Valmet RM 2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
RM 2 was a class of two-bogie four-axle (Bo′Bo′ wheel arrangement) tram operated by Turku City Transport (Finnish: Turun kaupungin liikennelaitos (TuKL); Swedish: Åbo stads trafikverk), popularly known as "ghost cars". They were the last trams acquired for the Turku tram network prior to its closure in 1972, built by the Finnish metal industry corporation Valmet in 1956. Although never operated as such, these trams were designed for use on light rail lines.[1]
RM 2 | |
---|---|
Manufacturer | Valmet |
Built at | Valmet airplane factory, Tampere |
Constructed | 1956 |
Entered service | 1956 |
Scrapped | 1972 onwards |
Number built | 8 |
Number scrapped | 8 |
Fleet numbers | 48–55 |
Capacity | 17 seated, 83 standing |
Operators | Turku City Transport (TuKL) |
Lines served | All Turku tram lines |
Specifications | |
Car length | 11.60 m (38 ft 3⁄4 in) |
Width | 2.1 m (6 ft 10+5⁄8 in) |
Height | 3.75 m (12 ft 3+5⁄8 in) with pantograph down |
Maximum speed | 50 km/h (31 mph) (official, 90 km/h (56 mph) reached during trials) |
Weight | 20 t (19.7 long tons; 22.0 short tons) |
Traction system | Electric |
Traction motors | Four (4) Strömberg GHAU-67 E |
Power output | 4 x 50 kW (67 hp) / 200 kW (268 hp) |
Electric system(s) | ? V DC overhead lines |
Current collector(s) | Pantograph |
Braking system(s) | hand / air / electric / track |
Track gauge | 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge |
All RM 2s were withdrawn in June 1972 upon the closure of tram line 2.[1] Although attempts were made to sell the trams to new operators, they never returned to active service.[2] Five were sold for scrap; three were given to private organisations for preservation, but were scrapped by the 1980s.[1]