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Many Acts
had been submitted and rejected, even a suggestion that a steam service
might be possible. Finally in October 1874 a horse-drawn service commenced.
The
route involved many sharp curves and cars were equipped with water
tanks on the platforms with taps which could be turned on to lubricate
the wheels when such bends were negotiated.
In
1893 the South Eastern Railway was authorised by Parliament to take
over the tramway at a cost of nearly £27,000. When the transaction
had been completed staff were fitted out with railway guard type
uniforms.
When
the war came in 1914 trams were suspended due to the shortage of
horses which were needed in France.
Trams
restarted in 1919 but horses were still difficult to find so ex-army
mules were tried instead. The result apparently was catastrophic.
The mules were erratic and not only stopped in the wrong places
but often tried to walk in the wrong direction or into the wrong
street. Horses were reinstated as soon as possible.
After
the war the tram service was beginning to lose its appeal. Uniforms
were no longer provided and there were no winter services.
When
trams stopped for the season on 30th September 1921 - it was to
be for the last time.
This
article is an edited version from Leslie Oppitz’s book ‘Lost Railways
of Kent’
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