The most important information (click to go)
- The scope of work includes, e.g., the replacement of tracks and inspection pits, the construction of a new warehouse, the reconstruction of installed systems and the supply of modern workshop equipment.
- The reconstruction of track sections inside the hall will allow for more efficient movement of trams and more efficient maintenance. This will give the hall new functionality and allow it to accommodate more tram units for ongoing maintenance and repairs.
Renovation of Hall 1 at the Gaj depot. What is going to change?
The hall will be equipped with modern equipment:
- an underfloor wheel lathe for machining wheels and brake discs (without dismantling the bogies),
- a column crane with 0.5 ton lifting capacity and wired control system,
- a 8-column lift ensuring the safe lifting of entire wagons,
- a single-sided 35 m long working platform,
- hydraulic presses, a cabin sandblaster, industrial retractors, and a forklift truck.
The whole project has been designed with safety in mind – for example, it will be possible to turn off voltage in the overhead line during the operation of equipment.
They will start with design work, the renovation will be completed in 2027
The contractor for the project is a consortium consisting of the Network and Power Plant and the Gut Construction company. The work will start with the creation of the design, which will take six months. After a construction permit is obtained, the works are expected to take 10 months.
Witold Woźny, President of MPK Wroclaw: ‘This is another step towards the creation of a modern, safe and fully functional tram service facility in Wroclaw. This modernisation will improve both the working conditions and the technical capacity to maintain the rolling stock.
MPK needs more modern depots
The modernisation will also enable a more comprehensive service of vehicles without the need to outsource expensive work.
Przemysław Nowicki, Vice President of MPK Wroclaw: ‘The modernisation of Hall 1 is more than a renovation. This investment allows us to modernise technical facilities and raise the standards of rolling stock service.
A major change for MPK will be the installation of the aforementioned underfloor wheel lathe at the Gaj depot. This is a device for the reconditioning of tram wheels that do not wear evenly. This kind of lathe makes it possible to restore their correct profile without dismantling the carriage. In a nutshell: the tram enters a specialised stand at the depot and, once the processing is complete, leaves it ready to run around the city again.
MPK has this kind of lathe at the Borek depot. After the renovation at Gaj and the supplementation of the depot equipment, it will not be necessary to deliver trams to Borek to get their wheels in order.
History of the Gaj depot
The Gaj depot is located in the Huby housing estate. At the intersection of Ślężna and Kamienna. It is a beautiful facility from the early 20th century. For lovers of industrial atmosphere and industrial monuments, a visit to this place is a real treat.
In 1902, the facility was built by Städtischer Strassenbahn Breslau. There were two halls here. The complex was expanded with two further halls in 1910.
During the fights for Wroclaw in 1945, the depot was seriously damaged. The original administration building has not survived. Today, a modernist block stands in its place.
