The tram cars that shuttle visitors along the Boardwalk in Wildwood and North Widwood have been an institution on the island since 1949, and their iconic recorded phrase, ‘Watch the tram car, please,’ lets vacationers know exactly where they are on the Jersey Shore. Wednesday August 19, 2009, (Dale Gerhard/Press of Atlantic City)
WILDWOOD — The iconic tram car on the Boardwalk is officially entering its 70th year of service.
To celebrate, residents and visitors in Wildwood will get the opportunity to ride the tram for 10 cents Monday, the same price it was when it was brought to the Boardwalk in 1949.
A Look back at Wildwood Tram Cars
Wildwood tram car. Sept 1990. Press file photo.
Wildwood Tram Car. June 1979. Press file photo.
Wildwood tram car. Sept 1980. Press file photo.
Brooke Kenney 2, of Loudoun Virginia, and cousin Tyler Wright 8, of Calvert, Maryland, enjoy the ride as the tram departs Cresse Ave. The tramcars that shuttle visitors along the boardwalk in Wildwood and North Wildwood, has been an institution on the island since 1949 and it's iconic recorded phrase "watch the tram car please" lets vacationers know exactly where they are on the Jersey Shore. Wednesday August 19, 2009, (Dale Gerhard/Press of Atlantic City)
Rahn rides on the back of the tram along the boardwalk. Denise Rahn is a driver and conductor of the tram cars that shuttle visitors around the Wildwood Boardwalk . Wednesday June 17, 2011. (Dale Gerhard/Press of Atlantic City)
Rahn (left) and fellow driver Dimitar Ivanov, prepare for a trip along the boardwalk. Denise Rahn is a driver and conductor of the tram cars that shuttle visitors around the Wildwood Boardwalk . Wednesday June 17, 2011. (Dale Gerhard/Press of Atlantic City)
A tram car makes a sweeping turn on the boardwalk near Juniper Ave. at the start of the day. The tramcars that shuttle visitors along the boardwalk in Wildwood and North Wildwood, has been an institution on the island since 1949 and it’s iconic recorded phrase “watch the tram car please” lets vacationers know exactly where they are on the Jersey Shore.
Fran Flood (left) Ron McGrath and Paul Mishkin prepare to take the tram on a run. The tramcars that shuttle visitors along the boardwalk in Wildwood and North Wildwood, has been an institution on the island since 1949 and it's iconic recorded phrase "watch the tram car please" lets vacationers know exactly where they are on the Jersey Shore. Wednesday August 19, 2009, (Dale Gerhard/Press of Atlantic City)
Conductor Paul Mishkin waves the clear sign as the tram leaves Cresse Avenue on the Wildwood Boardwalk in 2009.
Pat Rosenello, director of the Wildwood Special Improvement District, shows the recharging 36 volt batteries used to power the trams. The tramcars that shuttle visitors along the boardwalk in Wildwood and North Wildwood, has been an institution on the island since 1949 and it's iconic recorded phrase "watch the tram car please" lets vacationers know exactly where they are on the Jersey Shore. Wednesday August 19, 2009, (Dale Gerhard/Press of Atlantic City)
Conductor Nikolay Kagarski, hops on the back car of the tram after leaving Cresse Ave. The tramcars that shuttle visitors along the boardwalk in Wildwood and North Wildwood, has been an institution on the island since 1949 and it's iconic recorded phrase "watch the tram car please" lets vacationers know exactly where they are on the Jersey Shore. Wednesday August 19, 2009, (Dale Gerhard/Press of Atlantic City)
The tram cars that shuttle visitors along the Boardwalk in Wildwood and North Widwood have been an institution on the island since 1949, and their iconic recorded phrase, ‘Watch the tram car, please,’ lets vacationers know exactly where they are on the Jersey Shore. Wednesday August 19, 2009, (Dale Gerhard/Press of Atlantic City)
Rahn guides the tram along the boardwalk. Denise Rahn is a driver and conductor of the tram cars that shuttle visitors around the Wildwood Boardwalk . Wednesday June 17, 2011. (Dale Gerhard/Press of Atlantic City)
