A full refurbishment of the demonstrator City Class tram was completed in 2009. Preparations are being made to run this again, so that it can be inspected by prospective customers. Photos of this can be found in the Image gallery. We were approached by Interfleet, commissioned by CENTRO to evaluate the tram. We understand that their report was favourable to the City Class tram.
A new tramway project has been initiated in Preston, receiving considerable and favourable media coverage. This has been driven by Lincoln Shields, formerly a Director of AMEC. It will be a four line network serving the north, east, west and south parts of the City. Previously a report by consultants MVA recommended busways being built in the period 2018 – 2028 but without indicating the modal split to be achieved. Presently about 8% of all trips in Preston are by public transport. The four tramway lines proposed, linked to edge of City Park and Tram stations, should raise this to at least 20%.
The Trampower team has been strengthened during 2009. Neil Anderson has joined to develop new opportunities in the South of England and Wales. Cath Whelan is working with the Preston implementation team, as is Robin Wolfendale. Clive Hinchcliffe, based in Belgium is developing the business in Western Europe and beyond.
During the year, developments at the Carnforth Railway Centre required the Trampower OHL to be modified, to accommodate further rolling stock storage sidings. In co-operation with Paul Richardson, the site manager, this was achieved smoothly for the benefit of all concerned. Delta Rail approached us about our OHL for a contract funded by the Dept. for Transport (UK) to find ways to reduce the cost of electrification systems. We pointed out that as well as tramways, the Trampower OHL is suitable for secondly railway lines with running speeds up to 150km/hr.
The LR55 installation on the Sheffield Supertram will have been in situ for 14 years in March 2010. Regular inspection shows little wear and the PU bonding remains strong, indicating a maintenance free life of over 30 years. This is a further demonstration of the robustness, durability and economy of the LR55 system. Voest Alpine has indicated its willingness to roll the LR55 rail, and David Turner of Direct Track Solutions Ltd. is designing switches and crosses in the LR55 profile so that complete systems can be built.
We have received inquiries from Hamilton (Ontario), Auckland (NZ), Omaha (Nabraska), Limerick (Ireland), Derry (Ireland), Gyor (Hungary) and Stroud (England).
We were unsuccessful in bidding for the Tram Train project in Yorkshire, even though our offer was nearly £1million per car less than the only other bidder.
Trampower was invited to present evidence at the recent UK Parliamentary Inquiry into Light Rail, and how to make more affordable. Lewis Lesley appeared as a witness, and was supported by Peter Roche of Capita and Greg Rosen of Bellenden PR. The Inquiry Report is due out at the end of Feb 2010.