Barcelona – 100 years of metro

[Sonic EscapeParticipant @sonicescape38234]

While wandering around I found here a big tent with a few old metro railcars inside. I mean really old, some are from the ’20s. It is a temporary exhibition celebrating 100 years of metro in Barcelona. I’m not a big fan of trains but this was quite interesting.

Especially this yellow one. Just look at the oval windows.

What you can’t see from the pictures is how tall is inside. Modern subway cars are quite small. I can touch the celling without extending my arm. And I can’t walk out the door without bending over. I remember once I lifted my 4-year-old son in my arms full of enthusiasm and without realizing it I hit his head hard on the ceiling under the worried looks of several mothers around and his screams. You get the idea. But in this car I feel at ease. I can’t touch the ceiling even if I jump as high as I can. And the door has a more normal height. Steel must be cheaper 100 years ago.

Also it is very wide. In the city there is only one line left (L1) that is still using such a wide cars. It was built in 1926 and until 1967 it was the largest railcar in the world!

This one is nice also. It looks more classic to me

But I think the mechanic was not very happy with his chair.

But the best part was bellow. Both me and my son turned every handle we found and open every cover that was not locked. With equal enthusiasm. There was even some pressure left that we managed to ventilate it according to that pressure gauge. Now if I’m thinking better maybe this was not allowed. But nobody saw us.

A fuse box made of wood!

Motor looks fine after 50 years of usage. It is not the main motor but one that was driving an air compressor.

Many railcars were built around the city. I saw some old aerial pictures and there was a large industrial area where now are all the nice parks and beaches.

Inside there are the roaring 20s posters

I didn’t knew that my favorite soup is that old!

 

 

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Fascinating! Thankyou!

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Thanks, Sonic

MichaelG.

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