Gateshead 10 with new tyres, turn should enable qualification motor refurbishment and overhaul for USD5.4m more in federal of its air brake system scheduled funding. E. B. Havens for the next few months. The TAMPA, FL. A USD1.2m study overhaul will also include some is being launched to evaluate bodywork attention and a the potential for expanding the complete repaint. heritage tramway to become a EAST ANGLIA TRANSPORT robust commuter service. CSX MUSEUM (UK). Dates have has indicated that it would be been set for special events for

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2016 / 73 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.

Putting the ‘public’ back into public transport

I read the piece about poverty and light rail (TAUT 937, light rail. While I believe that he is correct in many respects, Comment) with interest. I think that this is a western belief, coming from societies I don’t believe there is enough emphasis in either the that are dominated by the private automobile. UK Government or Regional Transport strategies on the In other, dare I say (at the risk of sounding less than totally important transport objective of reducing poverty/social politically correct), less well-developed parts of the world, the exclusion. Bearing in mind that some 25% of households bus is a vital form of transport for millions. Where ownership don’t have access to a car, and the vast majority of these are of personal motorised transport (whether that be car or people who cannot afford a car, so public transport – and motorcycle) is low, the bus is the only way to get to work, visit particularly buses – plays a vital role in enabling those on low friends and relatives or even access basic amenities such as incomes to access the basic things in life, including travel to hospitals or schools. In such situations, mass rail transport work, hospital, visiting friends and relatives, shopping at a for short urban journeys isn’t even a consideration. supermarket etc. The statistics of how many light rail systems exist in Because the majority of the media and politicians are Africa tell the story. Aside from the nations in the north of based in London where public transport compared to the the continent, themselves largely influenced by a colonial rest of the country is excellent, most are unaware of the heritage that still holds sway, how many tramway and urban huge difficulties – and the impact on poverty – that the rail networks exist where their need is at the very greatest? huge cuts over the last few years in bus services and the In this regard, tramway, light rail and metro schemes are real-term increases in fares have on the poorest sections mainly a western solution to the problem of urban transport of the community. for the masses – as it is only these nations that can afford Light rail is usually planned and justified by its them! The paradox is of course that our ‘need’ for tramways contribution to economic development and the reduction and light rail systems is arguably far below that of the nations in traffic congestion on the major corridors rather than that are undergoing population explosions that will restrict reducing social exclusion. Obviously pricing plays a key role their growth. here; one of the problems that local authorities and transport One could view the situation in parts of China, India and authorities (outside London) have in trying to reduce social Sub-Saharan Africa almost as if they are undergoing the exclusion is the inability to determine the overall bus ‘revolution’ seen in Europe in the early to mid-20th Century. network and the inability to set fares that people can afford. Tramways and underground railways acted as the backbone Since 1986 the dominant players in terms of the shape of that have helped many major cities flourish, helping the bus network and the level of fares, again outside London, to counter increasing urbanisation, incredible rates of have been the private bus operators who have as their prime industrialisation and all the problems that come with them. objectives the bottom line and return to shareholders rather Sustainable town and city development can only than meeting the social needs of local communities. occur when those areas have healthy and free-flowing I hope that the much heralded devolution/localism environments in which to flourish, so while I personally rhetoric will, if carried through, result in this changing to advocate the steel wheel on steel rail solution wherever the benefit of all. possible, it is not – and cannot – be the only solution. Mike Parker, Light Rail Transit Association President 2006-08 I am a campaigner for better public transport as a whole and would far rather see a full bus than I would 50 cars I think it is interesting that the Editor has chosen to highlight with only one occupant. that buses are seen as a ‘poverty’ mode when compared to T. Conteh, by e-mail

More on wire-free, please wires above our roads, or the practicalities The consequences of under-supply So fuel cell trams are to enter service in of delivering ‘overhead’ whether attached to The December issue (TAUT 936) points to a China in 2017 (TAUT 935), pioneering yet free-standing stanchions, or buildings. recent UITP report that suggests that only another form of off-wire travel to add to Tramways & Urban Transit has already 400-450 light rail vehicles and trams have things such as batteries and supercapacitors. examined some of the practicalities of these been built each year over the last three We also read (TAUT 936) that Bombardier technologies, but it would be worthwhile to decades, against a probable need for more has claimed a range record for its Primove see further in-depth articles on just these than double that number. wire-free technology. subjects as things continue to progress. If that is the case, what is being done about The question is, at what point will such It would also be interesting to read views it? Or, taking a slightly different perspective, off-wire technologies mature to the point and analyses of what such developments what are the prospects of there being an at which wires seem not only simply an could mean for tramways and light rail over under-supply situation, and what could be option, but an outdated, unnecessary one? the medium to longer term. How about it? the consequences in such a situation? Indeed, will that ever happen? Howard Pasteron, by e-mail From the pages of TAUT it would appear If it does, and provided that maturity also there are many ‘secondhand’ vehicles that means such technologies are affordable on Ed: The past few years have seen a boom in still offer plenty of serviceable life that are a large scale, it could transform the way that ‘off-wire’ technologies, and every being discarded and scrapped as politicians we look at laying what are effectively manufacturer now offers its own solution. and authorities seek the latest, and greatest, railways through our streets. Gone could As battery technology, driven by the mobile new vehicles and technologies. One also has be many of the issues we have to consider device market, increases efficiency and to ask if modern low-floor vehicles are as today: of aesthetics in sensitive historic drives down cost we could easily see a future robust as older rolling stock if they are areas, or of having high-voltage electricity without wires within the next few decades. being replaced within 20-30 years.

