The Ryde Pier Tram
Built in 1871, the Ryde Pier Tram is Britain's oldest surviving tramcar. It was commissioned by The Ryde Pier Company to transport ferry passengers. The tram would take them 700 yards from the ferry landing at the end of the pier to the town of Ryde on the Isle of Wight.
Before the pier was built in 1814, a porter would carry passengers on their back. They'd then have to walk almost half a mile across wet sand to reach the town. So you can imagine there was great relief once the pier was up!
Horses pulled the Ryde Pier Tram until 1881. They were replaced first by electric winches and then by steam engines when a direct link to the island railway opened in 1880. The tram remained in use until 1935 when it was badly damaged in a crash. It arrived in Hull in 1936, where it was restored to its current condition.
The Kitson Steam Tram
As steam technology improved, several companies developed a steam-powered tram engine. This started with Henry Hughes of Loughborough in 1876, followed by Kitson & Co of Leeds in 1878. Steam-powered tram engines replaced horses, which were becoming expensive to look after.
To keep pedestrians and other road users safe, steam tram engines had some special features. These included a top speed of eight miles per hour. Engines were not allowed to emit steam or smoke. All machinery had to be hidden, and no clattering noise was allowed.
The Kitson used a condensing system mounted on the roof like a huge radiator. This cooled the steam back to water so it could be reused.
End of an era
Electric trams were part of the city's life for over forty-five years. Within six months of opening in 1899, over four million passengers had used the new local service. As the routes grew, trams became essential to everyday life for work, rest and play. Even if early trams didn't have covers for the driver or passengers on the top deck!
In the 1930s, the decision was made to replace many of the tram routes with motor buses, which were more flexible. Other tram routes were replaced by trolley buses. In 1942 the remaining trams were transferred to other cities. Tram 132 worked in Leeds until 1952 when it was retired.
