Helsinki tram – Wikipedia

The Helsinki tram is operated by the public transport company Pääkaupunkiseudun Kaupunkiliikne (roughly city traffic of the capital region) founded on February 1, 2022. ^[first] Päerkaupunkiseudun Kaupunkiliikne is no longer subordinate to the previous regional transport association HSL, which has now been reversed as a limited liability company in the new municipal company Pääkaupunkiseudun Kaupunkiliiken. ^[2]

The tram operation in Helsinki initially started as a horse tram in 1891. soon it was switched to electrical operation and the last horse car was pulled out of circulation in 1901. However, no changes were made to the track width, so that the tram traces of 1000 mm false track to this day. New routes have not been built for decades, but the existing network has been continuously maintained and modernized with additional tracks or newly guided sections if necessary. On August 10, 2008, the first new line, the section of the new line 9 between the Helsinginkatu and ITÄ-Pasila stop, was reopened after a long time. The route expansion continued in 2012. The extension of line 8 went into operation on January 1, 2012. It is almost a kilometer long and leads in the south of Salmissaari via the Crusell Bridge to Jätkäsaari. This resulted in the three new stops of Länsisatamankatu, Crusellinsilta and the new Saukonpaasi end point. ^{[3] [4]}

By new construction sections (including the Länsiterminaali T 2 and a new line along the Valimerenkatu for line 8), line paths were also reorganized. The following network with 12 tram lines was carried out by August 14, 2017 ^[6] who had a little fewer passengers overall than the Metro Helsinki:

• first Market Square – Käpylä (not in the HVZ)
• 1A Eira – Market Square – Käpylä (only in the HVZ)
• 2 Kaivopuisto Park (from line 3) – Market Square – Kamppi Center – Töölö – Zoo (Next as line 3)
• 3 Kaivopuisto Park (from line 2) – Eira – Kallio – Zoo (Next as line 2)
• 4 Katajanokka – Munkkiniemi
• 5 Katajanokka Terminal – Railway Station ^[7]
• 6 Hietalahti – Arabia
• 7A Senate Square – Töölö – Pasila – Senate Square (Ring line, opposite direction to line 7b)
• 7B Senate Square – Pasila – Töölö – Senate Square (Ring line, opposite direction to line 7a)
• 8 Jätkäsaari – Salmisaari – Töölö – Arabia
• 9 Western Terminal-East Pasila
• ten Surgeon-Little Huopalahti

Further new stretches are under construction (including the two large extensions to Espoo), are shortly before the start of construction (route to Kartano) or are in an advanced project stage (new construction lines southwest of the city center). ^[8]

The tram is a tram in the classic sense (no light rail), all routes lead over streets, sometimes also on its own track bed next to the street or in the middle. There is a separate track for both directions. The track width is 1000 millimeters (meter track). The power supply with 600 volt direct current takes place via an overhead line.

The tram has its own light signal systems that show symbols instead of colors: a vertical arrow stands for “free travel”, a line for “Attention” and the letter s for “stop/stop”. In some cases there is a telematics preliminary circuit compared to private transport.

All tram lines are designed for furnishing; d. that is, they have a turning loop or triangle at the end of the route. Since the new VarioTrams are also furnishings, nothing will change in the near future. However, there are two end stops where no turning loop is required because the vehicles of one line pass to that of another. these are Western Pasila and Olympic Terminal .

In the HKL fleet there are about 130 rail vehicles for line traffic.

Flour car [ Edit | Edit the source text ]

Highland type No. II / MLNRV with subsequently built -in low -floor middle part

Interior of a Helsinkier Valmet-Strassenbahnwagen

The majority of the trains in action still dates from the 1970s and 1980s. They were built by Valmet in Finland. Numerous components such as bogies, axle gears and folding doors correspond to the standard car from Düwag.
Inside, they are equipped with padded shell seats and optical stop advertisements, but acoustic stops are missing. Overall, the interior is designed in different green and blue tones.

Since the Variobahnen have not proven themselves and should be scrapped, unless they can be sold, the existing valet vehicles should be upgraded again for a further longer service. ^[8]

Nr I / MNLRV 1 [ Edit | Edit the source text ]

With 40 vehicles, the 20 meter long six -axis two -part articulated cars of the type built between 1973 and 1975 No in (Wagen numbers 31–70) Almost half of the high-field car park. These cars are the world’s first standard tram vehicles with DC chopping control. In deviation from the rest of the Helsinkis wagon park, they were delivered to orange/gray coloring, which was replaced by the traditional cream/green between 1986 and 1995. Externally, they differ from the successor type No. II through the round taillights. Over the years, the original conductor’s spaces on the cars were expanded and mostly technical innovations were carried out in two modernization programs. In many cars, the line number tapes were replaced by electronic LCD displays with line number and destination, stops were retrofitted in all cars and the seats were renewed in the passenger compartment. As the successor to the parked ex-Mannheim vehicles, the cars 33, 42, 46 and 64 became an advertising car; They are covered with full clams about every six months.

