The Stadtbahnwagen Typ B (translation Type "B" Light Rail Vehicle, short form B-Wagen) is a light rail vehicle used by several Stadtbahn networks in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia as well as by the Bursaray network in Bursa, Turkey. It was mainly developed by Düsseldorf-based Duewag, who also built the majority of vehicles in a consortium with Siemens and Kiepe. A small series of ten units was built by Waggon Union in Berlin. The first prototypes – two to Cologne and one to Bonn– were delivered in 1973.
As the type evolved over two decades of production, some vehicles have little more in common than their outer dimensions and the basic configuration of a two-part multiple unit on three bogies with both outer ones powered. For the Dortmund Stadtbahn, some cars were modified with a central section and a fourth bogie. These vehicles are referred to as B8 or B80C/8 (eight axles). These vehicles have a length of and a weight of . Dortmund has also ordered 34 newly built B-Wagen of the B80D/Vamos HF type; deliveries are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2027.
History When the Rhine-Ruhr Stadtbahn network was planned in the early 1970s, standardised rolling stock was planned as well. At the same time, a second Stadtbahn network was planned for Cologne and Bonn. Because the future Cologne Stadtbahn already had one finished tunnel, that was built with the city's own money with streetcars in mind, the Stadtbahnwagen designed for the Rhine-Ruhr network was not suitable. So, another vehicle was designed for the Cologne/Bonn network, that was capable of driving through tighter curves.
This vehicle, now referred to as Stadtbahnwagen Typ B was immediately ordered by transport authorities in Cologne and Bonn, while Rhine-Ruhr authorities remained hesitant about "their" vehicle, now renamed Stadtbahnwagen Typ A. Eventually it was decided that the type "A" LRV was too unwieldy and type "B" LRVs were ordered by Essen, Mülheim, Düsseldorf, Duisburg, Dortmund and Bochum. The type "A" concept, which consists of close coupled two-car sets, was shelved and later revived for the Stuttgart Stadtbahn.
The Typ B formed the basis for the British-built Metrocars on the Tyne and Wear Metro, which opened in 1980. It was adapted for the Americas and sold under the Siemens brand as the SD-400/460 from 1985 to 2005. The Typ B also formed the basis for the vehicles used on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which opened in 1987.
Replacement In the German cities the Typ B is being replaced by different models from different manufacturers: Bochum: Stadler Tango Bonn: Bombardier Flexity Swift (K5000) and CAF HF Cologne: Bombardier Flexity Swift (K5000, K5200, HF6) Dortmund: Vamos HF (B80D) Düsseldorf: Bombardier Flexity Swift (HF6) and Siemens Avenio HF Duisburg: Siemens Avenio HF Essen: CAF HF1
Subtypes Different variants are usually referred to by a combination of their top speed and a letter denoting the engine type. B100S , SIMATIC-Schaltwerksteuerung (SIMATIC-regulated camshaft control) B80C , Chopper control B80D , Drehstromantrieb (three-phase motors)
The B80D designation describes the use of three-phase traction motors, but it does not denote a single standardised mechanical drive arrangement. The Düsseldorf B80D has one longitudinal three-phase motor in each of its two powered bogies; each motor drives both axles of its bogie through two gearboxes. By contrast, Reinhardt describes the Cologne B80D of series 2200/2300 as having two individual drives in each powered bogie, giving four traction motors and a combined one-hour rating of per car. A 2025 KVB motor-maintenance tender identifies the traction-machine component used on series 2200 and 2300 as the Siratrac Stator. The Bochum B80D used four individual axle drives rated at each in its original configuration.
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