74 / FEBRUARY 2016 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org In an age where recycling and The latter is especially important with the ‘repurposing’ is in vogue and finances are younger generation, many of whom seem to tight, why aren’t we seeing more trams being have their headphones permanently plugged re-used? Public perception of public transport into their smartphones and MP3 players. is crucial if we are to shift people away from Placing a rail vehicle into a street the private car, and shiny new trams can only environment is always going to be a risky help this, but is the overall need not greater endeavour that needs careful management, to see how we can develop new systems – one but I am sure that more can be done to keep way to do this would seem to be by offering both the services running and other road cheaper and simpler solutions. users safe. I’m sure that every city would like the N. Plieman, by e-mail most modern (and therefore attractive) light rail system – wire-free running, luxurious Consideration of stops and stations stops and interchanges, advanced depots etc Congratulations again to Scott McIntosh – but what if simple track and overhead and for another thought-provoking article in secondhand vehicles can halve the cost? the December issue (936) on stops, stations In the same way that firms like Pragoimex and interchanges. While the light rail are adapting and modernising proven Tatra vehicles and tram vehicles themselves seem designs, a whole new industry could be to garner the most visibility of any new created through the refurbishment of the service, I don’t believe that the environments hundreds of vehicles that are currently being on and around them receive anywhere near replaced around the world. enough attention. I would imagine that there can be very few He raises some excellent points about that are completely beyond economical repair ‘form AND function’ and shows how many and local firms that have time-honoured and waiting environments are just not fit for traditional skills could be granted a new lease purpose given the requirements of the of life if they are given the incentive to turn Pedestrians have many more opportunities for modern passenger. Designers run amok their hand to refurbishing old trams. distraction these days, but Robin Milson argues that without considering what passengers really operators do themselves few favours with their This could lead to the creation of many increasingly quiet vehicles. N. Pulling want and need. new jobs and apprenticeships for budding Simple things like reliable passenger engineers – and at a stroke halve the rolling information, decent shelter and even a basic stock costs of ‘new-build’ tramways. “Some operators do it, but map or adequate lighting are all too often Perhaps now is the time to further support absent – what kind of message does this local engineering businesses in the quest to tram lights need to be present to an intending passenger? give these vehicles a new home and address Robin Milson, by e-mail the impending global rolling stock shortage. brighter and more visible. Name and address supplied HS2? Sheffield tram-train? See Kassel Better road signage and Much has been made in the UK in recent Are trams too 'invisible'? better education will help.” months about the potentially transformative While much is made of the need to reduce the benefits of the proposed new High Speed 2 impact that trams have in terms of noise from railway. If the country wants to consider just ‘squealing’ rails, and better integration into Too often the tram bell is overwhelmed by what can be achieved, it could do a lot worse city environments, are we taking this too far? the hustle and bustle of background noise in than look at Kassel in Germany, where not Every week we see the unfortunate busy streets, so is one solution better lighting? only high-speed rail but tram-trains have headlines of tram collisions with pedestrians, Many modern road vehicles have their been features of daily life for years. cyclists and other road vehicles – many times headlights permanently on, so should this be Kassel (and many other places across leading to serious injuries or fatalities. a standard for street-running trams to improve Europe) have turned dreams and concepts How can this be avoided as not only does their visibility? Some operators do it, but into real services used by many people – it cause delays and disruption, but it also perhaps those lights need to be brighter and while the UK appears to still be debating tarnishes the reputation of light rail as a more visible. Better road signage and better and/or barely off the starting blocks. service if trams are deemed ‘dangerous’. education of a new service would also help. G. Einshon, by-email

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

JANUARY 2016 Friday 29. Edinburgh 19.30. Andy Monday 8. Thames Valley 19.30. Tuesday 16. Leeds 19.00. Richard Steel: Alternative power supplies. Eddie Dawes: Not the usual scenes Buckley: Tramways in Hannover Saturday 16. Sutton Coldfield 14.00. Saturday 30. Beeston 14.00. of London trams (maintenance, Thursday 25. Manchester 19.00. Area AGM and modelling. (TLRS) AGM plus photo competition. (TLRS) accidents etc) (TLRS) Geoff Lomas: Trams on cinéfilm. Saturday 16. Taunton 14.00. Saturday 30. Beeston after AGM. Wednesday 10. Brighton 19.40. AGM Friday 26. Edinburgh 19.30. Members’ presentations. (TLRS) Bob Bracegirdle: 40 years of Belgian then Terry Russell: Titbits. (TLRS) John Hampton: Blackpool – Monday 18. Liverpool 19.30. Tramways. (TLRS) Friday 12. Glasgow 19.30. Mike from conduit car to Flexity. David Armstrong: Slums to sidings. Saturday 30. Garstang 14.00. Geoffrey Russell: DDR tramways in 1974. (STTS) Friday 26. Leicester 19.45. Venue: Brunswick Room. (TLRS) Heywood: My life and trams. (TLRS) Saturday 13. Sutton Coldfield 14.00. John Lessells: Zurich, Geneva Monday 18. Sheffield 19.30. Richard Modelling. (TLRS) and Luxembourg. (TMS) Buckley: Tramways of Hanover. FEBRUARY 2016 Saturday 13. Taunton 14.00. Keith Saturday 27. Beeston 14.00. Geoff Wednesday 20. Bristol 19.30. Walton: ’60s tram nostalgia. (TLRS) Tribe: Trams – Home and Away (TLRS) AGM, Keith Walton: Prague/Danube. Tuesday 2. Southampton 19.30. Monday 15. Liverpool 19.30. Saturday 27. Garstang 14.00. Mike Friday 23. Leicester 19.45. David Witt: Martyn Davies: Another railway Sharon Brown: Liverpool museum. Crabtree: Four Blokes and a Wedding Romanian and Baltic Revue. (TMS) miscellany. (LRTA/SEG) Venue: Brunswick Room (TLRS) – American trams and trolleys. (TLRS) Thursday 28. Manchester 19.00. Saturday 6. Birmingham 14.00. Monday 15. Sheffield 19.30. Sunday 28. Garstang: Visit to the Rob Jones: The Merseyside Geoff Tribe: Tramways near and far. Andy Barclay: Peter Fox slides of Model Tramway Symposium at the Tramway Preservation Society. (LRTA/TLRS/ERS) Sheffield and Germany. Lyric Hotel, Blackpool. (TLRS)

