MOST, SUMMARY
 
Opening Date 07.08.1901 01.04.1957
Gauge 1000 mm 1435 mm
Voltage 550 V dc 600 V dc
Closed 24.03.1961 ---
Maximum Track Length 18,9 km (1948-55) 17,8 km (1981)
Current Track Length --- 17,8 km
No.Of Cars --- 120 (approx.)
No.Of Depots --- 2
Maximum No.Of Lines 5 6 (1981-1993)
Current No.Of Lines 5, one during night too

Most, now industrial city on north of Czech republic, with big chemical factories and brown coal mines was newly built after WW2. The "old" Most, old king's town, based in 13th century was completely destroyed, because brown coal was founded under city. Only the church "Nanebevzeti panny Marie" survived, although it was moved(!) for approx. 1 km! This is still written in Guinness Book Of Records, as the heaviest 'cargo' or history!

Please note, that today's northern part of Czech republic was settled mainly by german-speaking people (until end of WW2), so Most is also known under german name Brux. Both these words means 'bridge'.

Most's chemical works were based in 2nd half of 19th century. Another cities, such as Litvinov and Janov wanted to be connected with these works too, so after 1890 many tramway projects were checked here. In 1900 proposal of german firm AEG was accepted and works on first narrow gauge tramway route (1000 mm) started immediately. First line between Most's railway station, Litvinov and Janov was opened on 7th August 1901 with length of 13,3 km with 8 small AEG-tramcars. Fleet expanded in 1903, additional 3 tramcars were purchased from AEG. Until WW1 tramways were unchanged, in 1917 new route to Most-Cepirohy was built. After WW1 some used cars from German city Zittau were purchased. In 1931 new additional new tramcars were purchased.

Shortly after german occupation in 1938/1939 new passenger track to coal mine "Minerva" was opened, although it was not an entrirely new route, it was opened in 1921 for transport of coal. Chemical works were massively expaned during WW2. Tramway transport was too slow, and track was too far, so in they started to built in 1944 trolleybus route, but it was not completed until 1946. After war, new line to Zahrazany was opened, so narrow gauge tramways were extended to maximum length.

In 1950, decision was taken to built completely new normal gauge tramway line. It was not 'regauging' (as in Liberec), because new tramways used different routing. In 1955, first narrow gauge line betwenn Litvinov and Janov was closed. In 1957 fist normal gauge tramways started to operate between Litvinov And Chemical Works, again with czech T1 tramcars (40 was delivered). In 1959 normal gauge tramways reached Most (and they were extendended in Litvinov to Citadela too), so near main station was terminus for both narrow and normal gauge tramways. These 1000 mm tramways still served Most. In 1960, after fatal accident in station Gymnazium only one line remained. Normal gauge tramways were extended into Most-Velebudice in march 1961, last narrow gauge tramways were withdrawned one day ago. Second depot in Velebudice was opened in 1969, it was filled with new T3 tramcars.

'Old' Most was competely destroyed in end of 70's. So in 1978 were rails removed from 'old' Most, and new track was built. New railway station was also opened in Most in 1978, so new track was built here too. Last expansion comes in 1981, when new track to Velebudice-East was built.

As usual, tramcars of T1, T2 and T3 types were delived. In mid of 70's two prototypes of T5B6 tramcars were delivered. One of them is now preserved as 'historic' vehicle (although one of newest types at all), second is scrapped and used for spare parts. After 'fall of the wall' in 1989 Chemical Works drastically reduces their productions. It also reduces need of tramways. While in 1985-1990 approx. 105 tramways runs daily, now there's need only for approx. 65 tramways! So there is absolutely no need to purchase new tramways. Some tramways were also sold to Plzen.

Double-ended tramcars of KT8D5 type were highly unpopular here, so they were withdravned in 1993. 4 pcs. were sold to Hungarian city Miskolc, one was given (free of charge) to Bosnian city Sarajewo, and there's hope to sold rest of these tramcars this year to Miskolc or Sarajewo again.

Today tramways operate fast (really fast, often over 70 km/h) between Most and Litvinov. Some projects are still here, but there's still problem with money. City is now served with T3 (or T3SUCS) tramways exclusively.

The following lines are in operation:
 
Line 1 whole line between Velebudice and Litvinov Citadela (rush hours only)
Line 2  city line between Velebudice and Main Railway Station
Line 3 connects Litvinov Citadela and Main Rly.Station in Most
Line 4 'main' line between Most-Depot Velebudice and Litvinov Citadela
Line 7 in rush hours runs between Litvinov East and Most-Depot Velebudice
Night Line 4 same as day line, but it runs to Most's rly.station too

Map of network can be viewed here

CZECH REPUBLIC - Most, tramway T3 in Velebudice
CZECH REPUBLIC - Most, tramways KT8 and T3 in Litvínov
CZECH REPUBLIC - Most, tramway T5
CZECH REPUBLIC - Most, tramway T5 a T3


This page (c) 1998 Richard A.Bílek. All photos and articles by Richard A.Bílek, except where noted. Feel free to spread all of these informations, but do not forget to mention your source.