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| Cargotram: Werdhölzli siding filed on: 21.06.2005 (21st Jun 2005) A recent visit to Werdhölzli tram terminus confirms that a cargotram siding has been built and is now operational. The siding attaches to the turning loop by means of a trailing turnout — the tram reverses in from the loop. The track enters the ERZ grounds by means of a gate and takes a sharp right turn immediately after this (space in the yard is restricted). The track is wired on its full length and can be electrically isolated from the running line by means of a section divider. A green light indicates when the wire is safely isolated. Two of the masts have emergency off buttons. The cargo terminus is built to a high standard: The point is clearly new and the line track and overhead masts probably also are. The rail is grooved and set in asphalt throughout. Its end is marked by a GF-coupling buffer stop. The high quality of the work definitely indicates that cargotram is not a passing experiment but is here to stay. The current operating pattern appears to be that the cargotram vehicles remain stabled here when not in use. At the time of my visit; Xe4/4 1922, X2 1984 and X4 1991 were on-site, having just returned from service. No attempt was being made to unload these so I assume this was planned for the next day. 1991 was positioned at the end of the track, with 1922 and 1984 remaining coupled and close to the gate. See also cargotram vehicles (04.05.2005), cargotram operations (13.12.2004) and this website's 2003 cargotram article. Prior to the completion of this siding, cargotram frequently worked to the VBZ workshops in Altstetten from where the payload would continue its journey by lorry — time between passenger trams being too short to allow unloading on the running line at Werdhölzli.
This news item is from the 2005 newslog.
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