you are in: tram -> zurich -> news
Newslog 2012
latest news | archive | news search
This page presents news and other items of interest concerning the Zürich tram system and connected topics.
This is not the official information page of any organisation. All opinions expressed here are my own or belong to those to whom they are attributed. Whereas care is taken to ensure the correctness of news, no claim is made to total accuracy.
Visitors are informed that many links from this page are to external sites. Such links are provided for informational purposes only. The author of this site explicitly declines responsibility for the content of external web pages.
latest news | older newslogs | articles.
return to Zürich tram home page.
2012 news:
next year | previous year | current year | other years | search.
guide to linking to news items
03.02.2012 - Another website down?
After reporting two days ago on the demise of the old Tram Museum website, it has been drawn to my attention that another webiste that has been unreachable for some time now is that of Aktion Pro Sächsitram (www.6-tram.ch). If this disappearance is also permanent, we are facing a severe loss of enthusiast-oriented web-based information on Zürich trams.
02.02.2012 - Advertising trams debut
Zürich has been slow to jump on the all-over advertising bandwagon, but tightening budgets can sweep away good resolutions. Last year, the city council decided to trial five such trams over a three year period. The first of these is now running. It is 3087 advertising the stock-trading platform Swissquote.
02.02.2012 - Limmattalbahn progress
The pre-project of the Limmattalbahn light-rail system has been completed. Work on the LRT, which will connect Zürich Altstetten to Killwangen via Schlieren and Dietikon should commence in 2017.
A brochure with plenty of details is available on the website of Limmattalbahn (-> here).
02.02.2012 - Bern: Compressed air tram project stopped
The Berner Tramway Gesellschaft, who also operate Bern's steam tram, have been working on a replica compressed air tram. Such trams operated in Bern from 1890 to 1902. With the support of apprentices, work had begun on both the wooden body and on the compressed-air engine. Sadly, all work has now ceased, apparently due to the transport ministry tightening its regulations. It is not yet clear what will happen to the partially completed unit.
01.02.2012 - Tram Museum Website on Wayback
In the course of its history, Tram Museum Zürich has redesigned its website several times. The current version is here: www.tram-museum.ch. Professionally implemented, it presents the visitor with all the basic information, but it hardly presents scope for hours of browsing, nor is it a magnet to which many web visitors will return with regularity. Its fondly remembered past incarnation, which was maybe less professional in its design, but presented far more detailed information, was a true treasure trove for the tram enthusiast. Besides presenting the museum collection, tram history and numerous connected topics, it included rare pictures and articles from out-of-print publications. Fortunately, when the new professional website came online, the old website was saved and made available again under www.tram-museum-archiv.ch.
It seems that this webiste too is no longer accessible. Maybe the only way now to read these articles is to use the Wayback Machine (for example the version of 5th February 2003).
Just as old trams and tramway artefacts and documents deserve to be saved, so should valuable websites be preserved.
31.01.2012 - Trams for Winterthur?
Apologies for the long silence on this newslog.
By 2030, it is expected that Winterthur's population will have grown from 100,000 to 120,000. To cope with the increased pressure on the city's transport system, the GLP party is suggesting trams. The project would be a long-term one, but preparatory planning would be required now to make it possible.
31.01.2012 - Former Albisgüetli tram in Kärnten
The ex Zürich (Albisgüetlibahn) tram which served as a rail grinder in Innsbruck until 2004 has been loaned by the Innsbruck tram preservation group to the Historama museum of Kärnten. It is planned to restore the car to its 1971 condition. Innsbruck rail grinder 21 is none other than Albisgüetlibahn 3 of 1907 and a sister of BVB 8 which is currently on display in the Zürich Tram Museum. Amazingly, the other three members of this batch also survive. More information on these cars can be read in this 2006 entry.
For those who may be interested, I have posted some new videos on YouTube, drawing on footage of the last couple of years.
LSB reversing out of Wartau depot - and into Burgwies
In the Schwamendingen subway, Schörlistrasse stop
And somewhat unrelated, but for those interested in USA railways, the Horseshoe Curve on the Pittsburgh line through Pennsylvania (this video was featured on trainvideos.net).
More YouTube content here.
31.01.2012 - Watch the last 12 Mirage trams leave Zürich
Not filmed by me, but a must for all Mirage fans, is this YouTube footage of the last 12 Mirage trams leaving Zürich by rail for their new home in Vinnitsa. The event was reported here on 24th November.
And the same units arriving in Vinnitsa:
next year | previous year | current year | other years | search.
return to Zürich tram home page.