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CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » General Edinburgh
Tram latest
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Posted 11 years ago #
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Meanwhile, in Rotherham, UK’s First Tram-Train Project Coming Along (just to prove it can be done, where there's a will!)
Tram-train has the potential of bringing low cost light rail to Gorgie, Slateford, Craiglockart, Morningside, Blackford, Cameron Toll, Niddrie and The Jewel and thus should be looked at with an optimistic view from all sides.
Posted 11 years ago # -
"Tram-train has the potential of bringing low cost light rail to Gorgie ... "
If only!
"
The concept of Tram Train is a vehicle that operates as a tram on the tramway and a train on heavy rail, offering a seamless journey to the passenger into the heart of city centres and relieving capacity from mainline stations while taking the passengers where they want to go. The first Tram Train was in Karlsruhe, Germany, in the early 1990s and has spread successfully to several other European cities – but not yet to the UK.
...
In 2016, the project will deliver the operation of Tram Trains...
"
So some years before there is even a UK pilot to evaluate.
Posted 11 years ago # -
A train through Slateford via the old line past Harrison Park would do me very nicely thank you but for that to work they'd have to re-lay lines on the western approach road and possibly bulldoze a few houses...
Posted 11 years ago # -
I still don't "get" the existance of the WAR as a dual carriageway from-to nowhere that bans cyclists and has no pavement.
There's oodles of room and it connects well with existing paths. Wouldn't even need to unsmooth the traffic flow gods.
Would make a wonderful Haymarket bypass route to run a nice 2-way cycleroute down the northside (Dalry baths) verge. Connections to Morrison Link/Haymarket, Telfer Subway, Canal.
With a little bit of work could also connect on to the old Caledonian Mainline as mentioned above by Spytfyre.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Not to mention it's mostly 30mph along behind the cinema too
Posted 11 years ago # -
"
@SpokesLothian: Apply by 8 Nov for Transport for Ed Board, runs tram & buses http://t.co/dQ1gpl8EGg @CyclingEdin @TransformScot @CyclingSurgeon @Cyclelaw1"
Posted 11 years ago # -
Hmm, they are looking for people with "A proven track record in business at Board level as an Executive or Non‐Executive Director" - or "jobs for the boys", as it's known in these parts.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Spytfyre's train would go along the nearly pointless Tarmac track (presumably for access for train engineers) through Shandon, under the bridge along the edge of Harrison gardens behind the houses, out at Dundee St. Over the metal bridge and down onto the western approach stopping at Platform 1 of the Caledonian Hotel. simple.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Thread title doesn't specify city, so:
Posted 11 years ago # -
At least they should know how not to do it. They'll know to hire an experienced and professional tram route development team, make plenty of space for safe cycling, run the route from/to/through major traffic generators (e.g. hospitals and railway stations), buy standard off-the-shelf trams, etc. All the things they didn't do in Edinburgh.
Posted 11 years ago # -
In the piece criticising the bus chair for living in London, which I do think is rather a creative way to find a chair, the commenters criticise or remark that Lesley Hinds does not live in her constituency but I would say that is unfair as you can take the girl out of muirhouse
Posted 11 years ago # -
"
The power switch will be flicked on overhead power lines from the Bankhead tram stop to York Place on November 19, sending power surging through the entire eight-mile route for the first time."
Posted 11 years ago # -
There used to be a chap cycled with a big ladder along the Stenhouse path, I haven't been down that way lately but if he is still carrying said ladder on his shoulder he better watch out for the cables
Posted 11 years ago # -
He'd be better watching out for pot-holes if he's carrying a ladder while on his bike :o)
Posted 11 years ago # -
He used to go at a very sedate pace looking for potholes for sure, but on the cycle path
Posted 11 years ago # -
I think he'll be fairly safe from electrocution. The ladders won't be extended, so will be about 10-11ft closed.
If he has a mishap, they'll tumble to the ground - unless he's hurtling along at a good lick, lets the front of said ladders slowly droop until they're skimming the path, the leading end inadvertently goes into a pothole and he gets catapulted into the air a la pole vault, comes to rest sideways over both cables, there's a massive blue flash and a wee poof and the whole "network" will grind to a halt.
Fanciful, you say? Not a bit of it - I've seen the risk assessments which cover every possible eventuality. They're not being made public though.Posted 11 years ago # -
Relieved as he goes very slowly and carefully avoiding katapulting risk of potholes
Posted 11 years ago # -
Next time you see him, let him know about this - an attachment for a bike so that he can carry a few ladders at the same time.
