The Harrogate Electrics Opportunity Charging Battery Buses @CitytransportInfoplus

citytransportinfo This film primarily shows the Volvo 7900e electric buses in Harrogate, Yorkshire, UK which have their batteries top-up charged during the day at the town's bus station.

Top-up charging bus batteries at a route terminus and / or other convenient locations is known as 'Opportunity Charging' (and sometimes OppCharge). The reason for doing this is that it extends the range of the working day (ie: distance that can be travelled) without needing to carry sufficient stored energy (ie: batteries) when the bus enters service.

Batteries are very heavy and buses have a legally mandated axle weight limit ... carrying more batteries (to extend the range between charges) can sometimes mean that the overall number of passengers who can travel on the bus has to be reduced.

The battery charging system used in Harrogate involves a pantograph that lowers on to charge bars located on the roof of the bus. Some people refer to this as 'panto down'.

There is also a commercially rival system where a pantograph is stored on the roof of the bus, when opportunity charging it is raised to make contact with an overhead charging unit. Often called 'panto up' this is very briefly seen at the end of this film.

Also briefly seen in this film are the 1990s battery electric minibuses in Oxford, which to use present-day terminology 'opportunity charged' outside the railway station.

updated 2 years ago

The Harrogate Electrics Opportunity Charging Battery Buses

citytransportinfo 2023-12-30 | This film primarily shows the Volvo 7900e electric buses in Harrogate, Yorkshire, UK which have their batteries top-up charged during the day at the town's bus station.

Top-up charging bus batteries at a route terminus and / or other convenient locations is known as 'Opportunity Charging' (and sometimes OppCharge). The reason for doing this is that it extends the range of the working day (ie: distance that can be travelled) without needing to carry sufficient stored energy (ie: batteries) when the bus enters service.

Batteries are very heavy and buses have a legally mandated axle weight limit ... carrying more batteries (to extend the range between charges) can sometimes mean that the overall number of passengers who can travel on the bus has to be reduced.

The battery charging system used in Harrogate involves a pantograph that lowers on to charge bars located on the roof of the bus. Some people refer to this as 'panto down'.

There is also a commercially rival system where a pantograph is stored on the roof of the bus, when opportunity charging it is raised to make contact with an overhead charging unit. Often called 'panto up' this is very briefly seen at the end of this film.

Also briefly seen in this film are the 1990s battery electric minibuses in Oxford, which to use present-day terminology 'opportunity charged' outside the railway station.

San Francisco 1998 Film 2 - The Cable Cars

citytransportinfo 2024-05-09 | A film about the iconic cable cars.

We see them in action, a little about how they work and go for a ride on one of them. We also visit the powerhouse - which is where the cables are powered, plus the cable car barn / depot / garage (etc), where they are maintained, and a visitor attraction / museum with displays that include much historical information, preserved cable cars and information on how the cable car system works.

Also included is a short sequence showing a street-based funicular in Lisbon, Portugal and the Great Orme Tramway in Wales, UK.

Filmed using S-VHS videotape and 35mm still image photographs in summer 1998

Music: Hyperfun by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

San Francisco Transport Medley 1998 Film 1

citytransportinfo 2024-04-09 | Looking at the various urban transports, as filmed in July 1998.

Included in this film are:
*the original Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) trains (including a ride inside), seen prior to refurbishment;
*Breda and Boeing light rail vehicles;
*PCC and Peter Witt streetcars / trams;
*trolleycoaches / trolleybuses;
*the unusual curved escalators;
*the steeply graded Lombard Street and its hairpin bends;
*real and pseudo cable cars - the latter are motor buses built for tourist sightseeing services which have been styled to look like cable cars;
*double deck buses used on tourist sightseeing services.

Everything is seen briefly - film two looks at the cable cars in much greater detail with footage from more locations in this city.and also a cable car ride

Filmed using an Hitachi S83 S-VHS-C camcorder with stereo sound plus a still image slide show with images derived from 35mm film (mostly Kodachrome).

Slide show music Samba Isobel by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) CC-BY-3.0
incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1700071
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0

Riding An Island Line Class 484 Train

citytransportinfo 2024-03-23 | Riding a Vivarail upgraded D-Train on the Isle Of Wight

This film rides and has lineside views of 484 005 as it travels from Ryde to Shanklin. On this day only this one train was in service and the service frequency was hourly.

Perhaps the most successful of the Vivarail upgrades of former London Underground D stock trains is the small fleet on the Isle of Wight which are powered at 750 V DC by a third rail.

Filmed in March 2024.

Glasgow Subway Older And Newer Trains

citytransportinfo 2024-02-25 | The Metro Cammell and Stadler trains - mostly filmed in February 2024 with a few scenes from the early 1990s.

Transport For Wales Class 230 D-Trains at Bidston

citytransportinfo 2024-02-11 | Two Class 230 trains call at Bidston Station which is also served by Wirral line Merseyrail Class 777 trains travelling between Liverpool and West Kirby.

