List of town tramway systems in the United Kingdom
This is a list of town tramway systems in the United Kingdom divided by constituent country and by regions of England . It includes all tram systems, past and present. Most of the tram systems operated on 4 ft 8+ 1 ⁄2 in (1,435 mm ) standard gauge (SG) or 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ) track, although there were a small number of other gauges used. Where known, the track gauge is indicated in the 'Notes' column.
Most of these systems have closed, but a list of the remaining systems can be found at List of modern tramway and light rail systems in the United Kingdom .
At the peak of Britain’s first-generation tramways, it was possible to travel by tram all the way from Pier Head at Liverpool to the Pennines in Rochdale by tram.[ 1]
England, by region
East Midlands
East of England
Location
Name of system
Traction type
Date (from)
Date (to)
Notes
Cambridge
Cambridge Street Tramways
Horse
28 October 1880
18 February 1914
[ 22] SG
Canvey Island
Canvey Island Tramways
Horse
1901
c.1904
[ 23] Monorail .[ 24]
Colchester
Colchester Corporation Tramways
Electric
28 July 1904
8 December 1929
[ 25] 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Ipswich
Ipswich Tramway
Horse
13 October 1880
6 June 1903
[ 26] 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Ipswich Corporation Tramways
Electric
23 November 1903
26 July 1926
[ 27] 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Lowestoft
Lowestoft Corporation Tramways
Electric
22 July 1903
8 May 1931
[ 28] 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Luton
Luton Corporation Tramways
Electric
21 February 1908
16 April 1932
[ 29] SG
Norwich
Norwich Electric Tramways
Electric
30 July 1900
10 December 1935
[ 30] 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Peterborough
Peterborough Tramways
Electric
24 January 1903
15 November 1930
[ 31] 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Southend-on-Sea
Southend-on-Sea Corporation Tramways
Electric
19 July 1901
8 April 1942
[ 32] 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Wisbech
Wisbech and Upwell Tramway
Steam/Diesel
20 August 1883
31 December 1927
[ 33] SG
Great Yarmouth
Yarmouth and Gorleston Tramways
Horse
25 March 1875
4 July 1905
[ 34] 4 ft 8 in (1,422 mm ) then 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Great Yarmouth Corporation Tramways
Electric
19 June 1902
14 December 1933
[ 35] 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Greater London
Location
Name of system
Traction type
Date (from)
Date (to)
Notes
London
Horse
23 March 1861 2 May 1870
1861 30 April 1915
SG
Cable
1884
1909
[1] . SG.
Accumulator (storage battery)
1889
1892
SG
Electric
4 April 1901
5 July 1952
SG. see Trams in London . Tram tunnel (Kingsway tramway subway ), 24 February 1906 – 5 April 1952.
Note : Horse tramways existed as several unconnected systems north of the Thames , a system (owned and operated by several undertakings) south of the River Thames , and two unconnected systems at Croydon .
Electric tramways – Inner London
Note : The LCC tramway system was assembled from predecessors including fourteen municipal and three company undertakings. Tramways were not built in the City of London and the West End of London because of local opposition. The South London system had segments north of the Thames , notably the Victoria Embankment . However, this system was not connected to the North London system until construction of the Kingsway tramway subway . Reintroduction planned: (Cross River Tram scheme) , Camden Town / Kings Cross –Euston –Waterloo –Brixton / Peckham [2] .
Other electric tramway operators
North East England
Location
Name of system
Traction type
Date (from)
Date (to)
Notes
Darlington
Darlington Street Railroad Company
Horse
1 January 1862
1 January 1865
SG
Stockton and Darlington Steam Tramway Company
Horse
1880
1904
3 ft (914 mm ). Horse operated despite the company title. Not connected to the Stockton system operated by this company.
Darlington Corporation Light Railways
Electric
2 June 1904
10 April 1926
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). [6] [permanent dead link ] .
Teesside
Middlesbrough and Stockton Tramways Company
Horse
20 January 1875
1898
SG. Sold out to Imperial Tramways Company in 1878
Stockton and Darlington Steam Tramway Company
Steam
17 November 1881
1893
4 ft (1,219 mm ). Not connected to the Darlington system operated by this company. Sold to the Stockton and District Tramways Company in 1893
Stockton and District Tramways Company
Steam
1893
1896
4 ft (1,219 mm ). Sold out to Imperial Tramways Company
Middlesbrough, Stockton and Thornaby Electric Tramways Company
Electric
21 May 1898
2 April 1921
3 ft 7 in (1,093 mm ). Operated by Imperial Tramways Company
Middlesbrough Corporation Tramways
Electric
3 April 1921
9 June 1934
3 ft 7 in (1,093 mm ). Middlesbrough, Stockton and Thornaby Electric Tramways Company until 1921
Stockton-on-Tees Corporation Tramways
Electric
3 April 1921
9 June 1934
3 ft 7 in (1,093 mm ). Middlesbrough, Stockton and Thornaby Electric Tramways Company until 1921
Thornaby on Tees Corporation Tramways
Electric
3 April 1921
1 August 1930
3 ft 7 in (1,093 mm ). Middlesbrough, Stockton and Thornaby Electric Tramways Company until 1921
Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Newcastle and Gosforth Tramways and Carriage Company
Horse
5 December 1878
13 April 1901
SG
Steam
1882
1897
SG
Newcastle Corporation Tramways
Electric
16 December 1901
4 March 1950
SG. [7] . Through workings to Gateshead from 1923. Newcastle served by Gateshead tramway system to 4 August 1951.
