[FR] Colorful trams in Reims

[k-c-p]

Bonjour,

a few week before Christmas I spend a few day in Reims in the Champagne

Tram

The tram network consists of two lines (A&B) which share most of the route. The trams are pretty colourful

At terminal "Neufchâtel" red meets purple

Impressions from an evening at station "Kennedy". How about a grey tram?

Or do you prefer some yellow-green mix?

Rosé

Or some rusty red

Wherever possible grass is integrated into the tracks

My favourite spot: A bridge across the tracks near "Campus Croix Rouge".

Green on green

Or do you prefer yellow on green?

Some more photos from the same area

Downton the tram has no cartenary. the power supply is via third rail in the ground (in french: APS, "Alimentation Par Sol").

At "Boulingrin" trams via downtown lower the pantograph switch to APS.

Tram at Reims Central Station. The third rail can be seen between the rails

The interieur of the tram matches the outside paint job. A blue and a red traim seen from within

Even the lighting matches. A green tram at station "Opéra"

The is some coloured lighting at the stations too

Champagne Ardenne TGV

Line B connects downton to the station Champagne Ardenne TGV located on the outskirts of Reims

On the right the tram stop, next to it an hotel and up on the hill the TGV station

A look back after "hiking" up half the distance to the station

It's architecture does not actually meet me taste:

The TGV passing through caught me by surprise

The sun fighting through the morning mist while I waited for ym train back home

Trivia

I did some sightseeing too . Colourful lighting of the opera house

Video projection of the facade of the cathedral

The cathedral is worth a visit. It's much brighter than other chathedrals (e.g. Notre Dame in Paris) and the windows are great

The windows in one side chapel were designed by Marc Chagall. This brought back memories from my school days: My religion book had various picture of Chagall paintings

As Christmas was only a few weeks away a market offered candles, hot vine a lot of knick-knack and champagne

That's all for today folks. I hope you liked this little tour of Reims.

Salut
Charly

 

[cls]

Absolutely stunning pictures.......many thanks for sharing them. I am currently in Paris and will try to snap a few of the trams and trains.

 

[Electrostar]

These are great pictures. I'd love to visit. French cities are very good at ordering customised trams that represent them. They tend to think about the tram stops, centenary poles, interiors etc rather than simply buying off the shelf. I believe the Reims design is meant to represent a champagne glass at the front. The Marseille trams use textures to represent driftwood. Reims and others including Montpellier have enlisted the help of famous designers to produce the liveries.

 

[JoeGJ1984]

How does the third rail work? Presumably one wouldn't get electrocuted by stepping on it, as people do regularly cross tram tracks?

 

[k-c-p]

The basic idea how this works: The third rail is separated in different sectors. Only the sector covered by a tram is activated.

The system was developed for the tram in Bordeaux. For further details see
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground-level_power_supply

 

[Abpj17]

Thanks - they are great pictures

Out of interest, what did the text say on the pink stickers?

 

[k-c-p]

If my memory serves me right it said: "Je monte, je valide".
A gentle reminder to validate the ticket after boarding.

 

[CC 72100]

If my memory serves me right it said: "Je monte, je valide".
A gentle reminder to validate the ticket after boarding.

As also seen on every single RATP bus in Paris with modern destination displays!

Literally: I get on, I validate.

 

[Abpj17]

Thanks, curiousity sated - they were very pink! Most amused was the interior shots with the stickers on the floor and up the pole to the validation thing