Worcester Tramways
Summary
Over its 19-year history, Worcester's horse tramway passed through six owners, eight if the two separator liquidators are counted. With the exception of two early photographs, which were almost certainly taken in the Tramways Trust Company era (1884 to 1886), the photographic record is difficult to date. Nevertheless, a clear constant in all surviving photographs is the absence of uniforms, horse tram staff simply wearing smart but informal attire: trousers, shirt, tie and jacket, together with the fashionable headgear of the day, namely, bowler hats, soft-topped caps, and flat caps. No insignia of any kind, inclusive of badges, licences or marked buttons was worn.
A single early photograph does however exist which shows a figure who is clearly wearing a uniform, along with a kepi-style cap which bears a prominent oval cap badge (see below). The individual depicted seems to be a tramway inspector (he is standing for a posed photograph in front of a horse tram), though the possibility cannot be excluded that he has nothing to do with the tramway company, though this seems inherently unlikely.
For the full story of the Worcester's horse and electric tramways, see: 'The History of Worcester's Tramways' by David Voice; Adam Gordon (2015).
Images
Horse tram drivers and conductors
Unidentified horsecar in early livery and with centre pole between the horses — photo undated, but very possibly taken in the first year of operation, 1884. The coat of arms on the waist panel is that of the City of Worcester, even though the city itself had no stake whatsoever in the company. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.
A blow-up of the above photo showing the two men on the front platform, one of whom is presumably the driver. Both men are clearly wearing smart but informal attire, with no sign of badges or licences of any kind.
Another blow-up of the above photo, this time showing the conductor, albeit indistinctly, but clearly enough to reveal that he is wearing a bowler hat.
Another shot showing an unidentified Worcester horsecar in New Rd — photo undated, but very probably taken between 1884 and 1886. Both the conductor and driver are wearing informal attire. The uniformed figure next to the conductor is very probably an inspector. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.
A blow-up of the above photo showing the conductor. Although the quality is very poor, it is good enough to show that he is not wearing a uniform.
Horsecar No 3 waits at the Portbello Inn terminus in Bransford Rd — photo undated, but probably taken in the 1890s. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.
A blow-up of the above photo showing the crewmen, who are in smart but informal attire.
Horsecar No 4 in New Road approaching the Bull Ring— photo undated, but judging by the livery and the flat caps, probably taken in the 1890s. The horse on the right is a trace horse, its attendant being hidden behind it. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.
A blow-up of the above photo showing the driver, possibly reins or whip in hand, wearing a flat cap.
Senior staff
A blow-up of the second photo above showing a uniformed figure who is very probably a tramway inspector.