Volkswagenwerke Logistik-zentrum (Dresden)

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7:37

Dresden Cargotram (2013)The role of railway romanticism in introducing the Cargotram in Dresden. Our next stop is Dresden, home to the Volkswagen Transparent Factory. The luxury cars produced there don't receive their parts by truck, but by tram. This is the new VW freight tram in the company's livery, and it has been operating in Dresden since March 2001. Its purpose is to supply Volkswagen's newly built transparent car factory with materials. Currently, two of the five-car bidirectional freight trams are in use. Built by Schalker Eisenhütte Maschinenfabrik GmbH in Gelsenkirchen, the tram's design differs from the typical Dresden light rail model. At 59.4 meters, it is nearly twice as long, requiring the driver to be especially attentive. At certain intersections, it's advisable to stay alert and possibly avoid following the scheduled train to prevent closing off the entire intersection. Dresden has many traffic lights that change unpredictably or give priority to private vehicles, putting the tram to the test. The blue tram, in particular, is affected by this, running daily through the heart of Dresden's historic city center. The city's traffic is chaotic, cold, and unwelcoming, though the two trams are actually colleagues. The Dresden public transportation company operates the tram serving Volkswagen under a 15-year contract. After just 20 minutes of travel, the Transparent Factory comes into view. Behind 27,500 square meters of soundproofed windows, luxury-class cars are being assembled. A total investment of 186 million euros was made in this glass construction giant. Compared to that, the price for a complete freight tram seems almost absurd. One train costs 1.75 million euros. When the production facility was built near the city center, a new logistics system was also set up outside Dresden. A goods distribution center was established, from which car parts are transported by train directly to the Transparent Factory site, creating a direct link to the Dresden tram network. This was actually a key argument in favor of the Transparent Factory location in local politics: it was said, okay, if delivery is done via an environmentally friendly tram, which is also more cost-effective because it only needs one driver instead of three, is fully integrated, causes no disruption, and makes better use of the track network, then it's an ideal solution that benefits everyone, not to mention the advertising and attention it draws. Let’s take a quick step back: On November 14, 2000, the moment arrived. On a sleet night with a shiny, icy road surface, the first CarGoTram was brought to Dresden by heavy-duty transport. It was hard work for the people and machines involved. The unloaded transport train weighs 90 tons. A technical challenge also had to be overcome. Since Germany typically uses rails with a gauge of 1,435 mm, Dresden is an exception. Besides narrow-gauge railways, only Dresden and Leipzig in Germany don’t follow this standard. Dresden’s gauge is 15 mm wider. These extra 15 mm are on a standard track bed, which would have required significant wedging and additional safety measures for trucks, leading to extra costs. Our challenge was to find vehicles with the Dresden gauge. It took us several days of phone calls, but then we had them. Where do they originate? They come from Eisenhüttenstadt. Another unique feature is the trolleybus station, which has been around for several decades. True to the motto "make old new," this fully motorized trolleybus station has an all-wheel drive train sourced from scrap Tatra vehicles. These trolleybuses were refurbished, and we installed a primary suspension system. We also replaced the DC motors with asynchronous machines from VEM, giving us a modern three-phase drive. As a result, we were able to significantly lower costs. We are located in the Dresden-Friedrichstadt goods distribution center, situated on the outskirts of Dresden, where the Schnellecke Group, a supplier company, has taken over the storage and loading of the CarGoTram. The only downside is that the center is not yet connected to a DB track; however, this is expected to be completed by the end of July. Until then, car parts are still transported to the goods distribution center by truck. From here, the CarGoTram runs every 40 minutes to the manufacturing facility, operating 21 hours a day. By the way, due to its appearance, the train is also known as the Blue Wonder, much like the famous Dresden Bridge. This is fitting, as the train, like the historical Dresden, has now become an attraction. However, transporting goods by tram is nothing new to us—we have a long tradition of doing so.By Sebastian Lehmann - May 30, 2013.

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DVB image film (2009)The yellow buses and trams of Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe AG (DVB AG) are as much a part of Dresden as the Zwinger Palace or the Frauenkirche. We don't get up early to get rich; that wouldn't be worth it to us. We're not friendly to our customers, so we don't pull the wool over their eyes. We're not actors. We didn't buy the latest technology to impress them. That would be too costly. We want to move Dresden safely, on time, and comfortably—nothing more and nothing less. An increasing number of passengers are using our services, whether they're from Dresden or visiting our city. Over 800 years of Dresden history, and we are right in the middle of it. Maybe we're not writing history, but we are showcasing it—its buildings, museums, and exhibitions. In Dresden, everything revolves around art and culture. This also applies to those in the Dresden area, and let's not forget the good Meisner wine. We even move mountains—or rather, bring them closer to you—the Elbe Sandstone Mountains in Saxon Switzerland. We invest and build, but not to annoy drivers—that would be too strenuous for us. We improve the rail network and roads, so everyone benefits. And we have the specialists—engineers, industrial designers, construction mechanics, power electronics technicians, painters, track builders, drivers, and service personnel. To be precise, 1,691 employees across all fields. Because that's the only way things get moving with us. Together, we are strong, and we know that quality, thinking, persistence, and humor are our secrets. Innovation is essential, but we don't follow every trend. A ticket on your mobile phone is a good idea we've already implemented. What’s been tried and tested remains, of course. Personal service on-site, comfortable boarding with low-floor technology, geothermal energy, stops, or passenger info via monitors—that’s for our passengers. This means no effort, no stress, and plenty to see. But we also know that the future has a past, and we cherish our traditions. Over 110 years of cable cars—we value what our ancestors built because they paved the way for a new era. The Dresden suspension railway is a technological marvel worth a monument, and it’s a matter of pride for us. We also swim—that's quite normal for a city on a river. Moving people and preserving industrial history is worth looking forward to, discovering, and protecting. We see this as our mission and obligation. Our trams use braking energy, saving electricity and protecting the environment. Even those who take the bus are active climate protectors. The 1-liter cars with a driver are only available from us. Of course, we also use fuel and energy, but we tinker, research, and develop. We live in a city of science—760 companies working on visions of the future. With our company employee ticket, we contribute a little. But we also experiment with ourselves. The hybrid bus can't fly, but it runs partly on electricity, protecting the climate. Our children will thank us. Our only blue train—freight transport by rail—is not a new invention but efficient. For Volkswagen, it’s a profitable business. A train replaces at least three trucks. For us, it’s an environmentally friendly, award-winning pilot project. We have no time for darkness—that's not an option. We turn night into day and operate 24 hours a day, non-stop. Coordinated by one of the most modern control centers in Germany. Whether you're going to the theater, a restaurant, or a nightclub, with us, you'll get home safely—even if things are late. We move Dresden around the clock.By YourDVB - December 17, 2009.

Dresden CarGoTram with motor freight car 2005 at Volkswagenwerke Logistik-zentrum (2002)By Henrik Boye.
October 14, 2002.

Dresden CarGoTram with motor freight car 2005 near Volkswagenwerke Logistik-zentrum (2002)By Henrik Boye.
October 14, 2002.

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