July–December 2003 • $10.00 / ERA Tour of Traction in the Czech Republic The Magazine of Electric Railways Published since 1939 by the Electric Railroaders’ Association, Inc. erausa.org/headlights Contents Staff July–December 2003 editor and art director Volume 66, Number 7–12 Edward “Sandy” Campbell, Jr. editorial committee Frank S. Miklos and Raymond R. Berger contributors cover story Jeff Erlitz, James N. J. Henwood, John Pappas and Bob Penisi (Railroad Avenue Enterprises) Traction in the Czech Republic Electric Railroaders’ The ERA spent nine days in the Czech Republic in May of this year. 28 Association, Inc. It was the most recent in a very successful series of ERA tours to former Soviet Bloc countries in eastern Europe where streetcar systems still E form the backbone of transit. John Pappas has filed this comprehensive trip report and photo essay of a fascinating visit. 2003–2004 Officers & Directors president Frank S. Miklos first vice president Charles A. Akins second vice president; corresponding secretary Raymond R. Berger third vice president; recording secretary William K. Guild director Randy Litz treasurer Michael Glikin librarian Richard C. Evans trip & convention chairman Jack May membership secretary Lewis Hitch

National Headquarters Grand Central Terminal The classic loop at the “end of civilization.” A-Tower, Room 4A Modernized T3 1517, contrasting with its as-built New York City sister 1603 from a batch of T3s built between Mailing Address P.O. Box 3323 1963 and 1972, take layover at the Obrany Grand Central Station end of line 4 in .

New York, N.Y. 10163-3323 john pappas

Subscriptions Headlights is sent free to members of the ERA. An columns application for ERA membership can be found on our website at erausa.org/membership, or we will gladly News mail one to you upon request. International transportation reports compiled by Frank S. Miklos. 3 Back Issues Back issues of Headlights may be ordered from our website at erausa.org/headlights. All issues since Book Reviews 1996 are also available for purchase in PDF format. James N. J. Henwood reviews Dutch Country Trolleys, 12 Changes of Address by Frederick A. Kramer, and McKeesport Trolleys, A Piece of the Past, All change of address requests should be e-mailed to [email protected]. by Ronald L. Beal. Correspondence All inquiries regarding the activities of the ERA should be e-mailed to [email protected]. On the Cover: A two-car train of crosses the Manesuv Bridge Submissions en route to downtown . The bridge, one of nine carrying lines Manuscripts for publication should be e-mailed across the Vltava River, is just north of the more famous Karlovy (Charles) headlights erausa.org to the editor at @ . pedestrian bridge, which can be seen in the background. T3s form the © 2003 electric railroaders’ assoc., inc. backbone of the Prague tram fleet, including the last ones built in 1988. all rights reserved. 11/27/06 john pappas

2 headlights | july–december 2003 new york, n.y. PATH Service to WTC Resumes

wo years after the attacks of September 11, 2001 destroyed the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PATH) World Trade Center terminal, a test trainT made the first trip back to Ground Zero on October 23, 2003. This followed major repairs to the two tunnels under the Hudson River that were filled with water from broken mains and fire hoses, and the building of a new PATH terminal. Wiring, water pipes and rails had to be replaced as a result of the damage. The new tracks rest on a concrete base instead of the stone ballast that had previously been in place. Welded rails will also provide a smoother ride.

On Sunday, November 23, PATH car 836 headed up a ceremonial train carrying Governor James McGreevy of New Jersey and Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City to formally reopen PATH service to lower Manhattan from New Jersey. This was the same car that was on the front of the last train to leave the World Trade Center on 9/11. After the ceremonial train completed its run, regular service was resumed. sandy campbellsandy photos headlights | july–december 2003 3 28 headlights | july–december 2003 TRACTION IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

BY JOHN PAPPAS tarting in 1990, with a visit to traction systems in the former Photos by the author, East Berlin and East , the ERA began what was except where noted. to become a very successful series of tours to former Soviet T-3 6880 and train (left) are westbound on route 9 half- Bloc countries in eastern Europe where streetcar systems way between Hlavni Nadrazi still form the backbone of transit. The most recent of these (main railway station) and Wenceslas Square, the famed tours took place in May 2003 with a visit to the Czech Republic. tourist and shopping area of During a nine-day schedule, the group of over 40 attendees visited New Town. Much of the center S city tram trackage succumbed four different city systems and one rural electric railway. The systems to Metro construction in the were Prague, Brno, Liberec (and the interurban to Jablonec) and ’70s, but this view shows that plenty of narrow winding Ostrava as well as a quick view of trolleybus systems in Ostrava, streetscapes still remain. Hradec Kralove and Brno. This provided just the highlights of a (Top) O≤cial logo of DpmP, country that still retains lots of traction interest. Other equally the Prague “transit authority” interesting systems in Plzen, Most and Olomouc were not included carried on the side of all streetcars. only because of time constraints.

