Train Simulator 2019: Frankfurt U-Bahn (3) Is This A Tram or Is This A Train?

Channel:

DC 4260 Productions

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14,300

Published on January 27, 2019 1:44:40 AM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-Yb7J9R7mM

Game:

Train Simulator Classic (2009)

Duration: 41:22

620 views

5

Today's run is on line U5, going from Preungesheim to Hauptbahnhof. The traction for this run is a pair of Ptb's. Along the way we stop at the following stations:

Sigmund-Freud-Straße
Ronneburgstraße
Theobald-Ziegler-Straße
Gießener Straße
Marbachweg/Sozialzentrum
Hauptfriedhof
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek
Glauburgstraße
Konstablerwache
Dom/Römer
Willy-Brand-Platz
Hauptbahnhof

This line is 7.69 kilometres long, making it one of the shorter lines on the U-Bahn network. The section between Konstablerwache and Hauptbahnhof is underground. For many years, only one type of train - the Ptb - could run on U5. This was because Eckenheimer Landstraße, Neuer Juedischer Friendhof, Glauburgstraße and Musterschule stations were not equipped with platforms, and the Ptb's were the only U-Bahn trains fitted with fold-out steps. In 2016, Glauburgstraße and Musterschule received full-height platforms, and the Ptb's were retired; they had been in service since the 1970s. The Flexity Swift U5 trains were brought in to replace the Ptb's. Two stations on U5 were closed as part of the upgrade, because they were now surplus to requirements. These stations were Eckenheimer Landstraße and Neuer Juedischer Friedhof.

I'm really confused as to whether the Ptb's are trains or trams. They bare a very strong resemblance to trams, but they spend part of their time running underground, which is something trams don't do (apart from when the Kingsway Tram Tunnel was open). Further evidence to suggest that they are trams comes from the fact that a sizeable portion of U5 (mainly between Deutsche Nationalbibliothek and Musterschule) involves running through the street, just like a tram. Other parts on U5 however, see the track running in the street, but on its own right-of-way. I'll leave to decided whether or not you think the Ptb is a train or a tram.

The scenario I am playing in this video is one I created myself. It's called (U5) 12:10 Preungesheim to Hauptbahnhof, and it will be included in a scenario pack that I am planning to upload to UKTrainSim.

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