With the conversion of the last Edinburgh cable car route, Waterloo Place to Joppa, also came the link between the electric tramway systems of Edinburgh and Musselburgh, a town five miles east of Edinburgh.
Musselburgh’s tramways dated from 12 December, 1904 when the National Electric Construction Company, London commenced operating an overhead electric tramway system, constructed by that company, between Joppa and Levenhall.
The line was double track with convenient loops where the track was single.
A local company was formed and the Musselburgh & District Electric Light and Traction Company took over operation of the system some eight months later. Further extensions were made to include Prestonpans and Port Seton, the extension to Port Seton being opened in August, 1909 with a fare from Joppa of seven old pence (7d).
Passengers had to change from Musselburgh’s electric trams to the cable-hauled Edinburgh trams, similar to the ‘Pilrig Muddle’, at Joppa until 24 June, 1923 when cable operation finally ceased.
In 1923 Edinburgh Corporation entered into an agreement with the Musselburgh & District Electric Light and Traction Company for the through running of cars from Waterloo Place to Port Seton via Joppa, Musselburgh, Levenhall and Prestonpans. The first through service commenced on Sunday 24 June, 1923.
The Musselburgh & District Electric Light and Traction Company later obtained powers to abandon the section of their lines between Levenhall and Port Seton, and on 1 March, 1928, a supplementary agreement was entered into whereby Edinburgh Corporation provided the whole of the service of cars between Joppa and Levenhall.
As a result of representations made by the Musselburgh & District Electric Light and Traction Company, Edinburgh Corporation agreed to acquire the Company’s lines between Joppa and Levenhall as from 1 January, 1931.
As there was a need for further cars, Edinburgh took advantage of the closure of the Manchester Corporation system, buying eleven cars complete with trucks between 1947 and 1949. The Manchester trams were not in the best condition when they arrived in Edinburgh and required substantial refurbishment at Shrubhill works before they could be put into service.
Although they resembled the standard car design, the refurbished trams were slightly longer and so in service were restricted to the relatively straight Service 21, Post Office to Levenhall route.
Musselburgh continued to be served by Edinburgh Corporation trams, Service 21, Post Office to Levenhall, Route Colours, Green/Green, until 13 November, 1954.
To see pictures of the trams please visit my website www.trainbuff.net under the album Edinburgh, Granton and Leith Trams and Cable Cars.