Tram 2000 Zurich

Tram 2000 is a type of tram rolling stock that was first designed for the Swiss city of Zurich. Variants of the type have also been built for other cities.

History

In 1976, VBZ took delivery of their first batch of Tram 2000 vehicles. These metre gauge articulated bogie trams have two body sections supported on three bogies. The centre bogie supports the articulation and only the outer bogies are powered. On account of this arrangement with four out of six axles powered, the type is designated Be 4/6 in Switzerland. As VBZ's network has turning loops at all termini, the cars are single-ended (have a driver's cab at only one end) and have doors on only one side. An emergency controller is provided at the rear end. Tram 2000s can be operated in coupled pairs.

The name Tram 2000 derives from the numbering series applied to these trams, but also reflects the fleet modernisation their introduction heralded.

The first batch comprised 60 vehicles and delivery extended from 1976 to 1978. The mechanical part was built by SWS, the bogies by SIG and the electrical equipment by BBC. Numbers 2001-45 are of standard configuration whereas 2301-15 have no driving cabs and are so suitable only for use as a second unit in a coupled pair.

In 1985, delivery of a second batch commenced. As SWS was no longer trading, the mechanical part was supplied by Schindler. Numbers 2046 - 2098 are largely similar to 2001-45. Also delivered was a new variant: non-articulated bogie type Be 2/4, also nicknamed "Pony". The 20 trams of this type were numbered 2401-20. Similarly to 2301-15, these units have no driving cab and are only suitable for use in coupled pairs. This type was specially designed to permit optimal use to be made of the platform length of certain stops where platform extensions were not acceptable. Delivery of the second batch lasted until 1987.

The third and final batch was delivered in 1991-1992. This comprised units 2099-2121 and 2421-35. In contrast to the earlier batches, these trams have three-phase AC motors.

Despite electrical differences between the batches, all Tram 2000 units in Zurich can be combined in pairs for multiple unit operation.

Low floor rebuilds

In the early 2000s, in order to be able to introduce the comfort of low-floor to as many services as possible, VBZ decided to supplement the Cobra trams it was acquiring by rebuilding some older trams with low floor sections. As a prototype, a centre section was built by VBZ's own workshops largely using stock parts. This section was inserted into 2113 in 2001 and underwent extensive tests. Following the successful conclusion of these, 22 identical sections were ordered from Winpro using bogies from Alstom. These were inserted into numbers 2099-2112/2114-2121 in 2004 and 2005. This rebuild stretches these trams from a Be 4/6 configuration to Be 4/8.

Withdrawals and disposals

Currently (August 2006), all Tram 2000 vehicles are still in service. Large scale withdrawals are unlikely before 2016.

Variants

Variants of the Tram 2000 design are operated by:

Forchbahn: These units are slightly wider than their VBZ counterparts. They are non-articulated Be 4/4 vehicles with a cab at one end but doors on both sides (numbers 51-58 of 1994). Some are also permanently coupled back to back as Be 8/8 (numbers 21/22 to 31/32 built 1976 - 1986). There are also driving trailers Bt (numbers 201-204 of 1981 - 1982). On account of the higher line voltage, the electrical system is also different. They automatically switch between 1200 and 600V when entering the urban system at Rehalp.

Neuchatel:

RBS: (Bern Muri Worb). They double-articulated units have cabs at both ends and doors on both sides. Their configuaration is Be 4/8. They are numbered 81-89 and were delivered 1987-1988.

Genova: Used on the metro. Standard gauge articulated units (Be 4/6).

Other Tram 2000s

A tram type called Tram 2000 also operates in Brussels. This type is not related to the type described here.

Models

HO scale models of Tram 2000 are manufactured by Navemo.

See also

*Zürich trams