Class 230 trains are former London Underground District line subsurface D stock trains which were converted and up-scaled for second lives by the former company called Vivarail..

There is also a short still image slideshow looking inside the trains.

These trains are used on the route between Bidston and Wrexham, only some journeys use them - other journeys use different trains.

Much went wrong when filming this - the train that came first was running early and I was looking in the opposite direction in anticipation of the other train. I had rainwater on my camera lens and some of the footage is somewhat unsteady.

Overground Trains At Leytonstone High Road, Central Line Train Passes Below

citytransportinfo 2024-02-03 | Includes an Overground and Underground train pass - on a sunny January day we see London Overground 'Goblin' route Class 710 trains at Leytonstone High Road station and then ride one of the trains over a bridge whilst a London Underground Central line 1992ts tube train passes below.

The footage at the station includes many shadows from leafless tree branches adorning the sides of the trains. This was caused by the sun being low in the sky

Rare Track - London Overground Train Departs From Platform 11 At Stratford Station London

citytransportinfo 2024-01-21 | Normally Overground trains call at platforms 1 and 2, so seeing one calling at platform 11 is rare.

Exploring Greater Anglia Class 755 Trains

citytransportinfo 2024-01-14 | A look at the Greater Anglia Class 755 trains.

Built by Stadler Rail of Switzerland and part of their FLIRT product range these articulated bi-mode trains have an electric drive system and can be powered from both 25,000 v ac overhead wires (where available) or onboard diesel generators (on non-electrified routes).

A feature that for the UK is unusual is that the diesel generators are located in a special Power Pack carriage. This makes it possible for the train to have a lower floor height than usual, and as a result when the train calls at stations with standard height platforms every passenger doorway offers 'level access' boarding. Because station platforms often need sufficient clearance for goods / freight trains to pass by there is often a wider than desirable gap between the platform and the train. Therefore every passenger doorway also has a retractable step which is deployed during station stops.

Class 755 trains comes in two variants:
755/3 trains have three passenger coaches and two diesel engines in the Power Pack.
755/4 trains have four passenger coaches and four diesel engines in the Power Pack.

All Class 755 trains are articulated with unpowered Jacobs bogies. Traction motors are fitted to the bogies located at each end of the trains.

Internally these trains have a wealth of expected passenger facilities. A mix of 2 + 2 seating in both 'at table' and 'airline' configuration, dedicated spaces for passengers who use wheelchairs, shared space for parents with children in pushchairs / buggies / strollers and cyclists, air conditioning, large picture windows, toilets (one of which is suitable for wheelchairs), real-time passenger information (both audible and visual) and passenger loading information. This latter feature is useful when a train becomes crowded as passengers can then see if there is more space (even available seating) elsewhere on the train.

Mostly filmed on the Marks Tey - Sudbury branchline which also serves Chapel & Wakes Colne station, which is the home of the East Anglia Railway Museum (https://earm.co.uk). This line is also known as The Gainsborough line - named after the famous painter who was born in Sudbury.

New Railway Station Brent Cross West Is Now Open

citytransportinfo 2023-12-17 | Visiting the brand new Brent Cross West railway station which opened on Sunday 10th December 2023

This station comprises two double-sided island platforms and two street entrances (one each on opposite sides of the tracks) which create a new weather-protected walking route across the railway for local people - even if they are not actually travelling by train. Because the station is on an elevated section of railway the platforms were somewhat windswept on the day I filmed this. Another design feature is the high ceiling - its height seems to remain constant throughout the ticket hall, upper level passageways and station entrances - this is especially noticeable at the Brent Cross Town entrance.

In addition to the expected desirable amenities, such as platform shelters, waiting rooms, toilets and full accessibility there is wayfinding information on the handrails (including in braille) and one of the street entrances has what look bike wheeling ramps / push ramps / runnels. A café is planned too.

The Brent Cross Town station entrance is very grand, with planting and wooden seating areas more reminiscent of a courtyard garden than a railway station.

1962ts RAT Train Calls At Roding Valley Station - Look Inside!

citytransportinfo 2023-12-03 | The 8 car 1959/1962 tube stock train calls at Roding Valley station and I get to see inside part of the train.

Whilst there a 1992ts train travelling in the opposite direction passes by.

The falling leaves sequence was filmed from a bridge over the railway where there is a good view of Newbury Park station.

The purpose of this rat train is to lay a special adhesive substance on the rails. This is to help the train when braking by preventing it from sliding out of control on the slippery slime created in the autumn leaf-fall season when tree leaves fall on to the tracks. Normally this train works at the eastern end of the London Underground Central line and a 5 car train works at the western end of the Central line.

Only 'open air' sections of the railway needs this special treatment - and not the central London portion of the Central line as this is wholly underground.

