Photos by Klingl3r from Potsdam

There are 1 tram and light rail photos by Klingl3r from Potsdam (Germany) on Tram Travels.

16:01

Tram Potsdam (2011)The Potsdam tram system opened in 1880, but it was still horse-drawn at that time. Electrification came in 1907. Today, there are 28.9 km of track with seven lines operating. Each line runs every 20 minutes, with overlaps on key sections to ensure frequent service. The vehicle fleet includes three types: the Tatra KT4D, Siemens Combino, and Stadler Variobahn. The Variobahn was not yet in operation during the photo shoot. I don't see this as a problem, since the Variobahn will continue to be delivered over the next few years and replace the Tatra. The KT4D trams were partly imported from Berlin. Potsdam was the first city in the GDR to use this tram in 1974, and its prototype is also part of the historic tram fleet. Many cars in Potsdam were modernized; they received new headlights, outward-swinging doors, and new interiors. Later, most also received chopper controls. I also managed to capture an accelerator train, identifiable by the loud clicking of the contactors. The modernization wasn't as extensive as in Berlin, which I think is better. It preserved some of the original character of the vehicles. However, I wonder why some cars that will be retired soon need a near-complete rebuild. In Potsdam, only the cars numbered 100 received modernized driver's cabs, while the 200-series cars did not, so they only operate as guided cars. Some 200-series vehicles have already been sold, and trains from the 100-series lines still run. The company also owns 17 Siemens Combinos. This includes the production cars delivered between 1998 and 2001, as well as the standard-gauge prototype built in 1996. The prototype was refurbished for scheduled service but is used irregularly due to frequent breakdowns (hence the video). Initially, the company planned to buy a total of 48 Combino buses, but the Combino crisis led to the decommissioning of all these vehicles in 2004. They were refurbished by 2008 and have been back in service in Potsdam since then. Due to negative experiences, the company canceled further Combino purchases and launched a new tender, which Stadler won with the Variobahn. Special features in the video include the driving school car 067 and the traction unit led by car 130, which had an accident the day after the video was recorded and probably won't be refurbished.By Klingl3r - September 2011.