Trams in Luxembourg

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An Urbos3 tram, operational since 2017, near Place de Paris stop Tram in Luxemburg 2023 3.jpg
An Urbos3 tram, operational since 2017, near Place de Paris stop

The first generation of trams in Luxembourg ran from 1875 to 1964, before being withdrawn from service and the tramways removed. A second generation of trams began operational service on 10 December 2017, along a new route that will, by early 2025, run from Luxembourg Airport to the Cloche d'Or business district, in Gasperich, serving the new national stadium, via Pfaffenthal-Kirchberg and Luxembourg railway stations. Additional lines are planned for the network both within Luxembourg City, as well as extending to Strassen and Esch-sur-Alzette.

Contents

Contemporary and future usage

T1

Planned route of the new tramline Luxembourg T1 map-en.svg
Planned route of the new tramline

Luxembourg is in the process of reintroducing trams to its transport infrastructure. Construction work began on a new tram depot on the edge of the Grünewald Forest and the Kirchberg quarter of Luxembourg City in January 2015, [1] with the first tracks of the T1 tramline being laid in July 2016. [2] The tramline, when fully operational, will have 24 stations connected by 16 km (9.9 mi) of tracks and have a capacity of 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction. [3] Trams provided by the Spanish company CAF [4] began trials on the first phase of the route in July 2017.

On 10 December 2017, the first phase of the route opened with trams running from the depot, along Avenue John F. Kennedy, past the European district, the location of many EU institutions, before terminating at the Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge. Here, a new funicular railway was opened on the same date allowing passengers to descend to Pfaffenthal-Kirchberg railway station for access to national and international heavy rail services running through the Pfaffenthal valley. [5] [6] [7]

The second phase opened on 27 July 2018; it extended tram services across the Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge to Place de l'Étoile in the Limpertsberg quarter. [8] [9]

Opening on 13 December 2020, the third phase saw the line extend into the historical Ville Haute quarter, across the Adolphe Bridge, along the Avenue de la Liberté, before terminating at Luxembourg railway station for interchanges between national and international heavy rail services. [10] Work to widen and re-enforce the Adolphe Bridge, first opened in 1903, to accommodate the tramway was completed in July 2017, with a new cycle and pedestrian lane suspended beneath the existing bridge. [11]

As of 11 September 2022, the fourth phase extended the line from the central station to Bonnevoie. [12] [13]

The fifth phase of the route, will, by the end of 2024, extend southwestwards from Bonnevoie, via the Howald railway station to the new business district in Cloche d'Or, Gasperich, before terminating at Luxembourg's new national stadium. [14]

The final phase of the route, to be completed by early 2025, will extend the line eastwards from the tram depot on the edge of Kirchberg to Senningerberg before terminating at Luxembourg Airport. [13] [14]

Future lines

In October 2020, the Minister for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure, François Bausch, presented detailed plans, of an initiative first announced in June 2018, for a future tramline, extending off the T1 line, alongside the A4 motorway to the north of Luxembourg's second most populous city, Esch-sur-Alzette, by 2028, and to the Belval quarter of the city, including the University of Luxembourg Belval campus, by 2035. [15] [16] [17] Trams would be expected to reach speeds of up to 100 km/h (62 mph) when travelling through rural sections of the route. [15] In conjunction, plans were announced to expand the network, with the creation of additional lines connected to T1 within, and in proximity to, Luxembourg City, serving amongst other areas, the planned Laangfur residential district in Kirchberg, via Boulevard Konrad Adenauer, as well as, via a revamped Place de l'Étoile interchange and Route d'Arlon, Strassen. [15] [18] [19]

Rolling stock

Twenty-one Spanish CAF Urbos100 trams delivered in 2017, [20] with a further twelve ordered in 2018. [21] They are 45 m (147 ft 8 in) long, 2.65 m (8 ft 8 in) wide, 3.6 m (11 ft 10 in) high, with 75 seats [20] and able to carry up to 422 passengers at a top speed of 70 km/h (43 mph). To cope with a 3.6 km (2.2 mi) gap in the 750v DC catenary between "Rout Bréck - Pafendall" tram stop in Kirchberg (about 160 m (520 ft) east of Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge) and the central railway station, the trams use CAF's ACR system. [22]

Historical usage and museum

The last of the first generation of tramways in Luxembourg, seen here in 1964. Tramway de la Ville de Luxembourg.jpg
The last of the first generation of tramways in Luxembourg, seen here in 1964.

