It is only 15 km from the Hungarian border to Oraea but it seemed like a different world. Though both notionally communist states Hungary and Romania were persuing very different economic policies. Compared with the other eastern bloc countries Hungary was a bit like China today - and some private enterprise was allowed and the shops were full of goods and there no queues for petrol. Romania was paying off the national debt by making sure there was nothing left for the locals. Food was scarce - even fresh fruit and vegetables in August and buying petrol for the car was a challenge.1. The first tram I photographed in Romania. One of the 'standard' four wheeters without air conditioning.
2. I think this was the first time I had seen trams operating on dirt roads. I wonder if the EC will pay for it to be surfaced now.
3. The bogie version was far less common. We only saw them here in in Timisoara. Note the bow collectors on the first three pictures.
4. This is a 'Banat' tram built in Timisoara. These were painted yellow in most towns.
