Portsmouth (Borough), Kingston, Fratton and Southsea Tramways Company
Owner Portsmouth (Borough), Kingston, Fratton and Southsea Tramways Company
Opened 26th November 1885 (horse)
Operator Portsmouth (Borough), Kingston, Fratton and Southsea Tramways Company
Taken over (operation) 1886? (Portsmouth Street Tramways Company)
Taken over (assets) July 1892 (Portsmouth Street Tramways Company)
Length ? miles
Gauge 4ft 7¾ins
Button description Buttons probably not worn
Comments Given that the tramway was worked for almost its entire life by the Portsmouth Street Tramways Company - either as the operator or later as the owner - horse car staff probably wore informal attire (in the early years), and possibly company-issued overcoats from the 1890s onwards (see link). It is unclear whether the latter bore marked buttons, but if they did, certainly none have come to light. However, given that at least two other Provincial Tramways Company subsidiaries issued uniforms with marked buttons (Cardiff Tramways and Great Grimsby Street Tramways), it is entirely possible that they did exist, but that they are not readily recognisable as such (e.g. they take the form of script initials or a monogram).
The Provincial Group (Provincial Tramways Company Limited) was established in 1872 in London, and at various times, also owned and/or operated the following systems/companies: Cardiff Tramways Company Limited; Cardiff District and Penarth Harbour Tramways Company; General Tramways Company of Portsmouth; Gosport and Fareham Tramways; Gosport Street Tramways Company; Great Grimsby Street Tramways; Landport and Southsea Tramways Company; London Southern Tramways; Plymouth, Stonehouse and Devonport Tramways; Portsdown and Horndean Light Railway; and the Portsmouth Street Tramways Company.
The unusual gauge was to allow for the running of railway wagons over the system.