Luxembourg's first horse-drawn tram line began operations in 1875 running through Luxembourg City along a 10 km (6.2 mi) line. Electrification followed in 1908. The original track followed a route from Luxembourg railway station through the city centre to Limpertsberg. It was extended to various parts of the city until 1930 when the network covered 31 km (19 mi). Several lines were closed at the beginning of the 1960s as buses replaced the trams. The last tram ran on the line to Beggen on 5 September 1964. [23] The country's other tram network Tramways Intercommunaux du Canton d'Esch served Esch-sur-Alzette and its surroundings from 1927 to 1956. [24]

A number of historic trams can be seen at Luxembourg City's tram and bus museum located on Rue de Bouillon in Hollerich. In particular, the museum exhibits two electric trams, two tram coaches, and a replica of a horse tram. There are also numerous models and photographs. [25]

Further reading

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transport in Luxembourg</span>

Transport in Luxembourg is ensured principally by road, rail and air. There are also services along the river Moselle which forms the border with Germany. The road network has been significantly modernised in recent years with motorways to adjacent countries. The advent of the high-speed TGV link to Paris has led to renovation of the capital's main railway station while a new Schengen-only passenger terminal at Luxembourg Airport opened in 2017. Trams in the capital were reintroduced in December 2017 and there are plans for light-rail and/or tram-train lines in adjacent areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Luxembourg City</span> Capital and largest city of Luxembourg

Luxembourg, also known as Luxembourg City, is the capital city of Luxembourg and the country's most populous commune. Standing at the confluence of the Alzette and Pétrusse rivers in southern Luxembourg, the city lies at the heart of Western Europe, situated 213 km (132 mi) by road from Brussels, 372 km (231 mi) from Paris, and 209 km (130 mi) from Cologne. The city contains Luxembourg Castle, established by the Franks in the Early Middle Ages, around which a settlement developed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Esch-sur-Alzette</span> City and commune in Luxembourg

Esch-sur-Alzette is a city in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the country's second-most populous commune, with a population of 36,625 inhabitants, as of 2023. It lies in the south-west of the country, on the border with France and in the valley of the Alzette, which flows through the city. The city is usually referred to as just Esch; however, the full name distinguishes it from the village and commune of Esch-sur-Sûre which lies 45 kilometres further north. The country's capital, Luxembourg City, is roughly 15 km (9.3 mi) to the north-east. Esch was selected as the European Capital of Culture for 2022, alongside Kaunas and Novi Sad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirchberg, Luxembourg</span> Quarter in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

Kirchberg is a quarter in north-eastern Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg. It consists of a plateau overlooking the north-east of the historical city center, Ville Haute, connected to the rest of the elevated city by the Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge, which spans the Pfaffenthal valley. It is often referred to, in reference to the geographical feature it inhabits, as the Kirchberg plateau by Luxembourgish residents. Kirchberg is the predominant location of the European Union institutions and bodies based within Luxembourg, and is sometimes used as a metonym for the EU's judiciary, which occupies the quarter. It is thus the central business district of Luxembourg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois</span> State-owned railway company of Luxembourg

The Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois is the national railway company of Luxembourg. In 2023, it carried approximately 28.7 million passengers. As of 2023, the company employs around 5,000 people, making CFL the country's largest corporate employer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trams in Europe</span>

Europe has an extensive number of tramway networks. Some of these networks have been upgraded to light rail standards, called Stadtbahn in Germany, premetros in Belgium, sneltram in the Netherlands, trem ligeiro in Portugal and fast trams in some other countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hollerich</span> Quarter in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

