First Sänfte + Pony pair in service

This newslog has previously reported on plans to operate Sänfte + Pony coupled pairs. This would permit a more intensive use of these types which have partly been displaced from their former strongholds by the introduction of Cobras, and have since been lingering as spares. The overall length of such a combination would, however, be longer than anything VBZ currently operates and exceed the permissible length at many stops. As a compromise, tests were performed with shortened end couplings. These would of course not normally have to couple with anything but should still assure emergency towability. The front coupling also provides the driver with some additional crash-protection, and the new solution would have to fulfill this function in a similar manner. 2120 was briefly tested in late 2009 with a shortened front-coupling, modified from that salvaged from a cabless Mirage, but after this the topic was not mentioned again. The set 2105+2435 is, however, now operating on route 7 (since at least Saturday 10th July) with such shortened couplings at both ends (of course the couplings between the two cars are of normal length and type).

bahnhofplatz.net


this item was added on 12.07.2010 (5008 days ago)
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