Wigan Corporation Tramways

Wigan Corporation Tramways

Tram Depot, Platt Bridge
Operation
Locale Wigan
Open 25 January 1901
Close 28 March 1931
Status Closed
Infrastructure
Track gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) and 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in)
Propulsion system(s) Electric
Statistics
Route length 24.83 miles (39.96 km)

Wigan Corporation Tramways operated a tramway service in Wigan between 1901 and 1931.[1]

History

A horse tramway was built in 1880 by Wigan Corporation and leased to a succession of private companies. Services ran to Pemberton, Aspull and towards Standish.[2]

Steam tram operation was also introduced, but by 1901 the Corporation took control of operations and electrified the services.

One year later, in 1902, the Corporation took over the steam tramway routes operated by the Wigan and District Tramways Company and converted these to electric power.

The corporation did not take advantage of the opportunity to convert all tramways to a single operating gauge, so for the thirty years of electric tramway operation, there were services operated on 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) and 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in).

There were depots located at SD 6075 0328 and SD 6037 0246.

Closure

Services ended on 28 March 1931.

References

  1. The Golden Age of Tramways. Published by Taylor and Francis.
  2. Stretch, E. K. (1978). The tramways of Wigan. MTMS, Manchester
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