Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram pledges to bring "trackless trams" to Liverpool Airport, among other places

[YorkRailFan]

Plans to introduce a 'trackless tram' or 'glider' form of public transport that could take passengers to Liverpool Airport, Anfield and other key parts of the city region are being worked up.

For a long time now transport bosses in the city region have been trying to figure out new ways to transport large numbers of people around the region and to crucial destinations that are not currently well-served by public transport.Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, who is hoping to secure a third term in his position in May's elections, has already pledged to increase the reach of the Merseyrail train network - with plans to build new stations at Woodchurch in Wirral, Carr Mill in St Helens and Daresbury in Halton.But for some locations, the idea of extending the Merseyrail network is not feasible. Chief among these locations is Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA).

Liverpool South Parkway is promoted as the station for LJLA and is well-connected to the airport. But it is three miles away.

There's an obvious issue when considering linking the rail network to the airport - there are many things in the way. There are houses, buildings, roads, shops, cables and plenty of other things that would make it difficult to plan a route.

It would be an enormously expensive and complex job to try and work out a rail route through either an overground or underground line and could take a very long time to plan and build.

Another location that has long been associated with clamour for a Merseyrail station is Liverpool's Anfield stadium. As well as hosting the home games of one of the world's most famous football clubs, the stadium also welcomes concerts from some of the biggest global stars on the planet - including a certain Taylor Swift who is appearing this summer.

With huge numbers of people regularly flowing in and out of the stadium, there has long been talk of the idea of a new Merseyrail station to help that flow. The nearest stations on the line are currently Sandhills and Kirkdale, both around a 20-30 minute walk away.

Once again the idea is a challenging one. Any extension of a rail line is expensive and such a project could be disruptive to the many residents who live close to the famous ground.

For some time now, there has been talk of a potential alternative solution to some of these big transport challenges and it now clear that a trackless tram or glider is the preferred option of Mayor Rotheram and his team.

Launching his campaign for a third term as Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Mayor Rotheram pledged that if he is re-elected, he will introduce a trackless tram network, which he said would be similar to the Belfast Glider.
The Belfast Glider was first launched in 2018 to improve mass transit in the Northern Irish capital. Their service runs two separate routes, totalling 15.2 miles in length and uses both dedicated bus lanes and mixed traffic lanes. The scheme cost around £100m in total.

In his campaign speech, Mayor Rotheram gave some details about where he would see a trackless tram network operating in the Liverpool City Region and when he hopes to achieve this by.

He said: "If I’m re-elected, we will introduce a trackless tram network - similar to the Belfast Glider. A new rapid transit system that could expand and extend to other areas of the region.

"New services will run between Liverpool City Centre and Liverpool John Lennon Airport and to both Anfield and the new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock for the Euros in 2028."

He added: "They will carry more passengers - and deliver express services - cutting down on journey times -offering a sleek, modern way of getting around."

Plan for 'trackless tram' to reach Liverpool Airport and Anfield

Mayor Steve Rotheram pledges to bring glider system to the city region is elected for a third term

www.liverpoolecho.co.uk

Basically, a cool looking bus (or trolley-bus if wires are attached), a cheaper alternative to a tram whilst getting away with calling it a "trackless tram." A tram line running on separated tracks would be a better (but more costly) solution that would provide a faster service into Liverpool.

 

[Tremzinho]

I'm not sure you could say he is "getting away" with calling a trackless tram. It is being met with universal derision in the comments on the news article and on social media.

It's basically just a bendy bus, with the wheels covered up. In 2010 Liverpool received cast off articulated buses from London, they didn't last very long.

 

[HullRailMan]

Another pre-election load of nonsense designed to excite the gullible sheep.

 

[8A Rail]

'Steve Rotheram' just being a complete numpty as usual. Sooner he has gone the better, hopefully sooner, fingers cross!

 

[Grimsby town]

While the use of the phrase 'trackless tram' is slightly annoying, I think this a good idea. BRT isn't as good as tram but it has a lot of the advantages of trams including less frequent stops with better facilities, off board payment, segregation from traffic, and multiple doors on vehicles.

Glider has been successful in Belfast with around 10% of passengers previously using cars. That's less than what a tram line would extract (typically around 20% or more) but Translink claim that Glider was 3 times cheaper than a light rail system.

Its likely that Liverpool can pay for a BRT system without central government having much involvement it'll probably delivered within 5 years rather than over 5-10 that tram systems typically take from conception to operation. If its well used it provides evidence that trams are needed and conversion can be looked at.

