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news for year 2011
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13.12.2011: RABe 511 in service
Following an extensive test phase, the first RABe 511 double-deck S-Bahn trains from Stadler have entered service on S14 today.
13.12.2011: Trolleybus system set for growth?
It is being suggested that bus routes 69 and 80 may be on the radar for conversion to trolleybus operation. VBZ plans to publish a report on the future development of the trolleybus system next year. As recently as 2008, electrification of these routes was rejected on grounds of costs.
Meanwhile, manufacture of the new Hess trolleybuses has commenced. In contrast to the units already in Zürich, the new buses will not have auxiliary engines but use batteries when no overhead power is avialable.
10.12.2011: Opening of Tram Zürich West
Tram Zürich West opened today with commented round trips by tram on the new line. Regular operation will commence tomorrow. A fuller report will follow.
25.11.2011: Geneva: Bernex extension and simplification of tram routes
The timetable switch of 11th December will see Geneva's tram system extended to Bernex. The tram system is also undergoing a major simplification with the number of routes being reduced from seven to three by eliminating overlapping wherever possible.
Present system:
12: Palettes - Bachet-de-Pesay – Moillesulaz
13: Palettes – Carouge - Nations
14: Bachet-de-Pesay – Meyrin-Gravière
15: Palettes – Acacias - Nations
16: Meyrin-Gravière – Moillesulaz
17: Lancy-Pont-Rouge - Moillesulaz
18: Coutance - CERN
New system:
12: Palettes - Bachet-de-Pesay – Moillesulaz
14: Bernex - CERN / Meyrin-Gravière
15: Palettes – Acacias - Nations
24.11.2011: Mirage update
Yesterday, 12 Mirage trams were loaded onto railway wagons at the VBZ workshops in Alstetten for the long trip to Vinnitsa. The cars are 1626, 1656, 1659, 1664, 1668, 1673, 1676, 1677, 1679, 1681, 1685 and 1688. Previous reports had sugegsted only nine would be going East. They will furthermore be accompanied by an extensive stocks of spares. It is notable that both "celebrity" Mirages, 1626 (of Tram Zürich West fame) and 1676 (the ballet tram) are among the 12. Photos of the trams leaving their home of more than four decades can be found on this facebook page. Meanwhile, the two TMZ Mirages (1674 and 1675) have received freshly overhauled bogies. One is likely to debut on the museum line this Saturday (26th). TMZ are also planning a tour for 11th December.
24.11.2011: Wollishofen depot
VBZ are planning to refurbish the long-underutilised Wollishofen depot as a combined tram and trolleybus depot and also add an aoudoor stabling track alongside the present by-pass track. Pressure on depot space is likely to rise in coming years as new trams are delivered.
17.11.2011: Green light for Tram Zürich West
On 11th November, the federal transport ministry granted operating approval for Tram Zürich West, thus clearing the project's last hurdle prior to opening on 11th December.
17.11.2011: YouTube update: USA
Further to the photographs uploaded yesterday, I have posted some accompanying videos on YouTube.
Michigan City
Level crossing
San Francisco
16.11.2011: Photo update: USA
I have uploaded a series of photos from my recent USA trip. The trip took me to Michigan City (Indiana) to see what is probably the very last section of street-running interurban railway in the USA. This is part ... (more)
15.11.2011: Winterthur: two further trolleybuses ordered
Winterthur is ordering two further Hess trolleybuses under an option of the 2009 order, when 21 Swisstrolleys (101-121) were ordered to replace the same number of GTZs (140-161). Due to frequency increases, however, two GTZs (147 and 149) were ... (more)
01.11.2011: "Goldtimer" is no more
Schnelläufer type tram 1016, which spent its final years in Zürich as Goldtimer (painted gold and used for guided tours) before being purchased by a restaurant in Spiez in 1993 is no more. Now, only four of this type ... (more)
01.11.2011: TramFret: Freight trams in Paris?
