On 4 September 2023, I visited Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia. It was the first day of the Slovak school year, which is important because there are many more old trams in service than during the school holidays.
The range of types in Bratislava is quite wide. For me, the main attraction was the tram of trams, the truly iconic Tatra T3. The only type I came across that day was the Tatra T3P, the most modernised T3 in Bratislava. Unfortunately, the T3M and T3G types, which are more similar to the original, were not in service that day. T3M is no longer in service, and only 4 T3G units remaind in service, mostly as reserves.
While the T3s are now pretty rare, the Tatra T6A5s are dominating lines 4 and 9. On these long, frequent lines, there are more T6A5s than all other types (Škoda, T3) combined. It was an interesting experience, as in Košice, the T6A5 is the rare type, with only one unit (622+623) in service.
In Bratislava, T6A5s run in three colour schemes.
A good number of them still have the original factory paintwork. In the old days, all the trams left the Tatra factory gates in this colour scheme, which I think is the most beautiful. Also the newer trams with the blue-grey-red colour scheme are in service. Also present is the latest colour scheme, the full red livery to match the Škoda trams and the buses. I can see the point of a uniform fleet colour, but I think it looks distinctly out of place on the Tatras.
In addition to the majority folding-door cars, there are also swing-doors. In terms of interior, the original look is predominant, interestingly with grey leatherette seats instead of black. There are also trams with modernised interiors, with dull plastic seats and different coloured trim.
From the inside, Škoda trams are very similar to their Miskolc counterparts, only lower, narrower and shorter. The sound is the same, only quieter in the inside. It was a strange feeling to ride in them, like riding in a scaled-down version of the Miskolc models. In the city, the 29T is a one-way and the 30T a two-way model.
The video also shows Bratislava's last original looking Tatra K2. This is a Tatra K2G, the only one in use in the city, but only 8 of the type were built. It differs from the original K2 in its electrical equipment, cab and passenger compartment, but retains its original front.
The other Bratislava K2s were modernised to the Tatra K2S type. They are basically the same as the K2G, but they have a new, and in my subjective opinion, particularly ugly front.
The K2 was the Tatra factory's first articulated tram, basically born as an articulated version of the T3. The experience gained with it was the basis for the later popular KT4 or KT8D5 types.
In the nostalgia fleet of Bratislava there is only one completely original K2 (317) left, which very rarely makes herritage runs. In addition, the 8133, converted into a training tram, also has an original front, but is not much used any more. The 7086 still exists, but it has not been in service since 2009 and is no longer used.
Watch the first part here: • Pozsony villamosai 202...
Content:
0:00 Outside filming
5:24 Short riding scene - Tatra T3P
8:13 Outside filming
10:50 Short riding scene - Tatra T6A5
11:38 Outside filming
12:45 Short riding scene - Tatra K2S
13:20 Outside filming
13:53 Short riding scene - Tatra K2S
14:35 Outside filming
14:46 Short riding scene - Tatra K2G
16:28 Outside filming
16:53 Closing screen