The Golden Age of Trams

[Nolic]

Just noticed that there is a programme on BBC4 TV tonight at 7.00pm for anyone with an interest in this subject. Nolic

[Stanley]

I've recorded it, I chose the Horizon programme on the transit of Venus. In the late 1940s I used to go to school on trams with an open section at each end of the top deck. A long ride from Heaton Moor to Davenport and always an interesting ride. I think the fare was 2d.

[Bodger]

Well worth a visit if youre into trams
http://www.tramway.co.uk/

[BillHowcroft]

My mum lives near Crich tramway museum. We went to a wartime reenactment day there with lots of folk in 40s costume and actors playing spivs, police, Churchill etc. Lots of trams and military vehicles.
My mum had been a teenager in Kent during the Battle of Britain. She'd said she wanted to hear a Spitfire again before she died and low and behold the one from the BoB memorial flight did a fly past on its way back to Coningsby.

[Stanley]

Nice....
I have fond memories of the old Stockport trams.....

[BillHowcroft]

After Derby corporation bought out the horse drawn tram company in 1899, they set up an electric tram system which ran until 1932 when it was replaced by electric trolley buses. Tram no 1 is in Crich museum. The system included a power station next door to the Silk Mill. The trams reached our hill top in 1904 and a speculative builder parcelled up the gardens of a mansion and built my house in 1910.
When I was renovating back in the 90s I found the old gas lighting tubes in the plaster (still connected) plus evidence of the original dc electric lighting from the tramway supply, then 1930s cable in steel conduit, then some lead-covered and rubber-covered from the 50s and finally the current PVC wiring (which is past its 25-year design life).

[plaques]

People queuing to get on an open top tram Albert Rd Colne. The Town Hall can be seen in the background.
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Colne Tram.jpg

[Stanley]

They survived in Stockport until just after 1950. Handy in the fogs we had then, they could still keep going if the conductor walked in front carrying a paraffin flare.



The Wells No 18 oil flare they used. It could also be described as a big 'stink lamp' Bill!

[Tizer]

Talking about trams...we were staying at Colyton, Devon, last week and our cottage was about 100 metres from the terminus. Here's one of the trams:

[Stanley]

You've reminded me of the long pole with a hook on the end that the conductor used for replacing the conductor arm if it jumped off the wire or at points and turn-around points.

[Tizer]

Here's a pic of the set up of overhead wires at the Colyton terminus of the Seaton tramway. The tram comes in from left of pic and passes to further to the right and out of shot. It disgorges happy passengers then reverses back to the left to pick up the eagerly waiting new passengers. As it passes by the pick up arm is `pushed' towards the camera into the Y junction wires and then the tram `pulls' it out of the Y into the usual position. All done to the accompaniment of hoots and whistles!

[BillHowcroft]

Derby Corporation ran trams until 1932 and then converted to trolley buses which ran until 1967.
This painting shows a trolley bus in Derby Market Place with the bamboo pole leaning against the back. When he/she had finished the move the bamboo pole was rammed into the slot you can see just to the left of the conductor where it fitted behind the first set of facing seats and then ran in a channel at the side of the LH forward facing seats.

WooHoo I've learnt how to post images!

[PanBiker]

WooHoo I've learnt how to post images!

You have indeed Bill and a nice busy picture. The more you do the easier it will become.

[Stanley]

Yes, Bamboo pole Bill. I'd forgotten that.

[plaques]

Colne Station and Tram.
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[Stanley]