VAG Class DT3

VAG Class DT3
A Class DT3-F train at Hauptbahnhof U-Bahn station in June 2016
ManufacturerSiemens
Family nameModular Metro
Constructed2004–2011
Number built92 vehicles (46 sets)
Formation2 cars per set
Fleet numbers701/702–763/764 (DT3)
Capacity308 (82 seated)
OperatorsVAG
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium
Train length37.72 m (123 ft 9 in)
Width2.90 m (9 ft 6 in)
Doors3 pairs per side
Maximum speed80 km/h (49.7 mph)
Weight59.2 t (58.3 long tons; 65.3 short tons)
Traction systemIGBT–VVVF
Power output1,120 kW
Electric system(s)750 V DC third rail
Current collector(s)contact shoe
pantograph (maintenance only)
Braking system(s)Electric brake, pneumatic brake, spring accumulator brake
Safety system(s)ATC, ATO, ATP
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)

The VAG Class DT3 is an electric multiple unit (EMU) train type operated by the Verkehrs-Aktiengesellschaft Nürnberg on the Nuremberg U-Bahn system. It is the first type of rolling stock on the Nuremberg U-Bahn that has gangways between the individual cars.[1]

Formation

Every DT3 train consists of two permanently coupled cars, forming a twin-unit. The cars are connected with a gangway, allowing passengers to walk into the adjacent car. The trains are equipped with automatic couplers, enabling operation of up to two units together to form a four-car train.[1]

Interior

Seating accommodation consists of transverse seating bays as well as folding seats. The trains have displays which show the name of the next station, and CCTV cameras.[1] Passenger information screens and a passenger counting system are implemented in the DT3-F trains.[2][3]

  • Interior view
    Interior view

Technical specifications

The car bodies are made out of aluminium, and the trains are powered by three-phase-asynchronous motors.[1] As they are used in automatic operation, the DT3 trains are not equipped with full driving cabs, but only with small concealed driving panels, which are used for maintenance.[4] The DT3-F trains are equipped with full driving cabs, enabling them to be used on driver operated services on non-automated lines. The cabs are designed to be removed in case of a conversion for fully automated operation.[5] Besides the power supply by contact shoes, every unit is also equipped with a pantograph, as parts of the maintenance facilities are electrified with overhead lines.[1]

History

The first unit was delivered in April 2004 as part of the "Rubin" project, which planned to introduce fully automated trains on the Nuremberg U-Bahn.[4][1] Rubin is an acronym for Realisierung einer automatisierten U-Bahn in Nürnberg (Implementation of an automated U-Bahn in Nuremberg).[6][7] Automated test running on line U3 began in January 2005.[4][1] On May 4, 2008, the first DT3 trains entered automatic revenue service on line U3.[6] Driverless operation was officially launched on June 14, 2008, two years later than anticipated.[8][9] Originally scheduled for 2006, the official launch of driverless operation had to be pushed back to 2008 due to technical difficulties[10] and mechanical problems, which resulted in the return of two prototype DT3 sets to the supplier Siemens.[11] Fully automatic trial runs on line U2 began on January 13, 2009, while the trains were already in automatic revenue service on line U3.[12]

DT3-F

A second batch of 14 DT3 trains was ordered in 2008.[13] These units, classified as DT3-F, feature a full control cab for manual operation, but also can be operated fully automatic.[13] First DT3-F units arrived in Nuremberg at the end of August 2010.[5] The DT3-F trains entered service in May 2011.[14] The "F" in the designation indicates the option of manual operation and means "Fahrer" (German for "driver").

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Pabst, Martin (2006). S-Bahn- und U-Bahn-Fahrzeuge in Deutschland [S-Bahn and U-Bahn vehicles in Germany] (in German) (2nd ed.). GeraMond. pp. 74–77, 84, 85. ISBN 3-7654-7366-9.
  2. ^ "VAG Nürnberg: Der erste DT3-F ist angekommen" [VAG Nürnberg: The first DT3-F has arrived]. eurailpress.de (in German). DVV Media Group GmbH. August 31, 2010. Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  3. ^ Grewe, Tilmann (June 7, 2011). "An der U-Bahn-Tür wird fast jeder gezählt" [Almost everyone gets counted at the subway door]. nordbayern.de (in German). Verlag Nürnberger Presse Druckhaus Nürnberg GmbH & Co. KG. Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  4. ^ a b c "Rubin moves into testing phase". metro-report.com. Metro Report International. February 1, 2005. Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  5. ^ a b "Nürnberg DT3-F metro train arrives". railwaygazette.com. Railway Gazette International. September 17, 2010. Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  6. ^ a b "Driverless operations start in Nürnberg". railwaygazette.com. Railway Gazette International. May 6, 2008. Archived from the original on July 19, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  7. ^ "Nürnberg testet erste fahrerlose U-Bahn" [Nuremberg is testing the first driverless subway]. spiegel.de. SPIEGEL ONLINE GmbH & Co. KG. December 6, 2006. Archived from the original on November 3, 2018. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  8. ^ Eisenack, Gabriele (June 12, 2018). "Start vor 10 Jahren: Fahrerlose U-Bahn laut VAG ein Erfolg" [Start 10 years ago: Driverless U-Bahn is a success, according to VAG]. nordbayern.de (in German). Verlag Nürnberger Presse Druckhaus Nürnberg GmbH & Co. KG. Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  9. ^ Feddern, Boi (June 15, 2008). "Fahrerlose U-Bahn nimmt in Nürnberg offiziell den Betrieb auf" [Driverless U-Bahn officially begins operation in Nuremberg]. heise.de (in German). Heise Medien GmbH & Co. KG. Archived from the original on September 10, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  10. ^ Fischer, André (June 14, 2013). "Nürnberger U-Bahn fährt seit fünf Jahren fahrerlos" [Nuremberg U-Bahn runs driverless since five years]. nordbayern.de (in German). Verlag Nürnberger Presse Druckhaus Nürnberg GmbH & Co. KG. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  11. ^ "Rubin project loses momentum". railwaygazette.com. Railway Gazette. May 1, 2007. Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  12. ^ "Urban rail news in brief - February 2009". metro-report.com. Metro Report International. February 21, 2009. Archived from the original on November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  13. ^ a b Grewe, Tilmann (September 27, 2008). "VAG hat 14 neue U-Bahnzüge bestellt" [VAG has ordered 14 new U-Bahn trains]. nordbayern.de (in German). Verlag Nürnberger Presse Druckhaus Nürnberg GmbH & Co. KG. Archived from the original on September 10, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  14. ^ Reinhardt, Winfried (2014). Geschichte des Öffentlichen Personenverkehrs von den Anfängen bis 2014: Mobilität in Deutschland mit Eisenbahn, U-Bahn, Straßenbahn und Bus [History of public transport from the beginning to 2014: Mobility in Germany with railway, subway, tramway and bus] (in German). Springer-Verlag. pp. 792, 793. ISBN 978-3-658-06628-4.
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