Peak Tram
The Peak Tramway (Traditional Chinese: 山頂纜車) is a funicular railway in Hong Kong, which carries both tourists and residents to the upper levels of Hong Kong Island. It provides the most direct route and offers good views over the harbour and skyscrapers of Hong Kong.
Route
The Peak Tram runs from St. John's Building in Central to Victoria Peak via the Mid-Levels, with four request stops in between to serve local residents. The track is about 1,365 metres long and the tram takes seven minutes to reach The Peak.
The lower terminus station is located in Central on Garden Road. The original station was incorporated into St. John's Building, with the tram terminus at the ground level. The upper terminus is located as part of the Peak Tower complex at Victoria Gap.
Stations
There are only two full stations on the Peak Tram route, and four intermediate stations, which consist of concrete steps and a shelter:
- Cotton Tree Drive Terminal (St. John's Building): A full station at the bottom end of the route.
- Kennedy Road: An intermediate station and named for former Governor Arthur Edward Kennedy
- Macdonnell Road: An intermediate station named for former Governor Richard Graves MacDonnell
- May Road: An intermediate station named for former Governor Francis Henry May
- Barker Road: An intermediate station named for Lieutenant General G. D. Barker, the commander of the British Forces in Hong Kong
- Peak Terminal: A full station at the top end of the route.
History
The Peak Tram first opened for public service in 1888, at which time it used a static steam engine to power the haulage cable. In 1926 the steam engine was replaced by an electric motor. In 1989 the system was comprehensively rebuilt, with new track, a computerized control system and new two-car trams with a capacity of 120 passengers per tram. It was first used only for residents of Victoria Peak.
Technology
The Peak Tram uses rail gauge of 1520 mm (5 ft). There is a single track, except for the middle section. Two trams move in opposite directions, pass each other in the dual-track middle section, and should reach the opposite termini simultaneously.
The Peak Tram is quick and safe since the tram is computer-controlled with an automatic system check on all safety devices before its journey begins. It is environmentally friendly as well due to its microprocessor-controlled electric drive system[citation needed].
At the track's steepest point, the cars run at an incline of 27 degrees. Few self-powered vehicles can climb such steep incline if not pulled by a cable.
Fleet Data
- First Generation cars (1888) - wooden car
- Third Generation cars (1956) - all metal
- Gangloff 2X2 cars (1989) - Von Roll Transport System of Switzerland
