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news for year 2015
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21.12.2015: Waldenburgerbahn to go meter gauge
Folloeing an extenmsive debate over the future of Waldenburgerbahn (the 750mm gauge railway between Liestal and Waldenburg near Basel) in which all options spanning from closure to standard gauge conversion were considered, the parliament of Canon Baselland have on Thursday (17th) approved the conversion to meter gauge, with work commencing in 2023.
The future of the heritage steam operation on this line is in doubt.
18.12.2015: Bad news for night trains
This article on Umverkehr confirms the worst of our fears, and that DB is to continue its night trains from the end of 2016. So much for all the recent hot air from the climate conference in Paris.
18.12.2015: Save Gresley's Duck
visit
gresleyduck.org
11.12.2015: GTZ trolleybus 106 is no more
It is reported on bahnhofplatz.net that trolleybus 106 was scrapped at Waltenschwil on Wednesday (9th).
07.12.2015: DB to end night trains
We knew it was going to happen sooner or later, but now the doom of Germany's night trains (including those starting from Switzerland) is sealed. In all likelihood, from the end of 2016, night trains will be discontinued, apparently to be replaced by trains with seating only. So in the face of rising competition from motorway coaches, rather than playing lie down beds as the one trump that coach operators cannot beat, they are attempting to emulate the mediocrity. The final decison will be anounced on 16th December
03.12.2015: TOSA visits Paris
As world leaders meet in Paris to quibble about climate change (while travelling there by plane rather than night train), the TOSA demonstrator has also found its way to the city.
Apparently it was the only all electrically driven solution presented at the event. A pity nobody could arrange to send a trolleybus! But let's hope at least that TOSA can generate some increased interest in electric traction.
TOSA article in ABB Review.
01.12.2015: Limmattalbahn: Operator to be announced this year
According to bahnhofplatz.net, the operator of Limmattalbahn is to be anounced before the end of this year. The contenders are VBZ, BDWM and SZU.
01.12.2015: Iconic Zürich bus in the news
An ex-VBZ Hochlenker or Giraff bus, converted to a mobile home, features on the SRG website. The article erroneously calls it a former Swissair airport bus. These buses mostly saw dervice on VBZ's route 62 between Schwamendingen and Oerlikon. ... (more)
30.11.2015: Referendum: Thumbs up for Limmattalbahn
The past weekend's vote delivered a massive thumbs up for Limmattalbahn (or more strictly, approval of the cantonal funding for it). 64.5% of cantonal voters said yes to the project. This is slightly down on the 66% that approved ... (more)
30.11.2015: GTZ trolleybus: the end
According to reports on bahnhofplatz.net, the era of GTZ trolleybuses has finally come to a close with the remaining buses now being out of service. The ABB/Mercedes GTZ type has served Zürich from 1986 to 2015, spanning almost 30 years ... (more)
18.11.2015: Limmattalbahn: This weekend is decision time
This weekend will see the cantonal referendum on whether Limmattalbahn can go ahead.
.
04.11.2015: A date for your diaries
04.11.2015: End of Zürich trolleybuses in Valparaíso
With delivery of ex-Luzern trolleybuses to Valparaíso complete, many of the Swiss articulated trolleybuses are surplus and likely to be scrapped. These include the ex-Zürich GTr 51 105 and 503 built 1959 and 1963 (ex VBZ 105 and 129, ... (more)
04.11.2015: Stadler acquires Vossloh's Spanish plant
A bit off topic for this newslog maybe, but seeing I've been reporting on Stadler and also touching on Spanish interest, it is of interest to see Stadler taking over Vossloh's Valencia locomotive and rolling stock plant, whose products ... (more)
28.10.2015: GTZ trolleybuses on their last legs
Use of Mercedes/ABB GTZ trolleybuses has lately been restricted to routes 34 and 46. The arrival of new diesel buses will permit them to be retired before the end of the year.
23.10.2015: VBZ posters
VBZ's latest advertising posters are nods to current events: Volkswagen's emissions testing scandal and alcohol atr the Oktoverfest. In the case of the former, it is good to see that VBZ's oldest tram type is still photogenic and presentable ... (more)
28.09.2015: Solution in sight for new tram order
The two sides in the conflict over the new tram order appear to be burying their differences. The suppliers have extended their offers to 1st July 2016.
