An old-fashioned trolley car is seen at Qianmen Street on Thursday. Two old-fashioned trolley cars began operating again on the 600-year-old Qianmen Street on Thursday after a nearly 50 year hiatus.

Two old-fashioned trolley cars began operating again on the 600-year-old Qianmen Street on Thursday after a nearly 50 year hiatus.

"Qianmen No.1" and "Qianmen No.2", painted in traditional style, run between two stations from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on the 840-meter-long street.

The journey takes 10 minutes and costs 20 yuan (2.9 U.S. dollars).

The cars, known as "Dangdang cars" by old Beijingers for the sound of the bell, first appeared in the city in 1924. They were replaced by buses in the 1960s.

The trolleys are the only vehicles allowed to run on Qianmen Street, the capital's ancient commercial center. It was reopened in August after a year of renovation. The trolleys are mainly used to attract tourists.

They are handicap accessible and equipped with televisions.

(Xinhua News Agency January 2, 2009)