Birkenhead Corporation Tramways



Owner Birkenhead Improvement Commissioners (the local authority)
Opened 21st November 1864 - tracks at Woodside Ferry connecting with the Birkenhead Street Railway Company system
Operator (lessee) BSRCo [horse]
Opened 6th September 1873 - tracks at Woodside Ferry connecting with the Hoylake and Birkenhead Rail and Tramway Company Hoylake and Birkenhead Rail and Tramway Company's line
Operator (lessee) H&BR&TCo horse]
Taken over (lessee) 2nd August 1877 (Birkenhead Tramways Company [horse]) - through acquisition of the BSRCo
Charter of incorporation 13th August 1877 - Birkenhead formally incorporated as a County Borough
Opened 19th January 1878 - tracks at Woodside Ferry connecting with the Wirral Tramway Company's line
Operator (lessee) WTCo [horse]
Taken over (lessee) 12th October 1879 (BTCo) - through acquisition of the H&BR&TCo's tramway lines
Took over (track) 15th August 1890 (BTCo) - purchased from the liquidator
Taken over (operation) 15th August 1890 (Birkenhead United Tramway, Omnibus and Carriage Company) - as the lessee of the corporation
Took over (track) 11th March 1895 (WTCo [horse] - lines within Birkenhead County Borough)
Operator (lessee) WTCo
Lease ended 31st December 1899 (WTCo), but company continues operating services pending reconstruction
Took over (track) 1st January 1900 (WTCo) - lines outside Birkenhead County Borough, within Lower Bebington
Last WTCo horse service 8th May 1900 - services initially replaced with omnibuses pending conversion to electric traction
Taken over (operation) 16th May 1900 (BUT&CCo) - lines of the former Wirral Tramway Company, pending conversion to electric traction
Lease ended 31st December 1900 (BUT&CCo) - but company continues operating services pending reconstruction
First electric route 4th February 1901
Operator Birkenhead Corporation
Last horse service 8th November 1901 - operated by the BUT&CCo
Undertaking renamed 1935 (Birkenhead Corporation Transport)
Closed 17th July 1937
Length 13.75 miles
Gauge 4ft 8½ins

Button description Title (‘BIRKENHEAD CORPORATION TRAMWAYS’) within a raised rim, surrounding the municipal arms (a quartered shield) with a lion crest, all above the motto: ‘UBI FIDES IBI LUX ET ROBUR’
Materials known Nickel; black horn
Button Line reference [113/6]

Comment Although the department was renamed 'Birkenhead Corporation Transport' in 1935, it is believed that tramway staff uniforms only ever bore the pattern of button illustrated.