Southampton Corporation Tramways 45
Southampton Corporation Tramways No. 45, or Southampton 45, is an open-top tramcar. It was built in 1903 by Hurst Nelson.[1] At first it had a three window saloon, before being rebuilt by Southampton Corporation Tramways with a four window one.[1] The tram looks out of proportion as it had to pass through the very low Bathgate Arch in the centre of Southampton. A normal sized tram would not have been able to have passed underneath the arch.
The tramcar operated from 1903 until the Southampton system closed in 1949.[1] At an enthusiasts' tour of the system, the Museum Committee of the Light Railway Transport League bought the tram for £10.[1] This price included a refurbished truck and a full repaint.[1] This act began the entire preservation movement of British tramways.
After it had been purchased the tram travelled the country as there was not yet a museum set up that could store the tram.[1] By 1955 the tram was being stored at Marton depot in Blackpool.[1] It was soon given to the Tramway Museum Society (TMS) and moved to the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu, Hampshire.[1] It was placed next to Newcastle 102, another preserved tramcar. Both of the trams were in an open-air display.[1]
The tram moved to Crich Tramway Village in October 1960, and has been there ever since.[1] It is in regular use during the summer months and is the museum's only operational open-top tramcar.[2]