When the
Rhine-Ruhr Stadtbahn network was planned in the early 1970s, standardised rolling stock was planned as well. At the same time, a second Stadtbahn network was planned for Cologne and Bonn. Because the future
Cologne Stadtbahn already had one finished tunnel, that was built with the city's own money with streetcars in mind, the
Stadtbahnwagen designed for the Rhine-Ruhr network was not suitable. So, another vehicle was designed for the Cologne/Bonn network, that was capable of driving though tighter curves. This vehicle, now referred to as
Stadtbahnwagen Typ B was immediately ordered by transport authorities in Cologne and Bonn, while Rhine-Ruhr authorities remained hesitant about "their" vehicle, now renamed
Stadtbahnwagen Typ A. Eventually it was decided that the type "A" LRV was too unwieldy and type "B" LRVs were ordered by
Essen,
Mülheim,
Düsseldorf,
Duisburg,
Dortmund and
Bochum.
Replacement In the German cities the
Typ B is being replaced by different models from different manufactures: • Bochum: Stadler
Tango • Bonn: Bombardier
Flexity Swift (K5000) and
CAF HF • Cologne: Bombardier
Flexity Swift (K5000, K5200, HF6) • Dortmund:
Vamos HF • Düsseldorf: Bombardier
Flexity Swift (HF6) and Siemens
Avenio HF • Duisburg: Siemens
Avenio HF • Essen:
CAF HF1 == Subtypes ==