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Steam Tram of Calcutta – Rare Postcard 1900

A rare 1900 photo postcard of the rare steam tram of Calcutta, now Kolkata. This seems to be the day of the inaugural run of the tram. Since important officials other than the passengers seems to be gathered around it. The board on the first coach reads Kidderpore Bridge to Esplanade also shows Fare 4 Pice. The steam tramway was introduced in 1882 on an experimental basis.

Its operation-

1883 – Esplanade – Racecourse – Wattganj – Khidirpur route opened

1884 – Wellington Square – Park Street route opened

1900 – Nimtala – Companybagan route opened

The tramway in Kolkata first started in 1872 using horses. Both the tramways ran in their allotted directions in Kolkata and were active until 1902 when the electric tramway was first introduced. The steam tram was scrapped for good because of maintenance problems.

Read more- Trams in Kolkata. See post- Calcutta Horse-Drawn Tram – Old Photo 1880

Did you know- in 1992 the Calcutta Tramways Company introduced a new venture by starting bus services, initially with a fleet of 40 buses.

From the collection- Vintage Oleograph Raja Ravi Varma “Laxmi”.,  Bowring Institute Club In Bangalore – Old Postcard 1900., View Of Bombay Fort & Harbour – Old Print 1840., View Of Bombay Fort & Harbour – Old Print 1840

The images are of the actual items from my collection. And Not a photocopy, pirated, reproduced, or stock photos or taken from other sources.