Sheffield Tramway
Encyclopedia
Sheffield Tramway was an extensive tramway network serving the English
city of Sheffield
and its suburbs.
The first tramway line, horse-drawn, opened in 1873 between Lady's Bridge and Attercliffe
, subsequently extended to Brightside
and Tinsley
. Routes were built to Heeley
, where a tram depot was built, Nether Edge
and Hillsborough
.
In 1899, the first electric tram ran between Nether Edge and Tinsley. By 1902 all the routes were electrified. By 1910 the network covered 39 miles, by 1951 48 miles.
The last trams ran between Leopold Street and Beauchief on 8 October 1960—three Sheffield trams were subsequently preserved at the National Tramway Museum
in Crich
.
The Sheffield horse tramway was created under the Tramways Act 1870
, with powers granted in July 1872. The first routes, to Attercliffe
and Carbrook
, Brightside
, Heeley
, Nether Edge
and Owlerton
opened between 1873 and 1877. Under the legislation at that time, local authorities were precluded from operating tramways but were empowered to construct them and lease the lines to an individual operating company. Tracks were constructed by contractor
s and leased to the Sheffield Tramways Company, which operated the services.
Prior to the inauguration of the horse trams, horse buses had provided a limited public service, but road surfaces were poor and their carrying capacity was low. The new horse trams gave a smoother ride. The fares were too high for the average worker so the horse trams saw little patronage; services began later than when workers began their day so were of little use to most. Running costs were high as the operator had to keep a large number of horses and could not offer low fares.
It was common practice to paint tramcars in different colours according to the route operated. This helped illiterate people to identify the trams.
The National Grid was not as developed as it is now and so the Corporation set out to generate the required current - the Corporation became the local domestic and industrial electricity supplier. A power station was built for Sheffield Corporation Tramways on Kelham Island
by the river Don between Mowbray Street and Alma Street. Feeder cables stretched from there to the extremities of the system, covering over 40 miles of route.
The horse operated lines were left opened and track replaced with heavier rails. Along with lines opening to Abbeydale, Walkley
and Hunter's Bar
, the missing link in the centre of the sprawling network between Moorhead and Lady's Bridge
was finally laid.
Electric lines opened in succession; Nether Edge
to Tinsley
on 6 September 1899, to Walkley on 18 September 1899 and Pitsmoor
on 27 September 1899. The other electric lines opened soon after allowing the Hillsborough
to be closed in November 1902.
The network was basically in place by 1905, further development included extending lines out of the city and connecting lines.
In 1905, Rotherham Corporation connected their line to Templeborough
to Tinsley and both Sheffield and Rotherham corporations began running services between both towns. Some tensions existed between both councils and services were halted between September 1914 and May 1915 leaving passengers to either walk between both networks or use the railways. Sheffield Corporation introduced motor bus services from the termini to outlying districts in 1918.
The First World War made material scarce and progress in bus technology which meant that many cities abandoned their tram networks. Sheffield considered trolleybuses but found no favours in the Council who preferred motor buses. Twenty second-hand double-deck tramcars were purchased from London County Council Tramways
in 1917 and 1918 due to the material shortage. This was a rare move but a necessary one to replace single-deck cars. The scarceness of material did not deter the Corporation who extended the network to Handsworth
, Mansfield Road and to Sheffield Lane Top. In 1927 the Beauchief and Meadowhead lines were joined by the laying of track along Abbey Lane. Prince of Wales Road line was linked to the Handsworth and Intake line. The Nether Edge line was closed in 1934 in face of line renewal costs, the Nether Green via Broomhill
line suffered the same fate.
The Prussian blue with cream bands with gold leaf lining livery gave way to the Cream with azure blue bands.
After World War II, the railway bridge on Sheffield Road was replaced and the through tram service to Rotherham temporarily suspended. It was never reinstated. In 1951, the decision to eventually close the tramway system and replace it with motor buses was taken. The decision was not unanimous, Councillor R.W. Allott resigned from the ruling Labour Group in protest. The Council compared the price to replace tramcars with that of buses, ignoring the shorter lifespan of motor buses.
The first line conversion was the Fulwood to Malin Bridge
in 1952. Several protests broke out following the publishing of the news. "Sheffield folk were fond of their trams and did not take kindly to the prospect of losing them". An unsuccessful petition was handed over the to the Council by the Holmes Lane residents and traders. The second conversion occurred in 1954 and was the Ecclesall to Middlewood line. T.W. Ward received most of the trams for scrapping via a track connection into their scrap-yard on Attercliffe
Common almost opposite the end of Weedon Street.
The last route Beauchief to Vulcan Road closed on the afternoon of Saturday 8 October 1960. An illuminated car, followed by a procession of fourteen trams, carried passengers and Council dignitaries from Beauchief to the Tinsley depot. Trams then went on to Tinsley or Queens Road, trams led to the Queens Road were destined for preservation.