This newslog has reported on the various attempts to operate freight services on tram tracks. Zürich has had a cargo service since 2003 picking up household waste (see cargotram page) and Dresden has a service since 2001 supplying parts ... (more)
31.10.2011: Peckham truck crosses the Atlantic
Back in April, this newslog reported on the surviving Peckham trucks in Zürich. The newslog entry mentioned the imminent departure of one of these for Edmonton in Canada. According to the newsletter of the Edmonton Radial Railway, the truck ... (more)
26.10.2011: Basel opts for Flexity
Basel's BVB is to purchase 60 Flexity trams from Bombardier for 220 million Franks. The first will arrive in 2013, with two trams a month being delivered from 2014. The trams will be delivered in two lengths: There will ... (more)
14.10.2011: Tram videos (Alicante and Milano)
Further to my recent series of Alicante photos, I have added a YouTube video of Alicante trams at Muchavista at night.
"Driver's eye" view of the Muchavista promenade.
On a different topic, a Milano Peter Witt (Ventotto).
10.10.2011: Karpfen in Vinnitsa: The end
All Karpfen trams in Vinnitsa are reported withdrawn from service. Martin Baumann (citing Blickpunkt Strassenbahn) The use of this type in the Ukrainian city has been short lived. 13 of this type were sent to Vinnitsa from Zürich in 2007. Probably, ... (more)
10.10.2011: Limmatalbahn to connect to Zürich tram
Latest plans for Limmattalbahn have this line opening in 2020. Zürich's route 2 will be extended to Schlieren on Limmatalbahn tracks. The current Badenerstrasse alignment between Lindenplatz and Farbhof will be discontinued, with trams being routed along a new ... (more)
10.10.2011: Nine Mirage trams for Vinnitsa
Contrary to an earlier report, nine (not ten) Mirage trams from the strategic reserve are heading for Vinnitsa. These are: 1656, 1659, 1664, 1673, 1677, 1679, 1681, 1685 and 1688. As already reported, 1674 and 1675 are to be ... (more)
30.09.2011: Photo update: Alicante
I have uploaded a series of recent tram photos from Alicante.
30.09.2011: Lausanne: Tram makes progress
Lausanne's plans for a tram line between Lausanne-Flon and Renens Gare have taken a step forwards with the transport ministry approving a 50-year concession (expiring in 2061). Plans must now be submitted by the end of 2013, construction ... (more)
28.09.2011: Schaffhausen: trolleybus fleet renewal complete
The fleet renewal in Schaffhausen is complete. The new Hess trolleybuses 101-107 replace the almost 20-year-old NAW units 111-113 and 115-118. Concerning disposal: 113 is being fitted for de-iceing duties and 116 has been transfereed to Bressonaz for preservation. Negotiations ... (more)
27.09.2011: Affoltern tram finds favour
Following the voting of the Städteinitiative initiative, the city and canton of Zürich have been seeking ways of fulfilling the demands. The demanded extension of tram route 15 to Affoltern may well leapfrog the Rosengarten tram project, which could ... (more)
20.09.2011: I'm back
After two weeks of holidays in Alicante (including trams, of which maybe more later), I have probably missed some newsworthy items. I will present these here as well as possible and apologise if I have missed anything. -> Städteinitiative: Zürich ... (more)
20.09.2011: Städteinitiative: Zürich sets the ambitious goal of reducing car's share of traffic by 10 percent
The Städteinitiative is a privately launched referendum requiring the city of Zürich to reduce the modal shift of car usage in the city by 10 percentage points within 10 years. The referendum was unexpectedly accepted on 4th September by ... (more)
20.09.2011: Mirages for tram museum
Latest information suggests that the Mirage trams to be retained for the heritage fleet are 1674 and 1675. 1675 was observed running to the tram museum at Burgwies on 3rd September. The remaining 10 Mirage trams will be sent to Vinnitsa.
31.08.2011: Google boards the tram
Google has become famous for its "Doodles" that modify the company logo on special occasions. Today, the honour is bestowed on a Lisboa tram, marking the 110th anniversary of electric traction in the city.
