HomeLight RailFirst UK tram-train service launched

First UK tram-train service launched

Listen to this article

Rail Minister Jo Johnson visited South Yorkshire for the long-awaited launch of a new tram-train service between Sheffield and Rotherham.

A commemorative nameplate was unveiled at the new Rotherham Parkgate Tram Train stop on 25 October and the first tram-train entered passenger service at 09.39 from Sheffield Cathedral.

However, the celebrations were cut short later in the day when a number of passengers suffered minor injuries following a collision between a lorry and one of the tram-train vehicles.

Stagecoach Supertram said it was assisting police with their inquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Jo Johnson (left) with Dan Jarvis.

Supertram will run three tram-train services an hour in each direction between Sheffield Cathedral and Rotherham Central station, via Meadowhall South and Parkgate Retail Centre.

The Class 399 tram-trains will be able to travel between the Sheffield Supertram network and Rotherham via a new section of track, known as the Tinsley chord, which connects the light rail system with the main line rail network. It is the UK’s first tram-train service and the two-year pilot will be used to judge the viability of other tram-train services around the country.

In a statement, Rob McIntosh, route managing director at Network Rail, said the project had been complex and that it was “genuinely exciting” to welcome the first passengers.

Stagecoach Supertram’s managing director, Tim Bilby, said the operator was proud to have been chosen to pilot tram-trains in the UK and that he was looking forward to hearing what passenger thought about the service.


Read more: RSSB to fund rail decarbonisation research


 

RailEngineer
RailEngineerhttp://therailengineer.com
Rail Engineer is the leading independent quality monthly magazine for engineers, project managers, directors and leading rail executive decision makers. Head to www.railsubs.com to make a free subscription to RailEngineer magazine or one of its sister publications.

1 COMMENT

  1. Its good that Rotherham has its very own Tram-train service as its now part of the Sheffield Supertram network that will link from the City of Rotherham to Sheffield City Centre via using part of the National Rail Line (Dearne Valley Line) that the new line comes off from its current tram tracks at the triangle junction at Tinsley which is between Sheffield and Rotherham where the Tinsley Viaduct is located at that carries the M1 Motorway (London-Leeds-A1(M) and A631 road.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.