Its another old tram depot which is “Still Standing!” today. This time we are heading to Batley in Yorkshire where the original basic structure is still in place and it does once again house vehicles although they are quite some way away from the trams which once stood in the building.
Carlinghow depot is situated on the north side of Bradford Road in Batley with a depot originally opening on the site way back in 1874 by the Dewsbury, Batley and Birstal Tramway Company. Horse trams were originally housed there until 1881 with steam trams moving in from 1880 and staying until 1905. By this time ownership had passed to the British Electric Traction Co. Ltd. (from 1902) and a new owner would again follow in 1905 with the Yorkshire (Woollen District) Electric Tramways Ltd moving in. 1905 also saw a move away from steam trams to electric trams and this is how things would remain until April 1932 when final closure came. At its height the depot had eight tracks (featuring just one access track and turntables to access each line) and during the horse tram era it also featured a stables.
Following closure in 1932 the building passed into commercial use and is now in use by a tyre company and a high-end used car dealership (the former of which has an address of Old Tram Sheds). The tram track was still in situ when they moved in as it was just concreted over meaning that one day someone will find the track once more!
The exterior of the OId Tram Sheds, now occupied by German Tyres Ltd.
A close-up of one of the entrance doors.
The roof in the car dealership showing its traditional construction style.
The modern second hand cars provide a contrast with the historic building they sit in. (All Photographs by Dave Jones)