THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE

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FEBRUARY 2015 No. 926 NEW TRAMWAYS: EMBRACES LIGHT RAIL

Houston: Two new lines for 2015 and more to come Atlanta Streetcar launches service Paris opens T6 and T8 tramlines Honolulu metro begins tracklaying ISSN 1460-8324 UK devolution San Diego 02 £4.25 Will regional powers Siemens and partners benefit ? set new World Record 9 771460 832043 2015 INTEGRATION AND GLOBALISATION

Topics and panel debates include: Funding models and financial considerations for LRT projects • Improving light rail's appeal and visibility • Low Impact Light Rail • Harnessing local suppliers • Making light rail procurement more economical • Utilities replacement and renewal • EMC approvals and standards • Off-wire and energy recovery systems • How can regional devolution benefit UK LRT? • Light rail safety and security • Optimising light rail and traffic interfaces • Track replacement & renewal – Issues and lessons learned • Removing obsolescence: Modernising the UK's second-generation systems • Revenue protection strategies • Big data: Opportunities for transport operators • Marketing strategies for ridership and maximising revenue • LRT solutions for mid-size towns

Do you have a topic you’d like to share with a forum of 300 senior decision-makers? We are still welcoming abstracts for consideration until 12 January 2015.

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SUPPORTED BY 72 CONTENTS The official journal of the Light Rail Transit Association FEBRUARY 2015 Vol. 78 No. 926 www.tramnews.net EDITORIAL 52 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 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 64 WORLDWIDE CONTRIBUTORS Tony Bailey, James Chuang, Paul Nicholson, Richard NEWS 52 DEVOLUTION IN THE UK 69 Felski, Ed Havens, Bill Vigrass, Andrew Moglestue, Mike Russell, Nikolai Semyonov, Vic Simons, Atlanta Streetcar opens; Seoul to merge Paul Rowen looks at the opportunities posed Alain Senut, Thomas Wagner. metro operations; Honolulu tracklaying by regional devolution in the UK, and what PRODUCTION begins; Paris opens T6 and T8 tramlines. it means for the future of light rail systems. Lanna Blyth Tel: +44 (0)1733 367604 E-mail: [email protected] NEW TRAMWAYS FOR 2015 57 SYSTEMS FACTFILE: RHEIN-NECKAR 72 DESIGN Michael Taplin presents his annual round-up The giant metre-gauge system in Debbie Nolan of predictions for the new systems due to is a sprawling network of interurban and ADVERTISING open this year, as well as some of the more light rail lines – Neil Pulling explores. COMMERCIAL MANAGER Geoff Butler significant expansions. Tel: +44 (0)1733 367610 E-mail: [email protected] WORLDWIDE REVIEW 77 PUBLISHER COMMENT: THE APP CHALLENGE 61 Toronto awards subway design contract; Howard Johnston Micah Bergdale of Bytemark on why Beijing orders 60 automated trains for Tramways & Urban Transit is jointly published by the smartphone ticketing is now an essential Yanfang metro line; Cairo metro LRTA and LRTA Publishing on the third Friday of each expectation for transit passengers. funding confirmed; extensions open month preceding the cover date. in Frankfurt-am-Main and Hannover. LRTA WEBSITE AND DIARY SIEMENS WORLD RECORD 62 Brian Lomas E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Now officially recognised, Siemens and its MAILBOX 82 partners set a new World Record for battery Discussion on tram vehicle design; Further LRTA MEMBERSHIP (with TAUT subscription) Tramways & Urban Transit is sent free to all paid-up operation in 2014; they explain how to TAUT. information on Helsinki tramways. members of the Light Rail Transit Association. SUBSCRIPTIONS AND MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES HOUSTON: LRT’S BIG BANG 64 CLASSIC : AMSTERDAM 84 LRTA Membership Secretary (Dept T06), Following a decade of consolidation, the US The museum line in Amsterdam shows off 38 Wolseley Road, Sale M33 7AU, UK. oil capital has seen huge LRT expansion in not just ’ heritage, but Dutch Tel: +44 (0)117 9517785 recent years – Vic Simons reports from Texas. trams too – Mike Russell reports. BACK ISSUES Tel: +44 (0)1406 373070 PRINT AND DISTRIBUTION Warners (Midlands) plc, The Maltings, West Street, Bourne, 2015 – more new systems and new technologies Lincs PE10 9PH, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1778 391000. LRTA REGISTERED OFFICE As I write this on New Year’s Eve, we welcome Atlanta, GA, to the list of cities c/o 138 Radnor Avenue, Welling, Kent DA16 2BY, UK. with a modern light rail system, opening its first Streetcar line just the day Private company limited by guarantee, No. 5072319 before. Entering a new year it is encouraging to see that the LRT rollercoaster in and Wales. is moving forward and delivering the benefits that keep it at the top of the LRTA CHAIRMAN wishlist of many politicians and local authorities. There is still work to be Andrew Braddock E-mail: [email protected] done to convince the non-believers that investment in clean, sustainable transport ’ LRTA DEPUTY CHAIRMAN needs to be prioritised – but a quick glance at Michael Taplins round-up of the systems Paul Rowen due to open this year shows that it is the developing markets getting the message across. LRTA PUBLISHING REGISTERED OFFICE: As populations swell and industries agglomerate, resources become strained and cities c/o 8 Berwick Place, Welwyn Garden City, Herts AL7 4TU, start to choke under their own weight. This is only going to increase, and the technology UK. Private Limited Company, No. 06169422 to enable remote and ‘global working’ can only take you so far before you have to start in England and Wales. looking back at base principles – efficient, affordable mass transit is one of these bases. © LRTA Publishing 2015. Articles are submitted on the understanding they may also We also see that 2015 is going to be the year that ‘off-wire’ technologies really later be used on our websites or other media. A contribution take off. For years TAUT has advocated the use of onboard energy storage – batteries, is accepted on the basis that its author is responsible for the supercapacitors, flywheels and hydrogen fuel cells – but only now have the solutions opinions expressed in it, and such opinions are not those of matured and proven themselves to the point of serious adoption. Refer again to the ‘New LRTA Publishing or the LRTA. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in Tramways for 2015’ article to see that the majority of the new systems opening in the any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including next 12 months have specified some form of capability to run away from overhead lines. photocopying, recording or by any information storage and Siemens engineers have contributed to this edition with a description of how one new retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from LRV in San Diego ran for over 25km on a single battery charge – this technology will only the copyright owner. Multiple copying of the contents of the magazine without prior written approval is not permitted. get better. So as we see the first second-generation systems looking at fleet replacements, will 2016, 2017 and beyond see the technology roll out even further? We believe so – COVER: A five-section low-floor Shenyang tram retrofitting existing vehilces make take longer however... Simon Johnston, Editor entering the Olympic Centre terminal point at the end of a journey from the airport on . M. Russell

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2015 / 51 News Seoul to Alstom/BAM consortium merge metro operations to build Liège tramway Seoul’s metropolitan Construction could begin in Spring on 11.5km north bank tramline government has announced a plan to merge the city’s two metro operators into a single entity by 2016 to enhance efficiency, combine procurement and help reduce the combined deficit of KRW4.6trn (USD4.2bn). Currently, Seoul Metro, established in 1974, runs lines 1-4, while the Seoul Metropolitan Transit Corporation operates lines 5-8. The latter was set up in 1994 to increase competition and provide a better service, but the system has come under criticism for overlapping maintenance works and duplication of spending. Artist’s impression of the Alstom tram on Place St Lambert in central Liège, showing the -free section. keskitram Mayor Park Won-soon promised “sweeping reforms” to address “poor and sloppy n 10 December it river Meuse from Standard Liège a 3.5-year construction period management”, and that every was announced (Val Benoît) to Coronmeuse starting this Spring. Opening for aspect of both businesses that the contractor via Gare des Guillemains (with service could be in autumn 2018. would be addressed by the selected by Wallonia’s a 1km cross-river branch to A Bombardier-led consortium merger except for manpower. Oregional transport authority Bressoux depot) will require (LiegiaExpress) remains in reserve The new operator will handle SWRT as preferred bidder for the 19 45m Citadis trams, with a if the negotiations should not 6.8m passengers/day across a tramway project is MobiLiège, a section in Place St-Lambert and come to fruition. Expansion plans network of 300 route km. consortium led by Alstom and the city centre using the APS will result in an 18.9km (11.7-mile) The merger will not affect line construction group BAM. surface current collection system. line from Jemeppe to Herstal 9, run by the SML9 consortium The Belgian 11.5km (7.2-mile) Negotiations will now take place in the next decade. For further of RATP Dev and . line on the north bank of the on a 30.5-year PPP contract with information see www.keskitram.be KeolisAmey takes over Docklands Edinburgh takes first steps to Leith Operation of ’s off-peak headways over the Proposals to extend Edinburgh’s assessment into the financial passed whole network by 2017. tramline to Leith could be business case, procurement to KeolisAmey Docklands on Prior to that a five-minute resurrected to link up with the and programme implications, 7 December. The group is a joint will be introduced St. James Quarter city centre reporting by late spring 2015. venture led by SNCF subsidiary from Bank to Lewisham until development and avoid the The council has until 2021 to Keolis and the Spanish-owned 23.30 each day, and off-peak to need to ask Holyrood to renew start construction and until 2026 UK services group Amey. The new Woolwich Arsenal from early permission to finish the network. to complete phases two and three contract runs until 2021, with an this year. Three-car trains will In December the City of of the original network, linking option for extension until 2023. also serve the Stratford to Canary Edinburgh Council agreed a Granton to Newhaven and Transport for London (TfL) has Wharf section at weekends. GBP400 000 (EUR0.51m) study Ingliston to Newbridge. said a focus will be to maintain The franchise to operate the to include the requirement The case for extending the tram the current 99% reliability record, DLR had previously been held for further design and ground could be considered in the spring, while more services are delivered. by Serco from 1997; Serco won investigation surveys to integrate when councillors would make a Passengers are to benefit a new franchise competition in any future extensions with these decision on whether to proceed from new timetables that will 2006 and subsequently had it two major regeneration projects. with the project that is expected provide five-minute daytime extended from 2013 to 2014. This includes preparation of an to cost GBP80m (EUR100m).

NEWS IN PICTURES LA Gold line testing begins The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) is building an 18.4km (11.4-mile), USD1bn, extension of its Gold light rail line from Pasadena to Azusa, in the far eastern suburbs of the city. Initial testing of the completed section of the Foothill extension through Arcadia and Monrovia took place on Monday 8 December, with AnsaldoBreda P2250 LRV 731 pulled by an impressive road-railer truck, testing clearances. Among those watching was Alan Weeks, 82, a former Metro employee who rode the last Red Car interurban here on 30 September 1951. Powered testing should now be in progress. The new line will be ready in September, but it is uncertain that enough Kinkisharyo LRVs will have been delivered to offer passenger The first Gold line test train passes through Arcadia on 8 December. LACMTA service by then, after wrangling about the company’s new Palmdate assembly facility.

52 / FEBRUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Keolis launches Atlanta meets New Year deadline Chinese JV Keolis has launched ShenKai, a Streetcars return to the streets of Georgia’s capital after a 65-year break joint venture with Shentong Metro Group, with the first result being an automatic mini-metro to link the uesday 30 December end, underneath a section of opening as year-end – a deadline three terminals at Pudong airport. marked the opening of elevated motorway in Edgewood. achieved with 36 hours to spare. Beyond that the new company the Atlanta Streetcar, Siemens has supplied four 70% The final project cost is put at expects to benefit from Chinese as two Siemens S70 cars low-floorS70 LRVs and services around USD100m. plans to create 2000km (1250 miles) of tramway in 72 cities by Tfilled with city and Metropolitan operate at ten-minute intervals At the opening Mayor Reed 2020, along with 3000km (1860 Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority during peak times, and every 15 challenged the city and its state miles) of metro in 37 cities. (MARTA) officials, media and minutes at other times. and federal partners to commit Official policy in China is to invited guests left the Dobbs Georgia’s state capital unveiled to a further 400m (0.25 miles) have metros in all cities with a Plaza stop on Edgewood Avenue plans for its east-west tram loop to connect the Streetcar to the population exceeding one million at 11.00 for the short trip to in 2009, estimated at USD69m, BeltLine green trail, saying: and for tramways in all cities Woodruff Park for a ribbon- and in September 2010 federal “[The Streetcar] is causing with populations above 300 000. cutting ceremony. Free rides are TIGER II funding of USD47.6m investment in a part of the city Keolis already has a letter of intent offered for the first three months was announced. Construction that was long neglected. My goal to operate the six-line commuter rail network in Wuhan. of service; normal of USD1 began in early 2012 with is to connect it to the Atlanta apply following this period. completion planned for May BeltLine and then people can Nice line 2 funding The 4.3km (2.7-mile) loop has 2013; construction delays ensued access other neighbourhoods in commitment 12 stations and serves Centennial and the opening was pushed other parts of the city.” The European Investment Bank Olympic Park in the east to back to summer 2014. Further No costs and timescales have and Caisse de Dépôts have each provided a EUR250m loan to help Martin Luther King Jr Memorial delays and highly-publicised been assigned for this project, or finance construction of the second Park in the west along Edgewood traffic accidents during testing for the other mooted extensions tramline in Nice, France, linking and Auburn avenues. A depot has saw Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed that envisage a 101km (63-mile) the airport and Port de Nice. been built at the loop’s western announce a final deadline for streetcar/LRT network by 2030. The EUR650m, 11.3km (seven- mile) line will open in late 2017 and be operated by 19 44m trams, which have yet to be ordered. Honolulu metro Sydney Eastern Gmunden extension opens The 200m extension from LRT contract Seebahnhof and Klosterplatz reaches key milestone was opened on 13 December The final contract for the 12km using on-loan Innsbruck tram 320. Tracklaying on the USD5.3bn According to the project’s (7.5-mile), AUD2.1bn (EUR1.4bn), The ex-WSB/VBW light rail trains cannot use the new extension, so Honolulu elevated light metro October report, USD1.17bn eastern suburbs tramway project ET23.11/2 and trailer 20.227 are began on 5 December, in the has been spent so far, with was signed with the Altrac unlikely to see further service. area around Hoopili station in USD792m coming from an FTA consortium on 17 December and East Kapolei. The first 2km (1.25 Full Funding Grant Agreement the line will open in early 2019. Newcastle truncates plans miles) of elevated guideway signed in December 2012. The The Circular Quay – Randwick/ A report from a New South Wales was unveiled to journalists and FTA package totals USD1.55bn Kingsford service will be operated Parliamentary Inquiry issued on 18 December recommended the invited guests on 3 December and it is hoped that this will by coupled sets of 33.5m Alstom truncation of the city’s rail line at and is around 10m high, with be received over the next 24-36 Citadis, though as yet no order has Wickham from 26 December be metre-high sound deflection months. The remainder of been placed. Construction is to postponed because of flawed legal walls on both sides. the project is being paid for begin in April and the consortium and planning procedures. Over 11 800 tonnes of rail is through a 0.5% surcharge to will also be responsible for The government has already being imported for the 32km the state’s general excise tax. operating the existing Inner West awarded an AUD73m (EUR49m) (20-mile) line, and the first The first 16km (ten miles) Light Rail from summer 2015. contract to Laing O’Rourke to 2km section is to be used as of elevated guideway is due Opal smartcards were valid on build the new interchange at Wickham. The closure permits the a test track for engineers to to open in 2018, with service trams from 1 December; more than construction of a new LRT line. refine installation techniques expected over the full line in 1.4m had been issued by that time. and also to test the first new late 2019. Weekday ridership AnsaldoBreda driverless cars on the 21-station line is which are due to arrive in expected to reach 120 000 by Saint-Étienne chooses CAF trams mid-2016. An order for 20 four- 2030, with services operating car trains with a passenger 04.00-00.00 seven days a week On 10 December it was capacity up to 800 passengers at five-minute peak intervals announced that the Société was signed in December 2011. and 11 minutes at other times. des Transports Urbains de l’Agglomération Stéphanoise The first 2km of elevated guideway (STAS), responsible for funding for the Honloulu metro is complete; in France’s tracklaying is underway. HART Saint-Étienne area, is placing a EUR42m contract with CAF France for 16 33m double-ended 100% low-floorUrbos 3 trams The CAF trams for Saint-Étienne will with delivery from spring 2016. look rather different to the usual Urbos The five-section cars will be design due a narrower width. STAS constructed to a restricted width of 2.15m to fit the tramway’s the oldest of the current rolling parameters. The new trams, to be stock, the 15 single-ended Vevey/ built in the former Soulé factory Alstom 23.2m trams dating at Bagneres-de-Bigorres that from 1991-92. STAS is already recently completed a batch of committed to modernising 20 of trams for Besançon, will replace its 36 trams of this type.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2015 / 53 News Paris opens new T6 and T8 lines A further two new lines for the French capital, which now has 105km of modern tramway

ecember saw the opening of two new Paris tramlines using different technologies; theD French capital now has 105km (65 miles) of tramway. Firstly, the 12.4km (7.7-mile) Translohr line T6 began dummy operation on 8 November and opened on 13 December ABOVE: The longest Translohr using 46m STE6 rubber-tyred vehicles to date are the 46m cars used vehicles (601-628) from NTL (the on Paris line T6. 610 is seen at the new company formed by Alstom/FSI Châtillon terminus. E. Kers taking over the transit activity of Lohr Industrie). The line links LEFT: The first tram to carry regular passengers on line T8 was 812, seen at Châtillon-Montrouge (metro 13) St-Denis Porte de Paris on 16 December. with Vélizy-Villacoublay (Robert J-C Vaudois Wagner) on the surface. In 2016 it will be extended in subway on 16 December, with 32m branch to Villetaneuse-Université March 1935; 55 000 passengers/ to Viroflay (14km/8.7 miles). Alstom Citadis 302 cars 801-820 (where the depot is situated). day are forecast. The line cost EUR384m to build providing a six-minute peak The line crosses tramline T1 at In a few years both new outer and the rolling stock EUR137m; service. Revenue service started Gare St-Denis. Building the line termini will provide interchange 82 000 riders/day are expected. on 20 December. The 8.46km cost EUR244m, and the rolling with the Tram Express Nord, the Conventional tramline T8 (5.25-mile) line links St-Denis stock cost EUR43m. The lines tram-train service being built on began dummy operation on 18 Porte de Paris (metro 13) with use part of the alignment of the the SNCF Grande Ceinture to link November, and was inaugurated Épinay-Orgement, with a short old STCRP tramway 54, closed in Sartrouville and Val de Fontenay. Tampere launches tram tenders First rails laid for Metrolink 2CC Bids have been invited by collection and passenger The first tracks have been laid on on a single line that will remain Tampere City Council for information systems and an Metrolink’s Second in place until February, although the design and construction option for ongoing maintenance City Crossing (2CC), between periods of closure will be required of a 25km (15.5-mile) two- – is EUR245m, with 30% expected Manchester Victoria and in January and February to allow line tramway for this city in to come from the Finnish Exchange Square. This section re-alignment of tracks. southern-eastern Finland. Government. Construction is being fast-tracked and could The revamped Altrincham The network will comprise should start in 2016. be operational by next winter, Interchange opened on two lines: Line A will link A separate tender for the before the overall 2CC opens in 7 December, providing better Lentävänniemi in the north-west supply and maintenance of 2017. As part of the project, the facilities and improved safety to Hervanta in the south via a fleet of 23 low-floor trams existing St Peter’s Square stop and security for passengers. the city centre, while line B will is expected in 2015, with a will be relocated and expanded Altrincham and Bowden Station run from an interchange with specification for vehicles from two platforms to four. first opened at the current line A at Pyyniktori in the city to 30-33m long and 2.65m wide. The Deansgate-Castlefield stop interchange site on 3 April 1881. Tampere University Hospital in Services will operate 05.30- is also being expanded to handle In other news, on 16 December the east of the city. 02.00 weekdays with a peak terminating trams while works TfGM announced that following The total infrastructure cost frequency of 7.5 minutes; the take place at St Peter’s Square. a successful pilot project it is to – including a new depot and network is expected carry around Works on revamping Victoria commit GBP1.7m (EUR2.2m) to maintenance facility at Hervanta, 47 700 passengers/day by 2030. station should be completed in the roll-out of free wi-fi across early 2015; the Metrolink stop its 94 trams, 20 city centre has been expanded to provide shuttle and all new trams Track finished on NET extensions extra platforms and tracks. It has within the next two years. been closed to passengers since Equipment is to be supplied by Trackwork on the Chilwell December 2014 having been February 2014 and services have Icomera, with installation to be and Clifton extensions of missed. However local media been running through the station completed in Spring 2015. Nottingham Express Transit has suggested the lines may (UK) was completed in early open by June. December, allowing the On 16 December, Broxtowe US transit ridership still on the up progressive expansion of testing Borough Council voted to to commence. Prior to this trams postpone its decision on The third quarter of 2014 saw led by Atlanta (10.4%) and had only been able to reach the contributing to a feasibility more than 2.7bn trips on US San Francisco (10%). Light rail ng2 business park – just two stops study into extending NET from public transit, an increase of patronage increased by 3.2% beyond Nottingham station. Phoenix Park to Kimberley; the 1.8% on the previous three with 18 of 28 systems reporting The 17.5km (10.9-mile) network study was to be supported by the months, and the highest third increases. These included extension features 28 new stops. private sector and conducted quarter ridership since 1974. Houston (22.1%), Norfolk Testing will initially take place by Mott MacDonald. Council The figures released by APTA (16.8%) and Seattle (14.1%). overnight. minutes show that a review show that 2014 is likely to Commuter rail patronage went No official date has yet been into the disruption and delays achieve the highest transit up by 3.5%, led by Salt Lake given for operation of public experienced during construction ridership since 1956. City (16.5%) and Sound Transit services across the two new lines, of the existing extensions helped Eight out of 15 heavy rapid (Seattle, 13.8%). Bus ridership a previously planned date of 14 inform the decision. transit systems saw increases, decreased nationally by 0.4%.

