@Don McErlean posted:Well I have been looking forward to posting this item. It is a little out of my normal lane, but I could not resist buying it. I know we have some "subway" fans so I hope this will please them especially. Back Story...My wife and I took a cruise down the Rhine river in October, it had been postponed 3 times due to various countries COVID restrictions so we finally made it. We stopped in the very scenic Alsace Town of Colmar, France which is right on the boarder between France and Germany and went into the town for a tour. Colmar by the way is the home town of the sculptor Bartholdi who designed the Statue of Liberty. Anyway, as is typical of me, while many folks are admiring the beautiful architecture, I am on the lookout for toys and trains. Well what do I find but a toy store that amongst all the dolls and such has a very small collection of train toys. One of which is in fact a 1/43 scale replica of the modern trams that you see all over Europe. So for about $30 US I got myself a 0 - scale model of a modern city tram. Pictures follow.
Here is the box that caught my eye...note that it clearly states that the scale is 1/43 however the rest of the features are described in French so thank goodness for the pictures. I did note that the box says the toy is for those 3+ years of age or older ...I guess at 77 I am qualified although my wife might not agree
Here is a side view showing the two sets of side doors. Note also that their is a full interior. The two center roof areas in grey contain large opening hatches that allow you to "populate" the inside if you desire.
The highly streamlined front end (or rear end for that matter). The operator (1 person) sits behind that large streamlined windshield. Except for entering and leaving stations there did not seem to be many lineside signals so it appears the operator has a good deal of discretion in operating the tram once they get track clearance.
Another front quarter view showing the opening doors. The station platforms are raised to the height of the door so there is only a small step to get in or out. Fares are sort of on the "honor" system. You buy a ticket (or more commonly a multi ride pass) and you are required to keep that on you and show it to an "inspector" should one appear. Failure to have a ticket to show the inspector results in a hefty fine - so the incentive is to buy your ticket (which costs nearly nothing anyway).
This view shows the scale of the model. It is about 16" from end to end about 17" over the couplers.
Well that is my "cool" purchase recently. I have not figured out how to integrate this into my layout so I expect it will be shelf display for the time being. It does have flanged wheels and very detailed trucks so modifying it to run on the track is withing the realm of possibility maybe even powered if you could find a small motor.
Best Wishes
Don
Don, I'm sure if you start a thread about getting this beauty under power and include pictures of the trucks, underside and interior if you can get it opened our wonderful forum members will come up with a way to get it running under it's own power.
