- Spårakoff
Spårakoff is a HM V type
tram converted into a bar inHelsinki ,Finland . Known as the pub tram, the bright red vehicle does circular tours of Helsinki picking up passengers for an additional fee during summer months.Claimed to be the only one of its kind in the world, the the pub tram is immediately distinguishable in the Helsinki traffic by its vivid red colour and "PUB" destination board. Normal trams operated on the
Helsinki tram network byHelsinki City Transport aregreen and cream. A tour ("pub crawl") takes approximately 40 minutes, travelling around the streets of Helsinki while its passengers enjoy their drinks.Operation
The name "Spårakoff" comes from the
Helsinki slang word "spåra" [tram] and the beer brand "KOFF", produced by the Sinebrychoff Brewery—Finland's largest and most famous beer brewery. Currently the tram carries the number "175" to commemorate the 175th year anniversary of Sinebrychoff that happened in 1994. Operation of the tram is by the Finnishrestaurant chain S-Group .chedule and prices
Generally the tram only runs during summer months. Regularly scheduled tours for 2008 are between 20 May–30 August. No tours on 20–21. June (
Midsummer weekend). Track repair works may affect the schedule. Departures Tuesday-Saturday from the Mikonkatu stop (inRautatientori square, next to theHelsinki Central railway station ) at 14:00, 15:00, 17:00, 18:00, 19:00 and 20:00. In addition to Mikonkatu, tram can only be boarded at theLinnanmäki , Opera House, Old Student House and Market Square tram stops.;RouteMikonkatu (
Rautatientori )–Hakaniemi –Kallio –Linnanmäki –Helsinginkatu –Mannerheimintie –Aleksanterinkatu –Kauppatori –Kaisaniemi –Mikonkatu .;Price
As of 2008 , the price of the tour is €8.50 (adults) and €4.00 (children under 12). Drinks are sold separately, on top of the boarding fee.;BrochuresBrochures are available from the "
Helsinki City Transport (HKL) information point" atHelsinki Central railway station and from the" Helsinki City Tourist and Convention Bureau" at Pohjoisesplanadi 19.;Private occasionsIt is possible to book the pub tram by the hour for private charter use, along any practical route possible. As of 2008, reservations or enquiries can be made via
S-Group Restaurant Sales Service Centre, contactable by telephone on +358 20 123 4800.Technical information
The tram has two bogies and was originally constructed in 1959. The conversion for pub use (including addition of a toilet) was in 1995.
* Width: convert|2.3|m|ftin, height: convert|3.6|m|ftin
* Track gauge: convert|1|m|ft
* Total mass: convert|20|t|lb
* Top speed: convert|60|km/h|mph
* Capacity: 24 seats, 6 standing places, oneflush toilet (WC)The tram is staffed by one driver and one waiter/waitress serving customers.
ee also
*
Colonial Tramcar Restaurant in Melbourne, Australia.
* [http://www.vbz.ch/vbz_opencms/opencms/vbz/deutsch/Angebote/Extrafahrten/FondueTram FondueTram] , in Zürich, Switzerland.External links
* [http://www.koff.fi/?page_id=276 Koff announcement of 2008 running] .
* [http://sporvognsrejser.dk/finland/helsinki/ Tram Travels/Sporvognsrejser: Raitiovaunu Spårakoff]
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