54 / FEBRUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Nürnburg overhaul and French urban transit funding expansion plans Tenders have been invited for the overhaul and modernisation of 40 Further commitments made to finance metro and tramway projects GT6N/GT8N trams for the German city of Nürnburg between 2015-20. fter months of delay, City Project State subsidy (EUR m) In further news, the proposal the French Government Lyon Metro B capacity increase 12.05 for an interurban tramway link to Erlangen has taken another step announced on Lyon Metro D capacity increase 3.48 forward with Erlangen agreeing 18 December that it Lyon Metro B Hôpitaux Sud extension 6.6 Toulouse Metro B Labege extension 20.5 to investigate the joint project Awas allocating EUR450m in Angers Tram line B 25.11 with Nürnberg, with the cost funding for urban transit under Aubagne Tram-train Valdonne 18.31 split between Nürnberg/Stadt the third call for projects within Erlangen/Landkreis Erlangen of Caen Tram lines 1 & 2 23.31 16.65/59.96/23.39%. EUR25m will the framework of the Grenelle Grenoble Tram A Pont-de-Claix extension 3.0 now be spent on further planning. écologique. They include four Guadaloupe Tram line 28.16 metro schemes totalling 27km Lyon Tram T1 Hôpitaux-Est extension 19.04 Aalborg one step closer (16.7 miles) and 15 tramway Lyon Tram T4 capacity increase 1.34 The city council of Aalborg, projects totalling 81km (50 miles). Lyon Tram T5 RP Cassin extension 1.77 Denmark, has decided in favour In addition to encouraging Marseille Tram Nord–Sud 29.87 of a 12km (7.6-mile) tramline modal shift away from private Montpellier Tram 1 Sud de France extension 3.9 and hopes to achieve a funding motoring, the funding is expected Nantes Tram station Commerce 0.45 agreement and begin construction this year, following completion of to create 50 000 jobs and promote Nice Tram T3 St-Isidore extension 3.48 the final Environmental Impact sustainable development. Strasbourg Tram Koenigshoffen extension 8.41 Assessment and detailed design. To qualify for the funding, Strasbourg Tram Schiltigheim extension 6.04 It is hoped the first trams can construction must start before Toulouse Tram Parc des Expositions extension 1.04 run in 2021, the same year as the 31 December 2017. On average Boulougne Funicular Haut Ville 0.2 opening of Aalborg University the government is financing Lyon Trolleybus C3 5.94 Hospital, a key traffic generator 16% of total project costs. Nîmes High capacity line 2 21.7 for the new system. Minneapolis approves third LRT line The Counties Transit St Charles becomes National Landmark Improvement Board and the Hennepin County Regional The oldest surviving tramway in Railroad Authority have approved the US, New Orleans’ St Charles funding of USD496m and line, has been designated a USD165m respectively towards National Historic Landmark, a third light rail line to link Minneapolis and Eden Prairie. joining the San Francisco cable With existing commitments this cars as the second moving makes up 85% in local funding, site on the list. The line has paving the way for an FTA grant been operated by the Regional of USD827m. The line could Transit Authority since 1983, open in 2019. AECOM is carrying and provides 24-hour service. out engineering design under a The Carrollton line opened USD117m contract. as a mule tramway in 1835 Salzburg opens Lokalbahn and today operates 21km line to Ostermiething (13 miles) from Canal Street On 12 December the 3km in the city centre to South (1.86-mile) Lokalbahn extension from Trimmelkam Carrollton Avenue. It has been New Orleans Perley Thomas trams 907 and 910 on the central reservation in to Ostermiething was opened electrified since 1893, uses the St Charles, known locally as the neutral ground. RTA unusual Pennsylvania gauge by the deputy governor of Land of 1588mm, and is officially 9 December. Already on the US 1923-24 have ‘grandfather Oberösterreich and the Salzburg minister for transport, who rode designated route 12 but is today national Register of Historic rights’ meaning they are on coupled set ET56+57. known as the St Charles line. Places (since 1973), the 35 exempt from the requirement Regular passenger service The designation ceremony 900-series Perley Thomas to be rebuilt with lifts to meet started on 14 December. was held at Lee Circle on bogie trams that date from ADA regulations.

Consultation on north Dublin options NEWS IN PICTURES Consultation is underway to help by EUR460m – of the original the formulation of decisions on proposal, which received planning

the future transport needs of approval but was deemed Van der Vlist north County Dublin, an area unaffordable in the recession. containing the Irish capital’s The consultation process is due to airport and development sites. be completed on 19 January. Options range from BRT to a The main contract to lay 5.6km reworked Metro North, extensions (3.48 miles) of track for the to the DART network and new Cross City line was to be awarded From Berlin to Copenhagen Haulier Van der Vlist has recently delivered the latest 39m three-section Luas lines. They vary in cost in January and the EUR368m AnsaldoBreda metro train to Copenhagen, breaking records in the process. from EUR250-330m for BRT, project is to be operational by the The 57-tonne carriages were loaded onto a specialist trailer following up to EUR1.43bn-EUR2.86bn fourth quarter of 2017. By the end Berlin’s Innotrans; upon arrival at the port of Rostock the metro set the record for an ‘optimised’ Metro North of 2014, 60% of the city’s utilities for the longest ever cargo taken on the ferry to Denmark. Upon disembarking, scheme from St Stephen’s Green had been relocated and a new the convoy became the first public vehicle to drive on the then unopened to the Airport and Swords. bridge equipped with tram tracks Nykøbing Falster bypass, due to tight bends and roundabouts in the city. This is a scaled-down version – constructed.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2015 / 55 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 the period from 2015 to 2016, the (grant of lump sums to the PTAs other than the incumbent operator, so contracts concerned are listed below:

URBAN TRANSPORT NETWORK DATE OF EXPIRY OF CURRENT CONTRACT Antibes 30/06/2015 Creusot-Montceau-les-Mines 31/07/2015 Epernay 31/07/2015 Vannes 31/08/2015 St Dié-des-Vosges 31/08/2015 Calais 31/12/2015 Fos-sur-Mer / Istres 31/12/2015 Ajaccio 31/12/2015 Beauvais 31/12/2015 Thonon-les-Bains 31/12/2015 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.

56 / FEBRUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org New tramways for 2015 NEW TRAMWAYS FOR Michael Taplin presents his annual round-up of the new systems due to open this year, as well as some of the more 2015 significant extensions. s always it is instructive to Nanjing started in 2014. Suzhou certainly look back 12 months, to did achieve this goal, on 26 October, just 25 CHINA the article published in the months after ground-breaking, and using 18 There is no doubt that the pace of tramway February 2014 issue 32m 2 trams locally and metro construction in China is (TAUT 914), to see how assembled by CSR Puzhen in Nanjing on mirroring its ambitions in high-speed predictionsA have materialised. US systems an 18.1km (11.2-mile) line serving the rail with new schemes and extensions seem to have great difficulty in following Gaoxinqu high-tech business park. seemingly announced each month. a timetable leading up to inauguration of What is certain is that the travelling Chinese rolling stock builders have formed passenger service, apparently because of the observer of the modern tramway scene will joint ventures with established European bureaucracy needed to leap the final hurdle, rack up plenty of Air Miles in 2015, touring builders such as AnsaldoBreda, Bombardier, and almost certainly because of differing almost every continent rather than just Inekon, Siemens, Škoda and Vossloh, but state oversight procedures. visiting new French and Spanish systems are developing the capability to build their The Atlanta Streetcar only just made as has been the case in recent years. own designs (for instance vehicles used in it into 2014, opening on 30 December, With Aubagne and Besançon opening Dalian and the 900-series bogie trams in but Washington DC and the Oak Cliff during 2014, and Paris lines T6 (rubber- Changchun, both existing systems from streetcar in Dallas are postponed going tyred) and T8 (steel wheel) following in 1909 and 1937 respectively). into revenue service until 2015. December, it will probably be late 2017 Beijing. The Chinese capital (population In China news of tramway openings is before we see another new French tramway 21.5 million) is building the 9.4km rarely confirmed in advance; indeed what – if Avignon is confirmed as going ahead. (5.8-mile) Xijiao tramline to link Bagou constitutes ‘opening’ varies from city to We have already commented on the station on metro with the Fragrant city, with official inauguration by local difficulty of forecasting when things will Hills in the western suburbs, to include political leaders, followed by trial operation happen in Brazil (see TAUT 917), so we will 4.4km (2.7 miles) without overhead wire. carrying passengers for free, a common just say that it is possible that passengers This will feature the Ansaldo STS Tramwave feature, usually on just part of a line. Again will be riding trams in Cuiabá and Santos surface power supply system, and the line it is not certain whether normal revenue in 2015. And will the Santa Teresa tramway will be worked by part of a batch of 31 operation in Chengdu, , and re-open? Or then again… five-section 100% low-floor air-conditioned

ABOVE: It is understood that the new low-floor trams for Chengdu's tramway are being built under a co-operation agreement between a local heavy engineering manufacturer and Siemens. Xinzhu Corporation

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2015 / 57 New tramways for 2015

ABOVE: With technology already demonstrated to a worldwide audience at ABOVE: One of the first NTL vehicles for the new tramway in the Colombian the InnoTrans trade fair in Berlin, CSR’s new low-floor trams for Guangzhou are city of Medellin was shown off to the public by the city's mayor in July 2014 on capable of running almost entirely under supercapacitor power. CSR the back of a trailer. Y. Maller

trams ordered from CNR Dalian and built on the Pearl River in Guandong province, line will be a 3.8km (2.4-mile) branch from under licence from AnsaldoBreda based and has a population of 12.8 million and Guanlan New Industry Park to Daha Road. on the Sirio design. a nine-line metro, while high-speed trains Given the frantic pace of Chinese transit China Tramway Corporation was provide links to Wuhan and . construction, completion in 2015 established in 2013 as a joint venture Huai’an in Jiangsu province (urban is possible, but no rolling stock details between CNR Dalian and Ansaldo STS population 2.5 million) is reported to have been announced yet. to bring the Tramwave technology to have built a 20.3km (12.6-mile) tramline Shenzhen is just across the border from China and has found customers in with opening planned for February 2015. the Special Administrative Region of Hong Beijing and Zhuhai. The tram contract However definite information is hard to Kong; it is known for its theme parks and is worth EUR19m. come by. The city has hitherto been served duty-free opportunities and has an urban The Beijing line is expected to be the only by bus services and is a stopping point population of 3.6 million. first in a network of lines and is scheduled on Beijing – Nantong trains. Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province to open towards the end of 2015. The city Nanjing, an inland port on the Yangtze (population 10.2 million) is building a has one of the world’s largest metro systems river in Jiangsu province, has an urban 17.6km (10.9-mile) tramline linking with with 17 lines and is the oldest in China, population of 6.6 million and an existing metro lines 3 and 6 in the south-west, opening in 1969. two-line metro. The Hexi tramline started connecting Zhuanyang Avenue and Chengdu in south-western China is trial operation last summer, driven by the Huanglingzutuan. The city has been in the capital of the Sichuan province with a need to provide transportation for the talks with CSR (China South Locomotive population of 7.2 million, and already has Youth Olympic Games, but then closed to and Rolling Stock corporation) to build a a two-line metro. The city started building permit completion of the 7.8km (4.8-mile) local tram factory, but further details are a 20.2km (12.6-mile) tramline in June 2013 route that provides interchange with metro not known. Little further information has and expects to start commercial operation line 2. More lines will follow. been published, but local sources predict in June 2015. A CNY9.1bn (EUR1.17bn) CSR Puzhen is supplying a fleet of 15 opening in 2015. investment will be made in a six-line 32m 100% low-floor trams, built under Zhuhai, a coastal city in network over the next decade. licence from Bombardier and based upon province in the , is According to local media reports in 2013 its Flexity platform, featuring the building an 8.9km (5.5-mile) tramline from the line has already tested the prototype Bombardier Primove wire-free technology Sangchong to Haitan Park via the railway Vossloh low-floor car and ordered with Li-ion batteries and supercapacitors. station, for completion in May 2015, and 22 more, however a more recent news filing If commercial operation did not start is already testing part of the line with two indicates that 17 low-floor trams have been before the end of 2014, then it certainly double-ended low-floorSirio trams imported manufactured locally under a co-operation will in early 2015. from AnsaldoBreda in ; ten more will agreement between Sichuan Xinzhu Road Qingdao is a major seaport in Shandong be built under licence by CNR in Dalian. and Bridge Machinery Co and Siemens. province (population 4.53 million) that is The system features the Tramwave surface Guangzhou’s Haizhu tramline is building an 8.8km (5.5-mile) tramline in power supply system with supercapacitors 7.8km (4.8 miles) long and links Shenyang district with the expectation that supplied by Ansaldo STS under a contract Wanshenwei and Guangzhou Tower, both revenue service will start in 2015. No formal worth EUR26m. Two more lines are planned termini offering metro interchange; it is to information on rolling stock seems to be to follow with preliminary engineering be operated by Company available, but given the presence of the reported to be underway (TAUT 925); this Ltd, a subsidiary of CSR Sifang factory in the city, which holds initial ring network will then be complete, Corporation. the licence from Škoda to build the 15T opening in 2016. Rolling stock allocation comprises seven ForCity tram, one might expect this Czech Zhuhai, which does not have a metro, is a 100% low-floor 36.5m articulated trams look-alike to appear here. Construction is popular tourist destination on the ‘Chinese built by CSR Zhuzhou Electric with bogies, also in progress on 54.7km (34 miles) of Riviera’, bordering the Macau Special electric propulsion system and train control metro, with the first line expected to carry Administrative Region. supplied by Siemens and featuring batteries passengers before the end of 2015. and supercapacitors for off-wire operation; In Shenzhen, construction of two the batteries are charged from a ground tramlines began in December 2013, COLOMBIA level power supply at each stop. designed to integrate the north side of Medellín is the second-largest city in The tramway may be operating by the time the Longhua district into the city’s rail Colombia with a population of 2.44 this is published, as no official inauguration network. An 11.5km (7.1-mile) north-south million. Financing for the Ayacucho tram date has been given but infrastructure line will link Qinghu metro station to project was announced in 2011 and the construction is complete. the New Industries Park and Science and contract for the 4.3km (2.7-mile) line, with The city, previously known as Canton, is Technology Service Centre. The second a maximum gradient of 12%, went to New

58 / FEBRUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org New tramways for 2015

Jacobo Camarero Translohr, which has delivered 12 STE5 rubber-tyred vehicles. The first vehicle was delivered in July 2014. Juncar The USD350m line was built using a USD250m French loan and is a feeder to GR-3103 San Antonio station on metro line B from the Alejandro Echavarria neighbourhood. Vicuna Alstom has supplied the electrification as well as the vehicles, following its takeover Anfiteatro of Translohr in October 2012. Testing is C. de Jaen in progress and the line is likely to open Blas de Otero in the third quarter of 2015. Medellin is Estacion Autobuses known for its lines and A-4002 aerial cableways providing links to hilltop Cerrillo Maracena communities. N-432 Argentinito

A-92G Perete ETHIOPIA Villarejo Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia La Caleta with a rapidly growing population that CENTRAL is approaching four million. Ethiopian GRANADA Railways Corporation has built a 34.25km (21.3-mile) light rail network to ease Universidad travelling conditions for commuters and reduce environmental pollution. Mendez Nunaz A 16.9km (10.5-mile) north-south line, Menelik Sq – Kaliti, and a 17.35km Rocogidas (10.8-mile) east-west line, Ayat – Tor Hailoch, share a common 2.7km (1.7-mile) section in the city centre Lideta–Meseki Rio Genil Square. Infrastructure was 85% complete by A-44 Hipica the end of November 2014. The total cost of the project is USD475m, Andres Segovia 85% financed by a loan from a Chinese Palacio bank. The infrastructure work has been de los Deportes carried out by Engineering Nuevos Corporation (CREC), with elevated Carmenos sections to avoid the city’s notorious A-395 traffic congestion. C. de Granada Av. Delar In August 2015 CNR Changchun rolled Parque Teonologico out the first of 41 70% low-floor trams, and in November it was announced that a Poniente Nevada five-year contract to operate and maintain the system had been awarded to CREC/ ABOVE: The Granada tramline crosses the city from north to south, with a subway between Universidad Group. Operational and Hipica. The depot is at Macarena. testing is in progress with the intention that passengers will be carried around the BELOW: A Chinese tram delivered for the new system in Addis Ababa is seen undergoing gauging trials in middle of the year. October 2014. D. Paul ITALY Palermo is the capital city of Sicily, founded in 734BC and now with an urban population of 855 000. Although construction of a tram system started in 2007, and rolling stock was delivered three years ago, it seems that only part of the three-line modern tramway will be carrying passengers in 2015. runs 5.6km (3.5 miles) from Stazione Centrale to Roccella (Forum Palermo) with a depot near the latter terminus. Lines 2 and 3 form a separate network with a depot near Castellana. The first tram was officially launched in the city in July 2014 and ran from Rocella depot to Scaffa Square and testing on the full length of line 1 has been ongoing since then, with electrification of sections of line 2 and 3 reported to be underway in December. One local source says that line 1 could open in February. The EU is contributing EUR68.7m towards the EUR194.8m cost of the project

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2015 / 59 New tramways for 2015

EXISTING TRAMWAYS EXTENDING With more than 390 tramways now operating worldwide, plenty of existing systems are busy building extensions that will open in 2015. In the UK Nottingham is to open the lines to Clifton and Chilwell, while across the Atlantic, Houston in Texas will inaugurate two new light rail lines on 4 April, Los Angeles will extend its Gold Line eastward from Pasadena, and Portland will see the inauguration of its long-awaited light rail service to Milwaukie. Monterrey in Mexico is to inaugurate its third light rail line. In Europe, Poland will see major tramway extensions in Bydgoszcz and Gdansk, while Bordeaux in France will have a busy year with tramway extensions planned to open in January, March and April. In Sweden Stockholm will re-open its Lidingö tramway after reconstruction at the end of March. New waterfront sections of tramway will open in Oslo and Göteborg this summer. ABOVE: The first tram testing on Palermo’s route 1 took place in July 2014. Genio Magdeburg in Germany is scheduled to open its extension to Neustädter Feld, BELOW: Inekon is building the First Hill trams in the Martinov workshops of the tramway. Inekon and Bielefeld trams should reach Altenhagen by the end of the year.

