TRAM-TRAIN: MAKING NEW CONNECTIONS - TRAM-TRAIN
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Tram-train
The first section of Paris’ T11 Express
opened in June 2017; Citadis Dualis 312 at
Epinay-sur-Seine on a service bound for
Bourget. Sébastien Godefroy
Tram-Train: Making
new connections
Philippe Bernard and Derek Small from SYSTRA, and Stephen Ware from TSP Projects, a SYSTRA
company, examine the benefits of tram-train with case studies from France and the UK.
T
he announcement by Transport “The tram-train option works brilliantly for Further to this impressive expansion of
for Greater Manchester (TfGM) cities or large towns seeking to extend their its light rail system, tram-train could be a
that its strategy for the next 20 coverage via the conventional rail network. game-changer by increasing the network’s
years to expand its Metrolink Tram-train links adjacent economies by reach still further by connecting Metrolink
rapid transit network includes improving connectivity between cities. with existing rail lines outside the main
tram-train suggests that the concept is “The rolling stock can accelerate and brake conurbations.
gaining momentum. almost in the same way as a bus,” he adds. In January 2019, then-Secretary of State
Well-proven around the world, tram-train “Tram-trains can also travel at speeds of up to for Transport Chris Grayling said: “A Greater
combines the flexibility and accessibility of a 100km/h (62mph) on railway lines [tramway Manchester tram-train has the potential to
tram network with the speed of a heavy rail operational speeds are always lower]; run on seamlessly integrate our existing rail and
system, enabling passengers to get directly tramway lines as well as conventional rail tram tracks and services,” and added that the
into a city centre, shopping or business infrastructure, with certain adaptations; UK Department for Transport would work
district without having to switch modes. climb gradients of 8-10%, depending on closely with TfGM to explore such proposals.
Offering seamless interchange, it enables the chosen propulsion method; and where The transport authority is exploring the
sharing of infrastructure with conventional appropriate, operate at a minimum curve possibility on a number of routes under
rail services although tram-train vehicles radii of 25m.” the ten-year ‘Our Network’ vision outlined
(commonly derivatives of low-floor LRV by Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy
platforms) require adapted signalling and Expanding Metrolink Burnham in June 2019. Three ‘pathfinder’
power supply capacities, specific wheels, At 97.5km (60.6 miles), Greater Manchester’s routes are progressing to the business
as well as control and telecommunications Metrolink light rail network is already the case stage, designed to test the viability
technology that allows them to run on both largest in the UK, with services running on of tram-train technology: Altrincham –
light and heavy rail networks. seven lines and serving 93 stops. This will Hale; Bury – Rochdale; and Manchester
The concept has many more benefits over expand by another 5.5km (3.4 miles) in Airport – Wilmslow. It is likely that the Bury
single or mixed-mode travel, says Philippe 2020 with the opening of the new Trafford – Rochdale route would share part of the
Bernard, Director of Tram Train Projects at Park Line (see TAUT 980); an additional 27 heritage East Lancashire Railway. A wider
SYSTRA, which has designed and delivered trams are on order to bolster the existing roll-out includes routes south-east from
tram-train systems around the world: 120-strong fleet. Manchester to Marple, east to Glossop, west
www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org january 2020 / 21
Tram-train
to Wigan via Atherton, and south-west to network, utilising specially adapted Stadler An increasingly popular concept
Warrington Central. Citylink LRVs and tram tracks between Elsewhere in Europe, tram-train has
But before that can happen, TfGM says Sheffield Cathedral and Meadowhall/South performed a vital service for over 25 years.
there would need to be a trial scheme with Tinsley before crossing onto a new 170m The first tram-train service was introduced in
Network Rail to gain technical approvals. section of track (the Tinsley Chord) that Karlsruhe, Germany, as a way of increasing
If this is the case, it will need to absorb some allows the connection of 80lb tram rails to mobility by connecting the city’s tramway to
of the learning from the South Yorkshire 113lb rail tracks. The route then continues under-performing suburban rail lines while
pilot that has seen tram-trains running for another 5km (three miles) to Rotherham also taking cars out of the central areas.
