Sunderland Corporation Tramways
History
Sunderland Corporation obtained powers to construct a number of standard-gauge, horse-drawn tramway lines in 1879, which were essentially extensions to the existing horse tramway, which was owned and operated by the Sunderland Tramways Company. These lines were opened between the 18th June 1880 and the 1st January 1881, but as municipal authorities were not permitted to operate tramways themselves — by the Tramways Act of 1870 — they were leased to the STCo.
At its maximum, Sunderland's horse tramway system extended to around 7.2 miles, circa 3.7 miles of which were owned by the corporation. There were two lines north of the River Weir, one running northeastwards from Monkwearmouth to Roker, and the other running westwards from Monkwearmouth to Southwick. The tramway crossed the river via Wearmouth Bridge, continuing southwards to Christchurch, before returning anticlockwise via Gray Rd, Tatham St and Borough Rd, to Fawcett Rd, where it rejoined the outward route; a branch also ran off the loop eastwards to the Docks. The circular route was crossed by two long east-west lines, one running from along High St for its entire length to Peacock St, and the other, further south, running from Fawcett St along Holmeside to Albion Place near the Royal Infirmary.
In 1894, the company attempted to interest the corporation in expanding the system, but naturally wanted to secure any investment it made by getting the corporation to defer its right to buy the undertaking (an option it had under the 1870 Tramways Act from the 16th August 1899), and to give the company a blanket 21-year lease. The corporation came within a whisker of accepting the proposal, but in the end declined, beginning the long process of deciding what sort of tramway it wanted to build (namely, the method of traction, and the routes), as well as whether it wished to operate it or lease it out. On the 11th January 1899, the council formally decided to seek powers to build and operate an overhead electric system, and to serve the STCo with six months' notice of its intention to purchase the concern.
The corporation's bill received its Royal Assent on the 1st August 1899, and after some hard negotiating with the STCo, it purchased the undertaking on the 26th March 1900, taking over operation four days later on the 30th March 1900. Construction of new lines commenced in November 1899, the first electric service running on the 15th August 1900. Horse tram services continued during reconstruction, being gradually reduced as the lines were converted, the last horse service of all running on the 19th February 1901.
The final line of the corporation's new tramway — to the docks — was opened on the 23rd January 1904, taking the system to the size and form it would have for the next 20 years.
The tramway was well-run and well-maintained, and proved to be a very profitable undertaking. Like all tramway systems, the SCT suffered during the Great War from heavy loadings, loss of staff and expertise to the armed forces, and an inability to source spares, new rails or vehicles due to war-time restrictions. Unusually, it did however manage to purchase one new tram during the conflict, but only because an existing vehicle was lost in a Zeppelin raid, along with 22 lives.
Despite the rigours of post-war inflation, which was followed by a severe economic downturn, the corporation managed to find the money to reinvigorate the run-down system, renewing track and updating the ageing tramcar fleet. The latter was achieved through a mixture of new purchases, new builds and rebuilding, which continued right through the 1920s and 1930s, the last new car arriving in 1940. In addition, the SCT cannily purchased modern tramcars from systems which were closing down, acquiring a significant number of such vehicles in the 1930s and 1940s at knock-down prices, the last of these as late as 1947.
The corporation's commitment to the tramway resulted in a significant expansion of the system, as lines were built to new housing estates, enabling the tramway to continue serving the population as it migrated away from the centre of the town. A new line was built along Durham Rd to Barnes Park, which opened in late 1925, was extended no less than three times: to Hambledon Hill in 1929, to Grindon Lane in 1948 and Thorney Close Rd in 1948. In addition, the Fulwell line was extended eastwards to Seaburn in 1937. During this period of expansion, there was one closure — the loss-making docks branch in 1928 — a line which always struggled for patronage, and which probably should never have been built, especially given the fact that the SCT's predecessor (the STCo) had also failed to make it pay. The docks line was replaced by a bus service, the corporation's first, having only acquired the powers to run motorbuses in 1927.
