Trams of Australia
[Links]


A class

[Link to picture of A-class tram] Flinders St, 1995 [5]
This is Melbourne's second series of trams designated A-class. Information is also available on the earlier series of trams.

A1

Nos: 231 - 258
Introduced: 1984-86?
Withdrawn: Currently in service
Electrics: AEG/Siemens chopper control - regenerative braking, 2 x 195 kW motors
Size:15.01 m x 2.67 m
Seating/Crush Load: 42/

The control equipment and electric drives are identical to that of the Z3 tram. This tram was introduced with trolley pole, but many were later converted to pantograph operation, same as the A2.

The idea of a seated conductor, as used on the Z class trams was abandoned with this tram. The doors have moved back to positions on the side much like those on the old W class trams, but with the addition of a small forward door, probably intended to support driver-only operation. Note that the route number is no longer visible when looking down the side of the tram (a point of some comment when the tram was introduced).


A2

Nos: 259 - 300
Introduced: 1986?-87
Withdrawn: Currently in service
Electrics: AEG/Siemens chopper control - regenerative braking, 2 x 195 kW motors
Size:15.01 m x 2.67 m
Seating/Crush load: 42/

This tram has better brakes than the A1, and was the first built with a pantograph rather than trolley poles for current collection. Later, A1 class and some Z class trams would be converted to pantograph operation.



[5] Thanks to Daniel Bowen for the picture.