Ipswich Corporation Tramways
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (November 2024) |
| 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(s) | 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
[edit]Horse tramway
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]The fleet, in a livery of dark green and cream, consisted of 36 Brush open top double deck tramcars.[1]
Closure
[edit]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
[edit]List of town tramway systems in the United Kingdom