LM-33

The LM-33 is a four-axle Soviet tram, produced by the Petersburg Tram Mechanical Factory (PTMF) from 1933 to 1939.

LM-33 "Americana"
LM-33 and LP-33 tram and trailer crossing the Staro-Nikolsky bridge in Saint Petersburg
Manufacturer	Petersburg Tram Mechanical Factory
Designer	D.I. Kondratiev
Constructed	1933–1939
Entered service	1933–18 March 1979
Number built	232
Number preserved	3 (2 × LM-33; 1 × LP-44)
Capacity	178 (49 seated, 129 standing)
Specifications
Car length	15,000 mm (49 ft 3 in)
Width	2,600 mm (8 ft 6 in)
Height	3,318 mm (10 ft 10.6 in)
Wheelbase	7,500 mm (24 ft 7 in) (between bolsters) 1,800 mm (5 ft 11 in) (between axles)
Maximum speed	50 km/h (31 mph)
Weight	22.2 t (24.5 tons)
Traction motors	4 × PT-35 or 4 × DTI-60
Power output	40 kW (54 hp) (PT-35) or 55 kW (74 hp) (DTI-60)
Power supply	DC-7B controller
Wheels driven	8
Bogies	2
Braking system(s)	Pneumatic direct motion and hand-wheeled motorized shoe
Track gauge	1,524 mm (5 ft)

History

In the early 1930s, D.I. Kondratiev and a group of Leningrad specialists visited America to learn about local developments. A new model of the Leningrad tram was derived from this research trip based on the Peter Witt design. The design was modified in accordance with Soviet domestic requirements; in particular, the width of the wagon was reduced. The first tram of this design was produced by PTMF. It was originally named MA (Mоторный Aмериканского типа), and its unpowered trailer was named PA (rus. ПА, Прицепной Aмериканского типa). The model quickly earned the nickname "American". Later for political reasons, the wagon names were changed to LM-33 (Leningradsky Motorny projekta 1933 goda) and LP-33 (Leningradsky Pritsepnoy projekta 1933 goda), respectively.

LM-33 and LP-33 were built between 1933 and 1939.

Operation

LM-33/LP-33 trains were operated in Leningrad from 1933 until March 18, 1979.

Preservation

Two copies of LM-33 have survived in the electric transportation museum in Saint Petersburg: motor 4275 (undergoing restoration) and the loading platform at the LM-33 No. 4435 (awaiting restoration). An LP-33 trailer (number 4454) is also being restored.

See also

• Trams in Saint Petersburg

External links

• LM-33 at site «Ретро-трамвай - Петербургская классика.» (in Russian)
• LM-33 at site «Нижегородский Трамвай-Троллейбус» (in Russian)
• LM-33 at site «piter-tram.de» (in German)