Wantage Tramway
Wantage Tramway | |
---|---|
Operation | |
Locale | Wantage |
Open | 1875 |
Close | 1925 (passengers) 1945 (goods) |
Status | Closed |
Infrastructure | |
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) |
Propulsion system(s) | Steam |
Depot(s) | Mill Street |
Statistics | |
Route length | Approximately 2+1⁄2 miles (4 km) |
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The Wantage Tramway Company was a two-mile tramway that carried passengers and freight between the
Opening
The line was opened for goods on 1 October 1875, and to passengers on 11 October.[2] The tramway junction was to the east of Wantage Road station; interchange passengers walked under the bridge to reach the tramway yard, where the westernmost siding (parallel to the road) was reserved for passenger tramcars.[2][3]
Rolling stock
Built as a
- Locomotives
Number | Description | Notes |
---|---|---|
1 | John Grantham steam tramcar | - |
2 | Merryweather & Sons tram engine | - |
3 | Details unknown | - |
4 | Henry Hughes tram engine | - |
5 | George England and Co. 0-4-0WT | ex- Sandy and Potton Railway
|
6 | James Matthews patent tram engine | - |
7 | Manning Wardle 0-4-0ST | ex-Manchester Ship Canal contract |
Two Mekarski system compressed air trams were tried out in 1880 but were not a success as the fuel consumption was much higher than for steam locomotives. Several other steam locomotives were used for short periods, including GWR no. 1329 Raven (Avonside Engine Company 0-4-0ST 1052/1874), GWR no. 1359 Wye (Fletcher, Jennings & Co. 0-4-0T 153/1876) and ex-Royal Arsenal Railway Driver (Manning Wardle 0-4-0ST 515/1875).[9]
Operation
For most of its operation the line was well used and profitable but the advent of popular road transport saw a steady decline in passengers and freight.[1] The tramway closed to passengers on 1 August 1925, and to goods on 22 December 1945.[2][10]
The line remained independent throughout its existence, and its range of unusual and often outdated equipment attracted attention from railway historians. It ultimately closed after the track was damaged by heavy lorries during the Second World War, by which time repair would have been unaffordable.
Preservation
Notes
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7153-2416-5.
- ^ ISBN 1-904474-25-X.
- ISBN 1-901706-84-2.
- ISBN 0-85361-436-9. Locomotion Papers LP92.
- ^ Wilkinson 1995, p. 9
- ^ Wilkinson 1995, p. 17
- ^ Wilkinson 1995, p. 20
- ^ Wilkinson 1995, p. 21
- ^ Wilkinson 1995, pp21-47
- ^ Wantage Museum