Maja Sokolowska Art Collections

Trams

A tram (also known as tramcar; in North America known as streetcar, trolley or trolley car) is a rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets (called street running), and also sometimes on separate rights of way. The lines or networks operated by tramcars are called tramways. Tramways powered by electricity, which were the most common type historically, were once called electric street railways. Trams also include horsecars, which were widely used in urban areas before electrification. Tram lines may also run between cities and/or towns (for example, interurbans, tram-train), and/or partially grade-separated even in the cities (light rail). Trams very occasionally also carry freight.Tram vehicles are usually lighter and shorter than conventional trains and rapid transit trains. However, the differences between these modes of public transportation are often indistinct. Some trams (for instance tram-trains) may also run on ordinary railway tracks, a tramway may be upgraded to a light rail or a rapid transit line, two urban tramways may be connected to an interurban, etc. Most trams today use electrical power, usually fed by an overhead pantograph; in some cases by a sliding shoe on a third rail or trolley pole. If necessary, they may have dual power systems - electricity in city streets, and diesel in more rural environments. Steam, petrol (gasoline), gas and draft animals have historically been used as power sources. A few horse- or mule-powered trams remain in operation, mostly for tourist or historic-preservation purposes. Certain types of cable car are also known as trams.Trams are now included in the wider term "light rail", which also includes segregated systems.