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31.12.2016: 2017 newslog
I apologize that I have lapsed on adding news. The recent quietness has less to do with the lack of newsworthy items than it has to do with my lack of time. I hope to catch up on this in January. For now I am closing the 2016 section and opening that for 2017.
23.11.2016: Second ex-Winterthur GTZ in service in Kramatorsk
According to transphoto.ru, the second of the two ex-Winterthur GTZ trolleybuses that found their way to the Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk has entered service there. Kramatorsk 0202 is ex-Winterhur 161 (0201 is ex 151)
30.10.2016: Sernftalbahn comes home
A dream comes true. Ex Sernftal BDe 4/4 number 6 has come home to Engi Vorderdorf, where it will form part of a museum display on the closed Sernftal railway. Sister car 7 will join it next year after a trip to Romania for asbestos removal.
The two units last saw service with the Austrian Atterseebahn. They were withdrawn there in September.
26.09.2016: Train Urbain du Tana update
The project of creating an urban passenger railway in the Antananarivo area (Madagascar) is still alive. Or at least this is what is suggested by an article published in Midi Madagasikara as recently as 19th August of this year.
In 2004 the idea was hatched of setting up this service using second-hand equipment from Forchbahn and other Swiss narrow-gauge railways, adding generators to permit operation on this unelectrified line. Although the equipment did reach the island in 2006, things went quiet after that as the dream ran out of momentum. The article states that the project is being held up by disputes over illegal buildings on the right of way. All equipment is in stored in Soarano station. An operation in two to three years time is considered possible.
I am assuming the photograph accompanying the article is a stock photograph, and not representative of the trains they are proposing to use.
23.09.2016: Night trains: ÖBB presents Nightjet
Following up on previous reports on ÖBB taking over some of DB's night train services from Switzerland, ÖBB has finally put an end to the speculation. Their existing night train network is being rebranded Nightjet (following on from their railjet brand for modern daytime intercity trains). The trains will be painted in a dark blue livery. Furthermore, three ex DB routes are being taken over, two of them starting in Austria and the third being Basel to Hamburg. This would imply that the train is being curtailed to Basel instead of Zürich and also that the Amsterdam, Berlin and Prague services are definitely being discontinued.
Neverthless it is good to see ÖBB break and unpleasant trend here. I wish them every success.
21.09.2016: Basel: Standard Tram update
Updating on a previous report on the Swissrail Yahoogroup (update dated yesterday), there are now only four Be 4/4 Standard Trams remaining in service in Basel: 466, 472, 475 and 476.
13.09.2016: HESS trolleybus update
The following is taken from trolleymotion (comments are my own). The recently announced joint order by Bern and Biel is worth 28 million CHF for the Bern part (16 single and 7 double-articulated trolleybuses) and 10 million for the Biel ... (more)
12.09.2016: Ex Sernftal units to return home
In 2014, this newslog reported on the plan to repatriate the two ex-Sernftal units in use on the Atterseebahn in Austria. These units are almost identical to 9 and 10 of Forchbahn. This dream is now coming true. The ... (more)
09.09.2016: King Pjotr Kraska is dead
Maybe not immediately connected to the topic of this newslog, but concerning Zürich trams in a cultural sense: Pjotr Kraska, oddball and self proclaimed "King of Zürich and Bilbao" is dead. Kraska was an artist conncted to the Dada ... (more)
09.09.2016: Waldenburgerbahn to go driverless
Basel's BLT is taking over Waldenburgerbahn, and converting it from 750 mm to meter gauge, but they're not stopping there. The next step will be to convert it to automatic (driverless) operation. BLT is consulting with experts and supplier ... (more)
08.09.2016: Driverless buses in Sion
(Sorry to be late in reporting this one). Driverless battery buses are being tested in Sion. The little buses plod along under computrer control at a maximum of 20km/h and can be stopped by passengers in case of an ... (more)
08.09.2016: French night trains
In February this newslog reported that all French night trains but two were to be discontinued from 1st July. That hasn't quite happened yet, but the reprieve seems to be temporary. In many cases operating days are reduced and ... (more)
08.09.2016: Electric bus future
According to a VBZ press release, commencing in October, a battery bus will be tested on VBZ's midibus routes / ligher local bus routes (these are the 35, 38, 39, 40, 64, 73, 79 and 307). The demonstrator is ... (more)
08.09.2016: Bern and Biel order Hess trolleybuses
Following a joint tendering process, Bern and Biel are awarding the supply of 33 new trolleybuses to Hess. Bern is acquiring 16 single-articulated and 7 double-articulated units replacing their entire current fleet (20 Swisstrolley 2, delivered between 1997 and ... (more)
08.09.2016: Basel: Tango deliveries complete
With the delivery of the 38th tango tram in late August, delivery of this order to BLT is complete.
