Next Generation

GTW 15 type motorcar No. 02 just after leaving the station Ohligsmühle, where a bridge structure over a large intersection allows for some unobstructed views with no pylons in the way.

If you've seen any of my numerous Schwebebahn photos, all trains (except for the Kaiserwagen) are of the type GTW 72, which stands for Gelenktriebwagen (articulated motorcar) and the year 1972 of their initial delivery.

Before that, the Schwebebahn had operated a somewhat mixed bag of rolling stock from 1900, with some experimental constructions and rebuilds, along with newer trains from the 1950s. Those were, unfortunately, built of less robust materials, having reached the end of their life in the 70s. Back then, trains were always composed of two separate cars, a motorcar and a remote controlled, powered trailer. After some experiments, in which two of the 50s cars were joined by an articulated section, it was decided to replace the ragtag bunch of rolling stock by a new type of articulated car. That was the GTW 72, which then became the only type to service the Schwebebahn for decades.

These days, the GTW 72 is itself in line for retirement. This here is a GTW 15, and as the name suggests, it was introduced in 2015. Built in Spain by Vossloh Kiepe, they represent a logical development that was also seen in mainline locomotives, utilizing asynchronous drive motors that are lighter, more powerful, and enable regenerative braking for higher efficiency. For passengers, the new interior features upholstered seats, LED lighting, better information systems, as well as air conditioning, the lack of which was one of the biggest drawbacks of the old cars.

In theory, the new cars were supposed to have completely supplanted the old ones by now. In practice, one of the new trains bumped into the trackwork with its running gear while going around a bend, which should be impossible. All trains have simple mechanical limiters that prevent them from tilting further than they are supposed to. With the dimensons of the trains being known, it should never happen that they touch any part of the track structure, but it still happened.

This took place in March last year, halting any further shipments of new trains until the problem has been determined. One year later, there's still no news, so the few initially delivered new trains are still running, albeit with a limited top speed, while the rest of the 1972 fleet had to be kept in service due to this lack of replacements.

Traveling on the new trains is indeed more comfortable, and they also ride more quietly than the old ones, while having great acceleration. The entire rear end is a panoramic window, which is kinda neat. Sadly though, my fave seat, just behind the driver, doesn't exist any more, due to a different seating arrangement at the front. And the light blue livery is also kinda bland compared to the blue and yellow of the old trains.