On Thursday, 23 July 2025, a used MGT6D tram from Heidelberg completed its first scheduled service on the metre-gauge line 88 of the Schöneicher-Rüdersdorfer Straßenbahn (SRS) near Berlin. The three-car six-axle vehicles were acquired from Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr GmbH (Heidelberg) and are intended to gradually expand the SRS fleet while also increasing barrier-free access.
For several years now, SRS has been facing an acute shortage of vehicles due to traffic accidents and defective vehicles, even though three Škoda Transtech Artic low-floor railcars were purchased between 2019 and 2020, one of which is currently out of service at the manufacturer’s premises. We reported on the trams from Helsinki here:
The MGT6D is a three-section low-floor articulated tram that was developed between 1992 and 2001 by Duewag for several German cities, including Bochum, Erfurt, Halle, Heidelberg and Mülheim/Oberhausen. These vehicles were procured for Heidelberg between 1994 and 1995. They have six wheel sets, modern three-phase drives and, thanks to their articulated design, offer a low-floor area of around 65%. The middle section rests on two single-wheel bogies, allowing step-free access in the area of the middle doors. The Heidelberg MGT6Ds contribute significantly to accessibility in the Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr GmbH (rnv) network.
The first tram transferred to Schöneiche (ex RNV 3264) was used for test runs in autumn 2024, but was severely damaged in a storm at the depot in November. The A-section had to be scrapped in January, and the remaining parts of the tram are now being used for spare parts.
In spring 2025, three more MGT6D trams arrived, numbered 61, 67 and 69, which are expected to enter service in the coming weeks/months. Tramcar 69 (ex 3269), which had originally been taken out of service, was reactivated, underwent a major inspection and was painted in the SRS colours. The vehicles have two doors on each side, making them compatible with ticket sales by the driver. With around 65% low-floor area, they represent a significant improvement over the older Tatra KTNF6.
The low-floor fleet continues to be supplemented by the former Cottbus KT4D-NF No. 26 – 29 as well as Mülheim M6C-NF No. 77, which has been in reliable service since 2022 and will not be replaced during ongoing operations for the time being. Its sister vehicle, No. 78, has since been taken out of service.
The long-term success of the Heidelberg cars depends on the supply of spare parts and the condition of the used vehicles. Nevertheless, their use is an important step towards further modernising the small East Brandenburg company.
‘Dracula on rails’ – GT6 homemade in Schöneiche
An unusual vehicle has been the talk of the town in the Schöneicher-Rüdersdorfer Straßenbahn (SRS) fleet for some time now: the so-called ‘Frankenstein’ GT6. The nickname refers to the unusual history of this railcar, which was created from the remains of two damaged GT6 vehicles.
Following a serious accident in 2023, two of the Düwag articulated railcars last used in Heidelberg were so badly damaged that refurbishing them individually no longer made economic sense. Instead, SRS decided to reassemble an operational vehicle from the undamaged halves of both cars. The resulting ‘Frankenstein’ GT6 was given the internal car number 37.5 – in reference to its divided origins.
After testing and approval by the technical supervisory authority, the unique vehicle was put into regular service. Technically, it is a classic GT6 bidirectional vehicle. The car has since been added to the small SRS fleet and is used as a reserve or reinforcement vehicle when needed. However, with the gradual commissioning of the MGT6D railcars, also from Heidelberg, the use of the so-called ‘Frankenstein’ or Dracula GT6 is likely to come to an end.
29.07.2025
