D-class Melbourne tram

The D-class Melbourne tram is a fleet of low-floor Combino trams that operate on the Melbourne tram network. They were built by Siemens in Uerdingen, Krefeld, Germany, and are divided into two classes: the three section D1-class which was introduced between 2002 and 2004, and the five section D2-class which was introduced in 2004. The D-class was procured by M>Tram and have been operated by Yarra Trams since they took control of the entire tram network in April 2004.

Not to be confused with D-class Melbourne tram (1914).

D-class
D2 5016 in PTV livery on route 19 in Elizabeth Street in February 2023
Interior
ManufacturerSiemens
Built atUerdingen, Krefeld, Germany
Family nameCombino
Constructed2002-2004
Number built59
Number in service59
Fleet numbers
  • D1 3501–D1 3538
  • D2 5001–D2 5021
Capacity
  • D1: 32/90
  • D2: 56/130
(seated/standing)
Depot(s)
Specifications
Train length
  • D1: 20.04 m (65 ft 9 in)
  • D2: 29.85 m (97 ft 11 in)
Width2.65 m (8 ft 8 in)
Height
  • D1: 3.65 m (12 ft 0 in)
  • D2: 3.53 m (11 ft 7 in)
Doors2 single, 4 (D1) or 6 (D2) double
Articulated sections
  • D1: 3 (2 articulations)
  • D2: 5 (4 articulations)
Wheel diameter600–520 mm (24–20 in) (new–worn)[1]
Wheelbase1.8 m (5 ft 11 in)
Maximum speed70 km/h (43 mph)[1]
Weight
  • D1: 25.8 t (25.4 long tons; 28.4 short tons)
  • D2: 35.3 t (34.7 long tons; 38.9 short tons)
Traction motors4 × Siemens 1TB1422-0GA03[2] 100 kW (130 hp)
Power output400 kW (540 hp)
Acceleration1.3 m/s2 (4.3 ft/s2)
Deceleration
  • 1.61 m/s2 (5.3 ft/s2) (Max D1 operational)
  • 1.47 m/s2 (4.8 ft/s2) (Max D2 operational)
  • 1.35 m/s2 (4.4 ft/s2) (Average D1 operational)
  • 1.25 m/s2 (4.1 ft/s2) (Average D2 operational)
  • 3.4 m/s2 (11 ft/s2) (Max D1 emergency)
  • 3.3 m/s2 (11 ft/s2) (Max D2 emergency)
  • 2.74 m/s2 (9.0 ft/s2) (Average D2 emergency)
[2]
Electric system(s)600 V DC (nominal) from overhead catenary
Current collector(s)Pantograph
UIC classification
  • D1: Bo′+Bo′
  • D2: Bo′+2′+Bo′
BogiesSF 30 C TFW (powered), SF 30 C LFW (D2 trailer)[1]
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

History
D1 3536 in the original Yarra Trams livery in November 2007
A Melbourne D2-class tram on demonstration in Kaohsiung, Taiwan in January 2004

To meet a franchise commitment to introduce new trams to replace Z-class trams, 59 German built Siemens, Combino low-floor trams were introduced by M>Tram.[3][4][5][6][7]

The first tram arrived for testing in August 2002,[8][9] and the first four entered service in November 2002.[7][10][11] M>Tram operations were transferred to Yarra Trams in April 2004 following negotiations with the State Government after National Express handed the M>Tram franchise back to the government in December 2002.[12][13][14]

To aid disabled access to trams from platform stops 'gap eliminators' were fitted to all 59 D1 and D2-class trams in 2013. Costing $400,000 to fit to the fleet, they are a strip attached to the door step of the trams that prevent the wheels of wheelchairs from getting stuck between the door step and platform. 'Gap eliminators' proved successful in an earlier 2012 trial on two route 96 Ds, before being fitted to all D1 and D2-class trams.[15][16][17] In August 2004, D1 3507 was badly damaged in a collision and returned to Germany in November 2004 for repairs. It did not return to service until March 2009.

In early 2013 all 59 D1 and D2-class trams had their passenger information systems upgraded to announce upcoming stops.[18][19] The upgrade, which cost $343,000, allows announcements on all routes on which D-class trams regularly travel and their alternative deviations, informing passengers of upcoming stops and connections.[19]

D class trams are now operated by Malvern and Brunswick depots, all together is 59 D-class trams in Melbourne operate with route 5, 6, 16, 19 and 72 served by D1 and D2-class trams.