(2011 prices), and 17 32.4m five-section Bombardier Flexity Outlook 100% low-floor trams were built in Wien and delivered in 2011. The system has been given the marketing name Genio (Genius). SPAIN Granada, the capital of the southern Spanish province of the same name, abandoned its first generation tramway in 1971 but the population of the urban area has since grown to 473 000 and authority for a new EUR360m tramline came in 2006 with construction starting in April 2007. Termed Metro Ligero, the 15.9km (9.9-mile) north-south line has been delayed by financial problems, but will link Jacobo Camarero and Poniente via the city centre this spring. There is a 2.7km (1.7-mile) subway under the old town. CAF is supplying 13 Urbos 3 100% low-floor trams for EUR43.9m (there is Seattle (First Hill). Located in the an option for another four) equipped with USA Pacific north-west state of Washington, the ACR system permitting parts of the Dallas. The third-largest city in Texas is Seattle is another city with three separate line (totalling 4.7km/2.9 miles) to be unusual in having a variety of rail transit operations, one light rail line and two catenary-free. modes, including light rail, diesel light tramways. It is one of the latter, the 4km rail and two separate streetcar lines – a (2.5-mile) USD134m , that comprehensive description appeared in is due to open in the first quarter of 2015, TAIWAN the December 2014 issue of TAUT (924). delayed from 2014 by the late delivery of Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s second city, is a The second tramline, whose opening was the new Inekon trams (Inekon supplied the major port on the south-west coast. delayed from 2014 to 2015 is the Oak Cliff trams for the South Lake Union Streetcar), A full article on the city’s light rail line Streetcar, a USD56m, 1.6km (one-mile), some of which are being assembled locally was published in the December 2014 starter line linking Union Station with Oak in the new depot by Pacifica Marine. issue of TAUT (924). Cliff Methodist Hospital. The new fleet will operate under battery The first stage will be an 8.7km The line crosses the historic Houston power on part of the downhill segment of (5.4-mile) line on the alignment of the Street bridge, where there will be no the line on Broadway. The First Hill line harbour railway, due to open on 1 October tramway overhead. What is potentially the connects Capitol Hill and the International 2015, with service provided by 34.2m CAF first off-wire tramway operation in the US District and will be operated by King County Urbos 3 100% low-floor trams. In 2019 the will be offered by two 20.3m Liberty bogie Metro. First Hill was originally to have a line will be extended to form a complete trams from Brookville Equipment (there station on the Sound Transit LRT extension, loop with 24 trams available for service. is an option for two more) with battery but the deep-bore facility was dropped. The tramway features catenary-free equipment. Delays in tram delivery are Planning is in progress for a new line to operation using CAF’s ACR charging system one of the reasons that opening of the line connect the First Hill and South Lake Union at each stop. has slipped to Spring 2015. tramways in the city centre.

60 / FEBRUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Comment ENGAGING THE CUSTOMER IS THE CHALLENGE… RETAINING THEM IS NOT

Micah Bergdale, CEO and Co-Founder of Bytemark, explains why smartphone apps and mobile ticketing are now an expectation, not a luxury service.

s mobile payments like Apple Pay, Google Wallet use the app. By demonstrating to the customer how to utilise the and PayPal become more commonly used, the app, we actively increase user knowledge about mobile ticketing. demand for mass transit to support mobile ticketing A is becoming greater and greater. Mobile ticketing is Offering an incentive the gateway to an interactive mass transit experience in which Riders will adopt mobile ticketing if properly incentivised. the transit agency and the customer are able to communicate An additional benefit of utilising digital tools is the ability to in real time. A more engaged transit rider is likely to become connect public transit services with other transportation services a frequent customer. Mobile is becoming a key tool for transit like Uber and Lyft, which have become more and more popular agencies as they look to engage with their riders further and because of the ubiquity of smartphones. Studies have shown that improve the customer experience. ride-sharing and car-sharing Smartphone and online programs actually increase ticketing options have become the utilisation of mass transit a customer expectation for ridership because it makes it public transportation. easier for consumers We believe that mobile tools to give up car ownership. with integrated ticketing and We are working with car- payments will help drive ridership sharing, ride-sharing and and support for mass transit. bike-sharing programmes in Mobile ticketing and payment the US and globally to provide apps empower riders with multi-modal integration unprecedented convenience. around mobile solutions. Users have the ability to Effective loyalty programmes purchase fares safely and and special offers are also securely from anywhere. features that draw riders to For transit organisations, this mobile ticketing and payment means reducing reliance on applications. Rewarding ticket vending machines, customers for using transit kiosks, and cutting down services is important in both on cash handling processes. retaining and growing ridership. With tools like real-time Customers are more engaged updates, trip planning, when they feel like they are a incident reporting, special offers, partner in the success of and other informational solutions Smartphone ticketing and passenger information apps – such as public transit. built-in, the mobile ticketing app the Bytemark app for Cap Metro – allow greater scope for passengers, By offering multi-modal becomes an important utility operators and transit agencies alike. integration, users can sign for riders beyond just simply up for one account on one providing ticketing. service and then utilise that “Our biggest strides have been made by account and its payment First time jitters method on a variety of The largest obstacle in deploying customer service transport apps. We view deploying a successful mobile this as the future where ticketing solution is making representatives during rush hours to inter-connected transit and customers comfortable utilising mobile apps help to make this method of interaction engage with customers at stations and commuters’ lives easier with a transit agency for the first and better. time. Once a commuter tries stops to show them how to use the app.” mobile ticketing, the retention rate is extremely high, but it is always a challenge to get customers to change their behaviour. Micah Bergdale is the CEO and Co-Founder of Bytemark, a pioneer in That is why it is important for the agency and the mobile mobile ticketing and payment solutions for transit, attractions and events. In January 2012, Bytemark launched the first mobile ticketing app for a ticketing vendor to work hand-in-hand to create a successful major US transit agency, the NY Waterway app. Since then,the firm has also mobile app deployment for customers. implemented mobile ticketing solutions for a commuter rail line in Chicago Our biggest strides have been made by deploying customer and Austin’s regional public transportation system. Based in New York service representatives during rush hours to engage with City with offices in the UK and Australia, Bytemark continues to expand its customers at stations and stops in order to show them how to mobile ticketing offerings worldwide – www.bytemark.co

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2015 / 61 News focus RECORD-BREAKING ADVANCES IN TRACTION POWER

By Will Marshall, Energy ABOVE: In July 2014, Siemens, Medcom and Corvus combined forces with MTS staff in San Diego to challenge Storage System Project the existing World Record for the longest distance travelled by a battery-powered tram on one charge. Siemens modification of other overhead infrastructure, between vehicle and wayside, with Manager, Siemens Rolling such as traffic signals and bridges, can make proprietary interfaces limiting an operator’s Stock, and Ferdinand Batz, catenary installation difficult and expensive. flexibility in any system expansion, and The continuing popularity in electrically- vehicle retrofits. Furthermore, the continuous System Engineer, Siemens powered urban rail over the last few decades circuit does not solve the difficulty in Rolling Stock has inspired planners, engineers and the connecting tramways over moving bridges. public to look for alternative arrangements so that these concerns can be addressed. These Onboard electrical energy storage rom Berlin to Buenos Aires, alternatives can fundamentally be grouped On lines with heavy traffic, regenerative Moscow to Melbourne, overhead as relocated continuous electrical supply, and braking has added significantly to the catenary is a familiar necessity onboard electrical energy storage. efficiency of modern tramways. However, along tramway and light rail for the regenerated braking energy to be networks around the world. Relocated continuous electrical supply of use, other vehicles must be both within FThis has been the case for more than a Subways have for many decades commonly the same non-insulated catenary network century, having its genesis when Werner used a third-rail supply, allowing section, and in need of higher power, such as von Siemens presented the world’s first tram underground tunnels to achieve a much during an acceleration phase. using the system in 1881. Steady evolution lower profile than would otherwise be Furthermore, even within the same has brought improvements in reliability, required. When running above ground, non-insulated network, the further the safety and efficiency, such as the transition this kind of system removes the visual current must travel, the higher the catenary from to , and the obstruction from the skies, and would losses. Without these circumstances playing advancement of regenerative braking. theoretically also solve the interface out ideally, the regenerated electrodynamic While still generally accepted as achieving challenges with overhead infrastructure. braking energy is primarily fed to the braking the best balance of performance, safety However this classic arrangement is of course resistor to be radiated to the atmosphere. The and cost, the installation of overhead wire incompatible with in-street running, or even advancement of double-layer capacitors and brings several challenges and compromises. occasional road and pedestrian crossings. batteries over the past 15 years has allowed Electricity supplied at several hundred volts Recent derivatives of this philosophy for engineers to explore ways that this energy through unshielded wire in public spaces tramway applications feature flush-mounted can be captured and reused more reliably. can bring safety hazards which must be conductor rails running between the tracks, Batteries and double-layer capacitors each controlled. Infrastructural necessities such as with the conductor rail segmented by offer a path towards the ultimate solution movable drawbridges can create challenges electrical or mechanical means, activated to the problems raised earlier: eliminating in providing continuous electrical supply when a train is detected above each section. the requirement for a continuous power and ground paths along alignments that At this stage of development, however, this supply throughout the alignment. However, cross waterways. Visible aerial wires can has proven to be significantly more expensive in detail, their respective benefits and spoil important sightlines, such as of historic to install than traditional overhead catenary, detractions are somewhat opposite to one buildings or parks, reducing the appeal due to the amount of equipment and controls another, because of their contrasting energy and public acceptance of a system. required to ensure public safety. In addition, and power density. With unlimited weight For new systems, relocation and the system has a high degree of dependency and space, each could fulfil the power and

62 / FEBRUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org energy properties of the other, but within and capacitors alongside one another to System (MTS) of San Diego whose latest the strict weight and spatial restrictions of exploit the benefits of both approaches. Series 8 vehicles were in production, to modern rail vehicles these differences are However, a two-pronged approach is not provide a test vehicle – MTS enthusiastically brought into sharp focus. practical for every system. obliged. Optimisation and tuning was Double-layer capacitors feature an performed on the test track at Siemens’ impressive power density, but a low energy The making of a World Record engineering and manufacturing hub in density. Therefore, while relatively little At this point in time, the most promising Sacramento, California, during which time energy can be stored within a given spatial best-of-both-worlds solutions have been the system was shown to have excellent and weight envelope, it is rapidly exchanged found through new battery chemistries, efficiency and durability. between storage in the capacitor bank providing higher power density, with With functionality confirmed, MTS and usage in the propulsion system. This improved charge and discharge rates. agreed for the vehicle to be shipped characteristic lends itself towards short bursts In particular, Lithium-Ion batteries have downstate to San Diego, where more of high power, but cannot endure sustained reached a window whereby the energy advanced testing would continue on a power consumption over a longer duration. required for a tram to traverse distances of real-world alignment with gradients and Batteries, on the other hand, offer high over one kilometre, with a discharge rate curves, not to mention a variable climate energy density but low power density. Sizing sufficient to provide acceptable acceleration between the seaside and inland hills. of battery systems is driven by multiple of more than one metre per square second, Through this process, the team was able to factors, including instantaneous power can all be installed within the available identify areas to optimise the system, such as intake and outtake to match acceleration and roof space of an otherwise-standard light improving the effectiveness of the water- deceleration requirements, redundancy and rail vehicle. It was using this approach that cooling of the batteries and the interface rescue scenarios, while reaching acceptable Siemens, with technical partners Corvus between the propulsion system and the depths of discharge so the life of the batteries Battery and Medcom Power Solutions, energy storage control. The team calculated is not compromised. Cell-based monitoring developed a system to be installed on a that with these advances, and given the and management of charge level and thermal newly-manufactured S70 LRV. efficiency of the system that had been shown properties is a key factor in the successful In 2013, work started on the in field testing, the vehicle would be able implementation of such systems. In limited- conceptualisation and design of a prototype to challenge the existing Guinness World space applications, the lower instantaneous system, with the aim of advancing each Record for the longest distance travelled by a power available from a battery system can limit company’s expertise in energy storage for battery-powered tram on one charge. acceleration, as well as the power which can rail vehicles while endorsing and promoting On 15 July 2014, a team from Siemens, be recuperated back into the storage system the technology in the market. The system Medcom and Corvus assembled with MTS during regenerative electrodynamic braking. featured two packs of Corvus Lithium-Ion operational staff in San Diego to make an Ultimately, the optimal solution for ‘off- batteries, each containing 96 four-volt official attempt at the World Record. Before wire’ running would be for a system with cells, arranged in parallel, each managed leaving the MTS depot at around midnight, the energy density of batteries, and the by a robust battery management system. the battery packs were sealed with tape power density of capacitors. Researchers are Buck-boost converters from Medcom would and signed by one of two independent developing new technologies to overcome then handle the voltage step-up and step- witnesses. The tram was driven to the the disadvantages of each method, and find down controls for discharge and charge designated test location on the MTS solutions that bring a happier medium. operations between the battery packs and the Green line with the energy storage system In the meantime, combined systems such conventional propulsion system. disengaged, utilising power from the as that being implemented on Siemens’ Siemens approached its longest-standing overhead catenary. At the test location, the Avenio for Qatar Education City, use batteries US light rail customer, Metropolitan Transit energy storage system was engaged, and the batteries were charged via the pantograph “While at this stage such distances are only possible in connection to the overhead line. Once the battery system was fully charged to 390V, favourable and controlled circumstances, this the pantograph was lowered for the duration of the record attempt, and therefore the achievement gives a glimpse of what the future of batteries could not be charged further. The tram was driven 10km (6.2 miles) at tramways may hold.” a restricted top speed of 40km/h (25mph) – representative of streetcar running in BELOW: The most promising best-of-both-worlds solutions for off-wire LRV operation have been found mixed traffic operation – back and forth, through new battery chemistries such as Lithium-Ion, providing higher power density, with improved charge up and down hills, through curves, until and discharge rates. Siemens the batteries were depleted to the recommended minimum depth of discharge. By that point, about 50 minutes later, the vehicle had travelled a distance of 24.596km (15.283 miles), eclipsing the previous record by more than 30%. While at this stage such distances are only possible in favourable and controlled circumstances, this achievement gives a glimpse of what the future of tramways may hold. Driven by the high volumes required to support the nascent hybrid automobile market, battery size, weight and cost are simultaneously and rapidly being reduced. Performance, in terms of both energy and power density, is increasing. The implementation of rapid charging while stationary at passenger stops, as is planned for Qatar Education City, can allow a catenary-free sky along whole networks, but even being able to traverse small sections without continuous power supply brings increased flexibility in planning alignments, and reduced installation expense.

www.tautonline.com . www.Irta.org FEBRUARY 2015 / 63 Houston LRT’S BIG BANG IN THE US OIL CAPITAL

Following a decade of service consolidation on Houston’s first modern LRT line and procurement and construction delays, METRO’s LRT programme is expanding rapidly with a major extension in 2013 and two new lines set to open in Spring 2015. Vic Simons reports from Texas.

ith a population of around name of General Houston, following the in 1940; little vestige of the first-generation 2.1 million, Houston is the incorporation of the city led by real estate system remains. Popular theory suggests that largest city in Texas and entrepreneurs Augustus Chapman Allen and as the abandonment was so close to the start the seat of Harris County. John Kirby Allen in 1836. of World War Two, all available scrap metal It is located in the south- Until the devastating hurricane of 1900, was required for the war effort. eastW of the state, close to the Gulf of Mexico. the coastal city of Galveston was the more Globally famous as the US oil capital, the city important in the region due to its trade links. The creation of METRO has major refineries and processing plants as However, the accompanying devastation led METRO (Metropolitan Transit Authority for well as a space centre that directs much of the to many key businesses moving upstream to Harris County) was established following nation’s space exploration programme. Houston whose dominance was confirmed by voter approval in 1978, and at the same time Formerly situated in Mexico, present-day the deepening of the Buffalo Bayou enabling a one cent sales tax was approved to fund its Houston was first established in 1832 when large ocean-going vessels to reach what had operation, which began in 1979. settlers from across the USA set up various become the port of Houston. METRO quickly realised that bus-operated trading posts around 65km (40 miles) The first horse-drawn streetcar route was transport and the expanding highway upstream from the Gulf of Mexico port of established in 1874 run by the Houston City network would not help alleviate growing Galveston. The 1836 Battle of the Alamo and Street Railway; today’s METRO can trace traffic congestion, and in 1983 thoughts its aftermath at the Battle of San Jacinto its ancestry directly back to this company. turned to the potential for a light rail system. (now in Harris County) led by Sam Houston Electric operations commenced in 1891. The original 1980s vision became mired in resulted in Texas breaking away from Mexico The streetcar system reached its peak in the political infighting, and it was not until the and joining the USA. The city bears the 1920s, before succumbing to bus competition 2001 Regional Transit Plan was developed

64 / FEBRUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org LRT’S BIG BANG IN THE US OIL CAPITAL

ABOVE: H1 Car 109 departing the Red line Northline Transit Center terminus for Fannin South, some 50 minutes away.

LEFT: Siemens S70 H2 202 on Main Street approaching the crossing with the Green/Purple lines just short of the new Central Station.

RIGHT: The three-track arrangement at Burnett Transit Center; the bus stands are immediately below the LRT overbridge.

and approved by both the METRO Board Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant and new vehicles were needed. To this end, and voters in 2003 that the vision could had been agreed, part of which was for the in early 2011 19 S70 vehicles were ordered become reality. new rolling stock. from Siemens USA using an order diverted LRT planning began with the first starter The contract called for the first two from Salt Lake City, UT; these were built at line, costing USD324m and opening in 2004. prototype cars to be built in Spain with the Siemens’ California facility for USD83m, Christened the Red line, it originally ran remaining 103 cars to be built in the USA. requiring only modest modification, from Fannin South for 12km (7.5 miles) to In early 2008 the FTA launched an principally in relation to HVAC systems. the UH Downtown station to the north of investigation into whether the agreement Finally, late in 2011 – and having Houston’s central core area, connecting a to build the prototypes in Spain breached re-established its relationship with CAF number of major traffic objectives with the the “Buy America” condition relating to – METRO ordered a further 39 Urbos 70% 1200-space park-and-ride lot at Fannin South the grant. METRO argued that the two low-floor bi-directional vehicles costing and with a number of hospitals, a major prototypes sat under a separate contract USD153m for delivery in 2014, the FTA sports venue, and the downtown area. This and thus formed no breach of the rules; this having confirmed that the new order has been the only park-and-ride lot directly was subsequently rejected by the FTA which complied with its regulations. These vehicles connected to the light rail line, although considered the two contracts intrinsically are being built at CAF facility in Elmira, NY. a new one was due to open by the end of linked, and in 2010 a ‘stop work’ order was METRO President and CEO Thomas 2014 at Northline Transit Centre, now the issued. This put METRO in some difficulty C Lambert told TAUT that he was very terminus of the extended Red line. as vehicle construction had started and the pleased that all previous contractual issues Construction of the 8.5km (5.3-mile) agency had already paid around USD40m were well behind the agency and that it extension from UH Downtown to Northline already to the rolling stock manufacturer. now has a very good relationship with CAF, Transit Centre began in 2009 and opened in After lengthy and detailed negotiations, complimenting the CAF CEO on the quality December 2013. METRO recovered USD14m and was forced to of the subsequent deliveries and being a man write off the remaining USD26m. of his word. High-profile procurement issues Throughout this drawn-out process In late 2007 METRO placed an order for 105 METRO was still preparing its expansion Houston today new light rail vehicles with CAF to cover plans, and the demand for new rolling stock As of December 2014 the 20.4km its five-line expansion programme; to fund became more pressing as the first three parts (12.8-mile) 24-station Red line is the only procurement of the programme a USD900m of the programme had been committed to line in operation. Running on an

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2015 / 65 Houston

METRORAIL SYSTEM PLAN NORTHLINE TRANSIT CENTER/HCC MELBOURNE/NORTH LINDALE 610

LINDALE PARK

RED (MAIN STREET) LINE CAVALCADE EAST END LINE EAST END LINE (FUTURE) 59 SOUTHEAST LINE MOODY PARK UNIVERSITY LINE (FUTURE) UPTOWN LINE (FUTURE) FULTON/NORTH CENTRAL 45 STATION ELEVATED STATION NORTHWEST TRANSIT CENTER QUITMAN/NEAR NORTHSIDE 10 TRANSFER STATION

BURNETT TRANSIT CENTER/ MEMORIAL MEMORIAL CASA DE AMIGOS PARK UH-DOWNTOWN 10 THEATER DISTRICT UPTOWN PARK PRESTON ELEANOR TINSLEY PARK

CENTRAL STATION FOUR OAKS (FUTURE) MAIN STREET SQUARE DOWNTOWN CONVENTION DISTRICT SAN FELIPE BELL EaDo/STADIUM DOWNTOWN COFFEE PLANT/SECOND WARD AMBASSADOR WAY TRANSIT CENTER LOCKWOOD/EASTWOOD MCGOWEN WESTHEIMER ELGIN/THIRD WARD GALLERIA SHEPHERD MONTROSE ALTIC/HOWARD HUGHES ROBERTSON STADIUM/ MENIL ENSEMBLE/HCC LEELAND/ KIRBY THIRD WARD CESAR CHAVEZ/67TH ST. WEST ALABAMA WHEELER UH/TSU MAGNOLIA PARK RICHMOND EDLOE CUMMINS TRANSIT CENTER 59 ALMEDA EASTWOOD CULLEN UNIVERSITY TRANSIT CENTER OF HOUSTON MUSEUM DISTRICT HILLCROFT TRANSITGULFTON CENTER BELLAIRE NEWCASTLE WESLAYAN HUTCHINS TSU TIERWESTER HERMANN PARK/ RICE UNIVERSITY UH SOUTH/UNIVERSITY OAKS HERMANN PARK MEMORIAL HERMANN HOSPITAL/ 45 HOUSTON ZOO MACGREGOR PARK/ MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR DRYDEN/TMC TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER PALM CENTER TMC TRANSIT CENTER TRANSIT CENTER 288

SMITH LANDS

RELIANT PARK RELIANT PARK

610 REV21 2.20.14 Courtesy of METRO FANNIN SOUTH

RIGHT: The Purple line terminus at Palm Transit Center; trains should reach this terminus in April 2015.

