VAG GT8

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GT8
Third series car 227
Third series car 227
Numbering: 1st series: 201–204
2nd series: 205–214
3rd series: 221–231
Number: 25th
Manufacturer: DUEWAG
Year of construction (s): 1st series: 1971/72
2nd series: 1981/82
3rd series: 1990/91
Axis formula : B '+ B' B '+ B'
Gauge : 1000 mm (meter gauge)
Length over coupling: 32,845 mm
Width: 1st series: 2,200 mm
2nd series: 2,320 mm
3rd series: 2,320 mm
Empty mass: 1st series: 36 t
2nd series: 38 t
3rd series: 39.57 t
Top speed: 70 km / h
(limited to 62 km / h)
Hourly output : 1st series: 4 × 95 kW = 380 kW
2nd series: 4 × 150 kW = 600 kW
3rd series: 4 × 150 kW = 600 kW
Power system : 1st series: 600 V direct current (from 1983 750 V)
2nd series: 750 V direct current
3rd series: 750 V direct current
Power transmission: Overhead line
Seats: 1st series: 89
2nd series: 91
3rd series: 84
Standing room: 1st series: 205
2nd series: 225
3rd series: 229

The articulated multiple units of the type GT8 used on the Freiburg im Breisgau tram are three-part eight- axle vehicles . Between 1971 and 1991 they were produced in three series by the Düsseldorfer Waggonfabrik exclusively for the Freiburger Verkehrs AG (VAG), which is why they are also known as the Freiburg type . They are designed as a furniture trolley .

design type

The structural conditions in Freiburg made it necessary to create a separate vehicle type, as conventional trains with Jakobs bogies are not suitable for the sometimes tight curve radii. The Freiburg car was derived from the Mannheim type, also manufactured by Duewag and built from 1969 , which in turn is based on the classic Duewag articulated car from 1956. In contrast to conventional articulated wagons, however, the pivot point of the Freiburg wagons is not on Jakobs bogies, but is arranged under the middle section into which the two end parts of the wagon are hung. In addition to the all-axle drive, which is easier to implement, a better envelope curve was also achieved, with a total length of 34 meters. After the twelve-axle trams from Rhein-Haardtbahn GmbH , the Freiburg wagons were considered the second longest tram cars in the world for a number of years.

Series

First series (1971/72)

Around 1979: Car 203 in the original paintwork
Car 204 in Łódź

First of all, in 1971 and 1972, the Freiburger Verkehrs AG purchased four vehicles with so-called Geamatic controls . They were given the road numbers 201-204. Car 202 (distinguishable from the outside by the central double headlights) was the first to have an automatic setpoint generator . They were from the beginning of schaffner loose oriented operation and replace some of the outdated and labor-intensive convoy type -Beiwagen from the early 1950s, which are still on the war tramcars based (KSW).

They were originally equipped with a headlight and painted in a cream color. In the mid-1980s, they were optically matched to the production vehicles and got double headlights, which were arranged in the middle next to each other due to their smaller width. At that time, they were also repainted in the red and white colors introduced in 1981.

In 2001 they were adopted and turned off with a rally. Via an intermediary, they got to the Łódź tram in 2006 , where they were used by Międzygminna Komunikacja Tramwajowa on the overland tram line 46 to Ozorków . After the company was dissolved and the operational business of route 46 was taken over by the municipal transport company MPK, the four cars were parked in March 2012 and scrapped in 2012 (204), 2013 (201 and 203) and 2015 (202).

Second series (1981/82)

GT8K 210 on Hornusstrasse, 2013
Interior shot of a GT8K

After the positive experience with the first four cars and the decision to expand the tram network, ten more trains were ordered at the end of the 1970s. These were put into service in 1981 and 1982, were given the numbers 205-214 and are also referred to as GT8K. They were delivered in the new corporate colors of red and white and had two front headlights. With these vehicles, the conductors' operation was finally given up and the last association-type sidecars were discarded.

At 2.32 meters, they are twelve centimeters wider than the cars in the first series, which made it necessary to relocate the track in some curves of the route network, for example in front of the Schwabentor . The larger width made it possible to design the vehicles a little more generously than the first series. While the two steps in the earlier cars were still very high, you can now get inside via three normal high steps. There is also more standing space in these cars between the seats, which are arranged 1 + 2.

Instead of the mechanical step controller of earlier vehicles, the second series received a DC chopper control for the first time , which is operated via a setpoint generator . It enables largely jerk-free acceleration and braking. Compared to the first series, which had scissor pantographs , the second series received single-arm pantographs .

Carriage 205 now serves as a historical railcar, car 207 was scrapped in 2007 and the cars 208 and 209 were 2008 to the streetcar Ulm sold where they under the new number 17 to a bi-directional - grinding cars were assembled. Because of the GT8Z refurbishment, wagons 210-214 have been in regular operation all day since 2012. Before that, they were only used during rush hour and for SC Freiburg football matches. The car 206 served as a spare parts dispenser since 2017 and was scrapped in 2018. In addition, like some other VAG railways, they have now all been equipped with LED displays. The remaining cars are to remain in use until five more Urbos are delivered in 2020.

Third series (1990/91)

GT8N 222 on Hornusstrasse

In 1990 and 1991 a further eleven multiple units with the numbers 221 to 231 were procured. In contrast to the second series, they were equipped with a low-floor center section . Because of their low-floor share, they are also referred to as GT8N. Otherwise they differ from the previous series in that they are pantographs. They replaced the GT4 that had been procured from Stuttgart at short notice in 1985 . All vehicles in this series received a matrix display from 2001 and run on lines 1, 3 and 5.

literature

  • Dietmar Gemander / Thomas Hettinger: Freiburg tram - the time before the light rail ; Freiburg, 2006

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. Ghost Train - A photo gallery - VAG Blog. Accessed April 12, 2018 (German).