More Preston tram nonsense

[snail]

From a purely engineering POV, the LR55 rail does seem promising, which is why I am surprised that none was used for the recent Blackpool system upgrade.

Perhaps after the fire-eating trams episode they wanted to keep well clear of Trampower! I think it's more telling though that Sheffield haven't used LR55 since the initial installation there.

While I think Preston would benefit from a light rail system, it would only be of benefit in a more expanded Lancashire-wide light rail system.

Definitely. Tram-trains from Blackpool South anyone?

 

[boing_uk]

I think it's more telling though that Sheffield haven't used LR55 since the initial installation there.

Not really. Their existing infrastructure in street-running areas is set up for traditional rail. To move to LR55 wouldn't have any benefits because the installation is so different. The fact Sheffield haven't used any more is probably down to the fact they have not had to put any NEW lengths of grooved rail in.

Put it like this, if LR55 was crap, it would probably have had to have been removed, which I assume it has not.

As I say, I am on the fence. Preston would undoubtedly benefit from a tram system, but TP's version is so radically different in concept in terms of engineering it is difficult to get many Engineers to embrace change.

Definitely. Tram-trains from Blackpool South anyone?

No. I like my train service to and from Preston, thanks.

 

[snail]

As I say, I am on the fence. Preston would undoubtedly benefit from a tram system, but TP's version is so radically different in concept in terms of engineering it is difficult to get many Engineers to embrace change.

I guess they are in something of a Catch 22 place - difficult to get investment without a proven product but need it to produce the product. A little less spin on their website would go a long way in the meantime.

 

[BestWestern]

So, if they are so great, where are they now in this country and why is no one developing new systems?

Welcome to Britain! Look at the heavy rail situation; we are desperate for more trains but thanks to our ludicrous mentality we can't have any. The bus situation we have is equally daft. TFL are going down a cripplingly expensive path of introducing 'green' buses, none of which so far are particularly reliable or practical, when many other cities worldwide have had trolleys for years which are clean, quiet and efficient. As tramways get more and more expensive, I'd have thought that sooner or later somebody will look again at trolley buses in the UK as a useful halfway house. But we'll see! :roll:

 

[deltabravo]

Welcome to Britain! Look at the heavy rail situation; we are desperate for more trains but thanks to our ludicrous mentality we can't have any. The bus situation we have is equally daft. TFL are going down a cripplingly expensive path of introducing 'green' buses, none of which so far are particularly reliable or practical, when many other cities worldwide have had trolleys for years which are clean, quiet and efficient. As tramways get more and more expensive, I'd have thought that sooner or later somebody will look again at trolley buses in the UK as a useful halfway house. But we'll see! :roll:

If the proposed Trolleybus scheme in Leeds is succesful, I think more cities will seriously consider Trolleybuses.

 

[BestWestern]

If the proposed Trolleybus scheme in Leeds is succesful, I think more cities will seriously consider Trolleybuses.

You would certainly hope so. There will always be some reluctance in embracing something which is seen as being an 'alien' concept, or perhaps in this case something which is still thought of as old fashioned. But the reality is that a trolley system can do what a tramway can do, with substantially lower costs.

In fairness, most places don't actually need a tram system, what they need is simply a fast, efficient, fixed link transport connection. Trams have tended to be the obvious answer simply because an ordinary bus just isn't considered 'special' enough, and a tramway has a certain prestige on offer. There is also the agrument that a diesel bus isn't 'green' enough to project the modern image most places now crave. A trolleybus system will offer that clean, fast, fixed-link solution. Now that we have bendybuses and concepts like First's 'FTR' vehicles, it's possible to engineer a trolleybus which is essentially everything a tram would be without the rails. In most circumstances, it would undoubtably be a cheaper, better solution.