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news for year 2014
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21.12.2014: Seasons Greetings
Seasons greetings from the Polybahn.
21.12.2014: A date for your diaries
21.12.2014: Basel: Fare confusion around Weil line
Basel's tram extension to Weil was opened on 14th December. Being outside Switzerland, some confusion has raised as to the validity of Swiss travel passes and tickets. It appears that Generalabbonnement is valid but SwissPass is not. Visitors wishing to travel on the international section are recommended to verify before traveling.
Swiss Rail Yahoogroup
20.12.2014: Updates
First of all, apologies yet again for the lack of updates. I'm now trying to catch up and am posting missed items in no particular order.
20.12.2014: Tram Hardbrücke approved
The cantonal referendum of 30th November saw the cantonal contribution of 76 million CHF to the Hardbrücke tram project approved by 66 percent of voters. The tram should be operational in 2017. The project is costing 101 million, with a further 28 million earmarked for modifications to Bahnhof Hardbrücke to make it more suitable to handle increased pedestrian flows.
20.12.2014: Trolleybus 106 gets matrix displays
GTZ trolleybus 106 has become a bit of a celebrity, being the last GTZ – no the last VBZ bus in regular service – to use roller-blind displays. This ended in early December when matrix displays were fitted, presumably from a withdrawn sister vehicle.
This would make this the third bus to use the displays as the GTZs were in turn fitted with matrixes from withdrawn O405 diesel buses. For a bus that supposedly (or so it was suggested) has only days to live, this is a surprising move. Of course we wouldn't mind if this means their final withdrawal has been postponed yet again.
20.12.2014: New trams? The saga drags on
Still no announcement on who will supply the new trams that will replace the older Tram 2000s. Latest reports suggest that there has been a standoff between VBZ and ZVV, with ZVV refusing VBZ's recommendation and insisting on seeking ... (more)
20.12.2014: Trams in Altstetten: Present alignment to be retained
— but sometimes common sense can still prevail. Zürich's executive council (Stadtrat) has bowed to people power from inhabitants of Altstetten who wanted to keep the trams running on Lindenplatz. As part of the Limmatalbahn project, planners were proposing ... (more)
20.12.2014: Trolleybus in battery mode
As part of the test phase for the future plans to increase trolleybus sections without overhead, suitably battery-equipped trolleybuses are presently operating between Albisriederplatz and Hardplatz from mornings until 21:00 with retracted booms. The non-battery trolleybuses are using the overhead as normal.
20.12.2014: Photo update
I have uploaded a mini series of recent pictures. No trams this time but some VBZ and also trains in Basel SBB. View them here.
26.11.2014: By trolleybus to ETH Hönggerberg
The proposed electrification of bus routes 69 and 80 still appears to be an active goal – or so it is suggested by a report on a potential tram route to serve the ETH Hönggerberg campus (of the Swiss ... (more)
26.11.2014: Forgotten trailer saved
The latest edition of TMZ Revue (magazine of Tram Museum Zürich) describes the recovery of B2 trailer 644. Trailers 588 to 710 (actually including different design variants) were delivered between 1919 and 1931. They were the first trailers to ... (more)
26.11.2014: More preserved trams hiding away
The same issue of TMZ Revue (as above) also has an article on the various vehicles being stored off system in a disused factory in Zuchwil. These are Swiss Standard Tram 1379 and trailer 737 (repatriated from Paris), crane ... (more)
26.11.2014: Ex Swiss trolleybuses in Brasov
The Romanian town of Brasov jas acquired ex-Neuchâtel trolleybuses from a dealer in Sibiu. These are to replace the ex-Bern FBW/R&J/SAAS of 1974-77, which were aquired in 2006. Brasov also has trolleybuses from Biel and Limoges.
26.11.2014: Vote on Hardbrücke tram this weekend
This weekend (30th November) will see the cantonal referendum on providing money for the Tram Hardbrücke project.
11.11.2014: Elefant Tram from Atlas
The selection of Swiss-prototype trams from Atlas is growing. Besides the Bern steam tram and the Genève Standard, Atlas is also paying homage to Zürich with a Ce 4/4 Elefant (it seems two different fleet numbers are available, 1330 ... (more)
06.11.2014: GTZ trolleybuses to vanish by end of year
According to a report on bahnhofplatz.net, operation of Merdedes/ABB O405 GTZ trolleybuses will come to an end this year.
