[Buses in Beijing]华宇 Huayu BJD-WG120A <Trolley-bus> 北京公交集团 BPT #85773 Front-left at Liangguochang

[Buses in Beijing]华宇 Huayu BJD-WG120A 北京公交集团 BPT #85773 Front-left at Liangguochang

            A renovated BJD-WG120A 12m standard floor non-air-conditioning trolley-bus built by Beijing Huayu Trolley-bus Plant

In late 1990s, because of its auxiliary power and the capability of off-wire operating, BJD-WG120A is a pioneer among Chinese trolley-buses. China carried out its splendid “party”, actually an army march and civilian parade, on Changan Avenue on October 1, 1999 for the country's 50th national day. For that reason, trolleybus wires had to be removed from some crossings (for example, Xidan Crossing, Wangfujing Crossing, etc.) along Changan Avenue in order to raise the clearance for the military vehicles, and to avoid “visual pollution” of the entangled wires overhead. The national day called BJD-WG120A into existence.

Very square and box-liked in looking, BJD-WG120A is never remarked “sleek”, but as 10 years fled since the design, many bus fans still consider it very handsome. Built on a rear-engine-rear-drive chassis primarily based on Steyr 91 heavy-duty truck, BJD-WG120A has a long body reaching 11.98m, long front and rear overhangs and a 6m long wheelbase among buses at its time in China. However, the truck chassis also contributes to its three-step entrances and a floor as high as either 750mm (only the first batch) or 900mm. No one found the ride on BJD-WG120A comfortable since multi-leaf spring suspensions and drum brakes hardly provide comfort for passengers aboard. Driving this bulk is a 60kW DC motor from Shanghai.

The earliest BJD-WG120As were built in 1999 and were dispatched onto lines like 103 since these lines were via important crossings where wires were demolished. At these novelties’ debut in 1999, passengers were surprised to see trolley-buses de-poling during movement and poling automatically under a pair of “little roofs” (actually pole catchers). BPT observed the success and placed an extra order of hundreds of units. With new BJD-WG120As joining service, overhead wires at some other places like Baiyunlu, Dongdan and Beijing Railway Station are also removed to give way to the “clear street scenery”.

In the picture, Fleet No. 85773 (Trolley-buses Division, Trolley-bus, Code 773) on line 112 is making a U-turn before pulling into its first stop Liangguochang. From Liangguochang stop people can clearly see East Imperial Palace Wall Corner North Crossing stop, which is the final stop for Line 115. Although no trolley-bus travels between these two stops, overhead wire reserves for minor maneuvers. Originally built in 2001, Fleet No. 85773 is a third batch BJD-WG120A featuring white door frames and square-cornered door glasses. Among many units of the third batch of this model, it has its exterior paint, floor, lamps, route signs and tires replaced in 2009. Not all units have their tube tires replaced by Michelin tubeless tires.

Taken on: November 26, 2009

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Beijing

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trolley-bus

trackless trolley

standard floor

bus

Beijing Huayu

Beijing old town

北京

公交车

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北京公共交通控股（集团）有限公司

标准地板城市客车

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中国

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北京公交

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Sets appears in: • Trolley-buses and Electric Buses in Beijing

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