Tatra T6A5

Tatra T6A5

T6A5 in Košice

Interior T6A5
Manufacturer ČKD Tatra
Constructed 1991-1998
Number built 296
Capacity 30 seats
128 standing
Specifications
Train length 14,700 mm (48 ft 3 in)
Width 2,500 mm (8 ft 2 in)
Height 3,165 mm (10 ft 4.6 in)
Floor height 920 mm (36 in)
Maximum speed 65 km/h (40 mph) as built
Weight 19.5 t
Traction system TV3 Thyristor equipment
4 motors - models TE 023, TE 026A02
Electric system(s) 600 V DC
Current collection method Pantograph
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in),
1,000 mm (3 ft 3 3⁄8 in)

Tatra T6A5 is a unidirectional high-floor streetcar made for public transport in Europe and is one sub-type of T6 standard trams made by Czech light rail supplier Tatra ČKD in Prague. Five cities, namely Bratislava, Košice in Slovakia and Brno, Prague and Ostrava in Czech Republic operate them in various configurations and amounts. The vehicle was designed as successor to Tatra T3 which has been operated in Europe for more than three decades at the time T6A5 was launched. The launch customer was Dopravný podnik Bratislava which received the first set of two vehicles in 1991. Apart from four units which were severely damaged in accidents and were withdrawn from the service, full fleet remains in operation as of today. They are commonly called "Irons" by general public and operator employees because their design resembles the triangular surface of clothing irons when seen from larger height.[1]

Although T6A5 is operated exclusively in Czech Republic and Slovakia, there are several different versions operated in other states in Continental Europe and some efforts had been made also to operate these vehicles in North America.

History

During the early 1980s, new requirements were set by European light rail operators for new vehicles, which would feature lower operating costs and easier maintenance. At the time, Tatra ČKD engineers were already working on new concepts of design and controls that would replace almost 30-year-old Tatra T3 dominating the tram fleet in many European cities.[2]

Main articles: Tatra T6A2 and Tatra T6B5

The T6 model range was introduced with T6B5 in 1983, which has been made mostly for Russian and Ukrainian operators. Tatra T6B5 featured electronic controls and completely new design. Tatra T6A2 launched in 1985 was redesigned to meet requirements for German and Hungarian operators. Vehicle remained technically same but was made considerably smaller to better suit the operation in Germany due to their much narrower streets and less space between rails. To bridge the differences between the two, Tatra T6A5 was developed which was not as large and heavy as T6B5 but not as small as T6A2. German cities Schwerin, Chemnitz were considering T6A5 for fleet restoration.

The last order for T6A5 was filled in 1998, although vehicle remained in offering until ČKD ceased operations in 2002. 296 vehicles and one replacement chassis were made since 1991.

On December 27, 2005, two vehicles were sold to Bratislava.[3] These two trams were manufactured in 1997 and were used for testing purposes in Prague where they remained until May 11, 2004 when they were acquired by rail engineering company Pars Nova a.s. in Šumperk, where they undergone major refurbishment and re-painting to new livery used by third revision vehicles in Bratislava.[4] Continuous service began on December 13, 2006 and both vehicles are coupled into one set. They now carry registration numbers #7957 and #7958 and slightly differ from rest of the fleet due to different front and rear coupler.[5]

Design and construction

Third revision featured new doors, interior and livery

Vehicle has angular steel construction with large windows, 3 collapsible doors on the right side and is painted with red-cream livery.

Interior was fitted with leather seats, rubber anti-slide floor and was universally made with cream window frames and gray roof and floor.

Chassis is mounted on two bogies, has four axles and every axle is connected to one traction motor. Traction motors are controlled via pulse converters. Current collection from trolley wire is done via pantograph. Construction of bogies used for T6A5 is based on North American PCC standard.

Operation

First revision T6A5 in Bratislava

T6A5 can drive as solo vehicle or can be coupled in to train set from two or three cars. Two-car sets and solo vehicles are always used, Three-car sets are used very rarely, mostly for testing purposes. Tram sets are connected with electric couplers and only one pantograph is used for powering the entire set.

Maximum design speed is 65 km/h(40 mph). At the start of operation in Bratislava and Košice, speeds as high as 115 km/h(71 mph) were achieved during special tests. But due to poor track maintenance and condition, they don't drive faster than 50 km/h(31 mph). Only exception is light rail line to U.S. Steel factory in the outskirts of Košice, where all trams, not just T6A5, drive at 60 km/h(37 mph) which is maximum speed for this area.

Information system contains front, side, back and internal panel.

