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08.05.2012: Aktion Pro Sächsitram has new website
In February, this newslog reported the disappearance of the Aktion Pro Sächsitram website. Fortunately, it has now returned in an updated guise (including an entire section dedicated to the project to restore Standard Tram 1408).
08.05.2012: ... but another significant website remains down
The same can unfor-tunately not be said of the Tram Museum Archive site, whose content has not been restored. As a small consolation, one of the random pictures shows a Lisbon funicular (but is probably just a stock shot). More about this website (including Wayback links) can be read on this newslog here.
20.04.2012: Biel: trolleybus will co-exist with proposed tram
According to present plans, the proposed Biel tram will not spell the end of the city's trolleybuses. Although route 4 will be replaced by the tram, trolleybus operation of route 1 will continue.
04.04.2012: WSB heritage car saved — by scrap merchant
WSB's heritage car 115, sold for scrap only weeks ago, has won an unexpected reprieve. Rather than break it up, the scrap merchant, Bertschi, wishes to set the car up in their Reinach scrap yard and use it as a classroom to teach visiting groups about recycling — the car, dating to 1901, has seen many rebuilds and different uses and so surely is a story of recycling in itself.
02.04.2012: ZVV does not support trolleybus expansion
ZVV (the cantonal public transport coordinator) has indicated it does not share VBZ's enthusiasm over expansion of the trolleybus system. The body, which regularly exerts pressure on VBZ and other operators to increase their financial efficiency, has said it welcomes the environnmental advantages of trolleybuses but not their higher costs. The city remains upbeat and will still seek to obtain financial support from federal sources. VBZ wishes to seize the approaching need to replace diesel buses as an opportunity to electrify routes 69 and 80 at an incremental cost of 58 million Francs. To make use of this window of opportunity, an implementation by 2017 would be required.
bahnhofplatz.net, citing an NZZ article
For further trolleybus background, see this website's trolleybus page.
30.03.2012: Remodelling Oerlikon
Further details have been published of the approaching remodelling of the tram layout around Bahnhof Oerlikon. Rather than looping around the block of buildings as it does today, route 11 will have a more generous and straighter double-track alignment along the station frontage (which will otherwise be pedestrianised). The loop track in Edison and Nansenstrasse will be retained however, permittig the trams of route 10 that are not running to the airport to turn . In a later phase, a new turning loop will be added at Bahnhof Oerlikon Ost stop so that turning and through trams can serve the same stop.
Linked (above) is the official map showing tram and bus routes after the completion of this work (which is commencing now but whose final phases will not be completed until 2016). The map on which it is based appears to be an older version. Hardly any of the industrial tracks survive, and many of the factories they served have been replaced by offices and flats.
Also in full swing now is the SBB-side work which will see two additional platform faces added in conjunction with the Durchmesserlinie, and the approach tracks also widened accordingly.
23.03.2012: Bernina Railway on Google Street View
Google Street view has established itself as a useful way to explore the streets of distant cities from the comfort of your home. But now Google is travelling by rail as well. Parts of the Bernina Railway are now ... (more)
23.03.2012: More on Zürich's trolleybus expansion
Two days ago, I questioned whether 14 million would be enought to equip two new trolleybus routes with vehicles. The figure quoted, however, is not the total cost but the additional cost compared to replacing old diesel buses with ... (more)
21.03.2012: Pushing for trolleybus expansion
Zürich's city council has asked the cantonal government to include the extension of the trolleybus system in its development program and apply for funds. The electrification work on bus routes 69 and 80 would cost 44 million Francs, with ... (more)
13.03.2012: NStCM looks to the future
NStCM (Nyon - La Cure) has ordered new units from Stadler. The two-section trains are based on the manufacturer's existing narrow gauge concepts as recently delivered to other lines. The new trains will be delivered in batches, with the ... (more)
12.03.2012: 90,000 visitors
This website's newslog page (www.proaktiva.ch/tram/zurich/newslog/newslog.html) has just passed the 90,000 visitor mark. The real visitor count is probably high still as the news items can also be read individually (for example www.proaktiva.ch/tram/zurich/newslog/newsitem.php?item=120312b). Thank you to all returning visitors who ... (more)
12.03.2012: Tram Affoltern by 2022?