05.11.2014: Swiss Standard Tram from Atlas
In February, this website reported on Navemo's HO/HOm model of the Swiss Standard Tram. The increase in variety of Swiss Tram models, largely thanks to Navemo, is a welcome boon for tramway modellers and has no doubt kindled interest ... (more)
04.11.2014: Ex-Sernftal Be4/4
In 1948, Forchbahn took delivery of two modern bogie cars. The presence of these cars, their speed, comfort and potential for economic operation played a crucial part in warding off closure threats and releasing money for further modernisation measures. ... (more)
04.11.2014: Ex Uetliberg 2 in Winterthur
SZU's former Uetliberg heritage set Ce 2/2 + C 41 (dating to 1923), which made their final run on their home line in 2008 before a short stint at the transport museum in Luzern has since made their way ... (more)
04.11.2014: GTZ: final days?
Since this website's last update on the remaining O405 GTZ trolleybus, 129 has been withdrawn, leaving 106, 122, 131, 137 and 142. However, the upcoming timetable change will see the end of the shortlived route 71. With the GTZs ... (more)
03.11.2014: Valparaíso: Further ex-Luzern trolleybuses arrive
According to a report on trolleymotion, delivery of the ex-Luzern trolleybuses to Valparaíso is continuing at speed, with 6 already in Chile the final 4 expected to arrive by the end of November. Their entry into service will spell ... (more)
03.11.2014: New access to Altsetten workshops
VBZ is seeking planning permission to build a second access track to its central workshops in Altstetten. The new double track line will follow Rautistrasse, connecting to the tracks of line 3 with a triangle bewteen the Hubertus and ... (more)
03.11.2014: People power pushes politicians to re-think
The discussion around the future of route 2 in Altstetten, in which planners wanted to divert the tram via Bahnhof Altstetten but Altstetten residents fought tooth and nail to keep it on its present course through the centre of ... (more)
07.10.2014: Winterthur: Heritage trolleybus returns
I am happy to be able to disclose more details of the previously reported return of Winterthur's heritage trolleybus 101. Trolleymotion has revealed that this vehicle has been overhauled in Winterthur, passed its ministry inspection and is now available ... (more)
01.10.2014: Thumbs down for Tram Region Bern
Last Saturday, voters of the city of Bern as well as the adjoing communities of Köniz and Ostermundigen voted on the proposed Tram Region Bern, which would convert the present bus route 10 to tram. Although voters of Bern ... (more)
29.09.2014: Tower waggons for tram museum
According to VBZ's Facebook page, two VBZ tower waggons have been transferred to the custody of the tram museum (according to bahnhofplatz.net, the transfer already occurred last year). The two waggons are numbers 1994 and 1995. A quick dip ... (more)
29.09.2014: Basel: Test running on Weil line to begin next week
Test running on Basel's newest tram extension is to begin next week. What makes this line remarkable is that of the extension's 2.5km, 1.6 are in Germany (Weil). Rather than being a simple extension of the existing system, the ... (more)
29.09.2014: Save our night trains
I have in the past on this newslog bemoaned the gradual passing of night trains in Europe. I have now come across a petition seeking to do something about it. The petition is specifically concerned with the Basel to ... (more)
24.09.2014: Ex Luzern trolleybuses in Valparaíso
Several of the 10 ex Luzern NAM trolleybuses have already arrived at their new home in Chile. For more information and updates, check www.trolleybusvalparaiso.blogspot.ch
24.09.2014: Heritage trolleybuses
Reports on bahnhofplatz.net indicate that VBZ has sold two of its four preserved trolleybuses to Rétrobus. The two units disposed of are: - number 53 of 1939 (Saurer 4 TP). Upon withdrawal from Zürich this unit saw further service in ... (more)
22.09.2014: Basel gets its first Flexity
