D-class Melbourne tram

D-class (Combino)

D2 5001 on Elizabeth Street on route 19 in PTV livery in December 2013
Manufacturer Siemens
Assembly Germany
Constructed 2002-2004
Number in service 59
Fleet numbers 3501–3538
5001–5021
Capacity D1/D2: 32/56 (Seated)
D1/D2: 90/130 (Standing)[1]
Depot(s) Brunswick
Malvern
Southbank
Specifications
Train length D1: 20.04 m (65 ft 9 in)
D2: 29.85 m (97 ft 11 in)
Width 2.65 m (8 ft 8 in)
Height D1: 3.65 m (12 ft 0 in)
D2: 3.53 m (11 ft 7 in)
Doors D1: 6
D2: 8
Articulated sections D1: 2
D2: 4
Wheelbase 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight D1: 25.8 t (25.4 long tons; 28.4 short tons)
D2: 35.3 t (34.7 long tons; 38.9 short tons)
Traction motors 4 x 100 kW (130 hp)
Power supply N/A
Electric system(s) 600 V DC catenary
Current collection method Pantograph
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The D-class trams are low-floor Combino trams that operate on the Melbourne tram network. They were built by Siemens in Germany, and are divided into two classes: the three section D1-class which was introduced between 2002 and 2004, and the five section D2-class which was introduced in 2004. The D-class was procured by M>Tram and have been operated by Yarra Trams since they took control of the entire tram network in April 2004.

Criticisms

In March 2016 The Time Out Magazine rated the D-Class tram the worst tram on the Yarra Trams network. The reasons behind this was because of a low amount of uncomfortable seats, a loud screem-like sound when the doors open and close resulting in poor ride quality.[2]

History

D1 3536 in the original Yarra Trams livery in November 2007
Interior of a D2-class, 2013
D1 and D2-class trams at St Kilda in May 2012
A Melbourne D2-class tram on demonstration in Kaohsiung, Taiwan in January 2004

Following the privatisation of Melbourne's tram system the private operators acquired new trams to replace Z-class trams.[3] As part of this process, 59 German built Siemens, Combino low-floor trams were introduced by M>Tram at a cost of $195 million.[4]

The first tram arrived for testing in August 2002,[5][6] and the first four entered service in late 2002.[4][7] M>Tram operations were transferred to Yarra Trams in April 2004 following negotiations with the State Government after National Express handed the M>Tram franchise back to the government in December 2002.[8][9][10]

To aid disabled access to trams from platform stops 'gap eliminators' were fitted to all 59 D-class trams in 2013. Costing $400,000 to fit to the fleet, they are a strip attached to the door step of the trams that prevent the wheels of wheelchairs from getting stuck between the door step and platform. 'Gap eliminators' proved successful in an earlier 2012 trial on two route 96 Ds, before being fitted to all D-class trams.[11][12][13]

In early 2013 all 59 D-class trams had their passenger information systems upgraded to announce upcoming stops.[14][15] The upgrade, which cost $343,000, allows announcements on all routes on which D-class trams regularly travel and their alternative deviations, informing passengers of upcoming stops and connections.[15]

Fatigue Cracking

The bodies of both D1 and D2-class vehicles were found to be developing microscopic cracks in November 2006, which could lead to structural collapse in the event of an accident.[16] This resulted in all 59 Combino trams undergoing structural work to strengthen their frames. The repairs necessitated the removal of between four and eight seats per tram, leaving D1-class trams with 32 seats and D2-class trams with 56.[17]

Variants

D-class trams comes in two variants: the 38 strong D1-class, which have three-sections;[7] and 21 strong D2-class, which have five-sections.[3] The D1-class entered service in late 2002, being operated from Malvern depot, with the last entering service in 2004,[4][7] while the D2-class entered service in 2004.[3] From 26 July 2004 D2-class trams were progressively moved to operation on route 96, displacing B-class trams that were in service at the time.[18] In 2013, following the introduction of the E-class trams, Yarra Trams started to move D2 class trams to Brunswick depot to operate on route 19.[19][20]

Currently all D1-class operate from Malvern depot,[7] while all D2-class operate out of Brunswick depot.

Operation

D1-class trams are currently used on the following routes:[15]

D2-class trams are currently used on the following route:[15]

Both D class trams run on the 70a between MCG/Hisense arena and Spencer Street via Flinders Street during special events at Melbourne Olympic Park and/or at the MCG, also they sometimes run on Rt. 57a to the Showgrounds/Racecourse.

In Kaohsiung

In January 2004 a Melbourne D2-class tram operated on a demonstration track in Central Park, Kaohsiung, TAIWAN. The Kaohsiung City Government built the temporary line to demonstrate the concept of light rail.[21]

References

  1. ↑ "Yarra Trams Load Survey Report May 2014" (PDF). Public Transport Victoria. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  2. ↑ https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/blog/melbournes-trams-ranked-from-best-to-worst-033116
  3. 1 2 3 "D2 Class". Vicsig. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 Marino, Melissa (24 November 2002). "Rattlers one day, combino the next". The Age. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  5. ↑ "New low-floor tram honours tramways legend" (Press release). Minister for Transport. 2 August 2002. Archived from the original on 9 May 2012. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  6. ↑ "Facts & figures". Yarra Trams. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "D1 Class". Vicsig. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
  8. ↑ Heasley, Andrew; Baker, Richard (17 December 2002). "Train, tram operator quits". The Age. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  9. ↑ Osborne, Alistair (17 December 2002). "National Express walks out of Australian rail service". The Telegraph. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  10. ↑ "History of Yarra Trams". Yarra Trams. Archived from the original on 20 February 2011. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  11. ↑ Moss, Dan (29 April 2013). "Tram shortfall ramped up". Melbourne Times. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  12. ↑ "Minding the gap". Yarra Trams. 24 October 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  13. ↑ "Accessibility Action Plan - 2012-2015" (PDF). Yarra Trams. p. 17. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  14. ↑ Harris, Amelia (28 February 2013). "New Yarra Trams chief in push to reduce travel times". Herald Sun. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  15. 1 2 3 4 "Automated announcements added to five more tram routes". Yarra Trams. 15 April 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  16. ↑ Millar, Royce; Moynihan, Stephen (17 November 2006). "Faults to take trams off road for months". The Age. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  17. ↑ Lucas, Clay (16 April 2009). "Latest model trams found to be cracking up". The Age. Retrieved 28 September 2013.
  18. ↑ "New low floor trams boost passenger capacity on Route 96". Yarra Trams. 26 July 2004. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
  19. ↑ "Brunswick Depot". Vicsig. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  20. ↑ Gough, Deborah (4 November 2013). "Longer and louder: New E-Class tram makes itself heard". The Age. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  21. ↑ 廖, 健竣. 高雄中央公園輕軌展示線特輯 [Kaohsiung LRT demonstration in Central Park] (in Chinese). Retrieved 14 March 2013.
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