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2016 / 75 Classic Trams BERN TRAMWAYS 1 AT 125 The Swiss federal capital in Bern staged a celebration of 125 years of tramway development in October. Mike Russell offers a view of the main event in words and pictures.

rams have recently staged The pendulum then swung with sections axle motor car 37 of 1910 coupled to SIG something of a renaissance in to Länggasse, Brückfeld and Friedhof trailer 239 of 1914. Next was 145, one of the Bern, Switzerland. After many closing between 1959-65, redressed in 1973 magnificent 1935 series of SIG-built bogie years in which the former by the opening of a long extension from cars, hauling bogie trailer 311 of 1933. substantial route network Burgernziel to the developing district of One of the wartime SIG bogie cars, 171, was Twas reduced to just three cross-city routes, Saali in the south-east. next, with bogie trailer 317. Set 175 and 316 albeit at high day-long frequencies, The trolleybus was for many years seen are in the collection of AMITRAM at Lille. investment in a new fleet of low-floor cars, as the future for public transport outside Operating without a trailer was 107, the conversion of two former trolleybus routes the core of the three remaining cross-city surviving example of one of Bern’s first to tramway operation and integration of routes but a change of policy early in the batch of SWS-built Swiss Standard motor the associated but operationally-separate 21st Century has resulted in the western cars, delivered in 1947. A pair of the last RBS line to Worb into the city network have trunk routes to Bümpliz and Brünnen being delivery of such vehicles, SWS-built motor rejuvenated the tramway. replaced by tramcars. A consequence of car 621 and trailer 337 of 1960 and 1961, The tramway has an interesting history, this development has been the purchase of were the last participants displayed in the stretching back to 1890, and the two low-floor SiemensCombino cars of both traditional Bern livery of olive green and weekends of 11 and 18 October 2015 five- and seven-section configuration, cream. The final set comprised three-section provided the opportunity for the operator permitting replacement of many older Swiss articulated car 719, another SWS product, (Bernmobil) and the local enthusiasts’ Standard bogie and more modern articulated from 1973, attached to Swiss Standard trailer group, Tramverein Bern, to acknowledge cars, some of which have found a further 327 built by FFA in 1951, turned out in this milestone. Tram operation in the city lease of life in Iasi, Romania. Bern’s more recent red and black livery. commenced on 1 October 1890, using ten cars powered by compressed air on the Historic selection Service fleet Mekarski system to provide a 2.93km A good selection of historic Bern tramcars The parade was completed by examples (1.82-mile) cross-city route laid to metre from the last century has survived, in from the current service fleet, displaying gauge linking Bärengraben with the the care of members of Tramverein Bern, indications for the 125th anniversary in cemetery (Friedhof) via the city centre and although still owned by the operator. their destination boxes. Amongst them railway station (Bahnhof). Part of this route, Many of these, beautifully presented, were was articulated car 83, one of nine similar along Marktgasse and Spitalgasse between paraded through the city on Sunday vehicles that originated in the RBS fleet Zytglogge and Bahnhof, remains the core of 11 October with the opportunity following used for operation of the Bern – Worb Bern city tramway services even today. the parade for onlookers to take short rides tramway, now integrated with Bernmobil’s The operation was initially in the hands around a circuit of city centre track. network and linked across the city centre of the private Berne Tramway-Gesellschaft The glory of the collection is the survival to Fischermätteli as line 6. These cars, with (BTG), operating under agreement with the of two of the former eight BTG steam tram their predominantly blue and white livery, city council. Problems with the compressed engines of 1894 (11-18, G3/3 i.e. 0-6-0T) take on a strange appearance now that air system led to the choice of steam traction built by SLM of Winterthur. Tram engine 18 their original three body sections have for the second route, introduced on 17 May is on static display in the Verkehrshaus der been augmented by a fourth, low-floor, 1894 between Länggasse and Wabern via Schweiz, Luzern, but 12 has been back on section in Bernmobil red livery. Bahnhof, Eigerplatz and Weissenbühl. home metals since 1990 as a long-term loan At Bubenbergplatz the parade ended, but The section to Länggasse was lost to from the museum line at Blonay-Chamby several of the historic cars were stationed trolleybus replacement in 1959 but most of and is kept in full working order. On some in Wallgasse and Schwanengasse for public the remainder of the route survives today, summer Sundays, hour-long round trips inspection whilst the steam tram set and operated as far as Weissenbühl by line 3 are offered and so it was no surprise that four-wheel set 37 and 239 made circuits and to Wabern by line 9; the short section 12 would be leading the parade, hauling of the loop carrying passengers free of between the two is retained for depot access. bogie car 31. This was one of the tramsets charge. Shortly after 16.00 the proceedings used to offer public rides around the were brought to a close and the vehicles Growth, decline and growth circuit of Schwanengasse, Bubenbergplatz, dispersed. The cars in the custody of The BTG was municipalised from 1 January Hirschengraben and Wallgasse during the Tramverein Bern (TVB) made their way back 1900 and the city started a programme of latter part of the afternoon. past Eigerplatz depot to the small former electrification and route expansion. During the course of the morning, cars depot at Weissenbühl terminus which, since The first manifestation of this policy participating in the afternoon cavalcade 2007, has been dedicated as a tram museum emerged from 1 July 1901 with the proceeded from Eigerplatz depot, through and where the TVB has its restoration base. introduction of a new route linking the city centre to Guisanplatz. Here A separate event took place on Sunday Burgernziel with Breitenrainplatz. they were stored on spare tracks and in 18 October, when an open-day was staged Conversion of the two former BTG lines Mingerstrasse positioned for over two hours. at Eigerplatz depot and a special service of followed quickly, later that year and in The formal parade started from cars operated between there and Wabern, 1902 respectively. Guisanplatz at 14.00, led by steam tram using the section of connecting track not A substantial electric tramway network engine 12 and passenger trailer 31. From normally used in passenger service. was created, with short extensions in the Breitenrainplatz, the route followed that The TVB collection includes a large inter-war period along with a completely of the 1901 initial electric tram route to number of additional vehicles stored off- new route to the western district of Zytglogge and then via part of the original site, with trolleybuses and motorbuses from Fischermätteli in 1923 and a prolongation 1890 compressed-air route to Bahnhof. neighbouring undertakings represented beyond Burgernziel to Ostring in 1946. Following the steam tram-train were two- along with those from Bern.

