“Space” car 71-628-01 – in almost all “tram” cities of the Russian Federation

The low-floor tram was developed by the Ust-Katavsky plant back in 2013. However, due to a breakdown in relations with its trading house, which owned the rights to the carriage, the production of the new model was postponed for several years. The first renderings of the tram with the factory index 71-628 were presented to the public only in the fall of 2020.


In the spring of 2021, UKVZ began supplying cars to Taganrog: in total, the city received 41 cars (contract value - 11,9 billion rubles). A modified version of the 71-628M, which received its own name "Sinara", was supposed to be delivered to the capital. However, the delay in completing the order did not satisfy the Muscovites and the contract was canceled. Ten carriages that were built were also sent to Taganrog.


The third version of the tram under the index 71-628-01 was developed for Chelyabinsk. The order for 74 cars was completed last year. The model with the last two digits “02” was purchased by St. Petersburg (14 units) and Lipetsk (28 units). What is a “space” tram?

71-628-02

This is the index of the latest version of the car from Ust-Katavsk. The main advantage of the “low-floor” model over its predecessors is increased smoothness. The service life is declared by the manufacturer to be thirty years. This already says a lot.

Salon

The tram is designed for 115 passengers, forty of whom can sit on chairs. The doors are wide enough (you can enter with a child or wheelchair) and have LED lighting. There are connectors for charging gadgets and Wi-Fi. In winter, the microclimate is provided by a heating system, in summer - by air conditioning. For the convenience of passengers, electronic route signs have been installed.

Technical advantages

One of the main features of this particular model is a video system that provides all-round visibility. A necessary function, relevant in the cramped streets of any city. I would also like to mention “driver assistants,” as they call them in cars. This refers to the artificial intelligence Cognitive Tram Pilot. For example, the system will stop the tram itself if an obstacle suddenly appears on the tracks.


The driver's cabin is also comfortable: the glazing is panoramic, which is already noticeable from the outside. To increase safety, additional mirrors are provided. Machine control is at the most modern level: using an interactive monitor and a joystick. In practice, it is enough to use one hand to make the tram move or stop.


In technical terms, everything is in order too: from digital instruments to such unusual indicators as, for example, a passenger flow sensor. It allows you to count the number of people entering/exiting. Monitoring data helps optimize the amount of public transport on routes.


One cannot help but mention the design, which is reminiscent of some kind of science fiction movie, especially when the running lights are turned on. They are located on the front mask in the form of an arc passing through the top of the car and ending near the headlights.

What is a tram made from?

The main shareholder of the enterprise is Roscosmos: an organization engaged not only in the production of devices for the exploration of the Universe, but also in military-industrial products. However, the famous Uralvagonzavod also “sins” in similar matters: its tram model under the symbol 71-407 is operated in eleven cities of Russia.


Tram components are manufactured in Russia. For example, computer electronics are supplied by St. Petersburg, and seats for passengers are assembled in Samara. In conclusion, it is worth adding: in 95% of Russian cities with tram infrastructure, cars from the Ust-Katavsky plant are used.