Vossloh’s Product Sheet For The Class 399 Tram-Train
I was reading this article on Global Rail News about the full certification of the Vossloh Citylink tram-trains that are being used in Karlsruhe and Chemnitz. I’ve seen both systems and these are some pictures that I took.
I apologise, if I’ve got some identification wrong.
On searching the Internet I found this product sheet on the Vossloh web site. It is actually titled Dual-Voltage Tram-Train Sheffield.
There are two bits of good news.
The product sheet says that the tram-train is air-conditioned.
But the best news is this from the article in Global Rail News.
Operator Verkehrsbetriebe Karlsruhe GmbH (VBK) has now exercised two options for a total of 50 additional Citylink LRVs to add to the 25 procured in 2011. All of the new low-floor vehicles should be delivered by summer 2017.
Would Karlsruhe have ordered seventy-five trams, if they weren’t up to the job?
So Sheffield isn’t getting some totally brand-new technology. They may be the first dual-voltage Vossloh Citylink tram-trains, but that is technology, that has ben wel-proven in many places.
Bennetts Associated Designs For The Western Crossrail Surface Stations
I’ve put this link to a downloadable project sheet on the Bennetts Associates web site on this blog, as it gives an insight into the upgrading of the thirteen surface stations west of the central core.
Whitechapel Station – 6th July 2015
Whitechapel station always offers photo opportunities.
It would appear that they will be creating the retaining walls on the Overground platforms soon.
South Tottenham Station – 6th July 2015
The rebuilding of South Tottenham station with lifts is coming on.
I was changing to the Victoria Line by walking to Seven Sisters station.
Network Rail Displays Must Work On Windows XP
I saw this screen at Finsbury Park station.
Network Rail Displays Must Work On Windows XP
There’s not much wrong with Windows XP compared to some of the later versions.
Canal Tunnels – 6th July 2015
I took these pictures as I passed the Canal Tunnels, that will connect the East Coast Main Line to Thameslink.
It does apopear that these tunnels should be ready for the opening of Thameslink services through the tunnels in 2018.
Travelling In Style Between Liverpool Street And Hackney Downs Stations
There are some Class 317 trains, with First Class seats, that work the Lea Valley Lines into Liverpool Street.
Obviously, when the new Class 378 trains arrive, these will go somewhere more suited to this luxury.
That’s Better!
The old cooker hood is now down and the hole has been properly covered.
Note the scar in the brickwork, where Jerry ran the cable.
I’ll probably have to fit a splash-back to cover it up. A pity, as I like exposed well-laid bricks.
Lea Bridge Station – 8th July 2015
I took these pictures from a train going past the site of Lea Bridge station.
They’ve certainly put up a load of fences, but not much else.
The Site Of The Hall Farm Curve
I was travelling north on the Lea Valley Line and just before arrival at Tottenham Hale station, I took these pictures of the site of the Hall Farm Curve.
The Class 315 or 317 train in the last picture is a Chingford Branch train on its way to Hackney Downs and Liverpool Street stations.
This Google Map shows the Lea Valley Line from where the Chingford Branch crosses over the top to Lea Bridge station.
Hall Farm Curve And Lea Bridge Station
The scar of the old Hall Farm Curve connecting the two lines clearly shows.
Note the new Lea Bridge station will be built, where the Lea Valley Line crosses Lea Bridge Road.
The Anonymous Widower 