NATIONAL TRAMWAY MUSEUM

Description: British tramway history began c.1860 with horse tramways. Steam and cable trams followed and the development of the electric tramcar commenced in 1885. The modes overlapped, with the earlier propulsion systems being phased out mainly by about 1920, leaving electric tramcars dominant. Nevertheless the earlier systems survived long enough to have been captured by early cinematographers and many examples have survived. Film collecting began in 1973, sources being varied and often obscure. The earliest film dates from 1896.
Website: http://www.tramway.co.uk
Keywords: Transport; Trams and tramways; Industrial History; Trolleybuses
Access: Access available. 09.00-17.00, by arrangement only.
Facilities: Viewing on premises. Steenbeck viewing table available. Viewing copies of most titles on 16mm.
Charges: Charges for research for broadcast productions. Prices are subject to negotiation.
Copyright: Copyright resides, in most cases, with original photographer or owner.

Video/Film: Video: 129 reels/cassettes. Advertising, documentary, feature films, news and current affairs, commercially produced and retailed but using material mainly shot by amateurs.
Video components: VHS Video, S-VHS Video, hi-band U-Matic, Beta/Beta-SP, 2-inch Video.
Film: 90,000 feet. Some 450 titles showing trams from the earliest days through all aspects of development to the present day light rapid transport systems. 28% colour film, 72% black and white film. Advertising, amateur, documentary, feature films, news and current affairs, local authority and corporate visual records.
Film components: 8mm, Super 8mm, 9.5mm, 16mm, 35mm, positive film, negative film.

Other information: New index being compiled of all known tramway footage shot, whether or not the material has in fact survived. Compiled from early film-makers’ catalogues, newsreel issue sheets and other notes received from individuals spotting items in film or television programmes. Card index in title order. Detail sheets in date order.
Conservation policy: Policy to offer any unwanted material to other interested bodies.

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