BVB's first Flexity was delivered on 4th September. A total of 61 of these trams were ordered in 2011. The new tram will be presented to the public at an open day on 8th November. This and a second ... (more)
11.09.2014: Bring back a Geneva trolleybus from Valparaíso
This website recently reported on the 10 ex-Luzern trolleybuses crossing the Atlantic to Valparaíso, giving that system a much needed injection of modern equipment. Now it seems an ex-Genève trolleybus may be making the return journey. An association has ... (more)
29.08.2014: Bernmobil seeks 40 new trams
Bernmobil is seeking to acquire 40 new trams. 20 of these will be required for the new Köniz - Ostermundigen tram route and 20 to replace older trams. The trams coming up for replacement are the Vevey cars (731-742) ... (more)
26.08.2014: Schaffhausen pushes to expand trolleybus system
Schaffhausen's trolleybus has seen a remarkable revival. Threatened with abandonment, the comeback from the brink began in 2008 when the city decided to retain and renew the system. This was followed in 2010 by an order for seven new ... (more)
26.08.2014: La Chaux de Fonds Solaris goes to Budapest
The final death knell of the (presently officially suspended but effectively closed) La Chaux de Fonds trolleybus has not yet been spoken, but it has long been a forgone conclusion. This is not helped, of course, by the system's ... (more)
19.08.2014: Petition for Salzburg's Gunter Mackinger
Gunter Mackinger, director of Salzburg's transport system, has long been an untiring advocate of trolleybuses, championing the mode in times that it is not universally popular. He is internationally recognized as an expert and his opinions and example have ... (more)
14.08.2014: The quest for safety on Glattalbahn
Follwoing a continuing spate of crossing accidents on Glattalbahn (the new brighter livery introduced last year didn't help), further crossings are being fitted with barriers. One Cobra tram is furthermore experimentaly fitted with a third headlight, railway style.
14.08.2014: Trolleybus news
Swisstrolley4 was loaned to Bern for demonstration purposes.
GTZs still in service are 106, 122, 129, 131, 137 and 142
31.07.2014: More uncertainty surrounds new tram order
There is still no definite news about the new tram order, but plenty of indefinite rumours. An article in Handelszeitung suggests that VBZ and ZVV have differing opinions over which model to chose. According to the source, VBZ had ... (more)
31.07.2014: 3034: as a phoenix from the ashes
Cobra 3034, which was damaged by arson in January 2013 (at the time I mistakenly reported it as 3043) finally returned to traffic in late June. The cost of the repair has not been revealed, but two segments had ... (more)
31.07.2014: Stadler closes Winterthur works
Following the delivery of the final Eem923 shunting locomotive to SBB, Stadler closed its Winterthur works. The event happened quietly and was hardly picked up by the press or media, maybe reflecting how this activity was already perceived as ... (more)
31.07.2014: More retrenchment of CNL services
The retrenchment of night trains is continuing its tragic course. December of this year will see the loss of the CNL (CityNightLine) Basel-Copenhahen and all Paris trains. At least the Paris train is still well patronized but CNL wishes ... (more)
28.06.2014: Stadler tender for VBZ
There is still no news on Zürich's decision on the new tram order. But for those interested in what Stadler may offer, an interesting artist's impression has appeared in the 2014 Stadler Press Conference pack. Stadler was unable to ... (more)
28.06.2014: Limmattalbahn depot
Limmattalbahn has chosen a site for its depot. The depot will be built at the "Müsli" site (nothing to do with breakfast cereal), adjoining the SBB Limmattal marshaling yard between Dietikon and Spreitenbach. The depot will provide space for 14 trams.
13.06.2014: Durchmesserlinie opens this Saturday
Zürich's new cross city rail link, Durchmesserlinie, is to open this Saturday (14th June 2014). Regular S-Bahn operations will commence on Sunday. Long distance trains will commence using the service from December 2015.
