Sunderland District Electric Tramways

Sunderland District Electric Tramways

Map of the route of the Sunderland District Electric Tramways
Operation
Locale Grangetown, Ryhope, Philadelphia, Hetton-le-Hole
Open 10 Jun 1905
Close 12 Jul 1925
Status Closed
Infrastructure
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in)
Propulsion system(s) Electric
Depot(s) Philadelphia
Statistics
Route length 14.28 miles (22.98 km)

The Sunderland District Electric Tramways operated an electric tramway service from Grangetown to Easington Lane between 1905 and 1925.[1]

History

The company was registered on 5 November 1903.[2] Construction took nearly 18 months and the system was ready for opening on 10 June 1905. The main route of the tramway ran from Grangetown via Herrington to Easington Lane, with branches to Fencehouses and Penshaw.

The Newcastle upon Tyne Electricity Supply Company built a power plant at Philadelphia, behind the Lambton, Hetton & Joicey Collieries power station. The tram depot was located next to it and could house eighteen trams.

On 3 January 1921 through running started between the Sunderland Corporation Tramways system at Grangetown.

Fleet

Closure

The company disposed of some trams in 1924 to Bolton Corporation Tramways. The remaining trams were sold in 1925, sixteen to Grimsby Corporation Tramways and others to Manchester Corporation Tramways. The tramway system closed on 15 July 1925 and the company was renamed as the Sunderland District Omnibus Company, running a fleet of blue buses.

References

  1. The Golden Age of Tramways. Published by Taylor and Francis.
  2. The Stock Exchange Year Book 1908
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