Tram gears up for hill climb

This fascinating photograph, which I have never seen before, was sent to me by Geoff Witte of Rowlands Castle who thought it showed a tram climbing Portsdown Hill.
By The Newsroom
Published 20th Aug 2016, 06:00 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 18:11 BST
A tram bound for Horndean crosses the bridge over the buses only side road with the bridge over the railway line just ahead of it.A tram bound for Horndean crosses the bridge over the buses only side road with the bridge over the railway line just ahead of it.
A tram bound for Horndean crosses the bridge over the buses only side road with the bridge over the railway line just ahead of it.

However, as we can see a fort on the hill in the distance I think he is half-a-mile out or so.

Looking at an old map we can see the crossover and unused platform and loop to the left. The tram is using the emergency crossover to bring it on to the up line to Horndean.

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To the right is a tram in the Cosham Compound where trams, and later trolley and petrol buses terminated and turned. Part of it is still in use today.

A map showing the tramway route over the buses only side road and railway bridge at Cosham.A map showing the tramway route over the buses only side road and railway bridge at Cosham.
A map showing the tramway route over the buses only side road and railway bridge at Cosham.

The tram, heading north, is approaching the bridge over the side road that was used, and still is, for buses only. The bridge over the railway line can be seen ahead of the tram. It was 300 yards west of Cosham station.

In the distance on Portsdown Hill, Fort Widley stands guard just as it does today. The small map is earlier than the photograph as it does not show the Cosham Compound. The roof of trams can be seen in the compound on the right in the photograph.

In recent years a block of flats has been built on part of the compound which was entered via Portsmouth Road, Cosham.

Related topics:TramPortsdown HillHorndean