A tram we featured back in August was “Oxford Tramway 1” which can be found at the Oxford Bus Museum in Long Hanborough. As we mentioned at the time although currently in City of Oxford and District Tramways Company livery this tram actually comes from Gloucester operating on that system having been built in 1881. However, similar trams operated in Oxford and after a five year cosmetic restoration the tram is now masquerading as being from Oxford. Bob Hodges with these latest images.
The tram is a former Gloucester Starbuck horse tram built in 1881. When the City of Oxford and District Tramways Company opened on 1st December 1881 they had four of these Starbuck trams. Later they were converted into double deckers with the system also acquiring some double deck trams from London which were converted to the 4ft gauge of Oxford. The line continued to operate until 1914 when it was finally closed after several schemes to electrify the line had failed to materialise.
As well as this tram the Oxford Bus Museum also has another three horse trams, one is an original City of Oxford and District Tramways double decker no. 20 of 1898, another is an ex London Street Tramways Falcon built double decker no. 707 of 1887 whilst the last is a former London Tramways Company double decker built in 1882 which ran in Oxford as no. 6. None of three trams are currently on display although it is believed that one may be undergoing restoration in the museum workshop.
A view into the tram showing the restored interior.
The rear platform proudly showing the City of Oxford and District Tramways Company livery and the number 1.
The restored tram surrounded by other vintage transport.
The front platform with horse hitched ready to “take” it on its next journey. (All Photographs by Bob Hodges)