Huddersfield Corporation Tramways
Owner Huddersfield Corporation
Opened 11th January 1883 (horse/steam)
Operator Huddersfield Corporation
Took over (operation) 21st May 1900 (new line through Linthwaite to Slaithwaite [3.01 miles] - owned by Linthwaite UDC)
First electric route 14th February 1901
Last steam service 21st June 1902
Took over (ownership) August 1910 (line through Linthwaite to Slaithwaite - owned by Linthwaite UDC)
Name changed June 1936 (to Huddersfield Corporation Passenger Transport Department)
Closed 29th June 1940
Length 39.12 miles
Gauge 4ft 7¾ins
Button description (Pattern 1) Title (‘HUDDERSFIELD TRAMWAYS’) around the rim, with a plain centre
(None)
Materials known Nickel
Button Line reference [None]
Button description (Pattern 2) Title (‘HUDDERSFIELD TRAMWAYS’) within a border, surrounding the municipal arms (a shield with a chevron and three sheep) with a ram’s head crest, all above the motto: ‘JUVAT IMPIGROS DEUS’
Materials known Brass; nickel; chrome
Button Line reference [113/33]
Button description (Pattern 3) Title (‘HUDDERSFIELD TRANSPORT’) within a border, surrounding the municipal arms (a shield with a chevron and three sheep) with a ram’s head crest, all above the motto: ‘JUVAT IMPIGROS DEUS’
Materials known Chrome
Button Line reference [None]
Comments The Pattern 1 button has an early feel to it and was very probably in use during the later steam tram era (mid 1890s through to 1902). Although the municipal transport undertaking was renamed 'Huddersfield Corporation Passenger Transport' circa four years before the demise of the tramway, tramcars appear never to have carried the title; it does however seem likely that new uniform issues during this period would have borne Pattern 3 buttons.
Huddersfield holds the accolade for being the first municipally owned and operated tramway system in the British Isles. The unusual gauge was to allow for the running of railway wagons over the system, an intention that was never realised.