Ipswich Corporation Tramways

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]

Ipswich Corporation Tramways
Car 33 preserved at Ipswich Transport Museum
Operation
LocaleIpswich
Open1 November 1901
Close26 July 1926
StatusClosed
Infrastructure
Track gauge3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm)
Propulsion system(s)Electric
Statistics
Route length10.82 miles (17.41 km)

Infrastructure

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Horse tramway

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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

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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

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

Closure

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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

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List of town tramway systems in the United Kingdom

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Turner, Keith (1996). The Directory of British Tramways. Patrick Stephens Ltd. ISBN 1-85260-549-9.
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52°03′19″N 1°08′33″E / 52.05526°N 1.14262°E / 52.05526; 1.14262