BELOW: CAF 301 on test on the Green line alignment.

The stub end downtown terminus of the Green and Purple lines just west of the Theatre District station.

H1 Car 110 approaching Melbourne, the last station before the Northline terminus on the Red line.

66 / FEBRUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Central station platform on the Purple and Green lines under construction; note the Red line LRV on Main Street crossing in the background.

approximate north-south alignment the carried out with strict fines of up to USD500 The first of the five, the Red line extension, line has been constructed mostly at-grade, for non-compliance. Tickets can be purchased has already opened; and lines 2 and 3 are the sometimes separated and at other times using cash, credit or debit cards at vending Green East End line and the Purple South East sharing the highway with other road traffic. machines, and holders of pre-paid METRO Q line that are scheduled to open in April. It links a total of six transit centres with light smartcards must tap in before boarding using Originally planned to open in the autumn rail providing easy transfer. The interchange the Q box located on each station platform. of 2014, the lines have been delayed by at the Burnett Transit Center just to the north The METRO Q is a stored-value smartcard construction issues and late delivery of new of downtown is noteworthy as the three- purchased from local retailers and then rolling stock. There have been problems track light rail station has been built on a registered by phone or by visiting the with a severed chilled water line during high overbridge located immediately above customer service centre. The agency is construction (not caused by METRO or its the transit centre and linked by stairs and committed to encouraging its usage with contractors) and with vehicle axle counters. elevators. This configuration allows short incentives such as offering five free rides for As of TAUT’s latest visit in August 2014, only workings to bolster service at peaks and to every 50 taken using the card. ten vehicles had been delivered. As each add service for special events. The Northline There are discounted fares available for vehicle has to do test mileage accumulation terminus is located close to the major open- registered disabled travellers and elderly before it can be accepted into traffic the air Northline Mall. Houston residents, and special fares are autumn opening became unachievable. The Red line operates seven days a week offered to users of park-and-ride lots (except The first part of the Green East End line with trains running every six minutes for at Fannin South) depending on location. is a seven-station segment to Altic/Howard most of the day Monday-Friday, reduced to According to METRO, farebox recovery Hughes, and once a large overbridge over a every 18 minutes in the late evening (this represents only 18-20% of the system’s freight railway just beyond Altic station is applies to all days) and every 12 minutes at overheads with the remainder being met completed – construction of which has been weekends. There is a service until 02.00 on largely from the sales tax. significantly delayed by planning problems FridayS and Saturdays; end-to-end running When TAUT last visited Houston in 2010 – it will be extended a further two stations to time is around 50 minutes. there was great enthusiasm for the five-line the Magnolia Transit Center. This will bring The standard bus or rail fare is USD1.25 expansion programme, but economic reality the length of the line to 4.8km (3.3 miles). with a free transfer, providing the user has a has kicked in since with one extension The 9.6km (6.6-mile) Purple South East line METRO fare card, in the same direction for open and a further two new lines under is a nine-station route to Palm Center Transit up to three hours after purchase – transfers construction. The fourth is now planned to Station, and both start just west of Main are not available for cash purchases and be built as a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line, but Street in Downtown Houston at the Theater tickets must be purchased before boarding in a manner that can be easily converted to District Station. Proceeding eastwards on LRVs. The honour system is used as, unlike on light rail as funding permits. The planned parallel alignments and complying with buses, tickets are not checked when boarding, University line is on hold pending further the one-way system on Rusk and Capitol although regular ticket inspections are funding allocation. streets the line crosses Main Street and will

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2015 / 67 Houston

“The Red line extension is significantly exceeding expectations with a daily ridership of 4700 compared with the planned 2600.”

ABOVE: The latest delivery of CAF LRVs in the new Green line facility. interchange with the Red line at the new standing. The slightly smaller H2 vehicles is now focusing on the Galleria area which is Central Station. After the Convention district consists of the 19 Siemens S70s diverted from a big growth area for the city. This extensive station the alignments come together to pass Salt Lake City. development encompasses one of the largest under the US59 Freeway before reaching the Still bi-directional and three-section, these shopping malls in North America and the junction station at the Stadium. The Purple are slightly shorter at 26.2 metres – with seats complex is the third-largest employer in the line then splits from the Green line and turns for 57 and a further 201 standing – and can METRO area. south-east through a further five stations be easily distinguished by the position of the Lambert expected the planned BRT before reaching the Palm Center terminus. destination displays. The H1 display is below scheme to cost around USD200m with just The line serves the University of Houston the drivers’ cab but on the H2 it is in the more under half of the funds, USD87m, coming Southern Campus and the Texas Southern usual position just below the roof. from Federal and State sources with the University, both key ridership generators. The H3 fleet uses the same configuration, balance being funded locally. When asked The proposed Blue line will interchange but is somewhat different from previous about his vision for METRO he commented with the Purple line at Elgin and Robertson deliveries. This 39-car order sees the addition that “every day the employees of this agency stations near the two universities. of 29.8m-long three-section vehicles that seat are improving transit and the quality of life The proposed 18.2km (11.4-mile) 64 with a further 178 standing. This order in the city”. 20-station Blue line has been put on hold will bring the total number of vehicles to 76, Houston is still very much a car-orientated pending the establishment of funding and further vehicles will be needed if and place and in such an environment public streams, but consists of an alignment that when the Gold and Blue lines are built. transport represents less than 10% of all links the Eastwood Transit Center in East All vehicles are air-conditioned and have journeys. Whilst many of these are peripheral Houston to the Hillcroft Transit Center four double doors on each side; internally across the suburbs, much more could be on the west side of the city, with Red line there are information and audiovisual done for commuting to downtown Houston interchange at Wheeler to the south of destination/next station displays. if the funding can be made available. Would Downtown and with the proposed Gold line The fleet is maintained at the storage garage increasing the cost of city centre parking at Bellaire. and maintenance facility to the south of the make a difference? For this to work more The fifth line is the proposed 7.7km Fannin South terminus, and a new facility investment in public transport is needed. (4.8-mile), ten-station Gold line running has been built on the Green line to house the Houston is a thriving, interesting city with north from Bellaire to the Northwest Transit expanded fleet where some maintenance will many attractions and worth a visit for any Center close to the Galleria where there also be undertaken. An additional storage student of public transport, although caution is major development in progress. The facility has been built close to the terminus of is advised in mid-summer as temperatures developers are now looking to build a BRT the Purple line on Griggs Road. regularly reach 45°C with high humidity. line to replace the proposed Gold light rail line. This would be operated by METRO. View from the top METRO’s Lambert, appointed on an interim RESOURCES The LRV fleet basis in January 2013 and made permanent Three types of light rail vehicle operate in the in March 2014, is understandably bullish www.ridemetro.org is comprehensive with all timetable and fare information, city. The original fleet acquired for the 2004 about the need for the new lines, pointing out while www.gometrorail.org covers opening consists of 18 Siemens S70 vehicles that the Red line extension is significantly the expansion programme in detail – whixh are classifiedH1 in operational terms. exceeding expectations with a daily ridership www.visithoustontexas.com is the main Each bi-directional double-articulated car is of 4700 compared with the planned 2600. tourist information site. 29.5m long and seats 64 with a further 234 The planning priority, according to Lambert,

68 / FEBRUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org News focus REGIONAL DEVOLUTION: A NEW FUTURE FOR UK LIGHT RAIL?

ABOVE: has expanded rapidly over the past few years, and is set for even greater growth Paul Rowen looks at the with the approval of a new line to Trafford Park. Funding for the new extension was confirmed on the same day progress of the current as the regional devolution announcement made in November 2014. Neil Pulling devolution programme in “This is a massive moment for the north of England the UK and asks whether and our plan to build the Northern Powerhouse… the transfer of powers and spending capacity from I want to talk to other cities who are keen to follow central Government could Manchester’s lead.” UK CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER, GEORGE OSBORNE mark a new era for light deliver benefits far more quickly than is It creates the role of a directly-elected Mayor rail schemes. currently the case.” with responsibility for a multi-year transport Current policy is for the Treasury to set the budget, responsibility for franchised bus Department for Transport (DfT) a three-year services and integrated smart ticketing ransport policy and decision- capital and revenue spending total; DfT then across all local modes of transport. With making in the UK’s city organises a series of competitive bidding this agreement comes GBP1bn (EUR1.25bn) regions look set for sweeping rounds with councils bidding for funds for of devolved spending including a GBP30m changes following a series of projects. Research carried out by the Local (EUR38m) annual earn-back deal that gives announcements and agreements Government Association suggests it costs Greater Manchester the funds to extend Tby Chancellor of the Exchequer George UK councils GBP30 000 (EUR38 000) to Metrolink to Trafford Park. Osborne, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg prepare a bid for funding, with around 60 Mr Osborne said: “This is a massive and Labour Leader Ed Miliband. This would different competitive processes existing to moment for the north of England and our end a century of Whitehall centralisation. access financial support for local growth. plan to build the Northern Powerhouse… An independent report by Volterra Some change had been planned for this I want to talk to other cities who are keen to Partners released in November 2014 entitled year with LEPs (Local Enterprise Partnerships) follow Manchester’s lead.” Investing in City Regions: The case for and LTBs (Local Transport Bodies) The Greater Manchester deal was followed long-term investment in transport found taking responsibility for deciding local by a similar deal, though without a directly- that just 5% of taxes raised in Britain are transport schemes. elected Mayor, for the Sheffield City Region controlled by UK cities, compared to 30% in So it seems that Chancellor George announced by the Deputy Prime Minister Germany and 37.5% in the USA. The report Osborne’s ‘Devo Manc’ agreement with Nick Clegg on 12 December. He said: “It’s a states: “Changing the rules and providing the ten leaders of the Combined Greater historic moment for the great city of Sheffield, cities with more economic freedom would Manchester Authority on 3 November 2014 and I’m pleased to be bringing more power to allow new projects to get off the ground and has let the ‘devolution genie’ out of the bottle. the people of Sheffield. Gone are the days of

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2015 / 69 News focus

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Paul Rowen is a British Liberal Democrat politician, former leader of Council and Member of Parliament for Rochdale between 2005 and 2010. He is a pro-light rail campaigner and was the first Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Light Rail Group, now holding the position of Deputy Chairman of the Light Rail Transit Association. He was rewarded for his campaigning activities with the Campaigner of the Year honour at the Light Rail Awards in 2008.

Devolution has been backed by a survey of medium-sized businesses in the North carried out by Grant Thornton. Local control of investment in transport infrastructure and skills was seen as the ABOVE: TUK Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne inspects one of Metrolink’s trams during a visit to strongest driver for economic growth Manchester on 3 November 2014. TfGM in the region. The Institution of Civil BELOW: Sheffield City Region has also secured devolved decision-making powers, which should bode well for Engineers (ICE) has also backed plans for the future of both the Supertram light rail service and acceleration of the UK’s tram-train pilot. Supertram 109 at greater devolution calling for the process of Middlewood on 24 November 2014. Neil Pulling devolution to city regions to be speeded up, backed by an ‘overarching’ national transport strategy for England. Not everyone is happy with these proposals, however. Stagecoach Group Chief Executive Martin Griffiths has warned that handing more power to the regions could see a reintroduction of state control of private assets. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s World Tonight programme in early December, Griffiths said that enhancing regional transport powers could usher in nationalisation that would undo the good work achieved since transport shifted to the private sector. As the UK’s biggest bus operator and a major player in the heavy rail market, Stagecoach also runs Sheffield’s Supertram network and has been involved in a bruising and acrimonious battle with the North East Combined Authority on its plans to regulate the bus network. Local Government leaders in non- metropolitan areas throughout the UK have been quick to call for a similar devolution of powers not just from Westminster but also from the other national assemblies in Holyrood (Scotland), Stormont (Northern “Changing the rules and providing cities with more Ireland) and Cardiff (Wales). In Hampshire, which like Liverpool and economic freedom would allow new projects to get off Greater Manchester had its tram scheme scrapped by the then-Transport Secretary the ground and deliver benefits far more quickly than Alistair Darling, County Council Leader Roy Perry said: “Following the devolution is currently the case.” INVESTING IN CITY REGIONS: THE CASE FOR LONG TERM referendum in Scotland… and the requests from the so-called Core Cities… this is to INVESTMENT IN TRANSPORT, VOLTERRA PARTNERS, NOVEMBER 2014 remind Government that the shires of England are equally competent… and if Central Government controlling all promising an English Devolution Act that powers are to be devolved, there needs to be local decisions.” would transfer GBP30bn (approx. EUR38bn) consideration to the shire counties as well as The deal gives the city region the of resources to local government over five the core cities.” opportunity to roll out ‘Oyster-style’ smart years. This Act would allow cities and county This is a fluid and rapidly evolving story. ticketing and secures the future of the Tram- regions that form combined authorities to Expect more announcements in the run Train Trial from Sheffield to Rotherham with take control of buses, local train services up to the UK General Election on 7 May. increased funding and pushing forward the and trams. He said: “For too long, the other With the genie out of the bottle we should introduction of the service. regions of England have been unable to plan see more European-style transport planning – Labour Leader Ed Miliband has also ahead or join up their transport networks to and perhaps approval for more light announced his party’s plans for devolution, help secure the prosperity they need.” rail schemes?

70 / FEBRUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org SUBSCRIBE NOW!

THE INTERNATIONAL LIGHT RAIL MAGAZINE Rhein-Neckar Houston

Formed by systems neighbouring operators a decade ago, the unified RNV www.lrta.org system is a giant of www.tautonline.com factfile geRmANy No. metre-gauge light LRT’S BIG BANG IN THE US OIL CAPITAL Rhein-Neckar Rhein- rail, integrating Neckar FEBRUARY 2015 N O. 926 89 Light Rail, Germany city tramways with interurban lines. NEW TRAMWAYS: CHINA EMBRACES LIGHT RAIL

ABOVE: H1 Car 109 departing the Red line Northline Transit Center terminus for Fannin South, some 50 minutes away.

he metre-gauge system With south-eastern point of the system. termed Rhein-Neckar- Eisenbahn Gesellschaft, the Upper LEFT: Siemens S70 H2 Hbf in the This substantial RNV concentration Verkehr (RNV) totals background, Railway (OEG) in Mannheim with about 30km (19 miles) of track 202 on Main Street around 200km Kunsthalle stop on ownership since 2000. Municipal has five lines specific to the city and approaching the crossing (125 miles). In the the inner tramway authorities retain transport interests south-westT of the country, most of ring. RNV-liveried its suburbs. North of Heidelberg the with the Green/Purple lines through their utility arms, loosely RNV6 4157 delivered route, much renewed in recent years, RNV is in Baden-Württemberg state. reflecting their proportion of the rail just short of the new Central in 2013 and 6MGT is shadowed by a rural hillside towards It extends into Rheinland-Pfalz to the operations at 50% Mannheim, 30% Station. 5637 from 1995. RNV’s northern limit at Weinheim west, with a small northern presence Heidelberg and 20% Ludwigshafen. All images by (Bergstrasse), the name alluding to in Hessen around Viernheim. RNV is, however, a separate entity, Neil Pulling, wine production and the topography. RIGHT: The three-track The system’s shape is broadly a July 2014 unless with branding including an orange, Following a decade of With the tracks palpably turning a near-equilateral triangle tilting to a otherwise noted. white and sapphire blue livery. Largely arrangement at Burnett corner at Weinheim near the main north-eastern point. Its south-western white, there remain some vehicles service consolidation on Transit Center; the bus line station and Luisenstrasse stop, corner is represented by the largest carrying the old colours like the green a mix of fields and small settlements stands are immediately urban concentration, containing the of Ludwigshafen and different blues Houston’s first modern LRT line the route from here to Mannheim. below the LRT overbridge. connected city tramways of industrial for Mannheim and Heidelberg. Mannheim (Baden-Württemberg) Stimulated by efficiencies of scale Houston: Two new lines for 2015 and more to come and following previous co-operations, From 2006 came line redesignation line and procurement and and new vehicles were needed. To this end, population 325 000, and for all modes, with light rail normal RNV was created in 2004 as a jointly- Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant in early 2011 19 vehicles were ordered Atlanta Streetcar launches service Ludwigshafen am Rhein (Rheinland- services getting 1-10 for Mannheim/ and approved by both the METRO Board S70 owned subsidiary of five public sector construction delays, METRO’s had been agreed, part of which was for the Pfalz) population 160 000. These are Ludwigshafen and interurban, with from Siemens USA using an order diverted organisations. In 2013 it identified and voters in 2003 that the vision could divided by the River Rhine, which 21-26 for Heidelberg. Vehicles gained new rolling stock. Paris opens T6 and T8 tramlines 874 361 residents within its catchment LRT programme is expanding from Salt Lake City, UT; these were built at gave rise to commercial docks and also a common system with an extra digit become reality. area. Joining the three city tramways The contract called for the first two forms the state boundary. The Neckar before the original operator’s number, Siemens’ California facility for USD83m, were two metre-gauge railways, rapidly with a major extension LRT planning began with the first starter Honolulu metro begins tracklaying joins the Rhine here, upstream passing for example Heidelberg trams gained prototype cars to be built in Spain with the Rhein-Haardt Bahn (later having a line, costing USD324m and opening in 2004. requiring only modest modification, ISSN 1460-8324 through the famed university city of a leading 3 and Ludwigshafen 2. £4.25 remaining 103 cars to be built in the USA. majority holding by Ludwigshafen) principally in relation to HVAC systems. 02 Heidelberg, population 150 000, the The defunct OEG remains represented in 2013 and two new lines Christened the Red line, it originally ran and the much larger Oberrheinischen In early 2008 the FTA launched an by some stop names and on Finally, late in 2011 – and having UK devolution San Diego set to open in Spring 2015. from Fannin South for 12km (7.5 miles) to investigation into whether the agreement the UH Downtown station to the north of re-established its relationship with CAF Siemens and partners 9 771460 832043 to build the prototypes in Spain breached Will regional powers 72 / febRuaRy 2015 www.tautonline.com. Vic Simons reports from Texas. – METRO ordered a further 39 Urbos 70% set new World Record www.lrta.org Houston’s central core area, connecting a the “Buy America” condition relating to bene t light rail? in 1940; little vestige of the first-generation low-floor bi-directional vehicles costing number of major traffic objectives with the the grant. METRO argued that the two ith a population of around name of General Houston, following the system remains. Popular theory suggests that USD153m for delivery in 2014, the FTA 1200-space park-and-ride lot at Fannin South prototypes sat under a separate contract 072-076_TAUT1502_SF_RNV.indd 1 incorporation of the city led by real estate as the abandonment was so close to the start having confirmed that the new order 2.1 million, Houston is the and with a number of hospitals, a major and thus formed no breach of the rules; this 05/01/2015 12:24 entrepreneurs Augustus Chapman Allen and complied with its regulations. These vehicles 02/01/2015 11:39 largest city in Texas and of World War Two, all available scrap metal sports venue, and the downtown area. This John Kirby Allen in 1836. was subsequently rejected by the FTA which are being built at CAF facility in Elmira, NY. 49_TAUT1502_cover.indd 1 the seat of Harris County. was required for the war effort. has been the only park-and-ride lot directly Until the devastating hurricane of 1900, considered the two contracts intrinsically It is located in the south- connected to the light rail line, although ’ order was METRO President and CEO Thomas the coastal city of Galveston was the more The creation of METRO linked, and in 2010 a ‘stop work C Lambert told TAUT that he was very Weast of the state, close to the Gulf of Mexico. a new one was due to open by the end of issued. This put METRO in some difficulty important in the region due to its trade links. METRO (Metropolitan Transit Authority for 2014 at Northline Transit Centre, now the pleased that all previous contractual issues Globally famous as the US oil capital, the city However, the accompanying devastation led as vehicle construction had started and the Harris County) was established following terminus of the extended Red line. were well behind the agency and that it has major refineries and processing plants as to many key businesses moving upstream to agency had already paid around USD40m voter approval in 1978, and at the same time Construction of the 8.5km (5.3-mile) now has a very good relationship with CAF, well as a space centre that directs much of the Houston whose dominance was confirmed by already to the rolling stock manufacturer. a one cent sales tax was approved to fund its extension from UH Downtown to Northline complimenting the CAF CEO on the quality nation’s space exploration programme. the deepening of the Buffalo Bayou enabling After lengthy and detailed negotiations, operation, which began in 1979. of the subsequent deliveries and being a man Formerly situated in Mexico, present-day Transit Centre began in 2009 and opened in METRO recovered USD14m and was forced to large ocean-going vessels to reach what had METRO quickly realised that bus-operated of his word. Houston was first established in 1832 when December 2013. write off the remaining USD26m. become the port of Houston. transport and the expanding highway settlers from across the USA set up various Throughout this drawn-out process The first horse-drawn streetcar route was network would not help alleviate growing High-profile procurement issues Houston today trading posts around 65km (40 miles) established in 1874 run by the Houston City METRO was still preparing its expansion traffic congestion, and in 1983 thoughts In late 2007 METRO placed an order for 105 As of December 2014 the 20.4km upstream from the Gulf of Mexico port of Street Railway; today’s METRO can trace plans, and the demand for new rolling stock turned to the potential for a light rail system. new light rail vehicles with CAF to cover (12.8-mile) 24-station Red line is the only Galveston. The 1836 Battle of the Alamo and its ancestry directly back to this company. became more pressing as the first three parts The original 1980s vision became mired in its five-line expansion programme; to fund line in operation. Running on an its aftermath at the Battle of San Jacinto Electric operations commenced in 1891. of the programme had been committed to political infighting, and it was not until the procurement of the programme a USD900m (now in Harris County) led by Sam Houston The streetcar system reached its peak in the resulted in Texas breaking away from Mexico 2001 Regional Transit Plan was developed february 2015 / 65 1920s, before succumbing to bus competition www.tautonline.com. www.lrta.org and joining the USA. The city bears the

