Amazing Ding
Ding offers its readers both knowledge and delight. Hong
Kongers, especially tourists, are
familiar with our unique double-deckers. In addition to the history of
tramways, clarifications on some errors and myths are highlighted.
We also treat those often ignored matters such
as tramway development, the various types of tramcars, engineering,
depots and
advertising.
Perceiving the contrast between old and
new views,
plus fruitful images, is a joy for any real tram lover and provides
food for
thought about the future of our tramways. The new trams have
taken place of the old
wooden ones. Interestingly, an ‘all
trams’ photograph which can never be captured again, is enclosed in the
back of
the book and is definitely worth collecting in its own right.
Chapter
1 Development of Hong Kong
Tramways
P.18-22 introducing the proposal of
tramway construction, the Tramways
Ordinance and the first official tram in 1904, changes from single-deck
to
double-deck design, the ‘Post-war’ style and further modifications
P.23-26 material events on trams: the
tramway strike in the 1950s
and colonial celebrations.
P.27-31 Abortive proposals for tramways
in Kowloon and
the New Territories, a proposed extension to Chai Wan, overturning
accidents
and a controller fire.
Chapter
2 Operation of Hong Kong
Tramways
P.34-36 Changes in the name and
management of HK
Tramways; recent changes following Veolia’s acquisition in 2009 and its
modification
programmes; and a list of managers.
P.37-40 The change of company names can
be seen from the
old tickets and changes in the logos.
Chapter
3 Fleet types
P.42-45 Tram 120’s story compared with
its predecessor,
the prototype car of 1949
P.46-50 Modifications in the 1980s
P.51-52 Partly open-top tour trams
P.53-56 The ‘Millennium’ trams
P.57-59 New all-metal trams in 2011
P.60-72 Special trams
P.60 Air-conditioned tram 171
P.61-62 Tram 172, a mixture of old and
new
P.63-64 Tram 201’s story: a water
tanker and a replica
at Ocean Park
P.65-66 Trams in feature films:
Shanghai ‘22’ for ‘Shanghai
Surprise’
P.66-68 Shipment of 12 to the Vancouver
Expo and the retention
of tram 50
P.69-72 Single-deck trailers
P.73-77 Fleet summary
Chapter
4 Tram Routes
P.80-83 History of tramway construction
and progress
and a brief interlude of bus operation
P.84-88 Route map with changes
P.89-92 Various route maps
P.93-96 Tram depots’ history
P.97-99 Tram service schedule
P.100-102 Various tram stop designs
P.103-109 various destination screens
and their
changes from colours to LED
P.110-117 A tram ride guide from west
to east
Chapter
5 Tram Tickets
From pre-war (including Japanese
Occupation) to
post-war, changes in designs and a fare summary
Chapter
6 Engineering
The motion on trams, truck types,
controllers,
maintenance works on bodies and tracks junction switching procedures ,
modifications for drivers and passengers’ safety, new alternating
current
motors and a new GPS device settings, etc.
Chapter
7 Maintenance trams and staff
training trams
Chapter
8 Trams Line-up
Old to new changes, abortive
experiments (pantograph, noise
reduction, etc.), side-by-side views showing the changes on trams.
Also, some lines on Birkenhead trams 69 and
70, vanished tram numbers and other stories.
Chapter
9 Tram Advertisements
P.210-211 Colonial celebrations
P.212-217 Airlines
P.218-219 Department stores
P.220-221 Banks
P.222-223 Cigarettes and watches
P.224-228 Camera and video products,
films and
electrical appliances
Rear cover: a panoramic view of all
tram types that
were operating in the late 1980s lined-up at the former Sharp Street
Depot
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