Amsterdam in the Spring

One of the oldest trams at the newest terminus. 815 sits on the turning circle at Azartplein on 15th March

A visit to Amsterdam during early March 2011 revealed the survivors of the 1979/80 batch of Linke-Hofmann-Busche cars (780-816), the final batch of Amsterdam's 'classic' artics, still involved in gainful employment on various routes across the network. Despite the decline in this class, which included the transfer of 16 to Sarajevo during 2009, 16 are still held in stock by operator GVB, split between the two depots at Havenstraat and Lekstraat. These are 780-782, 784-787, 794, 801, 804-805, 809, 810, 813, 815 and 816.


781 on a route 7 working to Flevopark displays its recently applied pop art livery to full effect. Marnixstraat, 14th March.

The LHB cars can literally turn up on any route, and have recently been observed on routes 1, 4, 7, 10, 12 and 14, often seeing use on the short turn duties making them rather absent during the evenings - and they are rarely seen out on Sundays.

During the snapshot visit in March, 781, 785, 786, 794, 801, 804, 805, 809, 810 and 815 were observed in use, and of these 781 was in a very retro-looking 'pop art' livery. These multi-coloured styles were once a feature of the Amsterdam scene, but were phased out from 2002 with the introduction of the Combinos. The style on 781 provides a welcome splash of colour, although closer inspection reveals the livery to be a vinyl wrap unlike the former hand painted styles.

A private hire saw a procession of four museum cars at Waterlooplein. The first two evaded the camera but 401 brought up the rear as seen here being intimidated by a Combino

533 and trailer cross the road with 401 following

contributed by James Millington

UV Sunset

UV Sets at Kalvin Ter on route 49 March 2007

2007 saw the final withdrawal of the Budapest UV cars after over 50 years service. Although the initial cars were double ended, for most of their lives the UVs were single ended and ran in back to back pairs or with a matching trailer in the centre to make a three car set. 375 cars were built between 1956 and 1968.

Withdrawal of the UVs took place in three phases with some withdrawn in the mid 1990s. Phase two was caused by the arrival of 75 second hand trams from Hanover from 2001 with the resulting loss of UVs from 2001 to 2004.

2006 saw the first of 40 extremely long Combinos arrive for use on routes 4 and 6 on the Grand Boulevard. These released 80 of the 1970s Ganz articulated cars (which used to run in pairs on the 4 and 6) which therefore could release 80 UV sets. The wind down commenced on 31 July 2006 when routes 42 and 52 saw their last UVs ending operation of this type on the compact South Pest network. November saw the end of UVs on route 19 leaving just the 41, 47 and 49 with UV cars. March 30 2007 saw the end of UVs on route 49; 22 July was the last day for the 41's UVs with the end coming on 20 August with route 47

The following photographs show UVs in use in March 2007.

UV Interior

 

UV interior



Trailer interior

 

Withdrawn UV at a driver training school 2007



Budafok Depot 2007

UV Afterlife
BKV retained a heritage fleet of UVs comprising 3873, 3885, 3888 and 3898 with trailers 5869 and 6010. These have seen use on various tram tours, a summer tourist tram in 2009 and 3873/3898 have operated as a decorated Christmas tram for the last two years. Additionally 3200 is in the official museum at Szentendre.

MAVITE has preserved no less than seven cars - 3201, 3258, 3306, 3436, 3468, 3856/7 and trailers 5808, 5824 and 5988. 3468 has recently been replaced by 3465 though. Another group (VEKE) owns 3800 and 3809 while 3257 and 3899 are privately preserved. 3402 (one of four double ended training cars) has passed to Debrecen for use as a works car!

A recent visit to Budapest found nine cars in store at Angyafold depot (3249 3258 3350 3465 3811 3816 3822 3830 3831). Of these 3258 and 3465 are part of the MAVITE collection now - 3258 was displayed at an event in Kispet in both 2009/10 but did not operate under power.


3816 at Angyafold Depot Feb 2011 (Philip Higgs)



3465 at Angyafold Depot Feb 2011 (Philip Higgs)

 

3830 at Angyafold Depot Feb 2011 (Philip Higgs)