Toronto’s Eglinton Crosstown LRT project delayed
CANADA: Completion of Toronto’s Eglinton Crosstown light rail line will be further delayed, transport agency Metrolinx has announced.
Auckland light rail development contract awards
NEW ZEALAND: Contracts are being awarded for further planning and development of the proposed Auckland light rail project.
Updated scenarios boost virtual reality tram safety tool
UK: Additional scenarios reflecting real-life incidents and changes to the highway code have been added to a virtual reality hazard perception tool which light rail operators can use for training and as part of their recruitment processes.
Germany: Farm shop concept spurs freight tram revival
Initially developed as a student project, a mobile ‘farm shop’ retail and freight service using a converted tram-train is being proposed for use on the regional rail network around Karlsruhe. This in turn could offer a more viable business model for other cargo tram initiatives.
Denver rail site visits now open to book ahead of SmartTransit West
NORTH AMERICA: On October 24, attendees to SmartTransit West being hosted by Railway Gazette Group in Denver, Colorado, will be offered the opportunity to join an exclusive tour provided by local operator RTD giving insight into the challenges of the day to day maintenance of rail vehicles.
Tram for Latvia highlights Croatian capabilities
INNOTRANS: One of the TMK 2300 LT low-floor trams which Croatian manufacturer Končar is supplying to Liepāja was displayed at InnoTrans before delivery to Latvia.
Active steering tested on Swiss tram
SWITZERLAND: Zürich start-up Traila has demonstrated a prototype sensor-based active steering system which is designed to significantly reduce the friction between tram wheels and rails, reducing noise, wear and dust.
Warsolino tram beats energy efficiency targets
INNOTRANS: Hyundai Rotem is showing one the 123 Warsolino low-floor trams ordered for Warsazwa in what operator Tramwaje Warszawskie said was the largest tram contract ever signed in Poland.
‘Most modern and innovative tram in Germany’ unveiled
INNOTRANS: Launch customer HEAG Mobilo of Darmstadt has unveiled the first TINA tram, which Stadler has designed from scratch as its next generation of light rail vehicle.
Timișoara tram battery offers 70 km of off-wire operation
INNOTRANS: Turkish manufacturer Bozankaya is showing one of its custom designed trams for Timișoara, the first trams to be built new for the Romanian city in 50 years.
Tram designed to meet high specifications of three-city network
INNOTRANS: Škoda has unveiled the prototype for the fleet of custom-designed ForCity Smart 36T trams ordered by Rhein-Neckar transport authority RNV for the metre-gauge network serving the three cities of Mannheim, Ludwigshafen and Heidelberg.
Nürnberg Avenio tram to enter service this year
INNOTRANS: Nürnberg operator VAG expects to put the first of its Siemens Mobility Avenio trams into service by Christmas.
ABB to expand portfolio with acquisition of PowerTech Converter
GERMANY: ABB is to acquire PowerTech Converter, which supplies auxiliary power converters for light rail vehicle and metro train onboard systems such as HVAC, lighting, safety equipment, doors and battery charging.
Praha tram depot rebuilding gets underway
CZECH REPUBLIC: Main construction works have begun for a KC1·9bn project to rebuild the tram stabling and repair depot at Hloubětín in Praha.