In 1929, the SCT's tramway manager died, being replaced by the manager of Wigan Corporation Tramways and Motors, where he had been instrumental in transitioning services away from trams and trolleybuses to buses. His appointment gave the rather vocal anti-tram lobby in Sunderland reason to rejoice, though it was to prove extremely short-lived, as his assessment of the system resulted in a recommendation to retain the tramway and modernise it. He clearly saw Sunderland, with its compact and densely populated districts as ideal tramcar territory, the tramcar being unrivalled in moving large numbers of people over relatively short distances. The council accepted the recommendation, the entire enterprise being thoroughly reorganised and modernised, a process which included much experimentation with tramcar design and operation.
The tramway was of course not operated in isolation, and throughout the 1930s, the network of bus services was continually expanded, especially out to newly built housing estates, the name of the enterprise being changed in 1937 — to Sunderland Corporation Transport — to better reflect the services delivered.
By the onset of the Second World War, Sunderland possessed one of the most modern and efficient tramway systems in the British Isles, a situation which was to see it well placed to continue serving the public through the rigours of wartime. The end of the war however brought a new world, one which it was clear would be dominated by private motor vehicle, and with this in mind, the manager recommended a gradual abandonment of the tramway system in favour of buses. Although the council formally adopted this policy on the 11th January 1947, there was to be no sudden death, with the Durham Rd line being extended twice after this date, though almost certainly because new buses were difficult to obtain at the time.
The first tramway line closed on the 5th November 1950 and the last of all — Seaburn via Fulwell — nearly four years later on the 1st October 1954.
At its maximum, Sunderland Corporation's electric tramway system totalled 13.73 miles, with three lines to the north of the River Weir and five lines to the south, connected via Wearmouth Bridge. In the north, lines ran from Monkwearmouth westwards to Southwick; northwards to Fulwell then eastwards to Seaburn; and northeastwards to Roker then northwards along Whitburn Rd to Sea Lane. South of the river the tramway ran along Bridge St and Fawcett St to its junction with Borough Rd, from where lines ran to the east, south and west: to the south along Burdon Rd to Grangetown; to the east, clockwise along Borough Rd, Tatham St (where a branch ran eastwards to the docks) and Suffolk St to Villette Rd, where it rejoined the Grangetown line; and to the east, clockwise via Western Hill, Chester Rd, Kayll Rd, Hylton Rd and High St West to join the Bridge St line (this line was dubbed 'The Circle'). Lastly, a long line branched off 'The Circle' at Southill Crescent, running southwestwards along Durham Rd to Thorney Close Rd.
Whilst several attempts were made to connect the system to South Shields Corporation Tramways to the north, all failed, primarily due to the respective municipal authorities' inability to agree on the course of a connecting route. At the south end of the system (at Grangetown), the corporation's tracks met those of the Sunderland District Electric Tramways, which opened its newly-built line from Houghton-le-Spring on the 10th June 1905. Despite requests to connect the tracks and overhead in order to run through services, the corporation turned the company down flat, almost certainly on idealogical grounds. Through services were however eventually initiated some 16 years later on the 3rd January 1921, the corporation's attitude softening in the face of increasing bus competition, which had the advantage of not requiring the public to change vehicles at Grangetown. The agreement saw S&DET cars run through to the Gas Office in Burdon Rd and Sea Lane (the latter on specials rather than regularly), with SCT cars running through to Ryhope; all this was however to be short-lived, the last S&DET service to the Gas Office being withdrawn on the 12th March 1925, the company completing its switch from tramcar to bus operation in July that year, and abandoning its tramway.
Uniforms
Sunderland Corporation took over operation of the horse tramways from the erstwhile Sunderland Tramways Company on the 30th March 1900, continuing to operate them until withdrawal of the final service on 19th February 1901. It is currently unclear whether the corporation saw fit to issue the men working these services with new uniforms, or whether they simply continued to wear the uniforms they had worn previously.
