PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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THE OPENING
Unfortunately the vehicle came to grief several times, both on the outward and on the return journeys, 'thus meeting with the fate apparently reserved for all new ventures,' as the local press put it. Although most of the delay was caused by derailments, fifteen minutes were lost because of a horse and cart 'having fallen across the metals.' Mr Temple's horses were used to pull the tramcar and 'the driver was pronounced as perfect.' Sadly the driver was not named. Then on Saturday February 17th 1872, Plymouth's Borough Surveyor and a whole host of the great and the good of the Three Towns made an inspection of the line before giving their consent to it being opened to the public. A single tramcar drawn by two of Mr Temple's horses made two return trips between Plymouth and Devonport, taking around fifteen minutes for the single journey. By the following Thursday the drivers and horses were used to the curves and pointwork and 'passed over (the line) in excellent style.' The powerful brakes (or 'breaks', as they were called in those days) were found to be excellent in both stopping the cars quickly and also in easing the pressure on the horses when travelling down the steep Stonehouse Hill. Comments were also passed about the wide gangway between the two rows of seats allowing boarding and alighting passengers to cause little inconvenience to other travellers. Free rides were given to the public on Sunday March 17th 1872 and the regular service started the following day. The fleet of eight trams were horse-drawn and kept in a depot in Manor Lane, Stonehouse. The line was electrified in 1901.
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