Z class Melbourne tram

MelbourneTram


DESCRIPTION=Z class tram
NAME=Z class
ENTERED SERVICE=1975-1984
BUILDER=Commonwealth Engineering (Comeng)
IN SERVICE=230/145
FLEET=1-230
DEPOTS=Brunswick, Essendon
Glenhuntly, Malvern
TARE=21.8t
LENGTH=16.64m
WIDTH=2.67m
HEIGHT=3.41m
MOTORS=2 x AEG ABS 3322 195kW

The Z class are a single unit, bogie tram that operates in Melbourne, Australia. They were built by Comeng a manufacturing company in Dandenong, Victoria, Australia.

History

They Z class were introduced from the mid 1970s. The trams featured an orange and cream livery until the mid 1980s, where they repainted into the Met’s green and gold. After privatisation of the tram network in 1999, some of the trams were repainted into the M>Tram livery, which was a green concept as well as featuring yellow ribboning around the tram, a large M> logo, and a blue roof. After M>Tram was taken over in 2004 the trams were allocated to Yarra Trams, where they refurbished and repainted the trams into their livery. All the Z3 trams (with the exception of all over advertising trams) have now been repainted into the Yarra Trams livery.

ubclasses

Z1 class

The Z1 class were built from 1975 to 1979. 100 trams were built, most of which are now being withdrawn. Some have also been donated to tram museums in places such as Bendigo.

Z2 class

Fifteen Z2 class tram were built in 1978 and 1979, having little difference from the Z1 classes that were built. As with the Z1 class, Z2 class trams are now being withdrawn from service.

Z3 class

Z3 class trams were introduced from 1979 to 1984 by Comeng at their plant in Dandenong plant, being a significant improvement on the Z1 and Z2 class trams. 115 were built, 114 of which are in service. All are reliveried in either Yarra Trams or all-over advertising livery.

The Z3 class was an improvement over earlier Z1 and Z2 class trams, improvements including: having three doors per side (Z1 and Z2 trams have two doors per side), different electrical equipment and a new design of suspension giving improved ride quality. The trams operate from 4 depots (Brunswick, Essendon, Glenhuntly, Malvern). In September 2007, the remaining Z3 class trams with analogue signage were refitted with digital signage, doing away with traditional rolling board route signs.

References

External links

* [http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&class=Z1 Vicsig: Z1 class trams]
* [http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&class=Z2 Vicsig: Z2 class trams]
* [http://www.vicsig.net/index.php?page=trams&class=Z3 Vicsig: Z3 class trams]