Gosforth –Wallsend –North Shields (Tyneside)
Tyneside Tramways and Tramroads Company
Electric
22 September 1902
6 April 1930
SG
North Shields –Tynemouth –Whitley Bay (Tynemouth)
Tynemouth and District Tramways
Horse
1883
1884
3 ft (914 mm ). Taken over by North Shields and District Tramways Company in 1884 and North Shields and Tynemouth District Tramways in 1897
Steam
1884
1900
Tynemouth and District Electric Traction Company
Electric
18 March 1901
4 August 1931
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Gateshead
Gateshead and District Tramways Company
Steam
October 1883
8 May 1901
SG
Electric
8 May 1901
4 August 1951
SG. [8] . Through working to Newcastle from 1923.
South Shields
South Shields Tramways
Horse
1 August 1883
Mar 1887
1885
31 January 1906
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
South Shields Corporation Tramways
Electric
30 March 1906
31 March 1946
SG. [9] .
Jarrow
Jarrow and District Electric Tramway
Electric
9 November 1906
30 June 1929
SG. [10] .
Sunderland
Sunderland Tramways Company
Horse
28 April 1879
19 February 1901
SG
Steam
1880
1880
Sunderland Corporation Tramways
Electric
15 August 1900
1 October 1954
SG. [11] .
Grangetown –Ryhope –Philadelphia –Hetton-le-Hole (Sunderland District)
Sunderland District Electric Tramways
Electric
10 June 1905
12 July 1925
SG. [12]
West Hartlepool
Hartlepools Steam Tramways Company
Steam
2 August 1884
21 February 1891
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Hartlepool Electric Tramways
Electric
19 May 1896
25 March 1927
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
North West England
Location
Name of system
Traction type
Date (from)
Date (to)
Notes
Accrington
Accrington Corporation Steam Tramways Company
Steam
5 April 1886
31 December 1907
4 ft (1,219 mm )
Accrington Corporation Tramways
Electric
1 January 1908
31 March 1932
4 ft (1,219 mm )
Ashton-under-Lyne
Ashton-Under-Lyne Corporation Tramways
Electric
19 August 1902
28 February 1938
SG
Oldham, Ashton and Hyde Electric Tramway
Electric
12 June 1899
1947
SG
Manchester Metrolink
Electric
11 February 2013
SG
Atherton
South Lancashire Tramways
Electric
20 October 1902
16 December 1933
[ 36] SG
Barrow-in-Furness
Barrow-in-Furness Tramways Company
Steam
11 July 1885
13 July 1903
4 ft (1,219 mm )
Electric
6 February 1904
5 April 1932
SG
Birkenhead
Birkenhead Tramways Company
Horse
30 August 1860
8 November 1901
[ 36] 5 ft 2 in (1,575 mm ) then SG
Hoylake and Birkenhead Tramways
Horse
6 September 1873
12 October 1879
SG. Taken over by the Birkenhead Tramways Company
Wirral Tramways Company
Horse
23 July 1877
22 January 1901
SG. Taken over by the Birkenhead Tramways Company
Birkenhead Corporation Tramways
Electric
4 February 1901
17 July 1937
[ 36] SG
Wirral Tramway
Electric
14 April 1995
-
SG
Blackburn
Blackburn and Over Darwen Tramways Company
Steam
16 April 1881
9 July 1901
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Blackburn Corporation Tramways
Horse
28 May 1887
1901
SG
Electric
20 March 1899
3 September 1949
SG
Blackpool
Blackpool and Fleetwood Tramroad
Electric
14 July 1898
1 January 1920
SG. Taken over by Blackpool Corporation Tramways
Blackpool Electric Tramway Company
Electric
12 September 1885
10 September 1892
SG. Taken over by Blackpool Corporation Tramways
Blackpool Corporation Tramways
Horse, Conduit Electric and Overhead Electric
10 September 1892
SG
Bolton
Bolton Corporation Tramways
Horse
1 September 1880
1 January 1899
Electric
9 December 1899
1947
SG
Burnley
Burnley & District Tramways Company
Steam
August 1881
1 March 1900
SG
Burnley Corporation Tramways
Electric
16 December 1901
7 May 1935
4 ft (1,219 mm )
Bury
Horse
?
?
