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| Last Updated: 29 Sep 2015 | |
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EARLY HISTORY As early as March 1859, there were horse drawn street cars running along the Dock Railway in Liverpool. In 1861 Busby's Old Swan line operated but unfortunately this system was subject to early closure. In November 1869, a route opened from Exchange to Dingle using type A horse cars. A second route running to Walton which also used type A horse cars opened in 1870. Other means of power were also considered for tram operation. In 1883, a cable system was first proposed for moving trams in Liverpool. Such as system had already been in use in San Franciso since August 1873, this first city to use this technique. On the 25th of September 1883 a cable car trial was set-up and a public demonstration given at Kirkdale. An electric accumulator tram is said to have operated in Liverpool in 1890. Liverpool Corporation took over the private company tram operations in 1897. By then, all previous companies had been absorbed into the Liverpool United Tramways & Omnibus Co. Ltd. On the 14th of November 1898, came the first electric trolley cars (as we know them) to operate a public service in Liverpool. | |