Flexity 2
Encyclopedia
The Flexity 2 is a family of tram
or light-rail
vehicle manufactured by Bombardier Transportation
. It is 100% low-floor, in order to easily accommodate wheelchairs and pushchairs. The trams are bi-directional, with cabs at both ends and doors on both sides, and are articulated with five sections. This family of trams will debut on the Blackpool Tramway
, in Blackpool
, Lancashire
, England.
family of LRVs and is designed to be highly customisable. It incorporates a number of significant advances over its predecessor including improved corrosion resistance, enhanced safety through a redesigned cab with improved impact protection, improved energy efficiency through the inclusion of cells to store energy temporarily after braking which achieves double the energy saving of feeding it back through the wires, reduced mass, optional support for its PRIMOVE under track power transmission system and the new Flexx Urban 3000 bogie which allows the LRV to run on conventional wheelsets. The vehicle also features improved air-conditioning and a wider more spacious interior via the reduction in the width of its sidewalls allowing more seating or other uses. These changes have resulted in a very slight increase in axle load, although Bombardier says this does not limit the operational capabilities of the vehicle.
The launch customer of the family are Blackpool Council and Lancashire County Council which ordered 16 Flexity 2 (Blackpool)
units in July 2009 to replace its tourist-focused and high-maintenance heritage fleet with a new vehicle suitable for daily commuters.
The worldwide launch of the tram, including showing the first new tram
occurred on the 8th September 2011, at the new Starr Gate depot in Blackpool
.
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
or light-rail
Light rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
vehicle manufactured by Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany....
. It is 100% low-floor, in order to easily accommodate wheelchairs and pushchairs. The trams are bi-directional, with cabs at both ends and doors on both sides, and are articulated with five sections. This family of trams will debut on the Blackpool Tramway
Blackpool tramway
The Blackpool tramway runs from Blackpool to Fleetwood on the Fylde Coast in Lancashire, England, and is the only surviving first-generation tramway in the United Kingdom. The tramway dates back to 1885 and is one of the oldest electric tramways in the world. It is run by Blackpool Transport as...
, in Blackpool
Blackpool
Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, England.
Introduction
The Flexity 2 is a development of Bombardier's successful FlexityFlexity
Flexity is the name given by Bombardier Transportation to most of the trams they manufacture. For specific information, see the following articles:...
family of LRVs and is designed to be highly customisable. It incorporates a number of significant advances over its predecessor including improved corrosion resistance, enhanced safety through a redesigned cab with improved impact protection, improved energy efficiency through the inclusion of cells to store energy temporarily after braking which achieves double the energy saving of feeding it back through the wires, reduced mass, optional support for its PRIMOVE under track power transmission system and the new Flexx Urban 3000 bogie which allows the LRV to run on conventional wheelsets. The vehicle also features improved air-conditioning and a wider more spacious interior via the reduction in the width of its sidewalls allowing more seating or other uses. These changes have resulted in a very slight increase in axle load, although Bombardier says this does not limit the operational capabilities of the vehicle.
The launch customer of the family are Blackpool Council and Lancashire County Council which ordered 16 Flexity 2 (Blackpool)
Flexity 2 (Blackpool)
Blackpool Council has ordered 16 Bombardier Transportation Flexity 2 trams, becoming the worldwide launch customer for the design. The modern 100% low-floor trams will replace the Blackpool tramway's tourist-focused and high maintenance heritage fleet, some of which will be retained for tourist...
units in July 2009 to replace its tourist-focused and high-maintenance heritage fleet with a new vehicle suitable for daily commuters.
The worldwide launch of the tram, including showing the first new tram
Flexity 2 (Blackpool)
Blackpool Council has ordered 16 Bombardier Transportation Flexity 2 trams, becoming the worldwide launch customer for the design. The modern 100% low-floor trams will replace the Blackpool tramway's tourist-focused and high maintenance heritage fleet, some of which will be retained for tourist...
occurred on the 8th September 2011, at the new Starr Gate depot in Blackpool
Blackpool
Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester...
.
Low-floor versions
| City | Operator | Type designation | Built in | Number of vehicles | Articulated Sections | Length | Width | Height | Weight (empty) | Maximum power | Electrification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackpool Blackpool Blackpool is a borough, seaside town, and unitary authority area of Lancashire, in North West England. It is situated along England's west coast by the Irish Sea, between the Ribble and Wyre estuaries, northwest of Preston, north of Liverpool, and northwest of Manchester... , United Kingdom |
Blackpool Transport Blackpool Transport Blackpool Transport Services is a bus and tram operator running within the boroughs of Blackpool and Fylde and into the surrounding area, including Fleetwood, Lytham St Annes, Poulton le Fylde and Kirkham, Preston... |
Flexity 2 (Blackpool) Flexity 2 (Blackpool) Blackpool Council has ordered 16 Bombardier Transportation Flexity 2 trams, becoming the worldwide launch customer for the design. The modern 100% low-floor trams will replace the Blackpool tramway's tourist-focused and high maintenance heritage fleet, some of which will be retained for tourist... |
2010–2012 | 16 | 5 | 32.23 metre | 2.65 metre | 3.42 metre | 40.9 t (40.3 LT) | 4 x 120 kW | 600 V DC Overhead |
| Gold Coast, Australia | Gold Coast Rapid Transit | 2014 | 14 | 7 | 45 metre | Standard Gauge | 750 V DC Overhead |