Manchester, Bury, Rochdale and Oldham Tramways
Steam
1886
April 1904
SG and 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Bury Corporation Tramways
Electric
3 June 1903
13 February 1949
SG
Manchester Metrolink
Electric
6 April 1992
SG
Carlisle
City of Carlisle Electric Tramways
Electric
30 June 1900
21 November 1931
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Chester
Chester Tramways Company
Horse
10 June 1879
27 December 1902
[ 36] SG
Chester Corporation Tramways
Electric
6 April 1903
15 February 1930
[ 36] 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Colne
Colne and Trawden Light Railway Company
Electric
28 November 1903
6 January 1934
4 ft (1,219 mm )
Darwen
Blackburn and Over Darwen Tramways Company
Steam
16 April 1881
16 October 1900
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Darwen Corporation Tramways
Electric
16 October 1900
5 October 1946
4 ft (1,219 mm )
Farnworth
Farnworth Council Tramways
Horse, then electric
9 January 1902
1 April 1906
Taken over by South Lancashire Tramways
Glossop
Glossop Tramway
Electric
21 August 1903
24 December 1927
Haslingden
Haslingden Corporation Tramways
Electric
1 January 1908
30 April 1930
Nominally independent, in practice part of Accrington Corporation Tramways
Heywood
Heywood Corporation Tramways
Steam
10 December 1904
20 September 1905
Taken over by Rochdale Corporation Tramways
Lancaster
Lancaster Corporation Tramways
Electric
14 January 1903
4 April 1930
SG
Lancaster and District Tramways
Horse
2 August 1890
31 December 1921
Liverpool
Old Swan Tramway
Horse
1861
1862
Liverpool Tramways Company
Horse
1 November 1869
25 August 1903
[ 36] SG
Liverpool Corporation Tramways
Electric
16 November 1898
14 September 1957
[ 36] SG
Great Crosby Tramway
Electric
19 June 1900
31 December 1925
[ 36]
Waterloo & Great Crosby
Waterloo and Great Crosby Tramways Company
Electric
19 June 1900
31 December 1925
Lytham St Annes
Town Gas
11 July 1896
1903
[ 37]
Lytham St. Annes Corporation Tramways
Electric
28 May 1903
28 April 1937
SG
Manchester
Manchester and Salford Tramways
Horse
17 May 1877
31 March 1903
Manchester Corporation Tramways
Electric
6 June 1901
10 January 1949
SG
Manchester Metrolink
Electric
6 April 1992
SG
Middleton
Middleton Electric Traction Company
Electric
27 March 1902
1935
Morecambe
Morecambe Tramways Company
Horse
3 June 1887
15 January 1912
Petrol
15 January 1912
24 October 1924
Morecambe Corporation Tramways
Horse
26 July 1909
6 October 1926
Nelson
Nelson Corporation Tramways
Electric
23 February 1903
6 January 1934
4 ft (1,219 mm )
Oldham
Horse
16 September 1880
1 November 1901
Steam
November 1885
19 November 1901
Oldham Corporation Tramways
Electric
15 December 1900
3 August 1946
SG
Manchester Metrolink
Electric
13 June 2012
SG
Preston
Preston Tramways Company
Horse
20 March 1879
31 December 1903
SG
Preston Corporation Tramways
Electric
7 June 1904
15 December 1934
SG
Radcliffe
Electric
4 January 1905
8 October 1938
Rawtenstall
Rossendale Valley Tramways
Steam
10 November 1887
23 July 1909
Rawtenstall Corporation Tramways
Electric
15 May 1909
31 March 1932
4 ft (1,219 mm )
Rawtenstall–Bacup
Steam
1889
?
Electric
1909
1932
Rochdale
Manchester, Bury, Rochdale and Oldham Steam Tramways Company
Steam
7 March 1883
8 May 1905
Rochdale Corporation Tramways
Electric
22 May 1902
3 July 1932
SG
Manchester Metrolink
Electric
28 February 2013
SG
St. Helens
St Helens and District Tramways Company
Horse
5 November 1881
May 1890
[ 36]
Steam
24 May 1890
7 April 1900
[ 36]
New St Helens and District Tramways
Electric
20 July 1899
1 October 1919
[ 36] SG
St Helens Corporation Tramways
Electric
1 October 1919
31 March 1936
[ 36] SG
Salford
Salford Tramway
Horse
1861
1872
Horse
30 July 1877
by October 1903
Salford Corporation Tramways
Electric
4 October 1901
31 March 1947
Manchester Metrolink
Electric
21 July 2000
SG
Southport
Southport Tramways Company
Electric
18 July 1900
31 December 1934
[ 36]
Southport Corporation Tramways
Electric
18 July 1900
31 December 1934
[ 36] SG
Southport Pier Tramway
Various
1862
June 2015
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). Replaced by land train.[ 38]
Birkdale
Birkdale and Southport Tramways Company
Horse
12 May 1883
1896
Stalybridge
Horse
14 June 1881
14 October 1903
Stalybridge, Hyde, Mossley and Dukinfield Tramways
Electric
12 June 1899
21 May 1945
Stockport
Stockport and Hazel Grove Tramway
Horse
7 May 1880
24 January 1905
Stockport Corporation Tramways
Electric
26 August 1901
25 August 1951
Trafford
Trafford Park Tramways
Gas, electric
23 July 1897
1 May 1908
Manchester Metrolink
Electric
6 April 1992
SG
Wallasey
Wallasey United Tramway and Omnibus Company
Horse
30 June 1879
19 March 1902
[ 36]
Wallasey Corporation Tramways
Electric
17 March 1902
30 November 1933
[ 36] SG
Warrington
Warrington Corporation Tramways
Electric
21 April 1902
28 August 1935
[ 36] SG
Wigan
Wigan and District Tramways
Horse
2 August 1880
1882
[ 36]
Steam
8 August 1882
26 September 1904
[ 36]
Wigan Corporation Tramways
Electric
25 January 1901
28 March 1931
[ 36] 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ) and SG
South East England
Location
Name of system
Traction type
Date (from)
Date (to)
Notes
Aldershot and Farnborough
Aldershot and Farnborough Tramways Company
Horse
1906
Brighton
Brighton Corporation Tramways
Electric
25 November 1901
31 August 1939
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Chatham
Chatham and District Light Railways Company
Electric
17 June 1902
30 September 1930
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). Served Chatham , Rochester and Gillingham .
Dover
Dover Corporation Tramways
Electric
6 September 1897
31 December 1936
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). [13] .
Folkestone (Sandgate)–Hythe
Folkestone, Hythe and Sandgate Tramways
Horse
18 May 1891
30 September 1921
SG. Operation suspended 7 August 1914 – May 1919, operated only during summer season 1919–1921.
Gravesend
Gravesend, Rosherville and Northfleet Tramways
Horse
15 June 1883
30 June 1901
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Gravesend and Northfleet Electric Tramways
Electric
2 August 1902
28 February 1929
SG
Hastings
Hastings and District Electric Tramways
Electric
31 July 1905
15 May 1929
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Maidstone
Maidstone Corporation Tramways
Electric
14 July 1904
11 February 1930
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Margate –Ramsgate (Isle of Thanet )
Isle of Thanet Electric Tramways and Lighting Company
Electric
4 April 1901
24 March 1937
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Oxford
City of Oxford Tramways Company
Horse
1 December 1881
7 August 1914
4 ft (1,219 mm )
Portsmouth
Portsmouth Street Tramways
Horse
15 May 1865
1 January 1901
Portsmouth Corporation Transport
Electric
24 September 1901
10 October 1936
4 ft 7+ 3 ⁄4 in (1,416 mm ). [14] .
