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Issue 62 South Liverpool August 2012
The monthly independent advertiser 20,000 copies 17,500 into Homes 2,500 into Businesses in Woolton, Gateacre, Childwall, L18, L17, L15, NEW AREA Woolton Hill, Woolton Park and Calderstones
For Advertising Rates See page 2
OVERHEAD OPENING by Stephen Guy The top politician returned to his Liverpool roots to open the latest wonder of the Victorian age – the Overhead Railway. The Marquess of Salisbury’s father had married into Liverpool’s Gascoyne family, acquiring extensive land in and around the city. The Gascoynes built picturesque Childwall Hall. It was 4 February 1893 and burly, bearded Lord Salisbury (1830-1903) was in the city to launch the world’s first overhead electric railway. The Tory leader and political
titan had already served two terms as Prime Minister between 1885 and 1892. He was now briefly in opposition – with Liverpudlian Liberal William Gladstone in power. Following the ceremony, finishing touches were carried out on the line and the Overhead opened to the public on 6 March. It was an instant hit and was dubbed the Dockers’ Umbrella because of the shelter it provided along the full length of the docks. The Overhead was inspired by the elevated steam railway in New York. An Act of
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Parliament in 1882 gave the green light to the Liverpool line and work began in 1889. The initial £466,000 system was cheaper than one with steam trains, as originally planned. The Overhead was built from wroughtiron girders mostly in 50 ft spans standing 16 ft above the roadway. It connected Seaforth to Dingle – the southern section was completed in 1896, including an 800 yard tunnel. Eventually the system was extended to Aintree The Overhead was powered by six
steam engines (pictured) in a generating station near the centre of the line. They were powered by 30 ft long Lancashire boilers providing steam at a pressure of 120 pounds per square inch. The Musgrave horizontal compound condensing engines ran at 100 rpm generating 500 amperes at 500 volts. A boiler, superheater and condensing plant and other additions were added as services increased. New trains were introduced in 1902 which reduced travel times. Originally the entire length of the Overhead was cov-
ered in 32 minutes, including 16 stops an average speed of just over 12 mph. The improved equipment upped this to nearly 19 mph largely due to the new faster trains weighing 55 tons
when loaded with 154 passengers. The Overhead provided a grandstand view of Liverpool’s bustling docks and warehouses - and lifelong memories for those who travelled on it.
• See the only surviving Overhead Railway carriage at the new Museum of Liverpool, Pier Head, open 10 am to 5 pm every day, admission free.