Early Liverpool Corporation Tramways Double-Decker Trams

The Liverpool Corporation bought the Liverpool United Tramway & Omnibus Company in 1897 and began a programme to electrify the tram network, the first services operating in 1898 [1] and electrification was completed in 1902. The first electric trams operated were imported from Germany, eight powered trams and eight trailers arriving in 1898. Some single-decker trams were also imported from the USA. 

Manufacturer's photograph [3]

Information for Dick, Kerr cars
Number built:	330
Built:	1899-1913
Builder:	Dick, Kerr of Preston
Motor:	2 x Dick, Kerr 25-A electric motors (DC OHLE)

Starting in 1899, the Electric Railway & Tramway Carriage Works (Dick, Kerr of Preston) built a huge fleet of open-top double-decker trams which were a great influence on contemporary networks around the country with trams of a similar type bought for other networks sometimes known as the "Liverpool Type"! The trams were known as Liverpool Standard Cars or Bellamy Cars after C.R. Bellamy the General Manager of the time. The trams had a single Brill 21E truck and could carry 56 passengers. They were later retro-fitted with top covers. An interesting experiment with separating tram services on a class basis was attempted with white trams reserved for the upper classes who did not want to mix with window cleaners and grubby workers!

Although most Bellamy Cars were replaced in the 1930s, one did survive until 1949 [2].

Tram hauling a salt truck [4]

[1] Charles Klapper, The Golden Age of Tramways (David & Charles, 1974) p. 87

[2] Brian P. Martin, Liverpool Tramways 2: Southern Routes (Middleton Press, 1998) p. 120

[3] Street Railway Journal Vol. XVI Dick, Kerr Supplement p. 31

[4] Street Railway Journal Vol. XXIII No. 22 (May 28 1904) p. 818