The Great Orme Tramway

The Great Orme Tramway runs from it's Victoria terminus in the back streets of Llandudno to the summit of the Great Orme, the rocky peak that dominates the North Wales coastline.  The tramway is split into two sections, passengers change carriages at the halfway point, the cars being permanently attached to the cables.  Theses photographs from the 1990s show the lower section, where the cables run concealed in conduits below the road surface.  The trolley pole is used for communication rather than power, but does give the illusion of independently power tramcars.

In recent years the tramway has had something of a chequered history with a number of incidents; my last visit a few years ago co-incided with a long term suspension of services on the upper section. Things have now improved and a programme of investment is nearing completion, perhaps the time is right for a return visit to view the rest of the line, a victorian gem that deserves to be better known.

Car No 4 is seen descending towards Llandudno, just above the lower section’s passing place. Car 5 can be seen ascending just below. (27/07/1981)
Car No 4 is seen descending towards Llandudno, just above the lower section’s passing place. Car 5 can be seen ascending just below.
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Car No 5 heads round the corner and up the hill away from the lower section passing point}, the brakesman stands on the lower balcony. (27/07/1981)
Car No 5 heads round the corner and up the hill away from the lower section passing point}, the brakesman stands on the lower balcony.
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No 4 is seen on the bottom part of the lower section, where the tramway occupies the whole road, necessitating traffic light controls. (27/07/1981)
No 4 is seen on the bottom part of the lower section, where the tramway occupies the whole road, necessitating traffic light controls.
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A more ornate livery was in evidence in 1994, car No 4 runs across the road and into Llandudno Victoria terminus. (13/06/1994)
A more ornate livery was in evidence in 1994, car No 4 runs across the road and into Llandudno Victoria terminus.
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Great Orme car no 5 stands inside Llandudno Victoria terminus, a typical tramway terminus. (13/06/1994)
Great Orme car no 5 stands inside Llandudno Victoria terminus, a typical tramway terminus.
1994102.jpg   100.55 Kb

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