The Calcutta Tram

The tramways are the oldest operating electric public transport in Asia.

In the Indian context the first tram made its entry into Madras in 1874, and was horse drawn. They were later replaced by electric trams.

This lithographic print from Illustrated London News, 1863, explains though the trams were meant for passengers, they also carried goods. These used to operate between the docks and inland areas.

There was a time when trams were part of the hustle & bustle of the streets of Bombay, Delhi and Kanpur also.

The earlier trams were horse driven and due to the expensive rates these didn't receive a positive response from the residents of Bombay. The company soon closed the horse-drawn system.

In 1907 Bombay Electric Supply and Tramways Company (BEST) purchased Bombay Tramway Company Ltd. and Bombay city received its first electric tram. People welcomed the electric tram with much pomp and enthusiasm.

In 1939 BEST & Co. (Bombay) issued a note to passengers providing with guidelines and instructions. These were the measures taken for the convenience of passengers.

A list of routes and Schedule of Bombay Trams in 1954.

Delhi was the last city in India to reap the benefits of Tram services. The tram service in Delhi began on 3rd June, 1908.

The CTC tram from 1940s displayed amidst the period set up of a tram station.

It measures 57 feet in length and 7 feet in width, and weighs almost 18 tons. The stop signs are rare and highly collectible today. The old cast iron lamp post and the wooden bench adds on life to the vintage flavor of this period setting.

Apart from being the means of travel, trams also served as a medium of marketing of various consumer goods.

The tram consists of two articulated cariages, First & Second Class, with the seating for 61 passengers.The two major tram building firms to emerge locally were Burn of Howrah and Jessop & Company from Calcutta.

The barriers between the two tram cars were built in order to ensure the safety of passengers.

Electric Railway Journal with statistics of Trams operating in India and Ceylon 1921.

The tram traces the uphill journey from the rebellious Calcutta to the peaceful Kolkata. There was a time when tram was part of the glory of other Indian cities too, but Kolkata is the only place in India to preserve and revive this heritage. Lots of measures are being taken by the West Bengal Tourism Dept. to resurrect the old glory of trams.

The controller in the cab helps to regulate the traction voltage to the motors.This is Type CDB2 manufactured by English Electric Co. Ltd. London. The trams run on D.C power supply.

The electric trams consists of mainly three types of brakes: electrical brakes, air brakes and hand brakes. The brake system here is manually operated. Now the compressed brakes have replaced these ones.

The tram runs through the 550 DC Volt overhead wires spread throughout the route which is connected by trolley pole or pantograph. It transfers the electricity to the motors.

Trams run on tracks and anyone hit by a tram is considered a a trespasser - the driver is never at fault. Moreover, the derailment of tram from tracks is considered to be a mechanical fault.

A tram has a bell which is operated by conductor. The bell rung once by conductor indicates the driver to stop the tram at a station. If the bell rings twice it gives the signal to carry on.

Tram 204 represents a fine specimen of the industrial and mechanical heritage.

Amongst a very few surviving wooden bodied Trams in the country, it is synonymous with the living heritage of our country.