Template:Short description {{#invoke:Hatnote|hatnote}} Template:Distinguish Template:Multiple image Template:Multiple image Template:Multiple image Template:Multiple image Template:Multiple image A tram-train is a type of light rail vehicle that both meets the standards of a light rail system, and also national mainline standards. Tramcars are adapted to be capable of running on streets like an urban tramway but also be permitted operation alongside mainline trains. This allows services that can utilise both existing urban light rail systems and mainline railway networks and stations. It combines the urban accessibility of a tram or light rail with a mainline train's greater speed in the suburbs.<ref name="connections">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
The modern tram-train concept was pioneered by the German city of Karlsruhe in the late 1980s,<ref name="lessons">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> resulting in the creation of the Karlsruhe Stadtbahn. This concept is often referred to as the Karlsruhe model,<ref name="connections"/> and it has since been adopted in other cities such as Mulhouse in France<ref name="connections"/> and in Kassel, Nordhausen and Saarbrücken in Germany.<ref name="lessons"/>
An inversion of the concept is a train-tram – a mainline train adapted to run on-street in an urban tramway, also known as the Zwickau Model.
TechnologyEdit
The tram-train often is a type of interurban<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> — that is, they link separate towns or cities, according to George W. Hilton and John F. Due's definition.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Most tram-trains are standard gauge, which facilitates sharing track with main-line trains. Exceptions include Alicante Tram and Nordhausen, which are metre gauge.
Tram-train vehicles are dual-equipped to suit the needs of both tram and train operating modes, with support for multiple electrification voltages if required and safety equipment such as train stops and other railway signalling equipment. The Karlsruhe and Saarbrücken systems use "PZB" or "Indusi" automatic train protection, so that if the driver passes a signal at a stop the emergency brakes are applied.
HistoryEdit
The idea is not new; in the early 20th century, interurban streetcar lines often operated on dedicated rights-of-way between towns, while running on street trackage in town. The difference between modern tram-trains and the older interurban and radial railways is that tram-trains are built to meet mainline railway standards, rather than ignoring them.
In 1924, in Hobart, Australia, sharing of tracks between trams and trains was proposed.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Existing systemsEdit
AsiaEdit
JapanEdit
- Fukui: Fukui Fukubu Line
EuropeEdit
AustriaEdit
- Gmunden: Traunsee Tram (2018)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
DenmarkEdit
- Aarhus Letbane<ref name=rgi20120510>Template:Cite news</ref>
FranceEdit
- Lyon: Rhônexpress (2010)
- Lyon: Tram-train de l'ouest lyonnais
- Mulhouse: Mulhouse tramway<ref name=tre184>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Nantes: Nantes tram-train (2011)
- Île-de-France (Paris region):
- Tramway Line 4 (2006)
- Tramway Line 11 Express (2017)
- Tramway Line 12 Express (2023)
- Tramway Line 13 Express (2022)
GermanyEdit
- Chemnitz: City-Bahn Chemnitz
- Karlsruhe: Stadtbahn Karlsruhe
- Kassel: Kassel RegioTram (2006)
- Nordhausen: Trams in Nordhausen
- Saarbrücken: Saarbahn
HungaryEdit
ItalyEdit
NetherlandsEdit
PortugalEdit
- Porto:
- Porto Metro Line B/Bx (opening 2005)
- Porto Metro Line C (opening 2005)
SpainEdit
- Alicante: Alicante Tram (2007)
- Mallorca: Mallorca rail network
- Cádiz: Cádiz Bay tram-train (2022)
United KingdomEdit
- Manchester Metrolink: Altrincham line and Bury line (1992)
- Sheffield - Rotherham: South Yorkshire Supertram (2018)
- Cardiff & South Wales Valleys: South Wales Metro (2026)
North AmericaEdit
- Puebla, Mexico: Puebla–Cholula Tourist Train (2017-2021; trains now sold to Tren Interoceánico)
- San Diego, California: San Diego Trolley
Proposed systemsEdit
AfricaEdit
AsiaEdit
- Haifa–Nazareth, Israel<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
EuropeEdit
- Braunschweig, Germany
- Bratislava, Slovakia
- Cardiff, United Kingdom. Wales & Borders franchise: South Wales Valley Lines (2022 - 2023) - rolling stock currently under construction.
