John H Luxton Photography

Transport + Industrial + History + Regional

  • Home
  • About
  • What's New
  • Browse
  • Photo Sales & Gifts
  • Info / Blog
  • Search
  • Contact
  • Links
  1. Railways and Tramways
  2. European Railways & Tramways

La Coruna Tramway

I visited La Coruña Tramway twice in 2010 on cruises.

On My first visit in April the tramway had not commenced running for the season. When I visited again on August 01 the ship arrived early and with the service not due to commence until around noon, I decided to walk the entire route.

The two terminals – one near the harbour and the other Av. Buenos Aires at Riazor were not actually that far apart as the crow flies, however the line followed the coastal road Paseo Maratimo around the headland on which the historic lighthouse “Tower of Hercules” is located which made for a much longer 5km route.

The original La Coruña Tramway system closed around 1962. The present heritage tramway was the brainchild of the then Mayor and the heavily and obviously expensively constructed line opened in 1997.

Though the tramway was marketed as a heritage linem trams were crewed by staff from the local bus company Compañía de Tranvías de La Coruña. With only a limited seasonal timetable operated and the low fares charged it is difficult to see how the tramway covered its construction let alone operating costs.

In 2011 the service was suspended. Though I have not visited La Coruña since 2010 I have noted from Google Street View that the section of the line from the harbour to near the Tower of Hercules has now been de-wired though the track remains in situ. The tramway used two replica La Coruña Tramway cars and two Lisbon cars. Despite only having four cars the line had quite an extensive depot.
Read More
  • La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    Ex Lisbon Car 100 approaches the end of the line. Despite appearances I was standing behind the stop block!

  • La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    Ex Lisbon Car 100 approaches the end of the line.

  • La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    Ex Lisbon Car 100 approaches the end of the line.

  • La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    Car 32

  • La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    Car 32 with Castillo de San Antón which guards the harbour to be seen in the back ground.

  • La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    Car 32 a replica La Coruna car near the harbour.

  • La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    Car 32 a replica La Coruna car near the harbour.

  • La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    Car 101 heads back to Riazor.

  • La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    Car 101 heads back to Riazor.

  • La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    Car 101 heads back to Riazor.

  • La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    Car 101 at the harbour.

  • La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    End of the line near the harbour. There was evidence that the tramway had proceeded beyond this point but at the time of my visit there was an abandoned building project, probably victim of the recession, beyond this point.

  • La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    The final length of track. This final section also had conventional traction poles.

  • La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    View from Car 101 heading down hill towards the harbour.

  • La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    View from Car 101 approaching the Tower of Hercules.

  • La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    Car 32

  • La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    Car 32

  • La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    Car 32

  • La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    View from car 101.

  • La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    View from Car 101 - ex Lisbon departing Riazor.

  • La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    Car 101 - ex Lisbon arrives at Riazor.

  • La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    Car 101 - ex Lisbon arrives at Riazor.

  • La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    La Coruña Tramway - August 01, 2010

    Car 101 - ex Lisbon arrives at Riazor.

  • Photo Sharing
  • About SmugMug
  • Browse Photos
  • Prints & Gifts
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Owner Log In
© 2021 SmugMug, Inc.