Wemyss and District Tramways



Owner Wemyss and District Tramways Company Limited
Opened
25th August 1906 (electric)
Operator Wemyss and District Tramways Company Limited
Taken over 1912 (majority shareholding gained by George Balfour)
Taken over 1922 (Balfour, Beatty and Co Ltd)
Taken over March 1930 (Scottish Motor Traction Company)
Closed 30th January 1932
Length 7.45 miles
Gauge 3ft 6ins

Button description (1906-1912?) Title (‘THE WEMYSS & DISTRICT TRAMWAYS COMPANY LTD’) within a border, surrounding a swan on a torse above the motto, ‘JE PENSE’ (I think).
Materials known Brass
Button Line reference [None]

Button description (1912?-1932) Plain with scalloped rim
Materials known Brass; nickel
Button Line reference [None]

Comment The swan and the motto are those of the Wemyss family, the local lairds and in all but name, owners of the tramway, as well as the local coal fields and collieries. It seems likely that the Pattern 1 button was used up until around 1912 when the Wemyss' family interest in the company ended, after which time the Pattern 2 button appears to have been used, presumably because the Wemyss family withdrew permission to use their family arms and motto.

In addition to the Wemyss and District Tramways, Balfour Beatty also owned, operated or had a significant interest in the following systems: Cheltenham and District Light Railway, City of Carlisle Electric Tramways, Dartford Council Light Railways, Dunfermline and District Tramways, Falkirk and District Tramways, Leamington and Warwick Electric Tramways, Llandudno and Colwyn Bay Electric Railway, Llanelly Tramways, Luton Corporation Tramways, Mansfield and District Light Railway and Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Tramways.