Camborne and Redruth Tramways

A mineral train at East Pool Mine

The proposal for Camborne and Redruth, put forward by the Urban Electric Supply Company, was for a combined lighting scheme and tramway. The Urban Electric Supply Company was a subsidiary of Edmundson's Electricity Corporation.

The construction of the generating station and distribution system cost £38,500 (equivalent to £4,446,701 in 2021) [2] and the tramway and vehicles cost £35,000 (equivalent to £4,042,456 in 2021).[2] The tramway was constructed by Dick, Kerr & Co. in around 6 months. Track-laying started on 7 April 1902,[3] and the network was single-tracked with eight passing loops and double tracks at each end. The sharpest curve was 40 ft radius and the steepest section on East Hill was 1:15.

It was mostly complete by September 1902.[4] Members of Camborne and Redruth Councils visited on 1 October 1902. The first trial run of the system took place on Wednesday 8 October 1902, with a delegation of local dignitaries invited by the company manager Mr. F.C. Hanning[5] The trial car arrived at the Camborne terminus at 11.30am driven by the manager, accompanied by William Ward, the electrical engineer. The West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser for 9 October 1902 reported that those passengers who caught hold of a certain brass rod, to get on to the car, experienced a mild electric shock, the effect of which caused them to quickly release their hold, and this brought a smile to the face of Engineer Ward.

The Board of Trade Inspector passed the tramway for use on 25 October 1902. The formal opening was held on 7 November 1902 when Mrs. Wigham, wife of an Edmundson's Director was the guest of honour.

The tramway opened for passenger service on 7 November 1902,[6] and for freight in May 1903.

Vehicles were obtained from G.F. Milnes & Co. in 1902 and 1903, and comprised 6 open top double deck cars (48-seaters), 2 single-deck cars (34-seaters) plus 2 freight locomotives. The company livery was dark green and cream. Between 7 November 1902 and 30 September 1903 the passenger service carried one million passengers.[7]

The freight locomotives moved 12 side-tipping mineral ore wagons on the tramway from East Pool mine.[8]

Around 1926, the Cornish Motor Transport Company inaugurated a 15-minute bus service between Redruth and Camborne, which reduced the patronage of the passenger tram service. Despite a reduction in fares and an amended service, it was not commercially viable[9] and the service closed to passengers on 29 September 1927. The freight services continued.

In August 1934 the freight service of tin ore was replaced by an aerial ropeway.[10]