Cosham –Horndean
Portsdown and Horndean Light Railway
Electric
3 March 1903
9 January 1935
4 ft 7+ 3 ⁄4 in (1,416 mm )
Gosport –Fareham
Gosport and Fareham Tramways
Electric
20 December 1905
31 December 1929
Reading
Reading Tramways Company
Horse
1879
21 July 1903
4 ft (1,219 mm )
Reading Corporation Tramways
Electric
22 July 1903
20 May 1939
4 ft (1,219 mm )
Rye –Camber
Rye and Camber Tramway
Steam
1895
?
3 ft (914 mm )
?
Petrol (gasoline)
4 September 1939
[15] .
Sheerness
Sheerness and District Tramways
Electric
9 April 1903
7 July 1917
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). [16] [permanent dead link ] .
Shoreham-by-Sea
Brighton and Shoreham Tramways
Steam, then horse
3 July 1884
6 June 1913
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). Despite the company name, it never ran into Brighton.
Southampton
Southampton Tramways Company
Horse
5 May 1879
1 July 1898
SG
Southampton Corporation Tramways
Electric
1 July 1898
31 December 1949
SG
Wantage
Wantage Tramway
Horse
11 October 1875
188_
SG
Steam
1 August 1876
31 July 1925
SG
Wolverton –Stony Stratford
Wolverton and Stony Stratford Tramway
Steam
27 May 1887
4 May 1926
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). [17] .
South West England
Location
Name of system
Traction type
Date (from)
Date (to)
Notes
Bath
Bath Tramways Company
Horse
24 December 1880
25 July 1902
[ 39] 4 ft (1,219 mm )
Bath Electric Tramways Company
Electric
2 January 1904
6 May 1939
[ 39] SG
There is currently a proposal to re-instate the tram system [18]
Bristol
Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co Ltd
Horse
9 August 1875
1900
[ 39]
Steam
1880
1881
[ 39]
Electric
14 October 1895
11 April 1941
[ 39]
Closed because of bomb damage
Bournemouth
Bournemouth Corporation Tramways
Electric
23 July 1902
8 April 1936
[ 40] 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Camborne
Camborne and Redruth Tramways
Electric
7 November 1902
29 September 1927
[ 39] 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Cheltenham
Cheltenham and District Light Railway
Electric
17 August 1901
31 December 1930
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Devonport
Devonport and District Tramways
Electric
26 June 1901
20 October 1915
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). Taken over by Plymouth Corporation Tramways
Exeter
Exeter Tramway Company
Horse
6 April 1882
4 April 1905
[ 39] 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Exeter Corporation Tramways
Electric
4 April 1905
19 August 1931
[ 39] 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Gloucester
Gloucester Tramways Company
Horse
26 May 1879
17 March 1904
4 ft (1,219 mm )
Gloucester Corporation Tramways
Electric
7 May 1904
12 January 1933
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Poole
Poole and District Electric Tramways
Electric
6 April 1901
8 June 1935
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). A British Electric Traction company; sold to Poole Corporation and leased to Bournemouth Corporation Tramways from June 1905[ 40]
Plymouth
Plymouth, Devonport and District Tramways
Steam
4 November 1884
14 November 1885
[ 39] SG, then converted to 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Plymouth, Stonehouse and Devonport Tramways
Horse, then electric
18 March 1872
1 July 1922
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). Taken over by Plymouth Corporation Tramways
Plymouth Corporation Tramways
Electric
22 September 1899
29 September 1945
[ 39] 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Seaton, Devon
Seaton Tramway
Electric
28 August 1970
operational
2 ft 9 in (838 mm)
Swindon
Swindon Corporation Tramways
Electric
22 September 1904
11 July 1929
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Taunton
Taunton Electric Traction Co Ltd
Electric
21 August 1901
28 May 1921
[ 39] 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Torquay
Torquay Tramways Co Ltd
Electric
4 April 1907
31 January 1934
[ 39] 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Weston-super-Mare
Weston-super-Mare & District Electric Supply Co Ltd
Electric
13 May 1902
17 April 1937
[ 39] SG
West Midlands
Location
Name of system
Traction type
Date (from)
Date (to)
Notes
Birmingham
Birmingham and District Tramways Company
Horse
20 May 1872
24 May 1876
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). Sold to the Birmingham Tramways and Omnibus Company
Birmingham Tramways and Omnibus Company
Horse
24 May 1876
January 1886
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). Sold to the Birmingham Central Tramway Company
Birmingham and Aston Tramways Company
Steam
26 December 1882
30 June 1902
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). Sold to Aston Manor Urban District Council and leased to the City of Birmingham Tramways Company
Birmingham Central Tramway Company
Horse, steam, cable and accumulator
25 November 1884
29 September 1896
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). Sold to the City of Birmingham Tramways Company
Birmingham and Midland Tramways
Steam, horse and electric
6 July 1885
1 April 1928
From 13 August 1912 the Company name was changed to the Birmingham District Power and Traction Company
Birmingham and Western Districts Tramways Company
Steam
August 1885
1899
Sold to British Electric Traction
City of Birmingham Tramways Company
Horse, steam, cable and accumulator
29 September 1896
31 December 1911
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). Sold to Birmingham Corporation Tramways
Birmingham Corporation Tramways
Electric
14 May 1901
4 July 1953
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
West Midlands Metro
Electric
30 May 1999
SG
Stourbridge
Dudley and Stourbridge Steam Tramways Company
Steam
21 May 1884
25 July 1899
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Dudley, Stourbridge and District Electric Traction Company
Electric
26 July 1899
1 March 1930
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). Part of "Black Country Tramway System".
