More second-hand trams for Konotop

The Ukrainian city of Konotop (population 85 600) was retaken by the Ukrainian army in April 2022 after being occupied by Russian troops since February 2022. The three-line 28.7km tramway system, opened in December 1949, was suspended during the occupation, with many of the fleet of 16 1980s KTM5 and ex-Riga T3 trams damaged. Service has since resumed in a limited way and in February 2023 the Polish capital, Warszawa, sent 10 (ultimately 23) withdrawn 105Na bogie trams to Konotop as humanitarian aid. They are slowly being re-gauged from 1435mm to 1524mm so they can enter service on the Russian-gauge system this summer. 

 

Now the mayor of Konotop, Artie Semenichen, has visited Ostrava in the Czech republic where the city has agreed to donate withdrawn rolling stock to Ukraine. 25 trams of type T3 and T6 are on the list, together with three Solaris buses. All are in good condition, but replaced by newer trams and buses. Although there has been a symbolic handover, and the buses can be easily driven east, tram transport will take some time to arrange.