3170 x 2021 px | 26,8 x 17,1 cm | 10,6 x 6,7 inches | 300dpi
Data acquisizione:
19 novembre 2011
Altre informazioni:
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In its early years the fares between Selsey and Chichester were 7 ½d (pennies) for a single trip and 1 shilling 3d (pennies) for a return trip. During the tram's heyday of operation up to 80, 000 passengers a year were transported along the line. There was a timetable, however this was often not adhered to as the trams would run according to local circumstances. In later summer the tram would even stop to allow passengers to get off and pick blackberries. In 1908 the line was extended by one mile to Selsey Beach. Use of this section of the line was short lived as by the outbreak of the First World War the section of line was closed. Delays to the service were common, caused by broken down engines, crashes, animals on the line, floods and other weather related issues. The engines were often second-hand and many were passed their best. The early morning train could hardly get started and pupils travelling to Chichester for school were regularly late. On 3rd September 1923 the engine "Wembley" jumped the rails near Golf Club Halt and the train's fireman was unfortunately killed. In 1928 rail cars were brought to the tramway which resembled single-deck buses that had been adapted to run on rails and were driven by petrol engines. The railway became known as England's noisiest and most rickety with one of its nicknames being "The Old Bumpity Bump". Financial difficulties were more pronounced in the 1930s as passenger numbers started to drop. It was due in part to bus services like Southdown being more reliable. After two years in receivership the tram ceased running on 19 January 1935 having operated for thirty-eight years - by Pat Saunders