The complete outdoor service of Type I was intended for the years from 2014, after commissioning the Transtech-Lower Floor car.
Contrary to these original plans, the order for the modernization and equipment of ten vehicles with low-floor middle parts to the German company VIS in Halberstadt was placed in January 2012. At the same time, two options for the equipment of another five vehicles were agreed. ^{[9] [ten]} The wagons 34, 37, 38, 49, 50, 60, 61, 62, 63 and 68 were selected for conversion; The options for further conversions were not perceived. The converted cars were given the name MNLRV 1, and the targets from white LEDs are striking on the outside. First they were used under their old numbers. At the end of 2013 they were reputed to number group 113–122. ^[11]

With the series delivery of the joint-nose-flour wagons, the not an eighth-extended type I cars were taken out of operation until the end of 2017 and partially out of the tram network, protected in the Metro Helsinki depot. In February 2018, the wagons were still operating 40, 41 and 59 for driving school operations and internal purposes.

Nr ii / mlnrv 2 [ Edit | Edit the source text ]

The six -axle successor type built between 1983 and 1987 in 42 copies No II (Wagon numbers 71–112) differs visually only by its predecessors. From the beginning, the cars were intended for conductorless operation and, according to technical progress, were equipped with more modern vehicle control. The most striking differences to type No. IR are the quieter operating noises of the electronics, the longer roof container on the back of the car and the angular rear lights. Up to the number 103 they were also delivered in the coloring of light gray/orange. The last nine vehicles came from the factory in the traditional green/beige, the other cars were also lacquered between 1986 and 1995. These cars have also been continuously modernized in two programs: LCD target outfits were installed (originally only roller tapes with line numbers), stop advertisements attached in the passenger compartment and the seats changed. ^[twelfth]

In 2006, car No. 80 was the first to extend a low -floor middle part to an eighth axle, as was also done in Tallinn, Duisburg, Mannheim or Zurich. Due to the good experiences and the targeted long service life, all Type II vehicles were converted accordingly from 2008. The converted cars are now 26.5 meters long and carry the new type designation MLNRV 2 . The renovation program of this series ended in October 2011 with car No. 95. The vehicles kept their original car numbers during the renovation. ^{[twelfth] [13]}

Low -lane [ Edit | Edit the source text ]

Variobahn [ Edit | Edit the source text ]

One of the VarioBahn cars used since 1999

Between 1998 and 2003, a total of 40 new, 5-part Low-Flur joint cars of the type were in two series Variobahn purchased from the manufacturer Adtranz (wagon numbers 201-240). They replaced the 59 series, which has been driving since 1959, of which the last in 2003 disappeared.

Their interior is primarily kept in light gray, the seats are harder than that of the valmet car and covered with orange fabric. There are two small tables in the middle part, on which the current free newspaper daily metro can be found.
The Variobahn cars for Helsinki were equipped with underfloor heating for the first time on tram wagons. The personal settings for the driver’s seat and exterior mirrors are saved on a chip card and set themselves automatically when changing staff. ^[14]

After a short period of time, it turned out that the vehicles were not up to the climatic conditions in Finland. Due to technical problems, they had to be pulled out of circulation again and again. This led to long negotiations with the Bombardier company, which the Adtranz company had now bought up. Since 2007 all VarioBahn cars have been serviced by Bombardier; Accident repairs are excluded. The concluded contract ran ten years and also provided for the entire series to be returned to Bombardier for a period of 35 vehicles for at least three months. Extensive improvements were made by the manufacturer. This measure has increased the availability of the Variobahnen, but the maintenance effort is still very high.

