Cardiff Tramways
Owner Cardiff Tramways Company (a subsidiary of the Provincial Tramways Company)
Opened 12th July 1872 (horse)
Operator Cardiff Tramways Company
Took over (operation) 1st April 1888 (Cardiff District and Penarth Harbour Tramways) following acquisition of the operating lease by the PTCo)
Taken over 1st January 1902 (Cardiff Corporation) - tracks and assets of the CTCo, excepting those belonging to the CD&PHTCo
Lease terminated 10th February 1903 - following Cardiff Corporation's acquisition of the CD&PHTCo
Length 6.31 miles
Gauge 4ft 8½ins
Button description Title (‘THE CARDIFF TRAMWAYS COMPANY LIMTED’) within a border, surrounding a horse tramcar
Materials known Brass
Button Line reference [None]
Comment The button shown is unequivocally from the CTCo, and is of a style that would suggest it is early, i.e., from the 1870s. Photographs taken from the 1890s onwards show that both drivers and conductors wore informal attire.
The Provincial Group (Provincial Tramways Company) was established in 1872 in London, and at various times, either owned, controlled or operated the following systems: Borough of Portsmouth, Kingston, Fratton and Southsea Tramways; Cardiff Tramways; Cardiff District and Penarth Harbour Tramways; General Tramways of Portsmouth; Gosport and Fareham Tramways; Gosport Street Tramways; Great Grimsby Street Tramways; Landport & Southsea Tramway; London Southern Tramways; Plymouth, Stonehouse and Devonport Tramways; Portsdown and Horndean Light Railway; and Portsmouth Street Tramways.