TRAM WORLD KOLKATA
22nd December, 2020 was indeed a red-letter day for the tram-lovers of Kolkata. On this day, the city, which ran the first electric tramcars in Asia in the year 1902 got the gift of an exclusive arena aptly named TRAM WORLD KOLKATA at the Gariahat Tram depot at Ballygunge.
The oldest vehicle displayed at TRAM WORLD is of 95 years’ vintage, the Tram-Truck FW 2, built in 1925, which was utilised to carry and lay tram-lines. A number of heritage passenger tramcars manufactured from 1938 to 1980 find place in the arena, side by side. The interior décor of the carriages has been kept unchanged. The older generation of trams have wooden seats and wooden skid-proof ribs on the floors. The newer versions, manufactured during the 1970s and 80s are however fitted with fibre seats and steel flooring. Most interesting are the original ceiling fans which were provided in the First-Class carriages in the good old days along with the frosted glass lamps, a unique tram legacy. Original tap changers for driving trams are preserved in the drivers' cabin. Photographs of Trams from across the world embellish the inner walls of the tramcars.
The officials of the West Bengal Transport Corporation, the successors of the erstwhile Calcutta Tramways Company [CTC] which runs the tramcars at Kolkata, insist that TRAM WORLD is not intended to be only a museum. They would prefer it to be recognised as a free space for capturing the glory of the trams through art, music, culture and heritage, where today’s youth can chill out while exploring the romance of tramcars.
Heritage enthusiasts however crave for placing the original CTC logo and painting the outside of the preserved tramcars with the celebrated livery for which they were well-known across the world. Of course, there’s time yet to make these restorations and make TRAM WORLD more appealing in every sense. But, the city must take this opportunity to thank the industrious team of the West Bengal Transport Corporation for bringing the heritage tramcars into a single space for all to visit, feel and rekindle the passion for this most environment-friendly city transport.
We look forward to much more exciting happenings in future from the Tramways of Kolkata.
Text and Photos by Sanjoy Mookerjee Email: sanjoymkol1@gmail.com Contact: +91 90077 97952