13 October 2026 14:30
Tim will describe the early days of Tram Trains in Karlsruhe and the benefits they brought to the city, and then will review a variety of Tram Train systems that had been opened subsequently around North West Europe.
Tim will then explore the origins and the development of the Tram Train Pilot in Sheffield with descriptions of the various types of operations and what makes the vehicles special. He will look at the political, technical and safety hurdles required to introduce light weight vehicles onto the heavy rail network without increasing risks to passengers and staff.
Finally he will show what was achieved in South Yorkshire and how it was received by the passengers, staff and the light rail industry and will look forward to the introduction of further Tram Train services elsewhere in GB.
Bio: Tim is a chartered civil engineer with over 50 years’ experience in the Railway Industry having worked for British Rail, Atkins Rail, Strategic Rail Authority, UK Government Department for Transport and is now Technical Director of the Light Rail Transit Association. Tim's rail experience included being Project Engineer for the planning stages of Thameslink 2000 and the LUL East London Line Southern Extension, Expert Witness for clients on projects in West London and Hong Kong and latterly the DfT's Engineer sitting on several standards and system interface committees for infrastructure. Tim's light rail experience started with in Dublin, scheming track alignments for Metro West between Tallagh and Blanchardstown. whilst at the DfT Tim initiated the Tram Train Project after organising a visit for Executives from the DfT, Network Rail and NedRail to Kassel in Germany. Tim became the technical lead for the UK's Tram Train Pilot project between Sheffield and Rotherham until his retirement in December 2014. Tim is now on the UKTram Centre of Excellence and lead the development of their Guide to Promoters of New Tramways.