Cable link with 100 years ago
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EUROPE'S first cable tramway was opened on Highgate Hill between the Archway Tavern and Highgate Village, London, 100 years ago and ran until 1909 with a break between 1892 and 1897 because of a serious accident.
Although for many years I passed through Highgate Village daily I was unaware of the engine house and depot at the brow of the hill, which was not finally demolished until last year. Truth to tell, I had never heard of the cable trams.
Their inauguration is being marked by an exhibition at the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden until November 28. It covers also the San Francisco cable car system which has reopened after closure for two years for reconstruction.
Another new curiosity in the museum is FRM 1, a prototype of the Routemaster doubledecker with front entrance and rear engine. Only one was built.