76 / FEBRUARY 2016 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org 1. Onlookers admire the lines of wartime bogie car 171 and trailer 317 whilst parked on one of the sidings at Guisanplatz before the parade proper commenced.

2. With the Käfigturm at Bärenplatz in the background, Swiss Standard bogie cars 621 and 337 of the final delivery proceed along Marktgasse en route to Guisanplatz on their late morning formation journey.

3. Puffing sedately along Marktgasse in Bern city centre, served by trams since 1890, are steam tram engine 12 and trailer 31 on their way from Eigerplatz depot to Guisanplatz, where members of the public will be able to inspect the equipment at close quarters before the parade.

4. Wartime bogie set 171 and trailer 317 take the junction at Zytglogge en route for Guisanplatz to form up for the afternoon parade.

2 5. Swiss Standard motor car 107 heads a group of cars parked for public inspection on tracks in Mingerstrasse before the parade commenced. In the background can be seen the RBS articulated car rebuilt as a four-section unit, examples of the current Combino fleet and, to the left, the front of the surviving example of the final Swiss Standard bogie car delivery of 1960-1.

6. Looking for all the world as though it is a current member of the city’s tram 3 4 fleet, preserved articulated car 719 of 1973 with 1951-built trailer 327 behind proceeds along Rodtmattstrasse on the approach to Breitenrainplatz during the parade; this was the northern terminus of Bern’s first electric tram route in 1901.

7. The elegant 1935 bogie car 145 poses for inspection in Schwanengasse after the parade is over. The throngs surrounding it and steam tram engine 12 visible to the left attest to the popularity of special events such as this. 5 6 8. Almost a century of tramway history in Hirschengraben, with 1894-built steam tram engine 12 hauling trailer 31 taking passengers on a short journey around city centre tracks, whilst Vevey-built low-floor car 732 of 1990 sets down passengers on a route 3 journey from Weissenbühl.

7 8 All photography unless otherwise stated by Mike Russell.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2016 / 77 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%; All addresses outside UK: add 20%. For Airmail despatch outside Europe: add 30% – minimum & maximum values no longer apply.

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New LRTA books coming soon: Japan’s Colourful Tramways and Hong Kong Tramways.

Historia Komunikacji Miejskiej Straßen- und Stadtbahnen w Czestochowie in Deutschland The first book to outline the history Band 16: Brandenburg of Czestochowa’s public transport. Continuing the series of tramway The tram was a latecomer (1959) but history in Germany, this volume covers the author describes the attempts to Brandenburg, Cottbus, Frankfurt introduce the mode during the 20th (Oder), Potsdam and the eastern Century. Polish text. fringes of Berlin. German text. A4 hardback; 152 pages, 250 photographs B5 hardback; 304 pages, 44 colour in colour and black & white. and 344 black & white pictures. £15.00 plus postage & packing as shown above. £35.50 plus postage & packing as shown above.

Dostępność Sieci Tramwajowych Tramwajem przez Gdańsk w Zagłębiach Europy Comprehensive picture Covers tramways in the coal-producing album of trams in areas of Upper Silesia and the Donbass Gdansk from 1873 to Valley. The problems of changes in the the present day. Includes political and economic conditions after maps and network 1990 are described in thirteen cities. diagrams. Polish text. Polish text with English summary. 245 x 305 mm hardback A4 softback; 318 pages, illustrated in colour and – landscape format; black & white. 364 pages, c.400 photographs in colour and black & white. £10.50 plus postage & packing as shown above. £23.50 plus postage & packing as shown above.