. www.lrta.org 64 / february 2015 www.tautonline.com News focus New tramways for 2015 REGIONAL DEVOLUTION: new tramways for

A NEW FUTURE FOR UK michael taplin presents his annual round-up of the new LIGHT RAIL? systems due to open this year, as well as some of the more 2015 significant extensions. s always it is instructive to Nanjing started in 2014. Suzhou certainly look back 12 months, to did achieve this goal, on 26 October, just 25 the article published in the China months after ground-breaking, and using 18 February 2014 issue 32m Bombardier Flexity 2 trams locally There is no doubt that the pace of tramway (TAUT 914), to see how assembled by CSR Puzhen in Nanjing on and metro construction in China is predictionsA have materialised. US systems mirroring its ambitions in high-speed seem to have great difficulty in following an 18.1km (11.2-mile) line serving the Gaoxinqu high-tech business park. rail with new schemes and extensions a timetable leading up to inauguration of seemingly announced each month. passenger service, apparently because of the What is certain is that the travelling observer of the modern tramway scene will Chinese rolling stock builders have formed bureaucracy needed to leap the final hurdle, joint ventures with established European and almost certainly because of differing rack up plenty of Air Miles in 2015, touring almost every continent rather than just builders such as AnsaldoBreda, Bombardier, state oversight procedures. Inekon, Siemens, Škoda and Vossloh, but The Atlanta Streetcar only just made it visiting new French and Spanish systems as has been the case in recent years. With are developing the capability to build their into 2014, opening on 30 December, but own designs (for instance the Combino Washington DC and the Oak Cliff streetcar Aubagne and Besançon opening during -type 2014, and Paris lines T6 (rubber-tyred) and vehicles used in Dalian and the 900-series in Dallas are definitely postponed going bogie trams in Changchun, both existing into revenue service until 2015. T8 (steel wheel) following in December, it will probably be late 2017 before we see systems from 1909 and 1937 respectively). Now entering its 78th year, Tramways & In China news of tramway openings is Beijing. The Chinese capital (population rarely confirmed in advance; indeed what another new French tramway – if Avignon 21.5 million) is building the 9.4km constitutes ‘opening’ varies from city to is confirmed as going ahead. We have already commented on the (5.8-mile) Xijiao tramline to link Bagou city, with official inauguration by local station on metro line 10 with the Fragrant political leaders, followed by trial operation difficulty of forecasting when things will happen in Brazil (see 917), so we will Hills in the western suburbs, to include ABOVE: Manchester Metrolink has expanded rapidly over the past few years, and is set for even greater growth carrying passengers for free, a common TAUT just say that it is possible that passengers 4.4km (2.7 miles) without overhead wire. with the approval of a new line to Trafford Park. Funding for the new extension was confirmed on the same day feature, usually on just part of a line. Again This will feature the Ansaldo STS Tramwave as the regional devolution announcement made in November 2014. Neil Pulling will be riding trams in Cuiabá and Santos Paul Rowen looks at the it is not certain whether normal revenue surface power supply system, and the line operation in Chengdu, Guangzhou, and in 2015. And will the Santa Teresa tramway progress of the current re-open? Or then again… will be worked by part of a batch of 31 “This is a massive moment for the north of England five-section 100% low-floor air-conditioned Urban Transit is the world’s leading monthly devolution programme in and our plan to build the Northern Powerhouse… the UK and asks whether the transfer of powers and I want to talk to other cities who are keen to follow UK CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER, GEORGE OSBORNE spending capacity from Manchester’s lead.” central Government could It creates the role of a directly-elected Mayor deliver benefits far more quickly than is with responsibility for a multi-year transport mark a new era for light currently the case.” budget, responsibility for franchised bus rail schemes. Current policy is for the Treasury to set the services and integrated smart ticketing Department for Transport (DfT) a three-year across all local modes of transport. With publication dedicated solely to light and this agreement comes GBP1bn (EUR1.25bn) capital and revenue spending total; DfT then ransport policy and decision- organises a series of competitive bidding of devolved spending including a GBP30m making in the UK’s city rounds with councils bidding for funds for (EUR38m) annual earn-back deal that gives regions look set for sweeping projects. Research carried out by the Local Greater Manchester the funds to extend changes following a series of Government Association suggests it costs Metrolink to Trafford Park. announcements and agreements UK councils GBP30 000 (EUR38 000) to Mr Osborne said: “This is a massive moment for the north of England and our Tby Chancellor of the Exchequer George prepare a bid for funding, with around 60 different competitive processes existing to plan to build the Northern Powerhouse… Osborne, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg I want to talk to other cities who are keen to and Labour Leader Ed Miliband. This would access financial support for local growth. Some change had been planned for this follow Manchester’s lead.” end a century of Whitehall centralisation. The Greater Manchester deal was followed urban rail developments. year with LEPs (Local Enterprise Partnerships) An independent report by Volterra by a similar deal, though without a directly- Partners released in November 2014 entitled and LTBs (Local Transport Bodies) taking responsibility for deciding local elected Mayor, for the Sheffield City Region Investing in City Regions: The case for announced by the Deputy Prime Minister long-term investment in transport found transport schemes. So it seems that Chancellor George Nick Clegg on 12 December. He said: “It’s a that just 5% of taxes raised in Britain are historic moment for the great city of Sheffield, controlled by UK cities, compared to 30% in Osborne’s ‘Devo Manc’ agreement with the ten leaders of the Combined Greater and I’m pleased to be bringing more power to Germany and 37.5% in the USA. The report the people of Sheffield. Gone are the days of states: “Changing the rules and providing Manchester Authority on 3 November 2014 has let the ‘devolution genie’ out of the bottle. cities with more economic freedom would / 69 News focus FEBRUARY 2015 allow new projects to get off the ground and . www.lrta.org aBoVe: It is understood that the new low-floor trams for Chengdu's tramway are being built under a co-operation agreement between a local heavy engineering www.tautonline.com manufacturer and siemens. Xinzhu Corporation

02/01/2015 11:32

energy properties of the other, but within www.tautonline.com. record-breaking www.lrta.org febru Ary 2015 / 57 069-070_TAUT1502_Devolution–news focus v3.indd 1 the strict weight and spatial restrictions of and capacitors alongside one another to modern rail vehicles these differences are exploit the benefits of both approaches. System (MTS) of San Diego whose latest brought into sharp focus. However, a two-pronged approach is not Series 8 vehicles were in production, to We deliver comprehensive news and analysis, advances in traction Double-layer capacitors feature an practical for every system. provide a test vehicle – MTS enthusiastically impressive power density, but a low energy obliged. Optimisation and tuning was density. Therefore, while relatively little The making of a World Record performed on the test track at Siemens’ power energy can be stored within a given spatial At this point in time, the most promising engineering and manufacturing hub in and weight envelope, it is rapidly exchanged best-of-both-worlds solutions have been Sacramento, California, during which time between storage in the capacitor bank found through new battery chemistries, the system was shown to have excellent and usage in the propulsion system. This providing higher power density, with efficiency and durability. characteristic lends itself towards short bursts improved charge and discharge rates. With functionality confirmed, MTS of high power, but cannot endure sustained In particular, Lithium-Ion batteries have agreed for the vehicle to be shipped power consumption over a longer duration. reached a window whereby the energy downstate to San Diego, where more incisive technology features, tender information, Batteries, on the other hand, offer high required for a tram to traverse distances of advanced testing would continue on a energy density but low power density. Sizing over one kilometre, with a discharge rate real-world alignment with gradients and of battery systems is driven by multiple sufficient to provide acceptable acceleration curves, not to mention a variable climate factors, including instantaneous power of more than one metre per square second, between the seaside and inland hills. intake and outtake to match acceleration and can all be installed within the available Through this process, the team was able to deceleration requirements, redundancy and roof space of an otherwise-standard light identify areas to optimise the system, such as rescue scenarios, while reaching acceptable rail vehicle. It was using this approach that improving the effectiveness of the water- depths of discharge so the life of the batteries Siemens, with technical partners Corvus cooling of the batteries and the interface is not compromised. Cell-based monitoring Battery and Medcom Power Solutions, between the propulsion system and the and management of charge level and thermal developed a system to be installed on a energy storage control. The team calculated rolling stock movements and the latest orders and properties is a key factor in the successful newly-manufactured S70 LRV. that with these advances, and given the implementation of such systems. In limited- In 2013, work started on the efficiency of the system that had been shown space applications, the lower instantaneous conceptualisation and design of a prototype in field testing, the vehicle would be able power available from a battery system can limit system, with the aim of advancing each to challenge the existing Guinness World acceleration, as well as the power which can company’s expertise in energy storage for Record for the longest distance travelled by a be recuperated back into the storage system rail vehicles while endorsing and promoting battery-powered tram on one charge. during regenerative electrodynamic braking. the technology in the market. The system On 15 July 2014, a team from Siemens, Ultimately, the optimal solution for ‘off- featured two packs of Corvus Lithium-Ion Medcom and Corvus assembled with MTS wire’ running would be for a system with batteries, each containing 96 four-volt operational staff in San Diego to make an by will Marshall, energy the energy density of batteries, and the cells, arranged in parallel, each managed official attempt at the World Record. Before key interviews with leading industry figures from power density of capacitors. Researchers are by a robust battery management system. leaving the MTS depot at around midnight, above: storage system project in July 2014, siemens, Medcom and c developing new technologies to overcome Buck-boost converters from Medcom would the battery packs were sealed with tape the existing world orvus combined forces with Mts record for the longest distance travelled by a battery-powered staff tram in on san one diego charge. to challenge Siemens the disadvantages of each method, and find then handle the voltage step-up and step- and signed by one of two independent Manager, siemens rolling modification of other overhead infrastructure, solutions that bring a happier medium. down controls for discharge and charge witnesses. The tram was driven to the stock, and Ferdinand such as traffic signals and bridges, can make between vehicle and wayside, with In the meantime, combined systems such operations between the battery packs and the designated test location on the MTS batz, catenary installation difficult and expensive. proprietary interfaces limiting an operator’s as that being implemented on Siemens’ conventional propulsion system. Green line with the energy storage system system The continuing popularity in electrically- flexibility in any system expansion, and engineer, siemens Avenio for Qatar Education City, use batteries Siemens approached its longest-standing disengaged, utilising power from the rolling stock powered urban rail over the last few decades vehicle retrofits. Furthermore, the continuous US light rail customer, Metropolitan Transit overhead catenary. At the test location, the has inspired planners, engineers and the circuit does not solve the difficulty in energy storage system was engaged, and the public to look for alternative arrangements so connecting tramways over moving bridges. “While at this stage such distances are only possible in batteries were charged via the pantograph across the globe each and every month. rom Berlin to Buenos Aires, that these concerns can be addressed. These connection to the overhead line. Once the favourable and controlled circumstances, this Moscow to Melbourne, overhead alternatives can fundamentally be grouped Onboard electrical energy storage battery system was fully charged to 390V, catenary is a familiar necessity as relocated continuous electrical supply, and On lines with heavy traffic, regenerative achievement gives a glimpse of what the future of the pantograph was lowered for the duration along tramway and light rail onboard electrical energy storage. braking has added significantly to the of the record attempt, and therefore the networks around the world. efficiency of modern tramways. However, tramways may hold.” batteries could not be charged further. ThisF has been the case for more than a Relocated continuous electrical supply for the regenerated braking energy to be The tram was driven 10km (6.2 miles) at a century, having its genesis when Werner Subways have for many decades commonly of use, other vehicles must be both within beLow: the most promising best-of-both-worlds solutions for off-wire Lrv restricted the top speed of 40kmh (25mph) – von Siemens presented the world’s first tram used a third-rail supply, allowing the same non-insulated catenary network through new battery chemistries such as Lithium- operation have been found as this is a representative speed for streetcars using the system in 1881. Steady evolution underground tunnels to achieve a much section, and in need of higher power, such as and discharge rates. Siemens ion, providing higher power density, with improved charge running off-wire in mixed traffic operation – has brought improvements in reliability, lower profile than would otherwise be during an acceleration phase. back and forth, up and down hills, through safety and efficiency, such as the transition required. When running above ground, Furthermore, even within the same curves, until the batteries were depleted from trolley pole to pantograph, and the this kind of system removes the visual non-insulated network, the further the to the recommended minimum depth of advancement of regenerative braking. obstruction from the skies, and would current must travel, the higher the catenary discharge. By that point, about 50 minutes While still generally accepted as achieving theoretically also solve the interface losses. Without these circumstances playing later, the vehicle had travelled a distance the best balance of performance, safety challenges with overhead infrastructure. out ideally, the regenerated electrodynamic of 24.596km (15.283 miles), eclipsing the and cost, the installation of overhead wire However this classic arrangement is of course braking energy is primarily fed to the braking previous record by more than 30%. brings several challenges and compromises. incompatible with in-street running, or even resistor to be radiated to the atmosphere. The While at this stage such distances are Electricity supplied at several hundred volts occasional road and pedestrian crossings. advancement of double-layer capacitors and only possible in favourable and controlled through unshielded wire in public spaces Recent derivatives of this philosophy for batteries over the past 15 years has allowed circumstances, this achievement gives a can bring safety hazards which must be tramway applications feature flush-mounted engineers to explore ways that this energy glimpse of what the future of tramways may Either in print or online, don’t miss out controlled. Infrastructural necessities such as conductor rails running between the tracks, can be captured and reused more reliably. hold. Driven by the high volumes required movable drawbridges can create challenges with the conductor rail segmented by Batteries and double-layer capacitors each to support the nascent hybrid automobile in providing continuous electrical supply electrical or mechanical means, activated offer a path towards the ultimate solution market, battery size, weight and cost and ground paths along alignments that when a train is detected above each section. to the problems raised earlier: eliminating are simultaneously and rapidly being cross waterways. Visible aerial wires can At this stage of development, however, this the requirement for a continuous power reduced. Performance, in terms of both spoil important sightlines, such as of historic has proven to be significantly more expensive supply throughout the alignment. However, energy and power density, is increasing. buildings or parks, reducing the appeal to install than traditional overhead catenary, in detail, their respective benefits and The implementation of rapid charging

and public acceptance of a system. due to the amount of equipment and controls detractions are somewhat opposite to one while stationary at passenger stops, as is For new systems, relocation and required to ensure public safety. In addition, another, because of their contrasting energy planned for Qatar Education City, can allow the system has a high degree of dependency and power density. With unlimited weight a catenary-free sky along whole networks, SUBSCRIBE TODAY! and space, each could fulfil the power and but even being able to traverse small sections 62 / FEBRUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com without continuous power supply brings . www.lrta.org increased flexibility in planning alignments, and reduced installation expense.

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Formed by neighbouring SYSTEMS operators a decade ago, the unified RNV system is a giant of FACTFILE GERMANY metre-gauge light rail, integrating Rhein-Neckar Rhein- No. Neckar city tramways with 89 Light Rail, Germany interurban lines.

he metre-gauge system With Mannheim south-eastern point of the system. Eisenbahn Gesellschaft, the Upper termed Rhein-Neckar- Hbf in the This substantial RNV concentration Rhine Railway (OEG) in Mannheim Verkehr (RNV) totals background, with about 30km (19 miles) of track ownership since 2000. Municipal around 200km Kunsthalle stop on has five lines specific to the city and authorities retain transport interests (125 miles). In the the inner tramway its suburbs. North of Heidelberg the through their utility arms, loosely ring. RNV-liveried Tsouth-west of the country, most of route, much renewed in recent years, reflecting their proportion of the rail RNV6 4157 delivered RNV is in Baden-Württemberg state. in 2013 and 6MGT is shadowed by a rural hillside towards operations at 50% Mannheim, 30% It extends into Rheinland-Pfalz to the 5637 from 1995. RNV’s northern limit at Weinheim Heidelberg and 20% Ludwigshafen. west, with a small northern presence All images by (Bergstrasse), the name alluding to RNV is, however, a separate entity, in Hessen around Viernheim. Neil Pulling, wine production and the topography. with branding including an orange, The system’s shape is broadly a July 2014 unless With the tracks palpably turning a white and sapphire blue livery. Largely near-equilateral triangle tilting to a otherwise noted. corner at Weinheim near the main white, there remain some vehicles north-eastern point. Its south-western line station and Luisenstrasse stop, carrying the old colours like the green corner is represented by the largest a mix of fields and small settlements of Ludwigshafen and different blues urban concentration, containing the line the route from here to Mannheim. for Mannheim and Heidelberg. connected city tramways of industrial Stimulated by efficiencies of scale From 2006 came line redesignation Mannheim (Baden-Württemberg) and following previous co-operations, for all modes, with light rail normal population 325 000, and RNV was created in 2004 as a jointly- services getting 1-10 for Mannheim/ Ludwigshafen am Rhein (Rheinland- owned subsidiary of five public sector Ludwigshafen and interurban, with Pfalz) population 160 000. These are organisations. In 2013 it identified 21-26 for Heidelberg. Vehicles gained divided by the River Rhine, which 874 361 residents within its catchment a common system with an extra digit gave rise to commercial docks and also area. Joining the three city tramways before the original operator’s number, forms the state boundary. The Neckar were two metre-gauge railways, for example Heidelberg trams gained joins the Rhine here, upstream passing Rhein-Haardt Bahn (later having a a leading 3 and Ludwigshafen 2. through the famed university city of majority holding by Ludwigshafen) The defunct OEG remains represented Heidelberg, population 150 000, the and the much larger Oberrheinischen by some stop names and on

72 / FEBRUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org

THE FLEET

Düwag was the area’s long-term tram supplier, including for transition to low-floor operations that began in 1994 with the 6MGT for Mannheim. Similar vehicles for the other operators took the total to 81. Still predating RNV’s formation, the most modern stock originated from the 100% low-floorVariobahn V6 by Adtranz, delivered from 1996 to OEG and now numbered 4117-4122. The neighbouring operators adopted the type, gaining a less angular styling, in six- or eight-axle (RNV6 – RNV8) uni- and bi-directional versions now numbering 88 in RNV service. Exempted from Stadler gaining the rights for the Variobahn, RNV’s derivatives have continued as a Bombardier product. The company has a light and heavy rail technology centre in Mannheim and its MITRAC energy saving system is fitted on later RNV Variobahns. Bombardier’s Primove inductive charging system was demonstrated in modifiedRNV6 4349 in Augsburg and in two all-electric buses in passenger service in Mannheim. Modernisation by Czech company Cegelec since 2010, including a low-floor section, transformed the appearance of eight Heidelberg Düwag trams (3251-3258) from 1985, now M8C-NF. Some older Düwags have remained in occasional use. External advertising is mainly in panels, rather than wraps.

ABOVE : Düwag 6MGT 5604 takes the Heddersheim line upon leaving Käfertal Bahnhof.

From the short- lived scheme for metro-like operations, Ludwigshafen Rathaus's tunnel section also includes the junction for the northern Rhine crossing.

BELOW LEFT: Modernised former OEG Düwag GT8K stock at Käfertal depot in July 2014.