07.09.2016: Old photos on Drehscheibe Online
An interesting find on Drehscheibe Online is this page with stunning black and white pictures from the Zürich region in the 1967 by Urs Nötzli. Of interest to tram enthusiasts is this view of a Forchbahn Be4/4 9 (still ... (more)
18.08.2016: Basel: End nigh for standard trams
The Swiss Standard Tram, first introduced in the late 1930s was at one time ubuiquitous across Switzerland's tram systems. Basel was destined to become their last stronmghold, but with new Flexity trams entering service there, the type is entering ... (more)
17.08.2016: Trolleybus and battery bus
According to a report on Trolleymotion, VBZ trolleybus 160 that was demonstrated in Lausanne from 19th to 25th July is the first of the VBZ trolleybuses formerly equipped with auxiliary diesels to be re-equipped with a battery pack (the ... (more)
29.07.2016: ÖBB to take over many German night trains
This newslog has previously reported oin the imminent threat to Germany's CNL (City Night Line) services, and also on the possibility that ÖBB (Austrian Railways) step in to save some of them. An article in Handelsblatt says the final ... (more)
28.07.2016: How to speed up trams
An old article, and one I had been meaning to post but that somehow slipped my mind. According to this January article from Tages Anzeiger, the average speed of trams in Zürich is 15.6km/h, with downward tendency. The slowest ... (more)
28.07.2016: Trolleybus news
According to the recently published annual report of VBZ, the electrification of bus routes 69 and 80 is still being pursued, with planning in progress and an application for federal support being prepared. The proposed connection of trolleybus routes ... (more)
27.07.2016: What future for named trams?
A number of Tram 2000s, especially of the first series, are named after neighbourhoods of the city of Zürich (a list can be found here). An article in Züriberg, cited on bahnhofplatz.net explains that the namings were actually sponsored ... (more)
21.07.2016: Pedaler trams
The lightweight variant of the Swiss Standard Tram, known in Zürich as Pedaler was delivered to Zürich in three batches. The first batch, 1501-18 entered service between 1941 and 1946. They were followed by a second batch numbered 1519-50 ... (more)
20.07.2016: VBZ trolleybus trialled in Lausanne
Zürich trolleybus 160 is being trialled in Lausanne from 19th to 25th July. The purpose of the trials will be to observe the vehicle's performance with respect to its battery. The present Lausanne fleet all have auxiliary engines rather ... (more)
18.07.2016: Tram Hardbrücke progress
On my way home from work today, I took a number of pictures of construction of Tram Hardbrücke.
Click on photo to view series, or here for index.
18.07.2016: TOSA order for Genève
Back in 2013, this newslog reported on the TOSA demonstration bus in Geneva. This innovative electric bus uses strategically placed "flash charging" stations along the route to top up its batteries. This means battery size can be limited to ... (more)
18.07.2016: New tram oder: more on Siemens' appeal
More information has become available on Siemens' appeal against the awarding of the order to Bombardier. Siemens is claiming its offer was 3.56 million CHF per tram, about 20 percent less than Bombardier's 4.28 million. If the option of 70 ... (more)
14.07.2016: Basel / Weil: Validity of tickets on Weil line
In 2014, this newslog reported on confusion surrounding validity of tickets on the Germany section of the cross-border tram route from Basel to Weil. As from the timetable switch in December the rules will change again: Generalabo and Halbtax ... (more)
08.07.2016: BDWM will operate Limmattalbahn
It has been announced that Limmattalbahn, the light rail link extending from the tram system on Zürich's western suburbs along the Limmat valley and into the neighbouring canton of Aargau will be operated by BDWM. VBZ and SZU had ... (more)
08.07.2016: Winterthur: Former tram depot saved
Back in 2014, this newslog briefly reported on attempts to save Winterthur's Deutweg bus and trolleybus depot, which had in its original incarnation been the town's tram depot. Following a long campaign and legal battles, the town has now ... (more)
06.07.2016: In case anybody is in Freiburg ...
