Bolton Corporation Tramways

Bolton Corporation Tramways began operating an electric tram service in 1899 taking over from Bolton Horse Tramways. In the early years of the twentieth century the network was expanded with a number of new lines opened. In fact extensions to the network continued until 1924 and at it's maximum extent the tramway was a combined fifty two kilometres in length. However like most tram networks the decline began in the 1930s and the tramway was shut down in 1947.
Tram 46 [1]


Information for original UEC fleet
Number built: 86
Built: 1899-1903
Builder: G.F. Milnes / United Electric Car Company
Motor: 2 Witting, Eborall & Company electric motors (500v DC OHLE)
Power: 60 hp (45 kW)

The original fleet of trams was built by G.F. Milnes (later the United Electric Car Company), they were all double decker single truck trams with electric equipment by Witting, Eborall & Company [2]. Later trams were added to the fleet by Brush, UEC and English Electric making an eventual fleet of 138. Bolton were quick to fit top covers to their trams with trams being fitted with them in the early 1900s.

One tram (number 66) has been preserved and is operated by the Blackpool Tramway.
The first electric tram to enter Bolton [2]

[1] "New type of car for Bolton, England", Street Railway Journal (October 3, 1903) p. 645
[2] "The interurban systems of the South Lanchashire Tramways", Street Railway Journal (August 22, 1903) p. 261