Ever since British Trams Online started we have only shown trams either operated or built within the British Isles but as part of our 15th anniversary celebrations we are trying something a bit different as we take a look at trams from around the world in this new pictorial series. Currently this will only be during December 2017 but if you want to see more of this please let us know and we will see if the series continues into 2018. For the first edition of this series we head to Hong Kong for an image of two of their iconic double deck trams.
Taken on 6th November 2017 we see two double deckers in this image which was taken through the open window on the top deck of another tram. On the right 76 is approaching the camera on its way to Western Market whilst we also see 150 moving away from the camera. Showing that all over adverts aren’t only seen in the British Isles both trams are carrying different ads. Both of these trams are part of a batch of post-war cars which were rebuilt between 1987 and 1992.
Photograph by Frank Bagshaw
That is a good idea. Even if it were restricted to heritage tram operations in Europe or further afield, there is plenty to interest the UK tram enthusiast. The museum tram line in Amsterdam sometimes run tourist specials over the main network and I was lucky enough to hitch a ride on a 1929 Blue tram ( similar to the one at Carlton Coleville) from the main railway station back to the depot. In Belgium there is the ASVI tramway near Charleroi which runs on part of the old Vicinal network. I haven’t yet been there myself but it it is on my wish list.
This is a good idea and I hope that it will continue. Whilst it may be difficult to get to the other side of the world it is possible to get to some of the European tramway systems quite easily. Indeed living near to Gatwick I have even made day trips to a number of systems. I particularly like Basel where for the moment it is still possible to ride 1967/8 high floor bogie cars. My last visit in October I saw at least four of the heritage cars running around the system – presumably to ensure that they were serviceable and to keep enough drivers to crew them.