Compiled by Stephen Birch Steam Trams the Aston Routes PART 2 We have many images and lots of history in our photo archive of the Aston & Erdington route trams of from the Electric Era 1906-1953. On Wednesday we started on the story going further back to the beginning and the Era of the Steam Trams on the Aston route with some very early images of the Aston steam routes which now continues...... Steam trams on the Witton route from Old Square turned left at Aston Cross and climbed past the 1840s shops and later terraces of Park Road, reaching the top of the climb it crossed Victoria Road and then descended the steeper hill of Park Road passing the beautiful Jacobean Aston Hall on the left within the grounds of Aston Park (opened by Queen Victoria in 1858). The right hand side was not so picturesque rows of Victorian terraces and taverns on the corner of each new road. Once at the bottom of Park Road the Steam tram turned left into what was then Church Lane later renamed Witton Lane, in the shadow of the Norman tower and old building of the Parish Church of St. Peter & St. Paul on the right hand side. The first image shows a virtually brand new locomotive steam engine parked on the curve from Park Road into Church lane in 1885; 1. BIRMINGHAM & ASTON STEAM TRAM LOCOMOTIVE Behind the tram is a very unrecognisable junction of Trinity Road & Witton Lane before the Holte Hotel was built just behind the gentleman with the hat to the right of the steam engine without its trailer. The Holte Hotel was built a few years later in 1895. The area known as The Holte End was first used for Aston Villas 1897 season. The area was an ornamental duck pond in the grounds of Sir Thomas Holtes Jacobean residence of Aston Hall. Surrounding the pond were ornamental gardens and open ground used for travelling fairground attractions. Just further along the road the Birmingham & Aston Depot was built, The Witton Depot of Aston Manor. The Birmingham & Aston Tramway was also unique as its steam locomotives frequently advertised the latest products of the day, such as Sunlight Soap and the well known Match company of Bryant & May. 2. STEAM TRAM IN WITTON LANE 1883 Another early image from the steam tram era. Locomotive number 6 seen standing outside what will be Witton Depot in 1883. This engine started service on 31st December 1882 when the line was first opened.The photograph shows two balcony bogie cars coupled together behind the steam engine. Thankfully, this practice was quickly banned by the Board of Trade for safety reasons. Curious onlookers at this new Steam engine which allowed them to travel without the need for horses. 3. STEAM LOCOMOTIVE 19 AT WITTON 1889 The bogie cars could carry up to sixty passengers at a time. The growing terraces around Aston Manor of the 1870s being able to travel into Birmingham more quickly, though not always so comfortably! The Birmingham & Aston steam trams had the nickname of Shufflers. The chimney of the engine would emitt quite a lot of smoke and smut from the coke fuel burned . This driver seen with his clippy looks too clean before working the smutty engine. The bogie car behind is open along the top deck except for the end screens which protected passengers sitting in the upper saloon. The steam engines were no favourite of the housewife, especially on wash day, as buildings became blackened with soot so did the Monday wash hanging in the yards of the terraces! 4. OPPOSITION TO STEAM TRAMS IN ERDINGTON A very interesting point in the history of Erdington arose in 1897 when it was mooted that the steam trams should be continued from Salford Bridge where the Aston trams terminated, and extend the line up to Chester Road. Meetings were held and feeling ran high against the suggestion. Eventually a poll was demanded by the opposing ratepayers and the won the day. As we have covered with history and wonderful images, Erdington waited another 10 years before extending the line through Erdington and to the Erdington terminus at Chester Road. (This story with many images from 1907 can be found in our archive) On the Inward journey, the steam trams went into Witton Lane and then forked left between Aston Park and the lower grounds site, which became later Villa Park, and into Trinity Road. At Bevington Road the trams turned right through an area of built up houses before reaching Witton Road. The B&A then joined the tracks from Lozells of the BCT Company, after which they both reached Witton square. The B&A trams then turned right to terminate in front of Witton Depot, completing a long loop around the back streets of Witton chugging out smoke and soot as it did! 5. STEAM TRAM OUTSIDE WITTON DEPOT 1889 When Aston Villa were playing at home, the steam trams waited at this terminus point to pick up passengers, just beyond the Holte End open terracing. 6. B&A TRAMWAYS IN WITTON 1902 This tram and trailer having worked on a short-workings route can be seen standing outside Witton Depot, facing away from Witton Square. The Engine along with the surrounding houses are decorated with patriotic flags and bunting to commemorate the Coronation of King Edward VII on 9th August 1902. The conductor on the right, quite smartly dressed, but the driver after toiling at the engine with his overalls covered in coal dust! 7. TERMINATING AT SALFORD BRIDGE Unfortunately this photograph doesnt give much away, but it would be nice to think it was taken at the terminus just before Gravelly Hill on Lichfield Road, although as the drivers overalls are clean it would probably suggest it is at Witton. But it is the only image I have seen of the Aston Route steam tram with its destination board saying Gravelly Hill The Last part of this story will conclude on Saturday evening.....
Posted on: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 18:00:01 +0000
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