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Moderus Beta (modernized tram)

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Moderus Beta
MF 01, MF 13, MF 14 AC BD, MF 18[1]
Moderus Beta MF 01 at platform 2 of the Gdańsk Brętowo railway station
ManufacturerDuewag, Modertrans Poznań [pl]
AssemblyBiskupice,  Poland
Constructed2009–2015
Number built65
Capacity226
Specifications
Train length26,640 m (87,400 ft)
Width2,330 mm (92 in)
Height3,650 mm (144 in)
Articulated sections3
Maximum speed70 km/h (43 mph)
Electric system(s)2 × 150 kW

Moderus Beta are trams resulting from the modernization of German Stadtbahnwagen M/N cars, produced by the company Modertrans Poznań [pl]. Between 2009 and 2015, a total of 65 of these trams were modernized, and they operate in Gdańsk and Elbląg.

This was the first use of the name Moderus Beta to designate a tram model from Modertrans. The name was later reused, this time for a tram model built entirely from scratch, partially based on solutions from the previous model.

Construction

[edit]
N8C in Gdańsk, before modernization

The vehicle was based on the three-section, bidirectional Stadtbahnwagen M/N tram, produced between 1978 and 1986. A total of 76 such trams were built, with 54 for Dortmund and 22 for Kassel.[2]

The modernization of the tram involved adding a new, low-floor central section (completely of original design), which was inserted between the existing sections. This section is equipped with outward-opening doors, resulting in wide, unobstructed entrances without a central post, allowing for quick passenger exchange.[3] This section was manufactured in Biskupice.[4] Both ends of the tram were replaced with new, modern designs featuring curved, panoramic front windows. The new motorman's cabin includes a roll cage that protects the driver in case of a collision.[3]

The Moderus Beta MF 01 (N8C) tram is mounted on four two-axle bogies.[4] The bogies in the first and third sections are powered, while those under the articulation are non-powered. The Moderus Beta is equipped with two traction motors, each rated at 150 kW.[4]

The tram can carry a total of 226 passengers.[1]

During the first modernization for Gdańsk, the trams were equipped with traditional ticket validators, electronic displays, new plastic seats, monitoring systems, and air conditioning in the motorman's cabin.[5] The trams for Gdańsk from the second series were additionally equipped with air conditioning for the passenger area. One tram from the second series for Gdańsk was painted in cream and blue colors, reminiscent of the pre-war Gdańsk tram color scheme.[6]

In 2018, the second stage of the modernization of the N8C trams began in Gdańsk, which included replacing the motors, lighting, heating, and sandboxes, as well as installing ABS.[7][8]

Operation

[edit]
Country City Type Delivery years Number Sources
 Poland Gdańsk N8C – MF 01 2009–2012 46 [9][10]
N8C – MF 18 2015 16 [10][11][12][13]
Elbląg M8C – MF 13 2013 2 [14]
M8C – MF 14 AC BD 2015 1 [12][15]
Total 65

Gdańsk

[edit]
Interior

In 2007, the then ZKM Gdańsk (now Gdańsk Buses and Trams since 2017) purchased 46 Düwag N8C trams withdrawn from service in Dortmund.[9][10] Initially, they were acquired to serve the planned line to Chełm, which the Konstal 105Na trams, dominant in the operator's fleet, could not accommodate.[16] The first non-modernized tram was delivered to Gdańsk in February 2007. On 28 April 2007, these trams began operating on the temporary line 98 (from Jelitkowo to Zaspa).[17]

