The world’s longest tram is now underway to connect three cities in the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan region in southwestern Germany. Specifically, this impressive vehicle connects Mannheim, Ludwigshafen y Heidelbergsetting a new world record with its 58.61 meters in length.
With the capacity to accommodate 368 passengersthis record tram can reach speeds up to 80 km/h and it works both on urban and interurban routessimilar to a S-Bahn system.
“It is the longest continuous tram in the world. We are proud of it here in Mannheim and in the region“said Christian Specht, mayor of Mannheim, during the presentation of the vehicle in September.
A tradition of records
The tram’s innovative modular design allows it to Divided into sections for easy maintenance o adapt to different lengths according to the needs of the transportation system.
Manufactured by the Czech Škoda group, the vehicle was delivered to Mannheim in September and is part of a project valued at more than 260 million euros which will be fully implemented by the end of 2026.
The company Rhine-Neckar Transport Company (RNV)in charge of its operation, is not new to setting records. In the decade of 1960the same company already operated the longest tram in the world at the time, at 38.55 meters. Now, the new model displaces the previous record, held by a nine-section, 55.9-meter tram that has circulated in Budapest since 2016.
The longest passenger train in the world
Although this tram has marked a milestone, its length pales compared to the longest passenger train in the worldwhich circulated in Switzerland in 2022. This rail colossus, operated by the Rhaetian Railways, had 100 wagons, 25 locomotives and measured 1,910 meters.
The train, designed to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the Swiss Federal Railways, ran along the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Albula line at a maximum speed of 35 km/h. Despite the Altitude challenges and tight turns, completed the route in 46 minutesentering the Guinness Book of Records.
