Ipswich Corporation Tramways

Ipswich Corporation Tramways
Car 33 preserved at Ipswich Transport Museum
Operation
Locale	Ipswich
Open	1 November 1901
Close	26 July 1926
Status	Closed
Infrastructure
Track gauge	3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Propulsion system	Electric
Statistics
Route length	10.82 miles (17.41 km)

Ipswich Corporation Tramways was an electric tramway system that served the town of Ipswich in Suffolk from 23 November 1903 until 26 July 1926. ^[1]

Infrastructure

Horse tramway

Ipswich's horse tramway (Ipswich Tramway) had been operating since 1880 from a depot located at the junction of Quadling Street and New Cardinal Street ( TM 15900 44087 ), and with a total length of 4.25 miles (6.84 km). ^[1]

Electric tramway

In 1903 the electric tramway replaced the horse tramway. Extensions to the system increased track length to 10.82 miles (17.41 km) producing a network that centred upon Cornhill ( TM 16238 44639 ). ^[1] From Cornhill the lines ran along:

• Westgate Street, St Matthew Street, Barracks Corner, Mill Street, Portman Road to junction with Princes Street. Spur along Portman's Walk to the depot at Constantine Road.
• Westgate Street, St Matthew Street, Barracks Corner, Norwich Road to a terminus at TM 14098 47501 (Whitton Maypole)
• Westgate Street, St Matthew Street, Barracks Corner, Norwich Road, Bramford Road to a terminus just east of the railway line at TM 14470 45571
• Tavern Street, Carr Street, Major's Corner, St Helen's Street, Spring Road, St John's Road, Cauldwell Hall Road to a terminus at TM 18339 43944 (Derby Road railway station).
• Tavern Street, Carr Street, Major's Corner, St Helen's Street, Spring Road to a terminus at the junction with Woodbridge Road at TM 18977 44987 .
• Princes Street to a terminus at TM 15724 43822 (Ipswich railway station).

The depot, consisting of a power station and tram shed, was in Constantine Road ( TM 15522 44301 ). ^[1] The buildings are still in use by motorbuses.

Tramcars

The fleet, in a livery of dark green and cream, consisted of 36 Brush open top double deck tramcars. ^[1]

Closure

Line closures started in 1923 and were completed in 1926. Five of the tramcars and one tramcar body were sold to Scarborough Tramways Company. The tramway system was replaced by a trolleybus system.

See also

List of town tramway systems in the United Kingdom

References

1. Turner, Keith (1996). The Directory of British Tramways. Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN   1-85260-549-9.

External links

• The engine room in Ipswich Tram Depot
• Tramcar No 33 at Ipswich Transport Museum
• Ipswich Corporation Tramways button
• Ipswich Corporation Tramways uniformed staff

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