The BT1 tow tramcar – a socket on the end truck

The sound of the socket opening on the end track of a BT1 tow car. The socket is used to control the trailer car braking system.

The tow car, also called the tram locomotive, dates from the 1920s and was used to service freight on the tram network. After the end of World War II, the tram was used to clear up the rubble from Wrocław. Most likely, in the 1950s, the tram was modernised, and the fittings made compatible with the N type tramcars. The Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Komunikacyjne public transport company in Wrocław used it as a technical car (tug tramcar) until the 1970s. In the early 21st century, the tram was added to the collection of The Museum of Municipal Engineering and was restored in 2016. It is operational and occasionally may be seen in the streets of Krakow.

Sound recording: Marcin Dymiter aka Emiter
Photo: Iwo Wachowicz