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Birmingham Corporation Tramways
Birmingham tramway operator (1904-1953) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For the football club, see Birmingham Corporation Tramways F.C.
Birmingham Corporation Tramways operated a network of tramways in Birmingham from 1904 until 1953. It was the largest narrow-gauge tramway network in the UK, and was built to a gauge of 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm). It was the fourth largest tramway network in the UK behind London, Glasgow and Manchester.
Quick Facts Operation, Locale ...
Birmingham Corporation Tramways | |
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![]() Birmingham Corporation Tram in 1953, shortly before the service was scrapped. | |
Operation | |
Locale | Birmingham |
Open | 4 January 1904 |
Close | 4 July 1953 |
Status | Closed |
Infrastructure | |
Track gauge | 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) |
Propulsion system(s) | Electric |
Electrification | (600 V DC) |
Statistics | |
Route length | 80.5 miles (129.6 km) |
Close
There were a total of 843 trams (with a maximum of 825 in service at any one time), 20 depots, 45 main routes and a total route length of 80+1⁄2 miles (129.6 km).[1]
Birmingham Corporation built all the tramways and leased the track to various companies.
Birmingham was a pioneer in the development of reserved trackways which served the suburban areas as the city grew in the 1920s and 1930s.