Tatra T6A5
Encyclopedia
Tatra T6A5, also known as Tram
6 and nicknamed "Iron
" is a unidirectional high-floor light rail vehicle made for rapid transit systems in Bratislava
, Košice
, Brno
, Prague
and Ostrava
.
The vehicle was designed and manufactured by local light rail supplier Tatra ČKD
. Only 296 trams (and one chassis) were made during a seven-year period (1991–1998).
. T6A5 is variant between them, they have chassis width 2,500 mm and bogies 6,700 mm apart, with narrower front and end to negotiate curves of local tram systems. Operation started in 1991 in Bratislava
, 1992 in Kosice
, 1994 Ostrava
, 1995 in Prague
and 1996 in Brno
.
In January 2006, two vehicles were sold to Bratislava. These two trams were manufactured in 1997 and were used for testing purposes in Prague. Tatra ČKD had stored them in its depot halls. During ČKD bankruptcy in 2002, property was acquired by Siemens rail vehicles company and trams were sold to local rail vehicle repairer Pars Nova. They were delivered to Pars on 11 May 2002. On 10 January 2006 trams were delivered to Bratislava, but it took nearly year to get all documents needed for operation. After nearly 10 years, they started operation with passengers for first time on 13 December 2006. They are coupled into one set and driving together. After arrival to Bratislava they were marked with numbers #7957 and #7958. The couplers of this two trams are slightly longer, so the trainset as a whole is a bit longer. Also the front coupler of the first car and the rear coupler of the second car have the standard "prague" heads instead of ESW head like between cars or on the rest of the T6A5 fleet.
". Vehicle have angular steel construction with big windows, 3 collapsible doors(only 1. and 2. series) and is painted with red-cream scheme known from all CKD trams made before. Some elements in conception are based on American PCC
design. Many aspects in T6A5's design came from earlier models, such as bogie
s from T7 and traction equipment from T5 model. T6A5 is smaller than many light rail vehicles.
Chassis is mounted on two bogies and four axles. Every axle is connected to one traction motor. Every traction motor is powered form pulse converter. Tram is connected to overhead trolley wire with pantograph. Traction equipment installed into T6A5 trams was also featured in T6A2 and KT8D5 in mid-80s. This traction equipment uses thyristor pulse regulation, which was used in all 3 series. Electrical parts are designed to be powered only with DC voltage. Traction equipment for AC system was never installed to any tram.
Maximum design speed 65 km/h, operation speed of 50 km/h is only order value, T6A5 sets can drive at a much faster speeds (the speed record of 110 km/h was measured in 1993 in Košice, 115 km/h was unofficionally measured in Bratislava on the stright track to Ruzinov with a two car set at night), but consistence of stops, crossings and other city traffic does not allow trams to drive more than 65 km/h. Although T6A5 is a unidirectional vehicle, in some special or emergency cases the back control panel can be used to drive backward (driving backward from the operation room is also allowed).
Information system contains front, side, back and internal panel.
First T6A5 series started in 1991 in Bratislava
, Košice
and Ostrava
. Trams were painted with classic red-cream scheme. Interior have plastic casing and leather chairs. Manufactured between 1991 and 1994.
Second series
Second series trams were manufactured from 1993 to 1998. Second series cars have wheel slide protection
improved and chair arrangement was changed. Second series is operating in Bratislava
and Ostrava
.
Third series
Third T6A5 series is the most advanced version manufactured in 1995-1997. Many design changes were applied, such as driver's room air condition, new 3-color coat scheme. New interior design with tapestried chairs, collapsible doors were replaced with fliping variant, modified traction equipment and new type of pantograph has been installed. 3. generation cars are in operation in Bratislava
, Prague
and Brno
.
Czech Republic
Slovakia
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...
6 and nicknamed "Iron
Iron (appliance)
A clothes iron, also referred to as simply an iron, is a small appliance used in ironing to remove wrinkles from fabric.Ironing works by loosening the ties between the long chains of molecules that exist in polymer fiber materials. With the heat and the weight of the ironing plate, the fibers are...
" is a unidirectional high-floor light rail vehicle made for rapid transit systems in Bratislava
Bratislava
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...
, Košice
Košice
Košice is a city in eastern Slovakia. It is situated on the river Hornád at the eastern reaches of the Slovak Ore Mountains, near the border with Hungary...
, Brno
Brno
Brno by population and area is the second largest city in the Czech Republic, the largest Moravian city, and the historical capital city of the Margraviate of Moravia. Brno is the administrative centre of the South Moravian Region where it forms a separate district Brno-City District...
, Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
and Ostrava
Ostrava
Ostrava is the third largest city in the Czech Republic and the second largest urban agglomeration after Prague. Located close to the Polish border, it is also the administrative center of the Moravian-Silesian Region and of the Municipality with Extended Competence. Ostrava was candidate for the...
.
The vehicle was designed and manufactured by local light rail supplier Tatra ČKD
CKD
A knock-down kit is a kit containing the parts needed to assemble a product...
. Only 296 trams (and one chassis) were made during a seven-year period (1991–1998).
History
T6A5 is based on T6A2 with narrow chassis (2,200 mm) and T6B5 with wide and long chassis (2,500 mm, bogie distance 7,500 mm) both made in 1980s. T6A2 were made for cities with narrow streets(Germany). T6B5 had wider ends, suitable for cities with more open space, such as many states of Soviet UnionSoviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
. T6A5 is variant between them, they have chassis width 2,500 mm and bogies 6,700 mm apart, with narrower front and end to negotiate curves of local tram systems. Operation started in 1991 in Bratislava
Bratislava
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...
, 1992 in Kosice
Košice
Košice is a city in eastern Slovakia. It is situated on the river Hornád at the eastern reaches of the Slovak Ore Mountains, near the border with Hungary...
, 1994 Ostrava
Ostrava
Ostrava is the third largest city in the Czech Republic and the second largest urban agglomeration after Prague. Located close to the Polish border, it is also the administrative center of the Moravian-Silesian Region and of the Municipality with Extended Competence. Ostrava was candidate for the...
, 1995 in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
and 1996 in Brno
Brno
Brno by population and area is the second largest city in the Czech Republic, the largest Moravian city, and the historical capital city of the Margraviate of Moravia. Brno is the administrative centre of the South Moravian Region where it forms a separate district Brno-City District...
.
In January 2006, two vehicles were sold to Bratislava. These two trams were manufactured in 1997 and were used for testing purposes in Prague. Tatra ČKD had stored them in its depot halls. During ČKD bankruptcy in 2002, property was acquired by Siemens rail vehicles company and trams were sold to local rail vehicle repairer Pars Nova. They were delivered to Pars on 11 May 2002. On 10 January 2006 trams were delivered to Bratislava, but it took nearly year to get all documents needed for operation. After nearly 10 years, they started operation with passengers for first time on 13 December 2006. They are coupled into one set and driving together. After arrival to Bratislava they were marked with numbers #7957 and #7958. The couplers of this two trams are slightly longer, so the trainset as a whole is a bit longer. Also the front coupler of the first car and the rear coupler of the second car have the standard "prague" heads instead of ESW head like between cars or on the rest of the T6A5 fleet.
Design and construction
Due to T6A5 series angular design, which is similar to T6A2, T6B5 and KT8D5 vehicles, this caused trams to be nicknamed "IronsIron (appliance)
A clothes iron, also referred to as simply an iron, is a small appliance used in ironing to remove wrinkles from fabric.Ironing works by loosening the ties between the long chains of molecules that exist in polymer fiber materials. With the heat and the weight of the ironing plate, the fibers are...
". Vehicle have angular steel construction with big windows, 3 collapsible doors(only 1. and 2. series) and is painted with red-cream scheme known from all CKD trams made before. Some elements in conception are based on American PCC
PCC streetcar
The PCC streetcar design was first built in the United States in the 1930s. The design proved successful in its native country, and after World War II was licensed for use elsewhere in the world...
design. Many aspects in T6A5's design came from earlier models, such as bogie
Bogie
A bogie is a wheeled wagon or trolley. In mechanics terms, a bogie is a chassis or framework carrying wheels, attached to a vehicle. It can be fixed in place, as on a cargo truck, mounted on a swivel, as on a railway carriage/car or locomotive, or sprung as in the suspension of a caterpillar...
s from T7 and traction equipment from T5 model. T6A5 is smaller than many light rail vehicles.
Chassis is mounted on two bogies and four axles. Every axle is connected to one traction motor. Every traction motor is powered form pulse converter. Tram is connected to overhead trolley wire with pantograph. Traction equipment installed into T6A5 trams was also featured in T6A2 and KT8D5 in mid-80s. This traction equipment uses thyristor pulse regulation, which was used in all 3 series. Electrical parts are designed to be powered only with DC voltage. Traction equipment for AC system was never installed to any tram.