Seven Trains In 3 Minutes 30 Seconds At Stratford Station London

citytransportinfo 2023-11-23 | London Underground Central line, Docklands Light Railway, London Overground, Elizabeth line and Freightliner trains plus a red double-deck bus at Stratford station, London.

Mostly filmed from the London (west) end of platform 5.

Great Portland Street Station London 1990 - 2023 Contrasts

citytransportinfo 2023-11-16 | Trains at the London Transport / London Underground Great Portland Street railway station filmed between 1990 and 2023.

A, C and S stocks plus the vintage LU150 train which comprised authentic wood-bodied Metropolitan Railway passenger carriages from 1900 - and earlier - plus milk van, steam locomotive and electric locomotive.

Also seen is a passenger carriage that used to be included in trains which called at this station but nowadays can be found at the GWR-themed Didcot Railway Centre.

Nottingham Trams Buses July 2018

citytransportinfo 2023-11-03 | Trams and buses in Nottingham, England, filmed in July 2018 in an hour-long interval whilst changing trains at Nottingham Midlands railway station.

Trains (and a bus!) At Alfreton

citytransportinfo 2023-10-28 | A few trains and a bus at Alfreton station - I was going to the Crich Tramway Village and this is where I changed between train and bus.

GWR No.4270 Visiting The North Norfolk Railway

citytransportinfo 2023-10-20 | Great Western Railway 4200 Class 2-8-0T steam locomotive (built in 1919) No. 4270 visiting the North Norfolk Railway for its 2022 Bank Holiday summer gala

This is seen departing from Sheringham station and arriving at Holt station.

The passenger coaches are:
W25189 Mk1 SK - Western Region chocolate and cream livery
E3868 Mk1 TSO - Maroon livery
M4843 Mk1 TSO - Maroon livery
W35148 Mk1 BSK - Maroon livery

Addington Village Light Rail (Tram) / Bus Interchange

citytransportinfo 2023-10-12 | A few minutes at the Croydon (South London) Tramlink light rail / bus interchange station called Addington Village Interchange

New And Old Southend Pier Railway Trains

citytransportinfo 2023-09-21 | This film shows and rides the new 2021 battery-electric trains on the iconic Southend Pier Railway.

There are also still image slide shows showing the 1949 third rail electric and 1986 diesel-hydraulic trains, plus some views of the pier and the shore from the pier.

At 1.33 miles from shore to pier head the Southend-On-Sea pier is the longest pleasure pier in our world. It needs to be this long to ensure that ships can dock at the pier head even when the tide is out.

Southend-On-Sea is an east coast / Thames estuary city in the English county of Essex. It is served by two rival rail services from London's Liverpool Street station (Greater Anglia) and Fenchurch Street station (C2C). Between 1910 and the start of WW2 in 1939 it was also served by the 'Southend Corridor Express' trains which linked Ealing Broadway in west London with Southend via the London Underground District line.

Music: "Glitter Blast" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

Vancouver New Flyer Trolleybuses In 1993

citytransportinfo 2023-08-31 | As part of a multi-city trip around North America in May 1993 I spent a few days in Vancouver BC Canada where I filmed the New Flyer trolleybuses and the fully automated driverless SkyTrain (as it was called in those days) urban railway / metro / subway.

This film primarily shows the trolleybuses - pure electric buses powered from twin overhead wires that do not emit any tailpipe air pollution.

Some North American cities also call this type of vehicle a 'trolleycoach'.

Vancouver sources its electricity from hydro power stations, which means that the power supplies are 100% clean / non polluting.

Thanks to their physical connection to the power supply grid trolleybuses can benefit from unlimited distance and time schedules - in some cities they are even known to work for 24 hours (and longer) in one shift, stopping only for a few minutes to allow a change of human bus driver!

Trolleybuses should not be confused with battery buses, which are also electric but carry their source of energy on them. This adds weight and restricts how far they can travel before needing to be parked somewhere for the batteries to be recharged.

A way to avoid the down-time when battery buses have to be taken out of service for battery charging is for the buses to be fitted with overhead wire power collection equipment and to recharge their batteries whilst travelling in trolleybus mode. This innovation is known as in-motion charging (IMC). It is not seen in this film but currently (2023) it is being planned for Vancouver. The idea being to replace polluting fossil fuel buses (diesel, CNG / LPG types of gas etc). This concept is especially beneficial where the fossil fuel buses travel for most of their time on roads already equipped with overhead power supply wires and to allow buses to use roads on limited services (eg: peak-hour extensions beyond the daily terminus) where the cost of installing overhead power supply wires can bot be justified.

Also seen in this film is the diesel powered bus that has bodywork somewhat similar to what in the US English dialect is known as a 'Vintage Trolley'. This term refers to a first generation streetcar / tram.

Limited Stop Superloop Buses For London

citytransportinfo 2023-07-29 | To entice more people to travel by bus in suburban London there is to be an orbital network of suburban limited-stop buses linking many town centres, transport hubs and other popular destinations.

