Richard's Tram Blog

Monday, October 26, 2015

AUTUMN TOUR OF FRANCE, SPAIN AND PORTUGAL - SEP/OCT 2015 - CADIZ

Cadiz is still under construction despite contracts being awarded in 2008.

Still very much under construction

Same in other direction

Cafe of hope!

Waiting and hoping

Stop at Santo Entierro ready except for ticket machines

Track at crossing showing signs of traffic wear

Looking away from the stop, even the astro turf is fraying now

AUTUMN TOUR OF FRANCE, SPAIN AND PORTUGAL - SEP/OCT 2015 - SEVILLE

Seville proved to be very interesting where the metro is operated by 17 CAF Urbos and is difficult to p;hotograph as it is the type with doors on the platforms. The one tram line is on the street in the centre, but operated by the bus company.

The trams run on battery through the centre

Passing the cathedral - very smart grey/bronze livery

At San Bernardo terminus

The short lengths of overhead to boost the batteries

Map of the tramway

Lots of large grey traction poles to get in the way

Trolley being deployed in the Centre

The best I could do for a metro shot!

AUTUMN TOUR OF FRANCE, SPAIN AND PORTUGAL - SEP/OCT 2015 - MALAGA

On to Malaga, which has a two route system opened in 2014 using CAF Urbos. Route 1 is on the surface, but the Centre and route 2 is underground.

Andalucia Tech terminus - yet again service a university, some students can be seen in the background

A detail of the side panels, which is a route map and is written to spell out Malaga

Looking towards Puesto de Control depot about one km away

Livery detail again, not sure qht the eye is about

Like a few of the other new tramways, termini in the middle of scrubland

Emerging from the tunnel near Andalucia Tech

AUTUMN TOUR OF FRANCE, SPAIN AND PORTUGAL - SEP/OCT 2015 - GRANADA

The visit to Granada was interesting in that the tramway looks ready to start running anytime apart from there are no ticket machines in situ at the stops. The new tramway was due to open in early 2012. It is a 16 km line with a 2.7km tunnel. Fitting out contracfts were only let in September 2015, but it is rumoured some cars will operate north of the tunnel this year. We arrived at Certillo Maracena depot and could see 6 trams lined up outside the depot. After sweet talking the security guard, he allowed us to step just inside the depot gates to take photos.

Looking towards the depot

Forest of poles in the depot yard

Depot yard and notice

Pristine new track and astroturf

AUTUMN TOUR OF FRANCE, SPAIN AND PORTUGAL - SEP/OCT 2015 - MURCIA

The tramway here opened in 2007 with just 2.2km of demonstration track. It has now expanded to 18km with one main route and a short spur. The 11 Citadis cars were from Madrid who ordered them for routes not yet built. The lime green livery is a nice change?! Murcia doesn't seem to have a centre as far as the tramway is concerned, there seems to be a lot of open land.

Depot buildings near La Ladera

Departing Terra |Natura for Estadio Nueva Condomina

Tram approaching Terra Natura for Universidades

Approaching Terra Natura from the \universities

Terra Natura stop where the two routes split

Terminus at the Catholic University - Los Geronimos

AUTUMN TOUR OF FRANCE, SPAIN AND PORTUGAL - SEP/OCT 2015 - ALICANTE

We arrived in Alicante the next evening for a two night stay and some beautiful weather.

Rounding the bend at Costa Blanca stop

Tram for St Vincent departing Luceros

Luceros Station

Benidorm Station

Departing Benidorm

At Costa Blanca Stop towards Luceros

Passing the driveway to our hotel

Sunday, October 18, 2015

AUTUMN TOUR OF FRANCE, SPAIN AND PORTUGAL SEP/OCT 2015 - CASTELLON DE LA PLANA

On leaving Zaragoza for Alicante we called in at Castellon de la Plana where there is a new trolleybus operation using 6 Solaris Trollinos. Although optically guided, we did notice on our first ride that the driver was steering most of the time.