Trams in Luxembourg
Encyclopedia
Trams in Luxembourg started operation in 1875 when the first horse trams ran in Luxembourg City along a 10 km line. Electrification followed in 1908. The original track followed a route from the central station
through the city centre to Limpertsberg
. It was extended to various parts of the city until 1930 when the network covered 31 km. Several lines were closed at the beginning of the 1960s as buses replaced the trams. The last tram ran on the line to Beggen
on 5 September 1964.
The country's other tram
network designated Tramways Intercommunaux du Canton d'Esch served Esch-sur-Alzette
and surroundings from 1927 to 1956.
and then to Luxembourg Airport
.
On 10 March 2009, Guy Besch, president of LuxTram, announced that design work on the tramway project had been awarded to the British firm Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands
, the winner of an open competition. Work is expected to be completed by 2014 at a total cost of EUR 400 million, including rolling stock. Among other things, it will necessitate considerable redesign work on the Pont Adolphe
at the centre of the city. Lucien Lux
, Minister of Transport, explained that the initial phase would run from Kirchberg to the Central Station. It would then be extended to the station in Hollerich
. Funding was to be shared between the Ciy of Luxembourg and the State.
. In particular, the museum exhibits two electric trams, two tram coaches, and a replica of a horse tram. There are also numerous models and photographs.
Luxembourg railway station
Luxembourg railway station is the main railway station serving Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg. It is operated by Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois, the state-owned railway company....
through the city centre to Limpertsberg
Limpertsberg
Limpertsberg is a quarter in north-western Luxembourg City, in the centre of Luxembourg.In the south, on the border with the main city is the Glacis, a large open air parking lot which hosts the annual Schueberfouer fair, the largest fair in the country...
. It was extended to various parts of the city until 1930 when the network covered 31 km. Several lines were closed at the beginning of the 1960s as buses replaced the trams. The last tram ran on the line to Beggen
Beggen
Beggen is a quarter in northern Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg. Château de Beggen, which houses the Embassy of Russia in Luxembourg is located in the quarter....
on 5 September 1964.
The country's other tram
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
network designated Tramways Intercommunaux du Canton d'Esch served Esch-sur-Alzette
Esch-sur-Alzette
Esch-sur-Alzette is a commune with city status, in south-western Luxembourg. It is the country's second city, and its second-most populous commune, with a population of 29,853 people...
and surroundings from 1927 to 1956.
Future plans
Luxembourg is planning to reintroduce trams in the near future, initially from the central station to KirchbergKirchberg, Luxembourg
Kirchberg or the Kirchberg is a quarter in north-eastern Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg. It consists of a plateau situated to the north-east of the city centre, Ville Haute....
and then to Luxembourg Airport
Luxembourg-Findel International Airport
Findel Airport is the main airport in Luxembourg.It is Luxembourg's only international airport and is the only airport in the country with a paved runway. It is located away from Luxembourg City....
.
On 10 March 2009, Guy Besch, president of LuxTram, announced that design work on the tramway project had been awarded to the British firm Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands
Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands
Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands is a practice of architects, urban designers and masterplanners established in 1986 and practicing out of London.-History:...
, the winner of an open competition. Work is expected to be completed by 2014 at a total cost of EUR 400 million, including rolling stock. Among other things, it will necessitate considerable redesign work on the Pont Adolphe
Adolphe Bridge
Adolphe Bridge is an arch bridge in Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg. The bridge takes road traffic across the Pétrusse, connecting Boulevard Royal, in Ville Haute, to Avenue de la Liberté, in Gare...
at the centre of the city. Lucien Lux
Lucien Lux
Lucien Lux is a politician and trade unionist from Luxembourg. A member of the Luxembourg Socialist Workers' Party, Lux was in the government from 2004 until 2009, under Jean-Claude Juncker....
, Minister of Transport, explained that the initial phase would run from Kirchberg to the Central Station. It would then be extended to the station in Hollerich
Hollerich railway station
Hollerich railway station is a railway station serving Hollerich, a quarter in the south-west of Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg. It is operated by Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois, the state-owned railway company....
. Funding was to be shared between the Ciy of Luxembourg and the State.
Luxembourg's tram and bus museum
A number of historic trams can be seen at Luxembourg City's tram and bus museum located on Rue de Bouillon in HollerichHollerich
Hollerich is a quarter in south-western Luxembourg City, in southern Luxembourg.In 2001, the quarter had a population of 5,569 people.Hollerich railway station is located on Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois Line 70, which connects Luxembourg City to the south-west of the country...
. In particular, the museum exhibits two electric trams, two tram coaches, and a replica of a horse tram. There are also numerous models and photographs.
See also
- History of rail transport in LuxembourgHistory of rail transport in LuxembourgThe history of rail transport in Luxembourg began in 1846 and continues to the present day.-Origins:The first negotiations for the creation of a railway on the territory of the Grand Duchy began in 1845. A preliminary agreement was signed with an English company on 4 June 1846, but did not...
- Trams
- Trams in EuropeTrams in EuropeEurope has an extensive number of tramway networks. Some of these networks have been upgraded to light rail standards, called Stadtbahn in Germany, premetros in Belgium, sneltram in the Netherlands, and fast trams in some other countries.- Overview :...