Posted 11 years ago # -
"They're not being made public though."
Are these risks determined purely theoretically or do technicians at tram mock-ups/test locations get to pretend to be neds to assess the practicability of various damage/electrocution scenarios?
Posted 11 years ago # -
Ooops, forgot the smiley - forgive my Wallace and Grommit flight of fancy.
I don't think the velocity needed to get him at least 18ft high would be achievable on a bike. If the ladder was on his shoulder when it hit the pothole the impact would have forced him downwards along it's lower edge. If his arm was through the ladder, he would have come to a more painful halt rather quickly.
Hopefully the H+S bods will have had access to other existing tram system risk assessments, but you can never underestimate the raw cunning of a "ned" intent on mischief.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Yes he carries the ladder on his shoulder with his arm through it. Good to know the electricity is high enough up to evade pole vaulting neds intent on harnessing free power supply?
Posted 11 years ago # -
I hope they've risk-assessed for some bored neds throwing a metal wire over the electricty cables late at night. That'll be a fun one to explain to Monday morning commuters.
Posted 11 years ago # -
And the emergency services, if the neds don't have the sense to let go before the current arcs to them too.
There was a video clip circulating a year or two ago of a passenger, whose judgement was already the worse for wear, climbing onto the roof of a railway carriage and walking along underneath the overhead line. When he casually raised his arm there was an enormous flash and bang, and the result was suitably offputting.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Eight new Sheffield stands have appeared on the pavement next to the St Andrew Square tram stop at the north east gate to the gardens. Very sensible as there always seems to be at least 3 bikes chained to the railings there.
That corner of St Andrew Square looks thoroughly European to my eyes now. This is a good thing.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Lovely, as my office is ~50m away.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Peter Rayner made some interesting points at the Transport Select Committee http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=13982 regarding off street tram operation at 80 Kph and line of sight operation - based on the superior stopping power of trams because they have filthy great magnets that stick to the rails for emergency stops - works fairly well at under 50Kph in towns although at the upper speeds everyone on board tends to end up sitting with the driver at the front or in a big tangled heap. Not sure about 80Kph though as the stickiness of the magnets isn't quite the same when you are travelling faster.
He was commenting on the fatal collision between a tram and a young girl at Bullwell - the second fatal crash on this crossing where trains and tram pass on separate sections, and how it had been recognised as a high risk crossing. Any observations on the current testing and your own experiences? Will signals be needed throughout, including the cycle route crossings?
The other detail concerns the infilling of tram trains (and a linked flangeways story from the latest Dutch Cycling Embassy news). The Sheffield tram train posed a dilemma, as tram wheels have a different profile to train wheels, and running trams on train tracks would have a high potential for the trams to fall off at points and running trains on tram tracks would see the trains running off all over the street. The solution was either to make special points fro the train track or special track for the tram train. As tracks in Sheffield were deemed in some places (after a very short time!) to be worn out, the decision has been taken to replace the rails in the street with all that this entails.... Now to fit the rubber insert into the flangeways (Zurich) the rails have to have a much bigger slot than standard - so if this is deemed necessary for Edinburgh the track will need to be dug up and new rails laid - in Sheffield this is causing a few problems because using a construction system similar to Edinburgh the hole that the old (smaller) rails come out is not suite deep enough for the new (bigger) rails.
The veloSTRAIL units shown in a previous newsletter also require substantial work to install especially for the track construction methods used in Edinburgh, which require substantially more time and cost to install than systems used elsewhere in Europe, and thus will incur greater time and cost to cut into and fit the veloSTRAIL system.
Interesting to see the second session too especially the last part where Stephen Hammond makes some pretty tactless remarks at the start (especially as Chris Bazlinton father of one of the Elsenham girls is sitting right behind him) and then shows he has a lot of catching up to do on his new brief. http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=14110
Posted 11 years ago # -
The Zurich system http://www.fietsberaad.nl/index.cfm?lang=nl&repository=Zurich+test+fietsvriendelijke+tramrails#Comments Basically dig out the old rails completely and make the holes a lot wider (and possibly deeper). Then buy specially made rail section (non standard) and plant it in the ground with a second steel plate accurately laid parallel to the rail! Given the quality of rail installation on the Edinburgh system to date......
Posted 11 years ago #
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