Stourbridge
Kinver Light Railway
Electric
4 April 1901
8 February 1930
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). Part of "Black Country Tramway System". [19] .
Wednesbury
South Staffordshire and Birmingham District Steam Tramways Company
Steam
1883
1893
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
South Staffordshire Tramways Company
Electric
1 January 1893
1 April 1924
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). Part of "Black Country Tramway System". To Dudley, Stourbridge and District undertaking from 17 December 1930.
West Midlands Metro
Electric
30 May 1999
SG
Walsall
South Staffordshire and Birmingham District Steam Tramways Company
Steam
1883
1901
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Walsall Corporation Tramways
Electric
1 January 1901
30 September 1933
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton Tramways Company
Horse
1 May 1878
1 May 1900
SG. Purchased by Wolverhampton Corporation and converted to 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Wolverhampton Corporation Tramways
Electric
6 February 1902
11 July 1928
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). [20] , [21] .
West Midlands Metro
Electric
30 May 1999
SG
Wolverhampton –Dudley
Dudley, Sedgley and Wolverhampton Tramways Company
Horse
1 May 1878
18 October 1888
Midland Tramways Company
Horse
18 October 1888
1893
Dudley and Wolverhampton Tramways Company
Horse
1893
1899
Wolverhampton District Electric Tramways Company
Electric
9 January 1902
1929
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). Part of "Black Country Tramway System". To Wolverhampton Corporation Tramways from 1 September 1928.
Coventry
Coventry and District Tramways Company
Steam
1884
1893
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Coventry Electric Tramways Company
Electric
5 December 1895
1 January 1912
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Coventry Corporation Tramways
Electric
1 January 1912
14 November 1940
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). [22] . Closed because of bomb damage.
Coventry Very Light Rail
Battery Powered
Under Construction (TBC 2024)
SG
Kidderminster –Stourport (-on-Severn)
Kidderminster and Stourport Electric Tramway Company
Electric
25 May 1898
2 April 1929.
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). Unconnected part of "Black Country Tramway System".
(Royal) Leamington (Spa) –Warwick
Leamington & Warwick Tramways & Omnibus Company
Horse
21 November 1881
15 March 1905
SG
Electric
15 July 1905
16 August 1930
SG
Stoke-on-Trent (The Potteries )
Staffordshire Potteries Street Railway Company
Horse
13 January 1862
2 March 1880
1,435 mm (4 ft 8+ 1 ⁄2 in ) standard gauge
North Staffordshire Tramways Company
Steam
22 April 1881
27 June 1898
4 ft (1,219 mm )
Potteries Electric Traction Company
Electric
16 May 1899
1928
4 ft (1,219 mm ). Also served Newcastle-under-Lyme .
Worcester
Tramways Trust Company
Horse
1881
1885
3 ft (914 mm )
City of Worcester Tramways Company
Horse
1889
1894
3 ft (914 mm )
Worcester Tramways Company
Horse
1894
25 June 1903
3 ft (914 mm )
Worcester Electric Traction Company
Electric
6 February 1904
31 May 1928
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Yorkshire and the Humber
Location
Name of system
Traction type
Date (from)
Date (to)
Notes
Cleethorpes
Great Grimsby Street Tramways Company
Horse
1881
1901
SG
Electric
1 January 1902
November 1936
SG
Cleethorpes Corporation Tramways
Electric
15 July 1936
17 July 1937
SG. Cleethorpes took over the Great Grimsby Street Tramways lines within their boundary, the remainder going to Grimsby
Doncaster
Doncaster Corporation Tramways
Electric
2 June 1902
8 June 1935
SG
(Great) Grimsby
Great Grimsby Street Tramways Company
Horse
1881
1901
SG
Electric
1 January 1902
15 July 1936
SG
Grimsby Corporation Tramways
Electric
6 April 1925
31 March 1937
SG
Grimsby –Immingham
Grimsby & Immingham Electric Railway
Steam
3 January 1901
14 May 1912
SG
Electric
15 May 1912
1 July 1961
SG. [23] [permanent dead link ] .
(Kingston upon) Hull
Hull Street Tramways Company
Horse
9 January 1875
1899
SG. Company in liquidation 1889, acquired by Hull Corporation 1895, last horse tram in city 1899
Drypool and Marfleet Steam Tramways Company
Steam
22 May 1889
1899
SG. Acquired by Hull Corporation 1899, last steam tram operated 1901
City of Hull Tramways
Electric
5 July 1899
30 June 1945
SG. Formed from the acquisition of Hull Street Tramways and Drypool and Marfleet Steam Tramways Company, system electrified 1899–1901 Trams replaced by trolleybuses in late 1930s and 1940s.
