Object No.79

The Wolverton and Stony Stratford Tram ran between the two towns in northern Buckinghamshire from the 1880s to the 1920s. It was the last steam tram way to operate in the whole of Britain, and one of the few ever to run over rural routes extending from Stony Stratford to Old Stratford and then to Deanshanger.

By 1889 the tram was in financial difficulties. The tracks between Stony Stratford and Deanshanger were removed and the tram reopened on 20 November 1891 as the Wolverton & Stony Stratford and District Tramways Company.

The tram continued successfully for many years, but faced renewed financial difficulties in 1915, caused mainly by the increases in buses in the area, and by 1918 faced closure. It was rescued in 1919 by the London & North Western Railway which was the operator of the mainline running through Wolverton and owner of The Works.

By 1925 the tram was the last operated by steam in the UK , although it was again losing money. Tram staff joined the General Strike which started on 3 May 1926 on 14 May and the tram closed. It never re-opened.

The tram here has been lovingly restored by Museum volunteers, under the leadership of the late Stan King.

For more information about the tram visit the Milton Keynes Museum website.