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May 2003 Saturday, May 17 | Prague Tuesday, May 20 | Brno Thursday, May 22 | Liberec Saturday, May 24 | Prague Trip Itinerary Welcome dinner. Depart Prague at 8:57 a.m., Depart Prague at 8:41 a.m., Prague historic tram charter; arrive Brno (via train) at arrive Liberec (via bus) at group dinner in the evening. Sunday, May 18 | Prague 11:47 a.m. Early lunch in the 10:15 a.m. Prague historic tram charter. dining car. Sunday, May 25 | Prague Friday, May 23 | Ostrava Prague historic tram charter. Monday, May 19 | Tabor Wednesday, May 21 | Prague Depart Prague at 7:05 a.m., Depart Prague at 9:17 a.m., Free day in Prague. Tour of arrive Ostrava (via train) at arrive Tabor (via train) at Metro facilities. 11:36 a.m. Breakfast and early 10:46 a.m. lunch in the dining car.

in the republic. The T2, its predecessor (1955–62), still makes a showing on two systems (Brno, Liberec), as well as being part of the museum fleet in Prague. The T1, the model that started it all and owes its design directly to Transit Research Corporation design patents granted in 1946, was represented in museum cars in both Prague and Ostrava, the latter fully restored and operated for the delight of the group. Rounding out model types are the K2, basically the articulated version of the T3 (Brno and Ostrava), the more modern three-section articulated KT8 (Brno, Plzen, Prague, Ostrava) and the T6A2 single unit, the last of a great line of designs from Tatra/CKD. It was one of these that made its way briefly to New Orleans. Besides the revenue fleet, most systems have one or more historic cars in their collections and a healthy assortment of work equipment, many of which were once revenue cars. The ERA group was able to enjoy Part of the ERA tour group The present day Czech Republic comprises 30,450 a number of these. Others were seen during tours of enjoying traditional Czech square miles of land, just slightly smaller than the country depots, yards and shops. Prague has a magnificent fare, which means, among of Austria or the state of South Carolina. The population, collection in a now inactive depot in the northwest other delights, pilsner beer. as of the official Czech census of 2001, is 10.2 million. part of the city. This includes the “mother ship” T1, the jeff erlitz Of that, 1.2 million, or about 12 percent, live in Prague. one built reportedly as the prototype for the eastern Brno is the second largest city at 366,000 inhabitants. bloc PCCs that followed. While Prague is widely celebrated for its natural beauty, The Czech Republic has recognized the benefits Brno is largely unknown in this hemisphere. That’s of tram operation, which manifests itself in renewed a shame, because it too has a beautiful setting with infrastructure, line extensions, often to light rail a large and varied tram system and, unlike Prague, standards, new rolling stock and thorough moderniza- a large trolleybus network as well. tion of the Tatras, to include padded seats, modern The Tatra (CKD/Praha) PCC is still king in the lighting and “next stop” indicators. In many cases, Czech Republic. The legacy of the 18,000 that were built the improvements include conversion of propulsion on the east side of Prague for much of the Soviet Bloc systems to electronic chopper control. Two properties between 1951 and 1999 is the immaculately maintained were also experimenting with low-floor center sections (and largely modernized) fleets of these cars in several on their newer, three-section Tatra KT8s. models that provide all or a major portion of service on every Czech system. The ubiquitous T3, produced Considerable thanks go to long time ERA members between 1960 and 1989, is represented on every system Jeff Erlitz and Noah Caplin for their efforts in organizing and conducting this tour.

30 headlights | july–december 2003 trams and trolleybuses

era maps | designed & illustrated by john pappas and sandy campbell Czech Republic

