The GTW 72 (GTW = "Gelenktriebwagen" or articulated railcar) is a suspended monorail train type operated by Wuppertaler Stadtwerke on the Wuppertal Schwebebahn from 1972 until 2018.

Technical specifications

Each set consists of three sections. The trains have welded aluminium car bodies, and are powered by four chopper-controlled motors, which power the two wheels of each bogie.

GTW 72

Interior

Seating accommodation consists of transverse seating.

GTW 72

History

The GTW 72 was designed by German architect Klaus Flesche. A total of 28 sets were built by MAN between 1972 and 1975. One unit derailed in the 1999 Wuppertal Suspension Railway accident.

GTW 72

Regular operations ended in November 2018 with the suspension of Schwebebahn services following problems with the power supply. The last set was removed from the tracks on July 11, 2019. After their withdrawal from service, 21 units were sold, and three were donated under the condition that they stay within Wuppertal. Set 15 remains with Wuppertaler Stadtwerke. Set 6 was scrapped in early 2019.

Preserved examples

Set 2: preserved on the premises of Lang AG in Lindlar

Set 8: preserved at Kinder-Tisch Vohwinkel e.V. in Wuppertal

Set 15: in storage by Wuppertaler Stadtwerke

Set 27: sold in November 2019; to be preserved in Plettenberg

References

External links

Wuppertaler Stadtwerke official website

Wuppertal Schwebebahn

Electric multiple units of Germany

600 V DC multiple units