At the end of August 2017, the HKL announced that a comparison was made with Bombardier, according to which the purchase of the Variobahnen would be reversed after the maintenance contract has expired at the beginning of 2018. It was discussed in detail whether the vehicles could meet the demanding requirements in Helsinki at all. What is certain is that they could still have a long and successful life in other cities in Central Europe. ^[15] A few weeks earlier, the cars had been brought to Ludwigshafen a few weeks earlier to check whether they can be adjusted for temporary loan use in the Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr GmbH network. ^[16] In addition to the car 209, which has been damaged since 2014, the cars have also been parked 219 and 228 from September 2017. (As of February 2018). In summer 2018, line 1 was still partially operated with variacies. ^[17]

Artic / MLNRV 3 X34 [ Edit | Edit the source text ]

On March 25, 2011, the HKL announced the result of a tender over forty new Niederflur-Jugenwagen (“Artic”) in bogie technology. The vehicles in the order value of 113 million euros should be produced and delivered by the Finnish company Transtech. Initially, two prototypes were manufactured from 2013 and used in regular operation, even in winter. The series delivery of another 38 cars began in January 2016 and is to lead to the replacement of the high -flour cars of type I. I. Furthermore, an option to 90 additional cars was agreed. ^{[18] [19]} A design study by the vehicles was exhibited in June 2012 at the “Hidesign” trade fair in Helsinki. ^[20]

From 2013, prototypes 401 and 402 were subjected to extensive tests under various climatic conditions and on all lines in Helsinki. Already during the driver training, one of the cars in regular lines were exposed to the judgment of the passengers in regular use, accompanied by a large campaign in the media and social networks.

After the takeover of Transtech by ŠKODA transportation, the standard delivery of the other 38 vehicles began in January 2016. The vehicles of the series only differ from the prototypes in minor details, the most striking is the change in the bogie panel. In October 2016, the cars were delivered 401–412. From car 411, carry the ŠKODA company sign on the front and rear.

The interior of the vehicles is lightly designed, the seating areas and headrests of the passenger seats are covered with red suede. A stylized tram line network plan was woven into the gray backrests of the seats. Most of the seats are attached to pedestals, but the vehicle floor is infinitely infinitely, with slight slopes over the bogies. A folding ramp for wheelchairs is attached to the first double door. The passenger compartment is air-conditioned and equipped with underfloor heating, illuminated by LEDs and equipped with stop advertisements and screens for the combined information and advertising system used in Helsinki. The external displays are also carried out by white LEDs. Instead of exterior mirrors, the cars have cameras, and the entrances are also monitored by several cameras.

The vehicles are considered to be extremely maintenance -friendly and have pleasant driving characteristics on the Internet of Helsinki, also on bad track. The drive train provided by Voith also has a significant part in reliability, which also includes the driving engines, gearboxes, etc. in addition to the traction power judge. ^{[21] [22]}

The order was increased from the agreed option in December 2016 at twenty and in June 2018 by another ten vehicles, so that a total of 70 vehicles have now been ordered. ^{[8] [23]} 50 cars were on duty in July 2018.

To differentiate between the X54 ordered in 2016, the vehicles are also referred to as X34.

Škoda ForCity Smart Arctic X54 [ Edit | Edit the source text ]

Artic X54 in the city center

In December 2016, 29 vehicles for the Raide-Jokeri town railway were ordered as part of an option agreed in 2011. The light rail is to be opened in January 2024 and runs between the Keilaniemi and ITäkeskus stations as the northern tangential route from Helsinki and Espoo. The route will be operated in isolation from the remaining tram network.

In addition, an option for 23 additional vehicles for the existing route network was also agreed. In order to cover route extensions of the existing network via the new crown bridges in the east of the city, the option was redeemed on February 4, 2021. A total of 52 vehicles have now been ordered. ^{[24] [25] [26]}

The type X54 vehicles supplied by ŠKODA are technically based on the ARCTIC streams of the type X34 used since 2013. However, they are 35 meters long two -way vehicles and are designed as a five -part multi -truck. As with the Forcity Plus, two segments each have wheel sets on both sides. The X54 can be extended to seven segments and have a turquoise-white color.

The vehicles have been delivered since 2020 and used on the existing network from November 8, 2021. They are also used for test drives on the new tangential route. ^[27]

Used purchases [ Edit | Edit the source text ]

From 2004 to 2007 the HKL bought ten different cars from Mannheim and Ludwigshafen am Rhein (see in the individual sub -sections). All cars were technically overhauled and equipped with a new dashboard. Radio in the driver’s cab and a window washer system were retrofitted. The door, originally only half -high, was expanded by an upper part. The direction of activity of the driving switch hand -operated by crank was changed according to the usual manner in Helsinki ( Drive in Helsinki clockwise, Brake Contrary to clockwise – this was the other way around in Mannheim and Ludwigshafen). Between 2008 and 2009, the driving switches were equipped with a servo control, which greatly simplifies the operation for the drivers. Since then, the crank has not been plugged in and only serves as an emergency driving.
After the significantly improved availability of the Variobahn cars, the acquisitions were only sporadically deployed. Most of the time to the peak times in line traffic ran from Monday to Friday. By December 2014, with the exception of the charter cars 150 and 166, they were taken out of operation and either handed over or scrapped.

