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Recent content by Peter Walker

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    Re: Peter walker archives

    Re: Birmingham steam trams Re: Birmingham's steam trams — Old Square to Witton and Gravelly Hill According to the 1890 OS map there was originally a reversing triangle at the Old Square (see map 4.1), but a turning loop was installed, probably when the terminus was shared with routes operated...
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    Re: Peter walker archives

    Re: Birmingham steam trams — Birmingham’s steam trams — a brief description The principles of steam tramcar design were well established by the time they finally came to Birmingham, and a range of rolling stock was available from various builders. While railcars were being used abroad, in...
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    Re: Peter walker archives

    Re: Birmingham steam trams Re: Birmingham's steam trams — The Birmingham and Aston Tramways The attached Map 3.1 shows the Birmingham steam tramway network at its peak in 1904. The first steam tramway in the Birmingham area was opened in 1882 by an independent local group, the Birmingham &...
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    Re: Peter walker archives

    Re: Birmingham steam trams Re: The Story of Midland Red The origins 1731 – 1870: Early stage coach and horse bus services The first commercial stage carriage service to Birmingham was advertised as early as 1731 from London via Warwick, Banbury and Aylesbury. The coming of the canals in 1769...
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    Re: Peter walker archives

    Birmingham steam trams Birmingham's steam trams 1 — Origin of the steam tram For over twenty years, Birmingham played surprisingly little part in its development — a brief two-part story that follows this general introduction. The advantage of propelling a vehicle on smooth tracks of...
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    Brookvale Park & Witton Lakes

    Thanks so much for that photo. Mrs T. My, how the place has changed, and all those trees have grown a lot in 70 years. Peter
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    Birmingham Steam Buses 1824-1910.

    Just seen the Guy 'Transport through the Szygies' ad (always thought that was a mountain range in Hungary) and recognised the first pic bottom left as a localo one. I first saw it on the back cover (I think) of a 'Modern Transport', on which I spent my pocket money in about 1945. The photo by...
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    School Milk

    Trying to remember who supplied school milk - it certainly varied between schools. All the bottles were 1/3 pint size, I think Dulwich Road infants and Hawthorn Road Junior Boys took Midland Counties, and Aston Grammar took Co-op, but I'm not sure. I seem to remember that All Saints' Infants...
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    Birmingham's steam trams

    Thylacine, Thank you for that picture, which is a new one to me. But it is very, very similar to the attached photo below, of B&MT engine 25 and single-ended trailer 25, waiting outside the Windmill Lane coke yard. This is taken from J S Webb's "Black Country Tramways". The location is clearly...
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    Birmingham Steam Buses 1824-1910.

    What a small world we live in! Twenty years ago I researched the history of the Handel festivals at the Crystal Palace, London, and became familiar with the name John Scott Russell. He was a member of the Royal Commission of the original Crystal Palace in Hyde Park, and later became a director...
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    Birmingham Steam Buses 1824-1910.

    It's always nice to see this lively discussion. Thanks for all the contributions. Meanwhile I have done some delving and produced a lengthy piece on steam tram history. Hope you find it interesting. Peter
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    Birmingham's steam trams

    Part 10 — The end of the steam trams Another event affecting the future of the steam trams was the setting up in 1896 of the British Electric Traction Company to acquire bus and tram systems and — with the agreement of the local authority — replace them by an electric tramway operated by a...
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    Birmingham's steam trams

    Part 9 — To Witton Road, Kings Heath, and Sparkbrook and Villa Cross In about late 1886 two minor sections of steam tramway were added, which had little strategic importance. Since 1882 the Birmingham and Aston Tramways had powers to build lines in Wheeler Street and Witton Road to permit a...
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    Birmingham's steam trams

    Part 8 — To Small Heath and Balsall Heath In early 1886 the Birmingham Central Tramways Company opened a route from to Small Heath via Deritend and Coventry Road. The terminus was at Dora Road, some way past the coke yard illustrated in the photo (8.1), opposite the main entrance to Small...
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    Birmingham's steam trams

    Part 7 — City extensions and to Dudley Also in 1885, the Moseley route was extended at the city endvia Bromsgrove Street to Hurst Street and John Bright Street, with a sharp turn into Hill Street. The map already attached (6.1) shows the development of the layout in detail, while the OS map...
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