BELOW Bi- directional RNV8 3275 on Theodor Heuss Brücke, one of Heidelberg's two Neckar bridges carrying the tramway.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2015 / 73 Rhein-Neckar

Bombardier RNV6s cross at 's most northerly point near Weinheim From the original small batch of Adtranz V6, former OEG 119/RNV 4119 at (Bergstrasse) main line station. Grenadierstrasse. trackside buildings like Mannheim- Kurpfalzbrücke, the former southern riverside terminus of the line from Heidelberg. The counterpart on the Neckar’s north bank for OEG’s Weinheim line is commemorated by the Alter Bahnhof (Old Station) beer garden opposite the modern RNV stop, Alte Feuerwache. RNV identifies around 700km (435 miles) of public transport under its unified control; this includes 170 buses operating 52 routes and 12 night services. There are two types of RNV light rail service: city tramways and interurban. In places the latter is covered by narrow- gauge railway ESBO regulations, elsewhere using the tramway-geared BOStrab. Line 5’s route is essentially the triangular shape as already described, all electrified by 1956. Running orbitally in both directions An area of intensive rail coverage, ABOVE: Still active into 2014 and retaining their original mainly at ten-minute intervals, it RNV’s territory area is also well-served Heidelberg numbers, 1975-built Düwag GT8 202 and 204 at uses the Mannheim and Heidelberg by DB. This is principally along the Hans Thoma Platz on Sunday 21 July. Howard Pulling tramways as well as track dedicated Ludwigshafen-Mannheim-Heidelberg ABOVE RIGHT: Central Heidelberg's busy main to line 5, mainly the former OEG. line main – shadowed to the north interchange at Bismarckplatz. Routing through Mannheim is such by line 5 – and another linking that the two paths into the city have these locations to Frankfurt Main an over and under crossing near and Darmstadt through Weinheim. Theresienkrankenhaus. Taking RNV’s Like RNV, regional (RE) and S-Bahn nominal stating point of Weinheim RheinNeckar trains are components OEG Bahnhof, a full line 5 circuit of the 12 103km2 (7520m2) takes 2 hours 20 minutes. regional transport association The other interurban, , Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Neckar connects Heddersheim to the (VRN). Ticketing for RNV services is north-east of Mannheim with within the VRN framework and the Bad Dürkheim, about 20km logos of both organisations appear on (12.4 miles) west of Ludwigshafen light rail buses. RNV’s Möhlstrasse over the former Rhein-Haardt Bahn. headquarters is just off a non-revenue The line 4 terminus loop at the small connection between tracks diverging spa town of Bad Dürkheim is opposite at Tattersall stop, east of central the DB (Deutsche Bahn) station, a Mannheim. One of three main depots, terminus for non-electrified local this modern facility also includes the lines. End-to-end the journey time is system’s workshops. There are depots 1 hour 30 minutes. Reflecting at Ludwigshafen Hauptstrasse and demand, there are services running Heidelberg Bergheimer, the latter now either part of or the complete routes due for modernisation. With such a 4 and 5, some terminating at BOStrab/ dispersed system to supply, there are ESBO boundaries. Mannheim other sites like Bad Dürkheim and and Ludwigshafen trams are uni- Käfertal by the northern junction of directional, with Heidelberg and line 5 the interurban lines. Serving Heidelberg tracks, M8C-NF 3252 and RNV8 3276 bi-directional. There is widespread use Mannheim’s main visual feature turning back at Handschuhsheim Burgstrasse, with the line of paired trams. is a grid-iron street layout, with the 5 route beyond.

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“The Mannheim Nord project… represents a significant RNV expansion by bringing tram services to a further 32 000 residents and an extra 3300 journeys per day.”

NETWORK FACTS Opened: Mannheim 1878 (electrification from 1900) Lines: 15 (including peak only) Distance: 200km (125 miles) Approx. weekday hours: 04.30-00.00 (major variations) Main line frequency: Ten minutes Gauge: 1000 mm Power: 750V dc overhead supply Fleet: 183 Transport authority: Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Neckar (VRN) City network and operator: Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr (RNV)

INFORMATION Regional network: www.vrn.de Operator: www.rnv-online.de Civic and tourism: www.mannheim.de www.heidelberg.de, and www.ludwigshafen.de Terminating at Oggersheim, 5604 passes the sign denoting the change of regulations for line 4's route west to Bad Dürkheim.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2015 / 75 Completed Stadtbahn "Work began on putting the tramway Mannheim Nord project works on underground in the 1970s, but high costs soon Hochuferstrasse that will connect ended the transition to metro-like services." with the existing Friedrich Ebert ‘Quadratestadt’/city of squares core Strasse line (background). within a three-quarter circuit of tram tracks that is also quartered by BELOW: a right-angle intersection of lines Mannheim's at Paradeplatz. Like neighbouring central tram Ludwigshafen, Mannheim's crossing at rebuilding from World War Two Paradeplatz. left a severe and often monotonous cityscape. In contrast, east of the centre stands Wasserturm, an 1886 water tower which serves as Mannheim’s emblem. Nearby is Mannheim Hbf, the principal station. Relative to the high demand, it has a cramped tramstop on Willy Brandt Platz that appears prone to congestion due to junctions on either side. It is also near one of two Rhine bridges shared with road traffic that connects the Mannheim and Ludwigshafen tramways. Work began on putting the tramway underground in the 1970s, but high costs soon ended the transition to metro-like operations. Mannheim has one tunnel section that includes Dalbergstrasse stop. Ludwigshafen has two substantial tram tunnels, with the main railway station and Rathaus (city hall) both having sub-surface stops. Ludwigshafen’s most prominent interchange is Berliner Platz, a ABOVE: modern pedestrian zone area that is October 2008 at nevertheless clearly losing in retail Berliner Platz. RNV6 carrying competition with Mannheim across original number the Rhine, so easily reached by tram. 220 (now 2220) In Mannheim’s northern fringe on line 10, the between the diverging arms of only one wholly lines 1 and 5 is the active EUR78m in Ludwigshafen. (as 2013) Mannheim Nord project; this represents a significant RNV RIGHT: expansion by bringing tram Uni-directional RNV6 2222 and services to a further 32 000 residents Mannheim's and an anticipated extra 3300 landmark water passenger journeys per day. RNV’s tower; is rationale for the project includes one of the cross- its claim of 85% of Mannheim river services. public transport journeys (not counting heavy rail or line 5) being taken by tram. Pursuing its aim of increasing the role of public transport, RNV highlights the reluctance of people not taking so readily to bus alternatives. The branching 6.4km (4 mile) 14-stop Mannheim Nord will extend from ESSENTIAL FACTS existing track on Friedrich Ebert Local travel: Very coverage. Restricted area single the Hbf main station is about Strasse near Grenadierstrasse stop. comprehensive RNV trips from EUR1.60; EUR16.50 1.6km away (one-mile). Once Close to where former US military information centres are located (2014) for one-day including the administratively linked with the barracks are being redeveloped, this at Mannheim Stadthaus near full LR service. See www.vrn.de tramway, the two-stage Bergbahn stop is due for relocation with the Paradeplatz; Heidelberg Hbf and What is there to see? Heidelberg funicular rising from the eastern new connection during the final Ludwigshafen Berliner Platz. is the main tourist attraction. Altstadt has separate fares project stages. An advanced 3.5-year Tickets are also available from Concentrated on the Neckar's (www.bergbahn-heidelberg.de). platform vending machines at southern bank, the Altstadt Mannheim puts emphasis on the construction phase should lead to all stops, signed agents or online. historic centre is east of arts, but offers river views from services by late 2016-early 2017. Zone-based fares covering all Bismarckplatz, the central bus/ Ludwigshafen's Rhein-Galerie, www.rnv-online.de; the best system modes vary greatly according to tram interchange; tram-linked, near Ludwigstrasse stop. overview is ‘RNV Regionalverkehr’.

76 / FEBRUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org Worldwide Review

AUSTRALIA plant at Araraquara in São Paulo MELBOURNE. Public Transport state. The company has an order Victoria offered free travel on for 55 trains for the Salvador trains, trams and buses on metro, and 30 EMUs for São Paulo Christmas Day, and from 18.00 commuter rail. IRJ on 31 December to 06.00 on SÃO PAULO. Fradique Coutinho 1 January. Fares were increased by station on metro line 4 was opened 2.5% from 1 January, but the Free on 15 November. urbanrail.net Tram Zone was introduced in the city centre (including Docklands CANADA and Queen Victoria Market), OTTAWA. The city council and and journeys across zones 1+2 the National Capital Commission can be made for the price of a have agreed to co-operate on the zone 1 fare. alignment for the western section of the new light rail line. AUSTRIA TORONTO. Proof of payment LINZ. The 4.7km (2.9-mile) and all-door boarding went into second Donau crossing will open effect on route 504 (King) from 1 The result of a mid-life overhaul for 1993 Lille tram 07. J. v.d. Noordt in 2020 and include a tram subway January. As with line 501 (Queen) under the old city from Parkbad effective hours are Monday-Friday Tram T1 will be extended beyond to Lenaupark, continuing to 07.00-19.00. PRAHA (). Freezing rail Debourg to Mermoz and Hôpitaux rejoin the existing line at Although the city council on the evening of 1 December Est. Later it will reach La Doua Bulgariplatz. DS and provincial transit agency resulted in a complete shutdown to make it a circular service. WIEN (Vienna). T h e Metrolinx have still to reach of the tramway system for some 36 The T3 branch to the stadium will completion of delivery of the 20 agreement on financing the hours; 100 trams were stranded. be completed. E. Stuart new Bombardier-built T1 LRVs project, TTC has approved a This was the first such occurrence MARSEILLE. T r a m w a y (2742-44 arrived on 22 October) CAD30m (EUR21m) contract in the system’s history. DPHMP construction in Rue de Rome is permitted an improved timetable with Hatch Mott MacDonald for running six months late, and to be introduced on line U6 the design of a 7.5km (4.7-mile) DENMARK was to be suspended during the with a 2.5-minute peak headway subway extension to replace the KØBENHAV N. The first of 30 Christmas period. Plans are being using 31 sets. EB Scarborough RT line. new metro sets for the prepared for a new north-south The Union Station – Pearson Metrocityringen was delivered tramline from Arenc to Saint- BELGIUM Airport rail link UPX will launch by AnsaldoBreda on 9 October. BT Expuréy. Once this is completed ANTWERPEN. From 6 December this Spring with a one-way fare of the network will be: T1, Noailles route 4 started to use the new CAD27.50 (EUR19.4), reduced to – Les Caillos (5.9km/3.7 miles); tracks in Brusselstraat en route CAD19 (EUR13.4) with a Presto EL QAHIRA (Cairo). The T2, Blancarde – Capitaine Greze from Zuid to Bolivarplaats. smartcard. Toronto Star government has made funding (6.9km/4.3 miles); T3, La Rouviere – The extension of to available for the extension of metro Saint-Expuréy (14.6km/9.1 miles); Wommelgem is due to open in CHINA line 3 to the airport, expected T4, Blancarde – Saint-Marguerite April. Two subway stations built BEIJING. The metro moved to take three years to complete. Dromel (6.1km/3.8 miles). several years ago, Zegel and Astrid, to distance-based fares from In May tenders will be issued for A study has been launched for will be served from the same date. 28 December on all lines except a new line 4, to be financed by a a tramway link between Marseille PCC 7050 has been stripped for the Airport Express. The flat fare of loan from the Japan International and Aubagne, including a tram- spare parts. T-2000 CNY2 (EUR0.26) was replaced by a Co-operation Agency. The 19km train to La Bouilladisse, but a BRUSSEL/BRUXELLES. The minimum fare of CNY3 (EUR0.39) (11.8-mile) line will run from decision will not be made until the planned tramline across the Tour for 6km (3.7 miles), increasing to El-Malek and El-Saleh to Remaya new regional authority comes into & Taxis district has been scrapped CNY7 (EUR0.92) beyond 32km Square. IRJ being on 1 January 2016. A. Senut after a decision to build the bridge (19.9 miles). A monthly ticket for PARIS. Consultation is in linking Gare du Nord and Tour & rides up to 6km (3.7 miles) costs ESTONIA progress for the extension of metro Taxis to carry buses only. CNY50 (EUR6.56). TALLINN. 501, the first of 20 line 1 from Château de Vincennes The new tracks on the site of An order for 60 automated metro CAF Urbos 3 low-floor trams, to Val de Fontenay. Marconi depot are to become trains has been placed with China arrived at the port of Paldiski on STIF has approved the extension operational in February, with CNR Corporation. They will be 15 December and was delivered of tramline T1 by 7.7km (4.8 30 trams allocated to work lines used on the 21.4km (13.3-mile) to the Tallinn tram depot on miles) from Bobigny Pablo 4, 32/82 and 97. Two 3000-series Yanfang line, due for completion 17 December. Testing on the Picasso to Noisy-le-Sec at a cost trams are to be allocated to in late 2015. Global Times network will start in February. of EUR458.4m; 17 new trams will Woluwe depot from 23 February. CHONGQING. Xiangjiagang J. Rauhala be required costing EUR78.5m. T-2000 station on metro line 6 opened Work will start in April 2016 for CHARLEROI. W it h 7439 on 26 November. urbanrail.net ETHIOPIA completion in September 2019. and 7449 re-entering service HANGZHOU. The first section of ADDIS ABABA. A consortium STIF has also approved the after overhaul, the remaining metro line 2, 18.3km (11.4 miles) of CREC and Shenzhen Metro T3b extension from Porte de BN trams stored out of service from Quiajianglu to Chaoyang, Group has been awarded the la Chapelle to Porte d’Asnieres are 6100/20/4/34/52. They are was opened on 24 November. five-year contract to maintain the (4.3km/2.7 miles, 14 new trams). unlikely to enter an overhaul urbanrail.net new tramway. IRJ Construction will start in April. programme. T-2000 HONG KONG. The last Occupy A. Senut GENT. Correcting last month’s Central site, blocking the FRANCE report, 6353 was the first of ten tram tracks in , LYON. SYTRAL has announced GERMANY Bombardier Flexity 2 100% low- was cleared on 15 December its new transport plan based on an BERLIN. The first test tram on the floor trams destined for line 1, and after more than two months enlargement of its area, which will new 1.8km (1.1-mile) line to Hbf delivered on 11 December. T-2000 of disruption. After detailed now embrace the RhônExpress (where a provisional stop is used examinations and safety checks light rail line to the airport. while a more elaborate structure BRAZIL normal service on the tramway Metro B will be extended beyond is built) was 6120 on 10 December. INDUSTRY. Hyundai-Rotem is resumed at 13.15. Oulins to Hôpitaux Sud and It was followed the next day by to build a rolling stock assembly become a fully-automated line. Flexity Berlin 9023. Four days later

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On loan Innsbruck 320 at the new terminus of the Vorchdorf line in Gmunden The first PESA Jazz Duo in the Polish city of Gdansk on 12 November. Klosterplatz on 13 December. G. Mackinger Think Railways passenger service was inaugurated western section of line 5 is now a separate trailer (which takes Railway Procurement Agency to by 9010 with the diversion of line expected in March. DS time to load). Another 20 DT8 develop a northbound stop on M5 from its existing terminus at KREFELD. B o m b a r d i e r Stadtbahn sets will be ordered. Dawson Street as part of the Luas Hackescher Markt. This section completed the delivery of the By 2018 extensions to Cross City line. of Invalidenstrasse last saw trams second series of Flexity trams with Dürrlewang (U12), Münster/ The new Luas line, which in August 1948 and May 1963 the arrival of 671 on 9 December. Remseck (U12) and to the airport runs from the Green line terminus (West Berlin part). DS DS will open. H. Zimmer at St. Stephen’s Green through BRAUNSCHWEIG. Fares were MAINZ. The first rails for the TÜBINGEN – REUTLINGEN. the city centre, Phibsborough to be increased from 1 February 9.2km (5.7-mile) Lerchenberg The state of Baden-Württemburg and Cabra to Broombridge, with a single ride costing EUR2.20 extension were laid on has approved plans for the previously only had a southbound in advance or EUR2.30 on the car. 24 November at Uni-Campus. implementation of the Neckar- stop in Dawson Street much to A day ticket will cost EUR5 for one Completion is planned for the Alb tram-train project, involving the dismay of local traders who person or EUR6.50 for two. DS end of 2016. DS upgrading and electrification petitioned for the additional DARMSTADT. ST12 t ra m MÜLHEIM/Ruhr. T h e of 21km (13 miles) of DB line facility. returned to the system on ‘temporary’ suspension of the from Tübingen to Herringen 5 December, after being released tram service to Flughafen became and another 10km (6.2 miles) ISLE OF MAN by the insolvency manager permanent from 8 December from Metzingen to Bad Urach. DOUGLAS. The horse tramway following repair of accident with the introduction of bus Federal funding is being sought. carried 3.6% more passengers in damage undertaken in the Gera service 130. From the same date Completion is planned for 2019. 2014 than in 2013, with 61 877 tramway workshop. DS route 110 resumed operation IRJ passenger journeys over a total of DÜSSELDORF. The opening between the city centre and 18 weeks of operation. date for the Werhahn line Hauptfriedhof. DS INDONESIA With proposals for the subway has been announced for MÜNCHEN (Munich). The 13 SURABAYA. The city planning Promenade reconstruction not 20 February 2016. Stadler Variobahn trams had to be and development agency is working having been finalised, there is still Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf withdrawn in mid-December after on plans for a tramway or speculation over whether it would FRANKFURT-AM-MAIN. The failing welds were found on seven to serve the city. A. P. H. Velthoen be possible to operate a horse tram new tramway in Stresemannallee of them. This has meant some bus service during 2015. (1.1km/0.7 miles, EUR20m) substitution and continued use IRELAND The Isle of Man government is opened on 14 December and is of the P class tram sets in the new DUBLIN. According to returns still in discussion with Douglas served by a diverted route 17, timetable period. Eight Siemens lodged with the Companies’ Borough Council over its final which runs to Neu Isenberg. Avenio are now in service. Office, Transdev Dublin Light form and exactly where the tram Route 14 has been cut back from The Bavarian Government Rail sustained the dip in profits tracks will be relocated; if work Neu-Isenberg to Louisa. DS has approved the extension of in operation of the Luas lines does not commence over the HANNOVER. The first test run U-Bahn line U6 from Klinikum despite record passenger numbers summer period it would still be on the latest stage of the Misburg Grossharden to Martinsried topping 30 million and receipts possible to use the existing street extension of (Schierholzstr– Business Park and park-and-ride increasing 6% from EUR53.4m to tracks. However, the government Meyers Garten) took place on by the end of 2020, at a cost of EUR56.7m in 2013. insists this would be a decision for 4 December using Stadtbahn car EUR73.5m. DS In September Transdev the Borough Council to make. 6120. Passenger service started on RHEIN-RUHR. Financing entered into a new five-year 14 December, with museum tram agreements have been signed for EUR150m contract to continue ITALY 129 as the first car. The opening S-Bahn line S3 (Troisdorf – Bonn to operate Luas. It now accepts TORINO. The ninth annual Stadtbahn set was 2553+2582. Oberkassel), including a new that profitability is likely to be Trolley Festival took place on On 27 December Stadtbahn car interchange with tramline 66 at lower under the terms of the new 7 December with passengers 6001 operated a sold-out tour Bon Viilich. IRJ contract, particularly in regard able to ride on two special to mark the 40th anniversary of ROSTOCK. The last Tramlink to additional costs of vehicle routes worked by trams from its delivery. It was hoped to put low-floor car from the Vossloh- maintenance and administrative Bologna, Roma and Torino. the first 3000-series Stadtbahn Kiepe order, 613, was delivered on costs. However, the company paid Other historic trams car in service on line 7 before 10 December. DS a dividend of EUR1.62m in 2013. were on display in Christmas. DS STUTTGART. SSB intends to Numbers employed increased Piazza Castello. ATTS . The tram-trains replace the three 32-year-old from 288 to 293 with staff costs on line S42 were extended to rack trams on the Marienplatz – increasing from EUR14.5m to Neckarsulm from 14 December. Degerloch line by 2018. The new EUR15.3m. DAUGAVPILS. RVZ-6 tram 046 The withdrawal of the last classic cars will be able to accommodate Ireland’s An Bord Pleanála has has been plinthed at the depot DWM eight-axle trams from the bicycles internally instead of on approved the proposal by the as a monument to this now-

