The Peak Tram – How it works

“With its outstanding record of safety and continuity, the Peak Tramways Company has always been conscious of the requirement to keep the Tramway’s operational heart in top shape. Surprisingly, since the beginning, the haulage plant has seen only one complete change – in 1926 when the original boilers and steam engine were replaced with an electrically-powered system.”

Many thanks to IDJ for sending this article in. We are unsure of its origin though IDJ believes probably from a HK & Shanghai Hotels group publication/newsletter. If you are the owner of copyrighted material contained in this article or know its source please contact the Group and it will be credited to the owner or removed if requested.

“It was a bold decision in 1924 to invest what must have been a substantial sum in capital equipment – all the more so at a time when many people believed the Tramway would not survive that year’s opening of Stubbs Road.

The original boilers and steam engine were in any case probably due for replacement before long on account of their age. But a stronger incentive for electrification was no doubt the anticipated savings in coolies’ wages paid for hauling coal up from the docks, almost 400 metres below.

A modern electrically-powered haulage gear system was decided on. Metropolitan Vickers of Trafford Park, Manchester U.K., were appointed to design the equipment, which it was stipulated should be able to meet any increased carrying capacity required over the next 50 years…

This article was first posted on 22nd March 2017.

Some of the many SCMP Peak Tram articles over the years:

1. Hong Kong’s famous Peak Tram to shorten its journey by 70 metres following renovation SCMP 21st March 2017
2. The Peak Tram – 125 years of ups and downs SCMP 2nd December 2013
3. Optical illusion on Peak Tram explained SCMP 26th June 2013
4. The Peak Tram: A unique link to old and new SCMP 30th May 1998

Related Indhhk articles:

1. The Peak Tram
2. The Peak Tram – additional information
3. Yates and Thom, Blackburn, UK – Makers of the original Peak Tram engines
4. Proposed second Peak Tram – 1908 – the route
5. The Peak Tram – the Abt Passing Loop , 1879 invention
6. Peak Tram: The Ward Leonard System installed 1926
7. Peak Tramways – additional locations and alterations
8. Michael Rogge film 1962 -The Peak Tram, Peak views, Repulse Bay, Central scenes
9. Bus, tram and peak tram conductors
10. Peak Tram to Queen’s Road escalator proposal, newspaper article 1934
11. European Settlements in the Far East – Part Three, The Peak District and the Peak Tram in HK around 1900