In the streets of Oslo there is centurial tram with orchestra
In Norwegian Christmas tradition appeared at the beginning of XIX century the image of Saint-Nicholas who gives presents to the children was created because of the reflections about nisse – boogie in red hats – the latest should have been coaxed with the grease porridge and other delicacies at night before Christmas. As the investigators consider, Norwegian peasants initially did not understand new-fangled capital tradition coming from other countries and think that Saint-Nicholas or Christmas Niels, it is Christmas nisse – a new type of boogie who gives candies to children. That is why Norwegian «Santa» may be depicted as fine-looking elders as well as funny dwarf; however, in any image he permanently gives joy to children with his apparition.
Every December «Nissetrikk» or tram with boogies fills snowy streets of the capital of Scandinavian kingdom with joyous Christmas melodies for dozen of years. In 1912 it was the first time when this tram started its route as the usual scheduled transportation way. Jumping over footboard, the passenger is able to touch the living participle of history and almost transfer to the beginning of the last century.
Even though outside figured glass there is a modern city landscape, inside the tram the warm light is emitted from polished wood of walls, rattan seats crunch in a comfortable way, the polished metallic furniture shines, and loud voice of check taker fills the backdrop in the lounge. Giving a pull at the leather tie of bell and announcing the next stop, he sends the carriage to 20-minute trip to the strains of the wind band.
«In Norway there are trams which are older, but this one is the oldest which we may use at the current lines without risk for passengers, - the check taker Stig Madsen has told to the journalist of TASS. – It had been built in Germany at the plant Siemens-Schuckert and had been making regular tracks until 1968. Germans were the first who understood how to make good trams, and Oslo has remained loyal to the trademark Siemens».
As Madsen told, last several dozens of years, refurbished tram goes to the different lines every weekend for the most part of the year. In addition to that, at night before Christmas and Day of Constitution – the greatest holiday of Norway the special program is working, and all the trips are free-of-charge.
By the way, for 65-year-old check taker «Nissetrikk» is not usual hobby. He is a member of air club «Russian war birds» in Skien. Madsen regularly raises in the sky on Soviet light aeroplanes which he estimates very high.
«Arrive to us in spring, - the check taker is bidding farewell with the journalist of TASS trying to shout down the orchestra of «boogies». – We will give the ride for you at AN-2!».