Although early photos depicting tramway staff working the new electric services are rare, those that have survived clearly show that both motormen and conductors wore single-breasted jackets with a row of five buttons (bearing the assumed arms of Sunderland and the full system title — see link), plus two buttons on each cuff, two waist pockets, a breast pocket (on the left-hand side) and upright collars; the latter do not appear to have borne any kind of insignia. The uniform was dark blue in colour. Kepi style caps were worn, and these carried a script-lettering cap badge — either Conductor or Motorman — together with a small badge of unknown pattern. The cap badges appear to have been replaced — probably in 1901 or 1902 — by an elaborate oval cap badge (nickel), comprising: the assumed arms, within a garter containing the full system title ('Sunderland Corporation Tramways'), all surrounded by a wreath.
The early style of jackets was superseded — around 1905 — by double-breasted, 'lancer-style' style tunics with five pairs of buttons — narrowing from top to bottom — epaulettes and upright collars. The collars appear to have carried a small municipal shield badge, though details are unclear; the epaulettes carried a staff number in metal numerals and a small municipal shield badge (not always present), and were fastened at the neck end with a button. At the same time, the caps were changed to a military pattern with a tensioned crown (top), with a glossy peak, and carried a completely new cap badge comprising the arms above a ribbon bearing the legend ‘SUNDERLAND TRAMS’ (see below). The badge was presumably re-designed because its predecessor, which was rather tall, would either not have fitted on the new caps, or would have looked somewhat awkward. Badges and buttons were probably brass initially (1900-1902), though these appear to have been relatively quickly displaced in favour of nickel. The 'lancer-style' jackets were probably used right through to the 1930s, when they were superseded by double-breasted jackets with four pairs of buttons, two waist pockets, and lapels; photos suggest that these appeared both with and without epaulettes (at different time points). The lapels carried a staff number, whilst the piped epaulettes (when present) bore the small shield badge previously applied to the upright collars.
From 1937 onwards, when the name of the undertaking was changed to 'Sunderland Corporation Transport', new issues of uniforms and caps would have carried 'Transport' insignia. The new cap badge was similar in form to its predecessor, but with an altered municipal device and 'TRANSPORT' instead of 'TRAMS' in the ribbon below; the material was chrome rather than nickel. Towards the end of the system's life, the caps were changed to a soft-topped design, and whilst the jackets remained double-breasted, the style was subtly altered to a piped design with epaulettes.
Staff were also issued with long, double-breasted greatcoats with five pairs of buttons, high fold-over collars and epaulettes (see below); it is unclear what badges, if any, these garments bore.
A photo taken on the last service from Seaburn (see below), shows the motorman wearing an unmarked, round PSV-like badge/number, the precise purpose of which is unknown. This badge appears however to only have been used very late in the tramway system's life.
By 1905, inspectors were wearing a traditional style of tramway inspector's uniform, comprising a single-breasted jacket with hidden buttons (or more likely a hook and eye affair) with slit pockets — all edged in a finer material than the main body — and with upright collars; the latter probably bore Inspector in embroidered script lettering. Caps were in a kepi style and bore a small cap badge incorporation the municipal device, but of unknown pattern; this was worn above a hat band that again bore the grade — Inspector — in embroidered script lettering. At some point, the cap was changed to a more modern military style with a tensioned crown, but with the cap badges and hat band unchanged. At the end of the system's life, inspectors were certainly wearing smart single-breasted jackets with four buttons, four pockets (with button closures), waist belt, epaulettes (also with button closure) and lapels; the upper part of the latter (the collars) bore the grade — Inspector — in embroidered script lettering.
In common with many other UK tramway systems, women were employed in significant numbers during the Great War, both as conductresses (referred to as lady conductors), motorwomen (lady drivers) and inspectresses. The first conductresses started on the 9th June 1915. Eventually, all 85 conductors were female, the last one being discharged in 1920. Female tramcar staff were issued with long skirts and long, single-breasted jackets with five buttons, a waist belt (with two buttons), hip and breast pockets, upright collars and epaulettes; the latter probably carried the same insignia as the corresponding male tunics. Headgear took the form of a baggy cap with a glossy peak, adorned with the usual municipal cap badge. The ladies were also issued with the standard greatcoat worn by male staff, i.e., untailored for female staff. Great War lady inspectors wore identical uniforms to female tramcar staff, but with the standard cap badge replaced by an inspector's badge and a grade badge; it is unclear whether the latter was embroidered or in metal.
