Wolverhampton Corporation Tramways

Wolverhampton Corporation Tramways operated a tramway service in Wolverhampton between 1902 and 1928.[1]

Wolverhampton Corporation Tramways
Operation
LocaleWolverhampton
Open1878 (as Wolverhampton Tramways Company)
Close11 July 1928
StatusClosed
Infrastructure
Track gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Propulsion system(s)Electric
Statistics
Route length13.85 miles (22.29 km)
Map of the tram routes in 1930 including those in Birmingham

History

In 1900 Wolverhampton Corporation bought the Wolverhampton Tramways Company which had operated a standard gauge horse-drawn tramway since 1878.

A modernisation scheme followed immediately re-gauging to 3'6" and electrification. The tramway was unique in using the Lorain Stud contact system,[2] and because of this, connections to other networks in the area could not be made until 1921, when the council decided to convert to overhead wiring.

The first line opened on 6 February 1902. The main service connected Wolverhampton railway station with the 1902 exhibition in West Park.

Additional lines soon followed and the basic system was complete in 3 years. A further line was added in 1909 to Penn Fields.

Fleet

The company ordered 24 tramcars for its initial operations

Later additions were:

Surviving trams
  • Tram 49. Built in 1909 for operation by Wolverhampton Corporation Tramways. It is a typical Edwardian double decker tramcar with an ornate lower saloon and open upper deck with traverse seating. Originally equipped with the Lorain system taking its power supply from studs in the road, it was later converted to run from overhead wires. Preserved in 1976, the tram was painstakingly restored by the Black Country Living Museum Transport Group over many years and completed in 2004. The Tram is in operational condition.[3]


References
  1. The Golden Age of Tramways. Published by Taylor and Francis.
  2. "Trams in Wolverhampton". Wolverhampton History and Heritage Society. Retrieved 1 July 2008.
  3. https://www.bclm.co.uk/items/tram-49/95.htm
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