Kirkcaldy to Leven Trams
History
F&W Hendry
Who are F&W Hendry? They are the company who built West Bridge Spinning Mill. Built in 1855-56 it was a flax spinning mill. This Category B listed building was acquired by Forth and Clyde Roperie in 1936. An account by Mr A Smith, former managing director, describes the mill as "composed of four flats in the style common to spinning mills of the period. Sisal, jute, hemp and binder twines are twisted from soft fibres", (NMRS). After standing empty for 10 years, The Link Housing Association won approval for conversion to the first purpose-designed Foyer in Scotland, opened in 1995.
Trams
General
There were actually two combined tramways: Kirkcaldy Corporation Tramways opened in 1903, and Wemyss & District Tramways Co. opened in 1906.
To see the tram lines overlaid on a map, go to Google Maps and instead of searching for an address, search for this complete web address:
(copy and paste)
https://sites.google.com/site/thebobblehatters/home/KirkcaldyLevenTramway.kmz
The Kirkcaldy run had two sections, the lower one extending into Dysart, and the upper one continuing on to the Wemyss line. Both were linked by runs up Whytescauseway and St Clair Street.
The Wemyss Tramway was promoted by Randolph Wemyss, the local laird, and ran mostly across his estates from Gallatown, Kirkcaldy to Leven where it terminated in Durie Street. It was opened on 25th August 1906 and was a single-line track throughout, financed by the Wemyss Coal Company (owned by the laird). It ran through the villages it served as a street tramway, but in the rural areas was more like a light railway, running on fenced-off, sleepered stretches.
Due to the expansion of bus competition after the 1914-1918 War, the company was forced to purchase its own buses, controlling interest passing to the Balfour Beatty group in 1922.
The Kirkcaldy tramway was closed on 15 May 1931, and the Wemyss one on 30th January 1932, both replaced by Alexander & Son Motor buses
Local
The tram line started from the junction of Bridge Street and Links Street, and ran the length of Links Street. It then crossed Nicol Street, running along High Street, with a branch going up Whytescauseway.
Bobble Hatter Links
Handicaching
