Barrow-in-Furness Tramways

The first section of the Barrow-in-Furness tramways was officially inspected by Major-General Hutchinson. R.E., of the Board of Trade, on Friday last, 3rd of July, and it is expected that the certificate will be received in the course of a few days. The line, which has been well laid, and appeared to give every satisfaction, commences on the Abbey Road, not far from Furness Abbey, and passes along Abbey Road, Duke Street, Strand, Salthouse and Roose Roads, and terminates at Roose, the total length being about four miles. The wide streets and roads of Barrow render the town particularly well adapted for tramways. The greater length of street through which the tramway is laid being 80 feet in width, a portion of the same about one half-mile in length, having just been completed by the Corporation. The tramway is a single line with passing places, three chains in length, about every quarter of a mile. The gauge is four feet. The rails are Gowan's, manufactured by the Barrow Steel Company, weighing 84 lbs. to the yard, and the paving is laid with Welsh setts, except on one or two steep gradients. The general construction of the line has been carried out by the Barrow Tramways Company in accordance with the specification prepared for the Barrow Corporation by Mr. Fox, C.K., the borough engineer, which determines the gauge, the rails to be used, the quality and method of paving, and general mode of construction. Mr. Vawser, C.E., of Manchester, has acted as engineer of the lines for the Company, and Mr. Pritchard, C.E., of Birmingham, for the rolling-stock and depots, Mr. Fell, of Leamington, being the contractor. Steam is to be the motive power, the engines being manufactured by Messrs. Kitson, of Leeds. [British Architect 10 July 1885 page 22- 23]

Reference           British Architect 10 July 1885 page 22- 23