"Tatra T3": design features and photos

On the tram ways of the present cities modern models of trams run, which attract attention not only with their stylish appearance, but also with technical characteristics that really impress. They drive silently, quickly, effectively, they are literally filled with comfort, so in most cases, old trams in cities are abandoned. This is how the trams of the Tatra T3 model gradually disappear from the streets of Russian cities. But they were once considered cult. Fortunately, in some of the largest cities they are still being used, so you can plunge into nostalgia and remember the times of the Soviet Union when such trams were everywhere.

However, have you ever thought about the history, design features and similar topics regarding, for example, the Tatra T3 model? Very few people travel by public transport and in parallel think about what are the features of the design of a particular model. Therefore, if you are interested, in this article you will find all the necessary information about this tram. It contains a large number of various information: from modifications, which were already mentioned above, and ending with design features and technical characteristics.

What it is?

So, Tatra Т3 is a model of tram cars, which was manufactured since 1960. The release of these trams was completed only in 1999. As a result, during this time, more than fourteen thousand wagons were produced, which were modified depending on the purpose of delivery. About the modifications will be told a little later, for now it is worth concentrating on the general information regarding the trams "Tatra T3". Strictly speaking, these cars were manufactured all this time in Prague, but an impressive part of them was sent to the Soviet Union, as well as to other socialist countries. On the territory of Western Europe, you are unlikely to meet such cars - except in East Germany.

Modifications

You already know that the tram "Tatra T3" was produced in Prague, respectively, the main market for it was domestic. Most of the trams of this model were produced and used on the territory of Czechoslovakia. As for exports, in this case it was conducted more than actively. This is indicated by the fact that for each country of destination, its own modification was created, which was not much different from the original, but still had some other details and elements.

Also, this was reflected in the name of the car model. For example, the second largest number of copies produced was the T3SU model, which was supplied to the Soviet Union (SU from the Soviet Union). The main difference between these cars and the original ones was the absence of a central door, and additional seats were installed on the liquidated passage. Also, the service ladder was located behind the car, and not in the middle, which was due to the lack of an average door. There were other minor differences that highlighted this model against the background of the base.

Where else was the tram "Tatra T3" delivered? There was a separate modification for Germany, for Yugoslavia and for Romania, and also starting from 1992, T3RF trams that were intended for the newly formed Russian Federation were produced. Also worth noting is the tram model T3SUCS - these are the wagons that were manufactured based on the ones intended for the Soviet Union, but at the same time were supplied to the domestic market. The fact is that the original model ceased to be produced in 1976, but in the eighties there was an urgent need to replace many obsolete wagons. It was then that the production of this modification began.

History of the tram

What was the history of this car, as well as its modifications, such as the most popular among them - "Tatra T3SU"? Everyone should understand that, based on the name, it was not the first car in the line - the T2 wagons were produced earlier, not only for Czechoslovakia, but also in large quantities were delivered to the Soviet Union. These cars had their shortcomings, which were eliminated in the new version.

Already in 1960, the first prototype was prepared, which was tested and approved. Then mass production began, and the first tram of the new model drove through the streets of Prague in the summer of 1961. However, in the spring of 1962 trams were decommissioned due to defects that were eliminated within a year and a half. As a result, the fall of 1963 was the final date for the launch of this tram. In the same year, the supply of specialized wagons to the Soviet Union began - their percentage was the highest, even in Czechoslovakia, as many cars of this model were not used, as was the use of trams "Tatra T3SU". Deliveries of these trams to Soviet cities were very long and stopped only in 1987.

Recent history

Supplies were resumed, as you understand, in the early nineties, when T3RF wagons were delivered to the Russian Federation. They were delivered to the Russian Federation until the last moment, when their production was already terminated, that is, until 1999. However, the end of the supplies did not mean the end of use: in all, about eleven thousand trams were delivered in the USSR, and many of them were upgraded over the last fifteen years to extend the service life. In many cities these trams travel in tens and hundreds, so in the near future in Russia their era will not exactly end.

Technical characteristics of the two-door model

"Tatra T3" two-door was the main model, supplied to the Soviet Union. It is about her that you need to tell in the first place. It has 38 seats, and the passenger capacity is as many as 110 people. It has four TE 022 engines, each of which has a power of 40 kilowatts. The design speed of the model is 72 kilometers per hour, while the real maximum speed is equal to 65 kilometers per hour. The length of such a car is 14 meters, width - two and a half meters, and height - three meters. Its mass is about sixteen tons. When you combine two cars, you get a train 30 meters long. If we talk about what is inside, then it is worth noting the height of the cabin, which is 2 meters 40 centimeters, as well as the width of the doorway, which is 1 meter 30 centimeters. These are the main technical characteristics of the tramcar "Tatra T3". Salon, as you can see, is very large and roomy, and the car itself has good dimensions.

