Renovated 'Submarine' tram returns to the streets of Prague

A significant piece of Prague's transport history is set to make its return to service tomorrow after some lengthy renovations. Tram number 3062, affectionately known as "Ponorka" (Submarine) for its sleek appearance, will return to the Czech capital's streets a year after celebrating its 80th birthday.

The tram, which dates back to 1942, has undergone lengthy renovations over the past two years but will make its debut on Prague's historic line no. 41 from Sunday morning.

Ponorka celebrated its 80th birthday last year, but restoration work on the vehicle was only halfway completed. Now, after meticulous work, the tram has been fully restored to its former glory, including authentic details from its early years of operation in the early 1940s.

On Sunday, July 30, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., Submarine will hit the streets once again, now running on Prague's new historic line 41, which runs through areas of Prague 6 and 7 as well as (briefly) Old Town and Malá Strana.

The renovated tram presents a unique opportunity for those interested in experiencing travel from the 1940s and 1950s to take a nostalgic journey back in time, and joins vehicles on the city's historic lines that date back to the 1910s.

The restoration process took significant effort, ensuring every aspect of the car's original charm was brought back to life. As a result, passengers on this historical ride will be transported back in time, experiencing the ambiance and atmosphere of a bygone era.

Tram 3062 is notable as the last of the one-way, two-axle trams that once ferried passengers across the streets of Prague. Its service dates back to 1942, during the German-occupied Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, and it could very well have transported notable figures of its time.

If you'd like to take a ride on the Submarine, however, be sure to plan your ride: line no. 41 only runs on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, and only through the end of November.

Additional historic trams can be seen on the streets of Prague on line no. 42, which runs daily and throughout the year. The city has also recently unveiled a new historic bus line, which also runs on weekends through the summer season.

For those looking to combine the Submarine ride with more historical immersion, a visit to the Prague Public Transport Museum is a perfect complement. The museum is located at the Střešovice depot where line no. 41 begins and ends, and is open on both weekend days from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.