It is reported that Vossloh has been selected as lead bidder for the supply of rolling stock for the Sheffield to Rotherham tram train pilot project.

The business case is still being developed to ensure best value for money, but the Department for Transport is supportive and train operator Northern Rail, which is procuring the vehicles on behalf of DfT, anticipates that services will begin in 2014.

The project includes a connection between Sheffield's Supertram network and a Network Rail freight line which will be electrified at 750 V DC. There will be an initial 20 min headway service to Parkgate in Rotherham, where the tram stop will be integrated with a brown field development.

Mr Robert Whyte commercial manager at Alstom Transport pointed out to APPLRG that tram train is already established in France and Germany, and the UK is still quite a long way behind our continental cousins' and seems to be forever trying to reinvent the wheel.

(Sourced from www.railwaygazette.com)