The types in detail:

Wagen No. 150 [ Edit | Edit the source text ]

In 2004 the HKL acquired Düwag Aachtacher No. 150 from the transport companies in Ludwigshafen am Rhein. This served to test whether the constructively similar, own vehicles could be expanded to the eighth axle without strengthening the drives and would meet the requirements in the urban network. The car was used in the line service until July 2005 and then used as a company reserve. He has served as a party car since mid -2006. To this end, gold decorative strips were removed and the car inside with curtains, fabric -padded sitting, carpets, a music system and a counter at the former pram. In Helsinki, the car is the only eighth axle with a high -flour and door -free middle section.

“Type Mannheim” dare 151 to 154 [ Edit | Edit the source text ]

In the spring of 2005, the HKL bought the four discarded Düwag-Sechenachser 453, 456, 457 and 455 of the Mannheim type from the eponymous city and ranked into her own car park in this order as car 151 to 154. The purchase was used to compensate for the failures through the repair times for the VarioBahn cars-especially with regard to the 2005 World Athletics Championships. Later the car was bought 451 as a replacement dispenser. It had already been used in Mannheim to generate parts and was scrapped after the expansion of the necessary spare parts in 2008.
The four articulated cars have never worn the traditional color scheme green/cream in Helsinki, but were glued from the start with all -year -olds to beyond every six months. In contrast to the local tram wagons, on which advertisements are only very economical, they were very striking phenomena in the street scene.

Vehicles 151 and 152 were removed in June 2012, the cars 153 and 154 in September and October 2013. Wagen 154 came back to Mannheim in December 2013 Interest group of local transport Rhein-Neckar e.v. to be preserved as a historical vehicle. The three other cars were scrapped in 2013.

Car 161 to 166 [ Edit | Edit the source text ]

Due to the ongoing difficulties with the Variobahn car, the six Mannheimer conversion axes with low-floor middle part No. 517, 523, 507 and 510 were also bought from 2007 and lined them in this order under numbers 161 to 166 in the car park. These cars were built as a six -axis between 1962 and 1964 and extended to eighths in 1991 and 1992. They were by far the oldest line vehicles in the HKL car park. Before the first assignment in Finland, every car was subjected to a detailed basic overhaul, so that the last cars actually only went into operation after the “Variobahn crisis”.

The most extensive renovation was carried out on the car 166 (EX 510). It was completely redesigned in the interior with new, slanted seats in the rear part, small seating groups in the front, a color-changeable LED interior lighting and monitors on the ceiling. The car box was glued on the outside with a metal foil, which shimmers in different colors depending on the sun’s rays and viewing direction, and an illuminated sculpture was installed on the roof in front of the pantograph. As a “cultural tram”, the car was on the road at certain times from September 2010. During the trip, music, cabaret or other artistic performances were listed on a small stage in the low-floor middle part. ^[28] The missions as a cultural tram ended on December 21, 2012, after which the train was individually rented as a charter car. Such missions rarely remained.

The use of the ex-Mannheim Niederflur-Achtache was very different. The plan service of the advertising -free vehicles only briefly lasted: from 2009, the cars 161, 163 and 165 were only 14, 15 and 9 months in regular line use. With car 161, city tours were carried out for a short time from 2010 before it was used as a spare parts dispenser from around 2011. Wagons 163 was used sporadically for rented trips and for driving debt services, cars 165 remained parked from the middle of the year in 2011, officially as a reserve, but without further missions. The cars 162 and 164, like the cars of the Mannheim car, were provided with changing all -rounds and therefore used regularly by 2014.

With the end of the conversion program of the Valmet cars and the purchase of the Artic Lower Floor joint cars, the two advertising wagons were also dispensable. A buyer for four cars was found on the Łódź tram in Poland, where six similar cars from Mannheim were already on duty. In May 2014, the cars 163 and 165 parked for years were given to Łódź; They followed the advertisements 162 and 164 in January 2015. Wagen 161 was scrapped in Helsinki. In March 2018, the last Mannheim used car, which remained in Helsinki, the Kulturtram 166, was sold to Łódź.