Operation
T6A5 can drive as solo vehicle or can be coupled in a train set from 2 or 3 cars. 2 car sets and solo vehicles are always used, 3-car sets are used very rarely, mostly for testing purposes. Tram sets are connected with electric couplers. When driving in set there is no need to use pantograph on both vehicles, only one pantograph needs to be raised.Maximum design speed 65 km/h, operation speed of 50 km/h is only order value, T6A5 sets can drive at a much faster speeds (the speed record of 110 km/h was measured in 1993 in Košice, 115 km/h was unofficionally measured in Bratislava on the stright track to Ruzinov with a two car set at night), but consistence of stops, crossings and other city traffic does not allow trams to drive more than 65 km/h. Although T6A5 is a unidirectional vehicle, in some special or emergency cases the back control panel can be used to drive backward (driving backward from the operation room is also allowed).
Information system contains front, side, back and internal panel.
Development
First seriesFirst T6A5 series started in 1991 in Bratislava
Bratislava
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...
, Košice
Košice
Košice is a city in eastern Slovakia. It is situated on the river Hornád at the eastern reaches of the Slovak Ore Mountains, near the border with Hungary...
and Ostrava
Ostrava
Ostrava is the third largest city in the Czech Republic and the second largest urban agglomeration after Prague. Located close to the Polish border, it is also the administrative center of the Moravian-Silesian Region and of the Municipality with Extended Competence. Ostrava was candidate for the...
. Trams were painted with classic red-cream scheme. Interior have plastic casing and leather chairs. Manufactured between 1991 and 1994.
Second series trams were manufactured from 1993 to 1998. Second series cars have wheel slide protection
Wheel slide protection
Wheel slide protection and wheel slip protection are railway terms used to describe automatic systems used to detect and prevent wheel-slide during braking or wheel-spin during acceleration. Analogous to ABS and traction control systems used on motor vehicles....
improved and chair arrangement was changed. Second series is operating in Bratislava
Bratislava
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...
and Ostrava
Ostrava
Ostrava is the third largest city in the Czech Republic and the second largest urban agglomeration after Prague. Located close to the Polish border, it is also the administrative center of the Moravian-Silesian Region and of the Municipality with Extended Competence. Ostrava was candidate for the...
.
Third series
Third T6A5 series is the most advanced version manufactured in 1995-1997. Many design changes were applied, such as driver's room air condition, new 3-color coat scheme. New interior design with tapestried chairs, collapsible doors were replaced with fliping variant, modified traction equipment and new type of pantograph has been installed. 3. generation cars are in operation in Bratislava
Bratislava
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...
, Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
and Brno
Brno
Brno by population and area is the second largest city in the Czech Republic, the largest Moravian city, and the historical capital city of the Margraviate of Moravia. Brno is the administrative centre of the South Moravian Region where it forms a separate district Brno-City District...
.
Distribution of T6A5 in rapid transit systems
296 trams were manufactured + one chassis made for T6A5.3 (Prague tram Tatra T3 modified to T6A5)Czech Republic
- BrnoBrnoBrno by population and area is the second largest city in the Czech Republic, the largest Moravian city, and the historical capital city of the Margraviate of Moravia. Brno is the administrative centre of the South Moravian Region where it forms a separate district Brno-City District...
- 20 vehicles, from years 1996-1997, marked #1201-1220 - OstravaOstravaOstrava is the third largest city in the Czech Republic and the second largest urban agglomeration after Prague. Located close to the Polish border, it is also the administrative center of the Moravian-Silesian Region and of the Municipality with Extended Competence. Ostrava was candidate for the...
- 38 vehicles, from years 1994-1998, marked #1101-1138 - PraguePrague Tram SystemThe Prague tram system is the largest tram system in the Czech Republic, consisting of 140 kilometres of track, over 900 tram cars, and 33 lines with a total route length of 540 km. It is operated by Dopravní podnik hlavního města Prahy a.s., a company owned by the City of Prague. The system...
- 150 vehicles, from years 1995-1997 marked #8601-8750, and T6A5.3 from 1998(#8600)
Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
- BratislavaBratislavaBratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...
- 58 vehicles, from years 1991-1997 + two trams delivered in 2006, marked #7901-7958 - KošiceKošiceKošice is a city in eastern Slovakia. It is situated on the river Hornád at the eastern reaches of the Slovak Ore Mountains, near the border with Hungary...
- 30 vehicles, from years 1992-1993, marked #600-629