The Charming Electric Trams of British Era Madras, 3 Photos 1900
Three rare 1900 photos of the charming electric trams during the British era in Madras (Chennai). These are likely trial runs of new tram routes or new tramway rolling stocks in Madras. The first photo shows the tram packed with people. Its destination board reads “No 16 Madras Electric Tramways Limited”. The exact location is unknown, but it could have been anywhere in Mylapore, First Line Beach, Esplanade Road, etc.
The second photo shows the tram at a railway crossing, with a big crowd of curious people looking on. The board number faintly reads 13. The last image is of a third tram with destination number marked 8, and “Triplicane” mentioned on the sideboard. The city was introduced to the electric tram in 1895. Previous to that, in 1874, horse-drawn trams first operated until it was discontinued in 1888.
For some reason, it was termed a dismal failure, even though it ran for 12 long years. It was then that the electric tram was introduced in 1895 after a gap of 7 years. It functioned for 58 years until it too was scrapped in 1953, for reasons cited as mismanagement, trade unionism, and government interference. Thus ending an iconic era of the charming public transport system of Madras.
Did you know – it is believed that the tram rails were never removed. They have been interred deep down by successive laying of roads.
Past posts – Oil Painting of Bunch of Roses, British India, 1940., Governor Driving Through Walkeshwar Mumbai – Old Postcard., Victoria’s Golden Jubilee Celebration In Bombay, 1887., Plan Of The French Troop’s Attempt To Take Trichy, 1753.
