For visitors to Budapest, riding one of the Hungarian capital's 'old school' trams - those running on the 47-49, 19, and 41 lines, known as the 'UV' - is not only a truly unique experience, but also a window into this city's public transportation past. But the Budapest Transport Company (BKV) recently announced some bittersweet news for fans of these old workhorses: After 50 years of service, the company plans to retire them by the end of 2007 and this fall will begin swapping them out with the 'younger' models which currently roam the Nagyk?r?t or Grand boulevard. In this produced feature, Drew Leifheit speaks to a big fan of these trams and a man who has had a special relationship with them for over three decades.

For visitors to Budapest, riding one of the Hungarian capital's 'old school' trams - those running on the 47-49, 19, and 41 lines, known as the 'UV' - is not only a truly unique experience, but also a window into this city's public transportation past. But the Budapest Transport Company (BKV) recently announced some bittersweet news for fans of these old workhorses: After 50 years of service, the company plans to retire them by the end of 2007 and this fall will begin swapping them out with the 'younger' models which currently roam the Nagyk?r?t or Grand boulevard. In this produced feature, Drew Leifheit speaks to a big fan of these trams and a man who has had a special relationship with them for over three decades.