78 / FEBRUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org a new driving cab, pantograph and SWITZERLAND electronics. N. Semyonov AIGLE – CHAMPEREY (TPC). MOSKVA. The 1.4km (0.87-mile) When the seven new Stadler section of metro line 1 from Yugo- twin-sets are delivered in 2016 Zapadnaya to Troparyovo opened the line will be closed for four or on 8 December. The system now five months for reconstruction has 196 stations. urbanrail.net and to permit the 800V dc NABEREZHNYE CHELNY. electrification to be upgraded to The 6km (3.7-mile), RUR530m, 1500V dc (matching AL and ASD) tramway extension from and replacing the Strub rack with Shestnadtsatyi Komplex to Abt. Cars 591/2 will be converted, Pedinstitut was inaugurated and all other old stock withdrawn. for routes 9, 10 and 11 on 12 Street running in Monthey will be December, with new 71-623 trams eliminated. TR 0143-0149 the inaugural cars. BASEL. Bombardier Flexity 5001 transphoto.ru entered passenger service on NOGINSK. All tramway overhead line 8 on 10 November, carrying has been removed, including from the name ‘Basilisk’. The The first LRV, Lokalbahn 52, waits for departure from the new station at the depot, so any resumption extension of route 8 to Weil-am- Ostermiething to Salzburg on 14 December. G. Mackinger of operation is now no longer Rhein opened on 14 December. feasible. N. Semyonov Museum trams 181 and 215 made withdrawn tram type. It was built 26 December. Service ends at NOVOSIBIRSK. 2015 should an appearance, as well as Flexity in 1980 by Riga Carriage Works. 16.00. stuff.co.nz see the start of work on the first 5001 and 5002 (which was named transphoto.ru CHRISTCHURCH. Restaurant tramway extension for decades, Weil-am-Rhein). BZ Basel tram service on the heritage linking the left-bank network CHUR – DISENTIS (RhB). One MEXICO tramway loop resumed on to new housing development of the two coaches damaged in MEXICO CITY. Alstom has 10 December using ex-Melbourne at Chistaya Sloboda. Ex-Berlin the landslip derailment in August, been awarded an MXN5.8bn W2 411. A meal on the 19.00 Tatra KT4D 6022 arrived on A 1281, has been scrapped, but (EUR320m) contract to modernise departure from Cathedral 13 December, the first of A 1269 is being repaired. 85 rubber-tyred metro trains from Junction costs NZD95 (EUR60). several expected. N. Semyonov Locomotive Ge4/4 651 has already 1968 and 1973. IRJ The service operates daily with SANKT PETERBURG. The re-entered service. EB PUEBLA. Mexico’s fourth reservation required. stuff.co.nz order for 100% low-floor trams GENEVE. Work has started largest city, with a population of from TramRus (a joint venture of on building the new depot En 1.5 million, is working on PERU Alstom and Transmashholding), Chardon at Vernier at a cost of proposals for a MXN560m LIMA. Financing of USD750m has been increased from one CHF329m (EUR273m). It will (EUR31.5m) LRT project to has been secured from the Inter- to four. Another tram route accommodate 70 trams and connect the city with San Andrés American Development Bank requiring double-ended cars is 130 buses, and be connected to Cholula (17.5km/10.9 miles). for the construction of metro line 39 from a crossover at Metro line 18. EA Business News America line 2. The 27km (16.8-mile) line Novocherkasskaya to Metro JUNGFRAUBAHN (JB). Stadler will be built by a Peruvian/Italian Proletarskya and Trampark 7. will supply four three-car low- NETHERLANDS consortium, opening in 2020. IRJ N. Semyonov floor articulated sets to replace DEN HAAG. Trams 3105 and TVER. Due to the financial all surviving rolling stock from 3111 have received a mixed NS POLAND difficulties of the operating 1955-66. TR yellow and blue/HTM red and WROCLAW. MPK has ordered company MUP, supplies of LA CHAUX-DE-FONDS – white livery and operate on route six three-section PESA Twist electricity across the network were SAIGNELÉGIER (CJ). The 1 between Station Hollands Spoor 100% low-floor trams, with an restricted during December. three ex-FW motorcars have been and Noorderstrand as peak extras option for 19 more (depending transphoto.ru numbered Be4/4 615-7 in the CJ carrying number 1K. on the allocation of EU funding). VLADIVOSTOK. Withdrawn series. They replace BDe4/4 621 digitaletram.nl Delivery of the air-conditioned trams RVZ-6 226 and LM-93 and Be4/4 641-2. EA ROTTERDAM. The combination trams will start in 2015 and 312 are ‘preserved’ in a private LAUTERBRUNNEN – KLEINE of the front portion of Citadis they will feature supercapacitor garden at Sadgorod commuter SCHEIDEGG (WAB). 145, the 2029 and the rear portion of 2035 energy storage. RGI rail station. N. Semyonov first of six panoramic three-car has re-entered service as 2029. VOLGOGRAD. The first sets ordered from Stadler for the It is not yet certain if the damaged ROMANIA Uraltransmash 71-407 bogie Wengen line, was due to enter portions of the two trams will BUCURESTI. The complexity of tram with a low-floor central area service in December. TR be repaired. evaluating the tenders for 51 new arrived in October as 2854 and is VEVEY – LES PLÉIADES (CEV). The organisers of the 2025 World metro trains has led to the decision now in service on line 2. Three Class 7500 EMUs are on Expo want a metro connection on the award of a contract being order from Stadler to replace Be4/4 from Marconiplein to Zuidplein postponed to March, but Astra SINGAPORE 73-5 and matching trailers. R T built to connect their sites each Vagoane has been disqualified. MASS RAPID TRANSIT. The ZÜRICH. A referendum has side of the river Maas. Apparent lower bidder is CSR north–south line 5 metro was approved the construction of a Withdrawn metro cars 5212 Qingdao Sifang of China. extended from Marina Bay to tramline across Hardbrücke for and 5258 have been moved to a Meanwhile an option for another Marina South Pier on 23 November. line 8 to Werdhölzli. Work on the defence facility at Vught, where a eight six-car trains from CAF has Bombardier has commissioned CHF130m (EUR108m) scheme mock metro station has been built been taken up. RGI the first two of 13 new will start in May for completion for security training. OR Innovia APM100 rubber-tyred in 2017. VBZ is seeking planning RUSSIA peoplemover cars for the Bukit permission to build a second NEW ZEALAND INDUSTRY. The TMZ factory in Panjang LRT system. urbanrail.net access track to its Altstetten AUCKLAND. With the Tikhoresk has obtained a licence workshops as a 600m double track resumption of heritage tramway from the Czech company Inekon SWEDEN along Rautistrasse, connecting service on the Wynard loop on to build VarioLF trams in Russia, STOCKHOLM. The first CAF- to line 3. When completed, part 23 November, fares were set at and hopes to win orders from built A36 tram to arrive at the of the workshops will become a NZD2 (EUR1.3), compared with Samara and Volgograd. rebuilt Lidingöbanan depot running depot. A. Moglestue the original fare of NZD10 (EUR6). N. Semyonov at Aga was 555 on 23 October. Trams operated on Friday-Saturday KRASNOYARSK. Local industry The new tram started trial runs on TAIWAN until Christmas and daily from has upgraded KTM-5 tram 251 with 17 November. Tåg TAIPEI. Metro line 3 was extended

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2015 / 79 Worldwide Review

from Ximen to Songshan from 15 November. urbanrail.net

UKRAINE AVDIYEVKA. In December trams were operating only from 05.40 to 10.00, and 16.00 to 21.00. The overhead on the depot access track was temporarily dismantled to prevent damage and theft, and trams are dispersed around the system when not operating. transphoto.ru DONETSK. Tram service on line 8 was suspended from 30 November to 1 December after a shell fell on the track. transphoto.ru LVIV. The second Omnitram 100% low-floor car from Electrontrans (a joint venture of Electron and TransTec) entered service on 1 November as 1180. This is the three-section 19.5m car displayed at the Berlin InnoTrans The first Uraltransmash 71-407 bogie tram is operating in the Russian city of Volgograd. M. Valerye exhibiton. transphoto.ru Court Road station was expected September; they will be available A light rail service linking UNITED KINGDOM to be completed in January, with for use on the Supertram network Dudley to Dudley Port could be LONDON (UNDERGROUND). a second entrance due to be before October 2016 where they opened within five years under The first ticket offices set to finished later in the year along will provide enhanced capacity. a GBP20m (EUR25m) project. be closed are at Chigwell, with a new ticket hall and a new When services to Rotherham It would serve the Castle Hill Embankment, , pedestrian passage. and Parkgate begin, a 20-minute area of Dudley, close to the Zoo, Roding Valley, South Wimbledon, The RMT union has suggested headway will be provided from Black Country Living Museum Shepherd’s Bush, Temple, Theydon that old London Underground Sheffield city centre. and the Dudley Canal Trust. Bois and Upminster Bridge. trains may be used to plug rolling TYNE & WEAR. The North The scheme has been devised Work to decommission the offices stock gaps in heavy rail franchises East Combined Authority has between Dudley Council and and redeploy staff in ticket halls being re-tendered in the north- announced the appointment of Warwick Manufacturing Group and on platforms will start in west of England. The union has said its first Managing Director for as a pilot to trial the next- February. The project is expected that 1978 stock may be dieselised Transport Operations to replace generation of light trams. WMG to be completed by April 2016. as stop-gap replacements for Nexus Director General Bernard is an academic department To facilitate the smooth Pacer trains. Garner. The role has gone to of the University of Warwick, introduction of all-night services SOUTH YORKSHIRE. The Tobyn Hughes and incorporates providing research, education at weekends, five Underground Sheffield City Region’s Transport the responsibilities of the and knowledge transfer in lines will be spared weekend Committee has welcomed the UK Director General of Nexus, engineering, manufacturing and closures for more than three Government announcement on alongside new responsibilities technology. months. The 24-hour weekend exploration of options leading to to develop public transport Dudley station would include services will begin from the a Sheffield City Region Devolution integration between Tyne & a National Centre For Development early hours of 12 September on Deal, which will see Government Wear, Northumberland and of Very Light Rail Technology, the Northern, Jubilee, Piccadilly, work with Network Rail to Durham. with the service to Dudley Port Victoria and Central lines. ensure the delayed Tram-Train Over 1700 people have signed a acting as a demonstration line. The moratorium on maintenance project is delivered. This involves petition complaining about service The route would use the former work will start the following electrification of the rail network problems as a result of ongoing freight line on which two week and last until Christmas. between Sheffield and Rotherham, maintenance works. Nexus has tracks would be laid; one for the Maintenance and upgrade and the construction of a 400m said it has taken action to tackle passenger service, the second to works will be planned to take link between the Meadowhall issues with trains; the number of be used by the group to develop place between Sunday and tramline and nearby rail tracks. passenger journeys on the Metro its tram-trains. Thursday nights. Tram-train vehicles are has increased by two million On 14 November, 4.576 million currently being manufactured by since 2013. USA journeys were made on the Tube – Vossloh and work to the tramway WEST MIDLANDS. Midland ATLANTA, GA. The start of it was the busiest day in its history. and depot to accommodate them Metro services were due to passenger service had to be The increase in numbers was is well underway. However, it has return to The Royal stop in mid- postponed from 6 December attributed to a MasterCard Free been necessary to revise timescales December, subject to works being after two road traffic accidents Fare Friday promotion to publicise to incorporate the comprehensive completed in time. Work to replace during driver training in the the use of contactless bankcard design works needed to adapt the worn tracks and install a new previous week. E. B. Havens technology to pay fares. rail network to allow the vehicles crossover between Priestfield and BOSTON, MA. 1986 KinkiSharyo Completion of works to connect to run. Passenger services are not St George’s started in September tram 3614 was the first to be the new ticket hall to Bond Street now expected to operate until and was due to last 12 weeks, returned to Boston from the station ahead of schedule means January 2017. but completion was delayed Alstom plant at Hornell, NY, that Jubilee line trains were again The revised timescales have also due to the discovery of former after complete refurbishment. calling from 24 November but only resulted from additional work to mine workings. It is expected to enter service in for passengers to change trains or improve the alignment of the The extension of St. George’s February. to exit the station. Entry to the route at Meadowhall South, better stop to accommodate the A federal grant of USD996m Jubilee line trains was restored in utilising the existing tramway new CAF Urbos vehicles has has been confirmed towards December following completion stop. Consultation was due to take also been delayed and trams the cost of the Lechmere– of escalator works. place in January and February. were not expected to return to Medford light rail extension. A new access to the Northern The first of the seven tram- Wolverhampton city centre until It is hoped to inaugurate the line line platforms at Tottenham trains is to arrive for testing in January at the earliest. in June 2021. E. B. Havens

80 / FEBRUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org 11 December, after a break of 12 years, using restored Porto tram 313 on newly-laid track between the Casino and West Baden Springs Hotel. E. B. Havens (UK). The line remains open at weekends over the winter period except during periods of exceptionally poor weather. A winter work programme is underway with Stockport 5 moving from the Lakeside depot to the Middleton Road depot for assessment and repairs in the hope it can be returned to service in the summer. The Lakeside depot now contains mostly Blackpool cars plus Manchester 765, which along with Blackpool 619 is the first choice for service use. NEWRY (UK). A Bessbrook & Newry electric used as a sheep pen in recent years on a County Armagh hillside has been salvaged. Construction students from In Lviv, Ukraine, the second Electrotrans Omnitram is now in service. On 11 November it has just passed the first car in the the Southern Regional College city centre. V. Chernetskii will spend 18 months restoring CHARLOTTE, NC. The first trials project, involving demolition of produced tenders closer to original the dilapidated carriage with on the Gold line heritage tramway the existing under-used transit estimates, and the permit for GBP10 000 (EUR12 700) of were due to start in January using centre and its replacement by a construction activity to start has Heritage Lottery Fund finance. the GOMACO replica double- 44-storey apartment building. been extended by six months. The restoration project is a joint truck cars that have E. B. Havens E. B. Havens one between the college and the been stored since their original NEW YORK, NY. MTA has SAN DIEGO, CA. T h e Slieve Gullion Partnership Group. track was subsumed into the awarded a USD194m contract Environmental Impact Statement It is hoped that restoration will be light rail line. E. B. Havens to rebuild hurricane-damaged for the 17.6km (10.9-mile) finished by Easter 2016 when the CINCINNATI, OH. Power 2009 South Ferry subway station, USD1.7bn La Jolla extension has tram will be put on public display company Duke Energy has won including flood proofing. been approved. Subject to the near Newry railway station. its court case seeking USD15m The work is to be completed approval of federal funding, the A complete restored tram from for relocating utilities for the in 2017. line could be operating by 2019. the line is displayed in the Ulster construction of the tramline, Trains switched back to the old E. B. Havens Folk and Transport Museum pushing the cost of the project to station in April 2013. E. B. Havens SKYLINE – CRYSTAL CITY, at Cultra, County Down. The USD148m. E. B. Havens NEW YORK – NEWARK, NY/NJ. VA. Plans for a tramline along Bessbrook & Newry line opened in DENVER, CO. The first four of The Port Authority has awarded a the Columbia Pike, and between 1885 and closed in January 1948. 66 Hyundai-Rotem EMU cars for USD6.4m contract to HNTB to Pentagon City and Crystal City, the new commuter rail services evaluate a PATH link to Newark were cancelled in mid-November CONTRIBUTORS arrived from Philadelphia in Airport. E. B. Havens following Republican success in UK and Ireland items are welcomed mid-November. The FasTracks OKLAHOMA CITY, OK. Four local elections. E. B. Havens by the Home News Editor, John services should start carrying companies submitted bids to TUCSON, AZ. Volunteers at Symons, 17 Whitmore Avenue, passengers between Union Station build five trams for the new line Old Pueblo Trolley are working Werrington, Stoke-on-Trent, ST9 and the Airport in 2016. (plus an option for eight more): to restore its ex-Lisboa tram 0LW, UK. E-mail [email protected] A contract dispute between the Brookville, CAF, Inekon and for the proposed excursion Worldwide items should be sent RTD and the airport authority XEMC of China. The Chinese service over the modern tramway to Worldwide Editor Michael has resulted in a court judgment bid was cheapest at USD2.6m/ in 2015. The car has been fitted Taplin at Flat 1, 10 Hope Road, that the airport must pay most car, but did not include any US with a pantograph and a portable Shanklin, Isle of Wight PO37 6EA, of the USD53m needed to bring content. Next lowest was Inekon lift for wheelchairs will be UK – Fax: +44 (0)1983 862810 or passenger trains to the terminal. at USD4.4m/car. A decision is deployed at the eastern e-mail: [email protected]. E. B. Havens expected in the Spring. E. B. Havens terminus. E. B. Havens Acknowledgements are due LOS ANGELES, CA. LRV testing PHILADELPHIA (PATCO). WASHINGTON, DC. Agreement to BS Blickpunkt Strassenbahn, on the Culver City – Santa Monica Alstom is more than a year behind has been reached with Business News America, BZ Basel, light rail extension should start with the project to overhaul and the safety oversight organis- digitaletram.nl, DPHMP Dopravní in March. Passenger service is refurbish the 120-car fleet of ation to permit the new Kawasaki- podnik hlavního mesta Prahy expected in early 2016. E. B. Havens rapid transit cars, with none yet built 7000-series metro cars to DS Drehscheibe, Edinburgh Evening LITTLE ROCK, AK. T he accepted for passenger service. enter service in early 2015. News, EA Eisenbahn Amateur, heritage tramway marked its 10th The problems are mostly software E. B. Havens EB Eisenbahn, Global Times, anniversary on 20 November with communication between new Irish Times, IRJ International a fare free day; 100 000 passengers/ and old systems on the 45-year MUSEUM NEWS Rail Journal, Landeshauptstadt year are being carried. E. B. Havens old trains. E. B. Havens BALLARAT (AU). AUD 40 000 Düsseldorf, Manchester Evening MEMPHIS, TN. No date for PHOENIX, AZ. The second stage (EUR26 590) in government grant News, Nottingham Evening Post, the return of heritage tramway of the Sky Harbor International has been made available for the OR Op De Rails, RGI Railway operation had been announced Airport was opened on restoration of ex-Melbourne SW6 Gazette International, South China by mid-December. E. B. Havens 8 December, with the inauguration restaurant tram 939. The 1948 car Morning Post, stuff.co.nz, T-2000 MILWAUKEE, WI. The city has of the Terminal 3 station. will be used for charter work. Tram 2000, Täg, Today’s Railways, secured USD17.5m in Transit- E. B. Havens P. Waugh Toronto Star, transphoto.ru, Oriented Development funding for ST LOUIS, MO. New bid prices FRENCH LICK, IN (US). Heritage urbanrail.net, and Wolverhampton the USD98m Downtown Streetcar for the Delmar Loop Trolley have tramway service returned on Express & Star.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2015 / 81 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.

Comments on tram design I would like to make some comments regarding Scott McIntosh’s article on tram design in the January edition of TAUT (925); and also the comments of Mark Terry in the article Technology, Reliability and Resilience regarding independent wheels. I take issue with Scott’s comments about attempts to make axles steer – that they are all doomed to failure. Whilst previous attempts have come to nothing, at least for driven wheels, this doesn’t mean that all R&D on this subject should stop, as the benefits would be huge. For my part, I am involved with using synchronous wheel-motors to do just this. A unique property of the synchronous motor is that it runs at a precise speed related to the frequency of the electrical supply. This means that if two opposite ones are operated at the same frequency, they behave as if there is a solid axle between them. This axle will have a few degrees Blackpool 636 running with the wheel-motors fitted to a modified English of torsion, but that is all. So the coupled pair will behave Electric bogie for the trials in early 2009. It took under 1Kw to move 636, and as a normal wheelset, but without the mass and space this included turning a ‘dead’ dc motor on the other bogie. Tim Whitehouse taken up by the axle. However, it’s better than that, as on negotiating curves of about 6m, the effect is small, unless very tight curves the motors can be supplied with the exact frequencies for are envisaged. On the way out is a return to the maximum the wheels to run without slippage. If the wheels are allowed traction configuration, but this is really a cop out from a to pivot on their vertical axes, they will be steered through more radical design. the curve. We must remember that steering by relative speed A different topic, to which Scott just mentions in passing, change is used on non-rail vehicles from electric wheelchairs is the ‘politically incorrect’ issue of double- deckers! The to Mars rovers – is it really beyond all possibility to adapt it for advantages of double-deckers are that they give the lowest rail? I think not, and have demonstrated it on a scaled test rig, weight and cost per passenger, and that they take up less road- which can be seen on YouTube under ‘Steerable Wheel-motors’. space. This is realised by the bus industry, and in London Stored Energy Technology in Derby (UK) has attained articulated buses are being replaced by the ‘Borismaster’, an funding under the ‘Radical Train’ banner to do further work updated double-decker. This will become more and more of on this, and to demonstrate it at full size. The main issues are an issue as tramways expand, unless expensive underpasses where to get the differential speed information from, and and subways are to be built, which in Britain at least seems safety issues in the event of failure. The test rig had a sensor at less and less likely. the front that measured the deviation angle of the track ahead, The problems of course are that they are incompatible and calculated the required speed differentials from this. I with tunnels and underpasses, and the speed of loading and am doing some work on my own on a model tram to use motor unloading at busy stops. However, in some cases this might differential currents for a source. In both cases it will probably not be too problematic, and further work on layout could be necessary to also measure the deviation angle of the wheels help. If the total rebuild at Blackpool hadn’t been funded, to the vehicle as a check, as longer term errors could build up. there would now have been a fleet of totally new double- As regards safety issues, if the wheels are pivoted outside deckers using wheel-motors, with a low-floor lower deck. the gauge, they are mechanically stable, and I have The experiments with 636 were a prelude to this; the demonstrated this on my garden tramway with unpowered inverters were built to fit under seats, so removing the need wheels, and even with one locked. A problem with this for roof-mounted equipment. They would have been vastly configuration is that there is an effective narrowing of the cheaper, and have had much lower energy consumption than gauge, as the wheels are no longer opposite each other relative the new Flexity trams, and would have removed the necessity to the track. This can be compensated for mechanically, for electrical uprating. but more work needs to be done. However, for a wheelbase David Gibson, Derby (UK)

Looking after passenger need? In all three places I have been involved union. Likewise, all services to Stocksbridge May I reply to Alan Robinson who in the in associations formed to speak up for the and north-west Sheffield terminated at November issue (923) suggested that having passengers because bodies such as South what was called a bus station but was more a public body controlling all public Yorkshire PTE and Transport for Greater accurately a derelict site. All passengers had transport leads to integration in the interests Manchester are far more interested in large, to walk to a crossing across a busy city ring of passengers. As a long-standing tram expensive, ‘glitzy’ schemes than in providing road and climb a steep hill to the shops. enthusiast but also with an interest in buses, passengers with integrated transport. When it was suggested the buses should trains and trolleybuses who has lived in Space forbids me from quoting dozens of extend the route two more stops to get to London, Sheffield, and now the Manchester examples, but let me quote two or three. the shops and the bus station, we were told area, I can assure Alan that public authorities In Sheffield, the number 4 bus service passed it ‘would need extra resources which were such as Public Transport Executives and the the bus station but did not stop. When not available’. Both absurdities vanished like simply do not integrate services in the asked why, we were told it already had the overnight when de-regulation came in, with public interest. maximum number of stops allowed by the services extended to the shops and station.