Rahn guides the tram along the boardwalk. Denise Rahn is a driver and conductor of the tram cars that shuttle visitors around the Wildwood Boardwalk . Wednesday June 17, 2011. (Dale Gerhard/Press of Atlantic City)
Tramcar operator John Gigliotti, sits in the tramcar after a malfunction occurred during the tug-of-war. A tug-of-war between monster truck AmeriCRUSH driven by Gary McGhee of Wildwood Motor Events and the Sightseer Tram Car operated by John "Gigi" Gigliotti, took place on the Wildwood Boardwalk in front of the convention center, to promote the upcoming Monsters on the Beach show. AmeriCRUSH prevailed after a mechanical malfunction occurred to the tramcar. Tuesday Aug. 16, 2016. (Dale Gerhard/Press of City)
Globetrotters Scooter Christensen (left) and Thunder Petway ride the tram. The Harlem Globetrotters took a ride on the Wildwood Sightseer Tram Car to visit with folks on the Boardwalk and promote their games at the Wildwood Convention Center. A new recording "watch the globetrotters, please" was played along the way. Aug. 10 2011. (Dale Gerhard/Press of Atlantic City)
Third grade students from Tammy McClure's and and Jessica Hickman's from Margaret Mace Elementary School in North Wildwood, were the first to take a ride on the Wildwood Boardwalk Tramcars, Friday May 4, 2012. Students enjoy the ride. (Dale Gerhard/Press of Atlantic City)
The first new tram car train to be built in 44 years was unveiled this Friday, July 27, 2007 at 1:00 P.M. in front of the Wildwoods Convention Center at 4400 Boardwalk. The five new passenger trailers, were ordered by the Wildwoods Boardwalk Special Improvement District, Management Corporation (WSID), which owns and operates the famous Tram Cars. PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY PHOTO / DALE GERHARD).
Bob Brown of Rampage Trailers, had to construct the trams from scratch. Five new trailer cars will be added to the fleet of trams on the Wildwood Boardwalk. Rampage Trailer of South Carolina was hired by the Wildwood's Boardwalk Special Improvement District, which operated the trams, to custom make the new tramcars. Tuesday July 10, 2007. (Press of Atlantic City Photo/Dale Gerhard)
A tug-of-war between monster truck AmeriCRUSH driven by Gary McGhee of Wildwood Motor Events and the Sightseer Tram Car operated by John "Gigi" Gigliotti, took place on the Wildwood Boardwalk in front of the convention center, to promote the upcoming Monsters on the Beach show. AmeriCRUSH prevailed after a mechanical malfunction occurred to the tramcar. Tuesday Aug. 16, 2016. (Dale Gerhard/Press of City)
TRAMS ------The eight tram cars used on the Wildwood boardwalk in the summer are being stored at Naval Air Station Wildwood for the winter , filling one side of the hagar mixed in with airplanes...... Art of tram cars being stored in the airport hanger in Lower Township. Story on future of trams and who will run them int he upcoming seasons..... MONDAY 01/05/2004
The first Great Tram Car Race in which Al Alberts races Cozy Morley down the Boardwalk on tram cars from 16th to 22nd Avenues. THURSDAY, 04/16/98 Here, Al Alberts comes across the finish line and wins by a nose.
BOARDS WildwoodÕs Boardwalk is broken. Concrete supports under the Boardwalk nearest the apartment building are cracked or missing entirely. some chunks are in the sand. Rebar is exposed and rusting. Temporary supports in place. The best stuff is in the middle of this block on west side. THURSDAY 06/11/98 Here , above the crumbling boardwalk is a row of shops , Wildwood Ocean Tower Shops , and the tram car comes down here to turn around.
The tram makes a turn at the end of the boardwalk at Cresse Avenue. The first new tram car train to be built in 44 years was unveiled this Friday, July 27, 2007 at 1:00 P.M. in front of the Wildwoods Convention Center at 4400 Boardwalk. The five new passenger trailers, were ordered by the Wildwoods Boardwalk Special Improvement District, Management Corporation (WSID), which owns and operates the famous Tram Cars. PRESS OF ATLANTIC CITY PHOTO / DALE GERHARD).
