In Pictures: The New Croydon Tram Units

Last year TfL tendered for six new trams for the Croydon Tramlink. These are primarily intended to allow services on the Elmers End branch to be increased by 4tph.

The £16.3m contract was won by Stadler, who committed to produce, test and deliver 6 Variobahns in sufficient time for them to enter service by June.

As a result, several of these trams have been gracing the streets of (and Stadlers’ testing track in) Chemnitz. The first unit has also now been delivered to Therapia Lane Depot, arriving on Monday. The new tram will be inserted into the normal timetable over the next two months, although it will not pick up passengers. It is currently expected to enter passenger service at the end of February. The other new units will shortly begin to arrive as well and will undergo a similar testing regime.

Undergoing Testing, courtesy and copyright of Volker Dornheim

Undergoing Testing, courtesy and copyright of Volker Dornheim

Undergoing Testing, courtesy and copyright of Volker Dornheim

Undergoing Testing, courtesy and copyright of Volker Dornheim

Following a Chemnitz Tram, courtesy Volker Dornheim

Following a Chemnitz Tram, courtesy Volker Dornheim

Alongside a Chemnitz Tram, courtesy Volker Dornheim

Alongside a Chemnitz Tram, courtesy Volker Dornheim

Not Picking Up Passengers, courtesy Volker Dornheim

Not Picking Up Passengers, courtesy Volker Dornheim

Awaiting Transportation, courtesy Volker Dornheim

Awaiting Transportation, courtesy Volker Dornheim

The 1st Unit Begins its 3 Day Journey, courtesy Volker Dornheim

The First Unit Heads Off, courtesy Volker Dornheim

The journey begins, courtesy Volker Dornheim

The Journey Begins, courtesy Volker Dornheim

Arriving at Therapia Lane

Arriving at Therapia Lane

Unloading the Tram

Unloading the Tram

Being Taken off the Transporter

Being Taken off the Transporter

A Helping Hand

A Helping Hand

On The Track

4 comments

  1. Maybe I missed it before, but I note that the “future engineering work” TfL site is now showing a three month shutdown of Tramlink from Wimbledon to Dundonald Road, starting on July 13th (the day after the tennis ends). From what little is visible behind the hoardings, they seem to be making considerable progress on the new platform.

  2. Re timbeau,

    I don’t think you missed it, I only noticed it about a week ago, it looks like they had a closure today to do some pre-works inspections.

  3. Re: Cai F – Oh no, and you only waited six-and-a-half years to give us this earth-shattering news!

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