THE GALLERY
 |
The MET |
 
|
 Australia index |
W2 tram, 496, has escaped to the sunny west coast of the USA. It is now in the historic and active tram (or as the Americans would say, streetcar) fleet of San Francisco's MUNI transport system. 496 is seen in July 2002 at Fisherman's Wharf in the company of PCC "Streamliner" Streetcar 1060, representing Public Service Coordinated Transport of Newark, New Jersey. The car was new to SF MUNI, though MUNI are acquiring some genuine New Jersey streetcars to supplement their historic fleet. The red wheels earnt the cars the nickname "Ruby slippers". Find out more at the excellent Market Street Railway website. MUNI also has Melbourne 586 awaiting restoration, both were acquired after supposed retirement in 1984. |
At about the same time that San Francisco was buying old Melbourne trams, so was Seattle. Kings County Metro started a city water front service in 1982. There appears to be a fleet of five operation cars, with 512 identified nearer the camera in this 1986 view. The other cars noted are 272, 482, 518 and 605, all class W2. |
A 1986 view of W2 class tram 482 in Seattle. |
 Eighteen years later and 482 is still doing stirling service. Not only is it working a lot harder as the sea front has developed into a great tourist attraction, but it is also looking in better condition than it did back in 1986! |
Tram 272 was also in excellent condition in August 2004, seen here with the Seattle skyline
behind.
|
|
|
The MET |
|
Australia index |
3D Animated Flags Courtesy of 3DFlags.com