Weston-Super-Mare Tramways -

Weston-Super-Mare & District Elec. Supply Co Ltd..

The Weston-Super-Mare Tramways were Standard Gauge and operated from 12 May 1902 to 17 Apr 1937.

This Page is based on Peter Davey’s book “Weston – Super – Mare Tramways” – a photographic record of the period 1902-1937. On this page photographs of all 18 cars are included – most in large “thumbnail” format. Full size photographs of these and others taken the routes are to be found in the book.

Drawing of the “Toastrack” Tramcar

Fleet List

CarNo

Built

Trucks
BRILL

Seating

Motors

Controllers

1-8

1902

2lE

22/28

G. Elec.

B.T.H.

9-12

1903

2lE

22/28

G. Elec.

B.T.H.

13-16

1902

2lE

G. Elec.

B.T.H.

17&18

1927

Radiax

Westinghouse

Bodies – All 18 were built by Brush Electrical Engineering Co.
Seating – Shows inside/outside. Later the top decks were converted to 35.Abbreviations
B.T.H. – British Thomson – Houston Co.
G. Elec. – General Electric Co.

Open Top 4 Wheel Tramcar

The 18 Tramcars of Weston-Super-Mare
Peter Davey’s collection	Car 1. Marine Lake, on her way to Sanatorium during one of Weston’s rough seas. All the first twelve trams were identical, all being open topped.

Car 2. Just arrived at Sanatorium soon to retum to Old Pier. On the backs of top deck seats, can be seen adverts. They say “Georges Bristol Beers”.	Peter Davey’s collection

Colin Maggs collection	Car 3. Climbing up Weston’s 1 in 25 only incline towards the loop at Rozel, on her way to the Old Pier. The tracks were to the standard guage of 4ft 8�ins.

Car 4. Heading for Sanatorium having just entered one of the passing loops. Note the angle of the trolley as both wires were over the North bound track	Peter Davey’s collection

R. Wilson collection	Car 5. Standing on the first loop away from the Old Pier terminus, she awaits to return to the Sanatorium. This stop was used as the terminus, when no steamer traff�c was required to be met. The opening date was 13th May 1902.

Car 6. The Sanatorium getting ready to return to the Old Pier. A lovely sign says “sea always in at the Old Pier. The first service on this section being 17th May.	D.H. Whitcombe

J.B. Appleby collection	Car 7. At the Old Pier. This illustrates well the reverse staircases on these trams. The livery was a maroon/brown and cream

Peter Davey’s collection Car 8. At the west end of Regent Street, on her way to Locking Road.

Car 9. Very new in the depot with a “toast rack” behind. The numbers 9-12 only lasted until 1904 so this view could have been taken when they were delivered. The electricity generated at the power station, to the depot, was at 550 volts, D.C. Each tram had two 20hp motors.	North Somerset Museum Service

Peter Davey’s collection	Car 10. At the west end of Regent Street on her way to the Pier. So this must have been taken before the Grand Pier was opened in 1904.

Car 11. The only known view of 11, having left “Marine Parade” for “Pier”, as the second or Grand Pier would not yet be opened. After the 1903 gale, four trams were ruined, and they were sold to Swansea, 46-49. The remaining eight trams were renumbered 1-8. and it’s not recorded which ones suffered the damage and were disposed of.	Peter Davey’s collection

	Car 12. New in the depot, the paper says PIER, OXFORD ST. & LOCKING ROAD. Just visible is a toastrack on which the sticker shows PIER, OXFORD ST & SANATORIUM.

Car 13. Leaving the Grand Pier for the Old Pier, with Knightstone in the distance. It was proposed to have an electric tramway along the Grand Pier but to no avail.	Colin Maggs collection

Peter Davey’s collection	Car 14. Proceeding along the Promenade to the Old Pier. The notice reads “This Car for WOODS” These four toastrack cars were bought for the tourists and Weston’s sunny days. If it rained they would be sent back to the depot and replaced by a double decker.

North Somerset Museum Service Car 15. Destination box states Old Pier, but she’s on her way to the Sanatorium, passing along Beach Road. A sign says “Penny Fares All The Way”. Under “WESTON” one of the blinds is partially down. In bad weather they could all be completely drawn on both sides.

Car 16. Passing the Grand Atlantic Hotel on her way to the Old Pier. This view shows well the amazing length of the trolley pole. A sign says “Take Car for Old Pier Amusements”.	Peter Davey’s collection

E.G.P.Masterman	Car 17. At the Old Pier soon to “do a dap” to the “Grand Pier Only”. These two trams were larger than the other four, had larger destination boxes and had long radiax trucks, which gave a better ride. They came in 1927.

Car 18. Passing Sydney House on her way to the Old Pier. The Conductors would walk along the sides to take the fares, leaning across each of the long bench seats. Seating for 4 was allowed on the “rear” platform.	M.J.Tozer Collection