All that remains of the former pier head station of the Ryde Pier Tramway that operated from 1864 to 1969. Initially powered by horse drawn trams, there were a couple of unsuccessful trials of steam locomotives. Between 1886 and 1927 it was powered by an electrified third rail (predating the electrification of the railway by over 50 years!), after that petrol powered cars were used - although these were soon converted to diesel as an economy measure.<br>
I initially thought that longitudinal iron bars were the track support, but other sources say these are the actual rails. Certainly in the latter days there was no decking beneath the rails, although I presume there must have been in the days of horse-drawn operation.<p>
The iron cladding the background of this merged view is the wall of the Pier Head railway station.
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Photo by <a href="mailto:cmckenna@sucs.org?subject=rail-photo at railfaneurope.net">Chris McKenna</a> 05/06/2006.<br>
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