Lancaster Canal - Old Tram Road (1803)

This is a re-constructed section of the original tram road found as the route crossed Station Road in Bamber Bridge. The horse drawn tramway (unusually) was constructed as an overland link of twin tracks with a gauge of 4'-0" between the Northern (Preston basin) and Southern (Walton Summit) sections of the Lancaster Canal. The 'L' shaped plate rails were of cast iron construction, approximately 3'-0" long, pinned to the stone sleepers seen here with the original pin holes. Construction started in 1800 and was completed in 1803. Originally intended as a temporary measure whilst sufficient funds were generated to complete the canal link with an aqueduct over the River Ribble at Preston, the tram road remained in place until its closure in the 1860's. Remnants of the original route can still be found today including a 1966 reconstruction of the original timber Old Tram Road Bridge. More details about the Old Tram Road here: www.a2bdronephotography.com under the History Project Tab