, Brightside
, Hillsborough
, Nether Edge
and Heeley
. A few years after Sheffield Corporation took over horse tramways were gradually replaced first by single-deck, then double-deck electric trams. It extended routes to Beauchief and Woodseats
in 1927 and to Darnall
and Intake
in 1928.
Adjacent lines were converted into circular route by sleeper-track connecting links. The line along Abbey Lane linking Beauchief to Woodseats was mostly reserved track
.
The last extensions were opened in 1934 and extended the network to Lane Top, via Firth Park. Three small sections, Fulwood Road, Nether Edge and Petre St, were closed between 1925 and 1936.
In 1952 the Corporation closed two sections followed by the rest of the network between 1954 and 1960.
Tinsley depot (53°24′28"N 1°24′45"W) was built in 1874 and was the first depot built for the "Sheffield Tramways Company". It was originally built for horse trams but was converted for electric trams in 1898–99, after which it was capable of accommodating 95 trams. Following the abandonment of the tramway system in 1960, it was sold and was subsequently used as a warehouse. Much of the original 1874 building still exists and the entire depot is listed as a historically significant building. The Sheffield Bus Museum Trust used part of the depot as the Sheffield Bus Museum
from 1987 until 2007, when it moved to a factory unit at Aldwarke
, Rotherham
. Since then the Sheffield Bus Museum Trust' has been renamed the South Yorkshire Transport Museum.
The building was then all but empty, with just a tile dealer left, in the first two bays through the gate.
In 2009, the building was once again fully occupied. The rest of the bays are now home to the South Yorkshire Transport Trust's 75 vehicle collection - http://www.sytt.webeden.co.uk/
The SYTT announced plans in February 2010 that looks set to see Tinsley Depot restored and opened as a new Museum.
Heeley depot (53°21′31.5"N 1°28′28"W) was for horse trams only: the line to it was never electrified. The depot was built by the Sheffield Tramways company in 1878. When the tram system was abandoned in 1960 the depot was sold and subsequently used as a car repair shop until 2005. The building has been sold and flats will be built incorporating the structure, as it is a listed building, although the archway was recently demolished. Locals recently were told the archway would be saved as part of the redevelopment but awoke one morning to find it knocked down. The builder told locals that it was unsafe and fell down in the night.
Sheffield City Council however has told the builder that all work on site must stop until the archway is restored, however work is continued regardless.
Flats were built in place of the depot and the central rooftop removed to make way for a courtyard. The original archway was rebuilt, partly with original material and slate from the roof was replaced. The arch has been lifted slightly to comply with regulations to allow access by the fire service.
.
Unlike other tram companies, whose trams were often rebuilt and made to last 30 to 40 years, Sheffield Corporation adopted a policy of replacement by new vehicles after a 25-year life. By 1940, only 11 of its 444 trams were older than 26 years, more than half of them were less than ten.
Sheffield Corporation operated 884 trams. Its last livery was blue and cream, worn on the preserved trams at Crich and Beamish.
The United Electric Car Company of Preston built 15 double deck balcony cars for Sheffield Corporation Tramways in 1907. Initially numbered 258–272 they had wooden seats for 59 passengers, and were mounted on a four-wheel Peckham P22 truck with two Metrovick 102DR 60 hp motors operated by BTH B510 controllers. The braking systems consisted of a handbrake acting on all wheels, an electric brake for emergency use and a hand-wheel operated track brake. Between December 1924 and July 1927 they were rebuilt with a totally-enclosed upper deck.
at Loughborough
built 100 of these cars, and another 50 at Cravens
in Darnall
.
. From 1936 to 1939 Queens Road works built redesigned Standard cars, known as the 'Domed-roof' class, which had improved lighting and seats.
hornless type 588 truck with rubber and leaf spring suspension, powered by two Metrovick 101 DR3 65 hp motors. Air brakes were fitted, acting on all wheels, and electric braking was available for emergency use. Car 536, which entered service on 11 April 1952, was the last tram to be constructed for Sheffield. Representing the ultimate development of the traditional British four-wheel tram, the class worked for only 10 years, as Sheffield tramway closed in 1960. On 8 October of that year, car 513, ran specially decorated in the final procession; so too did sister tram 510, now preserved by the National Tramway Museum
at Crich
.
at Crich
in Derbyshire
holds eight Sheffield trams. Sheffield Corporation Tramways car 15 is a horse tram dating from 1874; it was the first tram to be used at the museum in 1963. Car 74 is another Victorian Sheffield tram, sold to the Gateshead tramway and ran until 1951. Although only its lower deck survived, as a garden shed, it has been restored to original condition by the museum. The museum also has Standard car 189, Domed-roof car 264, and Roberts car 510. In addition there are two Sheffield works cars and an early single-deck tram that is not in working condition.
had two preserved Sheffield trams. Number 264 is a Preston car dating from 1907, Number 513, a Roberts car dating from 1950, was there also until a few years ago and is believed to be in Blackpool.
