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Electric Trams
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Plans for the electrification of the tramway system were considered in 1898, deputation reporting on the cable-operated tramway system at Edinburgh and the overhead electric systems at Bristol and Dover. It was finally agreed that certain routes should be operated on the overhead system at an estimated cost of £425,000.
Twenty-five electric cars were ordered, and to house them the building of Sherwood depot was begun in 1900. In October the first five trams arrived at Sherwood to be assembled. The first completed vehicle was tested on 17th November, and Mr. T. Wallis Gordon, who was Nottingham City Engineer, relates:
“The first trial trip of the electric cars was one to be remembered. The journey was commenced from Sherwood car shed at midnight with Mr. J. Aldworth, the manager of the undertaking, Mr. H. Talbot, Electrical Engineer, Mr. Arthur Brn, Borough Engineer, Mr. Alderman Brownsword, Chairman of the Tramways Committee, Alderman Sir John McCraith, and possible five or six thoers, including myself.
All went well until the descent of Mansfield Road, from St. Andrew’s Church began. Whether the driver mistook the accelerator for the brake or whether there was some other reason can never be known, but it is certain that no one on the car had ever travelled on any road at anything like the speed that the car attained as it passed Elm Avenue, Babbington Street, Bluecoat Street and Shakespeare Street and an increasing speed. Just as it seemed certain that the widening of Clumber Street would be commenced by the demolition of the “Corner Pin” the car was brought under control with a jerk which threw everyone off their feet. On the return journey a prolonged and enforced halt was made on Queen Street much to the of the horse cabbies who found the occasion very much to their taste, giving them a rare opportunity for their sarcastic comments”
On 1st January 1901 the Sherwood route began with a five minute service and the 2d fare for the run of just over two miles. The destination indicator was a square ended box, one side printed “Sherwood” another “Market Place.”
The service was very well received, in spite of doubts expressed by a few older citizens. One dear old lady, concerned that these new fangled mechanical marvels should never have replaced the horse trams, asked: “Tell me conductor, if I pit my foot on the tram lines, shall I get an electric shock?” “Not unless you put your other foot on the over head wires, Mum,” he replied. The old tramway staff were always noted for their good humour.
Circa 1901, Mansfield Road, Sherwood
Victorian Nottingham, Volume Two,
Richard Iliffe and Wilfred Baguley, Nottingham Historical Film Unit, 1971