29.07.2011: Open day at RétroBus
The trolleybus and bus preservation group RétroBus is marking ist 10th anniversary and holding an open day at its Moudon base on 20th August (from 10:00-18:00). A shuttle bus will operate from Moudon station. Entrance will be 10 Franks ... (more)
29.07.2011: Advertising and Tram Zürich West
To better advertise the approaching opening of Tram Zürich West, a number of Cobra trams are having colourful wrap-round adverts applied to their front ends, co-sponsored by businesses located along the new line. The trams will run in this ... (more)
22.07.2011: More on the new trolleybuses
Since today's earlier announcement, more details have emerged on the order. VBZ is ordering 21 Swisstrolleys for 30 million Franks. They will enter service from 2013. The order includes an option for 40 further trolleybuses by 2016. With 12 ... (more)
22.07.2011: Zürich orders Hess trolleybuses
VBZ has selected Hess to supply its new single-articulated trolleybuses. The announcement for 12 double-articulated units from the same supplier was announced in May. They will replace the Mercedes/ABB O405 GTZ trolleybuses 101-143.
21.07.2011: Basel: First production Tango arives
The first of BLT's production Tango trams was delivered to Basel yesterday. In contrast to the prototypes, it arrived by rail.
19.07.2011: Tram Zürich West: Testing begins
Test running on Tram Zürich West began yesterday. Among the trams used on the first day of testing were various heritage trams, the restaurant tram and cargotram. The new line connecting Escher-Wyss-Platz and Bahnhof Altstetten Nord (Vulkanplatz) will open ... (more)
19.07.2011: Zürich S-Bahn in San Francisco
San Francisco is building a major transit interchange called the Transbay Terminal. In a future phase, it is planned that Caltrain commuter rail and high-speed trains will also serve this terminal, for which purpose a tunnel will be dug ... (more)
19.07.2011: Remember street running in Aarau?
I have uploaded a short Youtube movie of street-running on WSB/AAR in Aarau. This was filmed in October 2009. Street running ended in December 2010 when trains were diverted onto the re-gauged Aarau-Suhr railway.
18.07.2011: Tram Zürich West 70 million cheaper than expected
It seems that thanks to the recession, Tram Zürich West is being completed at 70 million Franks below budget (for a total budgeted cost of 300 million). Good news indeed!
15.07.2011: Lugano tram update
Current proposals for the proposed Lugano tram system have evolved to an H-shaped system with Lamone and Cornadero being the norther extremities and Pontre Tresa and Grania the southern. The first phase would build the lower-left leg and the ... (more)
04.07.2011: Frauenfeld-Wil orders new trains
The Frauenfeld-Wil (FW) meter-gauge railway has order five Stadler Diamant trains for a total of 31 million Franks (delivery in 2013). The order comes as a great relief following recent closure threats.
01.07.2011: Zürich to get all-over advertising trams
For some people they add colour and variety, for others they are a regrettable concession to economics taking precedence over aesthetics. Opinions on all-over advertising trams remain divided. In Zürich, exceptional liveries of cultural interest are permitted for up to ... (more)
21.06.2011: Another great map resource
Further to the map resources highlighted recently (carto.metro and tundria), a correspondent has pointed me to another excellent site, Gleisplanweb.de, featuring track plans from Germany and Switzerland (Zürich is here).