513 was stored for some time on disused railway sidings and lost most of its control equipment and glass thanks to vandals. Its travelled to Blackpool and after repair it ran under wires on there, and it has run for quite some time at Beamish.
In early 2011 513 was moved from Blackpool to the East Anglia Transport Museum at Lowestoft, on a long term loan from Beamish. The car should enter service for the 2011 season.
The lower body was generously donated by Mr and Mrs K.S. Jacklin of Susworth near Scunthorpe and returned to Tinsley in May 1987.
pedestrian precinct for a time, but this was re-covered when the area was re-modelled a few years back.
There were about ten traction poles still standing in 2006, such as the matching pair in Firth Park, where there is a small section of track in the middle of the traffic island. Poles survive at Manor Top, Woodseats, Abbeydale Road, Angel Street and also the last pole outside Tinsley Depot.
On the pavement of Howard Road in Walkley, near the junction with Commonside, several manhole covers marked "Sheffield Corporation Tramway" are still in place. A manhole survives on Abbeydale Road between the junction with Sheldon Road and Abbeydale Picture House
with the inscription "Sheffield Corporation Electric Tramways".
In places where the trams ran on a reserved track
, such as on Abbeydale Road South and Abbey Lane at Beauchief, the reservation has been converted into a dual carriageway. The former line lives on in the name of Terminus Road, Abbeydale.
At Kelham Island, the power station that generated the electricity for system still stands and is now the Kelham Island Industrial Heritage Museum.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
city of Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
and its suburbs.
The first tramway line, horse-drawn, opened in 1873 between Lady's Bridge and Attercliffe
Attercliffe
Attercliffe is an industrial suburb of northeast Sheffield, England on the south bank of the River Don.-History:The name Attercliffe can be traced back as far as an entry in the Domesday book -Ateclive- meaning at the cliffe, a small escarpment that lay alongside the River Don...
, subsequently extended to Brightside
Brightside, South Yorkshire
Brightside is an industrial area of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England lying on a hill north of Attercliffe and the River Don.Brightside was recorded in the fifteenth century as "Brekesherth", when it was home to some mills...
and Tinsley
Tinsley, South Yorkshire
Tinsley is a suburb of northeastern part of Sheffield, South Yorkshire. Its name derives from the Old English Tingas-Leah, which means 'Field of Council'...
. Routes were built to Heeley
Heeley
Heeley is a former cluster of villages now a suburb in the south of the City of Sheffield, England. The village has existed at least since 1343, its name deriving from Heah Leah, High Lea then Hely, meaning a high, woodland clearing...
, where a tram depot was built, Nether Edge
Nether Edge
Nether Edge Ward—which includes the districts of Brincliffe, Carter Knowle, Nether Edge, Sharrow Vale, and most of Banner Cross—is one of the 28 electoral wards in the City of Sheffield, England. It is located in the southern part of the city and covers an area of 3.4 km2...
and Hillsborough
Hillsborough, South Yorkshire
Hillsborough is an electoral ward which includes the districts of Malin Bridge, Owlerton, Wadsley and Wisewood. It is one of the 28 electoral wards in City of Sheffield, England. It is located in the northwestern part of the city and covers an area of 4.6 km2...
.
In 1899, the first electric tram ran between Nether Edge and Tinsley. By 1902 all the routes were electrified. By 1910 the network covered 39 miles, by 1951 48 miles.
The last trams ran between Leopold Street and Beauchief on 8 October 1960—three Sheffield trams were subsequently preserved at the National Tramway Museum
National Tramway Museum
The National Tramway Museum, at Crich, in Derbyshire, England, is situated within Crich Tramway Village, a period village containing a pub, cafe, old-style sweetshop, including the tram depots. The village is also home to the Eagle Press, a small museum dedicated to Letterpress Printing including...
in Crich
Crich
Crich is a village in Derbyshire in England. It has the National Tramway Museum inside the Crich Tramway Village, and at the summit of Crich Hill above, a Memorial Tower for those of the Sherwood Foresters regiment who died in battle, particularly in World War I.Built in 1923 on the site of an...
.
The horse tram era
Tramways Act 1870
The Tramways Act 1870 was an important step in the development of urban transport in Britain. Street tramways had originated in the United States, and were introduced to Britain by George Francis Train in the 1860s, the first recorded installation being a short line from Woodside Ferry to...
