TW6000 metropolitan rail carriagesLight Rail Vehicle, Hungary

Modern mobility on the Danube

With greater comfort and speed through Budapest: the Budapest Transport Associations BKV is targeting the modernisation of their transport system. From now on citizens will be able to ride in comfortable vehicles and travel faster from the outlying regions into the city. In 2001 we committed ourselves as a contractual partner of the BKV to a quite special challenge: seventy five used second hand TW6000-type metropolitan rail carriagesLight Rail Vehicles type TW 6000 had to be modernised, adapted to the conditions in Budapest, and delivered within just ten months. Only a short time after we had signed the agreement a large station was provided for the "new" TW6000. At a ceremonial event before the press and public we handed over the first twenty vehicles, the others following in a train, so to speak. By early 2002 we had placed the last two metropolitan rail carriagestramways on the rails to Budapest. In retrospect, we delivered the whole fleet state of the art in record time.

Overview

Client	Budapest Transport Limited, BKV
Project	modernisation and delivery of 75 units Light Rail Vehicles type TW6000 type metropolitan rail carriages
Scope of services	comprehensive engineering check-up, fitting with new tyres and sliding windows, coats of paint, transportation to Budapest, intensive training of BKV workshop staff and driving training
Volume	approx. €30.6m
Term	2001-2002

The moving past of the TW6000

In Budapest the TW6000 metropolitan rail carriagetrams has made a name for itself - it is called the "Hannover Villamos", and that for a reason. By the end of 2000 there were round 250 TW6000 units still operating on the roads of Hanover where they also conveyed the masses of visitors to and from EXPO2000. After this major event the vehicles became superfluous and could be sold to Budapest. At our location in Germany we adapted the carriages to the conditions in Budapest, including a complete engineering check-up, new tyres, sliding windows, and a yellow coat of paint in the BKV look.

Technische Daten TW6000

Combination of tram and suburban railway system elements
Then the first rail vehicles in Germany with chopper thyristor and braking energy recovery
Length 28 m
Seats for 46 passengers per carriageLRV
Bidirectional
For high and low platforms
Suitability as single vehicle or double-carriage traction train
Coupling facility for max four-carriage traction trains (at peak passenger times)
Fitted with five GRP double folding doors with electromechanical drive
Door safety: contact pressure sensor in finger protection strip, light barrier, and step contacts
Hot air heaters under the seats
Window demister and heater in the driver's compartment
Roof ventilator