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This article was first published 12 years ago

Swanky trams across the world

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST

Image: A tram passes by a marketplace in downtown Hong Kong.
Photographs: Tyrone Siu/Reuters.

The first tram came into service on the Swansea and Mumbles Railway in south Wales, United Kingdom. It was horse-drawn at the beginning, and later moved by steam and electric power.

Trams are usually lighter and shorter than conventional trains and rapid transit trains. MOdern trams are light rail vehicles have a partial or fully low-floor design, which helps passengers, including those in wheelchairs, get into the trams with ease.

Today, double decker trams operate in Alexandria, Blackpool and Hong Kong.

Click NEXT to see some of the most fantastic trams across the world...

Swanky trams across the world

Image: A tram passes by a marketplace in downtown HK.
Photographs: Tyrone Siu/Reuters.

French water, waste and transportation giant Veolia Environnement bought 50 percent of Hong Kong's iconic tram system and took over the operations of the 105-year-old tram network in 2009.

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Swanky trams across the world

Image: A tram in Hong Kong.
Photographs: Tyrone Siu/Reuters.

A tram passes by in downtown Hong Kong.

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Tags: , Hong Kong

Swanky trams across the world

Image: People pose in front of a wireless electric tram during its launch ceremony at Seoul Grand Park in Gwacheon, south of Seoul.
Photographs: Jo Yong-Hak/Reuters.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) manufactured the tram using a new technology called the On-Line Electric Vehicle (OLEV) system which is remotely charged via electromagnetic fields created by electric cables buried beneath the road.

Seoul Grand Park started to run three new wireless electric trams which consume no fossil fuels and do not require any overhead wires or cables.

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Swanky trams across the world

Image: A pedestrian looks as a light rail tram passes by in Jerusalem.
Photographs: Ronen Zvulun/Reuters.

A pedestrian looks as a light rail tram passes by in Jerusalem.

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Tags: , Jerusalem

Swanky trams across the world

Image: A tram in Sarajevo.
Photographs: Dado Ruvic/Reuters.

A tram travels along a road in front of restored buildings in the Skenderija district in Sarajevo.

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Swanky trams across the world

Image: Trams parked at a depot in Brussels.
Photographs: Dado Ruvic/Reuters.

Workers at the Brussels' public transport network STIB/MIVB walk past trams parked at a depot in Brussels.

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Tags: MIVB , STIB , Brussels

Swanky trams across the world

Image: A tram in Milan.
Photographs: Stefano Rellandini/Reuters.

A tram with Christmas lights is seen in front of La Scala Opera Theater in Milan.

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Swanky trams across the world

Image: Maerlitram tram in Zurich.
Photographs: Arnd Wiegmann/Reuters.

A man dressed as Santa Claus drives the Maerlitram tram in Zurich.

The fairy tale tram rattles along Bahnhofstrasse, Zurich's posh shopping street, beneath the twinkling Christmas lights as if this was just any other year.

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Swanky trams across the world

Image: A tram travels on a road in central Melbourne.
Photographs: Mick Tsikas/Reuters.

Trams in Melbourne are a major form of public transport and Melbourne is home to one of the largest tram networks in the world.

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Tags: Melbourne

Swanky trams across the world

Image: A tram passes in Central Melbourne.
Photographs: Mick Tsikas/Reuters.

A tram passes by the General Post Office building in Central Melbourne.

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Swanky trams across the world

Image: Trams in Milan.
Photographs: Alessandro Garofalo/Reuters

Trams travel in downtown Milan.

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Swanky trams across the world

Image: A worker stands next to a track as a tram approaches on its way up The Peak in Hong Kong.
Photographs: Soo Hoo Zheyang/Reuters.

The Peak Tram, one of the oldest modes of transportation in the city, started its service in 1888, carrying passengers up 368 meters (1,207 feet) on a 1.4 km (0.8 mile) track.

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Tags: Peak Tram

Swanky trams across the world

Image: Wellington Cable Car.
Photographs: Jacky Naegelen/Reuters.