R – Tram T – Trolleybus H – Historic Mainline Electrification

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32 headlights | july–december 2003 Prague The tour greatly benefited Another two-car T3 train from having an anchor hotel (bottom) arrives at in Prague from which day Malostranske namesti trips were taken to visit (Square), on the left bank of outlying properties. Another the Vltava. 6790 is a 1971 benefit was the ability to product of the CKD factory spend more time in Prague, across town. It retains its a city that begs for mechanical PCC controls in exploration on and contrast to much of the fleet especially away from the that has been updated with extensive tram system. chopper electronics. In the background are examples of Stresovice Depot (opposite) the superb restoration of the is home to the Prague his- historic architecture that has toric fleet. It is no longer an been ongoing since active depot, but at one time became played host to both trams independent again in 1990. and a small trolleybus net- The peak of the roof of the work. This view shows how Prague Castle can be seen varied the collection is and just above the roof of the the excellent layout for view- ivory building with the ing it. Not seen are examples round turrets. The group had of electric locomotives and a their welcome dinner near Skoda trolleybus. the castle and took the long trek down the hillside which Prague 412 (top), pulling two provided an ideal introduction trailers, pauses in Zizkov to the area and its history. Depot for a photo stop beside their T3M (modern­ ized with chopper control) brethren. All told, the group rode on five different historic cars along with their trailers (plus an unexpected ride on the only T4) during the three days that were allocated to fan trips in Prague. The threatening skies seen here stayed with the group for much of the nine days.

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3062 and trailer (below) Tatra 5001 (bottom right) is provided a delightful not only one of the 287 T1s inaugural tour of the Prague built, but the first one. To system for tour attendees. contemplate that the Both are paused here at the success of this car, following Podbaba loop at the north on the US and Western end of lines 20 and 25. Europe experience with PCC

Not unlike much of the technology, spawned close , Prague too has to 18,000 other examples, its share of tall, boxy has to be one of the great apartment “cities” (top right). transit equipment success These are in the west end of stories of all time. Behind the city near the Sidlisti Repy 5001 in Stresovice Depot is terminal of tram routes 7, 9 the second prototype T2, and 10. As uninspiring as 6002, also immaculately they may be, the high rise restored. density helps support very frequent service on these T3M 7082 and train three routes (a two minute (opposite) are southbound headway during weekday alongside the east bank of peaks). Tram 7252 is nearing the Vltava River and just the end of its nearly one south of the Stare Mesto hour cross-city journey as it (Old Town). The tower in the approaches the three background is the old town terminal loop. water tower, originally built in 1489 and rebuilt several times since.

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36 headlights | july–december 2003 Brno The Czech Republic’s second The three section articulated city and the capital of the model KT8D5 (top left) was ancient region of Moravia is offered between 1986 and host to 13 tram and 17 trolley- 1993, with 149 vehicles built bus lines. The warmness of for both Czech and Slovak the welcome accorded the systems. 1720 is one of the group made up for the rainy last built in 1993, shown here weather that greeted us at the Stary Liskovec end of after our three hour train line 8. The group experienced ride from Prague. other KT8 examples in Prague.

Brno 107 (opposite) looks Instead of adopting the older than it is. The car was RT6N1, Czech systems chose fabricated with wood to thoroughly modernize sheathing in 1943 due to their T3 and K2 fleets. These wartime scarcity of metal. examples (bottom left) were It is pulling a more classical rebuilt by CKD beginning in (for its age) trailer, 215 of 1926. 1996, receiving modernized Here both are posed on non- interiors, new front and rear revenue tracks along the end fiberglass caps and Masarykova pedestrian area updated electrical equipment, running through the heart of including chopper control. the city. The group generally The cars are seen operating didn’t let the rainy weather on the high speed light rail keep them from enjoying segment of line 1 to Bystrc. the magic of a foreign traction paradise. jeff erlitz

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Tatra’s attempt at a modern, Brno’s extensive trolleybus 70 percent low-floor car network contains both of (above) was the RT6N1 and Skoda’s most prevalent mod- it was less than successful. els, the single unit 14Tr and Brno has one of the few the articulated 15Tr. A mod- examples still operating. ern low-floor single unit ver- Prague’s four operated only sion is the 21Tr, and an exam- briefly and the group saw ple is shown above along one other buried in the back with its 14Tr follower at the of the depot in Liberec. The Vychodilova terminal of line car is 26.2 meters in length 146 (bottom right). The and features GTO chopper Czech Republic has no less control. It was designed to than 12 trolleybus systems compete for orders in west- and there was only time to ern Europe with the likes of see three of them, much less Bombardier and Siemens. ride and study them.

K2 1073 of 1973 (top right) (Opposite) Brno KT8D5 1728 sports an updated front cap, heads uphill and outbound but is otherwise unrebuilt. on route 8 on one of three It is navigating the complex examples of newer align- of ments built to high light rail Mendlovo nam (Mendlovo construction standards in Square) where several tram the latter era of Soviet trans- and trolleybus routes inter- portation planning domi- sect. Brno has the largest nance. The skyline of Brno is number of K2 artics still prominent in the back- operating in the Czech ground. Light rail extensions Republic. continue to be built, but much more slowly as fund- ing is available.