on Sheffield’s Supertram network and Parkgate via Rotherham Central on the It started operating as a fully-shared
continuing on the main line railway to national rail network. system between the rail and tram operators
Rotherham since October 2018. At the moment this is still officially a pilot in 1992, and improved service frequencies
This government-funded pilot programme scheme, with SYPTE monitoring customer and additional tram stops near residential
is a partnership between South Yorkshire satisfaction, passenger numbers and areas saw ridership grow rapidly. The system
Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE), reliability. If successful, the tram-train section has expanded significantly since then, with
which owns the tram infrastructure in will continue to run as a local service and any passengers now able to travel from towns
Sheffield; Network Rail, which owns the lessons learned will be used to inform other such as Baden-Baden, 30km (18.6 miles)
national rail infrastructure; Stagecoach, potential tram-train projects in the UK. away, directly to destinations in central
which operates Supertram services; and rail The innovative South Yorkshire service carried Karlsruhe without having to change modes.
franchise holder Northern Rail. over a million passengers in its first year, and The success of the ‘Karlsruhe model’ has led
Stagecoach currently operates three tram- this success has led to the exploration of the other European city regions to introduce tram-
train services per hour on this section of the feasibility of other routes across the region. train networks, including those in Alicante,
Metrolink's Altrincham terminus; Transport for Greater Manchester is
exploring the potential of extending Metrolink services to Hale using the
adjacent railway (platforms on the far right). Neil Pulling
Stadler Citylink 399203 traverses the Tinsley Chord on 25 November 2018,
opening day of the UK’s tram-train pilot scheme. Tinsley Chord is the vital
connection between tramway and main line railway. Neil Pulling
France’s first tram-train line,
T4, is soon to be extended by
a 6.5km branch from Gargan
station; an SNCF-operated
Siemens Avanto pictured at
Gargan in 2014. Neil Pulling
22 / january 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org
THE BENEFITS OF TRAM-TRAIN
Haluchère-Batignolles station in Nantes is an For users: ore effective
M reater operational
G he possibility of
T
important transport hub, served by the city’s trams, Reduced travel times use of resources flexibility according using non-electrified
trains and tram-trains. Neil Pulling Single ticket journeys (for example, to the time of day lines or those that
Higher frequencies reorganisation of One operator per cannot be electrified
Easier access local bus networks) vehicle and one driver Participation in the
Saarbrucken, Kassel, Paris, Aarhus, Den Haag
A n alternative to the Reduced operating training programme reduction of gas and
and Utrecht; it is also being considered as
car for suburban- costs and energy noise emissions
part of the South Wales rail network upgrade urban journeys consumption For the environment:
programme. Significant expansion is planned compared to heavy rail Re-use and For the community:
in France and Germany, and the concept has For operators: I ntegration of sharing of existing Reduction in delays
been introduced in the US. A n increase in the stabling and infrastructure linked to traffic jams,
SYSTRA has designed and delivered many zones covered by the maintenance (bridges, tunnels, road maintenance
tram-train projects including those in Aarhus, transport offer facilities stops, depots) and incidents
Denmark, and Mulhouse and Nantes-
Châteaubriant in France. “All of The Greater Paris region currently has four
these schemes have a common goal: to extend “The tram-train option tram-train routes either already in operation
the existing urban transport network into the or under construction. The oldest is the
surrounding region”, says Mr Bernard.
works brilliantly for cities T4 line between Bondy – Aulnay-sous-Bois
Despite this expansion, there are currently
no international standards for tram-train
or large towns seeking in the north-east of the city. France’s first
tram-train line, the former low-frequency
design or operation. Many cities still use
the original rules developed for Karlsruhe
to extend their coverage regional commuter line that dates from
1875, was converted to tram-train operation
as a yardstick to measure a proposed via the conventional with new Siemens rolling stock, increased
scheme’s viability. Recent years have seen frequencies and additional stops. It opened
moves towards standardisation of vehicles rail network.” in November 2006.
