VBZ B2 597-626
| C2 597-626 | |
|---|---|
| Numbering: | 597-626 (until 1931 590-619) (from 1956 B2 597-626) |
| Number: | 30th |
| Manufacturer: | SWS |
| Year of construction (s): | 1925-1926 |
| Retirement: | 1966-1968 |
| Axis formula : | B. |
| Gauge : | 1000 mm ( meter gauge ) |
| Length over coupling: | 9,600 mm |
| Width: | 2170 mm |
| Empty mass: | 8.6 t |
| Operating mode: | Trailer |
| Coupling type: | + GF + |
| Seats: | 20th |
| Standing room: | 25 + 1 |
The C2 590-619 (from 1956 B2 597-626 ) were the second series of trailer cars of the Zurich tram with transverse seats. Like all trailer wagons that had been procured up to now, they had the type designation C2 (from 1956 B2).
overview
Probably not least as a result of the economically difficult 1920s, no new traction vehicles were put into operation between 1919 and 1928 - there has never been such a long break in procurement in the entire history of the StStZ / VBZ. Nevertheless, several lines were extended during this time. In addition, the first generation of locomotives (originally with open platforms and road numbers 26 to 84) was taken out of service and mostly converted into sidecars. In 1920 there were around 250 two-axle motor vehicles and 85 sidecars in stock; In 1929 there were still 220 motor vehicles and over 160 sidecars. It was now common practice to drive with two sidecars on reasonably flat stretches when there was a crowd.
Description
In 1925 and 1926 the fleet was expanded with 30 sidecars 590 to 619 (later 597 to 626). They were very similar to the side cars 581 to 589 (later 588 to 596) delivered in 1919, but were almost a meter longer than these and thus had similar dimensions to the railcars 241 to 260 delivered in 1919: 9.60 m long and 2.17 m wide, and equipped with transverse seats. All 30 cars were built by the Swiss Wagons and Elevators Factory in Schlieren .
business
At the beginning, these cars were attached to the visually matching towing vehicles of the 241 to 260 series as well as to older, narrower railcars. For this purpose, these were retrofitted with fold-out "touch panels" next to the driver's cab window on the right-hand side in the direction of travel. After the first Ce 4/4 "Elefant" series was put into operation in 1929 and 1930 , it was used together with the series 597 - 626 trailer cars described here on Line 7, where at least the sidecars, with a few exceptions, were to remain for life.
Location of the vehicles
From April 1966 the Be 4/6 "Mirage" was used in double traction on line 7. The VBZ's oldest sidecar at the time had thus had its day. Car 626, one of the few in its original condition with arched windows around the platforms and curved side panels, came into the holdings of the Tram Museum Zurich ; Car 613 was still on the tarmac at Zurich Airport for a few years.
Related types
In 1929 the Zurich – Oerlikon – Seebach tram put very similar sidecars with the numbers 41 to 44 into operation. When this company was taken over by the Städtische Strassenbahn Zürich (StStZ) two years later, the carriages were numbered 627 to 630. Car 629 is in the final state of conversion (end walls made of steel and simplified side panels) as a museum vehicle in the inventory of the historic tram fleet of the VBZ. Also in 1929 the StStZ procured two small series of five each (631 to 635 and 636 to 640) before a total of 70 cars with the numbers 641 to 710 were acquired in 1930 and 1931.