21.05.2014: Uetliberg tram becomes a bistro
At the end of 2008, SZU celebrated a farewell tour for its "Uetliberg tram" Ce 2/2 2 + C 41. This set, dating from the electrification of the line in the 1920s had been retained by SZU as a ... (more)
20.05.2014: Genève: TOSA bus update
Looking back on the TOSA trial ten months on, the prototype has operated on average three to four days per week and accumulated 8000km without any major problems or failures. The price of energy consumed is 30% lower than ... (more)
20.05.2014: Durchmesserlinie to open in June
Zürich's new cross-city tunnel, Durchmesserlinie, is to be opened on 15th June. Initially the line will be used only by S-Bahn trains, but once remaining work is completed, long distance trains will start using it from December 2015. The tunnel ... (more)
19.05.2014: Electric bus future
An article in westnetz.ch looks at VBZ's future bus strategy. VBZ recognizes electric traction as the way forwards. With trams already being electric, focus will be on more electric power for the buses. This policy will be reflected in ... (more)
19.05.2014: BVB's Pedaler snowplough withdrawn
BVB's (the other BVB: Bex-Vilars-Brettaye) snow plough 1501 has been withdrawn last year. The Xe 4/4 is/was rebuilt VBZ Pedaler (lightweight standard tram) Be 4/4 1501 (originally 401).
Tram magazine 05-07.2014
19.05.2014: Winterthur to add trolleybus route
Winterthur is planning to add a new trolleybus route. The 22 will be a peak-only short-working of the 2 between Schloss Wülflingen and Waldegg.
Tram magazine 05-07.2014
19.05.2014: Zürich trolleybus update
The two new Lightrams, 90 and 91, have been in service since April. Also withdrawn in March and April were O405 GTZ numbers 115, 124, 137 and 140 (140 was one of the pair used in the farewell tour last ... (more)
02.04.2014: Valparaíso to get Luzern trolleybuses
10 non-articulated trolleybuses from Luzern are set to make the long journey to Valparaíso. Valparaíso is Chile's only trolleybus system. The fleet already includes former Swiss trolleybuses fromn several Swiss cities (including two from Zürich) as well as Ameican-built ... (more)
02.04.2014: Dining car used as restaurant in Oerlikon
An old dining car has found a new lease of life as a restaurant in Oerlikon. The car sets on an industrial siding in Neubrunnenstrasse, where it will remain until probably 2015. The restaurant is open on weekdays for ... (more)
02.04.2014: CNL night trains lose dining cars
Following on from previous sad reports on the degradation of long distance trains, I have learn that DB is dropping dining car service from its CNL night trains from the beginning of April. A choice of drinks and snacks ... (more)
02.04.2014: Epitaph to Basel trolleybus
In 2008 Basel abolished its trolleybus. BVB and the city council convinced voters to approve the measure by promising them clean and environmental gas buses. Originally these would have used compost gas, but this was later corrected as being ... (more)
02.04.2014: An additional Flexity for Basel
BVB is to receive 61 Flexity trams from Bombardier rather than 60 as previously planned. The reason being the formula used to adapt for inflation would have qualified BVB for a refund. Instead they opted for an additional tram. ... (more)
18.03.2014: Witikon to get direct trolleybus link from central Zürich
Trolleybus route 34 has long been somewhat special. In Zürich trolleybuses are not otherwise found on such peripheral feeder routes. The inhabitants of Witikon, however, have long been petitioning for a direct link to central Zürich. If current plans ... (more)
18.03.2014: New trolleybus arriving
The two additional Lightrams ordered last year will be delivered this month.
Meanwhile, GTZ 115 was withdrawn earlier this month. On the other hand 106 and 113 have received overhauls that may extend their working lives by another year.
18.03.2014: Basel trolleybus and tram 1989
A great Youtube find: footage from Basel in 1989.
18.03.2014: Photo update: Freiburg tram extends to Gundelfingen
My latest photo update with the opening of Freiburg's extension to Gundelfingen.
04.03.2014: Pictures from Vinnitsa
Readers interested in the ex-Zürich trams in Vinnitsa will enjoy this page of Drehscheibe Foren.
Thanks to user Martin S. of bahnhofplatz.net for finding this gem.
04.03.2014: Basel trams on Youtube
I have uploaded a short recent movie of random BVB and BLT tram movements on Centralbahnplatz to Youtube.
26.02.2014: GTZ trolleybuses, the final months
With delivery of Swisstrolleys being completed in September, withdrawal of Mercedes/ABB GTZs came to a temporary halt. 10 units presently remaining in service (according to my notes, these are 106, 113, 115, 122, 124, 129, 131, 137, 140 and ... (more)
26.02.2014: Photo update
My latest photo update is a rather random collection of tram and rail scenes from Switzerland and Spain.
