The Morecambe Tramways Company worked a standard gauge horse tramway from Strawberry Gardens in Heysham, to East View, Morecambe. An extension to Bare was built by the Corporation in 1898, but operated by the Company.
The Morecambe section, east of the Battery, was purchased by the Corporation in 1908. The Company retained the Battery to Strawberry Gardens section, and replaced its horse cars with Preston bodied petrol trams, with Leyland engines, in 1911. A further car was added in 1913, this being of open design.
Morecambe Corporation purchased 4 additional cars for its horse tramway from Preston, being 2 open “toast rack” and 2 enclosed cars, these being supplied, one of each type, in 1919 and 1922. The original cars were built by Lancaster Carriage and Wagon Co. from 1887 to 1897, with two second hand cars (not confirmed) in 1898/1901. This horse tramway was the last one to run in mainland Britain, being abandoned in 1926, whereas the Company`s petrol cars were withdrawn in 1924.
Heysham and District Motors supplied replacement vehicles for the petrol cars, although the tramway company did operate one Karrier single decker themselves from 1924.
Morecambe Corporation commenced motorbus operation in 1919, replacing its trams in 1926, and in 1929, Morecambe amalgamated with Heysham to form the Borough of Morecambe and Heysham. In the same year, the Company motorbuses were absorbed into Corporation stock.
Subject to interest, Dave Towers has given his permission for his Morecambe & Heysham fleet list to be made available, perhaps it could be serialized at later date.
John Whitaker
12/2010
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