Female staff were also employed during the Second World War, both as conductresses and as motorwomen. These ladies were issued with 'air force blue' uniforms, comprising: modern knee-length skirts and tailored, single-breasted jackets with breast and hip pockets (both with button fastenings), a waist belt and epaulettes. The only insignia used on ladies’ tunics appears to have been on the epaulettes, with the exception of lady inspectors, who had ‘Inspector’ in embroidered, script lettering on the upper lapels of their jackets. Caps were similar to those worn by male staff, but were slightly floppier in appearance, though they still carried the standard cap badge.
Further reading
For a detailed history, see: 'Tramways of Sunderland' by S A Staddon; Advertiser Press (1964). A second, and heavily revised edition was published by the Sunderland Echo (1991).
Images
Motormen and conductors
The crew of Tramcar No 7, which is about to reverse over the cross-over at the terminus at the south end of Roker Terrace, on the short working to High Street (Mackies Corner) — photo undated, but believed to have been taken in September 1900. The kepi-style caps carry script-lettering grade badges with a small badge worn above. With thanks to Malcolm Fraser.
A motorman aboard Tramcar No 18, which is facing south at Roker Terrace. This shot is thought to have been taken in March 1901 as the car was only delivered in the previous December (with bogie trucks), all of which had been replaced by the spring of 1901; this is the only known photo of one of these bogie cars in unmodified condition. With thanks to Malcolm Fraser
Brass, script-lettering cap badges of the type worn by Sunderland Corporation Tramways staff in the early years of operation. Author's Collection.
Sunderland open-top tramcar No 30 at the Grangetown terminus on Ryhope Road — photo undated, but probably taken around 1902. With thanks to Malcolm Fraser.
A blow-up of the above photo showing the conductor, who is wearing a kepi-style cap with a tall oval cap badge (almost certainly the pattern illustrated below).
Sunderland Corporation Tramways cap badge — nickel. This badge is probably the same pattern as seen in the 1902 photo above. It appears to have replaced the script-lettering grade badges (probably in 1901 or 1902), but was itself superseded with the switch to military-style caps (around 1905), as it would probably have been too tall for these. Author's Collection.
A poor-quality photograph showing a motorman with the new style of cap badge, but one which can be reasonably accurately dated as the tram has been decorated to celebrate the coronation of Edward VII and his wife Alexandra, which took place on the 9 August 1902. With thanks to Malcolm Fraser.
Staff photo taken at the Hylton Road Depot in 1905. With thanks to Malcolm Fraser.
A blow-up of the above photo showing some of the staff. Whilst the majority of those depicted in the photo are wearing military-style caps, which bear a new cap badge (see below), several individuals are wearing the older kepi-style caps with the taller badge.
Sunderland Corporation Tramways cap badge — nickel. This style of badge appears to have been worn from around 1905 to circa 1937, when the name of the undertaking was changed to Sunderland Corporation Tramways. With thanks to Stephen Howarth.
Combination Tramcar No 53 standing at the Villette Rd terminus with its crew — photo undated, but probably taken around 1906. Source unknown.
A blow-up of the above photo showing the motorman and conductor
Motorman and conductor pose with Tramcar No 27 — on the Roker Circle route — at Roker Terrace; photo undated, but probably taken around the time of the Great War. Image kindly supplied by Beamish Museum Limited (see link), image copyright Beamish Museum Limited.
Sunderland Corporation Tramways employee, probably a motorman, pictured rather prosaically outside his outhouse — photo undated, but possibly taken around the time of Great War or in the 1920s. Author's Collection.
A motorman and a conductor pose with Tramcar No 52 on Villette Rd, photo taken in 1922. Image kindly supplied by Beamish Museum Limited (see link), image copyright Beamish Museum Limited.
A blow-up of the above photo showing the cap badge, collar and epaulette insignia (button, staff number and shield badge).
Possible SCT epaulette badge — nickel. Author's Collection.
Conductor Bob Richardson (Employee No 360) and his motorman (Employee No 79) pose in front of their tramcar — photo undated, but probably taken in the mid 1930s given that these balcony cars, with their 5-panel windscreens, had all been scrapped by 1938. With thanks to Malcolm Fraser.
