Ron's Liverpool Tram Site

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Last Updated: 10 Mar 2016

ILLUMINATED CARS

Liverpool's first illuminated car was based on Ringbahn Car 428 which was rebuilt with 1500 electric bulbs in 1902 to celebrated Edward VII's coronation. It was such a success that it became a permanent feature of the system for many years after.

In 1923 a much more impressive illuminated car appeared. The body was based on old tram 51, a Lambeth Road Open Top Car built in 1899. This car boasted over 5000 light bulbs. The new car was first shown to the public in October 1923 and was used on a number of special occasions. This car also travelled around the north west of England operating on the tram systems of other cities by means of interconnections which then existed. At least five other systems borrowed the illuminated car and typically the large Liver Bird glass panels on each side were removed to be replaced with local promotions. In 1926 the car was photographed at Stockport advertsing "Stockport Shopping Week". The tram was eventually broken-up at Edge Lane in November 1947 though someone at the works did manage to retain one of the panels which still survives.