Leeds Corporation Tramways
 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Leeds |
| Locale | England |
| Dates of operation | 29 October 1891–7 November 1959 |
| Successor | Abandoned |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Electrification | overhead catenary |
Leeds Corporation Tramways formerly served the City of Leeds, England. The original trams were horse-drawn, however by 1901 electrification had been completed. The tramway opened on 29 October 1891[1]
Routes
There were several lines running between the city centre[2] and Cross Gates,[3] Chapel Allerton,[4][5] Moortown,[6] Roundhay,[7] Middleton,[8] Beeston,[9] Armley,[10] Hunslet[11] and Kirkstall.[12] The network was far more extensive than that of the proposed Leeds Supertram, which has not been built after a funding shortfall from central government.
Trams
The earliest trams were single decker horsedrawn trams, but later purchases were double deckers. The last of these ran in 1901. Steam trams were also used until full electrification. Throughout most of the twentieth century the tramway used a mixture of bus style and balloon trams, both in double decker formation.[13]
Even when other cities were abandoning their tramways in the 1940s, Leeds continued to modernise its system. Two prototype modern single-deck trams (somewhat similar to those used in continental European cities) were built in the early 1950s, but never put into full production.
In the early 1950s, Leeds purchased 90 "Feltham" trams secondhand from London Transport. By this period, Leeds tramcars were normally painted in red.
Closure
After the closure of the Leeds system on 7 November 1959,[1] Sheffield became the last city in England with trams (closing in 1960) and Glasgow the last in the UK (closing in 1962). The Blackpool tramway then became the UK's only commercial tramway until the opening of the Manchester Metrolink in 1992.
Preservation
Several Leeds electric trams are now preserved at the National Tramway Museum at Crich. The last remaining [Leeds horse tram no 107] is now being restored by the Leeds Transport Historical Society.[14] There are what are commonly thought to have been original tram poles remaining in Roundhay were actually lighting standards in a bus park. There is an old electricity sub station used for the tramway on Abbey Road in Hawksworth.[15]
Queens Hall
Queens Hall was the central tram shed, situated off Swinegate. This was used as a concert hall from the trams closure until 1989, when it was demolished. Queens Hall became a renowned punk venue and hosted other artists such as Elton John, however the venue's poor acoustics and high upkeep costs brought about its closure. The site is an unmade car park, the proposed Criterion Place development was to be built here.
References
- ^ a b "LRTA - Electric Tramways of Yorkshire". Retrieved 16 September 2009.
- ^ http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=2004128_2546328
- ^ http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=5826
- ^ http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=2002913_66646975
- ^ http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=5126
- ^ http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=9135
- ^ http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=2003103_65673465
- ^ http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=1897
- ^ http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=2002326_70179385
- ^ http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=2002318_82024783
- ^ http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=2003528_31643313
- ^ http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=200244_16592043
- ^ http://johnlawontherails.fotopic.net/p24610499.html
- ^ Leeds Horse car 107 restoration project
- ^ http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?resourceIdentifier=200781_164363
External links