Galway and Salthill Tramway
History
Commentators at the time of opening (1st October 1879) described the staff as being "arrayed in handsome uniforms". It seems however that these uniforms — no details of which are known — were relatively short lived, as all surviving photographs (ranging from the 1880's through to 1918) show horsecar staff wearing informal attire, i.e., jacket, shirt and tie, along with the fashionable headgear of the day, initially the bowler hat, and later on the flat cap. There is no evidence to suggest that any badges, including licences, were worn.
The Galway and Salthill Tramway Company certainly employed the services of an inspector, though whether he wore a uniform or not remains unknown,
It is believed that the company, unlike the vast majority of British tramway concerns, did not employ women during the Great War.
Further reading
For a history of the system, see: 'Galway and Salthill Tramway' by A T Newham, in the Tramway Review, No 39 (p155-171); Light Railway Transport League (1964). For an overview of the Irish tram scene, including the Galway and Salthill line, see 'Irish Trams' by James Kilroy; Colourpoint Books (1996).
Images
Horse tram drivers and conductors
An early and wonderfully evocative view of a G&STCo horsecar making its way through an extremely busy Eyre Square, on what may well have been market day — photo undated, but judging by the fashions on display, which include a stovepipe style of hat, possibly taken in the early 1880s. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.
A blow-up of the above photograph showing the conductor on the rear platform; he is wearing informal attire with a bowler hat.
Another busy shot of Eyre Square with a driver at the helm of Horsecar No 2 — photo undated, but probably taken in the 1880s. Original photo believed to be held in the National Library of Ireland.
A blow-up of the above photo showing the driver, in smart jacket, shirt and tie, and a style of bowler hat much favoured in the 1880s.
A G&STCo horsecar in what is probably Shop St, Galway — photo undated, but possibly taken in the 1880s or early 1890s. The conductor is wearing a style of bowler hat (with a curved brim) that was very fashionable in the 1880s. Photo courtesy of Jim Kilroy, tram archivist at the National Transport Museum (see link).
Another evocative scene, this time of Horsecar No 2 in Shop St around 1910. The conductor is standing on the extreme left on the platform step; he is in an informal jacket and is wearing a flat cap. Original photo believed to be held in the National Library of Ireland.
Another shot of Horsecar No 2, this time in Williamsgate St — photo undated, but probably taken around 1910. The conductor is once again wearing a flat cap. Original photo believed to be held in the National Library of Ireland.
Tramcar No 3 captured in Eyre Square in Galway around 1912. Although difficult to make out, the driver is wearing informal attire with a flat cap. Photo courtesy of Jim Kilroy, tram archivist at the National Transport Museum (see link).