, with powers granted in July 1872. The first routes, to Attercliffe
Attercliffe
Attercliffe is an industrial suburb of northeast Sheffield, England on the south bank of the River Don.-History:The name Attercliffe can be traced back as far as an entry in the Domesday book -Ateclive- meaning at the cliffe, a small escarpment that lay alongside the River Don...
and Carbrook
Carbrook, South Yorkshire
Carbrook is an industrial area of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England to the north-east of Brightside. The suburb is named for the Carr Brook, which ran through the area until the late eighteenth century....
, Brightside
Brightside, South Yorkshire
Brightside is an industrial area of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England lying on a hill north of Attercliffe and the River Don.Brightside was recorded in the fifteenth century as "Brekesherth", when it was home to some mills...
, Heeley
Heeley
Heeley is a former cluster of villages now a suburb in the south of the City of Sheffield, England. The village has existed at least since 1343, its name deriving from Heah Leah, High Lea then Hely, meaning a high, woodland clearing...
, Nether Edge
Nether Edge
Nether Edge Ward—which includes the districts of Brincliffe, Carter Knowle, Nether Edge, Sharrow Vale, and most of Banner Cross—is one of the 28 electoral wards in the City of Sheffield, England. It is located in the southern part of the city and covers an area of 3.4 km2...
and Owlerton
Owlerton
Owlerton is a suburb of the city of Sheffield, it lies northwest of the city centre near the confluence of the River Don and River Loxley. Owlerton was formerly a small rural settlement with its origins in the Early Middle Ages, it became part of Sheffield in the early 1900s as the city expanded...
opened between 1873 and 1877. Under the legislation at that time, local authorities were precluded from operating tramways but were empowered to construct them and lease the lines to an individual operating company. Tracks were constructed by contractor
General contractor
A general contractor is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of a construction site, management of vendors and trades, and communication of information to involved parties throughout the course of a building project.-Description:...
s and leased to the Sheffield Tramways Company, which operated the services.
Prior to the inauguration of the horse trams, horse buses had provided a limited public service, but road surfaces were poor and their carrying capacity was low. The new horse trams gave a smoother ride. The fares were too high for the average worker so the horse trams saw little patronage; services began later than when workers began their day so were of little use to most. Running costs were high as the operator had to keep a large number of horses and could not offer low fares.
It was common practice to paint tramcars in different colours according to the route operated. This helped illiterate people to identify the trams.
The electric tram era
Sheffield Corporation (Sheffield City Council) took over the tramway system in July 1896. The Corporation's goal was to expand and mechanise the system. Almost immediately a committee was formed to inspect other tramway systems to look at the improved systems of traction. Upon their return the committee recommended the adoption of electrical propulsion using the overhead current collection system.The National Grid was not as developed as it is now and so the Corporation set out to generate the required current - the Corporation became the local domestic and industrial electricity supplier. A power station was built for Sheffield Corporation Tramways on Kelham Island
Kelham Island Museum
The Kelham Island Museum is an industrial museum on Alma Street, alongside the River Don, in the centre of Sheffield, England. It was opened in 1982.-The site:...
by the river Don between Mowbray Street and Alma Street. Feeder cables stretched from there to the extremities of the system, covering over 40 miles of route.
The horse operated lines were left opened and track replaced with heavier rails. Along with lines opening to Abbeydale, Walkley
Walkley
Walkley is an electoral ward in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England.Walkley ward—which includes the districts of Netherthorpe, Upperthorpe, Walkley and parts of Neepsend—is one of the 28 electoral wards in City of Sheffield, England. It is located in the northwestern part of the city...
and Hunter's Bar
Hunter's Bar
Hunter's Bar is a roundabout and former toll bar on Ecclesall Road in south-west Sheffield and was active until the late 19th century. The name also attaches to the area surrounding Hunter's Bar roundabout at the intersection of Ecclesall Road, Brocco Bank, Sharrow Vale Road and Junction Road. The...
, the missing link in the centre of the sprawling network between Moorhead and Lady's Bridge
Lady's Bridge
Lady's Bridge is the oldest bridge across the River Don in the City of Sheffield, England. It is located in the central section of the city, linking the Wicker to the north with Waingate to the south.-The first bridge:...
was finally laid.
Electric lines opened in succession; Nether Edge
Nether Edge
Nether Edge Ward—which includes the districts of Brincliffe, Carter Knowle, Nether Edge, Sharrow Vale, and most of Banner Cross—is one of the 28 electoral wards in the City of Sheffield, England. It is located in the southern part of the city and covers an area of 3.4 km2...
to Tinsley
Tinsley, South Yorkshire
Tinsley is a suburb of northeastern part of Sheffield, South Yorkshire. Its name derives from the Old English Tingas-Leah, which means 'Field of Council'...
on 6 September 1899, to Walkley on 18 September 1899 and Pitsmoor
Pitsmoor
Pitsmoor is a former village, now a suburb of Sheffield. The name derives from Or-pits as, anciently, the main local industry was the mining of ore.-History:...
on 27 September 1899. The other electric lines opened soon after allowing the Hillsborough
Hillsborough, South Yorkshire
Hillsborough is an electoral ward which includes the districts of Malin Bridge, Owlerton, Wadsley and Wisewood. It is one of the 28 electoral wards in City of Sheffield, England. It is located in the northwestern part of the city and covers an area of 4.6 km2...
to be closed in November 1902.