To increase their public visibility these buses will be given a special red and white livery and operate under the brand name of Superloop

In addition, some existing radial limited-stop buses are to be re-branded as part of the Superloop network.

(orbital - seven bus routes that encircle London in an almost complete ring, with easy interchange with adjacent Superloop buses and other transports)

(radial - three existing bus routes that travel north-south or east-west from outer suburban locations to destinations nearer central London)

Superloop buses will only call at a limited number of busier bus stop which will be clearly identified with a special logo and Superloop branding on the bus stop flag.

Experience with existing limited-stop bus services has shown that they do attract more passengers, mainly because people value faster travel (or, to say this in another way, people value shorter journey times).

Piccadilly Line 90 Years Extension Rail Tour Train At Southgate Station

citytransportinfo 2023-07-10 | The London Underground 1938 tube stock Heritage Train passes through Southgate railway station.

It is travelling from Oakwood to Acton Town as part of celebrations for it being 90 years since the opening of the Piccadilly line route between Finsbury Park and Cockfosters stations.

The southbound platform at this station is the only location on the London Underground where a passenger standing on a deep level tube train platform can peer through a tube train tunnel and see daylight.

(At Kensal Green the station is in open air and Gloucester Road is a subsurface network station)

Sussex Rambler - Class 313 Farewell Tour Train

citytransportinfo 2023-05-23 | The farewell tour for Class 313 trains used by Southern on its Coastway services.

I was only able to attend part of the tour and the stations visited are Haywards Heath, Eastbourne, Hastings and Brighton.

Class 313 trains were built for the 25,000 V AC electrification of suburban services on the East Coast Main Line out of London's Kings Cross station and also worked on the deep underground tube train section of railway between Drayton Park and Moorgate that was built for this purpose in circa 1904. Whilst underground they were powered via a 750 V DC third rail. This film includes still image views of Class 313 trains at Finsbury Park and Moorgate stations, as filmed back in the late 1970s.

Named 'Sussex Rambler', the tour train comprised 313 213 in Southern livery with Coastway branding and 313 201 which was painted in a modified British Rail blue / grey livery similar to the livery worn by the Class 313 trains when first introduced in 1976. To comply with present-day train door visibility regulations the passenger doors had to be painted in an easily visible contrasting colour, instead of grey around the windows and blue elsewhere, to match the sides of the train. A short film clip of a Class 315 train departing from Stratford station shows the original livery.

This film also includes still images showing the Coastway branding on the side of the train, several views inside the tour train at Hastings and inside a Class 313 train in original 1976 format.

London One-Day Ride-at-Will Travelcard Tickets Under Threat

citytransportinfo 2023-05-15 | (Since this film was made the consultation end date was revised to 6th June 2023)

Transport For London (TfL) want to stop selling daily 'ride at will' Travelcard tickets

Instead they want passengers using smart card / contactless ticketing with a cap (limit) on total daily charges

TfL have launched a public consultation at this link:

haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/travelcards

These links explain more...

transportfocus.org.uk/blog/higher-cost-more-hassle-transport-users-say-no-to-travelcard-changes

busandtrainuser.com/2022/01/22/travelcard-under-threat

twitter.com/InclusionLondon/status/1653750938769711105

clondoner92.blogspot.com/2022/04/why-is-transport-for-london-proposing.html

clondoner92.blogspot.com/2022/12/i-believe-tfl-should-reform-travelcard.html

Music: "Darkest Child" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) CC-BY-4.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

**Below is the text shown in the video:**

Page 1

Daily 'ride at will' Travelcard tickets are purchased before travelling and guarantee that there will not be any unexpected extra charges

Smart card / contactless ticketing is a very different system which leaves passengers facing extra charges if...

*the smart card / contactless device is not properly read at each end of their journey
*the journey took longer than the allowed time limit
*the passenger did not use the same smart card or contactless device at both ends of the journey

Page 2

Usually journey time limits are breached when...
*there is a long delay during the journey
*a passenger left the railway at an 'out of station' interchange - and after a short while started a new journey without realising that the ticketing system regarded that new journey as an extension of the previous journey
*passengers using hand-propelled wheelchairs wait for staff assistance or stop for a rest
*passengers 'wait for friends' inside the 'fares paid' area

Page 3

Passengers who buy one day Travelcards include...

*savvy Londoners who wish to avoid journey time limits or have lost (had stolen?) their smart card / contactless device
*visitors from elsewhere in the UK who buy combined main line railway and one-day London Travelcard tickets
*married couples with two plastic payment cards on one account - as only one person can use these at a time
*holders of railcard discounts that are incompatible with almost all smart card / contactless payment systems

First View Of A New DLR B23 Train

citytransportinfo 2023-04-19 | First view of a new Docklands Light Railway (DLR) B23 train, as seen from a passing Jubilee line train. Being brand new the train was being tested and staff being trained to drive it plus other on-train duties.

As can be seen in this film, these trains comprise five carriages with a mix of two or three passenger doors on each side.

