Flexity 2 (Blackpool)

Flexity 2
Manufacturer Bombardier Transportation
Built at Bautzen, Germany and Vienna, Austria
Family name Flexity 2
Constructed 2010–2012
Entered service May 2012
Number under construction 16
Number built 1
Number in service 0
Formation 5 body sections per tram
Fleet numbers 001 -
Capacity 74 seats, 148 standing per tram
Operator Blackpool Transport
Depot(s) Starr Gate
Line(s) served Blackpool–Fleetwood
Specifications
Car body construction Steel side panels/Aluminium
Car length 32.23 m (105 ft 9 in)
Width 2.65 m (8 ft 8 in)
Height 3.42 m (11 ft 3 in)
Floor height 320mm
Doors

2x double width

2x single width per side
Articulated sections 5
Maximum speed 43.5 mph (70 km/h)
Weight 40.9 t (40.3 long tons; 45.1 short tons) per tram
Acceleration 0.5 m/s2
Deceleration 1.2 m/s2 (2.73 emergency)
Traction system Four 120 kW (160 hp) three phase AC traction motors
Electric system(s) 600 V DC Overhead
Current collection method Pantograph
Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in)

Blackpool Council has ordered 16 Bombardier Transportation Flexity 2 trams, becoming the worldwide launch customer for the design.[1] The modern 100% low-floor trams will replace the Blackpool tramway's tourist-focused and high maintenance heritage fleet, some of which will be retained for tourist services in the town centre.[1] Blackpool's Flexity 2 trams are intended to be suitable for daily commuters and to provide a service competitive with other modes and comply with legislation on accessibility for disabled users.[1][2]

Contents

Background

Blackpool Council placed the £33m order for the 16 Flexity 2 trams in July 2009, with funding from the council, Department for Transport and Lancashire County Council.[3][4] The worldwide launch of the Flexity 2 family took place with the unveiling of the first Blackpool vehicle on 8 September 2011.[2] They are due to enter full service by Easter 2012.[1]

Details

The Blackpool Flexity 2 trams are bi-directional five-section articulated cars.[4] There are four doors on each side, two single doors next to the driver cabs in the first and fifth cars and two double doors in the centre of the second and fourth cars. They can accommodate wheelchairs and pushchairs,[2] with level boarding from low platforms which were built at stops ready for the introduction of the trams.[1]

The trams have two powered FLEXX Urban 3000 bogies[4] in the centre of the first and fifth cars and an unpowered set in the centre car. The tram utilises a 600 V overhead DC power supply, can negotiate a minimum curve radius of 25 m in service or 20 m on the depot and can tackle a maximum gradient of 6%.

Livery

The final livery unveiled at the launch consists of cream with purple cabs and a purple criss-cross pattern extending along the lower side panels.

Maintenance

The Flexity 2 cars will be maintained at a depot at Starr Gate which was purpose built by VolkerFitzpatrick,[5] with input based on experience with tram depots elsewhere Europe.[1]

References

External links