Institute of Railway Research investigates the interface
problems facing the Sheffield-Rotherham Tram-Train scheme
Under contract by Network Rail, a team of engineers at the
University of Huddersfield’s Institute of Railway Research (IRR) has been
developing solutions for the problematic interface between a Tram-Train vehicle
and two very different railway infrastructures.
The Tram-Train concept allows a railway vehicle to run in
two operational modes; as an on-street tram serving city centres but also as a
commuter train running on existing local rail network. This dual operation concept provides great
flexibility and efficient use of railway infrastructure and connections.
Tram-Train first became popular in Germany and is now
spreading rapidly through Europe.