One of the supposed advantages of the TVR system was the flexibility, but as much as the vehicles can "de-cable" anywhere, the procedure to "reattach" to the guiding rail can only be done on places specially adapted for it.
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On the year 2000, the city of Nancy🇫🇷 opened its TVR. The 1st ever "tram on rubber tires" seemed a promising new form of public transport
In March 2023, the Nancy TVR, the last system of its kind, will be shut down
This public transport "fail" well deserved a visit & thread📸🚎
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TVR stands for "Transport sur Voie Réservée", although it is also known in English as GLT Guided Light Transit
Conceived by 🇧🇪 company BN in the 80s, it was finally developed commercially by Bombardier in the 90s
The bi-mode vehicle can run on a guided track or without guidance
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TVRs are hybrid, able to run on electric ⚡ mode & with a diesel ⛽ auxiliary generator
40% of the route is actually done with manual driving (no guidance rail), but all of the line is driven under ⚡, at least on normal circumstances
Diesel mode is for rides to depot & detours
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🎥 Short video of the "dropage" (dropping the guiding wheel) manoeuvre at Essey Roosevelt stop
The vehicle stops, lowers the steel wheel and then proceeds slowly
The device on the floor centres the guiding wheels (2 for each axis) and "realigns" the TVR as it passes through it
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Let's continue the thread with a compilation of videos and pics that I took as I explored the single-line TVR network at Nancy 🚎
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My day started at Nancy Gare, where the TVR has to navigate a couple of tight curves.
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The TVR at the "Vandoeuvre CHU Brabois" terminus loop.
The vehicle attaches itself to the guiding rail, just for the reversing procedure.
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Note the temporary bus stands already installed at the ending stop.
The TVR will end, once and for all, its short life of service on the 12th of march.
While works are underway for reconverting the infraestructure into "normal trolley", a temporary bus line will operate.
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🎥🚎 The TVR running full speed and downhill near Doyen Roubault stop.
We could say that here, one could confuse this
#gadgetbahn
for a trolleybus. And still, it insists on calling itself a tram 🤷🏻♂️
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The views are quite nice from the top of the Avenue Jean Jaurès, that climbs Brabois hill from Nancy
The steep incline of this street (up to 13%) was one of the reasons that tipped the balance, in the 90s, in favour of rubber-tired trams. Rubber beats steel on (only?) this issue
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These rather suburban neighbourhoods get a really good service, with a "tram" roughly every 7 minutes on weekdays.
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Note the the lower part of the Avenue Jean Jaurès is made up of just a single lane.
The TVR may have to wait for the opposite TVR to cross first. Not ideal, but I guess that local mayors were unwilling to take away parking spots 🙄
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🎥🚎 One TVR waits for another one to clear the way, before it continues downhill.
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🎥🚎 Another shot of the short single lane section at Avenue Jean Jaurès.
Note how the overhead wires don't merge. The flexible trolley offers this possibility that simplifies aerial infrastructure.
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Between Kennedy and MON Désert stops, construction works forces the westbound TVR into the "wrong" track.
(Note that the works here seem rather long-term, since overhead wires were also moved to the other side)
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The TVR in non-guided mode proceeds slowly through the temporary two-way track.
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Once the closed sections ends, the TVR returns to its right track.
However, it must use a specially installed surface on the track to "drop" the guiding wheels once again and continue on guided mode.
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🎥⚙️A fairly good quality video (the light helped) of the guiding wheel (called galet in French) joining the track at the temporary Zone de Dropage after the construction site
Note the hard noise of the 1st contact, which apparently has even lead to complaints of local residents
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I guess this is one of the places where the funding for future TVR expansions just ended.
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🎥🚎 TVR number 20 running between Kennedy and Nancy Gare stops.
Note how, even on the guided areas, and particularly on curves, the ride can get a bit bumpy.
The comforted seeked by rubber tires was never achieved.
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The trip continues, riding the TVR all the way to the eastern end of the line at Essey Mouzimpré.
Note how they is a passing track on the left, but a single set of wires above the vehicles 🤔
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One of the TVR units on its way to the depot, powered by the auxiliary diesel engine.
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