Ipswich Corporation Tramways Explained

Ipswich Corporation Tramways was an electric tramway system that served the town of Ipswich in Suffolk from 23 November 1903 until 26 July 1926.^[1]

Infrastructure

Horse tramway

Ipswich's horse tramway (Ipswich Tramway) had been operating since 1880 from a depot located at the junction of Quadling Street and New Cardinal Street, and with a total length of 4.25miles.^[1]

Electric tramway

In 1903 the electric tramway replaced the horse tramway. Extensions to the system increased track length to 10.82miles producing a network that centred upon Cornhill .^[1] From Cornhill the lines ran along:

• Westgate Street, St Matthew Street, Barracks Corner, Mill Street, Portman Road to junction with Princes Street. Spur along Portman's Walk to the depot at Constantine Road.
• Westgate Street, St Matthew Street, Barracks Corner, Norwich Road to a terminus at (Whitton Maypole)
• Westgate Street, St Matthew Street, Barracks Corner, Norwich Road, Bramford Road to a terminus just east of the railway line at
• Tavern Street, Carr Street, Major's Corner, St Helen's Street, Spring Road, St John's Road, Cauldwell Hall Road to a terminus at (Derby Road railway station).
• Tavern Street, Carr Street, Major's Corner, St Helen's Street, Spring Road to a terminus at the junction with Woodbridge Road at .
• Princes Street to a terminus at (Ipswich railway station).

The depot, consisting of a power station and tram shed, was in Constantine Road .^[1] The buildings are still in use by motorbuses.

Tramcars

The fleet, in a livery of dark green and cream, consisted of 36 Brush open top double deck tramcars.^[1]

Closure

Line closures started in 1923 and were completed in 1926. Five of the tramcars and one tramcar body were sold to Scarborough Tramways Company. The tramway system was replaced by a trolleybus system.

See also

List of town tramway systems in the United Kingdom

External links

• The engine room in Ipswich Tram Depot
• Tramcar No 33 at Ipswich Transport Museum
• Ipswich Corporation Tramways button
• Ipswich Corporation Tramways uniformed staff

52.0553°N 1.1426°W

Notes and References

1. Book: Turner, Keith . The Directory of British Tramways. 1996 . Patrick Stephens Ltd . 1-85260-549-9.