Community hub
Recent from talks
Knowledge base stats:
Talk channels stats:
Members stats:
Bombardier Cobra
The Bombardier Cobra is an articulated, low-floor tram operated by Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich (VBZ) of Zürich and manufactured by Bombardier Transportation. The Cobra was originally designed by a consortium consisting of the ABB, Pininfarina, the Schindler Group and Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (SIG), who built several Cobra prototypes; however, all production Cobras have been manufactured by Bombardier.
As the first low-floor tram to operate on the local tram network, the tram originally only ran on a few lines, but is now used on most lines, alongside older and newer tram models.
In 1992, a consortium of Swiss rolling stock manufacturers proposed a new design of low-floor articulated tram. The design was targeted for Zürich and Basel, but manufacturers hoped other tram operators would be interested.
The design of the tram was created by Pininfarina, an Italian coachbuilder. The design is based on short body segments, with four-wheel trucks under every second segment. Because the other segments do not have wheels, they are considered to float and are supported by adjacent segments. The wheel pairs of the trucks are not connected by axles but pivot individually and are steered into curves. It was hoped that this individual pivot design would reduce wear and noise and increase passenger comfort. The lack of axles permits a low floor throughout the vehicle. The wheel boxes are hidden under seats, as are the motors.
The running gear would have been designed and manufactured by Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (SIG). The electrical equipment would have been supplied by ABB. The tram body would have been manufactured by Schindler Group, who proposed to make it from a synthetic material.
In order to convince potential buyers and gain experience with the design, the manufacturing consortium set about creating a prototype. For this, Bern tram 401 was purchased. Its running gear was replaced and a new centre section was inserted. The prototype, which was numbered 3000, underwent extensive testing in both Zürich and Basel. The prototype tram also visited Augsburg and Helsinki for promotional purposes. The unit was ultimately scrapped in Basel.
Following various changes of policy in Zürich and Basel, there were no immediate orders for the tram. Meanwhile, the manufacturing consortium underwent numerous changes due to acquisitions and mergers within the industry. The sections of ABB and Schindler concerned with the Cobra design ultimately became part of Bombardier Transportation, with SIG becoming part of Alstom. Changes in management focus and some loss of expertise through downsizing activities affected the design. Following concerns over the suitability of the polymer construction, aluminium was chosen for the design.
Basel was lost as a potential customer when the city opted for the Combino design by Siemens. The Cobra consortium, however, won an order to supply six prototypes to Zürich.
Hub AI
Bombardier Cobra AI simulator
(@Bombardier Cobra_simulator)
Bombardier Cobra
The Bombardier Cobra is an articulated, low-floor tram operated by Verkehrsbetriebe Zürich (VBZ) of Zürich and manufactured by Bombardier Transportation. The Cobra was originally designed by a consortium consisting of the ABB, Pininfarina, the Schindler Group and Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (SIG), who built several Cobra prototypes; however, all production Cobras have been manufactured by Bombardier.
As the first low-floor tram to operate on the local tram network, the tram originally only ran on a few lines, but is now used on most lines, alongside older and newer tram models.
In 1992, a consortium of Swiss rolling stock manufacturers proposed a new design of low-floor articulated tram. The design was targeted for Zürich and Basel, but manufacturers hoped other tram operators would be interested.
The design of the tram was created by Pininfarina, an Italian coachbuilder. The design is based on short body segments, with four-wheel trucks under every second segment. Because the other segments do not have wheels, they are considered to float and are supported by adjacent segments. The wheel pairs of the trucks are not connected by axles but pivot individually and are steered into curves. It was hoped that this individual pivot design would reduce wear and noise and increase passenger comfort. The lack of axles permits a low floor throughout the vehicle. The wheel boxes are hidden under seats, as are the motors.
The running gear would have been designed and manufactured by Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (SIG). The electrical equipment would have been supplied by ABB. The tram body would have been manufactured by Schindler Group, who proposed to make it from a synthetic material.
In order to convince potential buyers and gain experience with the design, the manufacturing consortium set about creating a prototype. For this, Bern tram 401 was purchased. Its running gear was replaced and a new centre section was inserted. The prototype, which was numbered 3000, underwent extensive testing in both Zürich and Basel. The prototype tram also visited Augsburg and Helsinki for promotional purposes. The unit was ultimately scrapped in Basel.
Following various changes of policy in Zürich and Basel, there were no immediate orders for the tram. Meanwhile, the manufacturing consortium underwent numerous changes due to acquisitions and mergers within the industry. The sections of ABB and Schindler concerned with the Cobra design ultimately became part of Bombardier Transportation, with SIG becoming part of Alstom. Changes in management focus and some loss of expertise through downsizing activities affected the design. Following concerns over the suitability of the polymer construction, aluminium was chosen for the design.
Basel was lost as a potential customer when the city opted for the Combino design by Siemens. The Cobra consortium, however, won an order to supply six prototypes to Zürich.