Today tucked away in the Wirral Transport Museum at Taylor Street in Birkenhead on display Liverpool 43 is a tram which has found itself in various different locations over the years. In today’s Picture in Time we remember a time when it was displayed at Port Sunlight.
The exact date that 43 was built seems to be open for debate but what is known is that the tram was constructed by the Liverpool Tramways Company’s own workshops (this was before Liverpool Corporation took over operation of the tramway) with many of the features suggesting it dates from the early 1890s. However whilst the tram was restored some parts were found stamped with the years 1879 and 1880. 43 was used on the Old Swan-Pier Head route until it was withdrawn in 1900 with the advent of the age of the electric tram. Sold off for use as a potting shed 43 was rescued by members of the Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society and restored but was then placed in the Large Objects Museum before that closed. Storage followed at Cammell Laird’s shipyard before a loan spell at Crich from 1991 and then movement to Birkenhead. 43 has spent time at both Taylor Street – where it can be seen today – and in Pacific Road since arriving on the Wirral.
But it is another location entirely that we find 43 at in April 1988 – Port Sunlight. The tram was on display during a special event which also saw a steam train running at Bromborough. We are sure some readers of BTO will be able to give more details of this event?
Photograph by Bob Gell