Cobra (tram)
Encyclopedia
The Cobra Tram is Zurich
's newest tram
type and first low floor tram. It is currently only running on a limited number of lines (3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) alongside the other tram models, although further rollout is planned for the coming years.
The design is based on short body segments, with four-wheel trucks under every second segment. The other segments are floating, i.e. without wheels but supported by adjacent segments. The wheel pairs of these trucks are not connected by axles but pivot individually and are steered into curves. This, it was hoped, would reduce wear and noise and also increase passenger comfort. Also, the lack of axles permits a low floor throughout the vehicle. The wheel boxes themselves are hidden under seats, as are the motors.
This running gear would have been designed and manufactured by SIG
. The electrical equipment would have been supplied by ABB and the tram body by Schindler
, who proposed to manufacture it from a synthetic material.
, with SIG ultimately becoming part of Alstom
. Changes in management focus and some loss of expertise through downsizing activities also affected the design. Following concerns over the suitability of the polymer construction, this was replaced by an aluminium design.
Basel was lost as potential customer when this city opted for the Combino
design by Siemens
. The Cobra consortium, however, won an order to supply 6 prototypes to Zürich.
began test operations in Zurich in 2001. These are five-section versions of the design. However these were withdrawn from operation soon afterwards due to cracks appearing in the drive mechanisms. There were also concerns about the noise levels both within and outside the new trams, leading to addition of noise reduction measures. The Cobra had already earned itself the unfortunate nickname Rattlesnake in the popular Zürich press. Since 2002, six Cobra trams have been operating on lines 4 and 9 with occasional appearances on line 6.
Following the Combino
crisis, the design of Cobra was also reassessed, and it was found necessary to modify the construction yet again. It was also decided to add air-conditioning.
. VBZ furthermore had an option to order up to 35 additional units. They finally decided to order another 14 units (3075-3088). These additional trams will be needed for new services such as Tram Zürich West and Phase 2 of Stadtbahn Glattal
.
The six prototypes (3001-3006) have been rebuilt to the standards of the production units.
Cobra over the already tested Combino
series from Siemens
, selected by both Basel
and Bern. This decision was justified by the Verkehrsbetriebe Zurich
on the grounds of carriage lengths and compatibility with the Zurich tram network. However, from March 5, 2010, the Red Demonstrator, a new bright red seven-segment Combino
tram, Bern 659, showed itself off to the public of Zurich until April 12 on line 11 in regular service.
The first models of the Cobra prototype were delivered in May 2001 after organisational changes within Schindler, Adtranz
and Bombardier
caused delays and renegotiations. The subsequent problems with structural weakness and noise within the new trams, causing them to be quickly withdrawn from service, added criticism. The manufacturers endeavoured to terminate the orders, and even by 1999 Adtranz
had vigorously pleaded with the VBZ to replace the vehicles and future orders by the Eurotram. The VBZ insisted on its unique Cobra design features and styling, so the Cobra survived.
Since 2002 the six prototype vehicles have proven themselves successful and the teething troubles have been overcome. The go-ahead has long since been given to expand the fleet to at least 88 trams by the end of 2010.
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
's newest tram
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
type and first low floor tram. It is currently only running on a limited number of lines (3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14) alongside the other tram models, although further rollout is planned for the coming years.
Initial concept
In 1992, a consortium of Swiss rolling stock manufacturers proposed a new design of low-floor articulated tram. The design was targeted for Zürich and Basel, but it was hoped other orders might also be won.The design is based on short body segments, with four-wheel trucks under every second segment. The other segments are floating, i.e. without wheels but supported by adjacent segments. The wheel pairs of these trucks are not connected by axles but pivot individually and are steered into curves. This, it was hoped, would reduce wear and noise and also increase passenger comfort. Also, the lack of axles permits a low floor throughout the vehicle. The wheel boxes themselves are hidden under seats, as are the motors.
This running gear would have been designed and manufactured by SIG
Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft
Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft , or SIG, is the former name of SIG Holding AG, a Swiss company that has been active in various businesses during its more than 150 years of operation. Since the year 2000 the Society has undergone strategic refocus, concentrating on its core compentence in...
. The electrical equipment would have been supplied by ABB and the tram body by Schindler
Schindler Group
thumb|200px|Schindler Test Tower in Ebikon, Lucerne, SwitzerlandSchindler was founded in Switzerland in 1874 and is the largest manufacturer of escalators and the second largest manufacturer of elevators world wide. Schindler produces, installs, maintains and modernizes elevators and escalators in...
, who proposed to manufacture it from a synthetic material.
Prototype
In order to convince potential buyers and gain experience with the design, the manufacturing consortium set about creating a prototype. For this, Bern tram 401 was purchased. Its running gear was replaced and a new centre section was inserted. The prototype, which was numbered 3000, underwent extensive testing in both Zürich and Basel. It also visited Augsburg and Helsinki for promotional purposes. The unit was ultimately scrapped in Basel.Delays and Modifications
Following various changes of policy in Zürich and Basel, no immediate orders were forthcoming. Meanwhile, the manufacturing consortium underwent numerous changes due to acquisitions and mergers within the industry. The sections of ABB and Schindler concerned with the Cobra design ultimately became part of BombardierBombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany....
, with SIG ultimately becoming part of Alstom
Alstom
Alstom is a large multinational conglomerate which holds interests in the power generation and transport markets. According to the company website, in the years 2010-2011 Alstom had annual sales of over €20.9 billion, and employed more than 85,000 people in 70 countries. Alstom's headquarters are...
