The Tram to Deanshanger
The Wolverton to Stony Stratford tramway was opened in 1887 on a narrow gauge track laid between the two towns. It was built mainly to transport workers from the London & North Western Railway carriage works and McCorquodale print works, but the operators also saw an opportunity for freight transport.
The service was extended to run to Old Stratford and then on to Deanshanger by 1888 where the track was extended into the E&H Roberts Iron Foundry works for the delivery and shipment of goods. However the service was withdrawn within two years as it proved uneconomic to operate.
The Stony Stratford terminus was for sometime outside the Cock Hotel, High Street but was at one-time outside The Forresters Arms, Wolverton Road. The Wolverton Terminus was located at Wolverton Station. The Deanshanger terminus was located on High Street near The Fox and Hounds (the present day CoOp Store).
The rolling stock included two steam engines (originally two German Kraus steam locomotives), two coal wagons used to transport goods and several tramcars. Two of the covered wagons were built at E & H Roberts Ltd Iron foundry. Two tramcars held 80 people and were fitted with upholstered seats and one was built for 20 people. The smaller tramcar was originally used for the Deanshanger arm of the tram route, and then used during off-peak times between Wolverton and Stony Stratford. Two larger cars were built to hold 100, meeting the need for the large numbers of Wolverton Works and McCorquodale employees.
Passenger seats in the cars were arranged sideways in the upper and lower decks. Originally the upper deck of the tram was completely open-sided but eventually "modesty panels" were added. Passengers could buy a weekly ticket which entitled the traveller to four rides per day. The fee from Wolverton to Stony Stratford was 2d.
The tram was unusual in that it travelled through open countryside along its routes and was not located just within towns like most tramways. The tram was sometimes involved in accidents and when in open countryside once derailed it would often take some time to reinstate.
The operational lifetime of the tram was not without its troubles. In1889 the original operating company declared itself insolvent and the service closed. However under new ownership the section between Wolverton and Stony Stratford was reopened but not the extension to Old Stratford and Deanshanger.
The track rails remained in situ for many years after its closure.
The tram between the two larger towns was still operating up until The General Strike of 1926, it never reopened afterwards. It was the last steam tramway to operate in Britain and finally closed due to insolvency.
A tram carriage is currently on display at Milton Keynes Museum.