Southampton Corporation Tramways 45 facts for kids
Southampton Corporation Tramways No. 45, often called Southampton 45, is a special open-top tram. It was built a long time ago in 1903 by a company called Hurst Nelson. This tram has a unique look because it had to be built in a specific way to fit under a very low arch in Southampton called the Bathgate Arch. A regular tram would have been too tall to pass through!
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Meet Southampton's Special Tram
Southampton 45 started its life with a different design for its passenger area. It had three windows on the side. Later, the company that ran the trams in Southampton, called Southampton Corporation Tramways, rebuilt it. They changed it to have four windows instead.
This tram looks a bit unusual because it's shorter than most trams. This was a clever design choice. It allowed the tram to travel through the Bathgate Arch in the middle of Southampton. If it had been a normal height, it simply wouldn't have fit!
A Tram's Long Journey
Southampton 45 worked hard for many years, from 1903 until 1949. That's when the tram system in Southampton closed down. But its story didn't end there!
A group of people who loved trams, from the Light Railway Transport League, bought the tram for just £10. This was a very special moment. It included a refreshed base (called a truck) and a new coat of paint. This purchase was super important because it kicked off the whole idea of saving old trams in Britain.
Finding a Forever Home
After it was bought, the tram didn't have a permanent home right away. It traveled around the country because there wasn't a museum ready to store it. By 1955, it was being kept at a tram depot in Blackpool.
Soon after, the tram was given to the Tramway Museum Society (TMS). It then moved to the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu, Hampshire. There, it was displayed outdoors next to another old tram, Newcastle 102.
Life at Crich Tramway Village
In October 1960, Southampton 45 moved to its current home: Crich Tramway Village. It has been there ever since!
Today, this historic tram is still used regularly during the summer months. It's the only open-top tram at the museum that visitors can ride. It's a fantastic way to experience a piece of history!
