More trams in Europe
What a beautiful sheet of stamps featuring historic trams PostNL is releasing. It is a pity that this issue is being included as a personal stamp and not as a regular 2025 issue. The word 'Trams' comes from the English 'Tramway', but there are few trams in England. Many trams run in the former East German states, in France, on the Isle of Man, and in Lisbon. Do you often take the tram in our four major cities?
Four major cities (Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, Utrecht)
In the four major cities, trams operate as part of the public transport network. In Amsterdam, The Hague, and Rotterdam, a large number of trams run alongside buses. In Utrecht, a regional tram runs to the destinations Nieuwegein, IJsselstein, and Utrecht P+R Science Park (lines 20, 21, and 22). Amsterdam The Amsterdam tram is operated by GVB (Gemeentevervoerbedrijf Amsterdam). From the Geuzenveld district to Amsterdam Central Station by tram 13 as the Amsterdam articulated tram Bolkop (Gemeentelijk Vervoersbedrijf GVB). In service from 1974 up to and including 2003.
The Hague
The Hague tram is the backbone of public transport in the The Hague region. The first trams began operating in 1864; it was the first tram in the Benelux, and the network is the third oldest in the world. The network has been operated by HTM Personenvervoer NV since 2002. From Station HS to the Duindorp district by GTL8-II tram, tram line 12 (HTM Personenvervoer). In service from the late 90s to the present. GTL8 stands for the eight-axle Articulated Tram Long. The “8” in the designation GTL8 stands for the 8 driven axles, with 8 motors of 45 kW each.
As part of the Mooi Nederland series, the Den Haag sheet was issued in 2007. The sheet features the GTL8 of tram line 17 Statenkwartier. The tram is depicted in mirror image on the sheet. GTL8 rolling stock features entrance and exit doors only on the right side, but on the sheet, the doors are shown on the left side.
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man is an island in the Irish Sea that is administered by the United Kingdom. The Isle of Man is officially a British Crown Dependency. This means that, in principle, they can make their own decisions on everything. The United Kingdom is only responsible for the protection and foreign affairs of the islands. The Isle of Man lies between Scotland, England, Wales, and Ireland. The capital is Douglas.
The island has the same status as the islands of Jersey and Guernsey. Throughout history, the three territories have come under the British Crown but retained a certain degree of autonomy. The Isle of Man is the largest British Crown Dependency. The island is known for the motorcycle races, which are held through the streets of the island three times a year. Are there any readers who have ever visited the Isle of Man as part of a holiday? If not, I can recommend that you enjoy a piece of the British Isles with many attractions.
Manx Electric Railway
The Manx Electric Railway is an electric intercity tramway connecting Douglas, Laxey, and Ramsey on the Isle of Man. The line connects with the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway at the southern terminus near Derby Castle at the northern end of the promenade in Douglas, and with the Snaefell Mountain Railway at Laxey. Many visitors take a trip on the trams. It is the oldest electric tramway in the world whose original rolling stock is still in use.
There are several intermediate stations, with Groudle Glen, Laxey, Dhoon Glen, Cornaa, and Ballaglass Glen indicated in timetables. Official stops usually have a simple waiting area (recent additions are modern bus stops), and there are “unofficial” stops that sometimes have “request to stop” notices but no name signs or other passenger facilities. Several in the more rural areas bear the name of the nearby farm or farmer; these are most common in the northern section with names such as Rome's Crossing, Watson's Crossing, and Dhoon Farm, though none of these actually bore his name. Some stops are known by their nearest pole number, numbered from 1 to 1.904 from Derby Castle to Ramsey. Trams stop within reasonable limits at any point where it is safe to do so, except where the line runs parallel to a main road. The majority of the line up to Baldrine train station runs in this way, as does the approach to Ramsey. These sections were originally toll roads and were constructed at the same time as the railway line.
Portugal / Lisbon
Trams are the ideal mode of transport to discover some of the most interesting spots in Lisbon's historical and architectural heritage, or simply to traverse the city. The most famous tram is Tram 28 between Martim Moniz and Campo de Ourique. Although you can board the tram at any stop, the route begins in the historic center at Largo Martim Moniz square. The ride continues to the Graça district and the Igreja de São Vicente de Fora church. It then travels to Alfama via some of Lisbon's most picturesque medieval streets and squares, such as Rua das Escolas Gerais or Largo das Portas do Sol square, a viewpoint overlooking the hill down to the river. From here, you can reach Castelo de São Jorge on foot in no time. The tram continues towards the Baixa lower town, past the cathedral (Sé), with its austere Romanesque façade and the Igreja de Santo António church, and then begins its descent towards the bustling Rua da Conceição, a shopping street known among the locals of Lisbon for its yarn shops.
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Next, the tram ascends again towards the elegant Chiado district and stops almost right in front of the famous pastry shop and café “Pastelaria A Brasileira”. Along the way, pay close attention to the architectural style of the various buildings you pass. Observe how azulejo tiles cover entire facades or sometimes form just a tile border in Art Nouveau style, usually just below the eaves. The tram passes Largo do Camões square, near Bairro Alto, where you can dine later in the day and sample Lisbon's nightlife. The tram then descends again over the cobblestones. A little further on, you pass the Parliament building, the former Convento de São Bento, which sits atop an impressive platform. Tram 28 then passes the Basílica da Estrela and the Jardim da Estrela garden, and subsequently crosses Campo de Ourique, a traditional residential district, to Largo dos Prazeres square. Although we have reached the final stop, you can return to the city center on the same tram. You will pass by the same places, which you can view from a different perspective. This allows you to notice different details and sights. Although most trams in Lisbon are yellow, tram 28 is the most famous and is listed in all tourist guides. However, there is also a red, historic version that is more comfortable. This ride on the red tram 28 includes a guide, so you won't miss a single detail of the journey.
Used sources:
- Visit Portugal
- Public Transport stamps 2019 (see link below)
Belgium: in Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp, Liège and not to forget: the Coastal Tram, the longest tram line in the world, is located in Belgium. It is an intercity tram system that connects Adinkerke with the train station of Knokke-Heist, and runs through Nieuwpoort, Ostend and Zeebrugge. The record-breaking line is 67 km long and consists of 67 stops.