In case any of my readers are in or visiting Freiburg this Friday (8th July), I am holding a talk on trams and rails of Alicante for Freunde der Freiburger Strassenbahn.
17.06.2016: Landrovers and rails
A bit off topic, and rather out of the ordinary. The Etzwillen - Ramsen heritage railway has had an unusual visiting locomotive in the form of a Landrover that pulled three coaches in a publicity move. Readers understanding the physics ... (more)
17.06.2016: Another great map resource
Good maps showing tramways can be a source of great pleasure in exploring known and unknown systems. The Internet has brought a number of interesting map resources, some of which I have discussed on the newslog in the past ... (more)
08.06.2016: Glattalbahn takes the strain
I don't normally use this newslog to report on passing incidents and accidents, but yesterday's were something out of the ordinary. The SBB main line between Zürich Oerlikon and the airport was closed due to a fire in an ... (more)
01.06.2016: Update on appeal against Flexity procurement
More details have emerged on the appeals against VBZ's Flexity order. The Siemens trams would have cost 3.56 million CHF each whereas the winning Bombardier tram came in at 4.28 million. However, the decison is based 50 percent on ... (more)
01.06.2016: Gotthard base tunnel opens today
Today is the grand opening of Switzerland's biggest rail project of the last decades: The Gotthard Base Tunnel.
01.06.2016: Siemens and Stadler appeal against Flexity order
Siemens and Stadler have appealed against the awarding of Zürich's new tram order to Bombardier. Siemens is claiming its offer was about 50 million cheaper in acquisition and some 200 million in terms of lifetime costs, and that furthermore ... (more)
25.05.2016: Flexity won't squeal
Following on from last week's news item that Flexity would squeal more than Cobra on account of its return to fixed axles (but still less than Tram 2000), it has now been explained how Bombardier will achieve this. ... (more)
25.05.2016: Flexity can be a shapeshifter
Presumably following criticism of the aesthetics of the Flexity design presented, VBZ has explained that this is only an initial suggestion and that the details are still being refined in discussions between VBZ and Bombardier.
25.05.2016: Details from Kramatorsk
The ex-Winterthur GTZ trolleybus 0201 (ex 152) in service in Kramtorsk entered service there on 9th May. Sister vehicle 161 has not yet entered service. More updates and links to news items on http://transphoto.ru/city/157/ .
19.05.2016: Memories of the Augsburg Flexity demonstrator
With all the news on the Flexity order, there is a lot of excitement as to what the new tram will look and feel like in service in Zürich. Not totally representative of course, but worth recalling is the ... (more)
19.05.2016: Night trains: ÖBB to the rescue?
Here is an item that has been in my inbox for some time but that I somehow didn't manage to post. Despite DB's announcement to shut down it's night train system, not all is doom and gloom. At least the ... (more)
19.05.2016: Is Flexity bad for track?
A comment on bahnforum.ch concurs with my own observations on the excessive axle loading of the Flexity tram. The comment links to a newspaper article (in Limmattaler Zeitung going back almost a year, but prophetically featuring a Flexity picture) ... (more)
18.05.2016: Kramatorsk: ex-Winterthur GTZ in service
According to transphoto.ru, ex-Winterthur 152 is now in service as Kramatorsk 0201.
