Trip in re”T”ro style
Published 25 June 2010
Last modified 3 June 2019
Starting from June 26, trams of very popular T tram line will run more often! Three vintage trams will take passengers on one-hour trip around Warsaw. In one of them, a guide will tell about the history of our city and in another one Frederic Chopin’s music will please passengers.
“I used to go to school by one of those”, “Sometimes we went in tow but you could get hiding for that”… The guards from Klub Miłośników Komunikacji Miejskiej (club of public transport enthusiasts) have heard hundreds of similar stories during the past fourteen seasons of “tetka” running. For sure during this 15th one it will be similar. During these years “tetka” has got guides about our city and has been likeable among the inhabitants of Warsaw. Many of them return each year to go for this magical trip in time once again.
This year trams of the T line run on the route: PLAC NARUTOWICZA – Grójecka -Al. Jerozolimskie – most Poniatowskiego – al. Poniatowskiego – al. Zieleniecka – Targowa – al. Solidarności – most Śląsko-Dąbrowski – al. Solidarności – Okopowa – Towarowa – Grójecka – PLAC NARUTOWICZA.
Rides with a guide are recommended for those who are interested in the tumultuous history of our city. Members of Klub Miłośników Komunikacji Miejskiej, who are licensed Warsaw guides, will talk about places passed by on the route. Guides in “tetka” appeared two years ago and contributed to the popularity of the line. Rides with a guide from the Narutowicza Square at 11.00 a.m., 12.20, 1.20, 2.30 and 4.00 p.m.
In relation to the 200th anniversary of Frederic Chopin’s birthday falling this year, the “Chopin’s Tram” also goes around the city. This is a project co-organized by the Warsaw Municipal Government Office, Warsaw Transport Authority, Tramwaj Warszawski (Warsaw tram) and Klub Miłośników Komunikacji Miejskiej. A trip by this tram is also an opportunity to get a lot of information about the events connected with this year anniversary and to listen to our genius composer’s works. The “Chopin’s Tram” will go from the Narutowicza Square at 12.00, 1.00, 2.00, 3.30 and 5.00 p.m.
However, if you prefer to relish the view of tenements moving outside a window, you should choose the third tram. The 102N car, which served in Poznań, is one of the planned attractions. It was brought to Warsaw by efforts of Klub Miłośników Komunikacji Miejskiej and it was thoroughly renovated last year. This tram will start its runs at 11.30 a.m., 12.40, 1.40, 3.00 and 4.30 p.m.
The trams of the T line will run till the end of August, each Saturday and Sunday. In September, there will be only the “Chopin’s tram” left on rails. Feel invited!
Which trams can be encountered en route?
Car of the K type
Cars of this type were ordered for Warsaw in 1939. The outbreak of the Second World War caused cars to be sent to Berlin – that is why they are called “berlinki”. They were delivered to the capital city of Poland only after the end of the war and they served the Warsaw inhabitants till the middle of 1970s. The fact that some of them are still used as utility cars proves that they are very durable.
Car of the N type
Cars modeled on the German KSW (Kreigstrassenbahnwagen) war cars were produced in the Konstal factory in Chorzów. The first “N-cars” appeared in Warsaw together with the opening of Trasa WZ in 1949. At the end of 1960s they were replaced by cars of the 13N type, which are still in use in our city.
Car of the 4Nj type
A bit younger version of the “N-car”. The “club” car was produced in 1957. This year the mobile information center about the celebration of the Frederic Chopin’s birthday anniversary was made out of the tram.
Car of the 102N type
Because of the construction of its front it is called “kanciak” (having a lot of sharp edges). It was manufactured in 1969. Cars of this type have never gone in Warsaw. The car owned by KMKM transported passengers in Poznań. Then it was brought to Warsaw.
