Miskolc is known for its custom of buying used trams. In the socialist days Miskolc was deemed to use old tramcars which were given to them by Budapest. Then in the nineties they bought Tatra KT8D5 8-axle articulated cars from Kosice and Most. Now they purchased 8+1 used 6-axle E1 cars from Vienna to replace some of the old "Bengalis" (FVV home-made articulated car) with them, until they can buy new low-floor vehicles.

Number 181 (ex-4717) in the backyard of the joint bus/tram depot of Miskolc, with an an old FVV articulated in the back. The cars are intended as a temporary solution so they won't receive the traditional yellow color used on trams here.

The same car inside one of the remise halls.

Looking out of the window: a KT8D5 on the next track.

Tram parade: E1, CKD Tatra KT8D5 and FVV artculated cars side-by side.

Another view of this colorful "show".

In the other shed E1 cars are undergoing the necessary conversions. Although the original wheel profile remains (this was one of the major problems during the bargain: Miskolc uses different railway regulations than Vienna), there other things to do, like the replacement of the lanterns, seats, and rear view mirrors are also fitted.

180 (ex-4714 - this was the first car to arrive) with route number 2. There are two tram lines in Miskolc, but since these cars are unidirectional, they can be only used on route 2, which has turning loops on both ends.

The rear view mirror.

182 (ex-4722)

183 (ex-4723)

184 again.

One of the strangest modifications is the fitting of a closed driver's cab. You can see the skeleton of the new cab here.

What a mess!

The cars that arraived in in the last two weeks are still on the front yard, next to the trailer which brought them here.

Number 4707 and 4720.

Ditto.

Between the ex-viennese trams you can see the beatifully restored nostalgy car number 100, which was the first FVV articulated in Miskolc, and turned 40 years old this year.

Number 4718 behind a KT8D5.

This is the penultimate car in the 8+1 batch Miskolc has purchased.

"To be sold". "Sold" would be more appropriate...

Test rides are likely to start in the next weeks, and hopefully the vehicles enter passenger service during January/February.