Motorman Roger Pickering in front of ex-Bury Tramcar No 85, with the last service to leave the terminus at Seaburn when the Circle route closed on the night of Sunday 3rd January 1954. It was a wild night and the rain poured down as No 85 arrived at the terminus, crewed by the aforementioned Mr Pickering and conductress Mrs Sally Rooks; it also carried a Sunderland Echo reporter. When it set off again, the only fare-paying passenger (and the last one of countless thousands to travel home along the sea front) was 18-year old Malcolm Fraser, to whom I am indebted for this information. Thanks also to Stephen Howarth for drawing my attention to the photo.
Sunderland Corporation Transport cap badge — chrome. This style of badge was probably issued from around 1937 onwards, when the name of the undertaking was changed to Sunderland Corporation Transport. Author's Collection.
SCT employee number or licence badge, of the type clearly seen on the preceding photo. This particular example was worn by James Edward Hagan, who worked on the Sunderland Corporation Transport buses around 1959/60. Author's Collection.
Motorman and conductor (Employee No 140) pose for the camera of M J O'Connor in the interior of Tramcar No 87 at Seaburn — 1st September 1954 — with modern soft-topped caps. With thanks to the National Tramway Museum. 
Sunderland Corporation Transport bus conductor Cyril Pace — photo undated, but probably taken in the 1940s. With thanks to Malcolm Fraser.
Senior staff
A blow-up of the 1905 depot photo above showing some of the inspectors, who appear to be wearing fairly typical 'tramway inspector' garb, along with kepi-style caps bearing a small cap badge above a grade badge (in embroidered script lettering).
A rare shot of an SCT inspector — photo taken in 1913 at the Roker terminus, towards the southern end of Roker Terrace, with Tramcar No 10 in the background, a vehicle which was to have the dubious distinction, three years later, of being destroyed by a Zeppelin airship. Photo and background information kindly supplied by Malcolm Fraser.
An unidentified tramcar with depot staff, conductresses and senior staff member (?) in the Wheatsheaf depot yard in April 1916. This photograph was taken just after Tram No 10 was destroyed by Zeppelin L11 (see damage to buildings behind the tram). Photo and background information kindly supplied by Malcolm Fraser.
A blow-up of the above photo showing an individual who may be senior staff member (foreman?); no other photos from this era show this jacket, or collar insignia (these suggest a senior grade), though the cap badge appears to be of the standard pattern.
Bob Nesbitt, ready for his first day as an inspector on Saturday 7th August 1947; he eventually retired some 28 years later as a Divisional Inspector in 1975. With thanks to his son John Nesbitt for the background information, and Malcolm Fraser for the photograph.
Female staff
A nicely posed photo of female tramway staff — undated, but almost certainly taken during the Great War. The lady on the front row at the left is Jean Newton (see below), and at the back, third from the left is Annie Goodhall (see also below). Image kindly supplied by Beamish Museum Limited (see link), image copyright Beamish Museum Limited.
Conductress Jean Newton — photo dated 1916. With thanks to Malcolm Fraser.
A studio portrait of conductress E Rooke — photo undated, but almost certainly taken during the Great War. Image kindly supplied by Beamish Museum Limited (see link), image copyright Beamish Museum Limited.
Motorwoman Annie Goodall, pictured together with a points boy (Employee No 9) in 1918. With thanks to Malcolm Fraser.
An evocative studio portrait of a Sunderland Corporation Tramways Great War lady inspector. Author's Collection.
A blow-up of the above photo, revealing the cap badge to be the same as that worn by male inspectors.
A particularly evocative photo of lady conductresses aboard a tramcar platform during the Second World War. The lady at the right (front) is Inspector Muriel Newton. Image kindly supplied by Beamish Museum Limited (see link), image copyright Beamish Museum Limited.
The first batch of conductresses recruited(during the Second World War troop past one of the eight tramcars purchased from Huddersfield in Wheat Sheaf depot yard — photo taken on Tuesday 23rd July 1940. With thanks to Malcolm Fraser.