Thanks to Jim Kramer
15.06.2011: Tram Zürich West: Track complete
The final length of rail on Tram Zürich West was welded into position under Hardbrücke yesterday, with the testing and training phase to commence shortly. Full passenger operation will start at 05:04 on 11 December. The line cost some ... (more)
01.06.2011: Vinnitsa numbering update
Further to previous reports on the numbering of ex Zürich trams in the Ukrainian city of Vinnitsa (see July 2008, March 2009, August 2009 and November 2010), the following list represents the latest status of ex-Zürich cars there. Thanks ... (more)
31.05.2011: Looking back to the tram of the future
With both Basel and Zürich in the process of selecting their next tram generations, it may be of interest to go back in time and look at the tram types that were offered for the last major renewal back ... (more)
27.05.2011: More power for trolleybuses
Further to the recent announcement on the order of 12 double articulated trolleybuses for route 32, it should be added that these will be delivered in time for 2012/13 timetable switch. The order also includes an option for 10 ... (more)
26.05.2011: La Chaux de Fonds trolleybus threatened
Following the recent closures of the trolleybus systems of Lugano (2001) and Basel (2008) and the threats to both Winterthur (2008) and Schaffhausen (2009) (which could fortunately be overcome), and despite rising fuel prices, threats to trolleybus operations continue. ... (more)
26.05.2011: One of the best rail websites ever? A secret visit to the Post Office Railway
The Post Office Railway, that elusive automated narrow gauge railway built for the conveyance of mail and running entirely in tunnels connecting various London post offices and railway stations has always been the stuff of legends. This became even ... (more)
19.05.2011: Truly amazing map resource
Those readers interested in maps should check out carto.metro.free.fr for system maps of various tram and metro systems. These maps show an amazing level of detail including track layout, platforms, sidings, depots and abandonded and planned lines as well ... (more)
19.05.2011: Japanese cargo tram
In the past, this webiste has reported on cargo tram developments around the world. Besides Zürich, Dresden has a cargo service serving the Volkswagen factory. Attempts to operate mixed goods services in Vienna and Amsterdam have come to naught, ... (more)
18.05.2011: 12 Double-artic trolleybuses ordered
VBZ is buying 12 additional Lightram3 double.articulated trolleybuses from Hess for 20.5 million Franks. These trolleybuses will replace Mercedes/ABB O405 GTZ and permit route 32 to be fully operated with double-articulated units. The order is part of the acquisition ... (more)
17.05.2011: Tram Zürich West update
It has been some time since this website last reported on progress on Tram Zürich West. In an attempt to rectify this, I have prepared a short presentation of the current situation. Commencing at the Altstetten end, the area around ... (more)
13.05.2011: Low-floor coaches for older S-Bahn sets
In July 2008, as part of a larger S-Bahn order, 121 centre coaches were ordered to permit the older push-pull S-Bahn sets to feature a low floor entrance. Eight of these will be deployed on SZU's Sihltal line, with ... (more)
12.05.2011: Photo update
New photos uploaded to this website include a gallery on BDWM (including the new Diamant ABe 4/8 units), as well as Potsdam and Zürich in the rain.
19.04.2011: Basel: Four tram types offered
Basel (BVB) has received four offers for its new tram generation (having backed out of its earlier order for Tangos). Tenders were received from Bombardier (Flexity Basel), Siemens (Combino) and two from Stadler (Tango and Tango LF).
12.04.2011: New special livery
The latest special livery tram is the set 2051 + 2315. Each section is painted in a different livery, representing another operator in the ZVV region. This tram should make people more aware of their operational integration and the ... (more)
11.04.2011: Zürich's new trams to have wooden seats
Following public consultation in cooperation with the Tages Anzeiger newspaper, it was decided the next generation of Zürich trams will have wooden seats rather than fabric ones. 87.5 percent of those asked expressed this preference.
07.04.2011: Winterthur: Rosenberg extension opens
The Rosenberg extension of Winterthur's trolleybus route 3 (adding two stops) opens today.
05.04.2011: A last look at 93, and Peckham trucks galore
Tram enthusiasts had their last opportunity to see 93 in Zürich on Saturday at an event in Wartau depot. The story of this car has already been told in an earlier news item. The Peckham #8 truck that is currently ... (more)
02.04.2011: Winterthur: GTZ update
The last two GTZ trolleybuses, 147 and 149, are expected to be retained until 2013 (construction work at Hauptbahnhof may increase the number of vehicles required). 11 units (141, 142,144-146 ,148,151-154 ,161) are with the Sturm dealership seeking a ... (more)
02.04.2011: Hope for Forchbahn in Madagascar?
