The historic tram “Mevro” with the fleet number 3098 of the Prague Public Transport Company is back in regular service with passengers, following extensive repairs and test runs. During the test runs with passengers, it will be deployed on the historic Line No. 42.
The single-section motor tram “Mevro,” which was removed from regular service in 1966, represents an important milestone in the history of Prague’s tram vehicles. It is the last type of two-axle motor trams for passenger transport in Prague – a successor to the so-called “Submarine” trams (Ponorka) and a predecessor to the four-axle T1 trams, which were pioneers of the timeless PCC concept still present in Prague today thanks to the T3 trams.
“These were trams intended to reinforce the transport system for the 1948 Sokol Meeting. At the same time, Prague was also hosting the large International Radio Exhibition (Mezinárodní výstava rozhlasu), and so they began calling it ‘Mevro,’ after the abbreviation of this exhibition,” explains Jan Šurovský, Deputy CEO and Technical Director of the transport company.
The history of the “Mevro” vehicles dates back to the war years when they were ordered in the standard design of their predecessors, the well-known “Submarine” trams, which were built between 1935 and 1942. However, this order could not be completed due to material shortages during the war. After the war, the transport company decided to go ahead with this series. Since it was already conceptually an outdated platform, some modifications were made. The operational lifespan of the “Mevro” trams was very short – just 18 years. The tram with number 3098 is unique as it is the last one of this type to be built and delivered, and also the last two-axle tram for passenger transport in Prague. It was withdrawn from regular service in 1966.
In May 2021, the now-operational tram was taken to the Krnov workshops for a complete overhaul. The final completion of the vehicle was carried out by employees of the Prague Public Transport Company. The tram now largely reflects the operational form of the “Mevro” vehicles from the early years of service, with some necessary adjustments for today’s operations – such as the removal of the ticket seller and the installation of a modern static converter in place of the original motor-generator.
After obtaining the operating permit, the transport company plans to deploy the “Mevro” tram on historic Lines No. 41 and 42, or it can be rented by those interested for private tours of Prague.
