A MYSTERY TRAM
This photo was given to Len at a recent exhibition BUT unfortunately there are were no details available. Although one thing is certain, It is not a Blackpool tram, it is nonetheless an intriguing mystery. There is nothing on the back of the photograph - not even a photographer's name or copyright information - and all attempts to identify it have so far failed. If you know, or even think you know, what the tram is and where it comes from please let Len know at his e-mail address. It would appear to be either a works car or a freight carrier. There have been suggestions that it may be the British Railways system at Immingham but this has been contradicted. There doesn't appear to be any kind of electrical pick-up apparatus but would it need what appears to be driving cabs if it was hauled by a steam tram? ANY help you can give would be greatly appreciated
The mystery is solved
My thanks to David Bevan who advises that this is a photograph of Bradford City Tramways snowplough no S11. There is a photograph, taken by R.F.Mack, on page 86 in the paperback book "Bradford City Tramways" by D.M.Coates.
Graham Sidwell, the Editor of Tramfare - the magazine of the TRLS - has written to add to the above as follows: "This from Stanley King, author of the book and one who should know! This vehicle was a railgrinder until 1948. It was then converted into a snowplough (not a snowbroom)and repainted. It was scrapped the following year. The photograph was taken in Bowling scrap yard (presumably in 1949)when the trolley had been removed. Jim Copland's photo on p107 of Stanley's book was taken in Thornbury yard siding in the works awaiting repainting." Thanks very much for the information Graham which almost certainly rounds the story off.
As Graham mentions the Author of the book as Stanley King whereas David gives the author as D.M.Coates its possible that there are two different books in existance. Len will find out if there are two different books and, if so, give the title of Stanley's book here later on. Does anybody have any photos of this vehicle when in service either as a railgrinder or a snowplough?
My thanks also to George Spink who has added the following information about the tram. "Its a Bradford railgrinder using an open wagon for transporting permanent way materials with a trolley pole from the Phoenix munitions tramway and cabs from two "Railess Lorries" that Bradford owned". George also gives the title of the book as "Bradford Tramways" by Stanley King.
Although the mystery has now been solved, from the number of enquiries received its obvious that it has intrigued a number of visitors so I'll leave the page on the site for a few months so that everybody's curiosity can be satisfied. Once again, many thanks for your help David and Graham.