Motorman's cabin

In 2008, a tender was resolved, resulting in all the trams being sent for modernization at Modertrans Poznań [pl].[9] Modertrans initially faced problems with the modernization, causing significant delays. The first modernized N8C was delivered on 24 April 2009. This tram arrived inoperable and had to be towed to the Wrzeszcz depot, a fact criticized by the local press.[18] The last tram arrived on 13 April 2012, nearly a year and a half overdue.[19] The delays led to the unexpected arrival of non-modernized trains in Gdańsk.[20] Initially, the trams were assigned to the Wrzeszcz depot, replacing Konstal 105Na trams, which were either transferred to Nowy Port or scrapped. From May 2011, due to deliveries of Pesa Swing trams, the Moderus Beta MF 01 trams were also assigned to the Nowy Port depot, replacing Konstal 105Na trams. A significant advantage of these trams is their bidirectionality, which is useful during track repairs.[19] While the trams can be operated in multiple units, this is not utilized due to the short station stops.[21]

In May 2014, Gdańsk purchased 14 more N8C trams, this time from Kassel.[2] Modertrans was the only bidder in the tender for their modernization, but its offer was rejected due to exceeding the budget. In the next tender, Modertrans' offer was selected, and in November, a contract was signed for the modernization of 16 N8C trams (meanwhile, Gdańsk bought 2 additional trams from Kassel). The first tram from the second batch was delivered to Gdańsk overnight from March 1 to 2, 2015.[22] By early May, the first two trams from this batch were in service.[23] Deliveries of the modernized trams were completed by mid-August.[24]

In mid-July 2016, two trams were flooded during a flood in Gdańsk.[25][26]

In August 2017, Gdańsk Buses and Trams announced a tender for the repair of: 2 trams from Dortmund affected by the flood, 8 trams from Kassel requiring drivetrain replacement, and 1 tram from Kassel damaged in an accident.[25] Modertrans was the only bidder for the repair of the 3 damaged trams, while drivetrain replacement was offered by 4iB.[27] However, the tender was canceled – Modertrans exceeded the cost estimate, and 4iB did not submit a bid bond.[28] Ultimately, in late May and early June 2018, Gdańsk Buses and Trams signed a contract with Modertrans for the repair of 2 flooded trams,[29] and on June 15 with 4iB for the modernization of drivetrain and control systems in 13 N8C-MF18 trams and 8 N8C-MF01 trams.[30] By mid-September 2018, two trams were ready.[7]

Between July and August 2017, one tram received a gold wrap as part of an external campaign dedicated to Hans Memling's The Last Judgment, commissioned by the National Museum in Gdańsk.[31]

On 13 December 2021, during a fire at the Nowy Port depot, 2 N8C trams were destroyed, and 1 was damaged.[32][33]

Elbląg

[edit]
Düwag M8C in Elbląg

Trams in Elbląg acquired two M8C trams (a narrow-gauge version of the N8C) from Augsburg,[34] which were modernized in the same way as the Gdańsk trams.[35] According to the tender conditions, only bids from companies with experience in modernizing at least 3 such trams and certified for operation in Poland were accepted. On May 7, the decision was made to award the contract to Modertrans.[36]

On 18 October 2013, the first of the two modernized trams was delivered to Elbląg,[37] and it was presented on 10 January 2014.[35]

At the beginning of 2014, Elbląg purchased another M8C tram from Augsburg, intending to modernize it.[38] On August 18, the company signed a contract with Modertrans for its modernization,[39] and in July 2015, the modernized tram returned to Elbląg.[15]