82 / FEBRUARY 2015 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org The Shude Hill bus station in Manchester, costing GBP28m (approx. EUR35.5m), should Obituary: Gerald Druce (1932 – 2014) have been built on the space available next to Victoria station, but was built for political It is with great sadness that we report the campaigned to save London’s tramway) reasons a quarter of a mile away so was little passing of Dr Gerald Druce on 15 November. and Julian Thompson, in order to visit used until MegaBus saw an opportunity to A keen tramway enthusiast and a other tram systems and counter the use it, no doubt at a cut price. member of the Light Rail Transport League prevailing anti-tram propaganda. One of the most popular tram stops in (LRTL), Gerald was born in 1932 and spent With a keen interest in European Manchester, Mosley Street, was closed on his early life in Norbury. He was a regular tramways, he gave unstintingly of his the pretence that it would cost GBP1.2m passenger on routes 16 and 18, which encyclopaedic knowledge – reflected in (approx. EUR1.5m) to raise the platform gave him a remarkable opportunity from his contributions to publications such ends and accommodate the new type twin childhood to closely observe the everyday as Modern Tramway, where his articles on trams. At present the heavily-used Victoria workings of the London tram system – a Brno and Bratislava were published in station stop is closed for a year whilst part system he later campaigned to save. 1951. In his last and perhaps most valuable of the station is rebuilt. It appears we can Whilst studying for a BSc he produced contribution, he wrote a detailed account rebuild London Bridge Station, Reading and a booklet for the LRTL, Modern Tramcar of his experiences in the early post-war Birmingham New Street Stations and keep Types, published in 1951. It was intended years in a chapter of Lord Ashfield’s Trams. the trains going, but not a simple short tram to buck the trend and inform the A kind and knowledgeable man, who platform in Manchester. When asked why, British public transport establishment campaigned tirelessly for the Make Poverty the Metrolink Director replied: ‘We do not that there was a future in tramway History campaign and various ecological have the money Network Rail has’. When it retention and modernisation. issues, Gerald was always willing to share was suggested that careful phasing was all A successful academic career lecturing in his enthusiasm for trams with anyone who that was required, he replied that the space Mechanical Engineering followed; Gerald expressed an interest in them. was required for contractor’s cranes. gained a PhD in 1976 at the University of A service of thanksgiving for Gerald’s As a result there is no service between Surrey. In 2002, he engaged in consultancy life was held on 2 December in St Peter’s Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester work for the manufacturing industry and Church, Petersfield. Victoria stations, the two most heavily-used Engineering Sciences Data Unit. Gerald leaves a widow, Gillian, to whom transport hubs in Manchester. No alternative Gerald made common purpose with we offer our sincere condolences. buses are provided and the official way for close friends Alan Watkins (with whom he Ann E. Watkins & Robert J. Harley travellers (often with luggage) is to walk a long way round to Shude Hill tramstop, cross the city centre by tram to St. Peter’s Square, cross the single-track length. So while the over and take another tram back across the city “I have found that private length of the metro network is indeed to Piccadilly. Is this what Alan Robinson calls 21.1km (13.1 miles), the actual length integration? It is of course quicker to walk. transport companies are of the network is approximately 52km Alan also praises transport in London but far more likely to listen (32.3 miles) as opposed to the reported does not mention the horrendous cost which, 96km (59.7 miles). depending on which authority you consult, with sympathy to your Similarly, 260 is the amount of stop costs between five and 20 times the amount platforms, not stops. Some stops are on of public money per head of population spent requests than public ones.” single-track loops, so the total amount of anywhere else in the country. stops is higher than 130. I am unsure of the In 50 years of fighting for the rights of dictator to tell us how we may travel? We are exact amount. The number of tramlines is passengers in different parts of the country I not a communist country, yet regretfully it also a matter for debate as HKL counts every have found that private transport companies seems we are going that way. small variation as a separate line, but this is are far more likely to listen with sympathy Tony Fawthrop, by e-mail more a question of semantics. to your requests than public ones, and if HKL also reports tramway extensions you want a good transport company do not Helsinki inconsistencies as track metres, which has led to errors in go to an area where a public body controls Unfortunately the length of Helsinki’s reporting in the past. I will continue to push services. Good examples may be found in tram network given in the Systems HKL to report its network length in a Nottingham, Derby, Brighton, Bournemouth Factfile in TAUT 925 is incorrect. more standardised way, but for the time and Reading – in each there is competition. This is probably due to HKL’s misleading being it pays to be critical of the numbers If trams and buses compete on equal terms way of reporting its network lengths: it publishes. for fares, stops and frequency, the tram will the metro network is reported correctly, Lauri Kangas, Transport Engineer, always win – so why do we need a public but the tram network is reported as Helsinki City Planning Department

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

JANUARY 2015 Tuesday 20. London 19.00. FEBRUARY 2015 Monday 16. Liverpool 19.30. John Laker: Belgium Trams – Tuesday 3. Southampton 19.30. John Prentice: Tuesday 13. Cardiff 14.00. Past & Present. Martyn Davies: A railway miscellany. – 1904 to the present day. (TLRS) Alan Wilkins: Wednesday 21. Bristol 19.30. Saturday 7. Birmingham 14.00. Tuesday 17. London 19.00. and campaigning. City United Area AGM then Brian Lomas: Mike Crabtree: East Coast USA. Mike Russell: Tramways of Ukraine Reformed Church, Cardiff, CF10 3BZ Italy 2013 – Part 1. (LRTA/TLRS/ERS) during the last quarter century. Saturday 17. Taunton 14.00. Thursday 29. Manchester 19.00. Monday 9. Thames Valley 19.30. Monday 16. Wickham 19.30. AGM and members’ short Bob Hill: . Eddie Dawes: A spotter's guide to Carl Isgar: Gosselies at last. (TLRS) presentations. (TLRS) Friday 30. Edinburgh 19.30. London tramcars. (TLRS) Thursday 26. Manchester 19.00. Monday 19. Liverpool 19.30. Ian Craig: Integration of Edinburgh Friday 13. Glasgow 19.30. Murdoch Oostende, Salzburg, Geneva. Rob Jones: The story of the transport. Currie: The Belgian Transport scene Friday 27. Edinburgh 19.30. Merseyside Tramway Saturday 31. Beeston 14.00. in recent years. (STTS) Andy Steel: A technical miscellany. Preservation Society. (TLRS) AGM plus 2015 Infrastructure Saturday 14. Taunton 14.00. Saturday 28. Beeston 14.00. Monday 19. Wickham 19.30. Alan Challenge and photo competition. Les Folkard and David Edwards, Ken Grainger: Sheffield trams – the Walbank: Transport cine. (TLRS) (TLRS) Baltic States and St. Petersburg. (TLRS) first generation. (TLRS)

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2015 / 83 Classic Trams AMSTERDAM’S MUSEUM LINE Summer visitors to Amsterdam can not only savour one of Europe’s most important city tramways, but also take a ride on examples of earlier generations of Dutch tramways. Mike Russell reviews the Amstelveen museum tramline. 1

msterdam’s museum tramline is Volunteer operation in 1921 were built to an almost identical an excellent example of heritage Operation of the line and rolling-stock design and this example was rebuilt by operation, and unusual both restoration is undertaken by volunteers. Groningen employees in 1981 from Den Haag for its length and intensity of Operation is in the hands of the Stichting 267, which had survived as salt car H16. It has operation. Commencing from the Electrische Museumtramlijn Amsterdam since been operational at Amstelveen. Aold Haarlemmermeer Station adjacent to stops (EMA), which also manages the railway A recent restoration has been of a two- served by city tram route 16, it is connected to infrastructure. A second organisation, the axle motor and trailer set, formerly operated the city network by a track linking with access Rijdend Electrisch Tram Museum (RETM), is by the Nederlandsche Buurtspoorweg lines to Havenstraat depot. responsible for upkeep of the tramcars and Maatschappij (NBM) of Utrecht, which later Formation of the Dutch Tramweg Stichting manages the fleet of rolling-stock. passed to the north German undertaking, (Tramway Foundation) in 1965 had given an In earlier years, a wide variety of tramcars the Kleinbahn Wesel-Rees-Emmerich, until impetus to the preservation of historic rolling- was acquired from across Europe. Examples its 1966 closure. Motor car 20 was built by stock, and several items were garnered in from Wien, Praha, Kassel and Budapest Allan of Rotterdam in 1910 and trailer 43 by anticipation of an operating museum line. arrived in Amsterdam and some of these Van der Zypen & Charlier in 1943; their olive The opportunity arose in 1972 with were operated either over the Amstelveen green/cream livery is very distinctive. cessation of railway freight services from line or on occasional sorties over city tracks. Several cars from Wien have been a Haarlemmermeer Station. This had been the More recently, the decision was taken mainstay of operations. Class M motor car Amsterdam terminus of the Haarlemmermeer to concentrate on Dutch rolling-stock, 4143, built by Simmering in 1929, and trailer Railway, whose lines, constructed in 1912-18, supplemented by cars from Wien and Praha. 5290 built a year earlier by the same firm, were unprofitable; services ceased in 1935-1950. Today, the Amsterdam cars take pride of have worked here for almost the entire life of Permission was obtained to use the defunct place, supported by the other Dutch cars. the line. There are two older examples: Class line for operation of heritage electric trams, and The Amsterdam contingent features L motor car 2614 was built by Graz in 1921 a section was re-opened on 20 September 1975. three two-axle cars, of which 401, built by whilst k3 trailer 1628, outwardly similar, was Local interest in historic trams had already Werkspoor in 1929, is the oldest; the only actually built in 1957 by Gräf & Stift on a grown that year following 75th anniversary example built as a motor car. The other recovered truck. celebrations of the city’s electric tramways. two similar 1929 vehicles, 454 and 465, The museum also includes a variety of This original line extended only around were built by Beijnes as trailers and not works cars used for track and overhead line 1.5km (0.9 miles) south of Haarlemmermeer converted to motor cars until 1935. From maintenance, whilst Amsterdam 330, fitted Station, using the old railway tracks to a July to September, 465 is based away from with a diesel engine, is used for shunting terminus at the A10 motorway overbridge; the museum as it operates on city historic duties at Karperweg depot and may be seen at beyond, the line was still open for railway tramline 20. Vehicle 731, built by Werkspoor the beginning and end of each service day. purposes. The tramway has since been slowly in 1914, accompanies 465 on its trips, The Amstelveen line operates every Sunday extended until in 1987 it reached the Bovenkerk whilst 792 of 1918 is at the museum. Car from Easter through October, together terminus, a distance of about 7km (4.3 miles). 916 is an example of the 1929 Beijnes series with Easter and Whit Mondays. Service The line has the potential for good tourist originally built as trailers and motorised in commences from Haarlemmermeer at 11.00, traffic. For much of the way, the line on its west 1935; latterly rebuilt to its 1934 condition. at 30-minute intervals until 13.00; and again side parallels the attractive Amsterdamse Bos Cross-bench trailer 600 is a fine replica of between 16.00 and 17.00. From 13.00-16.00 (Amsterdam Forest), a popular recreation area. one of the 1893 horse cars rebuilt for use a 20-minute service is operated. Single Furthermore, several museums abut the line or as trailers behind electric motor cars after journey time is between 33 and 37 minutes. are close to it, and to serve these the operation 1900. The body was reconstructed on the A single ride fare is EUR3 and EUR5 return; features no fewer than 13 intermediate stops, truck of a genuine Amsterdam horse car, and with reductions for children, seniors and providing something akin to a real tram service. it has been in service at the museum since local residents. A day-pass is EUR10 (EUR5 for Laid to standard gauge, the track is single- 1990. Examples of the three-axle cars built seniors), obtainable from the museum shop track throughout with three intermediate for Amsterdam in 1950 by Werkspoor also at Haarlemmermeer and unable to be bought passing loops. At Bovenkerk, a reversing triangle feature: 533 is normally coupled to trailer 987 from roving conductors on the cars. has been installed to permit turning of single- and motor 909 to trailer 961. Representing The Amsterdam volunteer workforce has ended rolling-stock; until its opening in 1987, later developments is class 3G three-section generally enjoyed a harmonious relationship operations were restricted to cars configured articulated car 602, built in 1959 by Beijnes. with the city tramway undertaking, for double-ended operation. The formation Other Dutch tramways are also Gemeentevervoerbedrijf Amsterdam (GVB), is almost entirely reserved sleeper track, but represented. Den Haag two-axle Allan car 816 which has traditionally been very supportive. the northern end, between Haarlemmermeer of 1927 has been a regular performer since After a bad period in the early years of this Station and the first stop at Karperweg where 1986, as well as one of that city’s famous PCC century, good relations have been restored, the depot buildings are located, is laid out as cars, La Brugeoise-built 1024 of 1952. One resulting in the EMA’s operation of its historic an elongated turning-loop. The southbound of Rotterdam’s iconic Allan-built centre- cars on the city heritage tramline (20). track is paved and may be considered as street- entrance bogie cars, 507 of 1931, is also Tramway aficionados visiting Amsterdam will, running; its environment is flanked by small operational. ‘Groningen 41’ is a particularly therefore, be well rewarded by the offerings commercial buildings and stores, and rubber- interesting specimen. Groningen closed its of this vibrant organisation. tyred vehicles requiring access to them share metre-gauge tramway in 1949 and none of the roadway with the trams, a rare example of its cars is known to survive, but the batch of Further information is available on the this practice on a heritage tram line. seven cars ordered from HAWA of Hannover museum’s website: www.museumtramlijn.org

84 / FEBRUARY 2014 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org 1. The right-hand running passing loop north of Amstelveen station is not equipped with a stopping place. Here, Amsterdam 533 heads towards Haarlemmermeerstation and Den Haag proceeds south to Amstelveen and Bovenkerk.

2. Groningen 41 is not all it seems, being a former Den Haag car of similar design reconstructed as a representative of a town which lost its tramways in December 1949. This view is at Amstelveen station.

3. Amsterdam cross-bench trailer 600 is a replica built on an original horse car truck; cars of this type survived as trailers until 1943. The car is seen at Haarlemmermeerstation terminal loop on 4 May 1991.

4. The Amsterdam fleet included a significant number of three-axle cars which were in operation until the 1970s. 533 is here seen crossing one of 2 the main access roads into the Amsterdamse Bos, a popular recreation area. This single- ended car has to be turned on the reversing triangle at Bovenkerk terminus.

5. The passing loop at Zuiderhof, immediately south of the A4 motorway bridge, is the only one of the three intermediate loops laid out for left-hand running. In this view, Den Haag 816 is heading towards Bovenkerk and Wien 4143 passes on its way back to 3 4 Haarlemmermeerstation. 6. A pair of cars formerly operated by the Nederlandsche Buurtspoorweg Maatschappij (NBM) has been restored in the museum workshops and attention has now turned to the construction of a replica of NBM car 12. This was the state of progress on 6 July 2014.

7. The Amsterdam fleet included a significant number of three-axle cars which were in operation until the 1970s. 533 is here seen on the 5 6 reserved track segregated by a hedge from the pedestrian and cycleway near Olympisch Stadion. This single-ended car has to be turned on the reversing triangle at Bovenkerk terminus.

8 At five minor road crossings on the line, tramcar movements are protected by the conductor holding a red flag. This instance is at Molenweg, with Wien car 4143 returning northbound to Haarlemmermeerstation. 7 8 All photography by Mike Russell.

www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org FEBRUARY 2014 / 85 BOOKSHOP Order online from lrta.info/shop – or by post from: LRTA Publications, 31 Ashton Road, Wokingham RG41 1HL Postage & packing – Any UK address: Add 10% (minimum £2.00, maximum £7.50) All addresses outside UK: Add 20% (minimum £4.00, maximum £15.00)

Strassenbahn Jahrbuch 2015 Strassenbahn magazin special 28 This annual summary of developments in Germany includes a pen-picture for each system (also for Austria and Switzerland) with highlights from the rest of Europe plus the rest of the world. Topical features on low-floor trams, historic cars in regular service and the InnoTrans exhibition make up an interesting compendium for the tram fan. German text. A4 softback; 116 pages, 300+ pictures in colour. Published by GeraMond Verlag.

£17.0 0 plus postage & packing as shown above.

Pontypridd Trolleybuses

A very detailed history of one of the UK’s smallest trolleybus networks, albeit with an interesting variety within its vehicle fleet. There are detailed appendices and a good set of maps showing the development and decline of the system. A4 hardback; 216 pages, fully illustrated in black & white and colour. Published by Adam Gordon.

£40.00 plus postage & packing as shown above.

Subways & Light Rail in the USA 3: Midwest & South Third in the Robert Schwandl series on the United States, covering 25 light rail and streetcar networks from Norfolk (Virginia) in the East to Oklahoma City in the West with excellent maps and photographic coverage. English and German text. B5 softback; 160 pages, numerous colour pictures. Published by Robert Schwandl Verlag.

£16.50 plus postage & packing as shown above. Still available in the same series: 1: East Coast and 2: The West at £17.00 each, plus P&P as above.

Trams 2015

The ever-popular Dutch album, now in its 36th year, reviewing tramway developments all over Europe. Includes a special feature on Ukraine. Dutch text. A5 softback; 272 pages, fully illustrated in colour. Published by De Alk.

£15.00 plus postage & packing as shown above. IN YOUR NEXT ISSUE OF

SHENYANG – CHINESE TRAMWAYS REBORN China’s rediscovery of the tram can be compared to the mode’s renaissance in France – a remarkable story of recovery from a very low base. At the beginning of this decade, the nation had just two operating tramways, and yet the pendulum has swung with around ten new systems scheduled to open in the coming years. Mike Russell examines one of the pioneers of the modern movement, in the north-eastern city of Shenyang. Liam Davies CANADA’S SPECIAL FOCUS: SYSTEMS FACTFILE: TRAILBLAZER MELBOURNE DAUGAVPILS With over a quarter of a decade of LRT The world’s biggest tramway continues to Neil Pulling visits the Russian-influenced experience, Edmonton is expanding its go from strength to strength. TAUT looks in tramway in Latvia’s second city, which network with the first 3km of the Metro line depth at developments in the state capital recently introduced new trams following an to open this Spring. Vic Simons reports. of Victoria, Australia. unsuccessful fleet modernisation project. MARCH PLUS... ISSUE + Behind the scenes of Gomaco’s factory + The latest news, rolling stock orders and movements, system on sale developments, transport policy and leading industry comment February 20 Visit us at Eurasia Rail Stand 9 B12 · 5 - 7 March 2015 Istanbul Expo Centre (IFM) - Turkey

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