Tatra T2

Tatra T2
Tatra T2 in Pilsen
In service1955–2018 (2020–present)
ManufacturerČKD Tatra
AssemblyCzechoslovakia Prague
Family nameTatra
Constructed1957–1962
Entered service1955
Number built771
Number preserved10
PredecessorTatra T1
SuccessorTatra T3
Capacity100 / 94 (T2SU)
Specifications
Car length14,000 mm (45 ft 11 in)
Width2,500 mm (8 ft 2 in)
Height3,050 mm (10 ft 0 in)
Doors3 / 2 (T2SU)
Maximum speed65 km/h (40 mph)
Weight17,318 kg (38,180 lb)
Engine typeTM 22
Traction motors4
Power output4×40 kW
Electric system(s)600 V DC
Current collector(s)pantograph
Wheels driven4
Coupling systemAlbert
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+12 in), 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in), 1,524 mm (5 ft)

T2 is the name of a tramcar, produced by Tatra. The tramcar was produced between 1955 and 1962, and a total of 771 cars were produced.

The very first T2 prototypes were tested as number 6001 and 6002 in Prague in 1955. In 1958, the first series of produced cars were delivered to almost all Czechoslovak networks. They were not put into service in Jablonec, because of an ongoing discussion on whether to keep or not to keep the track width of 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+38 in), nor in Prague, where the cars were considered too wide.

The T2s were more durable than their predecessor, the T1, and so also more long-lived. The last T2s were superseded in the 1980s, although some vehicles remain in museums. Some T1 vehicles were converted into T3 during the 1960s.