Hollerich is a quarter in south-western Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gasperich</span> Quarter in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

Gasperich is a quarter in southern Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pfaffenthal</span> Quarter in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

Pfaffenthal is a quarter in central Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg. The quarter owes its name to the German words Pfaffen, meaning monk, and Tal, meaning valley, as the area was once administered by the Benedictine Abbey in Altmunster. During the Middle Ages, this site was popular with craftsmen and artisans, who used the Alzette River to aid in their work. The site is a strategically important gateway to Luxembourg City, and was thus repeatedly fortified by successive rulers from about the fourteenth to eighteenth centuries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dommeldange</span> Quarter in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

Dommeldange is a quarter in north-eastern Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge</span> Bridge in Luxembourg City

The Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge is a road bridge in Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg. It carries the N51 across the Alzette, connecting Avenue John F. Kennedy, in Kirchberg, to Boulevard Robert Schuman, in Limpertsberg. The bridge is also known as the Red Bridge on account of its distinctive red paintwork. It is the main route connecting the city centre, Ville Haute, to Kirchberg, the site of the city's European Union institutions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">CFL Line 10</span>

Line 10 is a Luxembourgish railway line connecting Luxembourg City to the centre and north of the country, as well as on to Liège, in Belgium. The terminus at the southern end is Luxembourg railway station, whilst the terminals at the northern end are Diekirch, Wiltz, Troisvierges and Liège. It is designated and predominantly operated by the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois (CFL).

The following is a timeline of the history of Luxembourg City, Luxembourg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pfaffenthal-Kirchberg funicular</span> Funicular in Luxembourg City

The Pfaffenthal-Kirchberg funicular is an automated funicular in Luxembourg City. The line links Pfaffenthal-Kirchberg railway station, on Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois (CFL) Line 10, to Rout Bréck – Pafendall tram stop, on Luxtram, near the European Investment Bank headquarters. The line is adjacent to the landmark Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge, which is crossed by the tram line and which passes over the railway line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pfaffenthal-Kirchberg railway station</span> Rail station in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

Pfaffenthal-Kirchberg railway station is a rail station on CFL Line 10, in the north of Luxembourg City which opened in December 2017. It is located on Rue Saint-Mathieu in the Pfaffenthal valley, below the Grand Duchess Charlotte Bridge, overlooking the Alzette River. The Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois (CFL), the state-owned rail company, operates both the station and the associated funicular line, which links the station to the Kirchberg plateau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pfaffenthal Panoramic Elevator</span> Public elevator and enclosed footbridge in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg

The Pfaffenthal Panoramic Elevator is a public elevator in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg which connects the city quarters of Ville Haute, the historical city center, with Pfaffenthal, in the Alzette valley below. It offers its passengers panoramic views of the Alzette River valley. The Pfaffenthal elevator, together with the Grund public elevator, and the Pfaffenthal-Kirchberg funicular, form Luxembourg City's three cable transport modes connecting its elevated city with city quarters located in the Alzette and Petrusse river valleys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stade de Luxembourg</span> National football and rugby stadium of Luxembourg

The Stade de Luxembourg is the national stadium of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, located in the Luxembourg City quarter of Gasperich. The stadium is host to Luxembourg's national football and rugby teams, as well as the final of the Coupe de Luxembourg, and is listed as a Category 4 stadium by UEFA allowing it to host international matches. Construction on the stadium occurred between September 2017 and July 2021, missing the original 2019 target date for completion. On 1 September 2021, the stadium marked its official opening by hosting its first international match between the Luxembourg and Azerbaijan men's football teams as part of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The inauguration ceremony for the stadium took place later that month, on 25 September. The Stade de Luxembourg replaces the outdated Josy Barthel stadium, due for demolition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Kohl</span> Luxembourgian sculptor (1929-2016)

Charles Kohl was a sculptor, painter and lecturer from Luxembourg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Howald railway station</span> Railway station in Luxembourg

Howald railway station is a railway station in Luxembourg on line 6, which opened on December 10, 2017. It is located in Howald, in the commune of Hesperange, in the canton of Luxembourg. It is operated by Société nationale des chemins de fer luxembourgeois (CFL).

