Milestone for tram service that took the heat out of Hong Kong
Asia’s first funicular railway – and one of the world’s oldest – will celebrate its 135th birthday in May, thanks to Scottish entrepreneur Alexander Findlay Smith.
In 1881, the Hong Kong resident and railwayman petitioned the Governor to be allowed to operate a tram service to Victoria Peak, the island’s highest mountain, to increase visitor numbers.
The Peak Tram opened in 1888 and for residents of Victoria Peak it was a gamechanger. They found life up high a perfect escape from the heat and clamour of the city. Until then they only had the choice of taking the steep paths on foot or being carried in sedan chairs up and down the 1,811 ft high mountain.
Considered a marvel of engineering, the Peak Tram, hauled by a steam engine, carried around 150,000 passengers along the 4,475ft track in its first year of operation, including the Governor.
From 1908 to 1949, the first two seats at the front of the tram were reserved for His Excellency right up until two minutes before departure when they then became available to ordinary passengers.
In 1926, the steam engine was upgraded to an electric motor, while in 1989 a major rebuild by a Swiss company, brought a new track, a computerised control system and increased capacity with two more two-car trams.
Today, the funicular railway is one of Hong Kong’s top attractions with more than two million passengers a year buying a ticket to ride from the lower terminus station on Garden Road for the eight-minute-long dizzying journey.
For the best view, sit on the right to enjoy the spectacular optical illusion of skyscrapers gliding by at seemingly impossible angles.
The Peak Tram has even appeared in movies such as 1950s film Soldier of Fortune starring Clark Gable. After a major renovation, the 6th generation Peak Tram came back on track last August with longer cars meaning it can carry about 200 passengers.
Return ticket £9.30 adult/£7.80 child. thepeak.com.hk
The word’s out, a stellar line-up of authors for this year’s Guernsey Literary Festival will include Countdown lexicographer Susie Dent, journalist Jon Snow and TV presenter Dan Walker. In a packed programme of over 50 events there will be poetry readings, workshops and familyfriendly sessions. From May 2 to 14. guernseyliterary
festival.com