Virtual Railfan Tour of Switzerland - Sunday - Bern Steam Tram


A group of volunteers operate this 1894 steam tram on the first Sunday of each month in the summer. It is seen here having just come out of the overall glass roof of the central tram station



The starting and terminating point is a little away from the main station but all you have to do is to look for the sacks of coal.



The single passenger car can get crowded and many have to stand so it is a good idea to get on board quickly and buy your ticket.
Notice the half circular frying pan on top of the dome - the handle is sticking out


The tram is parked at a regular stop so we have to wait for a margin between the regular service trams.

We set off through the modern glass dome of the central tram station and into the historic part of the city



The route varies. Here we are stopped at a regular tram terminus where there is a chance to take water and examine the finer details of the locomotive.

The frying pan can clearly be seen here.  The coal fired exhaust smells of sausages.


As was common in those days, the motion is completely enclosed to protect passers by.


On the way back we manage to find a place on the front platform of the car fron where we can observe the way the tram is operated

The historic area is becoming busy as we head back to the terminus at the end of our ride.

After our ride we walk into the historic area and take a table at a restaurant where we can enjoy watching the steam tram pass.

This is an excellent video taken on a special run in August 2019. It runs through the main station, follows and pases regular city ttrams and there are a couple of good run pasts.

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