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Trams in Sheffield in the 1950s

Once upon a time ....

..every major town and city had trams. Unfortunately as other European cities generally made use of their tram systems the UK gradually closed their systems down in the 1950s. As with the railways that other European countries modernised the short sighted powers that be that ruled the UK in the very ignorant 1950s and 1960s thought the motor vehicle was the way ahead. Now on the 2000s cities in the UK are rebuilding tram systems but the Crich museum shows how the old tram systems were.
The photo shows Sheffield's trams in the 1950s.

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Chesterfield tram at Crich

Chesterfield tram restored

This beautifully restored tram would have run through the town of Chesterfield in the early years of the 20th century - the town of course is not very far from Crich and it is nice to see the tram so close to home.
The tram is pictured on a driver training run close to the restored pub and sweet shop.

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South African tram at Crich

From South Africa

This tram is an old Johannesburg tram now in use at Crich. Very British in its looks it had Afrikaans and English destination boards on it but its final destination in either language was Twist Street.

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German tram in the main street at Crich.

General view

Here is a general view of the street at Crich. Restored shops and buildings are found on either side of the street and the appearance is an Edwardian period street "somewhere in England". The trams move up and down the street and then under the Bowes Lyon bridge and out in to the country for a short ride.

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Glasgow tram at Crich

Move down the caur!

Glasgow had a large tram system until the 1950s. I think it was mainly female conductors who took the fares and they had a famous phrase - move doon the caur!
For a good read on Glasgow in the 1940s and 1950s read Night Song of the Last Tram by Robert Douglas. This is the true story of a Maryhill boy growing up in a Glasgow tenement and using the trams to get around the city.

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The accessible tram

Accessible for all

This tram has been adapted for wheelchair users and people who cannot climb on to the high platforms of the old trams.