Leeds
Leeds Tramways Company
Horse
16 September 1871
13 October 1901
SG
Steam
17 June 1880
1 April 1902
SG
Leeds Corporation Tramways
Electric
11 November 1891
7 November 1959
SG
Bradford
Bradford Tramways Company
Horse
1 February 1882
by 1903
4 ft (1,219 mm )
Bradford Tramways Company and Bradford and Shelf Tramway Company
Steam
8 August 1882
by 1903
4 ft (1,219 mm )
Bradford Corporation Tramways
Electric
March 1892
30 June 1898
March 1892
6 May 1950
4 ft (1,219 mm )
Keighley
Keighley Tramways Company
Horse
8 May 1889
28 May 1904
4 ft (1,219 mm )
Keighley Corporation Tramways
Electric
12 October 1904
17 December 1924
SG
Shipley
Shipley Tramways Company
Horse
3 August 1882
9 October 1891
Mid-Yorkshire Tramways
Electric
23 July 1903
30 April 1904
Taken over by Bradford Corporation Tramways
Halifax
Halifax Corporation Tramways
Electric
9 June 1898
14 February 1939
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Huddersfield
Huddersfield Corporation Tramways
Horse
16 November 1882
1 April 1888
4 ft 7+ 3 ⁄4 in (1,416 mm )
Steam
11 January 1883
21 June 1902
4 ft 7+ 3 ⁄4 in (1,416 mm )
Electric
14 February 1901
29 June 1940
4 ft 7+ 3 ⁄4 in (1,416 mm )
Dewsbury
Yorkshire (Woollen District) Electric Tramways
Electric
18 February 1903
31 October 1934
SG. Also includes Batley Corporation Tramways
Dewsbury –Batley –Birstall
Dewsbury, Batley and Birstall Tramways Company
Horse and steam
25 July 1874
26 September 1905
Dewsbury –Ossett
Dewsbury, Ossett and Soothill Nether Tramways
Electric
11 November 1908
19 October 1933
Wakefield
Wakefield and District Light Railway
Electric
15 August 1904
25 July 1932
SG
Castleford
Yorkshire (West Riding) Electric Tramways
Electric
29 October 1906
1 November 1925
SG
Scarborough
Scarborough Tramways Company
Electric
6 May 1904
30 September 1931
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Sheffield
Sheffield Tramways Company
Horse
6 October 1873
11 November 1902
SG
Sheffield Corporation Tramways
Electric
5 September 1899
8 October 1960
SG
South Yorkshire Supertram
Electric
21 March 1994
in operation
SG. [24]
Rotherham
Rotherham Tramway
Electric
31 January 1903
13 November 1949
SG
South Yorkshire Supertram
Electric
28 October 2018
in operation
SG Tram-train
Mexborough –Swinton
Mexborough & Swinton Tramways Company
Electric
16 February 1907
19 March 1929
SG
(Wath-upon-) Dearne (Dearne District)
Dearne District Light Railways
Electric
14 July 1924
30 September 1933
[25] . "Last" tramway system opened in the UK (until Manchester Metrolink ).
Barnsley
Barnsley and District Tramway
Electric
31 October 1902
31 August 1930
SG
York
York Tramways Company and City of York Tramways Company
Horse
1880
27 February 1909
4 ft (1,219 mm )
York Corporation Tramways
Electric
20 January 1910
16 November 1935
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Scotland
Location
Name of system
Traction type
Date (from)
Date (to)
Notes
Aberdeen
Aberdeen District Tramways
Horse
1874
1900
SG
Aberdeen Corporation Tramways
Electric
23 December 1899
3 May 1958
SG. Replaced by motor buses
Aberdeen–Bankhead and Aberdeen–Bieldside
Aberdeen Suburban Tramways
Electric
23 June 1904
9 June 1927
SG. Replaced by Aberdeen Corporation motor buses
Ayr
Ayr Corporation Tramways
Electric
26 September 1901
31 December 1931
SG. Replaced by Western SMT motor buses
Carstairs West
Carstairs House Tramway
Electric
6 February 1886
1905
2 ft 6 in (762 mm ). First permanent electric railway in Scotland
Horse
1905
1935
2 ft 6 in (762 mm )
Cruden Bay
Cruden Bay Hotel Tramway
Electric
1899
31 October 1932
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). Great North of Scotland Railway tramway linking Cruden Bay Hotel to railway station, replaced by a Rolls-Royce car [26]
Dumbarton
Dumbarton Burgh and County Tramways
Electric
20 February 1907
3 March 1928
4 ft 7+ 3 ⁄4 in (1,416 mm ). Defunct, replaced by competitors' motor buses
Dundee
Dundee and District Tramways
Horse
30 August 1877
12 July 1900
SG
Steam
1885
15 May 1902
SG
Dundee Corporation Tramways
Electric
13 July 1900
20 October 1956
SG. Replaced by motor buses
Dundee –Broughty Ferry
Dundee, Broughty Ferry and District Tramways
Electric
27 October 1905
16 May 1931
SG. Replaced by Dundee Corporation motor buses. Acquired by Dundee Corporation Tramways in 1931.
Dunfermline
Dunfermline and District Tramways
Electric
2 November 1909
15 July 1937
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). Replaced by Walter Alexander & Sons buses
Edinburgh
Edinburgh Street Tramways
Horse
6 November 1871
23 October 1904
SG
Steam
23 April 1881
27 October 1882
SG. Previous operations in 1876, 1877 and 1880.
Edinburgh Northern Tramways
Cable
28 January 1888
23 June 1923
SG
Edinburgh Corporation Tramways
Electric
8 June 1910
16 November 1956
SG. Replaced by buses. For new tramway see Edinburgh Trams .
Edinburgh Trams
Electric
31 May 2014
in operation
SG
Leith
Leith Corporation Tramways
Horse
16 November 1871
24 August 1907
SG. Incorporated into Edinburgh Corporation Tramways in 1922.
Electric
18 May 1905
20 November 1920
SG. Absorbed by Edinburgh Corporation Tramways 1920, last trams ran in Leith 11 March 1956.
Edinburgh Trams
Electric
7 June 2023
in operation
SG
Musselburgh
Musselburgh and District Electric Light and Traction Company
Electric
12 December 1904
15 February 1928
SG. Absorbed by Edinburgh Corporation Tramways 1928, last trams ran in Musselburgh 1954.
