Birkenhead Corporation Tramways

Birkenhead Corporation Tramways operated a tramway service in Birkenhead between 1901 and 1937.[1]

Birkenhead Corporation Tramways
Operation
LocaleChester
Open4 February 1901
Close17 July 1937
StatusClosed
Infrastructure
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in)
Propulsion system(s)Electric
Statistics
Route length79.08 miles (127.27 km)

History

In 1860, Birkenhead started the first street tramway in Britain, [2] shortly before London.

The Birkenhead Corporation Tramway company was formed through the acquisition of the Birkenhead United Tramways, Omnibus and Carriage Company on 31 December 1900, and the Wirral Tramway Company on 8 May 1901, and the Birkenhead United Tramways Company on 24 January 1901.

Electrification of the system was undertaken and 44 tramcars were ordered from G.F. Milnes & Co. and built locally in their factory at Birkenhead. Services started on 4 February 1901.

Closure
Car No 7 previously preserved on static display in the Mersey Ferry Terminal, now at Wirral Transport Museum

The first closure was on 30 August 1925, when the Claughton Road route was converted to bus operation.

The remaining routes were closed over successive years until the system finally closed on 17 July 1937.

Car No 7 is preserved on static display at the Wirral Transport Museum in Birkenhead.

Car No. 20 is preserved and regularly carries passengers on the Wirral Tramway.

References
  1. The Golden Age of Tramways. Published by Taylor and Francis.
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 21 March 2009. Retrieved 10 February 2018.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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