It Looks Like A Tram ...
... but Copenhagen calls it a 'Letbane' - Light Railway. Google does offer a Danish word for 'tram' - 'sporvogn' which literally means "track wagon"! So you can see why Copenhagen uses a nicer word!
The southern section of the route opened on 26th October with much rejoicing, ceremony ...
Next year, when the rest is complete, the tracks will continue to follow "Cityring 3", a major dual carriageway road running south to north well to the west of the city centre.
You should be able to match the route map above with the yellow road following a similar path on the road map below.
Here is the opened section in a bit more detail ...
... and here is the track plan at Ishoj, the southern terminus.
The 'goody bag' picture was taken at Ishoj.
Because the line is so new, Streetview has yet to catch up, so most locations show tram tracks and stations under construction. But we do have a view of the tram from the Ishoj S-bane station building.
Note the adjoining bus station, of course!
One of the purposes of this wholly suburban route is to offer better orbital interchange with the 'S-bane' suburban network; thus the tram stop at Vallensbaek also provides a meet-up with heavy rail.
A pre-opening 'artist's impression' does show the stop as well lit and almost inviting ...
... although there is a bit of a walk to find the big railway; along a well lit footpath.
But by far the best station for tram fun is Glostrup, also connecting with the S-bane network.
The map above gives a clue as to the arrangements. Travelling northwards, the tram tracks veer from the central reservation, crossing the northbound carriageway to achieve a triangular junction leading eastbound to the tram stop and station.
Likewise a similar repeated interruption of road traffic happens in the other direction.
The tram now runs alongside the heavy rail to a mini terminus with bus interchange as well. Below is a view of the triangle looking towards the stop and stations.
Of course there is a bus station as well!
fbb thinks the term is "integrated transport"!
The overhead wiring presents a fearsome collection of knitting somewhat exaggerated by a long distance lens!
There is a scissors crossover on the approach to the platforms ...
... so trams can get from everywhere to everywhere. And that includes a third platform alongside the main island. Below a tram, during the testing phase, runs into the "platform 3".
fbb guesses that the extra track is there to provide flexibility in operation if things go awry; which, being Denmark, they usually don't!
The video from pre-public operation training gives us a chance to see the signalling at work. The principles are similar to UK tram signals, but the actual signal display is different. Here is a stop signal ...
... then we have go straight ahead ...
A glimpse at Copenhagen bus services will follow, possibly as part of the weekend blogs.
... and taking a branch at pointwork.
In the UK, most systems use a pattern of dots.
But back to Glostrup station! Here, again, there is quite a walk, past the bus station towards the traditional station building, there beyond the hoardings.
But the splendid buildings are no longer in use as a passenger entrance ...
... something more modern and more modest suffices for 'commuter' needs.
Under normal circumstances S-bane trains use one of the two island platforms. In the past the other two were served by longer distance trains.
Access is by a clean and well lit subway.
Of course there is a lift and escalators ...
... and toilets are, again of course, free.
Back to the tram!
After all this rail based richness of experience, the temporary northern terminus is a bit of a damp squib. The trams (and the tracks) just stop ...
... but have no fear dear Danish tram travellers, the rest of the line is due to open next year and, being Denmark, it will!
Public transport is done proper in Copenhagen.
A glimpse at Copenhagen bus services will follow, possibly as part of the weekend blogs.
Next Variety blog : Saturday 8th Nov
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