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40 headlights | july–december 2003 Liberec and Jablonec Pronounced Liberetz and The suburban town of Hablonetz, these cities Jablonec nad Nisou (on the reside in the extreme north river Nisou) features a loop of the country, only a few and a stub with an miles from the Polish border. inspection pit (top left). The system has been in the Jablonec, population 46,000, process of modernizing since once boasted a five route the early nineties, which system of its own, which includes converting from was finally abandoned on metre to standard gauge. March 31, 1965. The one major metre gauge element of the system Leaving Liberec on route 11, remaining is the 11 km (6.8 the interurban to Jablonec mile), mostly single track (bottom left). 31 and 32 are interurban to the city of metre gauge T3s, as the Jablonec. The Czech traction property thoughtfully fan community considers reminds us with the round this to be the best remaining blue “1000” decal located example of traditional Czech just below the windshield. interurbans, although the The line is mostly single track group got to experience a and, outside the city, almost similar operation in Ostrava. entirely cross-country away from roads. (Opposite page) Historic car 78 dates from 1920. It is seen here at the Lidovy Sady ter- minal of route 1 in the com- pany of regular service cars 21 and 20. Note the red circle “1435” decal on 21 indicating these are standard gauge cars. The green with yellow trim is the current official scheme of the Liberec system, which is somewhat rare since most of the cars wear a variety of all-over ad colors.

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The Liberec undertaking has T2 Trams 22 and 24 pass at a completely renewed its siding on the outskirts of depot and the track structure Liberec (bottom right). Both serving it (above and oppo- are ex-Ostrava, built in the site page). The throat of period 1959–62. Tram 24, a the yard shows off the regular service car, is leading dual gauge that will still be a two-car train. Tram 22 is needed for some time to doing the honors as the fan- come. Beyond here several trip car and running single parts of the yard feature unit. The use of a separate standard gauge only track. fantrip car was only possible As with all the cities the ERA because we “platooned” in visited, the facility is com- both directions just ahead of plete to the extent they can the regular service car and perform major rebuilding made use of the sidings at of the fleet. the same time. There aren’t many passing sidings, but Standard gauge T3 40 and 34 enough to provide a 7–8 negotiate a dual gauge curve minute service frequency in front of the main railway between routes 11 and turn- station en route to Dolni back route 5. And thankfully, Hanychov (top right), a tem- they are long enough to porary turnback loop being accommodate three cars. used while the line beyond is Future plans call for replacing rebuilt with new track that much of this alignment with will be standard gauge. a modern standard gauge Evidence of the infrastruc- light rail line sharing track ture upgrading can be seen with the Czech Railways. even in the buildings in the background.

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44 headlights | july–december 2003 Ostrava Ostrava is located in the Ostrava, too, has a single far northeast of the Czech track interurban line (albeit Republic. It is a highly standard gauge) running industrialized city of 315,000, largely through some lush nominally considered the woods (left). Here regular of the Czech service T3s 907 and 905 Republic, although coal disappear around a curve production has ended and just west of the Dolni Lhota steel fabrication is winding stop about two-thirds of the down. A five hour train ride way to the end of the line at was required to reach it from the remote village of Zatisi. Prague. But the system was worth the trip, just for the The “business” end of T1 528 sheer variety of equipment (top left). Right down to the and routes and the thoroughly Bakelite gang switches on the equipped shops. The shops dash, there is no mistaking the were busy modernizing the heritage of this car’s design. existing rolling stock and Among Ostrava’s historic also playing host to Inekon, fleet is a working Tatra T1 who produces modern 70 (bottom left). The group was percent low-floor cars for delighted to ride on this car both Czech systems and over a variety of the system export. The Portland Streetcar settings, including this and Sound Transit’s Link in example of modern, center Tacoma use examples of cars roadway light rail. The stop they developed along with is near the outlying Svinov Skoda of Plzen. Ostrava also railway station. has an extensive trolleybus network, including a very rare trolleybus grand union in the middle of the city.

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Some of Ostrava’s historic trams (top right) pose in front of the central workshops.

This Ostrava KT8 (bottom left) has received a new low- floor center section replacing its standard floor original. This type of conversion is being looked at to extend the useful life of this model by several years. Some accessibility alternatives for the T3s could include low-floor trailers.

(Bottom right) Builder’s plate on T1 528.

New Inekon low-floor trams take shape in the Ostrava central workshops (opposite page). These two are for Ostrava, but the possibility exists that the additional low-floor cars for the Portland Streetcar extension may be built here also. Across the transfer table from these sit brand new 100 point control- ler drums, and T3 bodies undergoing thorough rehab. It’s as if St. Louis Car Company had suddenly come back to life in a European setting. E

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