Liverpool's Horse-drawn Tramways 1880-1890

[pirhana]

Thank you very much for all the replies posted during the last few days. Very interesting! Although in my original post I stated that my great-grandfather was living in Franklin Place at the time of both the 1881 and 1891 censuses and is described as a blacksmith one of the Gore's street directories for the 1880s describes him as a coachbuilder so I feel that he may have also had some responsibility for the repair/ maintenance of the tram carriages themselves.

[Jean McGurn]

It is most likely that your g.grandfather was one of many who were not only blacksmiths and coachbuilders but also probably was also a wheelwright.

Until the metal lines were put down for the electrification of the trams all horse drawn trams would have needed repairs.

Incidently Whitefield Road is where my g.grandparents lived. G.grandfather was a wheelwright/coachbuilder and his wife was the niece of Edward Owens who worked for the Tramway company. I wonder if they knew each other? 

Jean

[novac]

My Grandfather John Edward Murphy is on the 1901 and 1911 censuses, he was a tram driver with Liverpool Corporation, he lived in Kerr Street off Breckfield Road South up until WW1 when he enlisted in the Kings Regiment.  His father Patrick Murphy lived in Celt Street/Whitford Street off Whitefield Road in the late 1800s he was also a tram driver until he died  in 1902. Patrick is on earlier censuses where his job was described as a coachman, I understand he drove a horse drawn tram.  I have been trying for some time to find their records  but without success. I'd be grateful if you could help or at least point me in the right direction.