Stadtbahnwagen B

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**Stadtbahnwagen B**
Power type	electric
First-generation vehicles from Cologne and Bonn
Builder	DUEWAG, Siemens, Kiepe, Waggon-Union
Build date	1973 – 1996
Total production	470
UIC classification	B'2'B' Bo'2'Bo' (B80D)
Gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8½ in)
Length	28.0 meters (91 ft 10.4 in)
Width	2.65 meters (8 ft 8.3 in)
Locomotive weight	39 t
Electric system(s)	750 V DC
Top speed	100 km/h (B100 models) 80 km/h (B80 models)
Power output	2×235 kW = 470 kW
Locale	Germany

The Stadtbahnwagen Typ B (translation Type "B" Light Rail Vehicle, short form B-Wagen) is a light rail vehicle used by several Stadtbahn networks in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. It was mainly developed by Düsseldorf-based DUEWAG, who also built the majoritiy of vehicles in a consortium with Siemens and Kiepe. A small series of ten units was built by Waggon-Union in Berlin. As the type evolved over two decades of production, some vehicles have little more in common than their outer dimensions and the basic configuration of a two-part multiple unit on three bogies with both outer ones powered. For the Dortmund Stadbahn, some cars were modified with a central section and a fourth bogie. These vehicles are referred to a B8 (eight axles).

[edit] History

When the Rhine-Ruhr Stadtbahn network was planned in the early 1970s, standardised rolling stock was planned as well. At the same time, a second Stadtbahn network was planned for Cologne and Bonn. Because the future Cologne Stadtbahn already had one finished tunnel, that was built with the city's own money with streetcars in mind, the Stadtbahnwagen designed for the Rhine-Ruhr network was not suitable. So, another vehicle was designed for the Cologne/Bonn network, that was capable of driving though tighter curves. This vehicle, now referred to as Stadtbahnwagen Typ B was immediately ordered by transport authorities in Cologne and Bonn, while Rhine-Ruhr authorities remained hesitant about "their" vehicle, now renamed Stadtbahnwagen Typ A. Eventually it was decided that the type "A" LRV was too unwieldy and type "B" LRVs were ordered by Essen, Mülheim, Düsseldorf, Duisburg and Dortmund. The type "A" concept was shelved and later revived for the Stuttgart Stadtbahn.

[edit] Subtypes

Different variants are usually referred to by a combination of their top speed and a letter denoting the engine type.

B100S	100 km/h, Schützensteuerung (contactor control)
B80C	80 km/h, Chopper control
B80D	80 km/h, Drehstrommotoren (three-phase motors)
B100T	100 km/h, Thyristor control