however, with the Verband Deutscher In mid-December 2019 a 6.5km (four-mile)
Verkehrsunternehmen (Association of Stephen Ware, Senior Project Manager extension is to open, linking directly into
German Transport Companies, or VDV) at TSP Projects, a SYSTRA company, who the national rail network by branching off
leading an ‘alliance’ of operators and worked on the South Yorkshire pilot, says at Gargan station at the line’s approximate
authorities looking at opportunities for joint this is one reason why the Meadowhall – mid-point. The cost of the new 11-stop line
procurement to reduce costs by up to EUR1m Rotherham route was chosen: “The existing is estimated at EUR270m (GBP230m) for
per vehicle (see TAUT 968, 977 and 981). railway runs very close to the tram network, infrastructure work and a further EUR100m
Mr Bernard says tram-train works so we could put a short link in from one (GBP86m) for additional rolling stock, Citadis
particularly well in cities or regions where piece of infrastructure to the other, Dualis vehicles supplied by Alstom. Funded
there is disused or underused conventional and provide benefits to various places on approximately 86% by the Île-de-France
rail infrastructure, or those operating the route.” region and the State, and 14% by national
vehicles on semi-urban equipment with rail operator SNCF, the vehicle and
multiple level crossings and stops. Paris and its suburbs operational costs are being financed by
He explains that it is cost-effective as long One city-region that has embraced Paris transport authority Île de France
as it can be done without needing to build tram-train very successfully is Paris. Mobilités (formerly known as STIF –
significant new infrastructure: “Tram-train While the city’s Metro is undergoing Syndicat des Transports d’Île-de-France –
is an economically-attractive solution as massive expansion under the EUR22.6bn until its rebranding in 2017).
long as the programme is limited to the (GBP19.3bn) Grand Paris Express programme In the meantime, another new section
redevelopment of an existing line and does – four new lines totalling over 200km of tram-train has started operating in the
not impact too much on its surroundings, (over 125 miles) to be delivered by 2030 – northern suburbs: the T11 Express. This 10.6km
and providing that levels of availability and tram-train is seen as the best way to open (6.6-mile) line between Epinay-sur-Seine –
reserves of equipment have been defined at up under-served suburban areas and Le Bourget opened in July 2017 and serves
the early stages of the project and shared encourage people to use public transport seven stations and was created by laying two
with the transport operating authorities.” through new rail-based connections. new tracks along an existing freight alignment.
www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org january 2020 / 23
Tram-train
SYSTRA teams have been heavily involved in the
design and engineering of the EUR306.7m T13 tram-
train line in Paris’ western suburbs. This is due to
open in 2023. SYSTRA
by franchised companies, often with more
than one franchisee operating on the same
lines; trams may be either privately or
publicly-operated; and different regulators
and bodies oversee everything from safety
to ticket pricing. “There is no worldwide
way of implementing tram-train,” says
France’s only true tram-train operation, Siemens Avanto 23 is seen about to join the main line railway section SYSTRA Engineering Director Derek Small.
north of Lutterbach, heading to Thann. Neil Pulling “And there is no one way of doing it in the
UK, because no two tramways are the same
The T11 Express, originally known as the “Integration into an in the UK. Every system is bespoke, so the
Tangentielle Nord or Tram-Express Nord, is application of tram-train is bespoke.”
eventually planned to become a 28km existing network is Because of this, Mr Bernard says it is
(17.4-mile) route between Sartrouville in the vital that all the main players are involved
north-west of Paris and Noisy-le-Sec to the the most complex issue at the earliest possible stage: “The method
east. The project is being co-ordinated by the employed to maintain and operate the line
Île-de-France region, Île de France Mobilités,
and must be fully must be accurately defined from the very
SNCF and the municipalities of Seine Saint-
Denis and Val d’Oise, with the EUR603m
understood from the start and, if possible, validated by those who
will work on it in their respective areas.”
