Sydney Variotram
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Sydney, Australia, developed an extensive tram network, which grew to be the country's largest and one of the largest in the world. However, the increasing rate of private car ownership and the perception that trams contributed to traffic congestion led to the progressive replacement of tram services with buses, with the final section of the tram network closing in February 1961.
In the 1980s and 1990s, the inner city areas of Darling Harbour and Pyrmont were the subject of an urban renewal programme, which featured the Sydney Monorail connecting Darling Harbour to the central business district. However, with poor integration between the monorail and other transport modes, and the increasing redevelopment of the Pyrmont peninsula, a decision was made to convert a disused section of the Metropolitan Goods railway line into a light rail line. It opened in August 1997, running between Central Station and Wentworth Park, Pyrmont.
The network's original rolling stock was the Variotram (above) which was introduced with the opening of the first section of the Inner West Light Rail in 1997. Seven German-designed vehicles were manufactured in Dandenong, Victoria by Adtranz. The tram's design is modular and it was extended for the Sydney system. The capacity of the vehicles was 217 passengers, of which 74 were seated. On tests, up to three trams were coupled together allowing a maximum capacity of 600 passengers if required. They were numbered 2101–2107, continuing the Sydney trams sequence that finished at 2087 with the last Sydney R1-Class tram in the 1960s. The last Variotram was withdrawn from service after operating overnight between Central and The Star on 27/28 May 2015.
The current 12.8-km line with 23 stations, known as the Dulwich Hill Line, is now served by Urbos 3 trams. In 2016-17 10 million passenger journeys were made.
Today, a second line, the CBD and South East Light Rail, is under construction and will be completed in 2019. A light rail network serving Western Sydney called Parramatta Light Rail has also been announced.
Seen on Hay Street, from the edge of Belmore Park, close to the end of its run at Central Station.
Sydney Variotram
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Sydney, Australia, developed an extensive tram network, which grew to be the country's largest and one of the largest in the world. However, the increasing rate of private car ownership and the perception that trams contributed to traffic congestion led to the progressive replacement of tram services with buses, with the final section of the tram network closing in February 1961.
In the 1980s and 1990s, the inner city areas of Darling Harbour and Pyrmont were the subject of an urban renewal programme, which featured the Sydney Monorail connecting Darling Harbour to the central business district. However, with poor integration between the monorail and other transport modes, and the increasing redevelopment of the Pyrmont peninsula, a decision was made to convert a disused section of the Metropolitan Goods railway line into a light rail line. It opened in August 1997, running between Central Station and Wentworth Park, Pyrmont.
The network's original rolling stock was the Variotram (above) which was introduced with the opening of the first section of the Inner West Light Rail in 1997. Seven German-designed vehicles were manufactured in Dandenong, Victoria by Adtranz. The tram's design is modular and it was extended for the Sydney system. The capacity of the vehicles was 217 passengers, of which 74 were seated. On tests, up to three trams were coupled together allowing a maximum capacity of 600 passengers if required. They were numbered 2101–2107, continuing the Sydney trams sequence that finished at 2087 with the last Sydney R1-Class tram in the 1960s. The last Variotram was withdrawn from service after operating overnight between Central and The Star on 27/28 May 2015.
The current 12.8-km line with 23 stations, known as the Dulwich Hill Line, is now served by Urbos 3 trams. In 2016-17 10 million passenger journeys were made.
Today, a second line, the CBD and South East Light Rail, is under construction and will be completed in 2019. A light rail network serving Western Sydney called Parramatta Light Rail has also been announced.
Seen on Hay Street, from the edge of Belmore Park, close to the end of its run at Central Station.