Falkirk
Falkirk and District Tramways
Electric
21 October 1905
21 July 1936
4 ft (1,219 mm ). Replaced by Walter Alexander & Sons motor buses
Glasgow
Glasgow Tramway and Omnibus Company
Horse
19 August 1872
1898
4 ft 7+ 3 ⁄4 in (1,416 mm )
Steam
1877
?
4 ft 7+ 3 ⁄4 in (1,416 mm )
Glasgow Corporation Tramways
Electric
13 October 1898
31 August 1962
4 ft 7+ 3 ⁄4 in (1,416 mm ). Replaced by motor buses and trolleybuses [27] .
Govan
Horse
1873
1877
Steam
August 1877
1901
Electric
10 August 1901
1912
operated by Glasgow Corporation, Burgh of Govan amalgamated with Glasgow in 1912
Airdrie and Coatbridge
Airdrie and Coatbridge Tramways
Electric
18 February 1904
31 December 1921.
4 ft 7+ 3 ⁄4 in (1,416 mm ). Absorbed by Glasgow Corporation Tramways 1921, last trams ran in Coatbridge 3 November 1956
Paisley
Paisley Tramways Company
Horse
30 December 1885
21 November 1903
4 ft 7+ 3 ⁄4 in (1,416 mm )
Paisley District Tramways Company
Electric
13 June 1904
1 August 1923
4 ft 7+ 3 ⁄4 in (1,416 mm ). Absorbed by Glasgow Corporation Tramways 1923, last trams ran in Paisley 11 May 1957
Greenock
Greenock & Port Glasgow Tramway Co.
Horse
7 June 1873
1901
Electric
1901
15 July 1929
replaced by motor buses
Inchture
Inchture Village Tram
Horse
1895
1916
SG. Caledonian Railway horse tramway linking village to railway station
Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock Corporation Tramways
Electric
10 December 1904
3 May 1926
SG. Replaced by motor buses
Kirkcaldy
Kirkcaldy Corporation Tramways
Electric
28 February 1903
15 May 1931
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). Replaced by Walter Alexander & Sons motor buses
Kirkcaldy to Leven
Wemyss and District Tramways Company
Electric
25 August 1906
30 January 1932
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). Replaced by motor buses
Motherwell and Hamilton area
Lanarkshire Tramways
Electric
22 July 1903
14 February 1931
4 ft 7+ 3 ⁄4 in (1,416 mm ). Replaced by motor buses
Perth
Perth and District Tramways
Horse
17 September 1895
7 October 1903
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Perth Corporation Tramways
Electric
31 October 1905
19 January 1929
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). Replaced by Walter Alexander & Sons motor buses
Rothesay
Rothesay and Ettrick Bay Light Railway
Horse
1 June 1882
2 March 1902
4 ft (1,219 mm )
Electric
19 August 1902
30 September 1936
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). Replaced by motor buses
Stirling
Stirling and Bridge of Allan Tramways
Horse
27 July 1874
20 May 1920
SG. Replaced by Scottish General Omnibus Co. motor buses
Wales
North Wales
South Wales
Location
Name of system
Traction type
Date (from)
Date (to)
Notes
Aberdare
Aberdare Urban District Council Tramways
Electric
9 October 1913
31 March 1935
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Cardiff
Cardiff Tramways Company
Horse
12 July 1872
17 October 1902
SG
Cardiff District and Penarth Harbour Tramways
Horse
28 November 1881
10 February 1903
SG
Cardiff Corporation Tramways
Electric
2 May 1902
19 February 1950
SG
Llanelly (Llanelli)
Llanelly Tramways
Horse
28 September 1882
31 March 1908
3 ft (914 mm )
Llanelly and District Electric Tramways
Electric
19 July 1911
16 February 1933
SG
Merthyr Tydfil
Merthyr Tydfil Electric Tramways
Electric
6 April 1901
23 August 1939
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Neath
Neath and District Tramways Company
Horse
9 November 1875
1899
SG
Neath Corporation Tramways
Gas
31 August 1899
8 August 1920
SG. "Gas" refers to town gas , not petrol (gasoline). One car is preserved locally at the Cefn Coed Colliery Museum .
Newport
Newport Tramways Company
Horse
1 February 1875 30 July 1894
28 July 1894 3 November 1903
Newport Corporation Tramways
Electric
9 April 1903
5 September 1937
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Pontypridd
Pontypridd and Rhondda Valley Tramway
Horse
Mar 1888
July 1903
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Pontypridd Urban District Council Tramways
Electric
5 March 1905
30 August 1931
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Rhondda
Pontypridd and Rhondda Valley Tramway
Horse
Mar 1888
July 1903
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Rhondda Tramways Company
Electric
11 July 1908
1 February 1934
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm )
Swansea
Swansea Improvements and Tramway Company
Horse
12 April 1878
1901
SG
Steam
1882
1884
SG
Swansea Constitution Hill Incline Tramway
Cable
1898
1902
3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm ). Street funicular .
Swansea Improvements and Tramway Company
Electric
30 June 1900
29 June 1937
SG
Swansea–Mumbles
Swansea and Mumbles Railway , Mumbles Train
Horse
25 March 1807 1860
1826 1877
4 ft (1,219 mm ) then SG. Believed to be the world's first public passenger rail service. Early traction experiments included wind (sail mounted on passenger carriage). Passenger service withdrawn 1826, restored 1860 following reconstruction of the line.
Steam
17 August 1877
1929
SG. Two competing undertakings operated service on the line, ca. 1879 – ca. 1898. One used steam traction. The other was compelled (by court order, obtained by its rival) to use horse traction. Traction experiments prior to electrification included accumulator (storage battery), petrol (gasoline) and diesel.
