16 votes

The San Francisco cable car's (not quite as famous) Welsh cousin

4 comments

  1. [4]
    HellsBells
    Link
    I know Llandudno very well and I had no idea that the local 'tin pot' tram was actually so rare. When the trams pass each other everyone is encouraged to cheer. I know a family that lived opposite...

    I know Llandudno very well and I had no idea that the local 'tin pot' tram was actually so rare. When the trams pass each other everyone is encouraged to cheer.

    I know a family that lived opposite that cross point and it happened so often, with such regularity, that they just didn't hear it anymore - including the rather loud 'clunk, clunk' during the swap. Anyone visiting their home was always suprised by something the family didn't even notice.

    I've never actually been on the tram and I can't think why. I always walked or drove up. One of the local past times of summer holiday children was watching tourists, from obviously flat locations, trying to drive up the Orme. It was a regular occurance for a local to jump in and save their burning clutch, to take the visitors past the steepest part.

    As can be seen in the video, it can feel a bit wild on a windy and wet day. But, it's a beautiful location with amazing views at the top and generally a lovely place for a walk. Just watch out for the (sheep) poo!

    4 votes
    1. [3]
      cfabbro
      Link Parent
      I grew up in White Rock, BC, which also has some stupidly steep roads that would regularly catch tourists off-guard... especially in the winter. :P

      One of the local past times of summer holiday children was watching tourists, from obviously flat locations, trying to drive up the Orme

      I grew up in White Rock, BC, which also has some stupidly steep roads that would regularly catch tourists off-guard... especially in the winter. :P

      1 vote
      1. [2]
        BobEWise
        Link Parent
        Ice storms must be awesome there.

        Ice storms must be awesome there.

        1 vote
        1. cfabbro
          (edited )
          Link Parent
          We didn't get any that I can remember, at least in the short-ish time I lived there. And the temperature is generally pretty mild along the coast around Vancouver, comparatively speaking to the...

          We didn't get any that I can remember, at least in the short-ish time I lived there. And the temperature is generally pretty mild along the coast around Vancouver, comparatively speaking to the rest of Canada, and even snow was somewhat of a rarity there. It mostly just rained a lot, and got incredibly foggy for prolonged periods... which also made those roads pretty hazardous. :P

          1 vote