Last year TfL tendered for six new trams for the Croydon Tramlink. These are primarily intended to allow services on the Elmers End branch to be increased by 4tph.
The £16.3m contract was won by Stadler, who committed to produce, test and deliver 6 Variobahns in sufficient time for them to enter service by June.
As a result, several of these trams have been gracing the streets of (and Stadlers’ testing track in) Chemnitz. The first unit has also now been delivered to Therapia Lane Depot, arriving on Monday. The new tram will be inserted into the normal timetable over the next two months, although it will not pick up passengers. It is currently expected to enter passenger service at the end of February. The other new units will shortly begin to arrive as well and will undergo a similar testing regime.
Undergoing Testing, courtesy and copyright of Volker Dornheim
Undergoing Testing, courtesy and copyright of Volker Dornheim
Following a Chemnitz Tram, courtesy Volker Dornheim
Alongside a Chemnitz Tram, courtesy Volker Dornheim
Not Picking Up Passengers, courtesy Volker Dornheim
Awaiting Transportation, courtesy Volker Dornheim
The First Unit Heads Off, courtesy Volker Dornheim
The Journey Begins, courtesy Volker Dornheim
Arriving at Therapia Lane
Unloading the Tram
Being Taken off the Transporter
A Helping Hand
Maybe I missed it before, but I note that the “future engineering work” TfL site is now showing a three month shutdown of Tramlink from Wimbledon to Dundonald Road, starting on July 13th (the day after the tennis ends). From what little is visible behind the hoardings, they seem to be making considerable progress on the new platform.
Re timbeau,
I don’t think you missed it, I only noticed it about a week ago, it looks like they had a closure today to do some pre-works inspections.
I’m sorry, but most of these pictures are fake.
Re: Cai F – Oh no, and you only waited six-and-a-half years to give us this earth-shattering news!