Notes

Now, for one of the two currently used EMUs in Hanover, the TW 2000 by Alsthom LHB and Siemens. The TW 2000 has been produced since 1997 and was one of the many efforts of prettying-up Hanover for the world Expo 2000. It can not operationally be coupled with the older TW 6000.

The TW 2000 has a lot of very interesting detail solutions. One of them is the noticeable bent in the shape. The lower body has a width of 2.4 meters, which is the same as the TW 6000 and, very importantly, what the platforms are optimized for. Above the platform level, though, the train increases to 2.6 meters (the maximum legally allowed for streetcars), to have more space inside. A side effect of that is that it still can’t be used on all lines, since at times the tracks are too close together. Where it is used, though, it can be seen much more frequently than the TW 6000.

A special touch I really like is the coupling. The Scharffenberg coupler used here creates strictly rigid connection, so you have to allow the entire coupler to turn relative to the vehicle. The problem of getting enough space for that movement is solved usually by either having the coupler poke out a lot or, more commonly, having a lot of swinging space below the body, which is sometimes hidden behind a retractable cover for aerodynamics and optics. This one, however, has covers attached directly to the coupler that swing around with it. The coupler is moveable, you need no potentially problematic covers, and optics are still great.