The network was basically in place by 1905, further development included extending lines out of the city and connecting lines.
In 1905, Rotherham Corporation connected their line to Templeborough
Templeborough
Templeborough is a suburb of Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England. The area takes its name from the remains of the Roman fort found there which were mistakenly believed to be that of a Roman Temple.-Roman fort:...
to Tinsley and both Sheffield and Rotherham corporations began running services between both towns. Some tensions existed between both councils and services were halted between September 1914 and May 1915 leaving passengers to either walk between both networks or use the railways. Sheffield Corporation introduced motor bus services from the termini to outlying districts in 1918.
The First World War made material scarce and progress in bus technology which meant that many cities abandoned their tram networks. Sheffield considered trolleybuses but found no favours in the Council who preferred motor buses. Twenty second-hand double-deck tramcars were purchased from London County Council Tramways
London County Council Tramways
The London County Council Tramways was an extensive network of public street tramways that was operated by the council throughout the County of London, UK, from 1899 to 1933, when they were taken over by the London Passenger Transport Board....
in 1917 and 1918 due to the material shortage. This was a rare move but a necessary one to replace single-deck cars. The scarceness of material did not deter the Corporation who extended the network to Handsworth
Handsworth, South Yorkshire
Handsworth is a suburb of south eastern Sheffield, in South Yorkshire, England. Handsworth has a population of approximately 15,000. It covers an overall area of approximately...
, Mansfield Road and to Sheffield Lane Top. In 1927 the Beauchief and Meadowhead lines were joined by the laying of track along Abbey Lane. Prince of Wales Road line was linked to the Handsworth and Intake line. The Nether Edge line was closed in 1934 in face of line renewal costs, the Nether Green via Broomhill
Broomhill, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Broomhill ward—which includes the districts of Broomhill, Crookesmoor, Endcliffe, and Tapton—is one of the 28 electoral wards in City of Sheffield, England. It is located in the western part of the city and covers an area of 2.7 km2. The population of this ward in 2001 was 16,800...
line suffered the same fate.
The Prussian blue with cream bands with gold leaf lining livery gave way to the Cream with azure blue bands.
After World War II, the railway bridge on Sheffield Road was replaced and the through tram service to Rotherham temporarily suspended. It was never reinstated. In 1951, the decision to eventually close the tramway system and replace it with motor buses was taken. The decision was not unanimous, Councillor R.W. Allott resigned from the ruling Labour Group in protest. The Council compared the price to replace tramcars with that of buses, ignoring the shorter lifespan of motor buses.
The first line conversion was the Fulwood to Malin Bridge
Malin Bridge
Malin Bridge is a suburb of the city of Sheffield, England. It is located at grid reference and stands 2½ miles north-west of the city centre where the rivers Loxley and Rivelin meet...
in 1952. Several protests broke out following the publishing of the news. "Sheffield folk were fond of their trams and did not take kindly to the prospect of losing them". An unsuccessful petition was handed over the to the Council by the Holmes Lane residents and traders. The second conversion occurred in 1954 and was the Ecclesall to Middlewood line. T.W. Ward received most of the trams for scrapping via a track connection into their scrap-yard on Attercliffe
Attercliffe
Attercliffe is an industrial suburb of northeast Sheffield, England on the south bank of the River Don.-History:The name Attercliffe can be traced back as far as an entry in the Domesday book -Ateclive- meaning at the cliffe, a small escarpment that lay alongside the River Don...
Common almost opposite the end of Weedon Street.
The last route Beauchief to Vulcan Road closed on the afternoon of Saturday 8 October 1960. An illuminated car, followed by a procession of fourteen trams, carried passengers and Council dignitaries from Beauchief to the Tinsley depot. Trams then went on to Tinsley or Queens Road, trams led to the Queens Road were destined for preservation.
Network
The Sheffield Tramway Company's original horse drawn tram network was 9½ miles long and radiated from the city centre to TinsleyTinsley, South Yorkshire
Tinsley is a suburb of northeastern part of Sheffield, South Yorkshire. Its name derives from the Old English Tingas-Leah, which means 'Field of Council'...
, Brightside
Brightside, South Yorkshire
Brightside is an industrial area of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England lying on a hill north of Attercliffe and the River Don.Brightside was recorded in the fifteenth century as "Brekesherth", when it was home to some mills...