Tatrawagen in Rostock 65 let Městské Dopravy Commemorative v Pardubicích booklet marking the Picture album marking withdrawal from the 65th anniversary of service of the city’s Pardubice’s public transport, last Czech-built concentrating on the T6A2/B6A2/4NBWE extensive trolleybus trams and trailers. network that serves the German text. city today. Czech text. A5 softback – landscape format; 68 pages, 63 colour A5 softback – landscape format; 32 pages, 13 colour and six black & white pictures plus full fleet lists. and 11 black & white pictures. £6.00 plus postage & packing as shown above. £3.50 plus postage & packing as shown above. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

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THE COST OF A The process of laying rails in street environments is a straightforward one, but are designers giving enough consideration to the choice developments. of materials used and are we HARD FUTURE paying enough attention to ongoing maintenance? Neil Pulling Andrew Parkinson argues that neglecting engineers and their knowledge at the base of the supply chain could have dire consequences for quality and cost of rail joining and repairs in the future.

wave of progress in the light A little background rail market over the past 15 There was little forward movement in the more efficient manufacturing techniques, a years has seen tremendous steels that our trains and trams run on for better understanding of wheel/rail interface improvements in safer vehicles over 100 years – materials were relatively soft mechanisms, the introduction of bespoke and technologies, as well as maintenance regimes and even a significant passengerA comfort enhancements that are and in structural terms they were relatively improvement in steel cleanliness and quality. proving successful with our customers – this simple. They were easy to manufacture and generally easy to maintain, even if this wasn’t Taken strictly from a scientific viewpoint, is seen by ever-increasing ridership figures there are a myriad of behavioural both in the UK and more widely Europe. always to the highest standards. Around 30 years ago, however, there began attributes that must be characterised to Environmental concerns have also played fully understand any material, and in high on the list of promoters’ priorities, a change in their manufacture that saw a metallurgical bias begin to creep in. The aim order to be able to predict and manage its winning deserved investment for further performance. In safety critical fields such We deliver was to create harder (and longer-lasting) rails extensions so that light rail increasingly as the aerospace, power generation, oil, impacts less and less on the wider world. by producing a pearlitic structure within the metal: a lamellar configuration formed from gas and chemical sectors, an improved Hard rails: Neglecting engineers could spell danger All of these advancements have combined understanding of materials and advances in to a greater or lesser degree to tempt people alternating layers of hard and soft micro- structural constituents. A stronger, harder predictive metallurgy have helped improve Olsztyn trams return a er 50 years away from their cars so that year on year the selection criteria for materials for any passenger numbers are constantly on the up. rail would result in greater resistance to key degradation mechanisms of wear and fatigue designation. This has more easily enabled the Yet despite such promising progress in cost of such lengthy development processes UK demonstrates ultra-light vehicle recent decades in a wide range of areas there in the track, which would increase the service life of rail as a result. to be absorbed into the resulting product. is still the potential to overlook the obvious However, in the modern business world – or leave important considerations aside in a A life of 20 or more years is no longer comprehensive news US Congress agrees funding plan uncommon – although it has to be noted that and in an era of constrained finance – every ISSN 1460-8324 rush to develop new lines, or even to make penny counts and such extensive research £4.25 this increased lifespan is also due to more 02 mistakes –and rail steels and their application and development phases as found in those offer the perfect example. consistent steel structures being formed Montreal thanks to process simulation, improved and fields above are often unfeasible elsewhere. Seville Public finances for major transport schemes Tram and metro From rubber tyres 9 771460 832043 to steel wheels www.tautonline.com. www.lrta.org operations in Spain FEBRUARY 2016 / 61

