Siemens–Duewag U2

The U2's dimensions are 24.284 m (79 ft 8+1⁄8 in) by 2.650 m (8 ft 8+3⁄8 in) by 3.66 m (12 ft 1⁄8 in). In the US and Canada, usually up to five U2 cars are coupled to run as a train. Calgary Transit regularly couples up six U2 cars to shuttle them from Anderson Garage to Haysboro storage. These unique shuttle trains can be commonly seen after the evening rush hour. Each articulated car has a total passenger capacity of 264 passengers. It may be equipped with two DC motors for a total power output of 300 kW (400 hp) and a maximum speed of 80 km/h (50 mph), or with four AC motors for an output of 544 kW (730 hp) and speed of 88 km/h (55 mph).

As the length of a tram or light-rail train running on shared track is restricted to a maximum of 105 meters (344 ft) in Germany, up to four U2 cars may be used in a single consist on such track.

Frankfurt U2 cars use Scheren (diamond) or single-arm (z-shaped) pantographs, while Calgary, Edmonton and San Diego vehicles use the latter style pantograph exclusively.

In order to operate safely, the cars require 500 kW (670 hp) to accelerate from a station, and 150 kW (200 hp) to maintain speed.

Siemens-Duewag U2a

Siemens-Duewag U3

Siemens-Duewag Type U3 is an upgraded version of the U2 with a slightly longer length and cosmetic changes. Introduced in 1977, they entered service in 1980 and will be exported to Monterrey in Mexico, after being retired from service by Germany's Frankfurt U-Bahn. Three examples will be preserved for museum service

Siemens-Duewag Type U2A on Sacramento Regional Transit's light rail system is an upgraded version of the U2 that shares similar characteristics of the newer SD-100s and SD-160s, yet it still uses the mechanical equipment of the U2.

Siemens also developed a U2 running on alternating current motors using inverters (nicknamed the U2-AC). 2 units were purchased by the Government of Alberta in 1988 and operated as demo units for Edmonton and Calgary. Calgary ended up adding the two units to their main fleet until 2015, when both were retired due to part issues. One of the units is still active as a track inspection vehicle, while the other was scrapped for spare parts.

Two variants, designated U2h and U2e, were locally created during the early 2000s in Frankfurt to serve different platform heights on the network. Originally the trains were designed to serve platforms of 32 and 56 cm (13 and 22 in) height, with one large step at each door. As platforms were rebuilt to create a unified standard height of 80 cm (31 in), modifications were required to the fleet: U2h retained a small step to serve 56 and 80 cm (22 and 31 in) platforms on lines U1 to U3, while U2e lost the step entirely to serve 87 cm (34 in) and later 80 cm (31 in) platforms on lines U4, U6 and U7.

• Calgary (C-Train) — 85 cars (83 U2-DC,[5] and 2 U2-AC[6] acquired from Edmonton[7])
• Edmonton (Edmonton Light Rail Transit) — 37 cars,[8] 2 U2-AC cars operated as demonstrators between 1988 and 1990, plus 3 parts cars acquired from Calgary.
  • Retrofitted[9] to have electronic LED destination signs on the exterior and interior among other changes, including introducing moving block communications-based train control systems installed by Thales[10] which allow the trains to run in a fully automated mode[11]
• Frankfurt (Public transport in Frankfurt am Main) — 104 cars;[12] U2 cars completely retired from service as of 2016.
• San Diego (San Diego Trolley) — 71 cars;[13] U2 cars completely retired from service on the San Diego Trolley on January 26, 2015[14]
• Mendoza (Metrotranvía Mendoza) — 18 cars (purchased used from San Diego)

Car 1008 of the San Diego trolley system is preserved at the Southern California Railway Museum

San Diego MTS retired their last U2 vehicles in January 2015, coinciding with low floor S70 cars being deployed on its Blue Line, six examples are preserved by various museums and nonprofits.

• San Diego Electric Railway Association (SDERA) - Car 1002, now on display in National City[15]
• Southern California Railway Museum - Cars 1003 and 1008, operate regularly on the Museum system, independently and as a two-car train.
• Western Railway Museum - Cars 1017 and 1018, operate on museum excursions[16]
• Rockhill Trolley Museum - Car 1019 operates regularly on the Museum system.

MTS has retained Car 1001 as part of its heritage fleet of light rail vehicles. The car was unveiled as part of a celebration at 12th & Imperial on July 11, 2019, and re-entered service two days later. The car operates on the Silver Line, alongside San Diego PCC cars 529 and 530.[17]

The City of Edmonton has stated that at least one U2 will be preserved and operational for their historical fleet. The City of Calgary is currently looking into putting one on static display.

Cars 303-305 of the Frankfurt system have also been preserved following retirement in 2016.

Other Siemens light rail vehicles for the American market:

• SD-100 and SD-160 – high-floor LRV for either level boarding at high-platform stations or steps for passenger loading at street level
• SD-400 and SD-460 – high-floor LRV for both level boarding at high-platform stations and with steps for passenger loading at street level
• SD660 – low-floor LRV for passenger loading at street level, custom built for Portland, Oregon
• P2000 – high-floor LRV for level boarding at high-platform stations, custom built for Los Angeles
• S700 and S70 – low-floor LRV for passenger loading at street level
• S200 – high-floor LRV for level boarding at high-platform stations

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Siemens-Duewag U2.

• C-Train
• Edmonton Light Rail Transit
• Frankfurt U-Bahn
• San Diego Trolley