Walthamstow Urban District Council Light Railways operated a tramway service in Walthamstow between 1905 and 1933.[1]
| Walthamstow Urban District Council Light Railways | |
|---|---|
 Map of the routes of Walthamstow Urban District Council Light Railways | |
| Operation | |
| Locale | Walthamstow |
| Open | 3 June 1905 |
| Close | 1 July 1933 |
| Status | Closed |
| Infrastructure | |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) |
| Propulsion system(s) | Electric |
| Statistics | |
| Route length | 9.14 miles (14.71 km) |
History
editThe Walthamstow and District Light Railway Order of 1903 authorised Walthamstow Urban District Council to start electric tramway services on 3 June 1905. The "and district" referred to the lines beyond the Walthamstow boundary into Chingford, where the terminus was just short of the "Prince Albert" pub, and Leyton, where the line ended at the "Bakers' Arms" PH. The depot and offices were located in Chingford Road at TQ 3731 9018.
The tramways became immortalised in January 1909, in national newspapers. The incident was known as the Walthamstow Tram Chase or Tottenham Outrage. Two Latvian revolutionaries attacked a clerk in Tottenham and stole a large amount of money. Pursued by the police and the public there was shooting and some people were killed. The thieves commandeered a tram towards Highams Park. Both men eventually killed themselves and the money was never found. The incident later became the subject of a silent film.[2]
Closure
editThe services were taken over by London Passenger Transport Board on 1 July 1933.
References
edit- ^ The Golden Age of Tramways. Published by Taylor and Francis.
- ^ Tottenham outrage- silent film. Retrieved 10 November 2008.