Hongkong Tramways
is one of the earliest forms of public transport in Hong Kong. The
tramway
runs on the northern side of Hong Kong Island between Shau Kei Wan and
Kennedy Town, with a branch circulating Happy Valley. Each day 240,000
residents commute by tram. Trams in Hong Kong have not only been a form
of transport for over 100 years, but also a major tourist attraction
and
one of the most environmentally friendly mass transit systems.
Various
tram models have been produced over the years, to differing scales. WJB
produced around ten models in the 80's and 90's to a scale of
approximately 1:90, most carrying advertising of some sort. A
further three models were issued by Sun Hing Toys which use the same
casting. In 2012 Tramric Product and Design issued four new models,
again using the WJB casting. Sunny Max issued three trams, to a similar
scale around 2000.
Peak Horse were the first to release trams at a scale of 1:76 in 1998
and approximately twenty were issued, in various liveries. The company
disappeared in 2002 and it wasn't until 2010 that a new model was issued
by 80M Bus Model (80M) using the same Peak Horse casting. After only
three releases, 80M commissioned a much improved casting in late 2010.
In early 2011, Bachmann
China issued five new tram models, again to a scale of 1:76, and these
feature a plastic body with a diecast bogie with one axle being motorised
together with a working LED headlight. In August 2014 80M issued a model
of the 'new generation' tram.
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