Situated on the Mediterranean coast, Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain and is the capital of Catalonia. It has three tramway systems of which two, the Trambaix and the Trambesos, are modern light rail lines which opened in 2004. Of interest to us here, however, is a unique survivor of Barcelona’s original tramway system, the Tramvia Blau (Blue Tram).
Electric trams have run in Barcelona since 1899 but the original system closed in 1971, except for one route. This short double track line, just 1,276 meters in length, has operated in isolation ever since, albeit now only daily during the core summer season and otherwise just at weekends and during public holidays. It provides a link between the city’s metro system and a funicular railway which leads to mount Tibidabo, a local attraction. At 512 meters above sea level Tibidabo is the highest peak in the area and affords spectacular views of the city and the surrounding coastline. An amusement park at the summit makes this one of the most popular attractions in the area. The Tramvia Blau runs from Avinguda Tibidabo to the base of the funicular railway at Placa del Doctor Andreu, and features a fleet of seven four wheeled survivors of which most are enclosed four wheel single deck cars painted in the distinctive blue livery that gives the line its name. Car 2 was built in 1901 and survives in largely original condition whilst 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 date from 1904 but have all been extensively, but sympathetically, rebuilt during the years since 2000. Finally, car 129 of 1906 is an open sided tram that originally operated on the main city system and this retains the red livery of Tranvias de Barcelona. It is mounted on the truck from Tramvia Blau car 9.
Tramvia Blau car 7 of 1904 was extensively rebuilt in 2004. On 4th January 2009 it loads at Avinguda Tibidabo for another trip up the line.The curious thing about the Tramvia Blau is that despite exuding a museum type atmosphere it is a working line which has managed to retain its period feel. The refurbished cars 5-8 and 10 appear to maintain the basic service and have all received a thorough rebuild in recent years which has involved much reconstruction of the bodies. The electrical equipment has been thoroughly modernised and now incorporates computerised control, although this is operated via authentic style controllers. These look the part but the method of driving, from ‘off’ to ‘top notch’ in one movement before the car even sets off gives the game away to the eagle-eyed enthusiast that these are far from original controllers! These refurbished cars all feature modern head and tail lights, trafficators and windscreen wipers, but none of these features really spoils the traditional look of the old cars. 
Traditional looking controllers belies the fact that state of the art controls are employed on the refurbished trams
To take a ride on the Blue Tram, your journey will normally start in the centre of Barcelona at Placa de Catalunya. From here you need to take Metro Line 7 to its terminus at Av. Tibidabo and on exiting the Metro station the Tramvia Blau terminus is in front of you. Tickets for the tram can be purchased on boarding but you need to be aware that the service is not very frequent and the trams are very small meaning you can be subjected to a considerable wait at busy times. The trams are packed well by the driver and conductor and the amount of standing passengers can often equal those seated. From the lower terminus the line climbs steadily up the Tibidabo Hill, passing the depot on the left at the end of what has so far been a straight section of route. From here the line climbs through the Sarria-Sant Gervasi district, circling around the plateau at the base of the funicular railway where it terminates in front of the funicular station and adjacent bar and restaurant.
Cars 6 and 7 meet at the upper terminus at Placa del Doctor AndreuFrom here most people continue their journey to the summit on the funicular, which also opened in 1901.
Photo: Funicular car 2 at the lower stationThe Tramvia Blau is a unique attraction that demonstrates just how easy it can be to modernise a system without compromising the heritage value, perhaps other systems with vintage rolling stock should take note! It is an important part of the package that forms a day out at the Tibidabo amusement park, and its future seems assured.
Tramvia Blau fleet.2. (1901).5-8, 10. (1904). 129. (1906)
Current fares.Single ticket €2.70. Return ticket €4.10. (Tickets on sale on board the tram).
Metro and Tramvia Blau timetables are available to view on the Barcelona Metropolitan Transport website at http://www.tmb.net/
Further photographs of the Tramvia Blau fleet can be viewed online at http://www.tramvia.org/
Written and illustrated by James Millington