18.05.2016: Even more on Flexity for Zürich
Another newspaper article on yesterday's Flexity announcement. The NZZ article (link here) offers a slightly different view (no snarky comments on wheels squealing, but a nod to history and the tram museum at the end. Also of interest is ... (more)
18.05.2016: More on Flexity for Zürich, and squealing wheels
Today's edition of Tages Anzeiger has more information on the Flexity order (article here). The headline states that trams will "squeal again". In contrast to Cobra, which has individual wheels, Flexity will have axles again. However, according to the ... (more)
18.05.2016: Flexity for Zürich
More information has been released on Bombardier's Flexity 2 trams for Zürich, including artist's impressions. The trams are to be Be 6/8 and 43m long, so approximately the same as a Tram 2000 coupled pair. Capacity would be 90 seated ... (more)
17.05.2016: Bombardier to supply new Zürich tram
At long last, the winner has been announced.
The supplier of the new generation of Zürich trams is Bombardier. 70 Flexity trams will be delivered between 2018 and 2023 with an option for up to 70 more.
More details to follow.
14.04.2016: Bern and Biel to order new trolleybuses
Bern and Biel are seeking tenders for a joint order for new trolleybuses. In total 24 trolleybuses are being sought (plus options). Of these 14 will go to Bernmobil to replace their current fleet of 20. These will furthermore ... (more)
12.04.2016: Pedaler 1517 joins Tram Museum collection
Pedaler (lightweight Swiss Standard Tram) number 1517 has for a long time been on display on the grounds of Wagerenhof in Uster. The car has now been adopted by Tram Museum Zürich for their strategic reserve and moved to ... (more)
12.04.2016: Former Uetlibergbahn cars become restaurant in Winterthur
The former Uetliberg cars Ce 2/2, C 41 and D 311 are now a restaurant in Winterthur. See www.leswagons.ch for more information.
11.04.2016: Further international trains gone
Despite politicians claims to be supporting international rail travel, the network of international trains is continuing to shrink. The last trains linking Switzerland to Belgium, The Eurocities Vauban and Iris ran for the last time on April 2nd. To ... (more)
11.04.2016: Appenzellerbahn orders new trains
Appenzellerbahn has ordered 4 new trains from Stadler for 36 million CHF. The trains are similar to those on order for Nyon–St-Cergue–Morez and Transports Publics Fribourgeois and will be used on the Durchmesserlinie with through running onto Trogenerbahn.
11.04.2016: 1802's last trip
Further to my recent report on the demise of restaurant car 1802, here is a film of it leaving Altstetten (by Specki65).
08.04.2016: Bern: Ostermundigen says yes to tram
Overturning their no vote of 2014, and echoing the similar reversal on the Tram Bern West project in 2008, the population of Ostermundigen have approved their tram with 55.6 percent. Berner Zeitung Now if only Bern's planners could learn to get ... (more)
31.03.2016: The GTZ trolleybuses are no more
Late last year this newslog reported on the demise of the last GTZ trolleybuses. Trolleymotion reports that 106, 122 and 142 were withdrawn on 13.11.2015, with 131 going a day earlier. The latter had accumulated the remarkable mileage of ... (more)
29.02.2016: Bad news for French night trains
It just doesn't stop getting worse for Europe's night trains. The already heavily decimated SNCF system is to stop all night trains from 1st July except Paris-Briancon, Paris-Rodez and Paris-Latour de Carol. The present Corail rolling stock is apparently ... (more)
29.02.2016: SZU: Be 8/8 go for scrap
With the delivery of the new Uetliberg trains for SZU, older units are being disposed of. Sets 31 and 32 were a pair of two-car units delivered in 1978 by SWS and Siemens. Similar trains were built as a ... (more)
29.02.2016: Winterthur GTZ in Kramatorsk
Found on Youtube: a short piece from Kramatorsk, with some shots of the ex-Winterthur trolleybuses.
29.02.2016: Basel: BLT trams go to Beograd
The last of BLT's Be4/6 of the series 101-115 (built 1971-6) were withdrawn at the end of last year. 13 of these have gone to Begrad for further service. 101 and 113 were previously scarpped due to accident damage. ... (more)
29.02.2016: WSB seeks new rolling stock
WSB has issued a tended to acquire new trains. The tender is for 6 2-car sets or 5 3-car sets.
