The Tramways of Torquay

More diligent detective Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie would be difficult to detect any remaining evidence of trams in Torquay today. This is not surprising, since the existence of a tramway in the English Riviera was relatively short-lived and ended there are more than eighty years.




The story begins in 1898 when the first plan was presented to the new city council. Although this system was quickly removed, the desire to establish a streetcar system had taken root. To put this into context, the traffic time is still dominated by horse-drawn vehicles with steam and gasoline vehicles begin to make their appearance. Suitable asphalt surfaces have not arrived in South Devon until 1909 when the winter roads were very muddy. Because of this stone crosses were placed at key intersections, such as the bottom of Fleet Street. This meant that women in particular, with their robes to avoid the worst of the mud. In summer, the main problem was the dust. To counter this, the paths must be written down.

In 1901, there were further discussions on the introduction of trams. The most controversial issue is whether or not the tram should be municipal property. A postal survey of voters Torquay was a tight vote in favor of the idea of ​​a tram network (2705-2233), but very clear vote against public property (3999-352). This meant that the Council is now focused on the private sector rather than providing their own system.

There were a number of bidders for the initial system and these, of course, requires some detailed plans for the system power. The food was relatively recent arrival in Torquay and tram network would require much more energy than what is currently provided.

In 1905, after four years of debate and proposal-proposal and against the Tramway Company Torquay gave the green light to build a tram system from the station Beacon Quay Tower and Babbacombe and St Mary circular roads through the station and Torquay Wellswood Ellacombe. It was decided not to adopt the system of airways (mainly due to strong local opposition to have general intrusive on the sidewalk), but the "Dolter contact surface of the system." This car was running spikes between the rails, electrical energy that activates when a "shoe" under the tram to activate. There was a serious flaw in the design as we shall see in due course, but the company went ahead and took 18 months to complete the forms of the track. Dolter system was quite remarkable to modern eyes, but we must remember that it was operational in Paris, Folkestone and Oxford, to name a few places. The disruption was immense during the laying of the track with roads closed for weeks. Very cleverly used the opportunity to make the road widening and improvements. One such company was the construction of the Great Wall Torwood below Mt

The first trams ran from Beacon Quay, in April 1907. Therefore, passengers can board a tram on route 2, for example, and the journey along Torquay harbor side throughout the Memorial Clock Tower Mallock until the Torwood and Babbacombe Road. They traveled past Torquay Museum on your right and on your left Torwood gardens before taking a sharp right turn. The tram is then climbs gently towards Wellswood where passengers can get to experience the beauty of the Kent's Cavern, or attend a service at the Church of St. Matthias. Passengers who were on board when could travel to see the delights of Anstey's Cove, then Babbacombe Babbacombe Downs and finally St Mary. Passengers of Route 3 were able to visit the Watcombe popular pottery.

Three years after construction of the tram, it was decided to expand the service in Paignton but the two municipalities were in conflict because you must use the power system. Favored Paignton Torquay wanted air system while preserving the system stud Dolter. An arbitration hearing has been convened to take a decision. At this point, it was discovered that the Dolter system had a number of serious shortcomings. It showed that the horses had been electrocuted while walking on nails live and had a problem with nails is not released after a tram had passed on them as compulsory tram stop and the driver to stick on patches studs to try to make them safe until a worker with heavy boots could come back into place. overload system was chosen as the overall network and converted correctly.

In general, the tram service start date 7.3Oam. The first tram went from 7:40 Beacon Tower Quay Station on route number 4. (Beacon Quay where they are now living expenses). Tram throughout the day, usually every ten or fifteen minutes. The service tends to end around 22:45. The last tram to St Mary Torquay harbor side began at 22:50 and the last tram left at 22:45 Paignton

In 1923/1924 introduced the first open top trams which proved a huge success and have been introduced in the following years. Tram Domingo began in May 1924. In 1928, after 21 years of service had trams more than 109 million passengers, but his time was coming to an end. The continued growth of other modes of road transport and the relatively narrow roads of the city means that a more flexible transport system. trolleybuses were briefly considered, but ultimately were the preferred option and a career Devon General bus service has been established. The last tram ran to the station in February 1934 Westhill and all traces of Torbay trams began to disappear.