In this article we head to the only operational tramway in Wales (at the moment!), the Great Orme Tramway in Llandudno. Opening in 1902 it is the only funicular, or cable-hauled, tramway in Britain which travels on public roads. It works in two sections with two trams running in opposite directions on each section. Steven Hughes is the photographer.
The upper section is worked by 6 and 7 and this first image shows no. 6 as it ascends towards the Summit. Although fitted with trolley poles the line does not take power from an overhead line and these used to be in use for communications but now a more modern radio system is used but the trolleys remain in situ. It may be just after 1015 but its already a busy tram.
The same can’t be said for 7, but then its coming down from the Summit at the start of the day and not many people have had enough by now wanting to return! Its just passing a road crossing with a bilingual sign in Welsh and English warning road users.
The lower section is where the line well and truly runs on the roads as we see in this view of 4 which is also going down the steep incline towards the start of its journey.
One of the spectacular shots you can get on the Great Orme Tramway is as trams come up on the lower section with Llandudno Bay in the background. 5 is the tram which again has a very healthy number of passengers wanting to go up the Great Orme to see what it has to offer. (All Photographs by Steven Hughes, 7th September 2025)