26.02.2014: San Francisco's "Zürich" tram back in action
San Francisco's Market Street Railway website reports that the city's "Zürich" tram is back in service.
11.02.2014: Model trams: Navemo to produce Swiss Standard Tram
The long-anounced Swiss Standard Tram models by Navemo are to be launched this Summer, according to this announcement on Navemo's website. According to the announcement, variants for both Zürich (old and new liveries) and Bern are being prepared. The ... (more)
09.02.2014: FABI: More money for the railway
One of the items in this weekend's referenda was FABI, a law that will provide more money for the railway, enhancing capacity on certain lines and nodes permitting service frequencies to be increased. Continuing in tradition of major ... (more)
09.02.2014: New trams: The rumour mill rumbles
No, you haven't missed it. The decision on Zürich's new trams is still being awaited with baited breath. According to an article in Handelszeitung, the main competitors are now Siemens and Stadler, with Stadler proposing a variant of its Tango type.
24.01.2014: London: Routemaster operation of route 9 to cease
Off topic, but maybe of interest is the sad news that heritage Routemaster operation of London's route 9 is to cease this July. After this only the 15 will continue to operate with heritage Routemasters.
24.01.2014: Appenzellerbahn choses Tango
Appenzellerbahn has ordered seven Tango trams from Stadler. These will operate the future through service between Trogen and Teufen. The older Stadler units of Trogenerbahn will be retained (the timetable requiring eight units in service) but the older BDe4/8 ... (more)
23.01.2014: The Zürich tram in San Francisco
Back in 2005, this newslog reported that to mark Zürich's sister city relationship with San Francisco, that the latter city was to run a Zürich tram (actually a Bruxelles PCC painted in VBZ colours) on its heritage F route. ... (more)
22.01.2014: Cobra 3034: Repairs in progress
I have been asked about the status of Cobra number 3034, which was the victim of an arson attack on 1st January 2013 (at the time I erroneously reported the number as 3043). Initially it was not clear whether ... (more)
21.01.2014: Durchmesserlinie approaching
Spotted today: The new route maps already depict Zürich's new cross-city rail link, Durchmesserlinie (albeit as a dotted line). The line is slated to open this summer for S-Bahn traffic, and at the end of the year for long-distance ... (more)
21.01.2014: Canton supports tram re-routing in Altstetten
In the debate around the re-routing of the Alstetten tram (replacing its present direct route between Lindenplatz and Farbhof with a dog leg via Bahnhof Altstetten) the city council recently voted in line with the local desire to preserve ... (more)
15.01.2014: Winterthur: Deutweg depot
A group of artists in Winterthur are campaigning to save Deutweg bus depot. The structure will cease to serve as depot this year, with its functions being transferred to an extended facility at Grüzefeld. Whereas the city wishes to ... (more)
15.01.2014: Winterthur: new Swisstrolley to arrive shortly
While on the subject of Winterthur, the new trolleybus is to arrive imminently, and could be in service on 22nd January. The addition vehicle will permit a shortening of peak headways on route 2.
14.01.2014: Cargotram serves additional destination
Scrutiny of the Cargotram (and E-tram) timetable shows a further destination has been added. Hard (Escher-Wyss-Platz depot) is served (commencing 11th January). This raises the number of destinations served to 10 (plus Strassenverkehrsamt which is listed as Cargotram in ... (more)
10.01.2014: Photo update
I have added some pictures of a tram accident that occurred this morning, as well as recent views of French trams.
(or all together here)
10.01.2014: City council wants to keep tram route 2 on present alignment
Zürich's city council has voted on Wednesday in favour of keeping tram route 2 on its present alignment in Altstetten, and is opposing the executive council who wants to take it off Badenerstrasse and build a detour via Bahnhof ... (more)
08.01.2014: 2013 news
A Happy New Year to all readers. All 2013 news items can now be found on www.proaktiva.ch/tram/zurich/newslog/2013.html. The past year did not start too well, as the first news item announced that Cobra 3034 had been ravaged by fire. The ordering ... (more)