Cameras and smartphones had a new focus just for one day: yesterday was the annual
Desfile dos Classicos presented by Lisbon public transport operator Carris (pronounced Ka-reesh). Tourists zoomed in on the parade of vintage tramcars and buses as it made its way from the Santo Amaro car barn for two return trips to Belém and Algés.
Waiting for the off - trams T1 and 444 in the shade of the Santo Amaro car barn
So those who had secured their €10 tickets, and been successful in getting a seat on their preferred vehicle - I was aboard 1940 bogie car 802 on the first run - became part of the show. And this show was important enough to be given a Police escort as it made its way through the streets.
SIC Noticias put together a news item and video which you can see
HERE.
Those of us on 802 enjoyed a minute or so at Algés to stretch our legs
Here are some views from yesterday, mostly of the second round trip, with the Mosteiro dos Jeronimos as backdrop, along with the queue of tourists trying to get in. The event happens at this time of the year every year - not during the pandemic, mind - so those visiting Lisbon can rock up at the Carris Museum ticket office and try to reserve a place.
Enjoy!
The Police escort, with "Toast-rack" car 283 following. This tram's body was rescued some years ago from a children's playground
Tram 444 - the passengers have an enclosed saloon, but the driver does not
Tram T1 is a fully enclosed car
Early 1900s Brill bogie car 330
Four wheeler 535, built in-house by Carris
1940 streamlined bogie car 802, also built in-house
Three 1930s standard cars took part in the parade: typical of these is 745
When Carris bought British: this magnificent exposed-radiator AEC Regent Mk V carries bodywork from Weymann
And finally, the future: CAF-built 601, one of 15 new trams, has just entered service
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1 comment:
Civilised people celebrate their public transport. Uncivilised people argue about the costs of public transport but expect the state to subsidise their "freedom of choice" to run their private vehicles on public infrastructure.
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