On 17/09/2017 5:28 PM, Matthew Geiermatthew@...
[eurotrams] wrote:
> Some systems are proud of their presentation, others toss any thing they can out on the road. While I accept that one city may be significantly poorer and cash strapped than another and not be able to afford spare parts, hence trams in service missing components, but if you can afford paint, at least take some pride in doing the job properly.

>

> If you turn out a shabby tram, the passengers will treat it accordingly, and thus a downward spiral starts.

>

A few years back (1885 to be precise!) car painters took great pride in
their work - even to hand painted pictures inside and outside the vehicles.

Somewhat amazingly, a few of these hand painted details survive.
http://tdu.to/190_detail_Bylands_17Sep2017.JPG

The picture shows an internal panel above the window of a cable tram
trailer preserved by the Tramway Museum Society of Victoria (Australia).
The trailer was built by splicing two John Stephenson Co (New York)
horse trams together in the early days of the 20th century and the
painting is original.

Mal Rowe - also illustrating the original Stephenson window pull.