Pages

Liverpool Corporation Tramways Priestly Bogie Car

This batch of bogie cars, known as Priestly Bogie Cars (or sometimes English Electric Bogie Cars), was built by Liverpool Corporation Tramways in the early 1930s as part of the effort to modernise the tram fleet [1]. The tram cars, which were the first complete class of tram to be built at the Corporation's new Edge Lane Works, were fully enclosed and had two English Electric bogies with all axles being driven. However within a few years the bogies were replaced by lightweight ones by EMB as the original bogies were prone to wheel locking. The trams were withdrawn by the 1950s.
Tram 762 (right) at Wirral Transport Museum

Information
Number built: 12
Built: 1931-32
Builder: Liverpool Corporation Edge Lane Works / English Electric
Motor: 4 electric motors (550v DC OHLE)

Tram number 762's lower saloon survived to become a bowling green clubhouse after the tram was withdrawn in 1955. The saloon was rescued for preservation in 1977 though this was a slow process. However in 2001 the tram was finally restored to working order and now runs on the Wirral Tramway heritage line.
Side view including the entrance and cab area

[1] Charles Knapper, The Golden Age of Tramways (David & Charles, 1974) p. 90