CarGoTram

The CarGoTram is a freight tram in Dresden. It supplies Volkswagen's "Transparent Factory" with parts for their automobile production.

History

The idea of building a "transparent factory" for Volkswagen automobile production in Dresden arose in 1997. On 3 March 2000 the Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe AG (DVB AG, Dresden Public Transport Co.) and the Volkswagen Automobil-Manufaktur Dresden GmbH (VW Car-Manufacture Dresden Ltd.) signed a contract for the CarGoTram. Movement of parts from the logistics center in Dresden Friedrichstadt (Dresden Frederickstown) to the new factory would be managed using a tram running over infrastructure normally used to move passengers. The route from the logistics center to the factory runs straight through the inner city of Dresden; the use of trucks would have caused an increase of traffic in the city.

Two CarGoTrams were built by the Schalker Eisenhütte Maschinenfabrik GmbH Gelsenkirchen (Schalke Steel Machines Ltd.), each at a cost of 6.5 million Deutsche Mark. The DVB AG is responsible for the transportation and security of the freight.

The freight tram was introduced officially in Dresden on 16 November 2000 and had its first test run on 3 January 2001.

Route and Cycle

CarGoTram runs every hour. If necessary, it can run on 40 minute cycles. There are several routes possible. The main route goes from the GVZ (Güterverkehrszentrum, goods logistics center) in Friedrichstadt via Postplatz (Post Office Square) and Grunaer Straße (Gruna Street) to the Straßburger Platz (Strasbourg Square) and finally into the factory. Alternatively, the tram can run via the main station (or other routes) in the case of congestion.

Technology

The CarGoTram is a bidirectional vehicle consisting of 5 segments. The standard formation is three freight units and two combination freight/control units. The control cars have less capacity (7500 kg) than the middle cars (15000 kg), because of space devoted to the driver’s cab. Total capacity is the equivalent of three motor trucks (214 m³).

Running gear for the tram was recycled overhauled parts from out-of-service Tatra trams. The bodies were newly built.

All axles of the control car as well as the middle cars are driven.

See also

• Cargo Trams, use of trams for freight

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to CarGoTram.

• "CarGoTram photos", www.railfaneurope.net