, Hillsborough
Hillsborough, South Yorkshire
Hillsborough is an electoral ward which includes the districts of Malin Bridge, Owlerton, Wadsley and Wisewood. It is one of the 28 electoral wards in City of Sheffield, England. It is located in the northwestern part of the city and covers an area of 4.6 km2...
, Nether Edge
Nether Edge
Nether Edge Ward—which includes the districts of Brincliffe, Carter Knowle, Nether Edge, Sharrow Vale, and most of Banner Cross—is one of the 28 electoral wards in the City of Sheffield, England. It is located in the southern part of the city and covers an area of 3.4 km2...
and Heeley
Heeley
Heeley is a former cluster of villages now a suburb in the south of the City of Sheffield, England. The village has existed at least since 1343, its name deriving from Heah Leah, High Lea then Hely, meaning a high, woodland clearing...
. A few years after Sheffield Corporation took over horse tramways were gradually replaced first by single-deck, then double-deck electric trams. It extended routes to Beauchief and Woodseats
Woodseats
Woodseats is a district of Sheffield, South Yorkshire in the Graves Park ward. Historically, Norton Woodseats was a village that straddled Derbyshire Lane running from Four Lane Ends to Bolehill , originally in Derbyshire but since 1934, part of the City of Sheffield.The name Woodseats comes from...
in 1927 and to Darnall
Darnall
Darnall ward—which includes the districts of Attercliffe, Carbrook, Darnall, Tinsley, and parts of Handsworth—is one of the 28 electoral wards in City of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. It is located in the eastern part of the city and covers an area of 17.4 km2. The...
and Intake
Intake
An intake , or especially for aircraft inlet, is an air intake for an engine. Because the modern internal combustion engine is in essence a powerful air pump, like the exhaust system on an engine, the intake must be carefully engineered and tuned to provide the greatest efficiency and power...
in 1928.
Adjacent lines were converted into circular route by sleeper-track connecting links. The line along Abbey Lane linking Beauchief to Woodseats was mostly reserved track
Reserved track
In tram transport terminology reserved track is track on ground exclusively for trams. Unlike track on streets and roads, reserved track does not need to take into account the transit of other wheeled vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists or horses...
.
The last extensions were opened in 1934 and extended the network to Lane Top, via Firth Park. Three small sections, Fulwood Road, Nether Edge and Petre St, were closed between 1925 and 1936.
In 1952 the Corporation closed two sections followed by the rest of the network between 1954 and 1960.
Tinsley depot
Sheffield Bus Museum
The South Yorkshire Transport Museum, formerly the Sheffield Bus Museum, is a museum which documents the history of bus transport in South Yorkshire. The museum is located in the village of Aldwarke, part of Rotherham...
from 1987 until 2007, when it moved to a factory unit at Aldwarke
Aldwarke
Aldwarke is a village in South Yorkshire, England....
, Rotherham
Rotherham
Rotherham is a town in South Yorkshire, England. It lies on the River Don, at its confluence with the River Rother, between Sheffield and Doncaster. Rotherham, at from Sheffield City Centre, is surrounded by several smaller settlements, which together form the wider Metropolitan Borough of...
. Since then the Sheffield Bus Museum Trust' has been renamed the South Yorkshire Transport Museum.
The building was then all but empty, with just a tile dealer left, in the first two bays through the gate.
In 2009, the building was once again fully occupied. The rest of the bays are now home to the South Yorkshire Transport Trust's 75 vehicle collection - http://www.sytt.webeden.co.uk/
The SYTT announced plans in February 2010 that looks set to see Tinsley Depot restored and opened as a new Museum.
Heeley depot
Sheffield City Council however has told the builder that all work on site must stop until the archway is restored, however work is continued regardless.
Flats were built in place of the depot and the central rooftop removed to make way for a courtyard. The original archway was rebuilt, partly with original material and slate from the roof was replaced. The arch has been lifted slightly to comply with regulations to allow access by the fire service.
Nether Edge depot
A small tram shed was built at the Nether Edge terminus (53°21′35"N 1°29′18"W), opened in 1899. The Nether Edge line and two other small sections was abandoned due to the narrowness of the streets, which caused problems and was unsuitable for efficient service.Queens Road works
Queens Road works (53°22′8"N 1°27′52"W) opened in 1905. Many of Sheffield trams were built here. The building survived for many years following abandonment, but was demolished in the 1993.Shoreham Street depot
Construction of Shoreham Street depot (53°22′36"N 1°27′54"W) started in about 1910 on the site of an 18th century leadmill. Following the abandonment of the tramway the depot was used as a bus garage until the 1990s. Much of the building has since been demolished and redeveloped as student flats. Those parts that surround the entrance at the junction of Shoreham Street and Leadmill Road are still standing and in good condition, though a new use for them has yet to be found.Crookes depot
Crookes depot, which was on Pickmere Road (53°23′1"N 1°30′25"W), was started in 1914 but not completed until 1919. It closed on 5 May 1957 and has since been demolished and a church now stands on the site.Tenter Street depot
Tenter Street depot (53°23′2"N 1°28′21"W) opened in 1928 and was the last operational tram depot. There was a bus garage on the upper level, accessed from Hawley Street.Holme Lane depot (Hillsborough)
The depot at Holme Lane (53°24′7"N 1°30′12"W) closed on 23 April 1954. The facade of the building still stands, although the rest of the building has been demolished and a medical centre built in its place.Rolling stock
For a comprehensive list of Sheffield trams of the tramway see Tramcars of the Sheffield TramwayTramcars of the Sheffield Tramway
List of all electric tramcars of the Sheffield Corporation Tramways .Opened 5 September 1899, closed 8 October 1960.-Cars built between 1899 and 1926:-Cars built between 1927 and 1952:-Abbreviations of manufacturers:...
