The Days of the Norwich Trams: Transforming Streets, Transforming Lives

In 1900 trams arrived on Norwich’s streets. They were greeted with awe as a technological wonder that not only revolutionised travel but also radically changed the City.
Using a combination of images, archive material and contemporary accounts Frances & Michael Holmes will illustrate that story of the trams is about so much more than a vehicle - It is the story of how that vehicle transformed our city.

[@user-yf4re9ft4u]

George Hill is my great great grandfather still so proud of him my nan ...his grandughter is still alive and has shared many stories about George and my father has his old cain that has George's name Ingraved on it gotta love history should have kept the trams ...

[@victoriamanthorpe3936]

Really interesting and great pictures. Thank you.

[@MsAnitawilson]

Great video at 18.04 I wish the picture was just a tad to the left so I could see my old hairdressers salon. The building is still ther I believe it was built when the trams was still being built .

[@NorfolkRecordOffice]

Hi Antia, so lovely to hear of your connection with one of the buildings- it's amazing how often we wish the photographer just moved to the side slightly when taking a photo!. I'm sure there must be some images of the building in the archives if you ever want to research it!

[@peterbustin2683]

4:28 That horse has 3 front legs and 3 rear ! Great video, resplendent with authentic Norfolk backward-looking attitude !

[@user-yf4re9ft4u]

They also run his picture in the edp and evening news on occasion 😊

[@philipshakespeare5210]

Very interesting talk. You mentioned a book but do not give any details. When talking about the tramcar some information on the manufacturer, type of electric motor, or any information on the running gear. Did the tram company never use enclosed cars or vestibules for the driver?

[@NorfolkRecordOffice]

Hi Philip, thanks for your comments. The book is called The Days of the Norwich Trams: Transforming Streets, Transforming Lives by Frances and Michael Holmes. I'm not sure about the enclosed cars so will ask Frances and Michael if they have more information.

[@michaelstopp6577]

Very interesting film and supported by some wonderful pictures. Did you consider including the use of the tramway to transport aeroplanes and equipment from Boulton Paul to Norwich Aerodrome and onto the Western Front during WW1?

[@NorfolkRecordOffice]

Hi Michael, here is the answer from Michael and Frances Holmes- Because of limited time we were unable to cover this aspect in the talk. However, it is briefly covered in our book, as follows: “By 1918 the rails and overhead wiring on the King Street to Trowse route had been lifted and relaid as an extension to the Mousehold track. The rail had originally terminated in the vicinity of the bandstand but it now linked to a munitions and aircraft factory (a joint venture between two Norwich companies, Boulton & Paul Ltd and Howes & Sons Ltd) located on the northern fringe of the Heath. At the City end of the track it was a relatively easy job to connect the original tramway to Thorpe Station, thus enabling goods to be transported between the station and factory for the duration of the war.”

[@stephendey5056]

Enjoyable video, particularily for us Norwich folk. Two observations, the male voice doesn't come across to clearly and bit surprised that no mention of where the trams where serviced/stored overnight, I know it was Silver Road depot, but others may not.

[@kathymcbride2425]

low income families could walk and spend the money in the wonderful norwich pubs

[@issness_god]

Glug glug glug blurp🎉

[@avenueb]

Unfortunately the trams will need to be re-built very much as they were.