Remains of Leicester Corporation Tramways

The last tram ran in Leicester in 1949. Despite this, there are a good few remains still to be seen, more so than in some other places where they lasted longer. My favourites are the two remaining depots. Until a couple of years ago, there was also the main depot at Abbey Park - sadly this was pulled down in favour of yet more, so far unbuilt, flats.

  The most interesting one is Stoneygate on the southern edge of the city. As can be seen, the twin track depot retains its gates and ancillary buildings. I've felt for a while it would make a great microlayout on its own. I'd like to have a go at building it in 1/64 scale to display some of the Corgi trams I've acquired over the years. I'm not even sure it would need motorising though I'd like to keep my options open.

In use until 1922, the depot held 6 tramcars. In fact, it might do once more at some point in the future, as its just been leased by the Leicester Tram 31 Group. They own the remains of (rather obviously) tram 31 and are gradually restoring it. They face something of an uphill task however as a number of parts were removed from it by Crich Museum when they restored its sister, number 76. It would be lovely to see a restored Leicester tram back in an original depot one day in the future. 

One benefit of the building being taken over is that the Digital Building Heritage Group of De Montford University have carried out a full survey and reconstructed it digitally in its original condition. They've also modeled one of the tramcars in its open top condition and plan to 3d print this to give the public greater awareness of their tramway heritage.


These digital models have been used in a short animation that can be seen on YouTube:

The Narborough Road depot also survives, though this is still in use as a food and clothing wholesaler so isn't in such a well preserved state.

 Having said that, apart from the addition of a mezzanine floor, it's probably fair to say the absolute minimum has been done to the building, and standing inside the 'wellcome Supermarket Ltd' downstairs (nice people despite the spelling howler) it's not difficult to see the building's origins.

On the side wall, a lovely bit of history remains. The telephone number - Aylestone 44 - shows this advertisment's age just as much as the period motor car used as a background.