the building process lasted about two years - the work was completed by 1912, and the first tram was inaugurated, with wooden cable cars carrying visitors between morro da urca and sugar loaf.

these same cable cars were used for 60 years-it was only in 1972 that the next generation of trolleys were introduced. these cars are still used today, and significantly increased the carrying capacity, in order to meet the growing demand of tourists and locals alike.