Freiburg Tram

RailRon

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Nov 23, 2002
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How are these thingies called anyway?

Terry,

in Germany (where this 'beast' comes from), they call them 'Strassenbahn'. That means in English simply 'Street-Railway'.

However, in the German speaking part of Switzerland (that's where I come from :D) they are normally called 'Tram'.

Well, and how would YOU call them in America (or England, or Australia, or...)?
Traction Car? Streetcar? Tramway? UPTRGV (Urban People Transporting Rail Guided Vehicle ;)) or another crazy acronym? :confused:

Hey, come to think of it - this is really something I don't know! :eek: :( :rolleyes:
So come on and tell us all, how YOU are calling WHERE these electric traction peoplemovers?

Ron
 

swissjohn

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Jan 3, 2003
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Ron, Terry.
Here in the U.K. we also call them Trams. Many U.K. cities had tram systems in the first part of the 20th Century and abandoned them in favour of motor busses. They are now starting to see the error of their ways and are building new tramways. (History repeats itself :rolleyes: ) When running away from the city centres they often use the converted trackbeds of normal railroads.
John.
 

kettlestack

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Jan 18, 2002
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Terry, John is right, here in UK they were called Trams or tramcars.
Heres a pic of one of Glasgow's (Scotland) trams I used to ride to school on. They were all "double-deckers". As a kid there was nothing better than to ride on the upstairs floor :)

Ahhh, the memories this pic brings back. The clatter and noise of their bell, and whining hum of their motors.

Errol.
 

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Matthyro

Will always be re-membered
Dec 28, 2000
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In Toronto, we call them streetcars. I grew up in Johannesburg South Africa and we had the double deck units and there we called them trams. Brit influence I guess.
 

60103

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Mar 25, 2002
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Street Car

The North American term is street car, although urban planners and civil servants want to call them LRVs (Light Rail Verhicles) or for that one, Articulated LRV.
If it had a proper trolley pole it would be a trolley car.
In Britain, there is a legal definition of Tramway, which also includes steam and diesel power (see Toby The Tram by Rev. Awdry).
 

RailRon

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Nov 23, 2002
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I prefer Tram, too. It's clear, it's short, and it's... well... a Tram! (What else?):D :D :D

LRV for me looks just plain silly. I would never know if somebody was talking about a Tram (Lousy Rail Vehicle? :rolleyes: ) or about the buggies they used on the moon -> LRV = Lunar Roving Vehicle. (Oh well, at least for us oldies who used to watch the moon excursions with glowing ears...)

Ron