Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Giants Causeway tram, Ireland
The original Giants Causeway tramway, seen here, operated between Portrush and Bushmills with an extension added to the Giants Causeway on the coast of County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The line was 9.25 miles (15 km) long with a gauge of 3 ft (915 mm). It was developed by Colonel William Traill of Ballyclough who commissioned Siemens to incorporate their new electric tramcar technology. Colonel Traill built the generating station at the Walkmill Falls and installed water turbines to produce electric power for the line. The tramway opened in 1883 and was the world’s first commercial hydro-electric powered tram system. Despite this, two steam locomotives normally hauled the carriages. In 1899 the electric third rail alongside the track was replaced by overhead wire, and steam haulage eventually ended in 1916. The tramway closed in 1949, but 2 miles of it was re-opened in 2002 - the official website
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