D1 class Melbourne tram

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D1 class tram
D1 class (Combino, "Bambino")
Service
Entered service December 19, 2002
Built by Siemens TS
Built / In service 38 / 37
Fleet numbers 3501 - 3538
Depots Malvern
Weight
Tare 25.8 t
Dimensions
Length 20.04 m
Width 2.65 m
Height 3.65 m
Motors 4 x 100 kW
Melbourne's electric trams
19201960 SW5  SW6  W6  W7
19602000 Z1  Z2  Z3  A1  A2  B1  B2
2000 C  D1  D2
Melbourne's public transport
Metlink Metcard myki
Modes of Transport
Trains Trams Buses
Transport Routes
Railway stations Tram routes Bus routes
Operating Companies
V/Line Connex Melbourne Yarra Trams

The D1 class, or Combino (affectionately known as "Bambino"), electric tram operates in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It was built by Siemens, and the first unit was delivered to the city in 2002. The trams were initially operated by M>Tram, but are now operated by Yarra Trams.

The D1 class is a 3-section tram and can be found on Melbourne's southeastern and inner tram routes. They are all based at Malvern, Victoria tram depot. The trams feature plug-type doors, next-stop display, and several other features. The trams are built '100% low-floor.'

[edit] Cab controls

The interior of a D1 Combino tram.
The interior of a D1 Combino tram.

All D1 Class Trams have a traction braking controller with an integral deadman's trigger that the driver must release and reapply every minute. If an alarm sounds they must release and reapply the trigger immediately; otherwise, magnetic track brakes are applied at full force.

Originally the driver could hold it down continuously while the tram was moving, if the driver took their hand off, an alarm would sound, followed soon by track brake application. If after four mintutes it had been held-down continuously and the tram stopped, the driver would get an audible warning and the tram would not move until the driver had released it. There was also an alternative deadman's button on the side of the armrest. Drivers discovered that if the armrest were dropped low enough, this button would stay pressed without the driver appying any pressure, they still had to be released every four minutes when coming to a stop. But as soon as the management discovered this, their reaction was "vigilance control," actually a dead-man's vigilance device, and hence the notice in the cab "Vigilance control now fitted, release and reapply every 1 minute, if an alarm sounds, release and reapply immediately."

[edit] External links