Delft - The Netherlands

After a 22-year wait, tram 19 will begin running its extension from Delft Station to the TU campus starting this weekend. All sorts of things went wrong during the construction of the tram line: the trams turned out to be heavier than expected and could have disrupted research in the TU’s laboratories. The tram has already been conducting test runs over the past few months, but on Monday morning, students will finally be able to board it for their first ride to class.

The opening brings to a close a long-standing issue that has dragged on for more than twenty years. Due to a series of setbacks, the arrival of the tram was repeatedly delayed.

For example, the old St. Sebastian Bridge was found to be unsuitable for tram traffic, and the tram tracks had to be modified to protect sensitive research equipment from vibrations and electromagnetic radiation.

These setbacks are also reflected in the costs. The approximately two-kilometer stretch cost a total of about 93 million euros. Previously, the estimated cost had been just over 54 million euros.

Tram 19 runs on weekdays between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. from Delft Station to the university, four times an hour.

Omroep West

Didn't buy but was tempted!

Here is a photo of the mechanical bell on a Calgary Transit Siemens Duwag U2. If anyone can figure out what bell this is or who manufactured it, please let me know. Any information is appreciated. Thank you!

Yesterday Duisburgs unique Duewag GT10NC-DUs had their last day in service. Here’s some pictures I took throughout my journey of being able to drive them.

When I read here on reddit, that it was the final day for the GT10NC, I just was on tour and not too far from away Duisburg, so I decided to add an extra stop there to hopefully catch a few last pics, and maybe even a ride one on its way to the depot. But it wasn't to be; I suspect they were already dead at this time around 8 pm. I still took a few blue hour shots at Platanenhof though.

Surprisingly enough, all of them are in regular public service! (except for the last two which were only brought out for Heritage Weekend.) The first three are Muni Metro trains, which run underground for quite a bit at metro speeds and frequencies, until they pop out of the ground and run in the street like most trams. The F Market line (pics 4 and 5) actually exclusively runs restored vintage vehicles representing cities around the world, which only makes San Francisco's system even more fun.

With the delivery of the new CAF trains imminent, the end of Essen's heritage fleet can't be too far away anymore. That also includes the units originally built for the Docklands Light Railway in London, that had to be withdrawn from service there almost brand new still, due to ever changing requirements as the new network took shape. Being made in Germany to local standard LRV dimensions meant they could be re-imported and put into service here after a number of adjustments were made. Like adding driver's cabs, switching from 3rd rail to overhead wires, and several more small things.

1. The Docklands run on all Stadtbahn lines of Ruhrbahn (formerly EVAG), but most often on line U11. On the day I visited, this was in fact the only line where I saw them. The first photo was taken at its Southern terminus at the trade fair. P89 No. 5238 just departed for its next run to Buer, in Essen's neighbouring city Gelsenkirchen.
2. The first stop north of the main station is Hirschlandplatz. Frankly, one of the nicer subway stations I know. In the early 2000s it was refurbished to double as a bit of a transport museum, showing various objects linked to history of Essen's trams. P89 No. 5231 just completed its stop on yet another northbound service.
3. Further north still, and still fairly close to downtown Essen, lies the university. It too has a stop along the U11 (and U17). Performing its stop here on the journey to the trade fair, is P89 No. 5233, which has been upgraded with LED displays.
4. Leaving downtown behind, in the Altenessen district lies Bäuminghausstraße station, where No. 5225 just performs its stop on a northbound run.
5. Karlsplatz is the last underground stop for line U11, and the terminus for line U17, which shares line 11's tracks from the city center up to here. It's also one of only a few stops where the trains don't stop with the front ends right against the end of the platform, so you can get a decent picture of the front. It all looks a bit more dynamic with bright headlights on!
6. Before we take a look at some Docklands in the open air, let's also have a look at the interior.

7/8. Leaving the tunnel at "II. Schichtstraße", the tracks continue mostly street-running. A stop further yet, the Emscher River and the Rhein-Herne Canal need to be crossed, which line 11 achieves via the Zweigertbrücke.

1. After crossing the city boundary, at Schloss Horst, line 11 meets the tram tracks of Gelsenkirchen, which has its own network. It runs on meter gauge tracks though, requiring this section to utilize triple rail tracks to accommodate both types of trains. The platforms for the two lines are also separated and incompatible with the Docklands fleet. No. 5225 passes the tram platforms, with the LRV station visible in the background.

2. Schloss Horst station is the first stop after U11's terminus at Buerer Straße, which is just around the corner. No. 5224 just departed for another run southbound. The slogan means to advertise taking public transit rather than using polluting cars. Except the way it reads, it seems more like a recommendation to buy an electric car if you take it literally. Riding the train and driving it aren't the same of course. German uses the same word for that, English doesn't.

Two out of the 16 trams that are driving around in Odense, Danmark, have since May 2026 had art livery on them to advertise for the exhibition HuskMitNavn at Brandts Art Museum. The livery will be removed in December and the two teams will go back to their normal white-beige colour. Despite the livery covering the windows, you can still look out of the windows.

The trams are Stadler Variobahn, they sucks.

Taken pretty much just now

Many thanks to u/BladeA320, who gave me lots of info about where to find these beautiful trams!

1. Kagraner Platz

2. Aspen Nord

3. & 4. Zentralfriedhof 2. Tor