Scottish Tramway & Transport Society

The Trams 

November 2011 

The initial contract was for 27 trams with an option of an additional 4 provided they were ordered while the manufacturing process was on going. 

Following the reduction in the initial scope for the tram network 27 trams will arrive in Edinburgh. The trams are being supplied by Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) of Spain.  

The first tram arrived and was in public display in Princes Street from 28th April 2010. The second arrived in October 2011 and went straight to the Depot at Gogar for storage then test running before entering service. 

The trams are 42856 mm long, will be able to carry up to 250 passengers (manufacturer specification was 332,  80 seats and 252 standing, but amended for Edinburgh route traffic requirements), they will have low level floors allowing easy access for the less able or those with prams, buggies, pushchairs and bicycles. The top speed is 70 km/h (original specification was 80km/h but reduced), standard 1435 mm gauge, with 750v DC overhead supply. 

The trams consist of 7 articulated carbodies supported on 4 bogies. Constructed of ferritic stainless steel on the side panels and the roof, and corten steel on the underframe. They have 6 doors on either side and are bi-directional (ie don't need to be turned at the terminus and can drive from either end). Vehicle height is 3400 mm, exterior width is 2650 mm, and low floor height 350 mm. Access height at 300mm. Start up speed 1.2m / s2. Total power 12x80 kW. 

The end bogies are motorised along with one of the intermediate ones. The other intermediate bogie is to be a "trailer". The motor bogies will have 4 motors, fitted in longitudinal direction, and entirely suspended. They will be equipped with resilient wheels, rubber primary suspension, and coil and spring secondary suspension. 

The Trams will be owned by the City of Edinburgh Council who also operates Lothian Buses. Branding will be the same for all modes of transport. Lothian Buses and the Edinburgh Trams will be operated by an arms length company. 

Through ticketing is envisaged and tickets will only be available in advance out with the trams. A conductor and driver will be on all vehicles. Parts of the tram will be cordoned off for off-peak running. A penalty fare system of £40 or 10 times the single fare will be in place. Pre purchase of tickets or season tickets will speed up the journey time as less waiting at stops will be required.

As of November 2011 the Scottish Government has not yet announced whether they will allow the use of concessionary tickets.

Advertised journey time is 20 minutes from the airport into town. 

December 2011

Testing within the depot and gogar area commences. See photographs.

October 2011 

Second tram arrives and is delivered to the Gogar Depot where it is joined by 252 from storage.   

April 2010 

Tram 252 arrived in Edinburgh and went on public display in Princes Street on 28th April 2010 at the site of the new tram stop. Photographs show the tram Number 252.

1870 

An interesting extract from the 1870 Tramways Act - 

“Power for promoters to use tramways with flange-wheeled carriages, &c. 

The promoters of tramways authorized by special Act and their lessees may use on their tramways carriages with flange wheels or wheels suitable only to run on the rail prescribed by such Act; and, subject to the provisions of such special Act and of this Act, the promoters and their lessees shall have the exclusive use of their tramways for carriages with flange wheels or other wheels suitable only to run on the prescribed rail. 

All carriages used on any tramway shall be moved by the power described by the special Act, and where no such power is prescribed, by animal power only. 

No carriage used on any tramway which is hereafter authorized by special Act shall extend beyond the outer edge of the wheels of such carriage more than eleven inches on each side.]”

This was superceeded by - 

Transport & Works (Scotland) Act 2007 

“Power to make orders...”    "A tramway"  

“tramway” means a system of transport used wholly or mainly for the carriage of 

passengers and employing parallel rails which— 

(a)provide support and guidance for vehicles carried on flanged wheels, and 

(b)are laid wholly or mainly along a road or in any other place to which the 

public has access (including a place to which the public has access only on 

making a payment),..."