(GBP517m) cost split between Ile-de-France
(47%), central government (27%), SNCF (24%),
preliminary design phase.” Mr Ware says this is one of the lessons that
must be learned from the South Yorkshire
Seine Saint-Denis (2%) and Val d’Oise (1%). pilot programme: “When working with
This line is also served by Citadis Dualis The importance of collaboration two separate operators that have different
vehicles, and like T4 is operated by SNCF and The introduction of tram-train in France is requirements, such as signalling, it can be a
its subsidiaries. not limited to Paris, says Mr Bernard: “Other challenge to make it work. On the Sheffield
Also under construction is the T13 Express projects are scheduled to be launched across system we worked with the two operators
line in the western suburbs. Being built in the country in the coming years to enable the to ensure that the project was completed
phases, the first 18.8km (11.7-mile) section gradual replacement of lines currently served and the tram-train operated successfully.
brings tram-train services from the existing by regional express trains, or to reopen lines That may not always be the case on other
RER station at Saint-Cyr to Noisy-le-Roi on with a conventional rail system abandoned schemes unless parties go the extra mile
a currently-disused segment of the Grande due to low levels of use.” to ensure requirements are co-ordinated
Ceinture (GC) freight route, and from Noisy Mr Bernard, Project Director of France’s effectively”.
to Saint-Germain GC on a section that first tram-train (the T4 line between Bondy Moving forwards with future tram-train
currently carries passenger traffic. and Aulnay-sous-Bois) and also involved in projects, Mr Ware believes that for a smooth
Around 4km (2.5 miles) of new the T11 and similar schemes in Mulhouse, and successful operation all parties need to
infrastructure is being built to join Saint- Bordeaux line C and Nantes – Châteaubriant, work collaboratively together, dovetailing
Germain GC to an interchange with RER Line says every new project comes with its own their programmes and requirements to
A at Saint-Germain-en-Laye; six new stations specific technical and operational challenges. deliver a streamlined solution.
are being built with a further five being However, they all have a ‘transition zone’ Experience in other countries shows that,
refurbished. The new route is due to go into where the operating, power supply, signalling if all of these issues can be ironed out, tram-
service in 2021 with ridership predicted at and telecommunication systems are train is an extremely attractive proposition
21 000 passengers/day. changed if the infrastructure necessitates it. with many benefits for municipalities,
The EUR306.7m (GBP263m) project is “Integration into an existing network – and operators and passengers alike.
being financed by Île-de-France (53.2%), especially the definition of its transition As Philippe Bernard concludes: “Tram-
the municipality of Yvelines (30%) and zone – is the most complex issue the project train constitutes an economical transport
the central government (16.8%). Île-de- faces and must be fully understood from the system in terms of cost, investment,
France Mobilités is financing the EUR68.4m preliminary design phase,” he says. maintenance and operation, and enables
(GBP58.65m) purchase of tram-train vehicles As most countries use different bodies to passengers to travel safely from the city
(again of the Citadis Dualis type, ordered in regulate heavy rail and urban tram or light centre to surrounding cities several dozen
a joint procurement for T12 in 2018). In the rail operation, he adds: “The main challenges kilometres miles away – the potential for the
longer term, a northern extension to Achères exist in getting these two different worlds UK is huge.”
via Poissy is planned, taking passenger to co-habit, so they communicate and
numbers up to 40 000 a day. co-operate during design phases, and are
A further route, the T12 Express, is under compatible in operation and maintenance.” Have your say...
construction between Évry-Courcouronnes – The UK regulatory and operational ive us your views on
G
Massy-Palaiseau RER stations to the south of landscape is more complex than most. the role of tram-train
Paris. This 20km (12.4-mile) route, with Different organisations own the rail and simon@mainspring.co.uk
16 stops, is due to open in 2022. tram infrastructure; rail services are operated
24 / january 2020 www.tautonline.com . www.lrta.org
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