tram tracks on temple newsam road

[Leodian]

Thanks for your response Jim, which is appreciated.

[chameleon]

'The switches for Halton and Temple Newsam were at the junction of York Road and Selby Road, for Crossgates at the junction with Crossgates Road'Jim, this suggests that there was a choice of routes at the Melbourne jucntion of York Road/ Crossgates Road but trams only went to Crossgates terminu from there. There woeld presumably be a means of directing them to the left hand 'down' track from their though?

[jim]

Thanks for that Chameleon, I appear to have invented a Seacroft tram service! As I was a stranger to that area in tramway days it would appear my brain has said "dual carriageway with broad centre division equals tram-track".You are quite right and I must hang my head in acknowledgement. Return down the other track was practically invariably by a trailing crossover, consisting of a connecting turnout on each track. People of my generation will remember the use of a rope attached to the overhead pick-up on the tram roof to reverse its trailing angle before setting off through the crossover.Some other cities used turning circles so that the whole tram turned round, but the only one I can recall in Leeds was by the Corn Exchange, under the Guiness Ad, unless you include single track street circuits such as via Swinegate and Neville Street, or the Kirkgate - New York Street complex.    

[chameleon]

jim wrote: Thanks for that Chameleon, I appear to have invented a Seacroft tram service! As I was a stranger to that area in tramway days it would appear my brain has said "dual carriageway with broad centre division equals tram-track".You are quite right and I must hang my head in acknowledgement. Return down the other track was practically invariably by a trailing crossover, consisting of a connecting turnout on each track. People of my generation will remember the use of a rope attached to the overhead pick-up on the tram roof to reverse its trailing angle before setting off through the crossover.Some other cities used turning circles so that the whole tram turned round, but the only one I can recall in Leeds was by the Corn Exchange, under the Guiness Ad, unless you include single track street circuits such as via Swinegate and Neville Street, or the Kirkgate - New York Street complex.     The dualing of the stretch from Brydens/Melbourne was in the 60's. Until then it was a simple two-way road - the main east coast road which until then went only tharough Seacroft village and was very busy at Bank Holidays.The remainder of York Road town-bound was upgraded around the same time. as it was being built. it was a marvellous place to cycle along. Coming home after the family holiday on year I rmrmber being keen to get out for a ride to dee hoe it had progressed. Sudden rude awakening and a lesson it taking note of surroundings was quick to emerge - the road had been opened whilst we were away and I was suddenly surrounded by traffic

[mhoulden]

Looking at the Old Maps website suggests there was a tram route through Horsforth along Abbey Rd/Commercial Rd/New Road Side, and the building currently used by a gate and fence company was a tram power station. How far did this route go, and how did trams cope with the steep hill up from Cow Beck?

[buffaloskinner]

I lived at the bottom of Selby Road, and can recall standing along with 100's more to watch the last Tram come from the Irwin Arms to town, it was all lit up like a christmas tree.Went on the Temple Newsam tram many times, there must have been some sort of a switch as it went straight past the Halton tram terminus at the Irwin Arms. I dont recall doing any great speed coming down the hill but then I thought that Selby Road was steeper.

[chameleon]

buffaloskinner wrote: I lived at the bottom of Selby Road, and can recall standing along with 100's more to watch the last Tram come from the Irwin Arms to town, it was all lit up like a christmas tree.Went on the Temple Newsam tram many times, there must have been some sort of a switch as it went straight past the Halton tram terminus at the Irwin Arms. I dont recall doing any great speed coming down the hill but then I thought that Selby Road was steeper. This link takes you to an item by Phill D and shows the last tram. depicting itd doute and the commemerative tickets used tha day -http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/sh ... hp?t=10338