 

[Bletchleyite]

While the use of the phrase 'trackless tram' is slightly annoying, I think this a good idea. BRT isn't as good as tram but it has a lot of the advantages of trams including less frequent stops with better facilities, off board payment, segregation from traffic, and multiple doors on vehicles.

BRT isn't a terrible idea, but bodykitting buses to look like pseudotrams isn't, it's just naff. Just operate all buses properly - in a typical German city every single bus operates to BRT principles, i.e. mostly off bus ticketing, traffic light overtakes rather than stopping bus lanes short, multiple doors, stop spacing at least 500m etc. And use good quality, ideally electric, bendy buses like the Citaro-G, no need to buy rattletraps from ADL with silly bodykits.

 

[Grimsby town]

BRT isn't a terrible idea, but bodykitting buses to look like pseudotrams isn't, it's just naff. Just operate all buses properly - in a typical German city every single bus operates to BRT principles, i.e. mostly off bus ticketing, traffic light overtakes rather than stopping bus lanes short, multiple doors, stop spacing at least 500m etc. And use good quality, ideally electric, bendy buses like the Citaro-G, no need to buy rattletraps from ADL with silly bodykits.

I pretty much agree with all of that. Some sort of alternative transport would be needed that provided more frequent stops for people who people with mobility issues. That could either be a fixed route service with smaller vehicles or a door to door services. At the moment bus tries to be everything all at once. Using different services to target different markets makes a lot of sense.

 

[frodshamfella]

An improvement to access the airport is desperately needed, and whilst id like to see a Merseyrail extendsion to the airport, this might be a quick fix, if done right, with a dedicated trackway.

 

[markymark2000]

An improvement to access the airport is desperately needed, and whilst id like to see a Merseyrail extendsion to the airport, this might be a quick fix, if done right, with a dedicated trackway.

Improvements to the airport should be enhanced bus operating hours rather than anything else. That is what would give best value for money. A dedicated South Parkway to Airport link used to exist and has been tried in many many forms for absolutely years, it's always been little used and hence the attempts have failed. There is through train tickets available to/from the Airport with travel on Arriva 86A included in the ticket. I don't know the usage as I don't believe stats have been released on that but I know the ticket is hardly advertised (and the addon isn't available for advances so can actually cost a lot more than buying separately). The anti public transport Airport doesn't help matters either with many of their travel pages including outdated information and the few parts they do try to do well, booking your bus ticket in advance, is a rip off

Yes a fixed link may be nice but it would cost silly money for what it is and you have to remember, the airport only had 4.19m pax last year which works out as around 11,500 per day. How many of those people need to use a fixed link to make it viable? Bearing in mind that most fixed rail links don't run early enough for the early morning flights (around 8 flights per day depart before 7am which would be a 5am arrival at the airport), nor run late enough for late night arrivals (around 10 flights arrive at JLA after 11pm) so many passengers would be cautious or unable to use the service on that basis. Liverpool is a kind of regional airport too so people are making much shorter journeys from mostly within Merseyside, Halton and Cheshire. When you look at the shorter distance taxi costs as well, Chester & Ellesmere Port to the Airport is £40 taxi each way door to door. Even for 2 people, that is £20 each for a door to door taxi. Why is someone going to faff around getting to a train station, travelling to South Parkway to then faff around changing to then get another service to the Airport. At least 3 changes and possibly longer journey time, or a direct taxi. It's a no brainer for most people. The only time you may win with the fixed link is whoever gets a direct train to/from the Airport and even then, given the Merseyrail Northern Line, you are not giving a direct train to much of the airports catchment area.

A fixed link to the Airport simply won't get enough people using it with the passenger numbers where they currently are. Maybe if passenger numbers hit 10 million, it may be something to look at but at it's current level, there is nowhere near the passenger numbers.

 

[fishwomp]

Plan for 'trackless tram' to reach Liverpool Airport and Anfield

Mayor Steve Rotheram pledges to bring glider system to the city region is elected for a third term

www.liverpoolecho.co.uk

Basically, a cool looking bus (or trolley-bus if wires are attached), a cheaper alternative to a tram whilst getting away with calling it a "trackless tram." A tram line running on separated tracks would be a better (but more costly) solution that would provide a faster service into Liverpool.

