Flexity 2

Flexity 2

A Flexity 2 on the Gold Coast, September 2014.
Manufacturer Bombardier Transportation
Specifications
Length See table
Width See table
Height See table
Weight See table
Engine power See table
Electric system(s) Overhead
Current collection method Pantograph
Gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The Flexity 2 is a family of tram or light-rail vehicle manufactured by Bombardier Transportation. It is 100% low-floor, in order to easily accommodate wheelchairs and pushchairs. The trams are bi-directional, with cabs at both ends and doors on both sides, and are articulated with five sections. This family of trams debuted on the Blackpool Tramway, England.[1]

Introduction

Blackpool Transport Flexity 2 in June 2013.

The Flexity 2 is a development of Bombardier's successful Flexity family of LRVs and is designed to be highly customisable. It incorporates a number of significant advances over its predecessor including improved corrosion resistance, enhanced safety through a redesigned cab with improved impact protection, improved energy efficiency through the inclusion of cells to store energy temporarily after braking which achieves double the energy saving of feeding it back through the wires, reduced mass, optional support for its PRIMOVE under track power transmission system and the new Flexx Urban 3000 bogie which allows the LRV to run on conventional wheelsets. The vehicle also features improved air-conditioning and a wider more spacious interior via the reduction in the width of its sidewalls allowing more seating or other uses. These changes have resulted in a very slight increase in axle load, although Bombardier says this does not limit the operational capabilities of the vehicle.

The launch customer was Blackpool Transport which ordered 16 Flexity 2 (Blackpool) units in July 2009[2] to replace its tourist-focused and high-maintenance heritage fleet with a new vehicle suitable for daily commuters. The worldwide launch of the tram, including showing the first new tram occurred on 8 September 2011, at the new Starr Gate depot in Blackpool.[3]

Technical specifications

Low-floor versions

City Operator Type designation Built in Number of vehicles Articulated Sections Track Gauge Length Width Height Weight (empty) Maximum power Electrification
Blackpool, United Kingdom Blackpool Transport Flexity 2 (Blackpool) 2010–2012 16 5 1435 mm 32.23 m (105 ft 9 in) 2.65 m (8 ft 8 in) 3.42 m (11 ft 3 in) 40.9 t (40.3 long tons; 45.1 short tons) 4 x 120 kW (160 hp) 600 V DC Overhead [2]
Gold Coast, Australia G:link 2013/14 14 7 1435 mm 43.5 m (142 ft 9 in) 2.65 m (8 ft 8 in) 3.42 m (11 ft 3 in) 750 V DC Overhead [4][5]
Basel, Switzerland Basler Verkehrs-Betriebe 2014-2017 60 5/7 1000 mm 31.8 m (104 ft 4 in)/43.2 m (141 ft 9 in) 2.3 m (7 ft 7 in) 750 V DC Overhead [6]
Suzhou New District, Suzhou, China Suzhou New District Tram Co., Ltd. China's first tender for modern 100% low-floor trams, based on Bombardier Flexity 2 technology, Bombardier's partner CSR Nanjing Puzhen Rolling Stock Co., Ltd. (CSR Puzhen) will build the trams, Bombardier will support the project under a technology license agreement. 2015 18 5 1435 mm 31.8 m (104 ft 4 in) 2.65 m (8 ft 8 in) N/A (under construction) N/A (under construction) N/A (under construction) N/A (under construction) [7]

[8]

Antwerp and Ghent, Belgium De Lijn 2014 28 five section, 20 seven section 5/7 1000 mm 31.4 m (103 ft 0 in)/42.7 m (140 ft 1 in) 2.3 m (7 ft 7 in) 750 V DC Overhead [9]

References

  1. ↑ "Tram order for Blackpool". Modern Railways (731): 10. August 2009.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Blackpool tram spec sheet" (PDF). Bombardier.
  3. ↑ Blackpool supertram is here! Blackpool Gazette 8 September 2011
  4. ↑ Bombardier to supply LRVs for Gold Coast Rapid Transit Rail Express 15 June 2011
  5. ↑ Gold Coast takes delivery of more new trams Global Rail News 12 November 2013
  6. ↑ BVB buy 60 "Flexity Basel" Bombardier gahnonline.ch 15 October 2012
  7. ↑ Bombardier Partner CSR Puzhen Wins Order for Low-Floor Trams in China Bombardier Transportation 10 January 2013
  8. ↑ Work starts on China's first modern tram line in Suzhou City of Suzhou 13 September 2012
  9. ↑ De Lijn orders Flexity 2 trams for Antwerpen and Gent Railway Gazette 7 August 2012

External links