Halifax Corporation Tramways
| Operation | |
|---|---|
| Locale | Halifax |
| Open | 9 June 1898 |
| Close | 14 February 1939 |
| Status | Closed |
| Infrastructure | |
| Track gauge | 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) |
| Propulsion system(s) | Electric |
| Depot(s) | Spring Hall, Pellon, and Skircoat Lane |
| Statistics | |
| Route length | 39.07 miles (62.88 km) |
Halifax Corporation Tramways operated a tramway service in Halifax between 1898 and 1939.[1]
History
Halifax was not easy territory in which to build a tramway, as Salterhebble Hill, one of the main routes to the south of the town centre, rose at 1 in 9.6. Consideration was given to building a lift, onto which the tramcars would run, or of building an inclined plane, on which the tramcar would be carried by trolley. Such systems had been used in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, but the route was built using conventional track. The tramcars were fitted with runback brakes, and track brakes were also fitted, but despite this, there were a number of accidents on the steep gradients.[2]
Services started on 29 June 1898. Trams ran along three routes from the town centre
- along Horton Street to Halifax railway station
- to Kings Cross Street
- to High Road Well
Subsequent additions to the network resulted in a route length of over 37 miles by 1905.
The company expanded the tram fleet as services increased in popularity. By 1912, there were 102 tramcars in service. Shortly before closure, the number of tramcars had reached 131.
Closure
Services ended on 14 February 1939.[3]
Bibliography
- Klapper, Charles (1974). The Golden Age of Tramways (2nd ed.). David & Charles. ISBN 978-0-7153-6458-1.
References
- ↑ Klapper 1974, pp. 124,308.
- ↑ Klapper 1974, p. 124.
- ↑ Klapper 1974, p. 308.