 |
 |
Transportation
The "Kolosourtis"
|
|
It is about the Athens-Faliron {Αθήναι-Φάληρον} (steam-driven) tram, which operated in 1887.
It was called "Kolosourtis" {Κωλοσούρτης} ("ass dragger"), because it was slow when going uphill and it gave the impression that it was dragging itself, due to its small height. Its point of departure was Akadimias {Ακαδημίας} Street, it crossed Panepistimiou {Πανεπιστημίου}, Amalias {Αμαλίας} and Thiseos {Θησέως} Streets and it terminated at Faliron {Φάληρον}.
The following chronicle was written for it: "The fun begins when this dribbler, who audaciously calls himself steam-driven tram, and who indeed is a mobile coffee roaster, puts into action the spits, the sparks and the myriad -- like fine rain and offensive to the eyes -- carbon molecules, for which there is no defense, neither salvation. These transform the gentlemen passengers to Guinea negroes, and the Athenian lady passengers to dark-skinned gipsy girls. When the train reaches -- if it does -- God willing, Faliron, it gives the impression that it is one of the trains one sees in India, which carry black slaves for the loading and shipping of the rice, in Bombay."
It was put out of service in 1909 following an accident and the advent of electric trams.
Sources: Eleftherotipia
{Ελευθεροτυπία} Newspaper. Featured Article: The History Of
The Railway, Saturday, July 3rd, 1999.
11-29-2003