Old Hong Kong-2 — Page 200

Old Hong Kong 昔日香港 All AI Reviewed

TRAMS

COMING OF ELECTRIC TRAMWAY

Although the Peak Tramway Company had operated its cable cars for some years, the lower level electric tramways did not commence operating until 1904. Of the early days of the service it is interesting to read, in the Hong Kong Telegraph of March 20, 1903:

"Many people appear to regard the Hongkong Electric Tramways with a bland smile, justifiable perhaps in the case of the Hongkong-Kowloon bridge, or even the removal of the Clock Tower, but not in this instance.

It is very gratifying to learn that operations on the site of the Hongkong Electric Tramways generating station have already commenced, and the laying of the line will be proceeded with early in April, it being hoped that things will be in working order as soon as twelve months time. A Telegraph representative yesterday sought out Mr. H. Hackwood, resident engineer to the Hongkong Tramways, and that gentleman courteously gave him a few interesting particulars. He explained that the western terminus of the line was to be in a circuit branching from the Praya West into Chater and Belcher Streets. From this point a double track is to continue in an easterly direction, turning into Des Voeux Road, at Queen Street and again turning on to the Praya at the obstruction block to the westward of the Harbour Master's Office. It will again seek Des Voeux Road at the Harbour Master's Office, and then have a straight track as far as the City Hall, where it will cut up into Queen's Road. At Arsenal Street, it will again turn to the water front (Praya East) and there continue till Yee Wo Street, and along Causeway Road; and the main thoroughfare right to the eastern terminus as far as Shaukiwan.

The double line will cease at the vicinity of the Kennedy Stables (Causeway Bay), and there to Shaukiwan it will be a single line with passing places. A branch line is to run from Praya East up Tin Lok Lane to the Race Course.

The generating station and car shed, offices, etc., will be situated on the eastern bank of the Bowrington Canal, bordered on three sides by Osborn Street, Russell Street, and Sharp Street. The area of this compound is some 1,800 square yards."

In the first instance 26 cars were to constitute the complement, ten being for European passengers and the remainder for Chinese. The cars were to run entirely independent of each other. The European cars were to be of a roofed semi-open pattern (no accommodation on top) with an enclosed centre. The enclosure seats were longitudinal, but those at the open ends cross-bench. Sun blinds were also provided. The cars for Chinese were to have cross bench seats, and be open right along.

"The lines will be laid to the gauge of 3 feet 6 inches, and each rail joint will be double bonded. The overhead wire line is to be partly side pole construction, and a noteworthy feature will be the use of arms much shorter than in usual practice. By this system, the overhead work, besides being erected in a neat and unobjectionable form, will permit the trolley wire to be carried away from the track where the branches of trees project so as to prevent the running of a trolley wire on an ordinary system, as in use in the United States.

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TRAMS COMING OF ELECTRIC TRAMWAY $8 Although the Peak Tramway Company had operated its cable cars for some years, the lower level electric tramways did not commence operating until 1904. Of the early days of the service it is interesting to read, in the Hong Kong Telegraph of March 20, 1903: "Many people appear to regard the Hongkong Electric Tramways with a bland smile, justifiable perhaps in the case of the Hongkong-Kowloon bridge, or even the removal of the Clock Tower, but not in this instance. It is very gratifying to learn that operations on the site of the Hongkong Electric Tramways generating station have already commenced, and the laying of the line will be proceeded with early in April, it being hoped that things will be in working order as soon as twelve months time. A Telegraph representative yesterday sought out Mr. H. Hackwood, resident engineer to the Hongkong Tramways, and that gentleman courteously gave him a few interesting particulars. He explained that the western terminus of the line was to be in a circuit branching from the Praya West into Chater and Belcher Streets. From this point a double track is to continue in an easterly direction, turning into Des Voeux Road, at Queen Street and again turning on to the Praya at the obstruction block to the westward of the Harbour Master's Office. It will again seek Des Voeux Road at the Harbour Master's Office, and then have a straight track as far as the City Hall, where it will cut up into Queen's Road. At Arsenal Street, it will again turn to the water front (Praya East) and there continue till Yee Wo Street, and along Causeway Road; and the main thoroughfare right to the eastern terminus as far as Shaukiwan. The double line will cease at the vicinity of the Kennedy Stables (Causeway Bay), and there to Shaukiwan it will be a single line with passing places. A branch line is to run from Praya East up Tin Lok Lane to the Race Course. The generating station and car shed, offices, etc., will be situated on the eastern bank of the Bowrington Canal, bordered on three sides by Osborn Street, Russell Street, and Sharp Street. The area of this compound is some 1,800 square yards." In the first instance 26 cars were to constitute the complement, ten being for European passengers and the remainder for Chinese. The cars were to run entirely independent of each other. The European cars were to be of a roofed semi-open pattern (no accommodation on top) with an enclosed centre. The enclosure seats were longitudinal, but those at the open ends cross-bench. Sun blinds were also provided. The cars for Chinese were to have cross bench seats, and be open right along. "The lines will be laid to the gauge of 3 feet 6 inches, and each rail joint will be double bonded. The overhead wire line is to be partly side pole construction, and a noteworthy feature will be the use of arms much shorter than in usual practice. By this system, the overhead work, besides being erected in a neat and unobjectionable form, will permit the trolley wire to be carried away from the track where the branches of trees project so as to prevent the running of a trolley wire on an ordinary system, as in use in the United States. Page 200 Page 201