The Wellington Cable Car is seen ascending with a view of the city in the background.

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Swanky trams across the world

Image: A tram in Wroclaw.
Photographs: Kacper Pempel/Reuters.

A tram travels through the central shopping district of Wroclaw, southern-western Poland.

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Tags: , Wroclaw , Poland

Swanky trams across the world

Image: A street artist looks at a Bica funicular tram.
Photographs: Nacho Doce/Reuters.

A street artist looks at a Bica funicular tram covered with mirrors in Lisbon. Artist Alexandre Farto covered the tram with mirrors to reflect the surroundings in Lisbon. 

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Swanky trams across the world

Image: A tram depot in Berlin.
Photographs: Tobias Schwarz/Reuters.

Posters announcing a warning strike are placed next to tram depot in Berlin.

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Tags: , Berlin

Swanky trams across the world

Image: A Wells Fargo bank building.
Photographs: Robert Galbraith/Reuters.

A cable car passes a Wells Fargo bank building along California Street in San Francisco, California.

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Swanky trams across the world

Image: A tram which has been converted into a rolling pub.
Photographs: Agnieszka Flak/Reuters.

A tram which has been converted into a rolling pub combines sightseeing with a night on the town in Helsinki.

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Tags: , Helsinki

Swanky trams across the world

Image: A tram is seen on Istiklal Caddesi.
Photographs: Murad Sezer/Reuters.

A tram is seen on Istiklal Caddesi (Istiklal Avenue) in Istanbul.

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Tags: , Istanbul

Swanky trams across the world

Image: A crowded tram in Budapest.
Photographs: Laszlo Balogh/Reuters.

A commuter travels on the rear bumper of a crowded tram during a public transit strike in Budapest.

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Tags: , Budapest

Swanky trams across the world

Image: A tram painted in Moscow.
Photographs: Denis Sinyakov/Reuters.

A tram painted with Moscow's landmarks stops on a smoke-filled street as firefighters battle a fire at the Grabar All-Russia Centre for Restoration of the Works of Art in Moscow in July 15, 2010.

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Swanky trams across the world

Image: A tram runs in Kolkata.
Photographs: Jayanta Shaw/Reuters.

They've been rumbling down Kolkata's roads for more than 130 years, now vintage trams are undergoing a makeover in their only home in India to entice commuters and reduce choking population.

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Tags: , Kolkata , India

Swanky trams across the world

Image: A tram in Kolkata.
Photographs: Jayanta Shaw/Reuters.

A conductor stands beside a new tram in Kolkata.

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Tags: , Kolkata

Swanky trams across the world

Image: A tram in northern England.
Photographs: Darren Staples/Reuters.

A tram is seen from the new skywalk at Blackpool Tower in northern England.

The Tower has re-opened after a refurbishment which is part of a 250 mn pounds regeneration programme for the town.

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Swanky trams across the world

Image: A tram crosses the Margaret Bridge.
Photographs: Bernadett Szabo/Reuters.

A tram crosses the Margaret Bridge, the renovation of which is one of the largest public projects underway in Budapest.

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Swanky trams across the world

Image: A tram in downtown Zagreb.
Photographs: Nikola Solic/Reuters.

People walk in the snow past a tram in downtown Zagreb, as winter weather hits the Croatian capital.

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Tags: , Zagreb

Swanky trams across the world

Image: A tram in Amsterdam.
Photographs: Olaf Kraak/Reuters.

A woman and her children board a tram painted pink in Amsterdam to celebrate the arrival of the Giro d'Italia in Amsterdam.

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Swanky trams across the world

Image: A tram in Lisbon.
Photographs: Rafael Marchante/Reuters.

A tram moves past a currency exchange office in downtown Lisbon.

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Tags: , Lisbon

Swanky trams across the world

Image: Passengers look outside from a tram in Lisbon.
Photographs: Jose Manuel Ribeiro/Reuters.

Passengers look outside from a tram in Lisbon.

Tags: Lisbon