Coventry Trams

This is one of my postcards of Eaton Road - and the style of the wall is definitely identical with the one on the library images page:

Brilliant sleuthing between you all, I would never have had a clue as to the whereabouts but I like looking at the photos

Thanks for that, I was going to ask you today about the positioning of the track, it helps a lot to see them together, you were right to do that.

Hello. Where in Foleshill was the Tram Depot?

Almost opposite St Lawrence's Road, on Foleshill Road, just past Lythalls Lane - just before the modern-day roundabout at the end of Old Church Road

Thanks MR, i will have a peek next time I pass there

It is now ABC van hire. Should have said there are no buildings on it but it is usually covered with hire vans and lorries.

Thanks Greg. I had a feeling it had been built on, nevertheless I will have a look.

I could be mistaken but I believe its main purpose was to raise funds for the as-yet-to-be-created War Memorial Park?

Here's a picture of tram car 52

I found this shot by accident. Can't see the number of the tram though

Looking at the great photos sent in, I wonder if the trams were very noisy?

There is one thing about trams that has always bugged me, trams are on lines, what happens when the line forks off? Surely they have to be steered at some point don't they? Anyone know?

Hi NormK There were all sorts of track devices to direct the trams. The most common was the spring loaded self return point. The weight of the tram pushed the point blade whilst it was passing over it in the trailing direction, the point would always return to its rest position, so that a tram in the opposite (facing) direction would always take the correct route. The most usual installation for this was at the terminus or passing loops. Some overseas tram systems had rod guides which the tram driver could operate from his cab, at very slow speeds. Glasgow may have had some rod points but I do not know of any other in the UK. Hope this helps. There are some good diagrams on Wiki about points whether train or tram. ps. Coventry may have had a rod point at the junction of Queens Road & Eaton Rd, thinking about it. Maybe someone else on here can help with that. There is a pic somewhere of a point being changed at the same time as the pant being moved around near to Broadgate. I will look for it.

I saw a programme once stating the likes of the tram in the background which had the stairs to the side of the driver, that a modesty window was built into the stairs so that the driver could see to the left. This had to be shut when ladies went up the stairs. Hence the name.