(Germany )SAARBRUCKEN

Images kindly supplied by SaarBahn. (Thanks)
Haltestelle	Kirche

Saarbrucken
Saarbrucken tram-train (the so-called Saarbahn) operates since October 1997 along the north-south axis Saarbrucken-Sarreguemines (in France). The line is going to be extended from Saarbrucken to Lebach; a first section from Saarbrucken to Riegelsberg Sud opened in 2001, while Riegelsberg Sud-Etzenhofen section is under construction (to be followed by Etzenhofen-Lebach segment).
The route is articulated in a tram section from Etzenhofen to Brebach; two system changements allow Brebach-Sarreguemines (southern branch) and Etzenhofen-Lebach (northern branch) connections, in train mode.
Unless some initial troubles and some technical problems, tram-train has reached a remarkable ridership (higher than the project forecasts).
SaarBahn (official site)

CHRONOLOGY
1997	Saarbrucken-Sarreguemines
2001	Saarbrucken–Riegelsberg Sud

Country	Germany
Line	Saarbahn
Inhabitants	City 200.000, District --
Date opening	1997
Future development:	planned extensions: Riegelsberg Sud-Etzenhofen (4.8 km), Etzenhofen-Lebach (12.5 km)
Length (km)	42.8
Track sections	Etzenhofen-Brebach (tram mode), Brebach-Sarreguemines (train-mode), Etzenhofen-Lebach (train mode)
Stops	23, average distance 1100 m
Platforms	--
Platform doors	--
General characteristics	--
n. of vehicles	28
n. of cars per vehicle	3
Type	steel wheels bi-directional
Vehicle dimensions (m)	length 37.00, width 2.65
Vehicle capacity (pax)	243 (96 seated)
Frequency	7.5'/30'
Current/Voltage	750 V DC overhead (tram)/15 KV AC (train)
Type of guide/gauge	standarg gauge rails (1435 mm)
Speed Km/h	Comm --, Max 100 (train mode)
Accel./Decel. (m/sec2)	--
System capacity	--
Ridership	12 millions pax/year
Total cost	--
Staff	--
System builder	BOMBARDIER
Model	Flexity Link
NOTE	--