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TRAMWAYS IN OLD PLYMOUTH
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PLYMOUTH TRAMWAYS
COMPANY
TRIAL RUNS
On Thursday September 19th 1889 the following report
appeared in the local press indicating that trial runs had taken place the
previous day, not, it seems, without some bemusement:
'Congenial
occupation was found yesterday [Wednesday 18th
September 1889] in the Plymouth streets, between the
Guildhall and Millbay, for a troupe of youngsters disengaged
from school, and also for not a few grown up people, in
watching a new tramcar, which was run for the first time
over a long disused tramway. The surprise excited was fully
equalled by the amusement, for it can be easily imagined
that after being unused for six years, the tramway rails
were in no condition for smooth and easy running for any
vehicle. The grooves of the rails were jammed with dirt and
stone, in many places they had sunk in, and at places had
bulged. The result was a comical series of contretemps to
the new car. At its first transit between Bedford-street
and Millbay, through Princess-square and Lockyer-street, the
car managed to get off the rails many times in that tortuous
route, and when it did so there had to be a series of tugs
and twists to get on the rails again. The journey to and
from was made several times, and each time with greater
facility than previously as the grooves became open, and the
line in better order. Of course, the object was not to shew
[sic] the state of the rails – for that, as might
have been predicted, was bad enough – though, considering
how long a time had passed since they were laid, without
renovation, and the constant traffic of other vehicles
across them, it was scarcely to be expected that the car
would run over them at all. Several gentlemen connected
with the new owners of the tramway occupied the car, and
also the Rev. Mr Hitchens, Rev. A Van Straubenzee, Colonel
Slaughter, Messrs. Trounson, Kay, James McBryde, and some
others more or less interested in the matter in hand. The
net result, however, was very satisfactory, as it was shown
that there was no serious twisting of the rails out of
gauge, and that a moderate amount of repairs will put the
route in working order. The new car, which was really the
centre of attraction, was greatly approved. It is one of
two built for this line by Milner, of Birkenhead, who
supplies the tramways of Leeds, Newcastle, and other large
places with similar vehicles. It has a special undergearing,
enabling the body of the car to move laterally with ease and
giving freedom to the wheels in passing over curves, and
reducing the strain on the horse, and on a good road would
undoubtedly run smoothly. Its light and elegant appearance,
and a body of pitch pine and with plenty of glass, were much
admired. This trip afforded the first ocular evidence for
years past of the active existence of a Plymouth Tramway
Company, and encourages the expectation that before long the
new proprietors – who are incorporated by an Act of
Parliament into a company, not under the Limited Liability
Act, but by a special Act such as that obtained for railways
– will be able to open at least a portion of the line for
use. Many of the public, indeed, thought that the happy day
had already come, and amused the occupants – and especially
the fair amateur conductor, the daughter of Mr Davis, the
chief proprietor of the tramways – by hailing the vehicle to
stop and pick them up as ordinary passengers, and otherwise
shewing [sic] that they intended to be patrons of
the new conveyance when it is once in complete going order.'
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