At the beginning of 2016, Elbląg purchased an additional 3 M8C trams, this time from Mülheim an der Ruhr. However, the operator did not intend to modernize these trams.[40]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Düwag N8C_Mod". www.zkm.pl (in Polish). Archived from the original on 2015-05-12.
  2. ^ a b "Gdańsk kupił 14 tramwajów z Kassel" [Gdańsk purchased 14 trams from Kassel]. www.gdansk.pl (in Polish). 8 May 2014. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  3. ^ a b Gieżyński, Tomasz (2008). "Modernizacja N8C dla Gdańska w Poznaniu" [Modernization of N8C trams for Gdańsk in Poznań]. Świat Kolei (in Polish). 8. Łódź: Emi-press: 9. ISSN 1234-5962.
  4. ^ a b c Gieżyński, Tomasz (2009). "Wreszcie postęp w modernizacji wagonów N8C z Dortmundu dla Gdańska" [Finally, progress in the modernization of N8C trams from Dortmund for Gdańsk]. Świat Kolei (in Polish). 4. Łódź: Emi-press: 9. ISSN 1234-5962.
  5. ^ "Gdańsk: 46 tramwajów N8C zmodernizowanych przez Modertrans do 2010 roku" [Gdańsk: 46 N8C trams modernized by Modertrans by 2010]. TransInfo (in Polish). 22 July 2008. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  6. ^ "Kremowo-niebieski N8C już wkrótce w Gdańsku" [The cream and blue N8C tram will soon arrive in Gdańsk]. TransInfo (in Polish). 8 July 2015. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  7. ^ a b "W Gdańsku drugi etap modernizacji tramwajów. I oczekiwanie na nowe PESY" [The second phase of tram modernization in Gdańsk. And waiting for new PESAs]. TransInfo (in Polish). 20 September 2018. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  8. ^ ""Dortmundy" jak nowe. Jak wygląda modernizacja gdańskich tramwajów?" ["Dortmunds" like new. What does the modernization of Gdańsk's trams look like?]. www.transport-publiczny.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  9. ^ a b c Lubka, Arkadiusz; Stiasny, Marcin (2011). Atlas tramwajów [Tram Atlas] (in Polish). Poznań: Kolpress. p. 98. ISBN 978-83-920784-6-3.
  10. ^ a b c "W Gdańsku Gdańskie Autobusy i Tramwaje" [In Gdańsk, it's Gdańsk Buses and Trams]. TransInfo (in Polish). 19 January 2017. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  11. ^ "Komplet zmodernizowanych Dortmundów w Gdańsku" [The complete set of modernized Dortmund trams in Gdańsk]. TransInfo (in Polish). 17 August 2015. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  12. ^ a b "Moderus Beta". www.modertrans.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  13. ^ "Gdańsk, Duewag N8C-MF 18 # 1163". transphoto.org (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  14. ^ "M8C na elbląskich torowiskach" [M8C on Elbląg's tracks]. www.modertrans.pl (in Polish). 24 January 2014. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  15. ^ a b "Komplet tramwajów z Augsburga w Elblągu" [The complete set of trams from Augsburg in Elbląg]. TransInfo (in Polish). 7 July 2015. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  16. ^ Jacobson, Krystian (2008). "Gdańsk – otwarcie linii na Chełm!" [Gdańsk – opening of the line to Chełm!]. Świat Kolei (in Polish). 2. Łódź: Emi-press: 8. ISSN 1234-5962.
  17. ^ Jacobson, Krystian (2007). "Poruszają Gdańsk" [They are moving Gdańsk]. Świat Kolei (in Polish). 7. Łódź: Emi-press: 8. ISSN 1234-5962.
  18. ^ Gieżyński, Tomasz (2009). "Telenoweli modernizacyjnej ciąg dalszy" [The saga of modernization continues]. Świat Kolei (in Polish). 6. Łódź: Emi-press: 9. ISSN 1234-5962.
  19. ^ a b Jacobson, Krystian (2012). "Wagony N8C-NF w Gdańsku" [N8C-NF trams in Gdańsk]. Świat Kolei (in Polish). 6. Łódź: Emi-press: 48–49. ISSN 1234-5962.
  20. ^ Jacobson, Krystian (2008). "Zamiast w Poznaniu kolejny „dortmunder" w Gdańsku" [Instead of Poznań, another "Dortmunder" in Gdańsk]. Świat Kolei (in Polish). 11. Łódź: Emi-press: 8. ISSN 1234-5962.
  21. ^ Jacobson, Krystian (2010). "Jazda ukrotniona N8C" [Restricted operation of N8C]. Świat Kolei (in Polish). 5. Łódź: Emi-press: 8–9. ISSN 1234-5962.
