Hong Kong Tramways – Date of first full service

Hugh Farmer: My earlier article about early plans for trams on HK island stated that the official opening date was 30th July 1904. This is correct. However, The Hong Kong Daily Press of Monday, 15th Aug 1904 states that the full service of the Electric Tramway had begun two days before on Saturday the 13th.

It mentions that the cars ran over the entire length of the route from Kennedy Town to Shaukiwan. From the western terminus a five minutes service was operated with a half-hour one to Shaukiwan.

It is amusing to note that the writer spends half the of the article criticizing both the warning gong and the irregularity of the trams arrival. But gong not bell? When did the gong change to the beloved Ding Car? Details urgently needed.

click the article below to enlarge.

This article was first posted on 7th March 2014.

Related Indhhk articles:

1.  Kowloon Trams – the when, the where but not the why not…and proposed cross harbour tram bridge!
2. The Hongkong Electric Tramway – c1908 report and images
3. Chevalier R Pescio – Tunnelling the Peak – proposed tramway 1906-1910
4. Hong Kong Tramways – 1984 report
5. Dick, Kerr and Company, Preston UK, makers of first HK Tramways cars 1904-1905
6. Hong Kong Trams – linking 1881 and 2014 by way of 30th July 1904
7. Definitive 1970 Hong Kong Tramways book updated and republished
8. Alfred Dickinson, Consulting Engineer HK Tramways
9. Alfred Dickinson, Consulting Engineer HK Tramways – further information from his great, great nephew
10. Proposed Tramway linking Victoria and Aberdeen by Peak tunnel, 1906-1910