D1 class Melbourne tram

Encyclopedia : D : D1 : D1C : D1 class Melbourne tram

D1 class tram
D1 class (Combino, "Bambino")
Service
Entered service	December 19 2002
Built by	Siemens TS
Built / In service	38 / 38
Fleet numbers	3501 - 3538
Depots	Malvern
Weight
Tare	25.8 t
Dimensions
Length	20.04 m
Width	2.65 m
Height	3.65 m
Motors	4 x 100 kW

Melbourne's electric trams
1920—1960	SW5  SW6 W6  W7
1960—2000	Z1  Z2  Z3 A1  A2  B1  B2
2000—	C  D1  D2

The D1 class, or Combino (affectionately known as "Bambino"), electric tram operates in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It was built by Siemens, and the first unit was delivered to the city in 2002. The trams were initially operated by M>Tram, but are now operated by Yarra Trams.

The D1 class is a 3-section tram and can be found on Melbourne's southeastern and inner tram routes. They are all based at Malvern, Victoria tram depot. The trams feature plug-type doors, next-stop display, and several other features. The trams are built '100% low-floor.'

Cab controls

The interior of a D1 Combino tram.

All D1 Class Trams have a traction braking controller with an integral deadman's trigger that the driver must release and reapply every minute. If an alarm sounds they must release and reapply the trigger immediately; otherwise, magnetic track brakes are applied at full force.

Originally the driver could hold it down continuously while the tram was moving, if the driver took their hand off, an alarm would sound, followed soon by track brake application. If after four mintutes it had been held-down continuously and the tram stopped, the driver would get an audible warning and the tram would not move until the driver had released it. There was also an alternative deadman's button on the side of the armrest. Drivers discovered that if the armrest were dropped low enough, this button would stay pressed without the driver appying any pressure, they still had to be released every four minutes when coming to a stop. But as soon as the management discovered this, their reaction was "vigilance control," actually a dead-man's vigilance device, and hence the notice in the cab "Vigilance control now fitted, release and reapply every 1 minute, if an alarm sounds, release and reapply immediately."

External links

• [List of D1 class trams at VicSig]
• [Railpage Tram Photo Gallery]
• [Dead man equipment on the Combino]

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