This picture can be dated to 1st. July, 1911 when electric trams replaced the cable cars.
Cars 230 and 225 were built in 1907 and the class got top covers by 1925. Most were withdrawn between 1930 and 1937 except a few which got bow collectors and were used on the 32 Lodge Road route until 1947.
The car with the top cover is 325 which is just a few months old.
A similar car is 395 which exists at the Think Tank.
The occasion was the opening of the Corporation electric tram operation which replaced the cable trams on this road - the slot for the cable grippers is still visible between the running lines. Its 1 July 1911.A tram event in Soho Road by the old Handsworth Council House.
View attachment 121636
And the drivers (motormen) were still standing until 1953 (maybe with shorter shifts) when the use of the trams ended. Although front windscreens had been fitted, the driver stands at the controls – an uncomfortable and draughty position, but acceptable in the first half of the 20th century! The brake handle is in his right hand and his left hand would be on the power controller which is almost hidden from view. There was also a pedal on the floor which operated a warning bell ... see post#291.Never mind the arm ache, imagine standing there all day (no short 8 hour days then!) in sub-zero pouring rain, or baking hot sun. Hardy souls in those days.
I put this pic in another thread because of that very young boy on a motorbike. It shows tram No 649 travelling 'Depot Only' passing St Martins church towards Digbeth in 1953.
from https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/for...ur-old-street-pics.41947/page-122#post-610498