References

  1. ↑ Hinger, Paul (16 January 2015). "Luxembourg City: Work begins on new tram depot". Wort.lu. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  2. ↑ "Kirchberg: Luxembourg City's first tram tracks laid". Wort.lu. 21 July 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  3. ↑ "24 stations: Luxembourg's new tramway in figures". Wort.lu. 10 April 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  4. ↑ "Delivery in February: Take a first look at Luxembourg's new tram". Wort.lu. 18 January 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  5. ↑ "Pfaffentahl-Kirchberg route: Luxembourg's first funicular carriage arrives". Wort.lu. 22 March 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  6. ↑ Paulsberg, Linda (5 February 2017). "Chronicle.lu - Linda Paulsberg: the New Funicular Railway - a Railway First in Luxembourg" . Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  7. ↑ "Next Wednesday: Luxembourg trams start running next week in test phase". Wort.lu. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  8. ↑ Lambert, Frédéric (4 June 2018). "Le tram arrivera place de l Étoile, le 27 juillet". L'essentiel (in French). Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  9. ↑ Lecorsais, Diane; Tasch, Barbara (28 July 2018). "Three new tram stations". luxtimes.lu. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  10. ↑ "Tram to Central Station: Final tests between Place de l'Étoile and station". today.rtl.lu. 27 November 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  11. ↑ "September 17: Luxembourg City to open cycle bridge in 'world first'". Wort.lu. 18 July 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2017.
  12. ↑ Toussaint, Thomas (11 September 2022). "From today: Luxembourg City tram extension opens". today.rtl.lu. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  13. 1 2 Hansen, Yannick (12 September 2022). "Travellers can now take tram to Bonnevoie". Luxembourg Times. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  14. 1 2 Arellano, Gaël (9 January 2023). "De la Cloche d'Or au Findel: "2024 sera l'année du tram" d'après François Bausch" [From Cloche d'Or to Findel: "2024 will be the year of the tram" according to François Bausch]. 5minutes.rtl.lu (in French). Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  15. 1 2 3 "Le tram rapide et son contexte multimodal entre Luxembourg-Ville et la Region Sud" [The rapid tram and its multimodal context between Luxembourg City and the South Region](PDF) (Press release) (in French). Ministry of Mobility and Public Works, Luxembourg Government. 21 October 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  16. ↑ Théry, Patrick (11 June 2018). "Un tram jusqu à 100 km/h entre Esch et la capitale". L'essentiel (in French). Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  17. ↑ Elsen, Frank (31 January 2019). "Committee for sustainable development: Improving the quality of life and public transport links in Luxembourg". today.rtl.lu. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  18. ↑ Ewen, Luc (27 November 2020). "Nicht jede Region erhält ihre Tram" [Not every region gets its tram]. Wort.lu (in German). Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  19. ↑ Dimitrova, Aseniya (19 September 2020). "Luxembourg unveils plans for Place de l'Étoile". themayor.eu. Retrieved 13 December 2020.
  20. 1 2 "CAF delivers first Luxembourg tram". Metro Report. DVV Media International Ltd. 10 February 2017. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  21. ↑ "CAF Supplies Catenary-Free Trams for New Line in Luxembourg City". Railway News. 7 June 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  22. ↑ "Luxembourg tram". caf.net. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  23. ↑ "TVL - Tramways de la Ville de Luxembourg (1875-1908-1964)" [Tramways of the City of Luxembourg (1875-1908-1964)]. rail.lu. Retrieved 3 March 2009.
  24. ↑ "TICE - Tramways Intercommunaux du Canton d'Esch (1927-1956)". rail.lu. Retrieved 3 March 2009.
  25. ↑ "TVL - Musée des Tramways et de Bus de la Ville de Luxembourg" [Tramways and Bus Museum of the City of Luxembourg]. rail.lu. Retrieved 3 March 2009.


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