BVG Class G

BVG Class G
Class G train at Kurfürstendamm station in February 2017
In service1974–present
ManufacturerLEW Hennigsdorf
ReplacedBVG Class A
Constructed1974–1989
Refurbished2005–2007
Scrapped1997 (prototype cars)
Formation2 cars per set
OperatorsBerliner Verkehrsbetriebe
Lines servedU1, U2 & U3
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium
Train length25,660 mm (84 ft 2+1⁄4 in)
Width2,360 mm (7 ft 8+7⁄8 in)
Height3,190 mm (10 ft 5+5⁄8 in)
Doors2 pairs per side (per car)
Maximum speed70 km/h (43 mph)
Weight37 t (36 long tons; 41 short tons)
Power output120 kW per motor
Acceleration1.15 m/s2 (3.8 ft/s2)[1]
Deceleration1.2 m/s2 (3.9 ft/s2) (emergency)[1]
Electric system(s)750 V DC third rail
Current collector(s)Contact shoe
Braking system(s)Electric brake, pneumatic brake
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)

The Class G is an electric multiple unit train type used on the Berlin U-Bahn. The trains were originally developed for the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe of East Berlin.

Specifications

Formation

Each set consists of two cars, only one of which has a driving cab. Thus, the smallest operable formation is a four-car train.[2] Up to four two-car sets can be operated together.[1]

  • Driver's cab of a GI/1E train, April 2016
    Driver's cab of a GI/1E train, April 2016
  • Rear without driver's cab, March 1980
    Rear without driver's cab, March 1980

Electric systems

The trains are powered by one self-ventilated motor per bogie. Both axles are powered by two hollow-shaft gears.[2]

Interior

The interior features longitudinal seats.

  • Interior, March 1980
    Interior, March 1980
  • Interior, 1984
    Interior, 1984
  • Refurbished interior, September 2016
    Refurbished interior, September 2016

History

Twelve sets were lent to the Athens Metro between 1983 and 1985.[2] Class GI trains replaced all Class A1 and A2 trains by 5 November 1989.[1] In 1997, 60 sets were sold to the Pyongyang Metro in North Korea.[2]The train received new features over the years. The automatic next station announcements that first appeared on the BVG Class H trains were implemented in the BVG Class G trains in the early 2000s. A twin LCD advisement displays were also added and since the 2010s, the left screen shows next station information. The GI/1 trains were refurbished into GI/1E trains between 2005 and 2007 giving the outside unibody a full paint livery of yellow. The refurbished interior received yellow polls, new seats and the door handles to open the doors were removed and replaced with a button. The interior of the doors was also repainted gray replacing the oak brown color.

  • New GI train at the Leipziger Frühjahrsmesse in March 1982
    New GI train at the Leipziger Frühjahrsmesse in March 1982
  • Different livery variations, BVB (left) and BVG (right), in December 1991
    Different livery variations, BVB (left) and BVG (right), in December 1991

Korean State Railway 500 series

A Class GI trainset pulling a mixed train at Sambong on the Hambuk Line, North Korea.

After the GI class was withdrawn from use on the Pyongyang Metro, they were converted by the Kim Chong-t'ae Electric Locomotive Works to operate as EMUs on the national railway lines of the Korean State Railway, which numbered them in the 500 series. They are frequently seen in the northern part of North Korea, running along the Hambuk Line, the Pukpu Line, and the Manpo Line; they are occasionally seen running as mixed trains pulling regular railway freight cars.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Schleife, Hans-Werner; et al. (1992). Metros der Welt [Metros of the world] (in German) (2nd ed.). transpress Verlagsgesellschaft. pp. 68, 72. ISBN 3-344-70715-9.
  2. ^ a b c d Pabst, Martin (2006). S-Bahn- und U-Bahn-Fahrzeuge in Deutschland [S-Bahn and U-Bahn vehicles in Germany] (in German) (2nd ed.). GeraMond. pp. 26, 27. ISBN 3-7654-7366-9.