South Shields Corporation Tramways
Owner South Shields Corporation
Opened 1st August 1883 (horse)
Operator (lessee) South Shields Tramway Company
Closed 30th April 1886
Re-opened 28th March 1887 (horse)
Operator (lessee) South Shields Tramway & Carriage Company Limited
Taken over (operating company) July 1899 (British Electric Traction Company Limited)
Closed 31st January 1906 (last horse service)
Re-opened 30th March 1906 (electric)
Operator South Shields Corporation
Name changed June 1934 to South Shields Corporation Transport Department
Closed 31st March 1946
Length 7.51 miles
Gauge 4ft 8½ins
Button description (1886-1899) Uniforms not worn
Button description (1899-1906) Wheel, magnet and electrical flashes
Materials known Brass; chrome; nickel, black horn
Button Line reference [113/16]
Button description (1906-1946) Title (‘SOUTH SHIELDS CORPORATION TRAMWAYS’) within a raised rim, surrounding the municipal device (a shield bearing a lifeboat and the slogan ‘ALWAYS READY’), with flags and anchor, crest, and sailor and queen supporters, all above the date (‘1850’) and the motto: ‘COURAGE HUMANITY COMMERCE’
Materials known Nickel; brass; chrome
Button Line reference [114/66]
Comment Uniforms were first issued following the take-over of the SST&CCo by the British Electric Traction Company Limited in 1899 (see link).
The name of the municipal undertaking was changed to 'South Shields Corporation Transport' in 1934; issues of new uniforms subsequent to this would therefore have borne 'South Shields Corporation Transport' buttons.