Remnants of Birmingham’s original trams that you can still see

VaselineJuly 28, 2024

0 4 minutes read

Remnants of Birmingham’s original trams that you can still see

The last tram ran into Birmingham on July 4th 1953 and thousands turned out to say a fond farewell. Line no. 2 Yenton at the Erdington terminus in 1953 was met with hundreds of people saying goodbye.

More than 800 streetcars filled the streets between 1904 and 1953 and were as much a part of the city as buses are today. They were once an iconic part of the Birmingham landscape as the elegant carriages whizzed through the city’s streets, a shower of sparks flying from the metal rails.

Trams finally returned to Birmingham in 1999 with the new West Midlands Tube, when passengers from Wolverhampton were greeted by crowds at Snow Hill Station in the city centre. Today there are a number of projects underway with the West Midlands Metro Tram extension with Wolverhampton City Center to Wolverhampton Station, Birmingham Eastside to Deritend and Wednesbury to Brierley Hill.

Read more: What Birmingham looked like in 1994

The Birmingham to Edgbaston line opened in 2022 and the city to Grand Central in 2017. With Queen and Ozzy Osbourne getting on board, the popularity of modern trams seems to be seeing no end.

If you look very closely around Birmingham, there are only a few old fragments of the network of yesteryear. Some are hidden or hidden, but if you look carefully, only a few pieces of the old-fashioned network are still there today.

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The former tram depot in Selly Oak, next to the old Sainsbury’s, now an Access car store.

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The last tram from Northfield, no. 777 arriving on final trip to Selly Oak depot. July 5, 1952.

(Image: Birmingham Post and Mail)

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The former Cotteridge tram terminus with the gas governor’s house outside.

(Image: )

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The last tram along Pershore Road, tram no. 36 of 5 July 1952 at Cotteridge.

(Image: Birmingham Post and Mail)

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The Bristol Road cycle track was where the tram lines ran.

(Image: )

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No. 742 along Bristol Road heading towards Lickey Hills, pictured in the Birmingham Post, 1 July 1952.

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The cycle track on the A38 Bristol Road, on the same piece of land that the trams would run on.

(Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live)

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The end of the line at Rednal, today Lai Lang a Cantonese restaurant. This was the terminus for thousands of Brummies disembarking here and walking to Lickeys.

(Image: Martin O’Callaghan)

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Tram tracks are still left on the road from Rednal, one of the few original lines today.

(Image: Martin O’Callaghan)

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A no. 777 at Rednal terminus near Lickey Hills.

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The Rednal terminal head in the late 1940s.

(Image: )

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Rednal circular terminus photographed on 17 April 1981.

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Moseley Road Tram Depot in Moseley. Plans have been drawn up to convert the depot’s old offices into modern apartments, but a final decision has yet to be made. Until then this fine old building continues to deteriorate.

(Image: Martin O’Callaghan)

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Rear of Moseley tram depot now Creation Skate Park.

(Image: Birmingham Mail)

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Creation Skate Park, Moseley photographed in 2008.

(Image: BPM)

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Witton Lane Tramway Depot, where Prince Charles celebrated his 40th birthday.

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Prince Charles celebrates his 40th birthday party at Witton Tram Shed on 14th November 1988.

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Prince Charles celebrates his 40th birthday party at Witton Tram Shed on 14th November 1988.

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Preparations for Prince Charles’ 40th birthday celebrations in Birmingham. Organizers have transformed a once derelict tram shed in Witton Lane, Aston into the perfect setting for a royal street party. November 13, 1988. Tram lines can be seen in this image.

(Image: Mirrorpix)

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I find this image fascinating. Opened in 1999 at Snow Hill Station and has already become redundant with the tube extension missing the station and going round heading towards New Street Station.

(Image: Nosmo King)

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Launch of the new subway at Snow Hill station, 30 May 1999.

(Image: Birmingham Post and Mail)

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The new roundabout at the junction of Stratford Road, Sandy Lane and Camp Hill, Bordesley, Birmingham, 13 February 1935.

(Image: Mirrorpix)

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Looking down Coventry Road from Kingston Hill Tram Depot.

(Image: Birmingham Mail)

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A tram no. 70 passes outside the Bell Hotel. This photo was taken on the night the last tram passed through the village on 5th July 1952. Seen here arriving at Northfield Bristol Road by the Bell pub.

(Image: Birmingham Post And Mail)

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A bottle neck is created at the intersection of Albert Street and Hurst Street. June 16, 1947.

(Image: Birmingham Post and Mail)

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The last tram line in the city center on Edmund Street, photographed 18 March 1975.

(Image: Birmingham Post and Mail)

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The remains remain today in Edmund Street.

(Image: Nick Wilkinson/Birmingham Live)

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A tram along Highfield Road in Hall Green.

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Tram no. 87 which passes the Grove cinema showing a George Formby film.

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The last Birmingham tram from the terminus, Erdington, just outside the Yenton pub. July 4, 1953.

(Image: Birmingham Post and Mail)

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Yenton pub today and not much has changed along the way.

(Image: )

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The last tram from Brum leaves town, July 4, 1953.

VaselineJuly 28, 2024

0 4 minutes read

Vaseline

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