. Changes in management focus and some loss of expertise through downsizing activities also affected the design. Following concerns over the suitability of the polymer construction, this was replaced by an aluminium design.
Basel was lost as potential customer when this city opted for the Combino
Combino
The Combino is a low floor tram produced by Siemens Transportation Systems . The first prototype was produced in 1996 at the Duewag works in Düsseldorf; the trams are currently made in Krefeld-Uerdingen. Because of its modular design using standardised components, and the resulting reduced costs,...
design by Siemens
Siemens
Siemens may refer toSiemens, a German family name carried by generations of telecommunications industrialists, including:* Werner von Siemens , inventor, founder of Siemens AG...
. The Cobra consortium, however, won an order to supply 6 prototypes to Zürich.
Prototypes in Zürich
These 6 prototypes (3001-3006) for the VBZVerkehrsbetriebe Zürich
Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich is a public transport operator in the Swiss city of Zurich, and is wholly owned by the city. Previously known as the Städtische Strassenbahn Zürich , the organisation was founded in 1896 and adopted its current name in 1950...
began test operations in Zurich in 2001. These are five-section versions of the design. However these were withdrawn from operation soon afterwards due to cracks appearing in the drive mechanisms. There were also concerns about the noise levels both within and outside the new trams, leading to addition of noise reduction measures. The Cobra had already earned itself the unfortunate nickname Rattlesnake in the popular Zürich press. Since 2002, six Cobra trams have been operating on lines 4 and 9 with occasional appearances on line 6.
Following the Combino
Combino
The Combino is a low floor tram produced by Siemens Transportation Systems . The first prototype was produced in 1996 at the Duewag works in Düsseldorf; the trams are currently made in Krefeld-Uerdingen. Because of its modular design using standardised components, and the resulting reduced costs,...
crisis, the design of Cobra was also reassessed, and it was found necessary to modify the construction yet again. It was also decided to add air-conditioning.
Production units
VBZ finally confirmed an order for 68 production units (3007-3074). Delivery of these began in 2005 and was completed in 2009, replacing almost all of the rolling stock that was pre-Tram 2000Tram 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:...
. VBZ furthermore had an option to order up to 35 additional units. They finally decided to order another 14 units (3075-3088). These additional trams will be needed for new services such as Tram Zürich West and Phase 2 of Stadtbahn Glattal
Stadtbahn Glattal
Stadtbahn Glattal is a project to introduce a modern rapid-transit system to the Glattal area to the North of the city of Zürich in Switzerland. Stadtbahn Glattal is being developed as a metre gauge tram system with through running to that of neighbouring Zürich...
.
The six prototypes (3001-3006) have been rebuilt to the standards of the production units.
Controversy
The introduction of this new tram series has had a long and difficult history. The original orders were placed in 1996, with many questioning the choice of Schindler'sSchindler Group
thumb|200px|Schindler Test Tower in Ebikon, Lucerne, SwitzerlandSchindler was founded in Switzerland in 1874 and is the largest manufacturer of escalators and the second largest manufacturer of elevators world wide. Schindler produces, installs, maintains and modernizes elevators and escalators in...
Cobra over the already tested Combino
Combino
The Combino is a low floor tram produced by Siemens Transportation Systems . The first prototype was produced in 1996 at the Duewag works in Düsseldorf; the trams are currently made in Krefeld-Uerdingen. Because of its modular design using standardised components, and the resulting reduced costs,...
series from Siemens
Siemens AG
Siemens AG is a German multinational conglomerate company headquartered in Munich, Germany. It is the largest Europe-based electronics and electrical engineering company....
, selected by both Basel
Basel
Basel or Basle In the national languages of Switzerland the city is also known as Bâle , Basilea and Basilea is Switzerland's third most populous city with about 166,000 inhabitants. Located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet, Basel also has suburbs in France and Germany...
and Bern. This decision was justified by the Verkehrsbetriebe Zurich
Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich
Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich is a public transport operator in the Swiss city of Zurich, and is wholly owned by the city. Previously known as the Städtische Strassenbahn Zürich , the organisation was founded in 1896 and adopted its current name in 1950...
on the grounds of carriage lengths and compatibility with the Zurich tram network. However, from March 5, 2010, the Red Demonstrator, a new bright red seven-segment Combino
Combino
The Combino is a low floor tram produced by Siemens Transportation Systems . The first prototype was produced in 1996 at the Duewag works in Düsseldorf; the trams are currently made in Krefeld-Uerdingen. Because of its modular design using standardised components, and the resulting reduced costs,...
tram, Bern 659, showed itself off to the public of Zurich until April 12 on line 11 in regular service.
The first models of the Cobra prototype were delivered in May 2001 after organisational changes within Schindler, Adtranz
Adtranz
ABB Daimler-Benz Transportation , commonly known under its brand Adtranz, was a multi-national rail transport equipment manufacturer with facilities concentrated in Europe and the USA....
and Bombardier
Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany....
caused delays and renegotiations. The subsequent problems with structural weakness and noise within the new trams, causing them to be quickly withdrawn from service, added criticism. The manufacturers endeavoured to terminate the orders, and even by 1999 Adtranz
Adtranz
ABB Daimler-Benz Transportation , commonly known under its brand Adtranz, was a multi-national rail transport equipment manufacturer with facilities concentrated in Europe and the USA....
had vigorously pleaded with the VBZ to replace the vehicles and future orders by the Eurotram. The VBZ insisted on its unique Cobra design features and styling, so the Cobra survived.
Since 2002 the six prototype vehicles have proven themselves successful and the teething troubles have been overcome. The go-ahead has long since been given to expand the fleet to at least 88 trams by the end of 2010.