{"id":6367,"date":"2014-04-24T03:03:52","date_gmt":"2014-04-24T07:03:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/briansolomon.com\/trackingthelight\/?p=6367"},"modified":"2014-04-19T04:48:39","modified_gmt":"2014-04-19T08:48:39","slug":"lisbons-trams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/briansolomon.com\/trackingthelight\/lisbons-trams\/","title":{"rendered":"Lisbon\u2019s Trams."},"content":{"rendered":"

April 6, 2014.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Back in 1996 a European friend said to me, \u2018you ought to visit Lisbon, they\u2019ve got some wonderful old trams there.\u2019 Some 18 years later, I finally ticked off that box in my notebook. Better late, than not at all.<\/p>\n

\"Lumix<\/a>
Lumix LX3 photo; Lisbon April 6, 2014.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lisbon is famous for its narrow gauge trams that crawl up narrow and steeply graded streets. This track work is amazing. It\u2019s amazing that it was ever built, and even more so that some of the lines are still worked in 2014!<\/p>\n

The old trams are of course a tourist attraction, but like San Francisco\u2019s cable cars, these function as part of the transit system.<\/p>\n

Visitors queue to board, much to the delight of local pickpockets. I was forewarned about light-fingered activities, so I took precautionary measures. And, also made a sport of spotting the picks. Not to point fingers, I saw nothing lifted, but I saw some suspicious characters in the queue (who didn\u2019t seem to have any interest in riding a tram).<\/p>\n

\"Steep<\/a>
Steep gradients and colourful old buildings are part of the attraction of Lisbon’s tram network. They wouldn’t have the same charm serving suburban tower block apartments.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"A<\/a>
A tram works up hill by Lisbon’s cathedral. Canon EOS 7D photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The<\/a>
The red trams worked a tourist circuit. Canon EOS 7D.\u00a0<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Lumix<\/a>
Lumix LX3 photo; Lisbon April 6, 2014. Tram traffic jam.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Lumix<\/a>
Lumix LX3 photo; Lisbon April 6, 2014.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The quirky old cars are enhanced by the colorful tapestry that makes up Lisbon\u2019s old city. Sunny skies were delivered as ordered.<\/p>\n

Route number 15 is populated by modern LRV style cars, but passes through some interesting areas and runs parallel to an old heavy-rail commuter rail route.<\/p>\n

\"Modern<\/a>
Modern cars work line 15.
Lumix LX3 photo; Lisbon April 6, 2014.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Trams<\/a>
Trams tend to get bunched up in traffic and seem to appear in waves of three or four cars all at once. Canon EOS 7D with 200mm lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Narrow<\/a>
Narrow alleys have barely enough room for single track. Yet, this is a bidirectional line with cars and trucks too. Canon EOS 7D.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"View<\/a>
View from the door of a track-side cafe. Canon EOS 7D with 100 mm lens.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"This<\/a>
This car works interlaced track where up-hill and down hill lines overlap. Careful, mind the Volkswagen! Canon EOS 7D.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Tomorrow: Looking back on a Clocker.<\/p>\n

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