In the heart of Hong Kong, 165 iconic double-decker trams – affectionately called "Ding Dings" by locals – clatter across urban streets, carrying over 200,000 daily passengers. Behind this Guinness World Record fleet lies a story of human craftsmanship: just 90 artisans at Whitty Street depot maintain these rolling relics using techniques unchanged for generations.
Steel Bones and Steady Hands
Reporter Huang Fei observed craftsmen hand-welding tram frames and rewiring motors dating to the 1950s. "We treat each tram like a family member," said a veteran technician, demonstrating century-old controller systems still guiding modern routes. While new LED displays now adorn some cabins, the clang of hammers shaping steel panels remains the depot’s enduring soundtrack.
Engineering Time Capsules
Over 70% of operational components are refurbished from retired trams, creating a circular economy of heritage parts. This sustainable approach preserves historical continuity – some brake systems in use today predate Hong Kong’s return to China in 1997.
As global cities adopt driverless trains, Hong Kong’s trams endure as mobile museums, their survival testament to artisans bridging analog tradition with digital-age demands. For residents and visitors alike, their rhythmic bells remain the heartbeat of urban life.