Deliveries

State City Type/revision Years of delivery Amount Registration numbers
 Czech Republic Brno T6A5/III 1996 20 1201–1220
Ostrava T6A5/I T6A5/II 1994–1998 38 1101–1138
Prague T6A5/III 1995–1997 150 8601–8750
T6A5.3 Replacement chassis 1998 1 8600
 Slovakia Bratislava T6A5/I T6A5/II T6A5/III 1991–2006 58 7901-7958
Košice T6A5/I 1992–1993 30 600–629
 Bulgaria Sofia T6A5 1996 20 4140-4141

Development

Since its debut, T6A5 was made in three versions, most changes made were minor and were mostly visual as vehicle's electronics and mechanics remained unchanged.

First revision

The First revision (noted as T6A5/I) is the oldest revision, featuring red-cream livery and classic gray-cream colored interior.

Interior Design in T6A5
Second revision

Second revision (noted as T6A5/II) is minor revision and only featured improved wheel slide protection, different pantograph and tilt sash windows.

Third revision

Third revision (noted as T6A5/III) saw renewed livery, redesigned interior, doors, driver's air conditioning, plastic seats with textile coating, new pantograph and electronic information displays.

T6A5.3

The T6A5.3 is modification of classic Tatra T3 to T6A5 using new replacement chassis and old parts and bogies from T3. This was an experiment in Prague made to find a cheaper ways to restore fleet. Only one vehicle of this kind was built in 1998, but due to its atypical origin, it is not operated in regular service because of low reliability.[6]

Operation in North America

ČKD attempted to enter United States market when New Orleans Regional Transit Authority, public transport operator in New Orleans, Louisiana proven interest in T6A5 in the late 1990s, but due to several atypical properties of New Orleans streetcar system, such as rail gauge, trolley wires and customer's requirements, T6A5 had to be heavily modified to meet them. As a result, Tatra T6C5 was developed which was bi-directional, had pair of doors on both sides, air conditioning and alongside pantograph, the pair of trolley poles installed on both ends of the vehicle. Only one unit was built in 1998 and has been tested in New Orleans between 1999 and 2001. American operators were satisfied with the vehicle but due to upcoming bankruptcy of ČKD they canceled the order and returned the vehicle to Europe.[7] In 2003, T6C5 was sold to Strausberg, Germany where it remains in operation as of today.

Accidents and incidents

On January 19, 2009 in Košice, the two-car set #618+619 had an accident with rigid truck on railway crossing followed with derailment and hitting several utility poles, the vehicle has been heavily damaged and has been withdrawn from the service, few passengers were injured.[8] Vehicle #619 was repaired and returned to service.

On September 1, 2008 in Prague, #8671 was hit by an ambulance when entering the light rail depot, there were no injuries and vehicle was withdrawn from the service since then.[9]

On September 19, 2011 in Prague, the two-car set #8697+8698 crashed in high speed to Škoda 14 T standing at the tram stop. All three vehicles were removed from the service and accident left one fatality, the driver of T6A5. Investigation shown that driver's health problems were most likely to cause the accident.[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Katalóg vozidiel". Tatra T6A5 brief description in slovak language. imhd.sk. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Osobní tramvajové vozy - Tatra T6A5". Tatra T6A5, detailed description of vehicle and its operation in Prague, Czech Republic, in czech language. Pražské Tramvaje. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  3. ↑ "#7957 a #7958 už v Bratislave". Last two vehicles arrived to Bratislava, slovak language. imhd.sk. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Poslední prototypy tramvají ČKD opustili Prahu". Tatra T6A5, last ČKD vehicles to enter service. Pražské Tramvaje. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  5. ↑ Darro. "Nové električky už v premávke". Last T6A5 set entered service in Bratislava. imhd.sk. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Osobní tramvajové vozy - T6A5.3". Article covering brief description of T6A5.3 and its operation in Prague. Pražské Tramvaje. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Transport Database and Photogallery - Tatra T6C5". Tatra T6C5, technical specification and list of operators. Phototrans.eu. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  8. ↑ Jesenský, Mikuláš (January 19, 2009). "V Košiciach sa zrazila električka s autom, 20 ľudí sa zranilo". SME.sk. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Existence a konec vozu T6A5 ev.č.8671". Detailed history of #8671, its operation, accident and end of service. Pražské Tramvaje. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  10. ↑ Forman, Jiří (September 19, 2011). "Řidič tramvaje zřejmě nedobrzdil a při srážce zemřel, ve voze nebyli cestující". Novinky.cz. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
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