Fastest tram

[sampablokuper]

Hi folks,

I wonder if anyone can tell me the highest speed attained by a tram. It needn't have been attained on tramway tracks. So far, the fastest tram I'm aware of is the Bombardier Flexity Swift, which according to Wikipedia is rated at 100kph.

I'd be glad if contributors to this thread could also discuss the limiting factors on tram speed (e.g. hunting oscillations caused by poorly-damped wheelsets; low wheel diameters; etc).

Many thanks,

Sam

 

[gordonthemoron]

subsidence of the surrounding road surface, like I found in Timosoara 1994? The tracks were suspended in mid air when no tram was going over them, seemed a bit dangerous

 

[sampablokuper]

subsidence of the surrounding road surface, like I found in Timosoara 1994? The tracks were suspended in mid air when no tram was going over them, seemed a bit dangerous

I'd be interested to see a photo if you've got one online.

That said, this sort of thing is surely the exception rather than the rule. I'm more interested in factors that limit top speed under good conditions rather than under fault conditions.

 

[Aussie_Rail]

It's quite common for trams in Melbourne to travel at speeds in excess of 80km/h on some routes along some section, although I have no idea what the top speed ever recorded is of a tram traveling Melbourne.

 

[gordonthemoron]

these are the new trams arriving soon in Munich: tram

top speed 70kph

 

[Aussie_Rail]

these are the new trams arriving soon in Munich: tram

top speed 70kph

Looks pretty sleek and very, very blue.

The Bombardier Flexity is the tram used in Adelaide, SA on the Glenelg - Moseley Square to City West Route which is currently being extended.

The fasted speed reached on one of these in Adelaide is 70km/h but normal running they are restricted to about 60-70km/h.

AR

 

[gordonthemoron]

it'll look less blue once it's got loads of adverts on the outside

 

[Mojo]

Interesting to see that a lot of trams abroad only have doors on one side (like buses) but in the UK they have doors on both sides. Prehaps this is because a lot of our tramways have taken over former railway lines or because they terminate and then reverse to go back out rather than taking a loop.

 

[Oracle]

I would imagine that some of the older inter-urban trams that use segregated railway-style tracks, such as in the USA, Netherlands, etc. were faster than 60 mph.

 

[Aussie_Rail]

Interesting to see that a lot of trams abroad only have doors on one side (like buses) but in the UK they have doors on both sides. Prehaps this is because a lot of our tramways have taken over former railway lines or because they terminate and then reverse to go back out rather than taking a loop.

All of Melbourne's trams have doors on both sides. IIRC there is a tram in Toronto Canada with doors on one side.

 

[90019]

Interesting to see that a lot of trams abroad only have doors on one side (like buses) but in the UK they have doors on both sides. Prehaps this is because a lot of our tramways have taken over former railway lines or because they terminate and then reverse to go back out rather than taking a loop.

Geneva has a mix of the older style with one cab and the doors on one side only and the newer with two cabs and doors on both sides.
The newer ones are the only ones that can be used on some routes, because of stops being on different sides. and in some cases because of reversing needed.

 

[Mojo]

This thread might be about the fastest tram but I'd have to nominate Edinburgh for the slowest tram award.

 

[90019]

This thread might be about the fastest tram but I'd have to nominate Edinburgh for the slowest tram award.

I think the stupidest tram award would be more appropriate.

 

[ralphwedgewood]

Liverpool Corporation Tramways manager followed a “Green Goddess” in his car at 61 mph.

 

[LMS6202]

Liverpool Corporation Tramways manager followed a “Green Goddess” in his car at 61 mph.

Yes a a copper once followed a London "Feltham" car late at night belting along at 47MPH. The car was stopped and the reason for the haste was that the driver needed a pee at the terminus

 

[jopsuk]

Main limiting factor on tram speed is need I'd have thought. I'm sure faster trams could be designed, even with the limitations of small wheels- but what would be the point? Quick acceleration and stopping is of more use.
As for the doors only being on one side- surely on a two-track line that'll require balloon loop termini? That, or stations would have to have one outside and one island platform?

 

[ralphwedgewood]

The Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad "The North Shore Line" Electroliners could exceed 90 mph, and being proper interurbans, ran through the streets of Milwaukee.
However, the Galveston Houston Electric Railway was reputed to be even faster.

 

[37401]

148mph attained by the Class 43 HST "tram"

 

[Drsatan]

Last year I travelled on the 'Coasttram' in Belgium, which runs along the Belgian coast from De Panne on the French border, through Ostend and Zeebrugge, to Knokke- Heist near the Dutch border. The trams reached a maximum speed (I estimate) of about 50 mph. As the tram runs along the central reservation of main roads for much of its journey the ride quality, let's say, is somewhat 'interesting'.

Oh, and the trams used only have driving cars at one end, because there are loops at each end of the line, along with intermediate loops and turning triangles. However, at the rear of each tram there is an auxillary control panel hidden somewhere, in case the tram does need to reverse. Unlike British trams the doors are on the right-hand side of each tram.

If you go to Belgium, I'd recommend a ride on the Coast Tram. The journey time's two hours end to end, and it only costs 5 Euros for unlimited travel all day. At Zeebrugge the tram may stop while a lifting bridge opens to allow the passage of a ship

 

[daborgdorff]

Last year I travelled on the 'Coasttram' in Belgium, which runs along the Belgian coast from De Panne on the French border, through Ostend and Zeebrugge, to Knokke- Heist near the Dutch border. The trams reached a maximum speed (I estimate) of about 50 mph. As the tram runs along the central reservation of main roads for much of its journey the ride quality, let's say, is somewhat 'interesting'.

In the Netherlands for Streetcar-Trams in LRV-Transit, HTM The Hague GTL8 Rolling Stock reaches also speed maxima of 50 mph = 80 km/h, but for safety reasons the practical speed is limited to 70 km/h or nearly 20 m/s. Commuter RandstadRail as part of (Rotterdam -Zoetermeer - The Hague) Metro-lines reaches 50 mph easily too. dAb +>