23.09.2015: Basel: St Louis tram makes progress
The news is a bit old maybe, but following on from the extension of Basel's tram system across the border to Germany (Weil), BVB second cross-border project is making progress. Route 3 will see a 3.1 km extension to ... (more)
23.09.2015: Limmattalbahn: Aargau approves funds
The canton of Aargau approved its 178 million CHF share of the funds of Limmattalbahn in May. Limmattalbahn is the tram/light rail project that will extend from the western fringe of Zürich along the Limmat valley into the neighbouring ... (more)
23.09.2015: Depot Hard (Escher-Wyss-Platz)
Just in case you wanted to see what is going to happen to Hard depot, here is an impression of the project. Trams will continue to use the ground floor with the upper storeys being used for 221 appartments. ... (more)
03.09.2015: Restaurant tram in danger
VBZ's restaurant tram 1802 (originally an articulated protype dating to 1960) has been out of service for some time now. According to sources on bahnhofplatz.net, the car is presently stored in Oerlikon depot together with open-topped trailer 1971 (a ... (more)
24.08.2015: BDWM mixed gauge correction
In a recent news item, I claimed that BDWM's mixed gauge was now history. However, a visit to the line last week, riding on a dining special using heritage car "Sebni" (pictures here), showed the track was still intact ... (more)
13.07.2015: Mixed gauge on BDWM is finally history
As from today, train operation is suspended between Bremgarten West and Wohlen. The line will re-open as meter gauge only on 27th July.
10.07.2015: "Freedom of Panorama" threat subdued
Some days ago, I gave airspace to the issue of "Freedom of Panorama". It would appear that the threat has been laid aside. The following text is from the change.orf petition page. Jul 10, 2015 — Your voices have been ... (more)
10.07.2015: Winterthur GTZ still for sale
It would appear the ex-Winterthur GTZ trolleybuses being offered for sale by the dealership H.D. Sturm are still being advertised by them — five years on. From what I've heard, the asking price is quite high. One wonders whether ... (more)
08.07.2015: Trolleybus update
According to bahnhofplatz.net, GTZ trolleybus 131 (reported as withdrawn earlier this year) has been temporarily reinstated. This would take the number of active GTZs back to four (106, 122, 131 and 142). According to the same source and concerning VBZ's ... (more)
02.07.2015: Freedom to take photographs in danger?
The following text is from the SwissRail Yahoogroup. I take this text from another Yahoo group thinking that many of us have an eminent interest in photography. Even if it's "only in the EU", such a move would have ... (more)
01.07.2015: Photo update
I have uploaded a series of new photos, featuring last weekend's BDWM events as well as other items.
11.06.2015: BDWM: Wescht Fäscht update
Further to yesterday's report on the upcoming events to mark the end of mixed gauge on BDWM, I have learnt that due to a boiler problem, the DVZO locomotive will not be able to take part. It will be ... (more)
10.06.2015: Steam and diesel to mark end of mixed gauge on BDWM
Those who have read a bit about the history of trams and narrow gauge railways in the broader Zürich area may know that the Zürich tram network once linked to a web of interconnecting interurban trams reaching as far ... (more)
10.06.2015: Kyoto protocol supports dismantling of train services (apparently)
This newslog has in the past reported on the plight of disappearing night trains. Obviously I haven't been the only one to get annoyed about this, and the sustainable transport association, Umverkehr, has asked the federal council to answer ... (more)
10.06.2015: Cobra news
Following a succesful trial on Cobra 3027, an increasing number of Cobras are now running with a third headlight mounted behind the windscreen. This LED light should improve the visibility of the trams and reduce accidents. Cobra 3080 (one of ... (more)
10.06.2015: Zürich: Peak car is a reality
It is sometimes speculated on pro-public transport blogs that the world is approaching or maybe even at peak-car (analgously to peak oil, the point at which fewer new owners are chosing to own a car than old owners giving ... (more)
10.06.2015: Complaint update
Following my recent complaint about Swiss International Air Lines that I posted here and also on some social media sites, I have received a profuse apology over the handling of the case and an offer of compensation that is ... (more)
01.06.2015: Want to fly Swiss? Please don't!
