The Tramways
WITH COMING OF the railway in 1839 and the continued development of the docks, Southampton was a growing town in the nineteenth century. It grew from a population of around 27,000 in 1841 to 42,000 in just 20 years. The first horse-drawn omnibus service in the town started about the time the railway arrived, and by 1843 Thomas Matcham was running a regular service from the station to Milbrook, Eling, Bitterne, Shirley, Portswood, Totton and Romsey.
By 1872, tramways were becoming fashionable and the British and Foreign Tramway Company approached Southampton Corporation with a view to setting up a tramway in the town. Various objection were raised to this scheme, and the Corporation refused to allow tram lines to be laid in the High Street and Above Bar. The Company lost interest in the scheme. [1]
By 1876, the Corporation realised that Southampton was falling behind other places in regards to the provision of public transport. The Southampton Tramways Company was formed to build a new tramway system. Construction began in the summer of 1878. [1]
By 1872, tramways were becoming fashionable and the British and Foreign Tramway Company approached Southampton Corporation with a view to setting up a tramway in the town. Various objection were raised to this scheme, and the Corporation refused to allow tram lines to be laid in the High Street and Above Bar. The Company lost interest in the scheme. [1]
By 1876, the Corporation realised that Southampton was falling behind other places in regards to the provision of public transport. The Southampton Tramways Company was formed to build a new tramway system. Construction began in the summer of 1878. [1]
The beautiful omnibus below was originally a horse drawn tram in Southampton.
In 1879 there were only two tram routes one of which went from the city centre to: The Avenue – Lodge Road – Spear Road via Avenue Road to Portswood Road. Horse drawn vehicles of this type would have been a very common sight on Bevois Mount.
In 1886, the omnibus pictured below, was converted to a wheeled omnibus and continued in service till after the Second World War. It is now in Helston, Cornwall http://www.thelizardstallions.com/about-us/the-victorian-omnibus/
In 1879 there were only two tram routes one of which went from the city centre to: The Avenue – Lodge Road – Spear Road via Avenue Road to Portswood Road. Horse drawn vehicles of this type would have been a very common sight on Bevois Mount.
In 1886, the omnibus pictured below, was converted to a wheeled omnibus and continued in service till after the Second World War. It is now in Helston, Cornwall http://www.thelizardstallions.com/about-us/the-victorian-omnibus/
Image copyright: http://www.thelizardstallions.com
© Bevois Mount History
© Bevois Mount History