South Eastern Metropolitan Tramways

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The South Eastern Metropolitan Tramways Company (SEMT) operated horse-drawn trams in southeast London as part of the larger London tram network . The company operated from 1890 to 1902 a four kilometer route from Greenwich via Lewisham to Catford .

history

As early as July 14, 1884, a railway company had the concession to build and operate a line from London Street (now Greenwich High Road) in Greenwich through South Street (now Greenwich Street), Lewisham Road, Lewisham High Street and Rushey Green to Catford received, but let it fall into disrepair without any construction work having taken place. In 1888, the South Eastern Metropolitan Tramways Company finally received a concession for this route and opened it on October 11, 1890. The route was single-track with switches and built in standard gauge . The railroad depot was located near the terminus in Catford, which was at the Black Horse Inn (corner of Catford Broadway).

Under the Tram Act of 1870, municipalities had the right to buy all trams on their territory 21 years after the concession was granted. This would not have been the case with SEMT until 1909. In 1900 the company received approval for the electrification of the line with underline, but could not raise the financial means for it. It was therefore decided to strive for the purchase by the London County Council before the deadline , which was carried out on April 1, 1902. From 1906 to 1908 the line was finally electrified.

vehicles

Ten two-horse, double-decker horse-drawn tram cars with 46 long seats were available for operation. The upper deck was open. They were built by the North Metropolitan Tramways Company in their own workshops.

literature

  • John R. Day: London's Trams and Trolleybuses . London Transport, London 1977, ISBN 0-85329-082-2 (English).
  • John Reed: London Tramways . Capital Transport Publishing, Harrow Weald 1997, ISBN 1-85414-179-1 (English).