Trams in Johannesburg

Johannesburg tramway network
Johannesburg tramway network
	A preserved double-decker tram at; James Hall Transport Museum, 2008.
Operation
Locale	Johannesburg, South Africa
Horsecar era: 1891–ca. 1906
Status	Closed
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Propulsion system(s)	Horses
Electric tram era: 1906–1961
Status	Closed
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Propulsion system(s)	Electricity

The Johannesburg tramway network formed part of the public transport system in Johannesburg, South Africa, for just over 70 years until the start of the 1960s.

History

Opened on 2 February 1891, the network was operated initially by horsecars.^[1] From 14 February 1906, it was converted to electrical power.^[2]

Beginning on 26 August 1936, the trams were gradually supplemented by the Johannesburg trolleybus system, which was opened on that day.

However, the tramway network lasted for several more decades, until its closure on 18 March 1961. The last scheduled trams ran on the Kensington, Bez Valley and Malvern routes on the day before, and on the day of closure special commemorative trips were run. The trams on those routes were replaced by buses.

References

Notes

^ "Timeline: Johannesburg 1800-1991". South African History Online. South African History Online. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
^ "Timeline: Johannesburg 1900-1976". South African History Online. South African History Online. Retrieved 31 March 2012.^{[permanent dead link‍]}