The “missing deck” : the Hong Kong Light Rail Transit as a future transport heritage

Abstract

Hong Kong Light Rail Transit has served northwestern New Territories for over 30 years. Originally a double-deck tramway which is similar to that on the Hong Kong Island, but it eventually adopted a single-deck design. The Light Rail system is an unforgettable memory of many locals, but Hong Kong has less emphasis on railway conservation. As transport heritage is emerging as a new trend of conservation studies, it is time for Hong Kong to have more research on local transportation. The paper will illustrate the features of the Light Rail system as being a potential local transport heritage. This thesis aims at revealing why Hong Kong Light Rail Transit has a “missing” deck, a special railway network, as well as the “missing” conservation work. Moreover, it will show the relationship between new town development and the evolution of the Light Rail system. Research and interviews will prove the tangible and intangible elements of Hong Kong Light Rail Transit. The comprehensive documentation on all the current generations of Hong Kong Light Rail vehicles will become a reference basis for future scholars once it becomes one of the local transport heritage assets.