Schweizer Eisenbahn Revue 2/16
29.02.2016: Restaurant tram is no more
Former articulated tram protoytpe (whose development eventually led to the Mirage type) and later restaurant tram number 1802 is no more. After it was deemed that a repair of the defective motor was not economic, the remains of this ... (more)
29.02.2016: St Gallen Durchmesserlinie
Sankt Gallen is building a new cross-city connection that will permit through-working between Trogenerbahn and Appenzellerbahn, with the approach of the latter into Sankt Gellen being realigned using a tunnel to avoid the rack section. The project should be ... (more)
29.02.2016: Basel: Weil tram to extend further?
2025 planning in Basel proposes to extend the cross-border line to Weil beyond its present terminus at the station to Läublinpark, and in a longer term horizon beyond that along Römerstrasse and to the Hohe Strasse area. The town ... (more)
29.02.2016: Basel: track scrubber scrapped
Xe 4/4 2330, delivered in 1995 was scrapped in October 2015. The relatively modern vehicle had long been plagued with various teething troubles. It has been replaced by a road vehicle.
Tram 125 02-04.16
29.02.2016: Limmattalbahn: To Baden ... and beyond?
Soon work will begin on Limmattalbahn, a tram line extending from Zürich's western suburbs along the Limmat valley to Killwangen. But ambitions do not stop there: Communities further West have long been toying with the idea of extending the ... (more)
22.01.2016: Douglas horse trams to end
The world famous horse tram along the promenade in Douglas is set to end after 140 years. A very sad day for trams.
www.manxradio.com/news/isle-of-man-news/end-of-the-line-for-the-horse-trams/
A petition has been launched here
20.01.2016: Progress in tram acquisition
Zürich's new tram acquisition process, which has been seriously delayed following differences between VBZ and ZVV over who is to provide a second opinion on the evaluation of the tenders, has taken an important step forwards. Both sides have ... (more)
20.01.2016: Kramatorsk: Two GTZ trolleybuses to be trialled
Two ex-Winterthur GTZ trolleybuses were presented in Kramatorsk yesterday (numbers 161 and 152). The trolleybuses have not been bought by Kramatorsk but will be trialled for three months pending a decision.
15.01.2016: Limmattalbahn and trolleybus
Construction of Limmattalbahn is set to begin in 2017, with the first section (extension of city tram route 2 to Schlieren) to open in 2019. Trolleybus route 31, which presently serves this route, will be cut back from Schlieren ... (more)
14.01.2016: Bern: Trolleybus reaches Holligen
Here is one I missed earlier. Bern's trolleybus system celebrated an extension on 13th December when route 11 was extended to Holligen. The 700m extension serves Inselspital. A further 600m extension is planned that will take this route to ... (more)
13.01.2016: Ex Winterthur GTZ in Kramatorsk
A correspondent has made me aware of the appearance of ex Winterthur GTZ trolleybus 161 in Kramatorsk (Ukraine). The trolleybus is believed to be for use in Kramatorsk or Mariupol.
11.01.2016: Videos: Schwamendingen subway and ETR 470
I have uploaded two new videos to Youtube. One shows the illuminated Schwamendingen subway (news item here) and the other recently withdrawn ex-Cisalpino ETR 470 Pendolini in Kaiseraugst.
08.01.2016: Fire in Schwamendingen tunnel
At about 5am on 31st December, emergency services attended to a fire in an electrical cabinet in the Schwamendingen tram subway between Milchbuck and Tierspital. Although tram operation was resumed later that day, the fire had taken out the ... (more)
08.01.2016: 2015 news
A Happy New Year to all readers. For those who read these news items on the www.proaktiva.ch/tram/zurich/newslog/newslog.html page, as every year, the previous news items have been moved to a separate page, which for 2015 is http://www.proaktiva.ch/tram/zurich/newslog/2015.html. For those reading ... (more)