In many ways they look more like heavy rail 'metro' trains than the light rail vehicles which the DLR has used until now.

You Can Ride London Transport 1938ts Heritage Train April 2023

citytransportinfo 2023-04-19 | The London Transport Museum 1938 tube stock Heritage train will be carrying passengers on Saturday 29th, Sunday 30th April and Bank Holiday Monday 1st May (2023)

For these journeys it is the Coronation Special, so-named to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles, although it should be noted that these special journeys will be running the weekend before the Coronation.

On each day it will make four journeys between Acton Town and Uxbridge.

Tickets can be bought from ...
ltmuseum.co.uk/whats-on/heritage-events/heritage-train-journeys-coronation-special

High Speed Tube Train & DLR Side By Side Ride

citytransportinfo 2023-04-09 | Riding a Jubilee line 1996 stock tube train whilst passing a B90 / B92 / B2K Docklands Light Railway (DLR) train - after calling at West Ham station the Jubilee line train shows the DLR train a 'clean pair of heels' as it zooms away at high speed for the journey to Canning Town, which is where this filmclip ends.

There is also a bonus footage film clip filmed on the platform at Star Lane station showing a Jubilee line train passing by 'at speed'.

Circle Line Mystery Tour Train Is Held At Aldgate

citytransportinfo 2023-03-12 | A London Underground Circle line train calls at Aldgate station, where it is then held (ie: delayed) to regulate the service.

The electronic passenger information system did not state where the train was travelling to - for all intents and purposes this train was on a 'magical mystery tour'.

Whilst here we see a Metropolitan line train arrive.

Trains Using New Rare Track At Tower Hill Station

citytransportinfo 2023-02-26 | Circle line trains using the new connection to the former bay platform at the eastern end of the London Underground Tower Hill station

Sheffield Supertram TramTrains in Action

citytransportinfo 2023-02-10 | About the light rail vehicles known as tramtrains (and sometimes tram-trains) that are used on the Sheffield Supertram system.

The British city of Sheffield has seven of these Stadler Citylink trams. Three of them were bought to enhance existing Supertram services and four were bought for a new service to Rotherham Parkgate which also travels on tracks owned by Network Rail and is still used by main line railway passenger and freight trains.

In the present-era the use of trams on main line railways alongside main line trains was pioneered in the late 1980s and early 1990s in the German city of Karlsruhe.
One service that included a section of main line railway that had been listed for closure saw a 500% increase in passenger numbers .The Karlsruhe Stadtbahn (City Railway) network includes many of the examples of the 'tramtrain benefits' listed further down this page, as well Inter-City local services to Baden Baden which is about 20 miles away.

Until now, the introduction of a new tram / light rail service here in the UK has always displaced heavy rail trains. The Tyne & Wear Metro, Manchester Metrolink and South London / Croydon Tramlink^ all include sections of main line railway that were closed for conversion to light rail. Along with the West Midlands Metro and Nottingham NET these systems also include portions of their networks where there is^ bi-directional single track alongside (or close to) tracks used by main line trains as an alternative to Karlsruhe style track sharing.

^The Tyneside route to South Shields has now been converted to full track sharing. Admittedly Tramlink would not have been able to track share with main line railway routes energised on the electric third rail system

The type of track sharing on the Rotherham route between different types of heavy and light rail vehicles already exists on the Tyne & Wear Metro route to Sunderland, and this film includes a little footage showing this.

Also shown are a few examples of track sharing in London which have been operating for over 100 years. However these are all heavy rail trains and two of the examples shown date back to the steam train era.

One railway station (Rotherham Central) is served by both main line railway passenger trains and Supertram tramtrains. Because the different types of railway vehicles have different height floors the platforms at this station were lengthened with a low-level / kerb-height section of platform. This helps ensure full accessibility as this station.

In the UK the Rotherham Central type of dual-height platform was seen as a 'new innovation' ... the reality is that its only 'new' here because the UK are urban transport laggards - as this film is primarily about Sheffield and the UK I refrained from adding any 1990's video footage showing this being done in Europe.

The potential benefits of widespread use of tramtrains / tram-trains include:

*restoring passenger services on freight-only lines

*where the main railway station is remote from the true city centre then by replacing a need to interchange to an urban service with a seamless a 'one seat' through service all the way to the city centre tramtrains can even help save the railway line from closure (as was found in Karlsruhe)

*unlocking main line routes with spare capacity for newer 'more local' services - perhaps with new stations added closer to desired destinations.

*short deviations away from existing main line routes through city streets, so as to bring the service closer to residential areas, trading estates and other desired destinations

**all whilst existing railway services continue as before

One topic not looked at in the film is power supply voltage. The Supertram Stadler Citylink tramtrains can operate on both tramway 750V dc and main line railway 25,000V ac. However as the main line railway here is energised at tramway voltage I decided that this topic is not important - at present.

