Halifax Corporation Tramways
Summary
The photographic record for Halifax is extremely heavily weighted to the first decade of operation, with the subsequent 30 years being rather sparsely represented, particularly in respect of senior staff and female Great War employees.
For the inauguration of electric services in 1898, tramcar staff were issued with smart, single-breasted, three-quarter-length coats with lapels; the collars carried an employee number on the bearer's right-hand side in individual numerals, presumably brass to match the buttons (see link). Wing collar shirts, ties and waistcoats were also worn, the latter probably issued by the corporation. The caps, which were in a kepi style, carried a script-lettering grade badge — either 'Driver' or 'Conductor' — more than likely in brass. At some point in the first few years of operation, and certainly by 1900, the employee number migrated to the cap, and was worn beneath the grade badge, leaving the jackets completely devoid of insignia (other than the buttons).
The three-quarter-length coats appear to have fallen out of use between 1904 and 1906, being superseded by shorter single-breasted jackets with five buttons and lapels, again without badges of any kind. The caps were changed at the same time to a peaked type with a tensioned crown (top), and whilst the employee number continued to be carried, the script-lettering grade badges were dispensed with. These uniforms appear to have remained unaltered — stylistically — right through to the 1920s (probably to the 1930s for conductors). The sole change was the introduction of a new open-backed cap badge (possibly in the years immediately before the Great War), which incorporated a municipal device within a circular border containing the full system title — 'HALIFAX CORPORATION TRAMWAYS' — the latter inlaid with blue enamel, and with an employee number in a lozenge-shaped surround beneath. There is reason to believe that motormen were issued odd numbers and conductors even numbers, though documentary evidence has so far proven elusive.
A single photograph has survived from the 1920s showing a motorman in a lancer-style tunic, so it is possible that this style of jacket was issued at some point during that decade, at least for that grade. The uniforms were changed to a more modern cut in the late 1920s/early 1930s; the jackets were now single-breasted with four buttons, two hip-level pockets (with flap closures), two breast pockets (with button closures) and lapels. Later photographs show tramcar crews wearing peaked caps with woven straw tops, which unlike other systems, appear to have been worn all year round rather than just in summer.
For most of the system's life, tramcar crews were also issued with double-breasted greatcoats with five pairs of buttons and high, fold-over collars; other than the buttons, these coats were devoid of insignia.
Photographs of inspectors are rare, so all that can be stated with certainty is that during the 1920s, they were wearing drooping-peak caps. These caps almost certainly bore a similar badge to the tramcar-crew caps, but without the employee number. It is probable, but by no means certain, that in the last few years of tramway operation, inspectors were issued with single-breasted jackets bearing five black unmarked buttons, two breast pockets (with button-closed flaps) and lapels; the collars carried the grade — 'Inspector' — in embroidered-script lettering. The drooping-peak caps were superseded by tensioned-crown peaked caps, which bore the same pattern of badge as the earlier caps, though possibly in chrome rather than brass. Inspectors would very likely have also been provided with gabardine-style topcoats; these do not appear to have borne any insignia.
Halifax undoubtedly employed female staff during the Great War to replace men lost to the armed services. To date, not a single photograph of one of these ladies has come to light, so it is currently impossible to say what uniforms they wore.
For more information on the tramway see: 'Halifax Corporation Tramways' by Eric Thornton and Stanley King; Light Rail Transit Association (2005).
Images
Motormen and conductors
Two conductors and a motorman, all in three-quarter-length coats and kepi-style caps, pose with Tramcar No 3, almost certainly on the opening day of the Highwell Road to Old Station service (June 1898). All those depicted are wearing script-lettering grade badges. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.
Standard script-lettering cap badges of the pattern used by Halifax Corporation Tramways in the early years of operation (1898 to around 1905) — brass. Author's Collection.
A conductor and a motorman pose with Tramcar No 15 on a service to Cow Green and Pellon — photo undated, but probably taken in late 1899 or early 1900. Photograph courtesy of the National Tramway Museum.
An enlargement of the above photograph showing the motorman. By this time the employee number was being worn underneath the script-lettering grade badge, with the jacket left plain. 
The crew of Tramcar 55, newly fitted with a Tidswell lifeguard, captured for posterity at Causeway Foot — photo undated, but probably taken in 1902. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice
A conductor (Employee No 14) and a motorman (Employee No 5) pose for the camera with Tramcar No 94 on a service bound for Hebden Bridge — photo undated, but probably taken not long after the delivery of No 94 in 1903. Author's Collection.
An enlargement of the above photograph showing the conductor (Employee No 14), who is wearing a kepi-style cap, 'Conductor' grade badge and employee number. Apart from the buttons, his jacket is plain.
A charming study of the crew of Tramcar 35 (Employees No 3 and No 120) — bound for Pellon — photo undated, but probably taken in 1905/6. Both men are wearing tensioned-crown peaked caps rather than the earlier kepis, but without a grade badge. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice
A conductor and a motorman pose for the camera at what is probably Causeway Foot — photo undated, but likely to be mid Edwardian. Again, both men are wearing tensioned-crown peaked caps that bear only employee numbers. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.
Tramcar No 35 again, and at the same location as shown above — photo undated, but probably mid-to-late Edwardian. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.
A rather dreary looking Tramcar No 90 in wartime grey livery — photo undated, but certainly taken during the Great War or shortly afterwards (both men have medal ribbons). The motorman appears to be wearing the new style of cap badge incorporating the Halifax municipal device, full system title and employee number. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.
Halifax Corporation Tramways conductor’s cap badge (even number) — brass. This pattern of badge was introduced around the time of the Great War, and was probably superseded by a chrome version in the mid 1930s. Author's Collection.
Tramcar No 25 and crew — photo undated, but probably taken in the 1920s. The motorman is wearing a distinctive lancer-style tunic. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.
The crew of Tramcar No 131 — recently purchased from Exeter Corporation Tramways — are captured by the camera of Dr H Nicol at Sowerby Bridge on 10th July 1932. Photo courtesy of the National Tramway Museum.
A conductor and a motorman on the platform of a vestibuled No 74. Although the destination reads 'Brighouse' (not shown), which was closed in 1931, the photo was probably taken in the mid-to-late 1930s, with the destination set to Brighouse at the behest of the photographer, W A Camwell. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.
Halifax Corporation Tramways motorman’s cap badge (odd number) — chrome and blue enamel. Chrome badges were probably introduced in the mid 1930s. Author's Collection.
Halifax Corporation Tramways conductor’s cap badge (even number) — chrome and blue enamel. Author's Collection.
Tramcar No 126 is pictured at the Causeway Foot terminus on a wintry day in the late 1930s (probably in 1937). Photograph by W A Camwell, courtesy of the National Tramway Museum.
An enlargement of the above photograph, showing the crew, both of whom, needless to say, are in greatcoats.
Senior staff
Tramcar No 107 on a test journey in April 1928, possibly pictured at Martin's Nest, Brighouse. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.
An enlargement of the above photograph showing Mr Canning (left), the Rolling-Stock Engineer, and a figure who is in all probability, an inspector.
A photograph of two Halifax Corporation Transport inspectors. Although taken after the demise of the tramway, i.e., after 1939, the uniforms probably reflect those worn during the last few years of the tramway. The caps clearly bear a cap badge similar to those worn by tramcar crewmen, but without the employee number.
Halifax Corporation Tramways/Transport Inspector’s cap badge — chrome. Author's Collection.