Kirkcaldy to Leven Trams
History
The Oliphants
Who are The Oliphants? They were a ship-owning company who occupied 3 out of the 4 flats that formed part of Sailor's Row. This Category A listed building is the oldest house in Kirkcaldy, with foundations dating back to around 1460. The fourth flat was owned by James Ferguson of Raith.
What about this bit further along? Looks like the front of a building only? This is Nairn's St. Mary's Canvas Works. We'll let you look it up, or follow the Bobble Hatter links.
What about this grubby bit here, looking like a church? Dunnikier United Free Church. Again, we'll not give it all away. You can research further if you want.
Keep going, you are almost done!
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 continued this lower run along High Street before going up the hill towards Pathhead, along The Path. Looking at the maps from 1919, this road originally kinked in to where a car park now stands, the straight run up the hill not existing. The track turned up St Clair Street, with a spur for Dysart being added slightly later.
Bobble Hatter Links
The Cache
42mmx12mm tube. Roll of paper. Bring pen
Cache location is Nag° 7.d0e Wb° h.eag
Handicaching