- Debrecen, Hungary <ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Erlangen, Germany – an extension of Straßenbahn Nürnberg not initially planned to use mainline rail tracks but proposed to do so in the future. The planned line to Herzogenaurach replicates a former mainline rail line
- Gorzów Wielkopolski, Poland
- Greater Manchester, United Kingdom. Proposed extensions to the Manchester Metrolink network.<ref name="connections"/><ref name="stalybridge">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
- Grenoble, France
- Groningen, Netherlands
- Kiel, Germany
- Kyiv, Ukraine
- Košice, Slovakia<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref> (in planning phase)
- León, Spain
- Liberec — Jablonec nad Nisou, Czech Republic
- Linköping, Sweden
- Linz, Austria (in planning phase)
- Manresa, Spain
- Metro Mondego, Coimbra, Portugal
- RijnGouweLijn, Netherlands
- Metro de Sevilla. Seville has one metro line and one tram line that are not connected, but the long-term intention is to link the metro and tram systems.
- Oradea, Romania - The first romanian tram-train will be in Oradea, featuring several lines, and connecting the city to the villages near, like Borș, Băile Felix or Sântandrei. The tram-train in Oradea is in planning phase, some parts of the project already accepted by the local government.
- Sevastopol<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
- Strasbourg, France
- Szeged, Hungary. Two other destinations are being considered as of January 2022 besides the Szeged - Hódmezővásárhely line, which entered operation in November 2021. The Szeged - Subotica (Serbia) line is in early planning phase.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref> A preparatory study was also completed for the Szeged - Makó line,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> but the estimated costs were high, and it is also dependent on a new road-rail bridge over the river Tisa only in planning phase as of now.
- TramCamp, Camp de Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain
- Wrocław, Poland (2005) — 600 V DC/3 kV DC
- Riga, Latvia
- Turku, Finland
- West Midlands conurbation, United Kingdom. Proposed extensions to the West Midlands Metro to Stourbridge and Walsall.
OceaniaEdit
- Adelaide, South Australia – On June 5, 2008, the Government of South Australia announced plans for train-tram operation on the Adelaide Metro's Outer Harbor/Grange train lines and City West-Glenelg tramline extension as part of a 10-year A$2 billion public transport upgrade.<ref>Adelaidemetro.com.au Template:Webarchive</ref>
- Hobart Tasmania
South AmericaEdit
- Bogotá Commuter Rail (RegioTram), Colombia
- Cali, Colombia<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
|CitationClass=web }}</ref>
VehiclesEdit
Models of tram designed for tram-train operation include:
- Alstom's RegioCitadis and Citadis Dualis, derived from the Citadis
- Bombardier Flexity Link and Bombardier Flexity Swift
- Siemens S70
- Stadler Citylink
Train-tramEdit
EuropeEdit
- Zwickau: Trams in Zwickau – on-board diesel generator (light-weight RegioSprinter diesel railbuses that also operate on street tramway)
JapanEdit
- Kyoto: Keihan Electric Railway - Keishin Line that having sections which trains runs on street level.
North AmericaEdit
- Austin, Texas: Capital MetroRail – commuter rail that shares more commonality with train-tram operation, with downtown street running and usage of mainline track. Uses diesel multiple units.
See alsoEdit
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
- TramTrain - the 2nd generation: Searching for the 'ideal' TramTrain-city
- Template:Usurped (English/German)
- Template:Usurped (English/German)
- tram-train of Karlsruhe transformed in a subway in the center
- Leeds City Region proposal
- (Jane's) Urban Transit SystemsTemplate:Dead link
Template:Trams Template:Public transport Template:Authority control