The trams took their power from an underground electric conduit instead of overhead lines as was more common. The B Class received a number of modifications early on in their lives. They were retrofitted with top covers [2] having originally left passengers on the top deck to the mercy of the elements. One interesting modification was the original reversed staircase was replaced by a direct staircase on Metropolitan Police instruction as the original staircase was considered to obscure part of the driver's view (the very similar preserved Leicester Corporation tram shows how the original staircase looked). The B Class trams were withdrawn from service by 1931 [3].
| Information | |
|---|---|
| Number built: | 100 |
| Built: | 1903 |
| Builder: | Electric Railway & Carriage Company |
| Motor: | 2 DK24A later Westinghouse 220 electric motors (DC Conduit / OHLE) |
| Power: | 84 hp (62 kW) |
LCC 106 is preserved at Crich. It was converted to a snow broom after withdrawal from passenger service, it was also fitted with a trolley for overhead electric collection in 1925. It continued in service until 1952 when it was preserved. During the 1970s work began to restore it to a passenger carrying tram and to original open-topped condition.
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| LCC 106 at Crich |
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| 106 carries the London County Council livery |
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| Front on view with Sheffield 510 on the left |
[1] R.W. Kidner, The London Tramcar 1861-1952 (Oakwood Press, 1992) p. 57
[2] Robert J Harley, South London Tramways 1903-33 (Middleton Press, 2003) Fig. 111
[3] Kidner. p. 63