flypie
Member
- Joined
- 5 Jan 2014
- Messages
- 225
The Sheffield Experiment on Tram Trains, has me puzzled. http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/business/60m-deal-signed-for-first-uk-tram-trains-1-5789572
What is it actually a test of, the engineering has been tested in many places. The economic of the scheme are specific to that project. They only thing that could in anyway be uncertain is whether the UK public will look at this concept and be scared to travel on such an outrageous chimera, which lets be honest is very unlikely.£60m deal signed for first UK tram-trains
Contracts were signed this week to pave the way for the introduction of tram-trains between Sheffield and Rotherham - the first of their kind in the UK.
The vehicles, which can run on both Supertram and train tracks, are due to operate on a route between Sheffield city centre and Rotherham Parkgate by the beginning of 2016.
If successful, the £60m Government-financed pilot project could be extended to other cities.
And it also raises the possibility in Sheffield of the dual voltage vehicles being used on heavy rail routes along the Upper Don Valley to Stocksbridge and Deepcar and along the Sheaf Valley to Millhouses and Dore.
Transport Minister Norman Baker was in Sheffield yesterday (Wednesday) to sign the contracts - and to formally open a 130-space park and ride next to Dore and Totley Rail station, which is designed to ease parking congestion on surrounding roads.
Seven vehicles, manufactured by the German group, Vossloh, are being bought for the tram-train experiment, and another three trams are being added to the existing Supertram system to help meet demand at peak times.
Mr Baker said: "...Tram-trains are an innovative and high-capacity transport system which have proved very successful in other European cities. We will be monitoring the scheme over the course of the next two years..."
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