Steam tram

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Steam tram in front of the Kehl train station

A steam tram , steam tramway or steam tram is a tram that is operated by steam locomotives and whose tracks are laid either on the street or on a separate track body directly next to the street. Their operation is used for local public transport ; they can be licensed as trams as well as local or small trains . Steam trams were usually operated with specially developed tram locomotives, special short steam locomotives with all-round cladding and other adaptations for tram operation.

history

A typical tram locomotive
The Chiemsee-Bahn is the oldest continuously operating steam tramway in the world.
The composition of the Berner Tramway Society
“Steam Tramway”; here as a museum train in Brno (2006)
The "Fiery Elias" now operates as a museum tram on the Darmstadt tram network .
Departure of the steam tram Feuriger Elias of the Darmstadt tram

On July 9, 1877, the Cassel Tramway from Kassel to Wilhelmshöhe was the first steam tram in Germany to go into operation. Before that, there were already steam trams in Paris and Copenhagen . In the years from about 1880 to 1910 steam trams were widespread, especially on overland routes . In the cities, however, horse-drawn trams continued to be preferred , which appeared as early as the 1830s.

At the beginning of the 20th century, most steam trams - as well as many horse-drawn trams - were electrified . The routing of steam-powered railways through built-up streets was considered out of date and sometimes led to protests by affected residents. However, steam trams were used on certain less frequented routes well into the 20th century.

Selection of steam tram companies in Germany

Further

literature

Web links

Commons : Steam Tram  - collection of images, videos and audio files
Wiktionary: Dampftram  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations