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Swanky trams across the world

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
A tram passes by a marketplace in downtown Hong Kong.

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.

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Swanky trams across the world

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
A tram passes by a marketplace in downtown HK.

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

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
A tram in Hong Kong.

A tram passes by in downtown Hong Kong.

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Swanky trams across the world

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
People pose in front of a wireless electric tram during its launch ceremony at Seoul Grand Park in Gwacheon, south of Seoul.

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

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
A pedestrian looks as a light rail tram passes by in Jerusalem.

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

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Swanky trams across the world

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
A tram  in Sarajevo.

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

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
Trams parked at a depot in Brussels.

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

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Swanky trams across the world

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
A tram in Milan.

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

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
Maerlitram tram in Zurich.

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

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
A tram travels on a road in central Melbourne.

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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Swanky trams across the world

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
A tram passes in Central Melbourne.

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

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Swanky trams across the world

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
Trams in Milan.

Trams travel in downtown Milan.

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Swanky trams across the world

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
A worker stands next to a track as a tram approaches on its way up The Peak in Hong Kong.

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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Swanky trams across the world

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
Wellington Cable Car.

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

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
A tram in Wroclaw.

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

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Swanky trams across the world

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
A street artist looks at a Bica funicular tram.

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

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
A tram depot in Berlin.

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

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Swanky trams across the world

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
A Wells Fargo bank building.

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

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
A tram which has been converted into a rolling pub.

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

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Swanky trams across the world

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
A tram is seen on Istiklal Caddesi.

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

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Swanky trams across the world

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
A crowded tram in Budapest.

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

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Swanky trams across the world

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
A tram painted in Moscow.

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

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
A tram runs in Kolkata.

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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Swanky trams across the world

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
A tram in Kolkata.

A conductor stands beside a new tram in Kolkata.

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Swanky trams across the world

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
A tram in northern England.

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

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
A tram crosses the Margaret Bridge.

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

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
A tram in downtown Zagreb.

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

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Swanky trams across the world

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
A tram in Amsterdam.

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

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
A tram in Lisbon.

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

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Swanky trams across the world

Last updated on: January 16, 2012 19:42 IST
Passengers look outside from a tram in Lisbon.

Passengers look outside from a tram in Lisbon.