Cripes - they have the prototype ready already:

 

[frodshamfella]

Improvements to the airport should be enhanced bus operating hours rather than anything else. That is what would give best value for money. A dedicated South Parkway to Airport link used to exist and has been tried in many many forms for absolutely years, it's always been little used and hence the attempts have failed. There is through train tickets available to/from the Airport with travel on Arriva 86A included in the ticket. I don't know the usage as I don't believe stats have been released on that but I know the ticket is hardly advertised (and the addon isn't available for advances so can actually cost a lot more than buying separately). The anti public transport Airport doesn't help matters either with many of their travel pages including outdated information and the few parts they do try to do well, booking your bus ticket in advance, is a rip off

Yes a fixed link may be nice but it would cost silly money for what it is and you have to remember, the airport only had 4.19m pax last year which works out as around 11,500 per day. How many of those people need to use a fixed link to make it viable? Bearing in mind that most fixed rail links don't run early enough for the early morning flights (around 8 flights per day depart before 7am which would be a 5am arrival at the airport), nor run late enough for late night arrivals (around 10 flights arrive at JLA after 11pm) so many passengers would be cautious or unable to use the service on that basis. Liverpool is a kind of regional airport too so people are making much shorter journeys from mostly within Merseyside, Halton and Cheshire. When you look at the shorter distance taxi costs as well, Chester & Ellesmere Port to the Airport is £40 taxi each way door to door. Even for 2 people, that is £20 each for a door to door taxi. Why is someone going to faff around getting to a train station, travelling to South Parkway to then faff around changing to then get another service to the Airport. At least 3 changes and possibly longer journey time, or a direct taxi. It's a no brainer for most people. The only time you may win with the fixed link is whoever gets a direct train to/from the Airport and even then, given the Merseyrail Northern Line, you are not giving a direct train to much of the airports catchment area.

A fixed link to the Airport simply won't get enough people using it with the passenger numbers where they currently are. Maybe if passenger numbers hit 10 million, it may be something to look at but at it's current level, there is nowhere near the passenger numbers.

It needs both improved buses and this trackless tram would improve the link from South Parkway to Airport. Think you underestimate the catchment of the airport, it's far greater than LCR, that's also not taking into account inbound visitors which to Liverpool is significant Passengers this year will almost certainly be 5M. They should get on a build these things, everything takes an age in the country to improve anything.....unless it's London . If they did build a fixed link it could also vastly improve Speke estates awful transportation.

 

[markymark2000]

It needs both improved buses and this trackless tram would improve the link from South Parkway to Airport. Think you underestimate the catchment of the airport, it's far greater than LCR, that's also not taking into account inbound visitors which to Liverpool is significant Passengers this year will almost certainly be 5M. They should get on a build these things, everything takes an age in the country to improve anything.....unless it's London . If they did build a fixed link it could also vastly improve Speke estates awful transportation.

As I've said, the trackless tram and improved buses to South Parkway has been tried and tried again. It's useless. They had the 501 dedicated bus from 2009-2013 and then from 2016 until 2018 the 500 diverted to Parkway but it has never proved to be worthwhile. If you wanted to improve links to Parkway, you would convert some more of the 86s to 86As to increase the frequency there and better promote the ticket. Least as part of the 86A more people benefit from the improved links, not just South Parkway.

Trackless tram is a dead duck. Waste of taxpayers money. Then again, it's not as if LCR has a track record of being sensible with taxpayers money, especially with transport.

 

[YorkRailFan]

As he prepares to unveil the Lib Dem vision for Liverpool the City Region, Lib Dem Metro Mayor candidate Rob McAllister-Bell has slammed the current Mayor Rotheram’s total lack of ambition for local transport.

This comes after huge public backlash over Labour's proposed "trackless tram" which has been called out as a "glorified bendy-bus". In light of the backlash, the Liverpool ran an articles on the 7th April with the leadline 'God help Liverpool' if city gets Glider transport system say people in Belfast. This has poured even more cold water on Labour's headline transport offer.

“Our region deserves world class transport links but, while other regions speed ahead, a failure of political vision is causing Liverpool to fall behind,” says Rob McAllister Bell.

“Plans are being developed for a high speed rail link from Liverpool to Manchester Airport, but the best Labour can promise for our local airport is bendy bus dressed up as a tram.”

“A real rail link is needed to Liverpool Airport, so that we can support local jobs and provide passengers with greener travel options. As Lib Dem Metro Mayor, this would be a top priority for me,” says Rob.