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Seville New tramways systems A wealth of attractions, events and distinctive THE FLEET Montreal Montreal, moving westward to Parc in June atmosphere combine to Michelin tyres have been used for running SPAIN will this year be a better one for 1987 and linking up with the Orange line at make Seville amongst Four CAF Urbos 3 (301-304) handle all T1 services. Capacity 204 new tramways for and flanged wheels are used when passing Snowdon in January 1988. factfile passengers, 54 seated and two wheelchair spaces. Length 32m; through points and in the workshops, for Development then took a near two-decade Spain’s most visited at 2.4m wide they are narrower than their predecessors. Both tramway openings than 2015? precise alignment. For service between hiatus before the latest expansion to the No. types are air-conditioned, bi-directional and fully low-floor over the Metro and the 1967 World’s Fair, a Seville, cities. Public transport michael taplin reviews FROM RUBBER city of Laval, a 5.2km (3.2-mile) route that five sections. Normal livery is silver plus narrow TUSSAM red MONTREAL: 1495mm-gauge heavy rail line called Expo opened in April 2007, taking the Metro constituents are banding; short-term advertising wraps also appear. T1’s depot Seville Express was built onto the islands of St underneath the Rivière des Prairies north 101 Spain access track is between Prado and San Bernardo stops. a record number of new somewhat less cohesive, Helen’s and Notre Dame. The driverless of Montreal Island for the first time. Metro’s bi-directional 17 CAF Urbos 2 vehicles (101-121) are 31m service was advanced for its time and ran Neil Pulling finds. long, 2.65m wide and have a different seating configuration to systems expected to open. With three new stations, the line now T1 trams. The silver livery has contrasting door markers plus TYRES TO STEEL WHEELS for almost five years after the Fair; the rolling terminates at Montmorency, close to stock was held for many more years before detailing in Andalucian green, which also features prominently Collège Montmorency and the Laval in signage. One Seville tram (as 2111) was added to the batch of being broken up when no operator expressed campus of the Université de Montréal. redundant Vélez-Málaga Urbos 2s briefly used in 2014 as a awarded by Enterprise du Métro trams d’Alger. from From the creation of a rubber-tyred Metro network, driven by the 1967 World’s Fair, to interest in purchasing the used cars due to Montrealers are used to subterranean life, stop-gap for newer CAF stock by Sydney Light Rail. Seville’s metro Alstom is delivering 24 Citadis comprehensive commuter rail services and modern LRT plans to reach the airport, Canada’s the unusual gauge. especially during bitterly cold winters. There depot is visible from the line, south-east of Cocheras station. 2016of Columbia is partly to blame (apparently its Algerian assembly plant in Annaba An extension of the Green line north-east is a labyrinth of over 30km (approx. 19 miles) the fire chief has to sign off the system as second city has many solutions to its particular transit challenges. By Herbert Pence. to Honoré-Beaugrand Street was completed he past 12 months must have set that opened in May 2015. Completion is of walkways under city streets and some safe), but the realisation that a peer review expected before the end of 2016, but a plan in 1976 and another on to Angrignon Park shops and retail businesses have two main something of a record for new was needed, and the myriad of minor to speed-up construction has had to be in the west in 1978. A planned reach of the entrances, one at street level and another one tramways that were predicted espite covering such a vast works consequent upon the result of that Orange line north-west to De Salaberry Street level below ground. Without the need to wait to begin passenger operations, adopted to achieve this. A 17.8km (11.1-mile) land mass (behind only was curtailed due to spiralling cost estimates is the main reason. Unfortunately this Sidi Bel Abbès. Russia), Canada’s size belies its for traffic lights and road traffic, pedestrians ABOVE: but which failed to do so, and in May 1976 the province imposed a long-running situation has probably put tramway is under construction by Turkish population of just under move unimpeded between destinations. San Bernardo moratorium on Metro construction works. When the next Blue line extension is Tmeaning that 2016 should be a record the dampers on subsequent expansion of contractor Yapi Merkezi under a USD420m 36 million residents. While has tram, bus, TAUT MP-73 79-691 (one of the second batch of deliveries) A western leg of the Orange line proceeded eventually constructed, AMT will oversee metro and year for tramways that do open. It appears this demonstration line, not least because contract awarded in June 2013., again Alstom from DToronto is the country's largest city, at Youville Workshop, clearly showing the during the 1980s: from Bonaventure first to the building programme and transfer the national rail in that our review this time last year ( there have been three mayors involved Montreal is the largely island-based home is delivering 34 42m Citadis complicated bogie used on all Metro cars. Inside the Place-Saint-Henri (via an interchange station extension to STM for operation. The 5.5km proximity. 926) was too optimistic in respect of since work started. of an impressive metro network and radial city’s workshops and depots traditional metals are Annaba, which should be carrying ) that with the Green line at Lionel-Groulx) in April (3.4-mile) eastward extension will be to the Beijing, Chengdu, Huai’an, Zhuhai, There was one tramway that managed to commuter rail lines (train de banlieue used to precisely guide the cars and hold them steady passengers in December 2016. The network 1980; north to Snowdon (future interchange east of Saint Michel terminus and onward LEFT: are powered by both electricity and diesel while maintenance is being performed. STM Extending Granada, Kaohsiung, Seattle (First Hill) open in 2015 that we did not flag up a year is designed to link bus and railway stations with the Blue line) in September 1981; to Anjou with five new stations. For the engines. The omission of surface-running Côte-Sainte-Catherine (January 1982); track beyond and Washington, DC (again). ago: Olsztyn in Poland. Since 100% 19 low-floor December, with the city centre. moment, this improvement – a 30-year It is difficult to identify a common theme LRT is now being addressed. “Montreal’s metro is Plamondon (June 1982); Du Collège San Bernardo 15 29.3m Solaris Tramino ambition of the city – is on hold. to Santa Montreal became Montreal because of (January 1984) and finally in November that has caused this situation. Political trams (3001-15) have been operating transportation. Located just east of rapids entirely underground – Justa main optimism might be one – politicians love zil 1986 to the current terminus at Côte-Vertu. An unusual rail heritage line station revenue services. They are the first trams BrA in the Saint Lawrence River ( Fleuve Saint- Meanwhile, construction was already Beginning in 1914, Montreal commuter would greatly to make grand commitments that even in the city for 50 years. There was an Cuiabá. The sad tale of the new tramway Laurent ), ocean-going vessels could sail to there is no surface running underway of a west-east (Blue) line that service was expanded by an electrified ‘steam’ enhance the the best of engineers cannot honour. opportunity earlier for residents to try out in Cuiabá remains to be resolved. One of the falls, but not past. It became necessary to opened in stages between June 1986 and railway. The 5km (3.15-mile) Mount Royal value of T1. At the end of the day there are engineering, the new system on 6 December. The 7.3km many new light rail and metro projects trans-ship goods and passengers onto smaller – avoiding salt, rain and January 1988. Starting from the north-west, Tunnel was constructed by the Canadian testing and safety processes that have to (4.5-mile) system offers three services, intended to serve passengers for the 2014 vessels for the onward journey to the interior the Blue line runs on an almost parallel BELOW snow, all deteriorating Northern Railway which discovered that all be fulfilled and cannot be rushed; in terms linking the railway station (Dworzec FIFA World Cup, the 22km (14-mile) of the country and the Great Lakes. Thus the alignment to the Green line. The first section LEFT: Tram suitable routes into the city were taken by of public perception, a new system or a Główny) with Kanta with a branch from city was born. It was originally named Ville was Saint-Michel to De Castelnau in central 304 curves system linking the city with the airport Marie (City of Mary) reflecting the influence De la Concorde on the Orange line shows the airy, factors in vehicle life.” towards Plaza new line has to run well from day one. Wyska Brama, and a longer branch to the and Coxipó only saw 500m built before welcoming design of a typical Metro station. STM Nueva on of the Roman Catholic Church on civic Saint-Jerome Another factor is the failure to take account university – you can read the full story of work was stopped due to lawsuits; it has 15 the edge of matters and was later renamed for the small of wisdom accumulated elsewhere and Olsztyn’s new tramway in a coming issue. Mascouche Seville’s Old only proceeded in fits and starts since.

