NET Phase Two testing extends again

The testing and commissioning process on the Nottingham Express Transit Phase Two extensions has once again taken a step forward with both the first weekend daytime tests and the extension of overnight testing as far as University Boulevard on the Chilwell line. At the same time images have appeared of the first Bombardier Incentro tram to run on the extension.

The week of progress started at the end of last week when the first Incentro made a run beyond Station Street onto the phase Two extensions during the day. The tram involved was 214 and it managed several trips onto the Clifton line as testing and driver training really started to step up a gear (a photo of this trip can be found at https://www.facebook.com/British.Tramway?fref=ts). This was followed on Saturday 7th March by the first weekend runs on the Clifton line (previously all daytime testing had been undertaken during the week) and this too was up to the current daytime limit of Fairham Brook Bridge (night testing is reaching Clifton Town Centre currently). A You Tube video of this testing has been uploaded at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBmk9LxZ6k0&feature=youtu.be.

Then the night of Wednesday 11th March saw a major extension of night-time testing on the Chilwell line with Citadis 223 running past the Queen’s Medical Centre to the stop at University Boulevard. As with all “first runs” the tram made several trips along the section of line between ng2 (which was previously the limit of testing on this line) and Ocean Boulevard gradually increasing speed to ensure that everything is as it should be. This section of tramway includes the Ningbo Friendship Bridge which is the largest structure on the network and spans the A52.

It is expected that daytime testing will start on this section of tramway shortly as progress continues to accelerate on preparing the Phase Two extensions for passenger services. This will follow later in 2015 but as we always say, no official opening date has yet been announced.

228 uses the crossover at Silverdale (Fairham Brook) the current limit of daytime testing. This photo was taken on 5th March and further images from this day will feature on British Trams Online soon. (Photo by David Beardsell)