Trams made in Preston

The factory in Strand Road produced more trams than any other factory in Britain. Trams were built in Dick, Kerr Works on Strand Road in Preston. Dick, Kerr were a Scottish electrical engineering company who moved to exploit the rapidly growing tram industry in the late 19th Century. At that time many trams were imported from America. The success of Dick, Kerrs led to them taking over several other UK tram builders leaving only Brush and Hurst, Nelson as competitors. The tramcar business became part of English Electric and continued until 1935 when most towns started moving to motor buses. These old trams can still be seen on Blackpool promenade doing fine service.

In the London's Transport Museum, Covent Garden, is an old tram with a control handle that says Dick Kerrs, Preston. Photo below.

Preston had over 14 miles of tram track and it was proposed to extend the track to Lytham, which would have joined it to Blackpool. Also to Blackburn and Horwich. These proposals didn't happen. Preston was fortunate having a large tramcar manufacturer in the town as well as a large bus manufacturer only a few miles away in Leyland.

Author Geoff Lumb, Ian Allan Publishing, ISBN 0 7110 2613 0

The above book is a well researched account of the Dick, Kerr / English Electric tram business. There are a lot of photographs of trams all over the UK in the first half of the 20th century. There are accounts of the operating managers in the municipal tram services and their influence on the design as well as technical information on the development of structure, seating, power. An interesting section on the influence of Blackpool Transport Department in collaborating with English Electric to produce a more streamlined tram in 1932. These are still in service.

Tram catalogue from 1908. United Electric Car Co, Preston, England. A full list of the trams and rail coaches available with drawings and details. Contact the Ribble Enthusiasts Club for more information.

Links to other tram sites;

Lancashire Transport Trust

Fylde Tramway Society

Dick, Kerrs was also famous for its ladies football team.