Ilkeston Corporation Tramways

- Opening Day, Saturday 16th May 1903 -

On Saturday 16th May 1903 the Ilkeston Corporation Tramways opened their 3 foot 6 inch gauge system to the public. Ilkeston was the first town in Derbyshire to have adopted and operated a fully electrical tramway system.

Market Place

Saturday 16th May 1903, Ilkeston Corporation Tramways tramcar No. 5 pauses in the Market Place on its inaugural run. Standing on the platform, holding on to the handrail, of the packed vehicle is the Mayor, Alderman Francis Sudbury. The front of tramcar No. 6 can be seen waiting astern.

Saturday 16th May 1903, another view from the opposite side of Ilkeston Corporation Tramways tramcar No. 5 in the Market Place on its inaugural run, ready for the journey to Cotmanhay. The front of tramcar No. 6 can just be seen waiting behind.

Bath Street

Saturday 16th May 1903, a fully laden tramcar No. 5 bedecked with flags, bunting and other decorations makes its way slowly down the Bath Street incline on its inaugural journey to Cotmanhay. The picture was taken from the upper deck of tramcar No. 6 which was following behind.

Hallam Fields

Saturday 16th May 1903, Ilkeston Corporation Tramways tramcars No. 6 and No. 5 stand alongside each other at the Hallam Fields Terminus on their inaugural run with their trolleybooms already swung, ready for the return journey to Ilkeston Market Place.
The picture shows the clumsy cow-catcher lifeguards: open and running along the track on small wheels (tramcar No. 6) and folded (tramcar No. 5).