The M1 15 is the oldest preserved electrical
tram
A tram (called a streetcar or trolley in North America) is a rail vehicle that travels on tramway tracks on public urban streets; some include segments on segregated right-of-way. The tramlines or networks operated as public transport ...
in
Gothenburg,
Sweden. It was built in 1902 by
ASEA
''Allmänna Svenska Elektriska Aktiebolaget'' ( English translation: General Swedish Electrical Limited Company; Swedish abbreviation: ASEA) was a Swedish industrial company.
History
ASEA was founded in 1883 by Ludvig Fredholm in Västerås as ...
and is one of the first electrical trams in Gothenburg. The tram has been restored to the same appearance it had between 1902 and 1906.
The tram has open platforms and the cabin is equipped with ceiling lights, curtains, and long benches on the sides.
History
Prior to the
electrification
Electrification is the process of powering by electricity and, in many contexts, the introduction of such power by changing over from an earlier power source.
The broad meaning of the term, such as in the history of technology, economic histo ...
of the Gothenburg tram network,
Göteborgs Spårvägar AB ordered 46
[ electric trams from ASEA. These were all delivered in 1902.
Between 1912 and 1916 all M1 trams were rebuilt to M4 trams with built-in platforms.][ The M1 15 was rebuilt in 1914 and was used as an M4 tram for seven years. From 15 February 1921 it was used as a trailer car. It was not rebuilt, but the ]bow collector
A bow collector is one of the three main devices used on tramcars to transfer electric current from the wires above to the tram below. While once very common in continental Europe, it was replaced by the pantograph or the trolley pole, itself o ...
was lowered and the engine disengaged.
Prior to the 50th anniversary of the Gothenburg tram network in 1929 it was decided that the M1 15 should be preserved as a museal tram, and also restored to its original appearance. This was accomplished 17 September the same year, and the M1 15 was displayed with Gothenburg's only preserved horse tram
A horsecar, horse-drawn tram, horse-drawn streetcar (U.S.), or horse-drawn railway (historical), is an animal-powered (usually horse) tram or streetcar.
Summary
The horse-drawn tram (horsecar) was an early form of public rail transport ...
on tow.
For many years the M1 15 was stored in the Saltholmen depot and was not displayed again until its 100th anniversary in 2002. In recent years the tram has been renovated by the '' Ringlinien Tramway Society'' and it is stored in the Gårdahallen depot. During the summertime the tram is running as a tourist attraction
A tourist attraction is a place of interest that tourists visit, typically for its inherent or an exhibited natural or cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, offering leisure and amusement.
Types
Places of natural ...
on the "Liseberg line" between the Gothenburg Central Station
Gothenburg Central Station ( sv, Göteborgs centralstation, Göteborg C) is the main railway station of Gothenburg and it is the oldest railway station in Sweden still in use. The station serves 27 million passengers per year, making it the secon ...
and Liseberg
Liseberg is an amusement park located in Gothenburg, Sweden, that opened in 1923. It is one of the most visited amusement parks in Scandinavia, attracting about three million visitors annually. Among the noteworthy attractions is the wooden roll ...
.
Sources
*
References