2023-10-10 15:41:00
While work on the tram continues in Liège, a train made its first outing on Tuesday. On a route from Bressoux to Coronmeuse, the aim is to test the operation of the line, said Daniel Wathelet, communications manager for the Liège tram for the TEC, on site.
On Tuesday at around 11 a.m., a train from the Liège tram made its first exit from the Bressoux maintenance center. A moment described as historic as the project, launched in June 2019, experienced various setbacks and delays. The commercial entry into service of the Liège tram is now announced for 2025.
This first outing aims to carry out tests. The train set off at very low speed towards Coronmeuse in order to test the size of the tram on the tracks and overhead contact lines under tension. During this testing phase, it was notably planned to accelerate to 50 km/h in order to test braking. An approved organization must still validate this first step in order to continue the tests for each of the twenty trainsets. “First on this zone until August 31, 2024 then, depending on availability, on the entire line up to the Standard. Then, two months before entry into service, all the trains will run at the set times but without passengers for safety reasons. In fact, we cannot load passengers until everything is validated.” explains Daniel Wathelet, adding that the start of the tests also marks the launch of an awareness campaign among the population.
Indeed, with the presence of the tram, new behaviors must be adopted and vigilance is required. “It is essential to remember that the tram always has priority over all users, that it is necessary to cross at the designated places knowing that a train weighing 64 tonnes needs 30 m to stop, that we do not do not stop on the tracks and that it is forbidden to touch the electrified overhead cables”he notes.
The mayor of Liège, Willy Demeyer, joins these recommendations, indicating that measures have been taken to support these tests. “The police services have provided additional human resources at school entry and exit times, in particular through the presence of peace guards. The speed of the tram will, moreover, be strongly limited outside the test section strictly speaking, i.e. the section located on the Coronmeuse quay (where the tests up to 50 km/h will take place)”, he said, adding that the system will be evaluated in the coming days.
1696980150
#tram #exit #Liège #historic #moment
