Trams first came to Launceston in 1911, creating a modern tramway system which operated until 1952.
The service was run by the Launcestyon City Council with a fleet of
single truck trams which grew in number to 26, before 3 larger double
bogie trams were introduced in 1930.
The City Council had to cope with ratepayer demands for line extensions
to areas such as Trevallyn and West Launceston as well as to popular
sites such as Mowbray Racecourse.
The hard times of the early 1930s cut into tram patronage and by the late 1930s, the service was in decline.
The wear and tear of heavy wartime usage, with minimum maintenance, did
not help and led to the decision being taken to replace the trams with
trolley buses in 1946. Long delays however, meant the trams would
continue to operate for another 6 years.
|