As this website has reported previously, the chances of the Affoltern tram line being built are growing. As recently as 2006, VBZ's Vision 2025 projected this link to a long-term horizon well beyond 2025. With the Rosengarten slipping to ... (more)
07.03.2012: Progress on BDWM BDe 8/8 No. 7
Progress on the restoration of BDWM is looking very good, as this series of photographs from the BDe 8/8 website shows. The group behind saving this fascinating vehicle are also looking for members, or can otherwise be supported by ... (more)
07.03.2012: WSB/AAR scraps heritage car
WSB/AAR is scrapping heritage/party car 118 due to insufficient use.
07.03.2012: Tram Zürich West opening in pictures
Somewhat belated, I have uploaded pictures of the opening of Tram Zürich West, the first day of operation and the new route 17 (view index).
06.03.2012: Photo update
I have uploaded a short series of recent pictures. Topics are Basel, a brief encounter in Zürich and the ex-Zürich Pedaler now at Wagerenhof in Uster (view index).
02.03.2012: Hardbrücke tram concession granted
The federal council has granted the concession for the Hardbrücke tram (Hardplatz to Schiffbau). The project, which will cost 100 million Francs, must also be approved in a referendum in 2013 or 2014.
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21.02.2012: La Chaux de Fonds trolleybus to close
The La Chaux de Fonds system will close this Summer. The remaining trolleybuses will be transferred to Neuchâtel. The closure is precipitated by the need to divert bus routings in the town centre.
20.02.2012: Swiss Standard Tram article in Tramway Review
Tramway Review is publishing a series of articles written by myself on the history of the Swiss Standard Tram. The current (March dated, No 229) issue publishes part one (of probably three). The article appears on pages 16-33 of ... (more)
15.02.2012: Snow
The very cold spell appears to be over, but snow is back. Here are some pictures I took this morning.
14.02.2012: Vinnitsa numbering update
The final shipment of Mirage trams to Vinnitsa was reported here in November, with movies of these 12 cars leaving Zürich and arriving in Vinnitsa being added later. The latest edition of Tram magazine (No 109) has published the ... (more)
10.02.2012: Ex-Zürich trolleybus burnt in Valparaíso
I have learnt with regret that one of three ex-Zürich Valparaíso FBW GTr51 trolleybuses, number 504 (ex VBZ 132 of 1963) was destroyed by fire yesterday.
03.02.2012: Another website down?
After reporting two days ago on the demise of the old Tram Museum website, it has been drawn to my attention that another webiste that has been unreachable for some time now is that of Aktion Pro Sächsitram (www.6-tram.ch). ... (more)
02.02.2012: Advertising trams debut
Zürich has been slow to jump on the all-over advertising bandwagon, but tightening budgets can sweep away good resolutions. Last year, the city council decided to trial five such trams over a three year period. The first of these ... (more)
02.02.2012: Limmattalbahn progress
The pre-project of the Limmattalbahn light-rail system has been completed. Work on the LRT, which will connect Zürich Altstetten to Killwangen via Schlieren and Dietikon should commence in 2017. A brochure with plenty of details is available on the website ... (more)
02.02.2012: Bern: Compressed air tram project stopped
The Berner Tramway Gesellschaft, who also operate Bern's steam tram, have been working on a replica compressed air tram. Such trams operated in Bern from 1890 to 1902. With the support of apprentices, work had begun on both the ... (more)
01.02.2012: Tram Museum Website on Wayback
In the course of its history, Tram Museum Zürich has redesigned its website several times. The current version is here: www.tram-museum.ch. Professionally implemented, it presents the visitor with all the basic information, but it hardly presents scope for hours ... (more)
31.01.2012: Trams for Winterthur?
Apologies for the long silence on this newslog. By 2030, it is expected that Winterthur's population will have grown from 100,000 to 120,000. To cope with the increased pressure on the city's transport system, the GLP party is suggesting trams. ... (more)
31.01.2012: Former Albisgüetli tram in Kärnten
The ex Zürich (Albisgüetlibahn) tram which served as a rail grinder in Innsbruck until 2004 has been loaned by the Innsbruck tram preservation group to the Historama museum of Kärnten. It is planned to restore the car to its ... (more)
31.01.2012: YouTube update
For those who may be interested, I have posted some new videos on YouTube, drawing on footage of the last couple of years. LSB reversing out of Wartau depot - and into Burgwies In the Schwamendingen subway, Schörlistrasse stop And somewhat unrelated, ... (more)
31.01.2012: Watch the last 12 Mirage trams leave Zürich
Not filmed by me, but a must for all Mirage fans, is this YouTube footage of the last 12 Mirage trams leaving Zürich by rail for their new home in Vinnitsa. The event was reported here on 24th November. And ... (more)