Flexity Berlin
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The Bombardier Flexity Berlin is a tram type constructed for the Berlin tramway network. It was developed by Bombardier Transportation during the late 2000s and is based on the Bombardier Flexity family of 100% low-floor trams.[1]
Overview
[edit]The design is based upon earlier Adtranz Incentro models and like them, the Flexity Berlin is built from modules. The Berlin public transport operator Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) ordered four different prototypes for testing.[2] The variants are one each of 30-metre and 40-metre lengths in double-ended, or single-ended design. The shorter versions use five modules and the longer versions are built with seven modules. Cab and door arrangement can be either bidirectional (two cab) or unidirectional (single cab) format depending upon the intended route. The first were rolled out during the InnoTrans 2008 railway trade fair. The appearance of the trams was especially designed for use in Berlin.[2]
If the new Flexity tram tests are successful, then Bombardier's Hennigsdorf factory is scheduled to produce a further 206 units. The order would allow BVG to replace 452 high-floor ČKD Tatra KT4 trams.[2] The Tatra trams being replaced are shorter and normally operated in pairs.
In 2009 BVG placed an order for an initial 99 trams for delivery from May 2011.[3] The actual roll-in started on 5 September 2011.[4] At the time of the initial order the BVG intended to order 33 more trams after 2017.[3]
In June 2012 the BVG placed a second order for 39 trams – the last tram of the first contract arrived on 10 September 2012 and the first tram of the second contract arrived on 7 September 2012. The second contract included only long versions so that the amount of trams is enough to replace all of the old Tatra trams by 2017. The purchase is fully funded by the Bundesland Berlin at an amount of 439.1 million euros.[5]
The nearby Strausberg Railway joined the delivery framework of the BVG Berlin Transport Company ordering 2 trams on 5 September 2011. The two short double-ended two-cab trams were delivered in February and March 2013 replacing its older trams (mostly Tatra KT8D5). The purchase is part of a 20-year contract with the county ensuring the financial basis.[6] The contract for the two trams is at an amount of about 5.5 million euros.[7]
The pilot batch was assembled in Bautzen which was later building the chassis for further assembly in Hennigsdorf near Berlin using some parts like motors from Bombardier facilities in Mannheim and Siegen. The factory in Hennigsdorf will deliver about 20 to 24 trains per year (with the last train from the second Berlin batch to be delivered during 2017).[8]
| GT6-08 / GT8-08 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model: | GT6-08 x 5 | GT8-08 x 7 | ||
| Cabs: | unidirectional | bidirectional | unidirectional | bidirectional |
| Build year: | since 2008 | |||
| Number: | 4 (2008) / 148 (2010–2015) | |||
| Manufacturer: | Bombardier | |||
| Gauge: | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge | |||
| Length: | 30.8 m (101 ft 5⁄8 in) | 40 m (131 ft 2+3⁄4 in) | ||
| Width: | 2.4 m (7 ft 10+1⁄2 in) | |||
| Height: | 3.45 m (11 ft 3+7⁄8 in) | |||
| Floor height: | 355 mm (1 ft 2 in) | |||
| Entry height: | 220–295 mm (8+5⁄8 in – 11+5⁄8 in) | |||
| Wheel diameter (new/worn): | 660 / 580 mm (25.98 / 22.83 in) | |||
| Seats: | 64 | 54 | 88 | 75 |
| Standing: | 116 | 123 | 151 | 165 |
| Drive power: | 8 × 50 kW (67 hp) | 12 × 50 kW (67 hp) | ||
| Rated voltage: | 600 V DC (Berlin) / 750 V DC (Strausberg) | |||
| Top speed: | 70 km/h (43 mph) | |||
| Weight: | 37.9 t (37.3 long tons; 41.8 short tons) | 39.1 t (38.5 long tons; 43.1 short tons) | 50.1 t (49.3 long tons; 55.2 short tons) | 51.5 t (50.7 long tons; 56.8 short tons) |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Chivukula, Kavya (2020-05-21). "Bombardier supplies 200th FLEXITY tram to BVG". Railway Technology. Retrieved 2024-06-03.
- ^ a b c "Berlin's next generation tram arrives". Railway Gazette International. 2008-09-19.
- ^ a b "Bombardier signs Berlin tram order". Railway Gazette International. 2009-09-01.
- ^ Thomas Fülling (25 July 2011). "BVG will 31 neue Straßenbahnen bestellen". Die Welt (in German). Retrieved 29 July 2011.
- ^ "BVG.de - Das Unternehmen - Presse - Pressemitteilungen - Pressemitteilung vom 22. Juni 2012". www.bvg.de. Archived from the original on 2012-07-20.
- ^ "Eine "Revolution" auf den Gleisen". Märkische Oderzeitung. 2013-03-21. Archived from the original on 2018-06-23. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
- ^ "Meldungen und Beitrag Flexity kommt nach Strausberg". Strausberg TV. 2013-03-06. 4:40..4:50. Archived from the original on 2013-05-30. Retrieved 2013-06-06.
Also für beide Bahnen haben wir rund fünfeinhalb Millionen Euro bezahlt (Gesa Reschke, Pressesprecherin)
- ^ "Berlin bekommt 132 neue Super-Straßenbahnen". Berliner Morgenpost. 2009-09-02.
20 bis 24 Züge pro Jahr will Bombardier fertig stellen. Der „Rohbau" wird im Werk in Bautzen gefertigt, die Endmontage und Inbetriebnahme erfolgt im Werk Hennigsdorf. Teile werden zudem aus den Bombardier-Standorten Mannheim und Siegen zugeliefert.
See also
[edit]
- The Bombardier Flexity family of low-floor trams with Flexity Classic and Flexity Swift used in other German cities
- Competitive low floor trams are the Siemens Avenio, AnsaldoBreda Sirio, Alstom Citadis and newcomer Crotram