Trams in Turku

The tram was operated Turku in the Finnish city of Turku from 1908 to 1972 as an electric tram. Previously, there were 1890 to 1892 a horse-drawn tram in Turku.

Pferdebahn

For the first time plans for a tram in Turku in 1889 were made ​​public. In this year Count Magnus August Armfelt applied to the City of Turku a concession for a horse-drawn tram. The company was founded by Armfelt built from the summer of 1889 a single track with 3.1 km in length and lead from the castle Turku city center. As the only Finnish tram it was built in the standard gauge of 1435 mm. On 3 May 1890, the railway was opened and operated a total of five cars delivered from Sweden. However, they soon proved unprofitable and was closed down already again on 31 October 1892.

Electric tram

Around the turn of the century streetcar plans were discussed after the city of Turku was significantly increased again. In 1906, AEG received from the city a corresponding license from the summer of 1908 and began the construction of the electric tram. On 22 December 1908, the tram was opened, it was carried out in meter gauge. Two lines were built, a circle line in the city center and a line to the port. 1909, the two lines were combined into one.

In 1919 the city of Turku tram as a municipal company. From 1929 to date the single track has been gradually increasing twofold. In 1932, several network extensions have been put into operation in the years up to 1940. The largest network extent in 1946 was achieved with three lines. In the 50s began, as in most European countries, the gradual withdrawal of the tram. 1956 was a short extension of Line 2 were built. In the same year the last eight new railcars and 1958, the last new sidecar came into operation. In 1965 the city decided to cease operation in stages. In 1967 the first line was discontinued, the last train ran on 1 October 1972.

Rolling stock

The horse tram procured by the Swedish company Atlas five horse-drawn trams, of which an open summer car. After setting the track the cars were sold in 1894 to Stockholm.

The electric streetcar began operating with 11 of ASEA / AEG supplied railcars. With this car together until 1956, a total of 55 railcars were procured. The last, in 1956 procured at Valmet eight railcars were four-axle set- seating car of the type RM 2, all previously purchased railcars were biaxial.

Sidecar put the tram Turku - apart from the five horse-drawn trams the years 1890 to 1892 - the first time 1919. A total of 47 trailers were procured, which were built mostly of our own workshop operation. Some of them emerged as conversions of older railcars. The last sidecar in 1958 procured.