[Documentary] Schöneiche-Rüdersdorf tram (2020)

Description

The tram, which runs from Berlin Friedrichshagen via Schöneiche to Rüdersdorf, is characterized by rural idylls and many cross-country sections.

The tram line, which runs along the outskirts of Berlin, is served by line 88 and connects the Friedrichshafen S-Bahn station, still within Berlin, to the terminus in Altlüdersdorf. Long stretches of undeveloped track also exist between Friedrichshagen and Schöneiche and between Schöneiche and Rüdersdorf. Since it began operation in 2018, the Schöneiche-Rüdersdorf tram has been regularly upgraded and improved. Its low-floor vehicles, such as the Arctic type from Skoda, are now being fitted with barrier-free access along the entire route. This year, Schöneiche is celebrating its 19th anniversary since opening on August 28, 1910.

The section of the line that opened in August 1910 extended from Friedrichshagen over 5.6 miles to Schöneiche, ending at what is now the Dorfaue stop. Two years later, on November 5, 1912, it was extended by another 7.7 miles to Kalkwerke. Parts of this extension no longer exist today. This second part branched off from the current line at Rüdersdorf Marktplatz and then headed to Kalkwerke. The original route can still be seen from the remains of tracks on Straße der Jugend in Rüdersdorf. The entire line was electrified in 1914, two years after its initial operation with benzene-powered locomotives. Between 1926 and 1928, several upgrades were made, including the addition of double-track sections and extra passing places.

The Second World War did not significantly impact operations. The destruction of vehicles and the burning of facilities were unfortunate. Operations gradually resumed starting in August 1945. As it became clear from the late 1970s that the lime open-pit mine in Rüdersdorf would be expanded, the previously mentioned closure of the section of the line toward Kalk Berge took place. Instead, the current section to Alt Rüdersdorf was constructed and opened on November 5, 1977. After the fall of the Berlin Wall and German reunification in 1990, the track systems and operating facilities in Schöneiche Rüdersdorf underwent significant renovations. Additionally, 14 36 AXA trams from Heidelberg were acquired.

As mentioned earlier, the route between the two ends is 14 kilometers long. Including the two end stops, there are 20 stations on the route from Monday to Saturday. The service runs every 20 minutes. On Saturdays, the service operates for a shorter period, extending into the early morning hours, and on Sundays, there is a half-hourly service on the route. Before we explore the fascinating and scenic route, let's review the current vehicle fleet. The previously mentioned buses from Heidelberg were still in regular use until the end of 2018. Since then, they have been kept as reserve vehicles in case other vehicles break down. Therefore, the regularly used fleet currently includes exactly two vehicle types. Since the decommissioning of the KT 4D in Schöneiche, the KTM F6 has been mainly in use. These were produced between 2009 and 2011. A low-floor middle section characterizes per-unit costs. These vehicles were built during the conversion or extension of regular KT 4D trains. The extension provides the benefit of a barrier-free service, resulting in an increased capacity for the entire fleet in Cottbus and now also in Schöneiche.

The interior accommodates 47 to 50 seats and well over 100 standing places. The vehicles can reach a top speed of up to 60 km/h. The latest acquisition is the previously mentioned ten A-TEC vehicles from Helsinki, which have been in regular service since 2008. These two vehicles, built by Transtec, a company owned by Skoda, are prototypes of the current series. They were manufactured in Helsinki as prototypes of the ongoing series. Since the prototypes were no longer needed in Helsinki with the delivery of additional series vehicles, an inquiry was made about their sale. ISS also contacted them. They wanted to test the vehicles first. Since early 2008, the vehicles have been transferred to Schöneiche, where test drives have been conducted. Initially, with just one test vehicle, it was determined that the vehicles were well-suited for the Schöneiche network. Therefore, the purchase contract was not pursued. These vehicles have been in regular service since the end of 2018, although some visual changes had already been made to the interior.

Stops

S-Bahnhof Friedrichshagen → Alt Rüdersdorf → Dorfstraße → Waldstraße → Rahnsdörfer Straße → Museumspark → Breitscheidstraße → Rathaus.

21:07