Posted: Wed 16th Apr 2014

The History Of Wrexham’s Trams

Wrexham.com for people living in or visiting the Wrexham area
This article is old - Published: Wednesday, Apr 16th, 2014

In the first of our new regular ‘Wrexham History’ features, this week we look at the history of Wrexham’s trams.

Cars now flow along Wrexham’s roads but once the sound on the streets was the rattle of the trams. Between 1903 and 1927 Wrexham and District Electric Tramways operated an electric tramway service in the town.

Tramways in Wrexham started in October 1876 when a single line operated between New Inn Johnstown to the toll bar on the outskirts of Wrexham. On 1 November 1876 this toll bar was removed, and the line was extended to the town centre.

Wrexham and District Electric Tramways, a company set up by the British Electric Traction group, acquired the company in 1900. They converted the line to 3’6″ gauge and electrified it. The work was carried out by Dick, Kerr & Co. following an inspection by Lt Col. Sir Horatio Arthur Yorke, from the Board of Trade, services started on 4 April 1903.

A new depot was provided at Johnstown, at the corner of Offa Street and Maelor Road, constructed by Jenkins & Jones of Johnstown of Ruabon brick. The depot survived long after the closure of the tramway, one subsequent use being a bus garage for the Crosville Company. It was finally demolished sometime between 2005 and 2010.

Electricity at 550V was obtained from the Wrexham Corporation power station in Willow Road. A 21 year agreement was put in place at the opening of the tramway for the rates at which the company would be charged for its use of power. Drivers were encouraged to operate economic driving practices to minimise the expense to the company. When this agreement expired, the company was forced into an annual contract with the prospect of yearly increases in the unit charge.

tram-map

The service was extended on 26 May 1903 past Wrexham GWR railway station to the Turf Hotel. From Johnstown the line was taken into the new development at the west of the Wrexham-Ruabon road, reaching Duke Street, Rhosllannerchrugog by the end of 1904.

Two routes were planned but only one was ever opened, a second route along Yorke Street was never installed.

In 1912 the company started experimenting with bus operation, and soon realised that this was where most of the profits were going to be made. In recognition of this in 1914 the company changed its name to Wrexham and District Transport Company Limited. However, any plans for expansion of bus services were put on hold with the outbreak of the First World War in the same year, and the motorbuses that the company had acquired were requisitioned by the armed forces.

After the war, the company suffered from competition as the military authorities disposed of much surplus equipment including motorbuses, and Wrexham Council issued hackney licences freely to anyone requesting them.

Fleet
There were 10 tramcars built by Brush Electrical Engineering Company of Loughborough. The livery was red and cream. The vehicles could seat 26 on the upper deck, and 20 inside on the lower deck.

Closure
The system closed on 31 March 1927.

Two Trams Remain
In 2005 Wrexham Museum had just acquired two of the town’s original electric trams, which came into use in 1903 to replace the horse-drawn variety. Vic Cleveley discovered the tram bodies at the Brow Golf Club in Ellesmere, Shropshire. The owner Alf Strange had bought them in 1970 with a view to restoring them himself. But no work was carried out and one tram is now in a very bad state while the other seems to have been used as a shed for the golf club’s grounds men.

Trams

Vic Cleveley alerted Wrexham Museum to the poor state of the vehicles, it contacted Mr Strange and he gave the trams to the museum for restoration. From the original 10 trams, housed at the WETC depot in Johnstown, these are the only two known to have survived.

The museum plans were to cannibalise the poorer one to make one complete carriage for display. Although, to date no work has been carried out to restore either of the trams and the still sit in the open at Bersham Colliery.

Thank youto Graham Lloyd for submitting the article. More of Wrexham’s history can be found on https://www.wrexham-history.co.uk.



Spotted something? Got a story? Email [email protected]



Have a look at...

Rare newts thriving after north east Wales pond restoration

Plans Submitted to Create Studio Flat Above Wrexham Fast Food Restaurant

Football Banning Order issued to Wrexham man for ‘pyro offences’

Ambulance Service ‘expecting the Bank Holiday period to be a busy one for us’

Reminder to check for Schools Essentials Grant before window closes at end of May

Wrexham AFC Women Awarded first UEFA License and FAW Tier 1 License renews for 2024/25 Season

“Disrespectful” easter egg hunt in cemetery cancelled after backlash

Free Easter Egg Hunt in Wrexham city centre tomorrow!

“No suspicious circumstances” say police after elderly woman found injured in Caia

Pilgrimage: The Road Through North Wales to launch on Good Friday

Fast-growing Wrexham bakery on the lookout for 20 new apprentices

A view from Wrexham’s Member of Parliament