Karlsruhe Tram-Train 5 The Karlsruhe Model

citytransportinfo 2022-12-18 | The German state-owned railway company (DB) wanted to close a little-used branch line that served a rural area near the city of Karlsruhe.

Local people were not happy with this proposal and it was decided that a locally owned railway operator (AVG) would take over the service.

Their solution was to introduce a new type of light rail train which was a combination of tram / streetcar and train that could provide a through service using street tramway trackage between Karlsruhe main railway station, the city centre pedestrian zone and then the mainline railway branch line.

In addition some new stations were built closer to destinations that people would like to travel to and other stations were refurbished.

This service proved very popular with very significant increases in passenger numbers and a few years later it led to the creation of a regional network of tram-train services. What has become known as 'The Karlsruhe Model' also saw other towns and cities using light rail type tram-trains on similar services. There is even one tram-train service here in the UK - travelling over part of the Sheffield Supertram network and also mainline railway tracks to Rotherham.

Mostly filmed at the weekend shortly after the service had began, this video shows the special tram-trains in action alongside several types of mainline railway trains.

Trains Buses Aircraft At Silvertown, London

citytransportinfo 2022-12-04 | Elizabeth line and Docklands Light Railway trains, buses on London bus routes Nos. 473 and 474 plus an aircraft as seen on bright sunny days in July 2022

Some footage was filmed from a footbridge over the railway close to where the former Silvertown railway station used to be.

Also seen is the former Silvertown station in its single-platform format after rebuilding for British Rail Network SouthEast North London Line services between Richmond and North Woolwich.

More information about the history of this station plus many photographs - some of which date back many decades - can be found on the '|Disused Stations' website at this link:
http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/s/silvertown

The photograph which is used in the film came from Wikimedia Commons at this link:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Silvertown_station_1.jpg
"Fin Fahey" CC-BY-SA-2.5 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5

The location where this was filmed was reached by travelling on the DLR to London City Airport station and using the Drew Road exit, walking along Saville Road and turning right into Albert Road.

Also seen in this film is St Mark's Church which nowadays is home of the Brick Lane Music Hall
bricklanemusichall.co.uk/about

Calgary C-Train 1993 Film 4 (of 4)

citytransportinfo 2022-11-27 | C-Train is the original name of the light rail network in the Canadian city of Calgary which nowadays is known as the CTrain.

This light-metro type of urban transport / transit uses light rail vehicles (LRVs) on a mostly segregated route, although in the city centre it travels in street tramway / streetcar / trolley car mode along a transit mall which is shared with buses, city and emergency vehicles.

Using S-VHS video footage which dates from May 1993 this film includes a driver's eye / forward looking view as we travel through part of the 7th Avenue South transit mall - which is a 'free fares' zone plus views from the footpath and Calgary Tower.

The film also concludes with a still image slide show (set to music) with 35mm photos from 1986 and 1993.

Music:
Malt Shop Bop by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) License: CC-BY-3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0
incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100496

George Street Shuffle by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) License: CC-BY-3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0
incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1300035

Elizabeth Line Train For Paddington Departs From Whitechapel

citytransportinfo 2022-11-24 | A very short film showing a London Elizabeth line train heading for Paddington station departing from Whitechapel station

This film also shows what the passenger information displays above the platform screen doors show when trains are ready to depart at the end of station stops.

Elizabeth Line Train To Maidenhead Arrives At Whitechapel

citytransportinfo 2022-11-21 | A short film showing a Class 345 Elizabeth line train going to Maidenhead arriving at Whitechapel railway station

Also seen is a passenger information display detailing the train's journey - because of the length of the station platforms these are located directly above each set of platform doors.

Elizabeth Line Trains Start Through Running GW & GE Main Lines - Central London

citytransportinfo 2022-11-13 | Elizabeth line trains which travel on the Great Western and Great Eastern Main Lines are now travelling through the central London tunnels*

This film visits both tunnel portals and more. It also includes some of the alternative services which still travel into the central London terminus stations (Paddington, Liverpool Street)

Mostly filmed in November 2022 but with a few earlier scenes

*But at present Great Eastern (GE) main line trains only go as far west as Paddington station

Bond Street Elizabeth Line Station Is Now Open

citytransportinfo 2022-10-25 | Looking at the new Elizabeth line station at Bond Street.

This station has two ticket halls - one at each end of the 255 metre platforms.

The eastern ticket hall is in Hanover Square and is convenient for Regent Street, Oxford Circus Underground station and the Oxford Street branch of John Lewis. TfL have created an 'out of station' interchange so that passengers using Oyster and other electronic ticketing systems can leave the 'fares paid area' and interchange between Oxford Circus and this station and then continue their journey without being charged a new fare. But this facility is strictly time limited.

The western ticket hall is in Davies Street, close to the West One Shopping Centre and Selfridges. It includes a direct connection to the existing London Underground station that is served by Central and Jubilee line trains. The interchange passage includes a seated area so that people who can walk but only short distances can have a rest.

