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Leicester Trams
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This page looks at the tramway system in my
home town of Leicester. The tram system ceased operation on the 9th November
1949. Since then, there have been numerous proposals to re-introduce trams to
the city which have so far come to nothing. There are however, still several
reminders of Leicester's old tram system if you know where to look, and much of
the track is still in place underneath many of the city's roads. There have been
many occasions when road works have come to a grinding halt when digging
equipment has suddenly hit the rails buried beneath the tarmac.
Surviving Trams
The body of tram 31 and some bits of tram 27 still exist on a farm somewhere in Leicestershire. They are on private property and are not visible from a public place, so I am not going to list the exact location on this site. The ravages of over 50 years out in the open have certainly taken their toll.
Tramcar 76 was restored by members of the Tramway Museum Society after it's body was found in use as a Cricket pavilion in Yorkshire. The tram has been superbly restored to 1920's condition and is currently on display in the museum building at the National Tramway Museum at Crich in Derbyshire. Several items (including the staircases) were taken off tram 31 pictured above in order to restore this tram.
Tramway Reminders in Leicester
There aren't many remnants of the old tramway system around Leicester, but if you know where to look, there are one or two little reminders of the city's once extensive tram network.
Tramsport of Delight Exhibition at Abbey Pumping Station
There is an exhibition at Leicester's Abbey Pumping Station devoted to Leicester's trams. There are one or two interesting artefacts from the old tramway here that are well worth looking at. Apart from on special events, admission to the museum is free.