Technical characteristics of the three-door model

However, the two-door model was not delivered to the Soviet Union all the time - later orders for three-door "Tatra Т3" cars were sent to Czechoslovakia. The photos show that the difference between these cars was not too great, but still there was. Therefore, it is necessary to consider more carefully the technical characteristics for this car, and also compare them with the previous version.

So, the number of seats due to the middle door was reduced - in such a car there are 34, not 38. Passenger capacity has also decreased, which now amounted to 95 people, that is, fifteen passengers less. The engines remained exactly the same, and their number did not change, so the speed remained the same. Dimensions also did not change, in fact, like the weight of the whole car. As you can see, there were not really many differences, even the width of the doorway remained the same.

Design features

The next thing to pay attention to when considering a vehicle such as the Tatra T3 tram is the units and assemblies, the hull and trolleys, electronics and brakes, and much more. Simply put, now we will talk about the design features of this tram. And the first feature, which is worth paying attention to, is the complete absence of pneumatic equipment. This means that all the equipment in this tram is mechanical or electrical. However, this is the characteristic of the entire line of cars.

What's new in the design appeared specifically in the "T3" model? The board and the roof remained all-metal, but the end of the car was made of self-extinguishing fiberglass, a special polymer material, which has a much smaller mass and greater streamlining. Thus, the use of this material allowed to reduce the overall weight and increase the aerodynamic properties of the car. Also, a complex electrical device was used to control the current flow through the engines, which was called the accelerator. In the cabin were installed fluorescent lamps and heaters, which provided passengers with the maximum level of comfort. The model of the tram "Tatra T3" was significantly superior in the technical features of its predecessor, the "T2" model.

Housing

"Tatra T3" is a rolling stock that is still used all over Russia, which means that in due time these cars were made at the highest level. But if you look into the past, you can understand that in 1963 this model was something incredible. The absence of any pneumatics, the presence of fluorescent lamps and high-quality heating, as well as other features of the hull made this tram a real curiosity. Particularly distinguished were the polymeric elements of the hull, and also the curved windshield. In general, many considered this tramway ahead of their time, and that is why it is still so popular in such a huge country as the Russian Federation. Of course, the scale of deliveries also affects: why get rid of eleven thousand trams, if they can be modified and used further?

Trolleys

There were always a lot of problems with the trolleys of this tram. Firstly, because of the reduced mass, the car often could not stop as quickly as one would like, especially when the action took place on wet or frozen rails. And this caused not only the need to brake earlier, but also a quick grinding of the wheels, which gradually acquired a square shape and started to make a lot of noise.

However, this was not the only problem, also these cars began to wear out the rails that they used to drive, because they used the technology of single-stage suspension of the trolley. Most likely, this was done to reduce the price, as the two-stage suspension, which did not leave such traces on the rails, was already known and actively used in other models of trams.

As a result, the Voronezh plant even began to produce special grinding trams, which raked the rails. After all, if you leave them in this form, then in the end it can lead to severe damage. Moreover, such rails caused strong noise even at trams of other makes and models.

Electrical equipment

These cars had very advanced electrical equipment, which provided smooth running and many other positive factors, but there were also serious shortcomings. For example, these trams are not famous for the highest reliability, as well as the "illness" of the sticking finger of the accelerator, because of which accidents often occur. In some cases, they simply lead to delays on the lines, and sometimes even have to remove the tram from the line in emergency mode.

Brakes

As for the braking system, it was not one - there were three of them at once. These systems operate independently of each other - the electrodynamic system is basic, electromechanical, used for doktormazhivaniya, as well as magnetic rail, which is used for emergency braking, as well as to keep the car when you leave the slides and ride on them.

disadvantages

The main disadvantages of this model can be considered the noise of the cabin due to the work of the motor-generator and the sticking of the fingers of the accelerator indicated above. Also worth paying attention to the comfort of passengers - the wagon is too high, and the windows - too low. Also, often the work of the tram is accompanied by creaks - creaks like doors at the opening and closing, and the cars themselves on the corners.

Popularity

It will not be a surprise to anyone that in the territory of the Russian Federation these cars are still very popular. However, they are known outside the country. For example, you can get a tram "Tatra T3" for Trainz 12, a popular train simulator and trams. This game is unique in its kind and allows you to travel on a wide variety of trains. And in the version of 2012 there is a model "Tatra T3" for Trainz, so if you do not want or can not ride a real tram, you have a chance to direct virtual.