The Once Charming Electric Trams of Madras – 3 Photos 1900
Three 1900 photos of the once charming electric trams of Madras (Chennai). The first photo shows a closer view of a city tram packed with people. The board reads “No 16 Madras Electric Tramways Limited”. The exact location is unknown but it could be anywhere in Mylapore, First Line Beach, Esplanade Road, etc.
The second image shows the tram at a railway crossing in Madras, with a crowd of people looking on. The tram number marked vaguely reads 13. The third image of a third tram shows the number marked 8 with “Triplicane” mentioned on the sideboard. The Madras tramway introduced the electric tram in 1895.
However at a prior period, in around 1874, horse-drawn trams were the first to be introduced. Although it was termed a dismal failure, even though it operated for 12 years, it was discontinued in 1888. Until the electric tram made an appearance in the city in 1895. Which operated for 58 years until it was also scrapped in 1953, because of mismanagement, trade unionism, and government interference. Thus, depriving the city of Madras a charming transport icon.
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.