.
Unlike other tram companies, whose trams were often rebuilt and made to last 30 to 40 years, Sheffield Corporation adopted a policy of replacement by new vehicles after a 25-year life. By 1940, only 11 of its 444 trams were older than 26 years, more than half of them were less than ten.
Sheffield Corporation operated 884 trams. Its last livery was blue and cream, worn on the preserved trams at Crich and Beamish.
The 'Preston' cars
The 'Rocker Panel' cars
Following the production of a prototype at Queens Road works in 1917, between 1919 and 1927 BrushBrush Traction
This article is about a British rail-locomotive maker. For the Detroit auto-maker, see Brush Motor Car CompanyBrush Traction is a manufacturer and maintainer of railway locomotives, part of the FKI group , based at Loughborough in Leicestershire, England situated alongside the Midland Main Line.-...
at Loughborough
Loughborough
Loughborough is a town within the Charnwood borough of Leicestershire, England. It is the seat of Charnwood Borough Council and is home to Loughborough University...
built 100 of these cars, and another 50 at Cravens
Cravens
Cravens Railway Carriage and Wagon Company Limited was a railway rolling stock builder in the Darnall district of Sheffield, England. Cravens built many diagrams of coaching stock for the Pre-grouping Railway companies of Great Britain, the Grouped companies and for British Railways itself. They...
in Darnall
Darnall
Darnall ward—which includes the districts of Attercliffe, Carbrook, Darnall, Tinsley, and parts of Handsworth—is one of the 28 electoral wards in City of Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. It is located in the eastern part of the city and covers an area of 17.4 km2. The...
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The 'Standard' cars
The prototype Standard car (number 1) was built by Cravens at Darnall, and entered service in 1927. Subsequently about 150 were built at Queens Road works and 25 by W.E. Hill & Sons in South ShieldsSouth Shields
South Shields is a coastal town in Tyne and Wear, England, located at the mouth of the River Tyne to Tyne Dock, and about downstream from Newcastle upon Tyne...
. From 1936 to 1939 Queens Road works built redesigned Standard cars, known as the 'Domed-roof' class, which had improved lighting and seats.
The 'Roberts' cars
The prototype for this series, number 501, was built at Queens Road works in August 1946. With comfortable upholstered seating for 62 passengers, it was the last car to be built at the works. From 1950 to 1952 35 more, numbered 502–536, were constructed by Charles Roberts & Co. of Horbury nr. Wakefield. They were carried on a four-wheel Maley and TauntonMaley & Taunton
Maley & Taunton is a defunct tram and tramway engineering company. It was situated in Wednesfield in Staffordshire, England.Maley & Taunton exported globally, with its trucks used in the Lisbon trams and in the UK on the Blackpool tramway...
hornless type 588 truck with rubber and leaf spring suspension, powered by two Metrovick 101 DR3 65 hp motors. Air brakes were fitted, acting on all wheels, and electric braking was available for emergency use. Car 536, which entered service on 11 April 1952, was the last tram to be constructed for Sheffield. Representing the ultimate development of the traditional British four-wheel tram, the class worked for only 10 years, as Sheffield tramway closed in 1960. On 8 October of that year, car 513, ran specially decorated in the final procession; so too did sister tram 510, now preserved by the National Tramway Museum
National Tramway Museum
The National Tramway Museum, at Crich, in Derbyshire, England, is situated within Crich Tramway Village, a period village containing a pub, cafe, old-style sweetshop, including the tram depots. The village is also home to the Eagle Press, a small museum dedicated to Letterpress Printing including...
at Crich
Crich
Crich is a village in Derbyshire in England. It has the National Tramway Museum inside the Crich Tramway Village, and at the summit of Crich Hill above, a Memorial Tower for those of the Sherwood Foresters regiment who died in battle, particularly in World War I.Built in 1923 on the site of an...
