Tramlink units

[A60stock]

Does anyone know why the croydon trams are always single units, i.e. never two joined together? It seems to be standard practice on other tram lines in the UK such as the Manchester Metrolink?

Will double units ever be a possibility in the future?

[Chris M]

I believe that the traffic lights in central Croydon are all phased on the principle that only one single-unit tram will pass during any single proceed aspect, so double units are very rare. I also don't think the platforms are long enough for double units.

I think Manchester is actually unusual among the second generation tram networks in the UK in running double units regularly. Certainly in Nottingham, the platforms are only long enough for single units and Sheffield's trams were specified to be as long as practical so that doubling them would not be necessary.

[MoreToJack]

Chris M is correct. Manchester is unusual, all other systems are the norm - though Croydon does have significantly shorter vehicles than all the other UK networks.

[brigham]

British trams were traditionally singe units. These 'strings' of trams we see nowadays were always a slightly-comical 'foreigner' notion, rather like French onion-sellers.

[peagle]

Another issue is the serious injury risk that tram couplers can pose to car passengers and pedestrians during accidents. As I understand it this was the main reason for the end of multiple working on the Belgian Coastal Tram.

[superteacher]

As pointed out by rincew1nd on another thread, we don’t do trams on this forum. Therefore it is being locked.