Recent content by Slugger Onions

Seems like completely the wrong solution was selected. Couldn't have they just organised lanes only for buses and taxis? Just because every other city has rail doesn't mean that Edinburgh should as well, especially given the excellent bus service. In any case; I can't help but notice that...

Back on topic: The question I can't help asking is; Did Edinburgh really need a tramway full stop? (let alone the one line they actually built) Were the already existing public transport systems not up to scratch? And if they weren't; was a new tramway the best option?

Well yeah, I was talking more about establishing a modern light rail/tramway rather than Blackpool's upgrading of a retained heritage system. I regard the Manchester metrolink as merely a light railway like the Stadtbahn's employed in many western German cities. If they ever get to justify...

Okay but one question: When they made the decision to truncate the one route that will actually be built; why did they choose retaining the airport connection over Leith? The bus service to the airport seemed excellent to me, and the airport is immediately adjacent to a heavy rail corridor!

Hi guys. I'm not from the UK but I'm something of a transport enthusiast. I've been seeing articles about establishing modern trams/light rail in Edinburgh for a decade, but usually in the background. I've managed to find and take a look at the original proposals from over a decade ago and...

Logically, how is that? I'm just enquiring how they are safe. If I thought they weren't why would I ask the question? Could you provide some evidence of this? cheers. That can't be true. If that was true, tram-trains would've never been invented in the first place. I'm not quite sure why you...

This makes sense. But I'm still wondering if the UK has looser mainline running regulations.

I'm not saying that they're unsafe. I'm asking what they have that makes them safe. It's a fact that the tram-trains as used in Germany and France are what they are, because they conform to their respective country's mainline safety regulations. Otherwise they wouldn't have needed to be...

My understanding is that on this section the metro runs on a mainline that's also used by heavy commuter rail and freights. And yet the metro units most certainly aren't tram-trains built to mainline safety standards. I've read that some of the German ATP as used on the Modell Karlsruher has...

I'm not sure if you were being sarcastic, but is there any chance of Boris Island being anything other than empty PR spin?

Would the route of the safeguarded corridor be very suitable for a crossrail/RER style service though? It looks like a great alignment for a metro line but would very many inter-county commuters from those trains diverted from Clapham Junction want to get to Hackney? Just my opinion but to...

My understanding is as follows: Trams are trams or what the Germans call Straßenbahn. They're a rail vehicle that runs down the street on embedded grooved rails doing something similar to what a bus does (but with greater capacity). Light rail is completely grade separated dedicated city...

Thanks for the speedy answer. As regards point 2. When you look at the weights of the tram-trains currently offered by manufacturers; Alstom RegioCitadis: 59.8t (and 63.4t with Diesel generator) Alstom Citadis Dualis: 77t (!) Bombadier Flexity Link: 51.8t Bombadier Flexity swift for Karlsruhe...

Hi to all UK rail boffins. I'm a New Zealander with an interest in PT trying to get some information on tram-trains. It's not easy for me to come by information so I thought I'd see if there were informed people on this forum. I know the UK doesn't actually have any tram-train operations and...

This is something I don't understand. I thought that Crossrail was for larger suburban trains with larger loading gauges, underground stations, etc. and to link commuter lines that currently terminate at Paddington and Liverpool Street. So why is the Chelsea-Hackney line going to also be...