{{Short description|Low-floor tram manufactured by H. Cegielski in Poznań, Poland}} {{Infobox tram | name = 118N<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Gieżyński |first=Tomasz |year=2008 |title=Wagon typu 118N "Puma" z FPS |journal=Świat Kolei |language=pl |location=Łódź |publisher=EMI-PRESS |volume=4 |pages=46–47 |issn=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Schemat 118N |url=http://tramwar4.republika.pl/118n-schemat-z.jpg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813230249/http://tramwar4.republika.pl/118n-schemat-z.jpg |archive-date=2014-08-13 |website=tramwar4.republika.pl |language=pl}}</ref> | image = Tram PUMA.jpg | caption = Type 118N tram | stocktype = [[low-floor tram]] | manufacturer = [[H. Cegielski – Poznań|H. Cegielski]] | assembly = [[Poznań]], Poland | yearconstruction = 2007 | yearservice = 2008 | capacity = 132 (82 seats) | trainlength = {{convert|30600|mm|ft|abbr=on}} | width = {{convert|2400|mm|ft|abbr=on}} | height = {{convert|3350|mm|ft|abbr=on}} | lowfloor = 67% | floorheight = {{convert|300–800|mm|ft|abbr=on}} | art-sections = 3 | maxspeed = {{convert|70|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} | weight = {{convert|36000|kg|lb|abbr=on}} | poweroutput = 4 × 95 kW }} [[File:HCP 118N "Puma" (15836760357).jpg|thumb|Car 118N in its original colors]] '''HCP Puma''' (type ''118N'') is a three-section [[low-floor tram]] manufactured by [[H. Cegielski – Poznań|H. Cegielski]] in [[Poznań]]. In 2007, one prototype unit was built, which premiered on 11 June 2007 at the [[Poznań International Fair]]. From 2008 to 2011, the vehicle was leased and operated by {{Interlanguage link|MPK Poznań|pl|Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Komunikacyjne w Poznaniu}}. After a drive system failure, it returned to the manufacturer.
== History ==
=== Origins === In 1995, H. Cegielski created the first low-floor tram, type 115N, by rebuilding two [[Konstal 105N]] cars, which were connected with a low-floor middle section. The company also produced vehicles in consortia, acting as a subcontractor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Najpopularniejszy tramwaj na świecie - PCC, część 4: Polska |url=http://www.kmk.krakow.pl/artykul_tramwaj_pcc_4.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=www.kmk.krakow.pl |language=pl |archive-date=2020-02-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215001000/http://www.kmk.krakow.pl/artykul_tramwaj_pcc_4.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
At the beginning of the 21st century, many Polish cities planned significant investments in modernizing their tram fleets. H. Cegielski aimed to enter the tram market<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Lubka |first1=Arkadiusz |title=Atlas tramwajów |last2=Stiasny |first2=Marcin |publisher=KOLPRESS |year=2011 |isbn=978-83-920784-6-3 |edition=1 |location=Poznań |page=105 |language=pl |chapter=118N Puma}}</ref> and decided to design a new low-floor vehicle in response to a tender for the delivery of 15 low-floor trams for {{Interlanguage link|Tramwaje Warszawskie (company)|lt=Tramwaje Warszawskie|pl|Tramwaje Warszawskie }} company.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last1=Prałat |first1=Michał |last2=Kaj |first2=Bartosz |year=2010 |title=130 lat historii, czyli... parada krok po kroku. Od konnego do hybrydy |journal=Przystanek |language=pl |volume=6 |pages=2–5 |issn=1730-6388}}</ref>
=== Design, production, and testing === The 118N type vehicle was designed in 2005 by the [[Tabor Railway Vehicle Institute]] in collaboration with H. Cegielski and the company nCart.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Graff |first=Marek |title=Nowy tabor tramwajowy w Polsce |url=https://yadda.icm.edu.pl/baztech/element/bwmeta1.element.baztech-b6a4adc0-b1a1-43b7-8650-28c3efcbc459/c/Graff_Nowy.pdf |access-date=2024-07-04 |language=pl}}</ref>
