Trams in Johannesburg

The Johannesburg tramway network formed part of the public transport system in Johannesburg, South Africa, for just over 70 years until the start of the 1960s.

Key Information

Johannesburg tramway network
A preserved double-decker tram at James Hall Transport Museum, 2008.
Operation
Locale	Johannesburg, South Africa
Horsecar era: 1891 (1891)–c. 1906 Status Closed Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge Propulsion system(s) Horses
Horsecar era: 1891 (1891)–c. 1906
Status	Closed
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Propulsion system(s)	Horses
Electric tram era: 1906 (1906)–1961 (1961) Status Closed Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) Propulsion system(s) Electricity
Electric tram era: 1906 (1906)–1961 (1961)
Status	Closed
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Propulsion system(s)	Electricity
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Opened on 2 February 1891, the network was operated initially by horsecars.^[1] From 14 February 1906, it was converted to electrical power.^[2]

Beginning on 26 August 1936, the trams were gradually supplemented by the Johannesburg trolleybus system, which was opened on that day.

However, the tramway network lasted for several more decades, until its closure on 18 March 1961. The last scheduled trams ran on the Kensington, Bez Valley and Malvern routes on the day before, and on the day of closure special commemorative trips were run. The trams on those routes were replaced by buses.

At least one rail car, car #60, has been conserved and is now exhibited at the Tramway Village in Crich (UK).^[3]

• History of Johannesburg
• List of town tramway systems in Africa
• Rail transport in South Africa
• Trolleybuses in Johannesburg

• Pabst, Martin (1989). Tram & Trolley in Africa. Krefeld: Röhr Verlag. ISBN 3-88490-152-4. (in English and German)
• Patton, Brian (2002). Double-Deck Trams of the World: Beyond the British Isles. Brora, Sutherland: Adam Gordon. ISBN 1-874422-39-7.
• Spit, A H M; with additional material by Patton, Brian (1976). Johannesburg Tramways: a history of the tramways of the City of Johannesburg. London: Light Railway Transport League. ISBN 0900433558.

Media related to Trams in Johannesburg at Wikimedia Commons

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