Sightseer Tram Cars - History & Fun Facts!

This past weekend, the famous Sightseer Tram Cars began rolling for their 70th season of operation on the Wildwoods Boardwalk.

Below are some really cool facts on the history of the service, courtesy of www.DOOWW.com.

On Monday, June 11, passengers will be able to enjoy 10 cent rides each way, commemorating the original price on the anniversary of day the electric trains first launched - June 11, 1949.

New for 2018, a reduced Spring and Fall "all day and night" wristband will be available for just $5.00. Good from 11 am until the Tram Cars stop running for the evening, the "hop on/hop off" wristband will be sold up until May 24, and again in September after Labor Day Weekend.


Sightseer Tram Cars (1936 - Present)

• The five original Tram Car engines and trains were custom built for the 1939 New York World's Fair. The Greyhound Bus Company had the transportation contract for the fair. They were called the Greyhound Trackless Trains.

• In 1949, Wildwood businessman Gilbert Ramagosa purchased the Tram Car engines and trains and put them back into service. They debuted on the Wildwoods Boardwalk on June 11, 1949. The orginal fare was $0.10 each way.

• From 1949 until 1963, the five original Tram Car engines and trains serviced the Wildwoods Boardwalk.

• In 1963, three new complete engines and trains were custom built by a metal shop in Camden, New Jersey.

• From 1963 to the present day, eight tram car engines and trains serviced the Boardwalk.

• In 1994, Mr. Ramagosa sold the Tram Cars to a group of local business owners. Mr. Ramagosa passed away in 1995.

• At the end of the 2003 season, it was announced that the Tram Cars would not be returning to the Boardwalk. The reasons given were an increase in operating costs, including insurance, as well as an increase in the value of the land that then housed the Tram Car Warehouse.

• In 2004, the private, non-profit Wildwoods Boardwalk Special Improvement District, Management Corporation (WSID) purchased the Tram Car System.

• In 2007, the first new Tram Car trailers since 1963 are constructed and put into service.

• In 2014, five additional Tram Car trailers were built.

• In 2015, five of the original Tram Car trailers were retired from service.

• In 2016, the first new Tram Car engine since 1963 is made in Wildwood and joins the fleet. It is dedicated to longtime Sightseer employee John "Gig" Gigliotti.

• Today, eight Tram Car engines, pulling 37 individual trailers, carry over 600,000 passengers each summer on the Wildwoods Boardwalk.

• The Tram Cars can run up to 12 hours on a single charge of their 2,000 pound electric batteries.

• Since 1949, the Sightseer Tram Cars have carried over 20 million passengers,

• "Watch the Tram Car, Please!" which is broadcast over speakers in each Tram Car train, is one of the most recognizable phrases in the Tri-State Area.

• The four original Tram Car trains are some of the oldest, continually operated modes of public transportation in the United States.

• 2018 marks the 70th year of Sightseer Tram Car service on the Wildwoods Boardwalk!