The prototype was manufactured in 2007 and presented at the [[Poznań International Fair]] in June of that year. After the presentation, it returned to the factory for completion. The first test run on the [[Trams in Poznań|Poznań tram network]] took place on the night of 1/2 October 2007.<ref name=":0" /> On 12 December 2007, ''Puma'' received type approval certification<ref name=":0" /> and was stationed at the {{Interlanguage link|Forteczna depot|pl|Zajezdnia tramwajowa przy ulicy Fortecznej w Poznaniu |lt=}} from that time.<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Stary tramwaj |url=https://forum.gazeta.pl/forum/w,49353,115380210,115380210,Stary_tramwaj.html?s=1 |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=Forum.gazeta.pl |language=pl}}</ref>
=== Project failure and future plans === The manufacturer hoped for interest in the vehicle from several Polish cities, especially [[Warsaw]]. Thus, during the premiere presentation, the tram was painted in yellow and red colors and equipped with Warsaw ticket validators. However, no contracts for ''Puma'''s delivery were signed.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2007-06-18 |title=Encyklopedia: FPS-HCP 118N |url=https://www.mkm.szczecin.pl/encyklopedia/118n |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=Serwis KOMIS |language=pl}}</ref>
At the end of 2012, the manufacturer announced plans to modernize the 118N tram and build a second fully low-floor unit.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-10-23 |title=Powstanie niskopodłogowa Puma |url=http://www.rynek-kolejowy.pl/36143/Powstanie_niskopodlogowa_Puma.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026005934/http://www.rynek-kolejowy.pl/36143/Powstanie_niskopodlogowa_Puma.htm |archive-date=2012-10-26 |website=rynek-kolejowy.pl |language=pl |access-date=2024-07-04 |url-status=live }}</ref> In mid-2022, H. Cegielski began looking for potential buyers for the vehicle,<ref>{{Cite web |title=FPS szuka chętnych na zakup Pumy |url=https://www.transport-publiczny.pl/wiadomosci/fps-szuka-chetnych-na-zakup-pumy-73018.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=www.transport-publiczny.pl |language=pl-PL}}</ref> and by the end of 2023, they considered modernizing the tram, provided MPK Poznań expressed interest in using it.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Puma wróci na torowiska? |url=https://www.transport-publiczny.pl/wiadomosci/puma-wroci-na-torowiska--81137.html |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=www.transport-publiczny.pl |language=pl-PL}}</ref>
=== Presentations ===
* 11 June 2007 – Poznań International Fair<ref name=":3" /> * 2007 – {{Interlanguage link|TRAKO Railway Fair|pl|Trako (targi kolejowe) |lt=}} in [[Gdańsk]]<ref name=":2" /> * 2008 – [[InnoTrans]] railway fair in [[Berlin]]<ref name=":2" />
== Construction ==
=== Body === The car body is constructed from steel.<ref name=":2" /> The sections of the vehicle are connected with [[Pivot joint|pivot joints]]. Energy-absorbing bumpers are used at the front. The windows are made of tempered glass.<ref name=":2" />
The vehicle is equipped with five pairs of sliding-plug doors. The three middle pairs are double-leaf doors with a width of 1,300 mm, while the two end pairs are single-leaf doors with a width of 700 mm. The doors are equipped with [[Phototube|phototubes]] to prevent passengers from being trapped.<ref name=":2" />
=== Interior === [[File:HCP 118N "Puma" (15836471409).jpg|thumb|Driver's cab]] [[File:HCP 118N "Puma" (15836471189).jpg|thumb|Interior]] The tram features 80 seats covered with fabric, arranged mostly in a 2+2 layout.<ref name=":2" />
The low-floor area constitutes 67% of the vehicle's length.<ref name=":2" /> The floor height is 300 mm at the entrances, 360 mm in the vestibules, 440 mm above the trailing [[Bogie|bogies]], and 580 mm above the driving bogies. Above the trailing bogies, the floor rises gently, while in the end sections over the driving bogies, the high-floor area is separated from the low-floor area by a single step.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Gieżyński |first=Tomasz |title=Nowe tramwaje w Polsce w 2007 r. |url=https://yadda.icm.edu.pl/baztech/element/bwmeta1.element.baztech-article-BGPK-1773-6612/c/Giezynski.pdf |access-date=2024-07-04 |language=pl}}</ref>
In the first section, near the second pair of doors, there is a space for a wheelchair or a stroller, along with a manually extendable ramp to facilitate boarding. Another smaller space without seats is provided near the last door.<ref name=":2" />