  22. ^ "Pierwszy zmodernizowany N8C z nowej partii już w Gdańsku" [The first modernized N8C from the new batch is already in Gdańsk]. TransInfo (in Polish). 2 March 2015. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  23. ^ "Gdańsk: Pierwsze N8C z Kassel już na torach" [Gdańsk: The first N8C trams from Kassel are already on the tracks]. www.transport-publiczny.pl (in Polish). 5 May 2015. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  24. ^ "Ostatni używany tramwaj z Niemiec już w Gdańsku" [The last used tram from Germany is now in Gdańsk]. kurier-kolejowy.pl (in Polish). 17 August 2015. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  25. ^ a b "Szykuje się remont 11 tramwajów z Niemiec" [A renovation of 11 trams from Germany is in the works]. trojmiasto.pl (in Polish). 9 August 2017. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  26. ^ "Gdańsk: Zalany po okna tramwaj Swing wróci do Pesy?" [Gdańsk: Will the flood-damaged Swing tram return to Pesa?]. www.transport-publiczny.pl (in Polish). 19 July 2016. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  27. ^ "Tylko Modertrans chce naprawiać gdańskie N8C" [Only Modertrans wants to repair Gdańsk's N8C trams]. TransInfo (in Polish). 16 September 2017. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  28. ^ "Przetarg na modernizację gdańskich N8C unieważniony" [The tender for the modernization of Gdańsk's N8C trams has been canceled]. TransInfo (in Polish). 21 November 2017. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  29. ^ "Modertrans naprawi dwa zalane gdańskie N8C. Umowa podpisana" [Modertrans will repair two flood-damaged Gdańsk N8C trams. Contract signed]. TransInfo (in Polish). 1 June 2018. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  30. ^ "4iB z umową na modernizacje napędów w gdańskich N8C" [4iB has a contract for the modernization of drives in Gdańsk's N8C trams]. TransInfo (in Polish). 19 June 2018. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  31. ^ developers (3 August 2017). "Złoty tramwaj w Gdańsku" [Golden tram in Gdańsk]. TransInfo (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  32. ^ "Gdańsk: Pożar w zajezdni Nowy Port. Spalone i nadpalone tramwaje, w tym Jazz" [Gdańsk: Fire at the Nowy Port depot. Burned and scorched trams, including Jazz]. www.transport-publiczny.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  33. ^ "Nadpalony Jazz wrócił do GAiT" [The scorched Jazz tram has returned to Gdańsk Buses and Trams]. www.transport-publiczny.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  34. ^ "M8C za GT6 w Elblągu" [M8C replacing GT6 in Elbląg]. TransInfo (in Polish). 24 April 2013. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
  35. ^ a b "Elbląg: Inauguracyjny przejazd M8C - Elbląg" [Elbląg: Inaugural ride of the M8C in Elbląg]. rynek-kolejowy.pl (in Polish). Archived from the original on 2014-02-01.
  36. ^ "PL-Elbląg: Usługi naprawcze i konserwacyjne - 2013/S 116-198772 - Ogłoszenie o udzieleniu zamówienia – zamówienia sektorowe" [PL-Elbląg: Repair and maintenance services - 2013/S 116-198772 - Notice of award of contract – sectoral contract]. ted.europa.eu (in Polish). 14 June 2013. Archived from the original on 2014-02-19.
  37. ^ "Elbląski M8C" [Elbląg's M8C]. rynek-kolejowy.pl (in Polish). 18 October 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-10-24.
  38. ^ "Trzeci 30-latek z Augsburga wyruszy na elbląskie tory w 2015" [The third 30-year-old tram from Augsburg will head to Elbląg's tracks in 2015]. elblag.wm.pl (in Polish). 1 September 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-03-15.
  39. ^ "Zamówienie publiczne - 299818-2014" [Public procurement - 299818-2014]. ted.europa.eu (in Polish). 1 September 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-12-10.
  40. ^ "Elbląg kupił trzy M8C" [Elbląg bought three M8C]. TransInfo (in Polish). 6 March 2016. Retrieved 2024-09-16.