In December 2012 the NSW Government announced a decision to build a light rail line from Circular Quay down George St to Central Station, then across to Moore Park and down Anzac Parade with branches to Randwick and Kingsford. Construction commenced in late 2015 and, after some ongoing legal disputes, the L2 line to Randwick commenced operation on December 14th 2019 with the L3 line to Kingsford expected to open in April 2020.
Passenger equipment to operate this, known as the Sydney CBD and South East light rail link, consists of 60 Alstom Citadis X05 five segment trams, manufactured in La Rochelle, France. They are intended to be operated as couple pairs. Operation beyond Town Hall is by electrical power collected by pantograph from overhead wire (catenary) while operation between Town Hall and Circular Quay is via a third rail system known as Alstrom’s proprietary APS system (Aesthetic Power Solution).
In this presentation we will initially have a look at the drivers cab, the passenger compartment and external features of the X05 trams, and then travel from Circular Quay to Randwick and return with the entire journey covered from the driver’s perspective, and supplemented with passenger and external views.
Approximate run time: 101 minutes.