The passenger area is heated by 14 heating units located under the seats near the entrances. Forced ventilation is supplemented by sliding windows. The tram is equipped with a visual and audio information system. Additionally, the interior is acoustically and thermally insulated.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Paczkowska |first1=Joanna |last2=Czerwiński |first2=Piotr |year=2010 |title=Puma w miejskiej dżungli |journal=Infrastruktura Transportu |language=pl |location=Katowice |publisher=Elamed |volume=6 |pages=37–38 |issn=1899-0622}}</ref>
The driver's cab is equipped with a control panel, microprocessor control, a monitoring system, and air conditioning. Cameras mounted on the sides of the car body replace traditional rearview mirrors.<ref name=":4" />
=== Bogies === ''Puma'' tram is supported by four two-axle bogies, with the two end bogies under sections I and III being powered, and the two middle bogies under section II being trailer bogies.<ref name=":0" />
The powered bogie type 8NN features an H-shaped open frame, a rocking beam, and two-stage suspension. The first stage of suspension consists of rubber-metal springs, while the second stage uses double coil springs with rubber bumpers. The car body is connected to the bogie via a large bearing. Braking is handled by electromagnetic track brakes and an electro-hydraulic braking system with a disc brake mounted on the hollow shaft of the drive unit. The front bogie also includes wheel flange lubrication, [[Sandbox (locomotive)|sandboxes]], and a snowplow.<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last1=Antkowiak |first1=Tomasz |last2=Miklasz |first2=Radosław |year=2009 |title=Układy biegowe tramwaju typu 118N produkcji krajowej |journal=Problemy Eksploatacji |language=pl |volume=2 |pages=109–119}}</ref>
The trailer bogie type 9NN has a similar construction to the powered bogie type 8NN. The only difference is in the electro-hydraulic brake, with the discs mounted on the [[Wheelset (rail transport)|wheelset]] axles.<ref name=":5" />
The wheelbase of the powered bogies is 1,800 mm, and the trailer bogies is 1,500 mm.<ref name=":0" /> The diameter of new and worn wheels is 590 mm and 530 mm, respectively.<ref name=":5" />
=== Drive system === ''Puma'' tram is powered by [[direct current]] drawn from an [[Overhead line|overhead lines]] via a [[current collector]] mounted on the roof of the middle section, supplied by Stemmann.<ref name=":2" /> The drive is provided by four [[Induction motor|induction motors]] type STDa 250-4A from EMIT, each with a power output of 95 kW. The tram uses impulse starting based on [[Insulated-gate bipolar transistor|IGBT]] transistors.<ref name=":2" />
== Operation == {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" !Country !City !Operator !Number of units !Fleet numbers !Delivery years !Operational years !Source |- |Poland |[[Poznań]] |{{Interlanguage link|MPK Poznań|pl|Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Komunikacyjne w Poznaniu}} |1 |450 |2007 |2008–2011 |<ref name=":1" /> |} [[File:118N Puma RB1.JPG|thumb|''Puma'' on the streets of Poznań]] In December 2008, MPK Poznań leased ''Puma'' for four years, and on 15 December 2008, it began operation on the less busy lines no. 5 and 13. However, the tram frequently experienced breakdowns and spent a significant amount of time in the depot.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |date=2019-02-07 |title=Tramwajowe prototypy wczoraj i dziś - zbiorowy.info |url=https://zbiorowy.info/2019/02/tramwajowe-prototypy-wczoraj-i-dzis/ |access-date=2024-07-04 |website=zbiorowy.info |language=pl-PL}}</ref>
In March 2011, the vehicle was involved in a collision, necessitating repairs to the front end. The manufacturer completed the repairs in August 2011, but after traveling only 18 km, the tram broke down again. By December 2011, the issues with the drive control system had not been resolved, and the operator could no longer afford to lease the Puma, resulting in the tram's return to the H. Cegielski factory.<ref name=":6" />
== References == <references />
[[Category:Tram vehicles of Poland]] [[Category:Transport in Poznań]] [[Category:Train-related introductions in 2008]]