Trams (aka: light rail) were a popular public transport option in many Australian cities for the first half of the 20th C, however the tramways faced decline as buses became more popular and economical until only Melbourne and nominally Adelaide retained their light rail systems.
Perth maintained it's tram heritage as a tourist attraction at Whiteman Park (pictured above).
"Of the Australian capital cities which closed their networks between the 1950s and 1970s (only Melbourne and Adelaide retained trams, although Adelaide only had one line in operation), Brisbane was the last capital city to shut down its trams. Despite the decision to shut down the network, the city's trams were held with great affection by locals. There have been ongoing proposals since the early 1990s to reinstate a functional tram network." source: Wikipedia
"The Perth tramway network served Perth, the capital city of Western Australia, from 1899 until 1958. A modern light rail line is proposed to open in 2022." source: Wikipedia
The Melbourne tram network has run continuously since 1885 and it's success has inspired proposals for the re-introduction of light rail in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney.
Trams are very popular in big Swiss cities and continue to operate, though they are of course very modern looking. Growing up in Geneva we had one tram line still in operation, when in the 50's there were far more, then in the 90's they started growing the network again. Zurich and Basel always had more than one line.
ReplyDeleteWhat I remember as a kid is that we had older looking tramways and it was a massive big deal when they introduced the more modern ones. We used to hope that the one we would get to ride on was the modern ones LOL, now of course after they nearly modernised them all, we were all looking into riding into the old ones until they disappeared. They kept none of the ones from the 70's-80's I grew up with, but they still have some of the vintage ones that look like the ones in your pictures, they converted them into a restaurant on wheel thing, you can book a sightsee and dine tour on them.
Isn't it funny how much things change and we get all excited over the new and then all nostalgic over the old? Sightseeing and dining all in the same experience sounds like a great night out. Thank you so much for sharing your childhood memories with me, reading about your excitement as a child had me thinking back to my own first tram ride and while I was all grown up I still felt like a child all full of excitement. I think the tram conductor thought I was loopy and he just smiled at me babbling to him about it being my first time on a tram.
DeleteI love trams; they're such a great leisurely way to see a city and a lot cheaper than the public transport!
ReplyDeleteReally? They are considered a part of the public transport system here.
DeleteIt looks such a busy happening place to be
ReplyDeleteThe trams are always in the busiest parts of town.
DeleteWhat an interesting looking place, I've never travelled on a tram before
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up
They are quite a different experience from a train or bus ride. I hope you get the chance to have a ride one day.
DeleteThis is very interesting. One of my friend just moved to Melbourne. I think this is the reasons why. They are so beautiful and full of character. #MySundayPhoto
ReplyDeleteI think the trams are one of the reasons that Melbourne has such a great public transport system compared to other big Australian cities. They are certainly a part of Melbourne's charm.
DeleteIt is so good to hear that they have preserved some of the trams. I travelled on a few when I visited San Francisco years ago and they are such great fun :) #MySundayPhoto
ReplyDeleteThey really are a unique experience and it's nice to enjoy them outside of a museum.
DeleteI've been on trams in Amsterdam and Nottingham. They are a great way to travel and yours are pretty too #MySundayPhoto
ReplyDeleteThe newer trams aren't quite as pretty as these, the red one above is one of the old originals and it' so lovely to see it in use even if it is only around the park.
DeleteThese pictures remind me of San Francisco. Perth looks so vibrant and full of action. A great set of photos xx
ReplyDeleteHow lovely that they evoked memories for you.
DeleteThere is a tram like the first photo running between two transportation museum buildings about 2km apart from each other in Auckland.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid growing up in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area, these were called trollies. I used to love riding the trolly. Not sure when they removed them, but they removed a bit of character and charm when they did so. I miss them!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2016/02/potted.html
I love trams. Nothing better than hopping on a Melbourne tram and going for a ride. I hope Brisbane gets them again.
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