Hannibal and Chruschtschow

The Oberhausen Articulated Tram

The Oberhausen articulated tram occupies a special place in German tramway history. The series comprised only seven vehicles, each designed specifically for the operational requirements of the Oberhausen tram system. The background was a fleet that had become outdated by the 1950s, while Oberhausen continued to rely on the advantages of three-axle tramcars.

In Vereinigte Westdeutsche Waggonfabriken (VWW) in Cologne-Deutz, the first three vehicles 361 to 363 were built in 1958/59. These were articulated trams with a 3 + 3 axle configuration in bi-directional design, as the Oberhausen network consisted largely of stub-end termini. The two powered sections were connected by a suspended centre module.

However, the three vehicles were equipped with only two 60-kW traction motors, making them noticeably underpowered. Their sluggish acceleration and heavy handling quickly earned them the humorous nickname "Chruschtschow".

Technical Data

The tram featured:

• a total length of 21.3 m,
• a width of 2.18 m,
• two 60-kW motors (later vehicles had four motors),
• an empty weight of 26 t for cars 364 - 367.

The first three vehicles (361 - 363) entered service in May 1959 on line 1, operating between Oberhausen-Holten station and Mülheim. In 1961, four additional vehicles (364 - 367) followed, featuring stronger motorisation and increased weight.

Due to their significantly higher performance compared to the ageing rest of the fleet, these later vehicles soon received the nickname "Hannibal".

Service History

Initially, the articulated trams operated on lines 1 and 2.

After the closure of line 2 (Buschhausen - Oberhausen Südmarkt) in October 1965, they briefly ran on line 3 (Altstaden - Lipperheidebaum). When this line was discontinued in October 1966, only line 1 remained as their operational route - until tram service in Oberhausen ended completely on 13 October 1968.

Withdrawal and Fate

Although the vehicles were still nearly as good as new when tram operations in Oberhausen ceased, only cars 364 - 367 found a buyer. From 1968 to 1974, they operated in a new livery for the Aachen tramway.

Cars 361 - 363 were stored at the Mülheim depot and later scrapped. The Aachen vehicles met the same fate after the closure of tram operations there.

As a result, not a single example of this distinctive and charming tram type has survived.



Reference:

1. Binder, S.: Der Gelenktriebwagen Typ "Oberhausen": "Hannibal" und "Chruschtschow"
   in: Carbo Magazin 12 (2002), S. 17 - 20.

© Michaela Barz-Berg

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