Electric
2 March 1929
5 January 1960
SG. [28] . One car preserved following closure, but scrapped after being vandalised.
Northern Ireland
Location
Name of system
Traction type
Date (from)
Date (to)
Notes
Belfast
Belfast Street Tramways
Horse
28 August 1872
1 January 1905
5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm ) then SG
Sydenham District, Belfast, Tramway
Horse
1888
1902
Purchased by Belfast Street Tramways in 1902
Belfast and Ligoniel Tramway
Horse
24 April 1893
1902
Purchased by Belfast Street Tramways in 1902
Belfast and County Down Railway tramway
Horse
1894
1902
Purchased by Belfast Corporation in 1902
Belfast Corporation Tramways
Electric
1 January 1905
10 February 1954
4 ft 9 in (1,448 mm )
Cavehill Whitewell
Cavehill and Whitewell Tramway
Steam
1 July 1882
1892
SG. Taken over by Belfast Corporation Tramways
Horse
1892
1906
Electric
12 February 1906
1 July 1911
Derry
City of Derry Tramways
Horse
1 April 1897
1920
SG
Fintona
Londonderry and Enniskillen Railway (1853–83);GNR(I) (1883–1957)
Steam
15 June 1853
16 January 1854
5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm )
Horse
16 January 1854
30 September 1957
5 ft 3 in (1,600 mm ). Railway branch, worked by horse-drawn tram from 1854 to closure in 1957.
Bessbrook –Newry
Bessbrook and Newry Tramway
Electric
1 October 1885
10 January 1948
3 ft (914 mm ) [29] , [30] .
Glenanne –Loughgilly
Glenanne Loughgilly Tramway
Horse
1897
1919
1 ft 10 in (559 mm )
Warrenpoint –Rostrevor
Warrenpoint and Rostrevor Tramway
Horse
1 August 1877
February 1915
3 ft (914 mm )
Portrush –Bushmills –Giant's Causeway
Giant's Causeway, Portrush and Bush Valley Railway & Tramway Company, Ltd.
Steam
29 January 1883
1926(?)
3 ft (914 mm )
Electric
15 November 1883
30 September 1949
3 ft (914 mm ). [31] . Operation suspended during winter, 1927–1939, 1947–1948.
Portstewart
Portstewart Tramway
Steam
1882
1926
3 ft (914 mm )
Note for Giant's Causeway Tramway: Portrush–Bushmills opened 29 January 1883. Bushmills–Giant's Causeway opened 1 July 1887. World's first use of electric traction with hydroelectric generation. Track built in street in Portrush.
Isle of Man
See also
Notes
^ Waller, Peter (7 November 2022). Lost Tramways of England: Bolton, SLT, Wigan & St Helens: 15 . Graffeg Limited. ISBN 978-1-80258-225-3 .
^ Turner 2009 , pp. 24–25
^ Turner 2009 , p. 42
^ Turner 2009 , pp. 42–43
^ Turner 2009 , pp. 43–45
^ Turner 2009 , pp. 45–46
^ Turner 2009 , pp. 49–51
^ Turner 2009 , pp. 51–52
^ Turner 2009 , pp. 65–66
^ Turner 2009 , p. 73
^ Turner 2009 , pp. 73–76
^ Turner 2009 , p. 76
^ Turner 2009 , pp. 76–77
^ Turner 2009 , pp. 77–78
^ Turner 2009 , pp. 78–81
^ Turner 2009 , pp. 81–83
^ Turner 2009 , p. 83
^ a b Turner 2009 , pp. 84–85
^ Turner 2009 , pp. 85–88
^ Turner 2009 , pp. 89–90
^ Turner 2009 , pp. 88–89
^ Turner 2007 , pp. 49–52
^ Turner 2007 , pp. 52–53
^ Whitnall, Frank (1966). "The First Essex Monorail" . Essex Countryside.
^ Turner 2007 , pp. 58–60
^ Turner 2007 , p. 91
^ Turner 2007 , pp. 91–93
^ Turner 2007 , pp. 128–129
^ Turner 2007 , pp. 130–131
^ Turner 2007 , pp. 135–137
^ Turner 2007 , p. 138
^ Turner 2007 , pp. 167–169
^ Turner 2007 , pp. 186–189
^ Turner 2007 , pp. 191–192
^ Turner 2007 , pp. 192–195
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Gillham & Wiseman 2003 , pp. 58–71
^ The Belfast News-Letter , 13 July 1896.
^ "End of the line for iconic Pier Tram after rising maintenance costs" . Champion. Retrieved 6 June 2015 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Bett & Gillham 1990 , pp. 43–47
^ a b Anderson 1995 , pp. 4–7
References
Anderson, Roy C. (1995). Bournemouth and Poole Tramways . Midhurst, West Sussex: Middleton Press. ISBN 1-873793-47-2 .
Bett, W. H.; Gillham, J. C. (1990). The Tramways of South West England . Light Rail Transit Association. ISBN 0-948106-08-5 .
Gillham, J. C.; Wiseman, R. J. S. (2003). The Tramways of South Lancashire and North Wales . Light Rail Transit Association. ISBN 0-948106-29-8 .
Turner, Keith (2007). Directory of British Tramways. Volume 1 . Stroud: Tempus Publishing Limited. ISBN 978-0-7524-3901-3 .
Turner, Keith (2009). Directory of British Tramways. Volume 2 . Stroud: The History Press. ISBN 978-0-7524-4233-4 .
England
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International Tramways and Light Railways Exhibition
Sovereign states States with limited recognition Dependencies and other entities
Sovereign states States with limited recognition Dependencies and other entities