Even officials from the state's office of the attorney general, aren't powerful enough to halt the Wildwood tram car from completing its rounds, having to move their podium off the pathway as the tram passed by during a press conference. "Watch the tramcar please!" David Szuchman director from the State Division of Consumer Affairs plus a dozen investigators from the Office of Consumer Protection and the Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission, were on the North Wildwood boardwalk, Tuesday July 1, 2008, to inspect merchants and game operators. Investigators were also on the look out for Yo-Yo Waterballs, which are prohibited from sale in New Jersey under a recently passed law. The task force inspections concentrated on whether merchants have posted refund policies and is clearly priced. (Press of Atlantic City Photo/Dale Gerhard)
Third grade students from Tammy McClure's and and Jessica Hickman's from Margaret Mace Elementary School in North Wildwood, were the first to take a ride on the Wildwood Boardwalk Tramcars, Friday May 4, 2012. Students wave to bike riders on the boardwalk as they pass by. (Dale Gerhard/Press of Atlantic City)
Globetrotter Handles Franklin, driver the tram car. The Harlem Globetrotters took a ride on the Wildwood Sightseer Tram Car to visit with folks on the Boardwalk and promote their games at the Wildwood Convention Center. A new recording "watch the globetrotters, please" was played along the way. Aug. 10 2011. (Dale Gerhard/Press of Atlantic City)
AmeriCRUSH driver Gary McGhee (right) celebrates the tug-of-war win over the tramcar. John Lynch of the Wildwood Convention Center (center) and John Gigliotti of the Sightseer, look on. A tug-of-war between monster truck AmeriCRUSH driven by Gary McGhee of Wildwood Motor Events and the Sightseer Tram Car operated by John "Gigi" Gigliotti, took place on the Wildwood Boardwalk in front of the convention center, to promote the upcoming Monsters on the Beach show. AmeriCRUSH prevailed after a mechanical malfunction occurred to the tramcar. Tuesday Aug. 16, 2016. (Dale Gerhard/Press of City)
World famous Harlem Globetrotter Chris "Handles" Franklin brought the team's ABCs of Bullying Prevention to students of Wildwood Schools during a community day at the Convention Center on the Boardwalk. Franklin teaches students how to combat bullying by using Action, Bravery, and Compassion. Franklin was the students special tram car driver after the assembly. Wednesday June 5, 2013. (Dale Gerhard/The Press of Atlantic City)
WRAP UP Throughout region. Art of crowds, beaches, traffic, flags, etc. SUNDAY 07/05/98 Here the Wildwood Bdwalk is full of holiday tourists.
TRAMS ------The eight tram cars used on the Wildwood boardwalk in the summer are being stored at Naval Air Station Wildwood for the winter , filling one side of the hangar mixed in with airplanes...... Art of tram cars being stored in the airport hangar in Lower Township. Story on future of trams and who will run them int he upcoming seasons..... MONDAY 01/05/2004
John Lynch of the Wildwood Convention Center, starts the tug-of-war. A tug-of-war between monster truck AmeriCRUSH driven by Gary McGhee of Wildwood Motor Events and the Sightseer Tram Car operated by John "Gigi" Gigliotti, took place on the Wildwood Boardwalk in front of the convention center, to promote the upcoming Monsters on the Beach show. AmeriCRUSH prevailed after a mechanical malfunction occurred to the tramcar. Tuesday Aug. 16, 2016. (Dale Gerhard/Press of City)
Sightseeing tram operator Irene Yeremeyeve asks you to "watch the tram car please" as she picks up fares along the Schellenger Avenue section of the boardwalk. 7/2/2000 ac press/Dale Gerhard
Patrick Rosenello, director of the Wildwood Boardwalk Special Improvement District, imspects the tramcars SID is in the process of purchasing. The boardwalk SID operates the tramcars and was leasing the vehicals from Trams LLC, the current owners. Recent legistration passed before Christmas, by acting governor Richard Codey, allows the boardwalk SID to finance the purchase of the cars. The trams carry passengers along the 2.5 mile boardwalk in Wildwood and North Wildwood in the summer season. Wednesday Jan. 5, 2005. (Press of Atlantic City/Dale Gerhard)
TRAMS -----NASW volunteer , Frank Surran , Sr. and NASW employee , Tom Collins still have to get some work done around the stored trams. The eight tram cars used on the Wildwood boardwalk in the summer are being stored at Naval Air Station Wildwood for the winter , filling one side of the hagar mixed in with airplanes...... Art of tram cars being stored in the airport hanger in Lower Township. Story on future of trams and who will run them int he upcoming seasons..... MONDAY 01/05/2004
The first Great Tram Car Race in which Al Alberts races Cozy Morley down the Boardwalk on tram cars from 16th to 22nd Avenues. THURSDAY, 04/16/98. Here, Bob McCullion, President of North Wildwood Council and Acting Mayor, starts the race at 16th St.
