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One for the Tram enthusiasts

jennyann

jennyann

Gone but not forgotten. R.I.P.
This event was held over the weekend at the Aston Transport Museum,
howeer, I thought I would post this article from the Birmingham Mail
over the weekend.

Time flies and it's 50 years since we saw the last trams making their runs.

Here is the article:

On the road again Jul 5 2003


Fifty years ago this weekend the last tram trundled down a Birmingham street.

And while modern day Brummies have the Metro, it is the old-style trams which still provoke fond memories and strong feelings among older generations.

Although they could not put a tram back on the road, enthusiasts were yesterday invited on the next best thing - the last survivor from the fleet of buses which replaced them on July 5, 1953.

The 2489 Crossley double-decker retraced its route from the city centre to Pype Hayes and Short Heath in Erdington for the first since it was retired from service in 1969.

Dudley owner David Harvey said: "The 2489 was a very popular bus and stepped in when the trams stopped running.

"It has been kept in Northampton and this is its first time it has been seen on the streets of Birmingham for many years. It will jog a few memories."

After being mothballed the bus was bought by the 2489 Group and restored. It has been an award winner at historic vehicle shows and hired for special events since.

The Aston Manor Transport Museum is also marking the anniversary today and tomorrow with a special exhibition.

Members of the Witton Modellers Group and the Tramway and Light Railway Society are showing their model trams in action and demonstrating their craft.

John Badger said: "I remember going up to Witton depot when I was younger and we now use old photographs and drawings from which to create exact copies on a smaller scale."

Admission to the museum, in Witton Lane next to Villa Park, costs £1 adults, 50p children.
 
Oh the trams. They were slow and noisy I guess, but there was nothing to compare with a trip into town on an Iron Horse. The 3X started in Witton Lane, opposite to the Witton pub, past the Villa Ground turn left at the top and then along Park Road. There were tram tracks and wires all along the route. The terminus was in Witton Lane so the tram had to be turned on a turn table, and a hook moved wires where they crossed over. When the bus's took over the route a clock stood by the bus stop and the driver had to clock in, and out. If he was late the passengers would moan, 'Where've yer bit mate, yer lat aint yer.'

Sorry I meant to add this as a quote, all I did was move it??
 
Travelling by Tram

if you go to the main site you will see the tram depot at Witton and we have lots of pictures of trams to help you with your memories
 
Trams

Thanks John, I've had a look. Wonderful memories of sitting up front if I was allowed.
I also read the Stan Wood piece on the number 6, and was between laughter and tears.
 
Travelling by Tram

:D Not Brum I know, but here in Ch-Ch they have re-laid some of the old tramlines around the centre of the city as a tourist attraction 8) (they had been taken up in the 1950’s like in Brum). I have taken a number of kids on the trams and they love it. I tell them that we never had many buses in England when I was very little and only travelled on the trams, the kids think that's great. Not sure about them being that slow as we often wiz passed cars waiting in a traffic jams. :lol:
 
Travelling by Tram

Yes Pom, today trams would be a way of getting out of the jams. Next time I am in Witton I'll pop in to the museum and go down memory lane. :D
 
RAILWAY TRAM LINES

;)WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ENGINEERING?
THAT IS POWER AND WAY.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ROLLING STOCK?

:-X
 
An Accumulator Driven Tram which ran from Suffolk St. to Bourneville.
First introduced in 1890.
The picture is dated around 1900.
 
NICE PICS JOHN, WOULD YOU HAVE ONE OF THE MAIN TURN TABLE AT SALFORD BRIDGE, INCIDENDLY ,DOES ANYBODY KNOW THE DRIVER OR THE CONDUCTOR,ON THIS PICS,;;;;THESE WAS BETTER THAN THE OLD TROLLY BUSES THERE WAS ALWAYS A PROBLEM WITH THE OVERHEAD CABLES ,;;ASTONIAN ,;;;;
 
John the picture you have posted shows the tram outside the Fox & Goose public house, Washwood Heath, the pub hasn't changed that much really in all those years.
 
Hi. Sylvia,
Right on.. saw this picture before and did not spot that fact. Martineau St was the end of the line in town. The tram lines never went any further than the Fox And Goose. Good spotting.
Regards.
 
The advertisement for' Bakers Black Lead' in the first picture interested me, only remember my Mother using 'Zebo' on our grate.

Nick
 
Re: Tram

Rowan, your picture was taken on the Pershore Road route to Cotteridge. I would guess from the condition of the car that it was taken shortly before the route closed in July 1952 (54 years ago to the week!). I don't remember the route well enough to say exactly where it was taken, but I think if you look on Mark Norton's site containing his dad's pics, you will find the answer.
Peter
 
Re: Tram

I love the Taylors of Potter Hill ad on top of the tram. It's a 38, so someone will know for sure.
 
Just seen John's lovely picture outside the Fox & Goose at Washwood Heath. As 'flap' destination boards were replaced by route number boxes in 1915, this picture must be pre - WW1. I hadn't realised the Fox & Goose was rebuilt that early.
Another feature about the tram in that picture is that it still has the original Mountain & Gibson 'Radial' truck fitted when the cars were new in 1905. The idea was that the axles would follow the radius of a curve, and would return to being parallel on straight track. They were not a success, and the error proved expensive as there were 150 of the car. Various modifications were tried, and many were replaced by old second-hand or spare trucks.
Peter
 
Re: Tram

It would figure that it was Cotteridge as it was in an album of an old Aunt who livedin Stirchley.

so it is more than likely as you said Peter.

Di.........it is number 36
 
The postcard shows my Grand-Father  Arthur Baker as the driver on a number 42 Tram at Alcester Lanes End outside the Co-Op (opposite the Knob pub).It is dated approx 1926.
I have information which shows him as a Tramway Motorman between 1907 and war service in 1914,and then no further employment details until 1949.
Can anyone confirm the approx date of 1926 ,which would suggest he returned to the Trams after war service.
Many thanks

Colin
 
What a cracking photo Colin I am sure you are going to get a reply from our Tram Experts
 
Could be Midland Red Rupert I remember some had a White Roof.

I used to Travel to Beeches Estate to my Aunt & Uncle with Mom Dad & my Sister on them once a week to stay just after the War :)
 
Sylvia, I think it must be. Have a look at the Old Birmingham section. I put a pc there with a bit of The Old Crown and Cushion just in view. :)
 
Alf,
Thats the Midland Red I have been looking for. It had a small outcurl at the front between floors and the door was at the front. Upstairs the front seat was full width in front of the stairs except for an entry at the left side. Great post Di. The trams great but the Midland Red is very speciaql for me.
Regards.
 
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