LVB in Leipzig – conversion to a low-floor tramcar

In 2002, Leipziger Verkehrsbetriebe planned to convert an old high-floor Tatra T4D tram by installing a low floor and re-introducing it to the existing network.

The vehicle, which was twenty years old, was to be given a modern look and made easier to board.

As a first step, the floor in the centre was lowered and the drive unit accommodated on the roof instead of under the floor. In order to save power and make the DC traction motors easier to control, an IGBT chopper was installed.

Outward swinging doors and practical interior fittings completed the conversion which produced a low-floor area of 30 percent.

Advantages:

• customized solution
• low-floor area of 30 percent
• common-sense investment in an existing fleet