mountain peak on the island, Mount Royal. ➤ a determination to do things with local Development of the Metro MONTMORENCY De la Concorde Town. Completion estimates have doubled, but As with all major North American The SurvivorS N expertise. Granada, Seattle and Washington trams sit at It serves well to mention at this point that Cartier A there is no additional funding. metropolitan areas, Montreal once hosted two lines and 20 stations of the eventual Montreal’s streetcar operation featured one- BELOW: could fall into this category. Algeri Meanwhile 40 CAF Urbos 3 a comprehensive streetcar network and 105 and two-man cars, the latter distinguished by Deux- Overhead When this author saw Washington trams A Spanish-led consortium has four-line Metro were opened at the same Montagnes Ouargia. the depot site while track is laid, and seem CCF-Brill trolleybuses also plied the streets Henri-Bourassa HONORÉ-BEAUGRAND apital of the Andalucia charging in time, 14 October 1966, although planning a two-tone green and cream livery to better on test at the end of November 2014, he been building a 12.6km (7.8-mile) tramline unlikely to carry a passenger anytime soon for nearly three decades (1937-66). Alas, in inform intending passengers where to board: autonomous community, rapid and the system closed by 1960, progress at preceded this by well over a decade. Sauvé never thought that would still be the case since 2013 under a EUR228m contract 1959 the streetcar services were folded up, car 2052 was built for the Springfield (Mass.) SAINT-MICHEL Sevilla (Seville) is with two interurban lines lasting Advertising- Plaza Nueva. – let’s hope that 2016 breaks the deadlock. Montreal was preparing for the 1967 Radisson economy, 1992 also brought the over a year later. The rather odd regulatory to be replaced by autobuses. A few Montreal Street railway in 1927 by the hometown Wason Crémazie Langelier Spain’s fourth biggest until 1965. Buses became and remain liveried Urbos 303 Rio de Janeiro. This year will see the World’s Fair and Mayor Jean Drapeau took the D'Iberville country’s first high-speed rail service, Tramways cars survive in preservation: Manufacturing Co. in 1940, this and 38 identical Jarry Cadillac city. Sustained growth Seville’s main public transport outside the 16th regime in the micro-state that is the District Summer Olympics held in Rio, and it looks opportunity to push, shove, cajole and lead Fabre a 1435mm line between Madrid cars were sold to Montreal to carry growing Assomption throughoutC the 20th Century’s second mode, a vastly bigger undertaking Century Archivo “Begun in 1887, the metre-gauge tram network ran into the 1950s. Unable to service as if the city’s new tramway, promised to be Ste. Constant, Quebec, and Shore Line, JEAN-TALON the city into the forefront of contemporary World War Two loads and operated until closure half has slowed, with the 2011 census de Indias, store for and Seville. Reshaping Seville’s rail Connecticut Trolley Museum and Seashore ttawa Car Co. Pointe-Claire / Des Sources De Castelnau Beaubien than today’s tram or metro. There is running before the visitors start arriving, mass transit service. A million people trialled in 1959. Car 957 was built in 1911 by o Fairview Viau Spanish Empire map, two surface termini closed and Trolley Museum in the USA. Parc Pie-Ix figure of a population of 704 000 unified ticketing under the transport city expansion, closures were rapid with the final two interurban lines closing in 1965.” the new service in its first weekend alone. and survived as it was used to paint safety stripes Rosemont documents and were replaced with Sevilla-Santa will be delivered by the VLT Carioca A traditional interurban line, the 76km Joliette showing that little changed over the provider’s association, Consorcio de Always seeking the very best in public on street surfaces. Both are now preserved at the Laurier name of the stop Justa. Centred on Santa Justa, five consortium of local contractors and (47-mile) Montreal and Southern Counties Seashore Trolley Museum in Kennebunkport, Préfontaine previous decade. Largely on level sites, Transporte Metropolitano del Área transportation, Montreal has a history of Acadie Mont-Royal closest to Seville Alstom. Operations will be undertaken NeverS). Seashore Trolley Musuem CÔTE-VERTU missFrontenac the metropolitan area has around de Sevilla. For visitors in particular routes branded Cercanías Sevilla an issue! Railway operated south to the city of Granby; Maine (u Cathedral. The experimentation with the latest in rubber- Outremont Sherbrooke Papineau mainly serve suburbs and outlying by RATP Dev. this was finally closed due to required Vaudreuil-Hudson Edouard- 1.25m residents. The Guadalquivir however, urban transport lacks features cathedral (the tyred autobuses, beginning in the 1920s. 40 Du Collège LONGUEUIL-UNIVERSITÉ- Montpetit communities on Iberian gauge tracks. Half of the 28km (17-mile) Porto St Lawrence Seaway improvements to Beaudry DE-SHERBROOKE river system is the main geographical of user-friendliness comparable to largest Gothic There was the Vesare 801, a three-axle 13 BERRI-UQAM These and some regional services have Maravilha system should be open in April, Victoria Bridge (originally designed by De la Savane Université-de- feature, while most of Seville