Or the tale of an airline that won't compensate passengers who don't travel on Uber. Maybe it is that time of year that some of you, dear readers, are considering plans for your Summer holidays. Maybe you are flying to ... (more)
01.06.2015: Zürich trams in North Korea
The following page of Drehscheibe Online has fascinating pictures of ex-Zürich standard trams in Pyongyang, North Korea:
(link here)
Bahnhofplatz.net
01.06.2015: Limmattalbahn must be approved in referendum
Opponents of Limmattalbahn have colected 6,600 signatures, meaning the project must be aproved in a cantonal referednum. It is highly unlikely, however, that a majority will reject the project.
01.06.2015: More than a million passengers use free ZVV on Sunday
Yesterday's offer by ZVV offering free use of public transport was taken up by a million passengers, with the lake ships proving especially popular.
20 Minuten
28.05.2015: Tram Hardbrücke: Construction commences
Construction of Tram Hardbrücke has finally commenced.
28.05.2015: ZVV is 25 years young
ZVV, the transport executive responsible for public transport and the integrated fare and planning structure within the canton of Zürich is celbrating ist 25th anniversary this year. Among others, various vehicles have been repainted in anniversary liveries. To mark ... (more)
22.04.2015: GTZ Trolleybus update
Trollemotion reports that the active GTZ fleet is now down to three units (106, 122 and 142). Last year there were still seven. 113 and 129 were withdrawn in May and December 2014 respectively, with 137 and 131 following ... (more)
22.04.2015: Can our night trains be saved?
The latest round of night train discontinuations has led to some international mumblings and complaints, even if this is still far from an organized movement of protest. For Switzerland, the pro-public-transport organization, Umverkehr, has presented a petition to SBB ... (more)
20.03.2015: Limmatalbahn in Dietikon
Disagreement around the routing of Limmattalbahn through Dietikon appears to have been laid aside. Many locals objected to the tram being routed via the station. The proposed alternative along the main road would have sacrificed the opportunity of an ... (more)
20.03.2015: Tram Affoltern / Furrtal
The proposed tram line to Affoltern has taken a step forwards. Following evaluation of both variants (direct route from Bucheggplatz, or longer route from Oerlikon) it has been decided to adopt the direct routing via Bucheggplatz (replacing the present ... (more)
20.03.2015: NStCM: first new unit arrives
The first of the new Stadler units for NStCM has been delivered.
Swissrail Yahoogroup
20.03.2015: Trogenerbahn trains for Neuchâtel
Trogenerbahn is to increase its order (placed last year) for Stadler Tango units to 12 units (from seven). The older Stadler units 31-35 will then be sold to Neuchâtel. It had previously been suggested they might come to Forchbahn ... (more)
04.03.2015: New trams – The plot thickens
Reactions to the recently published statements concerning the problems with the new tram order have been heated. Heinz Vögeli, personnel manager of VBZ, has said these revelations are being circulated to discredit VBZ and their choice of Bombardier. It ... (more)
26.02.2015: More gloom over tram order
Various media sources have again picked up the problems around Zürich's as yet still undecided tram order. Apparently the manufacturer that is ahead in VBZ's preference is Bombardier, but the canton is not accepting this choice. Martin Weis, a ... (more)
27.01.2015: Photo update: dock crane
My latest photo update is on the dock crane that spent 2014 on Limmatquai as part of an art project.
27.01.2015: Save our night trains
This website has many times pointed to the plight of our vanishing night trains. Apparently others are also unhappy, with Blick am Abend of 20th January making it the cover story.
26.01.2015: 2014 news
All 2014 news items have been tranfered to www.proaktiva.ch/tra,/zurich/newslog/2014.html Just to summarise some of the highlights: A decison is still pending on the new tram acquisition. New tram are to be ordered to replace the earlier Tram 2000 units, but differences ... (more)