B class Melbourne tram
Encyclopedia
The B class are a two-section, three-bogie articulated tram that operates in Melbourne
, Victoria
. Following the introduction of two B1-class trams in 1984 and 1985, a total of 130 B2-class trams were ordered by the Victorian Government and built by Comeng
(later ASEA Brown Boveri) in Dandenong, Victoria
. They were introduced by the Metropolitan Transit Authority
in 1988.
and Port Melbourne
light rail conversion projects.
Both 2001 and 2002, as they are numbered, spent several years out of service due to compressor issues. They are, apart from W-class, the only trams with air compressors.
After returning to service, they were operated from Southbank Depot and were used on route 96 and 112. They appeared sometimes on route 31. They are now based at East Preston Depot where they are used on route 86, 95 and 112.
They have a very similar interior to B2 apart from having no airconditioning and opening windows and different sun shades.
In August 1999, the Melbourne tram network was privatised. A total of 55 trams were allocated to Swanston Trams (later M>Tram) with the remaining 75 allocated to Yarra Trams
. Both companies began their own repainting and refurbishment program that saw new liveries and internal colour schemes. However, with Yarra Trams now the sole operator of the Melbourne system, all B2-class trams (with the exception of all over advertising
trams) are painted in the Yarra Trams livery
.
The Yarra Trams livery features a white body and white bottom skirts and roof trimmings. The Yarra Trams
logo and streamlined gum leaf are applied using vinyl stickers. The now defunct M-Tram livery utilised a more green concept as well as featuring yellow ribboning around the tram, a large M> logo, and a blue roof. Most trams are now repainted into the Yarra Trams Livery with white as the base instead of fog grey.
In 2003, Yarra Trams briefly proposed adding a further 'low-floor' section to the trams. This proposal was voiced during the introduction of the Apollo seating layout, where seats were replaced with 'bum racks'. However, the plan to add the low-floor section has been shelved and the Apollo seating layout has only been applied to 10 trams.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
. Following the introduction of two B1-class trams in 1984 and 1985, a total of 130 B2-class trams were ordered by the Victorian Government and built by Comeng
Commonwealth Engineering
The Commonwealth Engineering Company Limited is the brand name of a former Australian Engineering Company that designed Locomotives, Electrical Multiple Units , Diesel Multiple Units and Trams.-History:...
(later ASEA Brown Boveri) in Dandenong, Victoria
Dandenong, Victoria
Dandenong is a suburb and major urban centre in metropolitan Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 30 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Situated on Dandenong Creek and mostly flat land at the foothills of Mount Dandenong, it is the main administrative centre for the City of...
. They were introduced by the Metropolitan Transit Authority
Metropolitan Transit Authority (Victoria)
The Metropolitan Transit Authority was a State Government of Victoria owned corporate body that operated suburban passenger trains,trams and buses in Victoria, Australia. It was set up under Section 15 of the Transport Act 1983 and commenced operation on 1 July 1983...
in 1988.
B1 class
The B1 class consist of two trams built as prototype light rail vehicles in 1984 and 1985 for the St KildaSt Kilda railway line, Melbourne
The St Kilda railway line is a former suburban railway in Melbourne, Australia.-Operation:The line was opened by the Melbourne and Hobson's Bay Railway Company in 1857...
and Port Melbourne
Port Melbourne railway line, Melbourne
The Port Melbourne railway line is a former suburban railway in Melbourne, Australia. The line was the first significant railway in Australia and was opened by the Melbourne and Hobson's Bay Railway Company to carry passengers arriving in Victoria at Station Pier, and to alleviate the high cost of...
light rail conversion projects.
Both 2001 and 2002, as they are numbered, spent several years out of service due to compressor issues. They are, apart from W-class, the only trams with air compressors.
After returning to service, they were operated from Southbank Depot and were used on route 96 and 112. They appeared sometimes on route 31. They are now based at East Preston Depot where they are used on route 86, 95 and 112.
They have a very similar interior to B2 apart from having no airconditioning and opening windows and different sun shades.
B2 class
The B2-class trams were the first trams introduced to Melbourne to feature air conditioning and dot-matrix destination signs. The electronics of the B2-class were similar to earlier Z3- and A-class trams, however the B2-class trams have Gate Turn-Off control systems.In August 1999, the Melbourne tram network was privatised. A total of 55 trams were allocated to Swanston Trams (later M>Tram) with the remaining 75 allocated to Yarra Trams
Yarra Trams
Yarra Trams is the trading name of the Melbourne tram network, which is fully owned and registered by the Victorian State Government. The current franchise is operated by a consortium named KDR Melbourne which consists of a partnership between French company Keolis and Australian company Downer EDI...
. Both companies began their own repainting and refurbishment program that saw new liveries and internal colour schemes. However, with Yarra Trams now the sole operator of the Melbourne system, all B2-class trams (with the exception of all over advertising
Wrap advertising
Wrap advertising is the marketing practice of completely or partially covering a vehicle in an advertisement or livery, thus turning it into a mobile billboard. This can be achieved by simply painting the vehicle surface, but it is becoming more common today to use large vinyl sheets as decals...
trams) are painted in the Yarra Trams livery
Livery
A livery is a uniform, insignia or symbol adorning, in a non-military context, a person, an object or a vehicle that denotes a relationship between the wearer of the livery and an individual or corporate body. Often, elements of the heraldry relating to the individual or corporate body feature in...
.
The Yarra Trams livery features a white body and white bottom skirts and roof trimmings. The Yarra Trams
Yarra Trams
Yarra Trams is the trading name of the Melbourne tram network, which is fully owned and registered by the Victorian State Government. The current franchise is operated by a consortium named KDR Melbourne which consists of a partnership between French company Keolis and Australian company Downer EDI...
logo and streamlined gum leaf are applied using vinyl stickers. The now defunct M-Tram livery utilised a more green concept as well as featuring yellow ribboning around the tram, a large M> logo, and a blue roof. Most trams are now repainted into the Yarra Trams Livery with white as the base instead of fog grey.
In 2003, Yarra Trams briefly proposed adding a further 'low-floor' section to the trams. This proposal was voiced during the introduction of the Apollo seating layout, where seats were replaced with 'bum racks'. However, the plan to add the low-floor section has been shelved and the Apollo seating layout has only been applied to 10 trams.