is located German or French counterparts. The example in the vehicle, as well as 800, a four-axle monster. Montreal Saint-Laurent world) is in the city centre access at underground- Robert Stephenson of Rocket fame) in 1956. Trudeau Airport Namur on the eastern bank of the Canal de arrangements owe much to the city’s including the line between Santos Dumont They were soon gone. Place-des-Arts background. sited San Bernardo station, as opposed Montreal has a split passenger Plamondon Jean-Drapeau Alfonso XIII, a channel truncated in development and administration, airport and Novo Rio 44m bus station.100% low-floor The first By Spring 1967 the 750V dc third rail Côte-des- McGill Champ-de-Mars to the more remote Santa Justa. San transportation system. The Societe de Côte-Sainte-Catherine 1946 for flood control. with projects also affected by Spain’s of 32 Alstom Citadis network comprised three lines, all of which, Neiges Peel Place-D'Armes Begun in 1887 with mule haulage post-2008 financial crisis. Bernardo is noteworthy as the one transport de Montreal (STM) is responsible for aside from a section of the 4.35km (2.6-mile) SNOWDON trams arrived from France in July 2015; Guy-Concordia Square-Victoria and electrified from 1899, the metre- point at which all three of Seville’s the city’s autobus and Metro, while the Agence Yellow line, are underneath Montreal Island: Dorval Although the Universal Exposition 25 cars from the order are being locally Villa-Maria Atwater Bonaventure gauge tram network was over 70km urban rail operations join together. metropolitaine de Transport (AMT) provides Green – Atwater north-east to Frontenac, (Expo ‘92) did not bequeath enduring assembled at Alstom’s Taubaté plant. The Lucien-L'Allier City-owned Transportes Urbanos de commuter rail service and operates one Vendôme (43.5 miles) long into the 1950s. structures comparable to the Ibero- Orange – Henri-Bourassa south-west through Mont-Saint-Hilaire firm’s APS ground-level power supply express autobus route. A number of suburban LEGEND Georges-Vanier Unable to service the city’s physical American Exposition of 1929, it did Sevilla, Sociedad Anónima Municipal the city to Bonaventure on an L-shaped line, Place-Saint-Henri (Tussam) constituted in 1975, has a system is being installed throughout communities operate their own autobus LIONEL-GROULX expansion however, closures were raise the city’s international profile. All images by and Yellow – Berri-De Montigny (Berri-UQAM Metro station 630km (391.5-mile) network, nearly the network. Test running started on services, including Laval and Longueuil. Turcot Charlevoix Another boost for southern Spain’s Neil Pulling, today) under the St Lawrence to St Helen’s Intermodal station 21 November 2015 and passengers were Looking to the next two years, STM November 2015. all bus routes. Tussam also runs the Island, site of the World’s Fair, and on to Lochine surface tramway branded Metro carried on short sections in December. and AMT will be busy with celebrations. Lasalle th Longueuil. St Helen’s island was enlarged with Commuter train line Jolicæur Santos. The 11.2km (seven-mile) Santos In 2016, the Metro celebrates its 50 De L'église 64 / february 2016 the spoil excavated from metro construction. Monk www.tautonline.com Proposed LRT route Verdun . www.lrta.org tramway on former railway alignment is anniversary and the following year UITP For eight years, rail transit advocates had to will hold its annual convention in Montreal. Proposed LRT extension ANGRIGNON now almost complete and has been carrying be satisfied with riding the existing rubber- Candiac The same year sees the city celebrate its tyred Metro, constructed and equipped with trams in wintry conditions.OlsztynskieTram th anniversary, while the nation marks 150 064-068_TAUT1602_SF_Seville.indd 1-2 lsztyn’s Solaris 375 French assistance with a design inspired years of independence. In a good way, transit FEBRUARY 2016 / 57 by the Paris Metro. Since the beginning, www.tautonline.com. www.lrta.org ovember snow gave the opportunity to test o will be challenged. n www.tautonline.com. www.lrta.org february 2016 / 65 . www.lrta.org . www.lrta.org 56 / FEBRUARY 2016 www.tautonline.com 04/01/2016 12:34 04/01/2016 10:04 www.tautonline.com 50 / february 2016

04/01/2016 10:05 055-059_TAUT1602_Montreal v3.indd 1-2

050-054_TAUT1602_NewTramways.indd 2 RUBBER CROSSING SYSTEMS FOR CITY RAILWAYS

ESSENTIALS CHECKLIST

■ Value for money More cost effective than other modular systems. ■ Simple to install Available for all gauge, rail and sleeper confi gurations. ■ Ideal for inspections Individual panels can be removed in under a minute, or replaced without dismantling the whole crossing. ■ High performance Safe and robust, designed for light or heavy traffi c. ■ Solid rubber - tough and durable Outperforms other rubber systems in long-term use at road and pedestrian crossings, tram stops and depots. ■ Sustainable products Made from 100% recycled tyre rubber and bonded using our innovative cold cure technology to ensure a long life. ■ No special tools required Tool kits and lifting pins can be supplied.

For more information, or to enquire about training, please call the Rosehill sales team on +44 (0)1422 317 473, or email [email protected]

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