Rothesay and Ettrick Bay Light Railway
 Map of Rothesay and Ettrick Bay Light Railway routes | |
| Operation | |
|---|---|
| Locale | Rothesay |
| Open | 19 August 1902 |
| Close | 30 September 1936 |
| Status | Closed |
| Infrastructure | |
| Track gauge | 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) |
| Propulsion system(s) | Electric |
| Depot(s) | Port Bannatyne |
| Statistics | |
| Route length | 4.87 miles (7.84 km) |
The Rothesay and Ettrick Bay Light Railway was a narrow gauge electric tramway on the Isle of Bute, Scotland.
History
The original tramway was opened in 1882 - a horse-drawn 4 ft (1,219 mm) gauge tramway running from the promenade at Rothesay to Port Bannatyne.[1]
In 1901 the tramway was bought by British Electric Traction and closed on 2 March 1902 for modernisation. It was regauged to 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) and electrified. Some horse-drawn vehicles were re-gauged and operated a temporary service until the electrification was complete. Electric services started on 13 August 1902.
On 13 July 1905 a 2 1⁄8-mile extension from Port Bannatyne to Ettrick Bay along a reserved right of way was opened. It had been built by Dick, Kerr & Co.[2]
On 1 January 1914, control of the company passed to the Scottish General Transport Company.
Fleet
- 1-10 Electric Railway and Tramway Carriage Works 1902 Toastracks
- 11-15 Electric Railway and Tramway Carriage Works 1902 Single-deck saloons
- 16-20 Brush Electrical Engineering Company 1903 Toastracks
Closure
On 1 June 1932, the company name changed to Western Scottish Motor Traction Company, and the tramway closed on 30 September 1936.[1]
The depot in Port Bannatyne is still in use as a bus garage.
Bibliography
- Twaddle, Graham. Old Bute. Stenlake Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84033-099-1.