The Harlem Globetrotters will wow crowds once again at the Wildwoods Convention Center.
TRAM CAR----Patrick Rosenello , with son Gavin , 3 , talks with Bob Brown , of Rampage Trailer Company , next to what will be the roof of the finished tram car at Brown's shop in Burleigh. Brown is checking the valance that will go around the top of the finished tram car. The birth of a tram car. After many years, a brand new tram car is being built from scratch for the Wildwoods Boardwalk. Sunday May 6th 2007 ( Press of Atlantic City / Danny Drake)
The first Great Tram Car Race in which Al Alberts races Cozy Morley down the Boardwalk on tram cars from 16th to 22nd Avenues. THURSDAY, 04/16/98 Here, Cozy Morley is full of optimism at the start of the race.
Five new trailer cars will be added to the fleet of trams on the Wildwood Boardwalk. Rampage Trailer of South Carolina was hired by the Wildwood's Boardwalk Special Improvement District, which operated the trams, to custom make the new tramcars. Tuesday July 10, 2007. (Press of Atlantic City Photo/Dale Gerhard)
Patrick Rosenello, director of the Wildwood Boardwalk Special Improvement District, imspects the tramcars SID is in the process of purchasing. The boardwalk SID operates the tramcars and was leasing the vehicals from Trams LLC, the current owners. Recent legistration passed before Christmas, by acting governor Richard Codey, allows the boardwalk SID to finance the purchase of the cars. The trams carry passengers along the 2.5 mile boardwalk in Wildwood and North Wildwood in the summer season. Wednesday Jan. 5, 2005. (Press of Atlantic City/Dale Gerhard)
Third grade students from Tammy McClure's and and Jessica Hickman's from Margaret Mace Elementary School in North Wildwood, were the first to take a ride on the Wildwood Boardwalk Tramcars, Friday May 4, 2012. Tram driver John "Gig" Gigliotti, instructs the students on safety before the ride. (Dale Gerhard/Press of Atlantic City)
Third grade students from Tammy McClure's and and Jessica Hickman's from Margaret Mace Elementary School in North Wildwood, were the first to take a ride on the Wildwood Boardwalk Tramcars, Friday May 4, 2012. (Dale Gerhard/Press of Atlantic City)
Wildwood Convention Center director of marketing and sale John Lynch, clowns around with the Globetrotter mascot. The Harlem Globetrotters took a ride on the Wildwood Sightseer Tram Car to visit with folks on the Boardwalk and promote their games at the Wildwood Convention Center. A new recording "watch the globetrotters, please" was played along the way. Aug. 10 2011. (Dale Gerhard/Press of Atlantic City)
“They mean everything to the Boardwalk,” said Steve Frame, a Wildwood resident who does maintenance on the tram cars. “I don’t think the Wildwood Boardwalk would be the same if we never had them.”
The original tram cars were built by the Greyhound Bus Co. and brought to Wildwood after they were purchased from the New York World’s Fair by local business owner S.B. Ramagosa. The trams carried people around the World’s Fair in Flushing, New York, then debuted on the Wildwood Boardwalk on June 11, 1949.
Marty Shapiro, owner of Gateway 26 arcade, said the trams are not just iconic, but important because the Boardwalk is so long.
“This is almost a 3-mile Boardwalk, so the tram cars give people, especially senior citizens, an opportunity to see the whole thing,” he said. “It’s also very symbolic because of the slogan. You can’t go anywhere without someone knowing what it is.”
Indeed, the famous “Watch the Tram Car, Please” slogan has become a staple of New Jersey. Former governors and celebrities have ridden the trams, and last year rock legend Bruce Springsteen was spotted catching a ride.
The tram cars travel about 4 to 5 mph, Frame said, and run on battery.
Every night around 2 a.m. when the Boardwalk closes, Frame is responsible for parking the tram cars in a warehouse near 26th Street on the Boardwalk.
“It’s pretty cool and I love doing it — until there is a problem,” Frame joked. “We get a lot of flat tires because of the nails on the Boardwalk, but overall I would say they hold up pretty well.”
Contact: 609-272-7260 JDeRosier@pressofac.com Twitter @ACPressDeRosier
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