Valmet Nr II

Weight = 27.2 metric tons
Capacity = 39 seats, 100 standing (original)
49 seats, 120 standing (low-floor)
Acceleration =
Deceleration =
Traction = 2×Strömberg GHCU / H6232
Engine =
Power = 2×130 kW (original)
2×156 kW (low-floor)
Transmission =
Auxiliaries =
Power-supply =
Gauge = convert|1|m|ft|abbr=on
Voltage =
Brakes = hand/disc/electric
SafetySystem =

Nr II is a class of articulated six-axle (B'2'B' wheel arrangement), chopper-driven tram operated by Helsinki City Transport ( _fi. Helsingin kaupungin liikennelaitos, abbreviated HKL; _sv. Helsingfors stads trafikverk, abbreviated HST) on the Helsinki tram network. All trams of this type were built by the Finnish metal industry corporation Valmet between the years 1983 and 1987.cite web |url=http://www.raitio.org/ratikat/helsinki/hkl/hklnr2/hklnr2.htm |title= HKL: Motor trams 71 - 112 (1983 - 87) |accessdate=2008-06-27 |last= |first= |date=2008-03-20 |format= |publisher=Finnish Tramway Society |language=Finnish and English ] cite book |last=Pölhö |first=Eljas |coauthors=Pykälä-aho, Mia |title=Suomen juna- ja raitiovaunukuvasto / Finnish Motive Power 1. 1. 1996 |year=1996 |publisher=Frank Stenvalls Förlag |location=Malmö |language=Finnish and English |isbn=91-7266-133-X |pages=p. 190 ]

Between 1996 and 2005 all trams in the class were modernised by HKL and redesignated as Nr II+ class. From 2006 onwards all trams of this class will be rebuilt with a low-floor midsection.cite web |url=http://www.raitio.org/ratikat/helsinki/hkl/hklnr2va/hklnr2va.htm |title=HKL: Motor tram 80 |accessdate=2008-06-27 |last= |first= |date=2008-05-08 |format= |publisher=Finnish Tramway Society |language=Finnish and English ] cite web |url=http://www.hs.fi/kaupunki/artikkeli/Nivelratikoiden+v%C3%A4liosat+tulevat+Saksasta/1135229771297 |title=Nivelratikoiden väliosat tulevat Saksasta |accessdate=2008-06-27 |last=Salonen |first=Juha |date=2007-08-24 |format= |publisher=Helsingin Sanomat |language=Finnish ]

History

The Nr II class was a further development of the Nr I class built by Valmet for the HKL between 1973 and 1975 (the Nr I was in turn based on the popular Düwag-built GT6 class) [cite web |url=http://www.kaupunkiliikenne.net/GT6.html |title=Düwag GT6 |accessdate=2008-06-27 |last=Alku |first=Antero |date=2007-07-13 |format= |work=Kaupunkiliikenne.net |language=Finnish ] . The Nr I and Nr II classes are virtually identical in their exterior and interior designs.The first three Nr II class trams were delivered to HKL in 1983, followed by and additional 11 in both 1984 and 1985, further ten in 1986 and the final seven in 1987. The first tram in the class entered service for HKL in July 1983. Between 1996 and 2005 all trams in this class were modernised with updates to the technics, changes to the interior layout, addition of electronic displays displaying the name of the next stop, as well as replacement of the original seats with new ones. Following the modernisation the class was re-designated as Nr II+.

On 2003-07-21 one of the Nr II class trams derailed at high speed in the junction between Mannerheimintie and Aleksanterinkatu in central Helsinki and collided with a motorcycle, which resulted in the death of the motorcyclist. [cite web |url=http://www.mtv3.fi/uutiset/arkisto.shtml/arkistot/kotimaa/2003/07/177748 |title=Raitiovaunu ja moottoripyörä törmäsivät Helsingin keskustassa |accessdate=2008-06-27 |last= |first= |date=2003-07-21 |format= |publisher=MTV3 |language=Finnish ] Investigation into the causes of the accident revealed that the driver of the tram had lost consciousness shortly before the collision due to the extreme heat in the cockpit of the tram. [cite web |url=http://www.mtv3.fi/uutiset/arkisto.shtml/arkistot/kotimaa/2003/08/179174 |title=Raitiovaunuturman tutkimukset jatkuivat kiertoajolla |accessdate=2008-06-27 |last= |first= |date=2003-08-01 |format= |publisher=MTV3 |language=Finnish ] As a result of the accident the HKL redesigned the windshield of the Nr II class trams, adding a large vizor that contains an air-conditioning unit as well as shields the driver from direct sunlight. Initially trams 72, 95 and 109 were refitted with modified windshields.Between 2004 and 2007 all trams in the class were built with new line displays in the front and side of the tram, displaying both the number and destination on the line. In 2006 tram number 80 was rebuilt with a new convert|6.5|m|ftin|abbr=on low-floor midsection, built by Verkehrs Industrie Systeme. As a result of the lengthening the tram has a B'2'2'B' wheel arrangement and can accommodate 30 additional passengers. To cope with the added weight of the midsection, the output of the traction motors was increased by approximately 20%. Experiences with the prototype lengthened tram were positive, and the rest of the Nr II class will be similarly rebuilt from late 2008 onwards.

Future

The Nr II class are expected to remain in service at least until 2025. [cite web |url=http://www.tekniikkatalous.fi/rakennus/article37369.ece |title=Raitiovaunu välikappaleella matalalattiaiseksi |accessdate=2008-06-27 |last=Pervilä |first=Markku |date=2005-12-09 |format= |publisher=Tekniikka & Talous |language=Finnish ]

Liveries

Like the Nr I class, the first Nr II class trams were originally painted in an orange/grey colour scheme. In 1986 HKL decided to abandon the unpopular colour scheme, and from tram number 104 onwards the Nr II class trams were delivered in HKL's traditional green/yellow livery. By 1995 all units in the class had been repainted the green/yellow livery.cite web |url=http://www.hel.fi/wps/portal/HKL_en/HKL-Tram_Transport?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/HKL/en/HKL+Info/Organization/HKL+Tram/Fleet/HKL+71_112 |title=HKL 71-112 |accessdate=2008-06-27 |last= |first= |date=2008-06-15 |format= |publisher=Helsinki City Transport ] [cite book |title=Sata vuotta sähköllä |last=Tolmunen |first=Tapio |year=2000 |publisher=HKL-Raitioliikenne |location= |isbn=952-91-2495-3 |pages=p. 48 |url= |language=Finnish ]

References

External links