Tram-train trial suffers further delay to 2017

The long-delayed first trial of a tram-train in the UK has been pushed back further until at least January 2017, Network Rail and the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive confirmed on December 12.

This is a nine-month slip on the previous estimate, and a delay of over six years on the original timescale for this much-troubled project (RAIL 762).

Seven Vossloh vehicles are already in production for the public service that will form part of the trial on the Sheffield Supertram network - from the city centre to the Meadowhall South tram stop, and then via Rotherham Central station to a new 400-metre spur serving the Parkgate shopping area.

The move of the project from the Huddersfield-Penistone line to the Sheffield-Rotherham route was approved back in May 2012 (when a start date of 2015 was given). Network Rail and the SYPTE said on December 12: “Project timescales have been revised to incorporate the comprehensive design works needed to adapt the rail network to allow tram-train vehicles to run.”

• For more information, see RAIL 764, published on December 24.