1 Linked Article:
- Future solutions for small problems 13 Jul 2012
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Energy and fuels, Light rail/tram, Regional Rail, Vehicles & Manufacturers, DfT/SRA, Europe, North America, Yorkshire & the Humber
Could UK Tram-Train Trial open new Line in rail branch solutions?
A pilot project just authorised by the British government might make a significant contribution to re-defining rail technologies for shorter and more lightly used lines. Daniel Wright considers the opportunities
The Karlsruhe tram trains have long been admired as a better way of operating branch lines.
Middle and right: Arriva Trains Wales operates its Cardiff Bay branch line using a 50-year old diesel unit, as does Chiltern Railways for its Princes Risborough branch.
DCTA has just purchased 11 diesel-electric GTW 2/6 articulated rail vehicles from Stadler to run its A Train service in Denton, Texas on traditional rail tracks.
CAF Urbos 3 light rail vehicle runs in Seville – it can store energy from overhead wires and then run on the charge for 1.5km.
Below: France is beginning to explore tram train operation with the project in Mulhouse.Daniel Wright
The announcement by the UK Department for Transport (DfT) that it is to press ahead with a long-mooted pilot scheme to test the Tram-Train concept in South Yorkshire finds it hard to explain why the government really thinks a trial of an already proven technology is necessary. After all, systems where the line between a tramway and a suburban railway has been blurred to achieve a new form of connectivity are now well established in Europe, and even in the UK. Perhaps the British project has...
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Your Comments:
18 Jul 2012
If tram-trains are to run on UK rural rail lines it is vital that they carry bikes, as this is an essential service offered by the current heavy rail units. However, responsibility for the Tram-Train trial in South Yorkshire has been given to Stagecoach who have consistently refused to offer an integrated service since they were handed the Supertram franchise at a peppercorn rate some fifteeen years ago. They have indicated that they are not going to incliude bikes in the trial even though successful tram-trains such as Karlsruhe carry them without problems.
They seem to view the trail as an extension to their existing service, not as a national trial that will have implications for many existing services.