The Lib Dems preferred option would be to bring abandoned rail tunnels under the city centre back into use, extending the Merseyrail Northern Line to Edge Hill, Mossley Hill, West Allerton and South Parkway, before heading to Liverpool Airport.

The alternative would be to run a tram-train along the existing rail until Speke Retail Park, before finishing the last 1 1/2 mile as an on-street tram.

The plans would include taking derelict railway land next to Edge Hill station to create a large park and ride site to help persuade drivers out of their cars. New stations would be built at Wavertree, Smithdown Road, and Speke.

The Liberal Democrats would also investigate expanding the Merseyrail network further to include mid-Wirral, St Helens, Ormskirk to Southport, and Gateacre in South Liverpool.

Mayor Rotherham’s 2nd class ‘bendy-bus’ shows lack of ambition for our City Region, say Lib Dems.

As he prepares to unveil the Lib Dem vision for Liverpool the City Region, Lib Dem Metro Mayor candidate Rob McAllister-Bell has slammed the current Mayor Rotheram’s total lack of ambition for local transport.

www.liverlibdems.org.uk

The Lib Dems have called it as it is, a glorified bendy bus. Though I doubt their candidate will win the election, its good to see that they're pressuring Mayor Rotheram on this.

 

[frodshamfella]

As I've said, the trackless tram and improved buses to South Parkway has been tried and tried again. It's useless. They had the 501 dedicated bus from 2009-2013 and then from 2016 until 2018 the 500 diverted to Parkway but it has never proved to be worthwhile. If you wanted to improve links to Parkway, you would convert some more of the 86s to 86As to increase the frequency there and better promote the ticket. Least as part of the 86A more people benefit from the improved links, not just South Parkway.

Trackless tram is a dead duck. Waste of taxpayers money. Then again, it's not as if LCR has a track record of being sensible with taxpayers money, especially with transport.

The airport needs a dedicated link, not some bus that stops all over the show, and needs to be quick, the trackless tram would do this. The airport is growing , Jet2 have just arrived , this will bring more passengers. As I said need to plan for the future.

Not sure what you mean about LCR and transport, there are new trains now at last, instead of 50 year old stock, and an extension to Headbolt Lane, still more needed if we are not going to be gridlocked.

Mayor Rotherham’s 2nd class ‘bendy-bus’ shows lack of ambition for our City Region, say Lib Dems.

As he prepares to unveil the Lib Dem vision for Liverpool the City Region, Lib Dem Metro Mayor candidate Rob McAllister-Bell has slammed the current Mayor Rotheram’s total lack of ambition for local transport.

www.liverlibdems.org.uk

The Lib Dems have called it as it is, a glorified bendy bus. Though I doubt their candidate will win the election, its good to see that they're pressuring Mayor Rotheram on this.

They can poo poo, but what ideas are they offering ? https://www.sustainable-bus.com/news/stirling-trackless-tram-wheels-trial-crrc/ ..Its being trialled in Australia .

 

[Northerngirl]

If its built as a tram line (i.e separate bus lane & fewer stops), then I don't see the issue, if its too slow or too busy, then that proves a tram is needed, if not, then it saves a fortune

 

[YorkRailFan]

If its built as a tram line (i.e separate bus lane & fewer stops), then I don't see the issue, if its too slow or too busy, then that proves a tram is needed, if not, then it saves a fortune

That's just BRT though.

 

[Tremzinho]

They can poo poo, but what ideas are they offering ? https://www.sustainable-bus.com/news/stirling-trackless-tram-wheels-trial-crrc/ ..It’s being trialled in Australia .

I don’t think you can knock the Lib Dem candidate for not offering an ambitious alternative. He’s clearly calling for an extension of Merseyrail using the Wapping Tunnel and a new spur to the airport and Speke estate. It seems like he’s at least spent time thinking about this, rather than the usual 30 second policy idea we tend to get from politicians these days.

A big issue usually neglected when talking about an airport link is the less glamorous need to improve links to Speke. This is a large isolated housing estate on the edge of the city with high levels of deprivation. The regular bus from Speke to Liverpool takes well over an hour, so a rail link would be a game changer.

Will it ever happen? It won’t be cheap, but we’re probably not talking outrageous sums, particularly if they go for an eastern link through mostly farmland.

 

[frodshamfella]

I don’t think you can knock the Lib Dem candidate for not offering an ambitious alternative. He’s clearly calling for an extension of Merseyrail using the Wapping Tunnel and a new spur to the airport and Speke estate. It seems like he’s at least spent time thinking about this, rather than the usual 30 second policy idea we tend to get from politicians these days.

