Trams to Bradford

geoffb · Post by **geoffb** » Thu 01 Mar, 2007 1:33 pm

I know Leeds had trams to Stanningley Road and Bradford had trolley buses that ran to Thornbury, but did trams ever run between Leeds and Bradford?

Old Leo · Post by **Old Leo** » Thu 01 Mar, 2007 11:46 pm

Through trams ran to Bradford from Leeds, and reverse, from June 7, 1909 to March 25, 1918.Leeds trams ran on four foot eight and a half inch guage track while Bradford's system was four foot. At StanningleyTown Street, the single track termini of both systems were connected by means of a taper track and a number of trams from both systems were fitted with specially designed trucks which enabled the wheels to adjust to the change of gauge.The nine and a quarter mile journey took 65 minutes and the fare is said to have been 3d from Leeds to Stanningley and 4d from Stanningley to Bradford. There were no through tickets. Seven through journeys were made daily with five on Saturdays and, of course, it was still possible to take a Leeds tram to Stanningley and then change to a Bradford tram, and vice versa.Popular opinion had it that the Leeds trams were superior in confort and performance to those of Bradford.Maintenance became a real problem during WW 1 and this, combined with the failure of the Corporations to agree on a basis for dividing the income from fares, led to closure.If you're into trams, read the three volumes of 'Leeds Transport' by Jim Soper. Your local library should be able to help.

Martyn · Post by **Martyn** » Fri 02 Mar, 2007 12:48 am

Old Leo seems to know his stuff.I was told, when I was a lad. Yes, that was many moons ago. Say, nineteen sixty-four-ish, that it was possible to take a number of joined-up tram journeys from Leeds to Blackpool for a lot less than the train fare.Any views?

Post by **tyke bhoy** » Tue 06 Mar, 2007 2:05 pm

I would think if it were possible it would have to have been before the 60s and I am not sure how you would have crossed the Pennines or from Preston to Blackpool. Leeds-Bradford-Halifax-Todmorden-Rochdale-Bury-Bolton-Chorley-Preston (??)Also given the journey time Leeds to Bradford mentioned above (even if 30 years earlier) then I would think it would be one heck of a long journey (2 days)

Old Leo · Post by **Old Leo** » Sun 15 Apr, 2007 10:07 pm

On March 1st, Martyn asked about the possibility of tram travel to Blackpool. I remember this tale from my grandad over 60 years ago!I've just returned from a break which included a visit to the Tramway Village and the National Tramway Museum at Crich in Derbyshire - well recommended.On display there is a very large wall map showing all the tram routes which ever existed in England. From this it is clear that there were no routes across the Pennines. The most likely destination could have been Liverpool - apart from the break - but there were very many gaps on any possible route to Blackpool.And if it had been possible, it would have had to be up to about 1920 by which time trams were being replaced by trolley buses and buses.

majorhoundii · Post by **majorhoundii** » Mon 14 Jan, 2013 12:21 am

Old Leo wrote: On March 1st, Martyn asked about the possibility of tram travel to Blackpool. I remember this tale from my grandad over 60 years ago!I've just returned from a break which included a visit to the Tramway Village and the National Tramway Museum at Crich in Derbyshire - well recommended.On display there is a very large wall map showing all the tram routes which ever existed in England. From this it is clear that there were no routes across the Pennines. The most likely destination could have been Liverpool - apart from the break - but there were very many gaps on any possible route to Blackpool.And if it had been possible, it would have had to be up to about 1920 by which time trams were being replaced by trolley buses and buses. Just come across this thread. I seem to remember reading (a long time ago) that it was possible to travel from Leeds to Todmorden by tram (not the same tram) The system in Todmorden was separated from the Rochdale system by about 3 miles. Once on to the Rochdale system it was possible to get to Liverpool by tram - probably in the twenties. The point the book was making was that in the US interurban street cars were very common between towns, but not in the UK.