That Time When Freight Was Transported on Trams

In Germany Volkswagen had an idea to showcase to people how they made their cars and to do this the decided to create a factory that would also be about half museum. They also wanted to place it in the centre of a city so it could be accessible to the public. This resulted in the need to transport cargo frequently to the factory without causing an increase in traffic or taking up too much space. This led to the creation of the CarGo Tram which was a tram just for cargo which is so far the only recent attempt at this.
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[@Theophan123]

I'm honestly surprised that even public transit KZbinrs don't talk about reviving freight trams. They're the replacement to multiple-wheeler trucks in cities in the same way trams can be the alternative to cars. I think that urban freight transportation in general is a neglected aspect of urban planning discussion. Because cities shouldn't just be designed for people (as passengers or pedestrians) but also for cargo/freight/luggage. Trucks have the same effect of increasing traffic as cars.

[@topphatt1312]

Also the Zurich ones that do garbage collection is a good way to get big loud stinky garbage trucks off the street.

[@nc3826]

I totally agree with the sentiment.... But the logistics of unloading and loading cargo is vastly more complex.... Then loading and unloading autonomous bipedal humans.... KZbin wannabe experts have the luxury to ignore the complexity of the real world....

[@grahamturner2640]

@@nc3826cargo from cargo trams wouldn’t be unloaded at typical passenger tram stations, just like cargo from 18 wheelers isn’t unloaded where people enter the facility. Those big trucks have their own loading docks.

[@nc3826]

@@grahamturner2640with all due respect what you're stating is a given and doesn't address the point I made....

[@nc3826]

VW did the final assembly in a city. Not because it was efficient or cost effective, but as a marketing tool. Which failed to significantly increase sales and ultimately doomed it to failure.

[@Pensyfan19]

Nice video. I suppose the closest thing the U.S. had to this was freight service by interurbans.

[@JessicaKasumi1990]

Welcome back to KZbin, I've missed seeing your videos. This is a nice video, and welcome back.

[@nyrailfan202]

Thank you

[@JessicaKasumi1990]

@@nyrailfan202 You're welcome, buddy.

[@nc3826]

Nicely done synopsis, of freight transport via tram. Thanks.

[@ROTE]

This is very interesting, nice video

[@nyrailfan202]

Thank you

[@grahamturner2640]

I wonder if this style of tram service could be used by state postal services, assuming post offices are near the line. Out in Tempe, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix, there’s a USPS post office next to the light rail line (just in front of the Smith-Martin/Apache Boulevard station), and cargo trams could be used to connect that to whatever the USPS uses as their main distribution center for the Phoenix metro area. I also wonder if huge stores or malls in city centers or along tram lines could also use the same kind of service.

[@nc3826]

Did you check the interconnectivity in terms of tram lines between those distribution points and post offices? Seems like an interesting idea, but I doubt the infrastructure exists, to make the expenditure worthwhile. For example VW spent over 6 million marks for this cargo tram and it ultimately failed. Sorry my background is in engineering and finance. I love ideas that theoretically improve efficiency, but I also tend to look at their feasibility too. Hope you get it built, Since I also love when, my doubts are proven wrong lol.

[@nc3826]

"state postal services"?

[@drguppy7861]

I s as w this video and I was like tramalammadingdong because I am loving trams that much I mean what great devices ooOooOoOoOOo

[@AndrewTheRadarMan]

1:00 Gas, car and tire manufacters lobbied law makers to out-law trams or straight up bought them to shut them down. We would have more trams today if it wasn't for those companies.

[@nyrailfan202]

Absolutely what happened, especially with Inter urban railroads. Even the UK’s secretary if transportation in the 30’s I think owned a paving company.

[@nc3826]

@@nyrailfan202 Trams are a public good.... So ultimately we the public, are to blame.... Not the companies for trying to maximize profit...

[@DougGrinbergs]

3:37 wondering if any other manufacturer will use the trams

[@tateorrtot]

What was the new logistic strategy? Did they start using semi trucks?

[@nc3826]

"Transparent Factory" wikipedia page has info on it.... Production switched from the Golf to the ID3.... So apparently logistically the tram was no longer a viable option? It's a shame since the tram costs billions to produce... If you can find out any more specifics, feel free to get back to me....

[@Kishanth.J]

@@nc3826were their any other reasons for why they stopped using the Cargo Tram? And was this model replicated elsewhere?

[@nc3826]

@@Kishanth.J VW produced automobiles in the city, as a marketing tool.... But its inherent inefficiency killed it off.... The cargo tram reduced the inefficiency, but it couldn't eliminate it.... Your second question maybe addressed in the Wikipedia page, that I previously mentioned....

[@vectronik]

Is there any info where these trams are standing? On the VW terrain?

[@nc3826]

There is a wikipedia page on it...