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The National Tramway Museum, Crich
The National Tramway MuseumNational Tramway Museum
The National Tramway Museum, at Crich, in Derbyshire, England, is situated within Crich Tramway Village, a period village containing a pub, cafe, old-style sweetshop, including the tram depots. The village is also home to the Eagle Press, a small museum dedicated to Letterpress Printing including...
at Crich
Crich
Crich is a village in Derbyshire in England. It has the National Tramway Museum inside the Crich Tramway Village, and at the summit of Crich Hill above, a Memorial Tower for those of the Sherwood Foresters regiment who died in battle, particularly in World War I.Built in 1923 on the site of an...
in Derbyshire
Derbyshire
Derbyshire is a county in the East Midlands of England. A substantial portion of the Peak District National Park lies within Derbyshire. The northern part of Derbyshire overlaps with the Pennines, a famous chain of hills and mountains. The county contains within its boundary of approx...
holds eight Sheffield trams. Sheffield Corporation Tramways car 15 is a horse tram dating from 1874; it was the first tram to be used at the museum in 1963. Car 74 is another Victorian Sheffield tram, sold to the Gateshead tramway and ran until 1951. Although only its lower deck survived, as a garden shed, it has been restored to original condition by the museum. The museum also has Standard car 189, Domed-roof car 264, and Roberts car 510. In addition there are two Sheffield works cars and an early single-deck tram that is not in working condition.
North of England Open Air Museum, Beamish
The North of England Open Air Museum at BeamishBeamish Museum
Beamish, The North of England Open Air Museum is an open-air museum located at Beamish, near the town of Stanley, County Durham, England. The museum's guiding principle is to preserve an example of everyday life in urban and rural North East England at the climax of industrialisation in the early...
had two preserved Sheffield trams. Number 264 is a Preston car dating from 1907, Number 513, a Roberts car dating from 1950, was there also until a few years ago and is believed to be in Blackpool.
513 was stored for some time on disused railway sidings and lost most of its control equipment and glass thanks to vandals. Its travelled to Blackpool and after repair it ran under wires on there, and it has run for quite some time at Beamish.
In early 2011 513 was moved from Blackpool to the East Anglia Transport Museum at Lowestoft, on a long term loan from Beamish. The car should enter service for the 2011 season.
South Yorkshire Transport Museum
The SYTM owns Sheffield Corporation tramcar 460. The tramcar was built by Cravens in Darnall, Sheffield and was part of a batch of fifty cars, all numbered between 451 to 500. The car was equipped with upholstered seats in April 1939 and survived the Blitz on Sheffield in December 1940. She was withdrawn in February 1950 and stored at Tinsley Tram Sheds until 1951, the car was dismantled at Tinsley with the lower and upper saloon bodies being disposed of separately. The lower saloon of No 460 fetched £25 and was used on a farm in Lincolnshire.The lower body was generously donated by Mr and Mrs K.S. Jacklin of Susworth near Scunthorpe and returned to Tinsley in May 1987.
Remnants
There are few remnants of the once extensive tramway. The tram sheds at Tinsley and Heeley survive, as do parts of those at Holme Lane and Shoreham Street. In many places the tram tracks were not removed: the road was resurfaced over the tracks, which survive (albeit covered). An example of tracks covered in this way was uncovered and made a feature of The MoorThe Moor
The Moor is a primary pedestrianised thoroughfare and one of the main shopping streets of Sheffield, England. Along its length lie some of the most popular department stores and it is seen as one of the primary retail cores of the city centre...
pedestrian precinct for a time, but this was re-covered when the area was re-modelled a few years back.
There were about ten traction poles still standing in 2006, such as the matching pair in Firth Park, where there is a small section of track in the middle of the traffic island. Poles survive at Manor Top, Woodseats, Abbeydale Road, Angel Street and also the last pole outside Tinsley Depot.
On the pavement of Howard Road in Walkley, near the junction with Commonside, several manhole covers marked "Sheffield Corporation Tramway" are still in place. A manhole survives on Abbeydale Road between the junction with Sheldon Road and Abbeydale Picture House
Abbeydale Picture House
Abbeydale Picture House is a former cinema in the City of Sheffield, England. When opened by the Lord Mayor of Sheffield on 20 December 1920 the picture house was the largest and most luxurious cinema in Sheffield, it was often called Picture Palace because it was decorated in cream and gold with...
with the inscription "Sheffield Corporation Electric Tramways".
In places where the trams ran on a reserved track
Reserved track
In tram transport terminology reserved track is track on ground exclusively for trams. Unlike track on streets and roads, reserved track does not need to take into account the transit of other wheeled vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists or horses...
, such as on Abbeydale Road South and Abbey Lane at Beauchief, the reservation has been converted into a dual carriageway. The former line lives on in the name of Terminus Road, Abbeydale.
At Kelham Island, the power station that generated the electricity for system still stands and is now the Kelham Island Industrial Heritage Museum.