The western ticket hall also features three artworks created in 2017 by British artist Darren Almond, these are seen in the film and more about them can be found on the crossrail.co.uk website at the link below.

crossrail.co.uk/benefits/art-on-crossrail/artwork-at-bond-street

Waiting For (The) Norwich (Train)

citytransportinfo 2022-09-16 | Train watching at Stratford station London whilst waiting for a train to Norwich

Trains seen include: Greater Anglia Class 720, 745
C2C Class 357
London Overground Class 378
TfL Elizabeth line Class 345
TfL Central line 1992ts

My journey was actually to Sheringham where I visited the North Norfolk Railway and a little footage from here is seen at the end of this film.

Calgary C-Train 1993 Film 3 (of 4)

citytransportinfo 2022-09-16 | The Calgary, Alberta, Canada C-Train in 1993.

Sourced from SVHS video footage this film includes forward looking views and line side views on the route to Brentwood which when this was filmed was a terminus station. Some (not all) intermediate stations are seen.

There are many views of the busy bus / rail interchange at Brentwood (filmed during the day / off-peak as the intent was to see the station, trains and buses, not crowds of people!)

There are also some 'arty' or 'artistic' views of passing trains.

When the video tape was digitised the sound track somehow became 'out of sync' from the images, although for most of the video this was corrected by extracting the sound as an mp3 file and manually adding it via the video editing software's' audio tracks.

Ilford Station Landmark Building Ticket Hall Is Now Open

citytransportinfo 2022-09-05 | A still image slide show about the new landmark building at Ilford railway station which opened on Thursday 1st September 2022

Ilford station is on the London Liverpool Street - East Anglia Great Eastern Main Line and the new station building was built as part of London's Elizabeth line project.

The new building is bright, airy and spacious with a glass wall frontage and a high ceiling.

It has a much longer gate line than the old building and the project also included installing lifts so that the station is now fully accessible between the street and the platforms.

At the time of filming the works were still incomplete, as described at the end of the film.

The background music is "Glitter Blast" by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
License: CC-BY-4.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

Calgary C-Train 1993 Film 2 (of 4)

citytransportinfo 2022-08-21 | The Calgary, Alberta, Canada C-Train in 1993.

Sourced from SVHS video footage this film mostly comprises forward looking views on the route to Anderson, which when this was filmed was a terminus station. Most (not all) intermediate stations are seen - some twice!

During the journey we pass a freight train on an adjacent track.

Whilst in Calgary it was my good fortune to chance upon one of the experimental three-phase AC traction trainsets and this film includes No.3001 - both as seen from a station platform and a ride inside, so that its unique sounds can be heard.

Barking Riverside Station Is Now Open

citytransportinfo 2022-07-31 | Visiting the brand new Barking Riverside station which is an extension of the London Overground GOBLIN (Gospel Oak - Barking Riverside Line) service.

Filmed on opening day (18th July 2022, sunny weather) and 22nd July (cloudy weather).
Unfortunately signalling problems in the Walthamstow area on the 18th saw train services on the entire route being temporarily suspended, so the train seen leaving the station at the end of the film was the last train (unknown to me at the time) and to leave the station I ended up having to travel on the EL1 buses, as also seen in the film.

New Platform At Bank Station

citytransportinfo 2022-06-02 | To help alleviate overcrowding at Bank London Underground station Northern line trains now use a brand new southbound platform, and the old platform tunnel has been converted into a walking route.

This change means that railway passengers can benefit from easier and better access to and egress from both Northern line platforms plus passengers interchanging between the Central line and District / Circle lines at Monument station no longer need to use the Northern line platforms as interchange passages

This film also includes some historic views of the old platform filmed in 1991 and 2010

Elizabeth Line London: Whitechapel - Canary Wharf

citytransportinfo 2022-05-25 | Riding the new Elizabeth Line railway service from Whitechapel to Canary Wharf plus station platform views

(I only filmed part of the journey as its in a tunnel - there is nothing to see!)

Class 345 trains are not new - they have been running in London since 2017

London Crossrail / Elizabeth Line Is Coming Soon

citytransportinfo 2022-05-11 | A very short film to advise my subscribers (who do not already know this) that the 'new build' section of Crossrail 1 / Elizabeth line will open on 24th May 2022

For the time being trains are only travelling between Paddington and Abbey Wood stations, plus non-stopping Bond Street station which is not yet ready to open. Please note that apart from the Platinum Jubilee weekend this new section of railway will remain closed on Sundays.

The existing TFL Rail services between Reading and Paddington plus Liverpool Street and Shenfield will continue to operate as they have been for the past few years.

Also, as this a mainline railway service (NOT part of the London Underground) the full range of National Rail passes will be accepted, including the All Line Rover, BritRail pass, etc.

