Is Flexity bad for track?

A comment on bahnforum.ch concurs with my own observations on the excessive axle loading of the Flexity tram. The comment links to a newspaper article (in Limmattaler Zeitung going back almost a year, but prophetically featuring a Flexity picture) in which it is confirmed that maintenance costs are not being considered. Despite having been conceived as a track-friendly tram, Cobra has already lead to increased wear on track and associated mitigatory measures. With Flexity's combination of added weight and the return to fixed axles, will things only get worse? Or will the larger wheel diameter (620 rather than 560mm) and shorter wheelbase mitigate this?

No doubt, an explanation will be forthcoming. Keep watching this space.

Limmataler Zeitung Zuercher Tram-Beschaffung VBZ ignoriert Mehrkosten im Unterhalt

this item was added on 19.05.2016 (2891 days ago)
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