Doncaster Tramway

Doncaster Tramway

The Doncaster Tramway network
Locale	England
Dates of operation	1902–1935
Successor	Abandoned
Track gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)
Headquarters	Doncaster

Doncaster Corporation Tramways was an electric tramway network serving the town of Doncaster, England.

Tramway services began in 1902 and ended in 1928-35. The tramway network was replaced by the Doncaster trolleybus system, which itself was replaced by motor buses in 1963.

Doncaster Corporation Tramways was a standard gauge 4 ft 8 ¹⁄₂ in (1,435 mm) network serving the entire Doncaster district, linking the town centre to Old Hexthorpe, Balby and Warmsworth, Oxford Street, Hyde Park, the Racecourse, Avenue Road, Beckett Road, Bentley and Brodsworth. From York Bar to Brodsworth, the tramway ran on a three-mile-long reserved track past Scawthorpe and Woodlands.

All trams terminated at the station or at Trafford Street.

An unusual feature of the Doncaster network was that the track was centre-grooved. Instead of the wheels having a flange on the inside it was in the centre to line up with the groove. Joints in the track were cut diagonally. This made for a much smoother ride over the joint.

This rail was also used in Hull.

The trolleybuses first served as an extension to the tramway network before replacing it. The Hyde Park line was extended to the Racecourse, Avenue Road to Wheatley Hills, Beckett Road to Parkway and Playfairs Corner to Bentley via Victoria Road.

The two depots were next to each other, near the powerstation.

The shed was located at SE 57269 03587 where B&M supermarket now stands, next to North Bridge. It had seven running roads. The eastern end of the shed was a paintshop.

Frenchgate, at SE 57174 03591, was a smaller depot and had three running roads.

Following the success of the Sheffield Supertram, it has long been rumoured that a second depot could be opened in Doncaster. In the event of such a proposal being passed, the outcome would see a light rail tram system in place, serving both the town centre and surrounding areas of the borough. Other locations such as Doncaster Racecourse, Lakeside and the Keepmoat Stadium, Doncaster Royal Infirmary and Robin Hood Airport are also rumoured to be considered on potential routes.