A Chesham Express train calls at London Baker Street railway station

citytransportinfo 2022-04-29 | A short 1990s nostalgia blast showing London Transport A stock trains at Baker Street station, including one on an hour-long 'Chesham Express' service that featured a 19 minute non-stop run between Finchley Road and Moor Park stations.

btw, stereo headphones are recommended as there are also some 'unusual' noises which are more easily heard with headphones (or the sound turned up loudly, which might annoy people near to you). For instance, the hum noise as the doors open and close and what I think is the Chiltern Court clock.

The Chesham train footage has (as far as I am aware) never been seen before.

Trains and More at Tower Hill 1970s - 2022

citytransportinfo 2022-04-24 | Still images of CO/CP and R stock trains (filmed in the late 1970s), S-VHS video of the C and D stocks (filmed in 1990) and HD video of the 1938 Tube stock, C, D, and S 'Subsurface Railway' stocks as filmed on various dates between 2012 and 2022.

The S stock footage includes showing how the use of white lights on the train sides can help passengers know when a train is about to close its doors and leave the station.

In addition to the trains this film also shows:
*the station
*the sundial above the station entrance roof
*the remains of part of the Roman-era Wall of London (thought to be about 2,000 years old!)
*the nearby Tower of London (an historic castle that was founded after the Norman invasion in 1066)
*one of London's best loved landmarks - Tower Bridge.

Also seen are some tourist sightseeing buses, 'New Routemaster' buses, and more.

One film clip was also sourced from the south bank of the River Thames which is easily reached from Tower Hill Underground station by walking across Tower Bridge.

One of my longest films, a little over 20 minutes in duration.

There are two short sequences with copyright-free background music:
Samba Isobel by Kevin MacLeod CC BY 3.0
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0
incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1700071

Uber Boat Docks At Tower Pier

citytransportinfo 2022-04-11 | An Uber boat passes below Tower Bridge and then docks at Tower Pier, which is next to the Tower of London - an historic castle which was founded after the Norman invasion in 1066.

In London Uber Boat is a partnership between Thames Clippers - London's commuter ferry service - and Uber.

Calgary C-Train 1993 Film 1 (of 4)

citytransportinfo 2022-03-27 | C-Train is the original name of the light rail network in the Canadian city of Calgary which nowadays is known as the CTrain.

This light-metro type of urban transport / transit uses light rail vehicles (LRVs) on a mostly segregated route, although in the city centre it travels in street tramway / streetcar / trolley car mode along a transit mall which is shared with buses, city and emergency vehicles.

Using S-VHS video footage which dates from May 1993 this film shows Marlborough station, a driver's eye / forward looking view as we travel back to the city centre and the 7th Avenue South transit mall - which is a 'free fares' zone.

Also seen is the Plus 15 (+15) elevated walkway system where it crosses the transit mall and a double deck / two floor (+15 and +30) elevated portion of the walkway system. This extensive weather protected walkway system (heated in the bitterly cold winters, air-conditioned in the hot summers) offers pedestrians a more comfortable way to walk around the central core of the city. By eliminating road traffic / pedestrian conflict it also improves road safety.

East Acton Platform Rebuilding

citytransportinfo 2022-02-27 | The eastbound platform at East Acton London Underground Central line railway station is being rebuilt and trains are passing through without stopping.

Westbound trains continue to call (stop) here as usual.

Also briefly looked at is the overgrown trackbed that runs alongside the station and railway line, and this film includes an historic view of a steam train using the now disused tracks as filmed from the station platform.

The steam train: Down Milk empties passing East Acton LTE Station
© Copyright Ben Brooksbank
geograph.org.uk/photo/2518393
Licenced for reuse: CC BY-SA 2.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0

Karlsruhe Trams 4 - Trains and Tram-Trains to Pforzheim

citytransportinfo 2022-02-16 | In the early 1990s the German Federal Railways were short of rolling stock for use on local services in the Karslruhe area so some tram-trains were used to help maintain the service.

This film shows them at Karlsruhe, Durlach, Ersingen and Pforzheim railway stations.

One of the aims when filming was to clearly show that the tram trains really were travelling on tracks also used by normal mainline trains - including International express passenger services and goods / freight trains. Just by chance a steam train was also seen - at Ersingen station.

The film ends riding inside the train-trains.

Since this was filmed the tram-train concept has matured with the tram-trains being the mainstay of an extensive 'city railway' (Stadtbahn) network that reaches several nearby towns, in some cases also extending beyond the mainline railway's tracks to travel through urban streets as new-build street tramways.

Here in the UK tram-trains are used on the Sheffield Supertram network plus the Tyne & Wear Metro route to Sunderland sees 'light metro' type trains also travelling over mainline railway tracks.

In addition, although the specifics are different track sharing between different types of larger and smaller trains is a well-known concept in London and used to exist in the Liverpool Merseyside system in the days when Liverpool Overhead Railway trains were extended over mainline railway tracks to serve the Aintree horse racing stadium.

S-VHS video footage from December 1991, February and May 1992