Baseline (Original)

TRAMS COMING OF ELECTRIC TRAMWAY $8 Although the Peak Tramway Company had operated its cable cars for some years, the lower level electric tram** weys did not commence operating until 1904. of the early days of the service it is interesting to read, in the Hong Kong Telegraph of March 20, 1903: "Many people appear to regard the Hongkong Electric Tramways with a bland smile, justifiable perhaps in the case of the Hongkong-Kowloon bridge, or even the removal of the Clock Tower, but not in this instance. It is very gratifying to learn that operations on the site of the Hongkong Electric Tramways generating station have already commenced, and the laying of the line will be proceeded : · with early in April, it being hoped that things will be in working order és soon as twelve months time. A Telegraph representative yesterday sought out Mr.H. Hackwood, resident engineer to the Hongkong Tramways, and that gentlemen court- eously gave him a few interesting particulars. He explained that the western terminus of the line was to be in a circuit branching from the Praya West into Chater and Belcher Streets. From this point a double track is to continue in an easterly direction, turning into Des Voeux Road, at Queen Street and again turning on to the Fraya at the obstruction black to the westward of the Harbour Master's Office. It will agains seek Des Voeux Road at the Harbour Master's Office, and then have a straight track as far as the City Hall, where it will out up into Queen's Road. ¡ At Arsenal Street, it will againve turn to the water front (Praya East) and there continue till Yee Wo Street, and along. Qauseway Road; and the main thorough- fare right to the eastern terminus as fer as Shaukiwan. The double line, will cesse at the via inity of the Kennedy Stables (Causeway Bay), and there to Shaukiwen it will be a singl ə line with passing places. A branch line is to run from Fraya . East up Tin Lok Lane to the Race Course. & *The generating station and car shed, offices, eto., will be situated on the eastern bank of the Bowrington Canal, bordered on three sides by Osnal Street, Rus sel Street, end Sharp Street. The area of this compound is some 1,800 square yerds." + In the first instance 26 oers were to constitute the complement, ten being for European passengers and the remainder for Chinese. The cars were to run entirely independent of esch other. The European cars were to be of a roofed semi-open pattern (no accommodation on top) with an enclosed centre. The enclosure seats were longitudinal, but those at the open ends cross-bench. Sun blinds were also provided. The cars for Chinese were to have oross bench seats, and be open right along.j "The lines will be laid to the gauge of 3 feet 6 inches, and each rail joint will be double bonded. The overhead wire line is to be partly side pole construction, end s noteworthy feature will be the use of arms much shorter then in usual practice. By this system, the overhead work, besides being erected in a neat and unobjectionable form, will permit the trolley wire to be carried away from the track where the branches of trees project as to prevent the running of a trolley wire onan ordinary system, as in use in the United States. The Page 200Page 201

2026-05-02 11:13:44 · Baseline

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TRAMS

COMING OF ELECTRIC TRAMWAY

Although the Peak Tramway Company had operated its cable cars for some years, the lower level electric tram** weys did not commence operating until 1904. of the early days of the service it is interesting to read, in the Hong Kong Telegraph of March 20, 1903:

It is very gratifying to learn that operations on the site of the Hongkong Electric Tramways generating station have already commenced, and the laying of the line will be proceeded : · with early in April, it being hoped that things will be in working order és soon as twelve months time. A Telegraph representative yesterday sought out Mr.H. Hackwood, resident engineer to the Hongkong Tramways, and that gentlemen court- eously gave him a few interesting particulars. He explained that the western terminus of the line was to be in a circuit branching from the Praya West into Chater and Belcher Streets. From this point a double track is to continue in an easterly direction, turning into Des Voeux Road, at Queen Street and again turning on to the Fraya at the obstruction black to the westward of the Harbour Master's Office. It will agains seek Des Voeux Road at the Harbour Master's Office, and then have a straight track as far as the City Hall, where it will out up into Queen's Road. ¡ At Arsenal Street, it will againve turn to the water front (Praya East) and there continue till Yee Wo Street, and along. Qauseway Road; and the main thorough- fare right to the eastern terminus as fer as Shaukiwan.

The double line, will cesse at the via inity of the Kennedy Stables (Causeway Bay), and there to Shaukiwen it will be a singl ə line with passing places. A branch line is to run from Fraya . East up Tin Lok Lane to the Race Course.

*The generating station and car shed, offices, eto., will be situated on the eastern bank of the Bowrington Canal, bordered on three sides by Osnal Street, Rus sel Street, end Sharp Street. The area of this compound is some 1,800 square yerds."

+ In the first instance 26 oers were to constitute the complement, ten being for European passengers and the remainder for Chinese. The cars were to run entirely independent of esch other. The European cars were to be of a roofed semi-open pattern (no accommodation on top) with an enclosed centre. The enclosure seats were longitudinal, but those at the open ends cross-bench. Sun blinds were also provided. The cars for Chinese were to have oross bench seats, and be open right along.j

"The lines will be laid to the gauge of 3 feet 6 inches, and each rail joint will be double bonded. The overhead wire line is to be partly side pole construction, end s noteworthy feature will be the use of arms much shorter then in usual practice. By this system, the overhead work, besides being erected in a neat and unobjectionable form, will permit the trolley wire to be carried away from the track where the branches of trees project as to prevent the running of a trolley wire onan ordinary system, as in use in the United States.

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