The Woodside tram line was the first to be electrified in Aberdeen and opened to the public on 23rd December 1899. Here we have an extract from an article in the Aberdeen Journal of that date on this historic move from horse-drawn to electric power. The photo shows Lord Provost Fleming at the helm of a car with the inauguration party and is credited to The Silver City Vault.
The Woodside tram line was the first to be electrified in Aberdeen and opened to the public on 23rd December 1899. Here we have an extract from an article in the Aberdeen Journal of that date on this historic move from horse-drawn to electric power. The photo shows Lord Provost Fleming at the helm of a car with the inauguration party and is credited to The Silver City Vault.
The driving power is at the command of the driver by means of a controller, fitted close up to the end of the platform, so that the motor man can see clearly ahead without obstruction. This is a great improvement on the Glasgow cars, where the controller is placed behind the stair leading to the top of the carriage, thus giving the driver a much less satisfactory outlook ahead.. All things are intended to minimise the risk of injury to a person who may unfortunately happen accidentally to be caught by the car while in motion. Each car will cost £550.
For the last few weeks the cars have been experimentally run along the route for the purpose of initiating the men in their duties. The drivers are all chosen from the department’s own staff, and no difficulty has been found in teaching them how to perform their work. In point of fact, it is believed that there will be less difficulty in getting men to drive the motor cars than there is in securing men acquainted with horses. For the most part the latter are taken from the country, whereas any man of ordinary intelligence in the city would be quite capable of mastering the duties required of him in a few days. When the electric cars come into use about 60 horses will be set free, and will be sold. The introduction of the new system will necessitate considerable changes at Woodside Depot. The shed is to be extended to accommodate from 20 to 30 cars, and this will enable the Tramway Committee to effect a considerable saving, as the one depot will be sufficient to contain the cars to be used both in Woodside and Torry routes. It may be mentioned that the committee are to provide the whole of the tramway drivers and conductors with neat overcoats, with buttons bearing the city arms and the designation of the department. In the first instance, however, the coats will be served out to the men in the Woodside section, and they will appear in their new dress on the opening day. The coats are dark grey in colour, with red edging and bright buttons with the corporation arms, and the men will look very smart in them. The uniforms for the two inspectors and collector are navy blue, with silver edging and silver buttons. They were all supplied by Messrs Henderson Brothers, clothiers, 35 1/2 Broad Street, Aberdeen.
Author: Alan Johnstone.