A big issue usually neglected when talking about an airport link is the less glamorous need to improve links to Speke. This is a large isolated housing estate on the edge of the city with high levels of deprivation. The regular bus from Speke to Liverpool takes well over an hour, so a rail link would be a game changer.

Will it ever happen? It won’t be cheap, but we’re probably not talking outrageous sums, particularly if they go for an eastern link through mostly farmland.

I didn't see the debate, but if they are suggesting that, its a good alternative. I agree Speke Estate needs a big transport improvement and rail or tram or something to the airport calling at Speke could really help. The Eastern Link would be easier as you say. I just want to see something happen, rather than talk and more talk.

If its built as a tram line (i.e separate bus lane & fewer stops), then I don't see the issue, if its too slow or too busy, then that proves a tram is needed, if not, then it saves a fortune

indeed.

 

[Tremzinho]

Another factor is the class 777. OK they not quite light rail, but they certainly weigh less than standard EMUs and are designed to cope with much tighter curves.

Building an airport link exclusively for the 777, rather than to regular heavy rail standards, could shave off some of the construction costs.

 

[markymark2000]

A big issue usually neglected when talking about an airport link is the less glamorous need to improve links to Speke. This is a large isolated housing estate on the edge of the city with high levels of deprivation. The regular bus from Speke to Liverpool takes well over an hour, so a rail link would be a game changer.

Where are you getting those figures from for bus journey length? The 80 and 82 generally take an hour or just under less so not really 'well over an hour'. If you live near a part of the route that the 82A serves, that takes less than 50 minutes generally. No bus from Speke to Liverpool takes 'well over an hour' and maybe if a Labour mayor hadn't ripped up the bus lanes, and had so many 'pro car' policies in place for a number of years, perhaps buses would be quicker. For years, upwards of 30 buses per hour were giving way to Hanover Street Car Park Exit thanks to Joe Anderson! That only got changed recently. Hanover Street is severely congested thanks to HGVs and taxi drivers who park where they want, thinking they own the roads. That delays buses. The never ending redevelopments in the city making it slower and slower for buses to make progress. If it was a more 'pro bus' city like Nottingham or Leicester, buses would be sped up massively. Slow buses are caused by Labours mismanagement of the highways with constant pro car policies to try and win votes.

 

[frodshamfella]

I think originally the Norther Line should have continued from Hunts Cross to Gateacre. It never happened, but this is a highly residential area with no rail, like Speke estate. If there could be one line branching north to Gateacre and another to serve Speke and the airport, you would kill 2 birds with one stone. Buses to the city centre from Speke and Gateacre take an eternity.

 

[Grimsby town]

As I've said, the trackless tram and improved buses to South Parkway has been tried and tried again. It's useless. They had the 501 dedicated bus from 2009-2013 and then from 2016 until 2018 the 500 diverted to Parkway but it has never proved to be worthwhile. If you wanted to improve links to Parkway, you would convert some more of the 86s to 86As to increase the frequency there and better promote the ticket. Least as part of the 86A more people benefit from the improved links, not just South Parkway.

Trackless tram is a dead duck. Waste of taxpayers money. Then again, it's not as if LCR has a track record of being sensible with taxpayers money, especially with transport.

If it is like Glider then it's certainly not been tried before in Liverpool. It'll be mainly be on its own dedicated right of way, have high quality stops that are further apart than normal buses, and an payment system that doesn't involve the driver. In others words it has many of the aspects that make trams attractive. A BRT is a good thing especially if developed with potential tram conversion in mind.

 

[Tremzinho]

If it is like Glider then it's certainly not been tried before in Liverpool. It'll be mainly be on its own dedicated right of way, have high quality stops that are further apart than normal buses, and an payment system that doesn't involve the driver. In others words it has many of the aspects that make trams attractive. A BRT is a good thing especially if developed with potential tram conversion in mind.

This 'election promise' from Steve Rotheram is completely vague on detail, so we don't know what infrastructure will be involved. If there was any meat on this proposal there would likely be a report to the Combined Authority for us to look at.

A dedicated right of way along each route will be so expensive and disruptive that you might as well go the full hog and build a tram. In reality it will just be a mixture normal on street running with painted bus lanes on the stretches of road that have enough space. The problem with this is, whether he goes for the Smithdown Road or Aigburth Road route, the most congested stretches of the route are where it is almost impossible to create a dedicated right of way.

