Push sidecar
A push sidecar , also known as a stand sidecar , is a sidecar of a tram that is used at the terminus of a double-track route without a turning loop , track triangle or transfer track in order to enable trailer operation despite minimal infrastructure. In contrast to the classic transfer end point with three points , only one must be present when using push sidecars. In the past, this procedure was particularly common on the Vienna tram , but is no longer practiced anywhere today.
The end point has the shape of a hairpin , that is, an otherwise double-track line ends with a short single- track stump track . Here the push sidecar - still parked in the double-track area - waits for the arrival of the next course , from whose railcar it is then pushed into the single-track area of the terminus . From there he drives back to the other end of the line , while the sidecar that has just arrived becomes the new push sidecar and again waits for the next train to arrive. During the stay at the end of the line, the conductors secure the sidecar with the handbrake against rolling away and protect it against vandalism, who is also responsible for coupling and uncoupling his sidecar.
The disadvantage here is the additional vehicle requirement, because with this method an additional trailer and staff must be included in the planning for each end point, who primarily secure the sidecar against rolling away. In return, the turning process takes less time.
An alternative to the push trailer is the use of twin railcars or control cars . In these cases, coupling processes can even be dispensed with entirely despite multiple car trains.