Fatigue Cracking

The bodies of both D1 and D2-class vehicles were found to be developing microscopic cracks in November 2006, which could lead to structural collapse in the event of an accident.[20] This resulted in all 59 Combino trams undergoing structural work to strengthen their frames. The repairs necessitated the removal of between four and eight seats per tram, leaving D1-class trams with 32 seats and D2-class trams with 56.[21]

D class trams are either in the PTV livery or all over advertising livery.

Variants

D-class trams comes in two variants: the 38 strong D1-class, which have three-sections;[10][22] and 21 strong D2-class, which have five-sections.[3][23] The D1-class entered service in late 2002, being operated from Malvern depot, with the last entering service in 2004,[7][10] while the D2-class entered service in 2004.[3] From 26 July 2004 D2-class trams were progressively moved to operation on route 96, displacing B-class trams that were in service at the time.[24] In September 2013, following the introduction of the E-class trams, Yarra Trams started to move D2 class trams to Brunswick depot to operate on route 19.[25][26]

As of March 2017, all D1-class operate from Malvern depot, while all D2-class operate out of Brunswick depot.[3][10]

Operation

D1-class trams operate on the following routes:[19]

D2-class trams operate on the following routes:[19]

In Kaohsiung

In January 2004, a Melbourne D2-class tram operated on a demonstration track in Central Park, Kaohsiung, Taiwan before being delivered to Melbourne. The Kaohsiung City Government built the temporary line to demonstrate the concept of light rail.[27]

Criticisms

In March 2016, Time Out Magazine rated the D-Class tram the worst on the Yarra Trams network. The reasons given were a low number of seats, the uncomfortableness of the seats, a loud screech when the doors open and close and poor ride quality.[28]

References
  1. "First Class Bogies" (PDF). Siemens. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2019.
  2. "Tram Track Design" (PDF). Yarra Trams. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  3. "D2 Class". Vicsig. Archived from the original on 29 August 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
  4. "Victorian rolling stock contracts announced" Railway Digest May 2000 page 20
  5. "Market" Railway Gazette International May 2000 page 277
  6. "Melbourne - Swanston Trams" Trolley Wire issue 281 May 2000 page 30
  7. Marino, Melissa (24 November 2002). "Rattlers one day, combino the next". The Age. Archived from the original on 14 November 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  8. "New low-floor tram honours tramways legend" (Press release). Minister for Transport. 2 August 2002. Archived from the original on 9 May 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  9. "Facts & figures". Yarra Trams. Archived from the original on 29 May 2014. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  10. "D1 Class". Vicsig. Archived from the original on 29 August 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
  11. "Metros" Railway Gazette International January 2003 page 14
  12. Heasley, Andrew; Baker, Richard (17 December 2002). "Train, tram operator quits". The Age. Archived from the original on 3 June 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  13. Osborne, Alistair (17 December 2002). "National Express walks out of Australian rail service". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  14. "History of Yarra Trams". Yarra Trams. Archived from the original on 20 February 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  15. Moss, Dan (29 April 2013). "Tram shortfall ramped up". Melbourne Times. Archived from the original on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  16. "Minding the gap". Yarra Trams. 24 October 2012. Archived from the original on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  17. "Accessibility Action Plan - 2012-2015" (PDF). Yarra Trams. p. 17. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 November 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  18. Harris, Amelia (28 February 2013). "New Yarra Trams chief in push to reduce travel times". Herald Sun. Archived from the original on 3 March 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  19. "Automated announcements added to five more tram routes". Yarra Trams. 15 April 2013. Archived from the original on 16 August 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  20. Millar, Royce; Moynihan, Stephen (17 November 2006). "Faults to take trams off road for months". The Age. Archived from the original on 14 November 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  21. Lucas, Clay (16 April 2009). "Latest model trams found to be cracking up". The Age. Archived from the original on 14 November 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  22. D-Class Archived 19 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine Yarra Trams
  23. D2-Class Archived 29 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine Yarra Trams
  24. "New low floor trams boost passenger capacity on Route 96". Yarra Trams. 26 July 2004. Archived from the original on 15 March 2017. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  25. "Brunswick Depot". Vicsig. Archived from the original on 29 August 2016. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  26. Gough, Deborah (4 November 2013). "Longer and louder: New E-Class tram makes itself heard". The Age. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  27. 廖, 健竣. 高雄中央公園輕軌展示線特輯 [Kaohsiung LRT demonstration in Central Park] (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Archived from the original on 10 May 2021. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
  28. Johnstone, Rose (31 March 2016). "Melbourne's trams ranked from best to worst". Time Out. Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2016.

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