Between 2004 and 2007, this website reported several items on the shipping of various meter-gauge vehicles (mostly ex-Forchbahn) to Madagascar. The vehicles reached the island but litle progress was made on the urban rail project for which they were ... (more)
01.04.2011: Trams on April Fool's day
On April Fool's day every newspaper typically runs a story testing the gullibility of its readers. Today two of these concerned trams, and both come from Bern. Berner Zeitung builds on the story of the squeal caused by the RBS ... (more)
30.03.2011: Wartau open day, and farewell to 93
This Saturday (2nd April), Tram Museum Zürich's (TMZ) new workshop in Wartau will be open to the public between 10:30 and 16:00. TMZ has just completed a move of its workshop from its previous location in an annexe of ... (more)
21.03.2011: Winterthur update
According to bahnhofplatz.net, the last of the 21 Hess Swisstrolley3s for Winterthur was delivered on Friday. 120 is already in service. The active Mercedes/ABB GTZ fleet has now dwindled to two units: 147 and 149. On 7th April a new shopping ... (more)
18.03.2011: 10 years of Trollino
It is now 10 years ago that the first Solaris trolleybus was presented. In Switzerland, Trollinos are operated in Winterthur and La Chaux de Fonds. Happy Birthday Trollino!
18.03.2011: Alstom, Skoda and Vossloh-Kiepe interested in supplying Zürich trams
Although VBZ is officially not commenting on who is tendering to supply the city's new trams, according to an article in Tages Anzeiger, the Polish suppliers Pesa and Solaris are not participating. However Alstom, Skoda and Vossloh Kiepe are taking part.
18.03.2011: BDWM: BDe8/8 era ends
The era of the BDe8/8 on BDWM is finally drawing to a close. The last units are expected to be withdrawn by the end of this month. Only number 7 is being retained (to be converted to a bar/lounge ... (more)
18.03.2011: Five suppliers interested in Basel order
Zürich is not the only city preparing to place a makor order for new trams. Following BVB's withdrawal from the joint Tango oder with BLT, the order is being retendered. BVB is seeking to acquire 60 trams in different ... (more)
17.03.2011: Which low-floor tram for Zürich?
According to the online-edition of Tages Anzeiger, the submission deadline for tenders for the new low-floor tram generation will be tomorrow at noon. Obviously the large manufacturers (Siemens and Bombardier) are submitting bids. VBZ is not revealing details concerning ... (more)
11.03.2011: Basel: France supports Saint Louis extension
I missed this item earlier on, but consider it to be of sufficient interest to be included here: On 8th February, the French government confirmed that it is contributing 5.73 million Euros to the cross-border extension of Basel tram 3 ... (more)
07.03.2011: RIP: Carl Arendt
It is with great sadness that I have learnt of the passing away of Carl Arendt. Carl is best known in modelling circles for his philosophy that a model railway need not be large to be interesting – on ... (more)
02.03.2011: Lausanne: La Ficelle's last car saved
This website reported on the closre of Lausanne's La Ficelle cog railway for conversion to a rubber-tyred metro and the failed attempts to re-home the rolling stock. Finally one car has been saved. The bus and trolleybus group Rétrobus ... (more)
02.03.2011: 250th Swisstrolley3
The trolleybus information and campaign site, trolleymotion, reports that Winterthur's 118 (delivered on 22nd February) is the 250th Swisstrolley3. The Swisstrolley story began 20 years ago with Hess' protototype Swisstrolley (which ran in Zürich as 50 and later became ... (more)
21.02.2011: More on the new tram generation
Further to last week's announcement concerning specifications of the new tram generation, further details have been reported. VBZ says that the 100 percent low-floor requirement does not exclude such features as the popular rear high-floor area of the Cobra ... (more)
18.02.2011: Specification of new tram generation
Following the evaluation of recent tram trials, VBZ has defined its requirements for its next generation of trams more closely. 30 new trams will replace the first generation of Tram 2000 units (2001-45 and 2301-15). They must be 100 ... (more)
18.02.2011: Tram Bern West in T&UT
The March 2011 issue of Tramways & Urban Transit (T&UT) features an article by myself on the opening of Tram Bern West.
T&UT is published by the LRTA. Their website is here.
