Stadtbahnwagen B

The Stadtbahnwagen Typ B (translation Type "B" Light Rail Vehicle, short form B-Wagen) is a light rail vehicle used by several Stadtbahn networks in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It was mainly developed by Düsseldorf-based DUEWAG, who also built the majority of vehicles in a consortium with Siemens and Kiepe. A small series of ten units was built by Waggon Union in Berlin. As the type evolved over two decades of production, some vehicles have little more in common than their outer dimensions and the basic configuration of a two-part multiple unit on three bogies with both outer ones powered. For the Dortmund Stadbahn, some cars were modified with a central section and a fourth bogie. These vehicles are referred to as B8 or B80C/8 (eight axles). These vehicles have a length of 38 m (124 ft 8 1⁄8 in) and a weight of 49 t (48 long tons; 54 short tons).

Stadtbahnwagen B
First-generation vehicles from Cologne and Bonn
Type and origin
Power typeelectric
Builderstructure: DUEWAG, traction system: Siemens, Kiepe, Waggon Union
Build date1973–99
Total produced470
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • UICB′2′B′
Bo′2′Bo′ (B80D)
Gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Length28.0 m (91 ft 10 3⁄8 in)
Width2.65 m (8 ft 8 3⁄8 in)
Loco weight39 t (38.4 long tons; 43.0 short tons)
Electric system/s750 V DC
Traction motorsDC (B100S, B100C, B80S, B80C), AC (B80D)
Train brakesregenerative brake (B80D only), resistive brake, pneumatic brake (B80D: only < 3 km/h (1.9 mph) or with load above 80%), rail brake (emergency only)
Performance figures
Maximum speed100 km/h (62 mph) (B100 models)
80 km/h (50 mph) (B80 models)
Power outputB100S: 2×235 kW (315 hp)=470 kW (630 hp), B80D Bochum: 4×136 kW (182 hp)=544 kW (730 hp) (while braking) 700 kW (940 hp), B80D Düsseldorf: 4×150 kW (200 hp)=600 kW (800 hp) (while braking) 780 kW (1,050 hp)
Acceleration1.15 m/s2 (3.8 ft/s2) (B80D Bochum), 1.3 m/s2 (4.3 ft/s2) (B80D Düsseldorf)
Deceleration1.2 m/s2 (3.9 ft/s2) (B80D Bochum), 1.5 m/s2 (4.9 ft/s2) (B80D Düsseldorf), 3 m/s2 (9.8 ft/s2) emergency brake (​2⁄3 load)
Career
LocaleGermany

History

When the Rhine-Ruhr Stadtbahn network was planned in the early 1970s, standardised rolling stock was planned as well. At the same time, a second Stadtbahn network was planned for Cologne and Bonn. Because the future Cologne Stadtbahn already had one finished tunnel, that was built with the city's own money with streetcars in mind, the Stadtbahnwagen designed for the Rhine-Ruhr network was not suitable. So, another vehicle was designed for the Cologne/Bonn network, that was capable of driving though tighter curves. This vehicle, now referred to as Stadtbahnwagen Typ B was immediately ordered by transport authorities in Cologne and Bonn, while Rhine-Ruhr authorities remained hesitant about "their" vehicle, now renamed Stadtbahnwagen Typ A. Eventually it was decided that the type "A" LRV was too unwieldy and type "B" LRVs were ordered by Essen, Mülheim, Düsseldorf, Duisburg and Dortmund. The type "A" concept, which consists of close coupled two-car sets, was shelved and later revived for the Stuttgart Stadtbahn.

The Typ B formed the basis for the British-built Metrocars on the Tyne & Wear Metro, which opened in 1980.

Subtypes

Different variants are usually referred to by a combination of their top speed and a letter denoting the engine type.

B100S100 km/h (62 mph), Schützensteuerung (contactor control)
B80C80 km/h (50 mph), Chopper control
B80D80 km/h (50 mph), Drehstromantrieb (three-phase motors)
B100T100 km/h (62 mph), Thyristor control
  • Second-generation body
  • Third-generation body
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