Neath Corporation Tramways

{{More citations needed|date=January 2025}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}

{{Use British English|date=August 2017}}

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Neath Corporation Tramways operated a tramway service in Neath between 1897 and 1920.The Golden Age of Tramways. Published by Taylor and Francis.

History

Neath Corporation took over the tramway services previously provided by the Neath and District Tramways Company. Unlike other local authority tramway modernisation programmes, Neath Corporation opted for town gas powered tramcars, The British Gas Traction Company supplied the tramcars, which stored town gas under compression in cylinders.

British Gas Traction Company was a subsidiary of Luhrig Company, and obtained the gas engines from Gasmotoren-Fabrik Deutz of Köln. The tramcars were manufactured under licence by the Lancaster Railway Carriage and Wagon Company.

The track was relayed by Krauss of Bristol, starting in March 1898.Neath Gazette, 31 August 1899

On 29 August 1899 the inspector from the Board of Trade, Colonel Sir Francis Marindin passed the system for public usage.Neath Corporation Tramways 1897-1920, Gordon Tucker, Tramway Review, Vol 14. No 107, Autumn 1981

After encountering financial difficulties, the line was leased to the Neath Gas Traction Company, which changed its name in 1902 to the Provincial Gas Traction Company.

Closure

Further financial difficulties in the First World War resulted in the corporation taking direct control, and it was closed in the face of motor bus competition in 1920.

Tramcar number 1 is preserved at the Cefn Coed Colliery Museum.

References

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{{Historic UK Trams}}

Category:Tram transport in Wales