16.02.2011: Forchbahn level crossings
With new level-crossing legislation coming into effect in 2014, 47 crossings on Forchbahn fail to comply with the new standards. Of these, 26 will be modified and 21 closed. For some of the crossings that are closing, new access ... (more)
14.02.2011: Open day: vintage buses and a tram
An operator and preservationist of a fine collection of vintage Swiss buses has announced an open day for his collection for 8th May. The collection is located only eight minutes from Ziegelbrücke's railway station. Besides the unique and varied ... (more)
14.02.2011: Mirages to leave Zürich
Reliability of the Cobra trams and satisfaction with Sänfte+Pony pairs (concerns that the length of the latter would lead to congestion at Bahnhofplatz proved unfounded) mean that the stored Mirage units are now definitely surplus. 10 of these will ... (more)
14.02.2011: Future depot strategy
VBZ has published its strategy on future depot usage. Rather than concentrate in large out-of-town depots, VBZ values its distributed locations, which reduce dead operating mileage. However, in order to deliver value for money, it is reviewing these. Furthermore, ... (more)
08.02.2011: Glattalbahn opening in photos
The third phase of Glattalbahn opened on 11th December, with full timetabled operation commencing the following day. At long last, I have managed to post some pictures.
08.02.2011: Tram Bern West opening in photos
The day after the opening of Glattalbahn, I was able to attend another opening, that of Tram Bern West. A fuller report on this is planned for later, but for now, here are some pictures.
08.02.2011: Snow in Amsterdam
And while I was busy uploading photos, I also added a series (from 4th December) featuring snowfall in Amsterdam (here).
07.02.2011: Stadler double-deck train wins award
Stadler's new double-deck train (KISS) has been recognised with an award by Germany's Privatbahn Magazin. 133 trains of the type have been sold so far, including 50 for SBB, many of which will be used on Zürich's S-Bahn.
01.02.2011: Limmattalbahn update
Planning of Limmattalbahn, the projected light rail link from Zürich Altstetten to Killwangen is making good progress, with the final section of undecided alignment (Dietikon) now defined. According to this decison, Limmattalbahn will run via the station forecourt and ... (more)
28.01.2011: Eberswalde Trollino in Zürich
Late last year, this website reported the visit of Eberswalde Solaris Trollino 051 to Zürich. Not much has been heard of this since, but according to bahnhofplatz.net, the trolleybus was not tested on Zürich's streets but performed only measurement ... (more)
26.01.2011: New tram route announced: route 17
So far, it was intended that when Tram Zürich West opens at the end of this year, that it would be served by a route 4 diverted from its present Werdhözli terminus. The service to Werdhözli would then be ... (more)
25.01.2011: Hardbrücke Tram moves forwards
The city is pushing for the tram extension from Hardplatz to Schiffbau. This would permit route 8 to be extended from its present Hardplatz terminus to Werdhözli. The new section required is short (less than a kilometer) but will ... (more)
20.01.2011: 1100 new ticket machines
Following the succesful trial of touch-screen ticket machines, ZVV has confirmed an order for 1100.
NZZ, 12th January
20.01.2011: Bern: RBS trams too noisy
On 12th December, RBS's former Route G was integrated into the Bern tram network, becoming part of route 6 and being extended across town to Fischermätteli. The RBS Tram 2000 units have proven unpopular however, with residents complaining about ... (more)
20.01.2011: Bern: Regional Tram
The study for Bern's proposed regional tram line (Schliern - Ostermundigen) shows this wil cost 550 Million Franks rather than the 260 million projected earlier. A tunnel will be required to reach the Rüti terminus on account of the ... (more)
20.01.2011: Talgo wheel lathe
A second wheel lathe has been installed in Oerlikon depot. The new equipment from Talgo cost 2.2 million Franks plus 900,000 for the installation. The new lathe can turn four wheels at the same time, finishing all 12 wheels ... (more)
12.01.2011: Cargotram video
I have posted another Youtube video of Cargo Tram in action. This was all filmed yesterday and shows rubbish being loaded at Hirzenbach, the tram passing through Schörlistrasse on the Schwamendingen subway and at the end of its trip, ... (more)