Even the original Merseytram proposal struggled to commit to a route to the airport because of the difficulty of fitting it along the congested Smithdown Road corridor. That's why they were developing an option of just using the slow lines from Edge Hill to Garston. The idea that any sort of dedicated right of way can be built along this route by 2028 is fanciful.

I think originally the Norther Line should have continued from Hunts Cross to Gateacre. It never happened, but this is a highly residential area with no rail, like Speke estate. If there could be one line branching north to Gateacre and another to serve Speke and the airport, you would kill 2 birds with one stone. Buses to the city centre from Speke and Gateacre take an eternity.

Funnily enough, the Lib Dems did also mention exploring extending to Gateacre. You're right, that was part of the original plan for the Northern Line, along with the Edge Hill Spur.

I think a branch off from Hunts Cross to the airport is going to be very disruptive, whereas creating a new Northern Line branch going through Edge Hill, Smithdown and Mossley Hill will bring benefits to a much wider area.

 

[frodshamfella]

This 'election promise' from Steve Rotheram is completely vague on detail, so we don't know what infrastructure will be involved. If there was any meat on this proposal there would likely be a report to the Combined Authority for us to look at.

A dedicated right of way along each route will be so expensive and disruptive that you might as well go the full hog and build a tram. In reality it will just be a mixture normal on street running with painted bus lanes on the stretches of road that have enough space. The problem with this is, whether he goes for the Smithdown Road or Aigburth Road route, the most congested stretches of the route are where it is almost impossible to create a dedicated right of way.

Even the original Merseytram proposal struggled to commit to a route to the airport because of the difficulty of fitting it along the congested Smithdown Road corridor. That's why they were developing an option of just using the slow lines from Edge Hill to Garston. The idea that any sort of dedicated right of way can be built along this route by 2028 is fanciful.



Funnily enough, the Lib Dems did also mention exploring extending to Gateacre. You're right, that was part of the original plan for the Northern Line, along with the Edge Hill Spur.

I think a branch off from Hunts Cross to the airport is going to be very disruptive, whereas creating a new Northern Line branch going through Edge Hill, Smithdown and Mossley Hill will bring benefits to a much wider area.

The airport link would be disruptive for sure, but wouldnt be more so that say the Elizabeth Line, and much shorter distance. I have heard ideas of bringing a rail line from the East side near the end of the Knowlsey Express Way to the airport, this being farmland for the most part.

 

[Tremzinho]

The airport link would be disruptive for sure, but wouldnt be more so that say the Elizabeth Line, and much shorter distance. I have heard ideas of bringing a rail line from the East side near the end of the Knowlsey Express Way to the airport, this being farmland for the most part.

An airport line branching of the Runcorn line after the Jaguar plant and looping round the eastern side of Speke estate would be easiest and cause minimal disruption. I think that’s what is being proposed here.

Branching it off the Hunts Cross line would likely be a non starter as it would involve widespread demolition, expense, and potential loss of jobs from the many businesses that would be displaced. There’s no real benefit from doing this when the cheaper option does the job just as well.

 

[Northerngirl]

I would have thought that a loop around from Halewood would be the easiest way, as its already on the merseyrail line rather than a new service from Lime Street, and its only about a mile further away from the airport than anywhere on the Runcorn line. It might even be possible to put another stop in near the jlr factory

 

[Djgr]

Another factor is the class 777. OK they not quite light rail, but they certainly weigh less than standard EMUs and are designed to cope with much tighter curves.

Building an airport link exclusively for the 777, rather than to regular heavy rail standards, could shave off some of the construction costs.

Is it true that 777s operate with different rail standards?

 

[Tremzinho]

Is it true that 777s operate with different rail standards?

They’re certainly lighter trains, designed more to metro standards than standard EMUs. They have a shorter wheelbase to cope with the very tight curves in the Liverpool Loop.

I don’t know if this counts as a different rail standard, or if they could be assigned their own route availability class.

However I’m theorising that this could enable a more cheaply engineered alignment to the airport with lighter viaducts and a tighter curve radius than normal. I don’t know how much this could save or if NR would ever be flexible enough to agree to it.

 

[Chester1]

I won't be popular for saying this but the biggest problem for Liverpool Airport isn’t lack of a rail link, its Manchester Airport. Its relatively easy to get to Manchester Airport from most of Liverpool Airport's catchment area and has much more choice.

 

[Peregrine 4903]

Cripes - they have the prototype ready already: