CITY
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Location: 627 km. southwest of Moscow
Founded: 1663
Population: 159 800 (1939)
Population: 507 697 (2010)
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NETWORK
DESCRIPTION
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A diesel narrow gauge tramway operated in Penza between 1935-1937. The line was opened due to a severe shortage of public transit in the city. A single train operated between the city center and the working class and industrial neighborhood adjacent to what was officially known as the Velozavod factory (the Bicycle factory), later known as the ZIF factory. The latter was actually an important secret military combine that employed 39000 workers. The combine was the principle initiator behind the tram line’s construction. The line closed within less than 2 years as it was plagued by technical, operational, organizational and economic problems.
System map
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HISTORY
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1935 – The tram operation opens from Dramteatr to Velozavod, via Bakunina Ul., Plekhanova Ul., the tunnel under the Main Railway Station Penza-I, Kuznetskaya Ul., Proletarskaya Ul., Zavodskoe Shosse.
Fall 1937 – The tram operation ends.
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TRACK
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Track length: 2,8 km
Gauge: 750 mm
The entire line was single-track with stub-end terminals. The only passing points were at the terminals, allowing for a motor car to by-pass its trailers in order to change ends. The line utilized a tunnel under the main railway station rail yard that was built prior to the 1917 Revolution and still exists today as a pedestrian underpass. The track was amateurishly laid and thus was of a poor quality. Some curves boasted a radius that was too tight. These factors, combined with a narrow gauge, meant that derailments were a common occurrence, including one case of a train overturning. Derailments were mostly resolved by way of passengers putting cars back on track.
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OPERATION
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A shuttle operation involving one single train was notoriously unreliable, plagued with prolonged waits and cancellations. The operation was carried out by the city, however, the Velozavod factory was in charge of system’s maintenance. This created responsibility complications. In addition, the line became an economic burden for the city.
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ROLLING
STOCK
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 Diesel motor car + 2 trailers (1935)
The entire rolling stock consisted of a single motor car and two trailers, coupled into one train. Tram cars were of a unique design, that didn’t conform to mainstream tramcar building practices of the times. Doors were provided on one side only. The coupling mechanism was simplified. It is assumed that these cars were built by the Velozavod combine. The maintenance was provided by the combine. The motor car was damaged by fire during an unfortunate refueling accident, but was restored.
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BACK
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Usage of material found herein for public display is possible with authors' permission only.
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