Today sees the completion of both updates and additions to the tram galleries, all of Austrian systems.  Whilst mainly my own material I must thank Phil Sposito and an old university friend Keith Halton for contributing some excellent vintage photos.

The Vienna gallery sees a significant update which has covered many parts of the system but particularly more recent extensions such as the new line to Hausfeldstraße on the north side of the Danube.  It will also probably be my last chance to add photos of the venerable c3 trailers, there are just four survivors built in 1960/1 and they are unlikely to be there when I next return, in fact it transpires they were making their last run almost as I wrote the blog, on commemorative trips relating to major service changes on 2nd September 2017.

One of the added photos is this unusual view of the very busy terminus at Schottentor which has two services terminating on the upper level and no less than five below:

43001_32080A double-decker B1 at Schottentor! 736 is on the 43 at the upper level whilst 747 working on the 40 is on the lower level in what looks just like a model railway with hidden storage tracks underneath the baseboard. In front of 747 a solo E1 is ready to depart on the 37 to Höhe Warte.

I have also added coverage of the very special system at Gmunden.  Up to now the shortest tram system in the world (I believe) with a fleet of three service vehicles (the newest dating from 1961) plus a couple of vintage trams, the staff of six provide an excellent service.  It is also notable for having a significant length of track with a 10% gradient. It is owned by the famous Austrian operator Stern und Hafferl and current plans will see it linked to the line to Vorchdorf and operated by modern Vossloh articulated trams.  However, in the gallery at the moment the old order reigns supreme:

G070_308985 tackles the ascent of Alois-Kantenbruner-Straße on one of the fortnightly vintage tram operation days that take place during July and August. Unsurprisingly patronage was not high on this rather unpleasant day.

Finally, the trams of the city of Innsbruck get a gallery.  This is a modern and expanding system but one with a lot of history.  It also features a couple of spectacular routes in the line to Igls and the Stubaitalbahn to Fulpmes.  Hopefully the photo below says it all:

STB131_33174352 has wound its way round the hill in the background climbing all the way. It will shortly arrive at Burgstall.