Karachi
Chronology of Karachi Tramway
1879: John Brunton devised a special grooved bridge rail of inverted U-shape for four foot gauge horse to be later used in the tramways in Karachi.
1881: Karachi’s Municipal Secretary and Engineer, Mr. James Strachan conceived the idea of Karachi Tramway around this year and Mr Edward Mathews, of London tendered for the construction of the line in 1881.
1883: Detailed plan for Karachi Tramway is made and settled. Permission is obtained from the Government for the use of steam powered trams in Karachi.
October 1884: Work starts on the construction of Karachi Tramway.
April 10, 1885: Steam Tramway was opened in Karachi.
1886: Steam tramway of Karachi got replaced by horse-drawn tramway.
March 23, 1905: Petrol Tram was inaugurated in Karachi.
1909: Horse drawn tramway of Karachi got shut down and was replaced by Petrol driven trams. Petrol trams had a capacity of 46 passengers each and could run up to speeds of 18 mph. Tracks were re laid for petrol driven trams.
1913: By the end of this year, the number of Petrol run trams in Karachi was 37
1955: The number of Petrol Run Trams in Karachi had risen up to 64.
April 30, 1975: Karachi Tramway got closed down
References:
(1) Kurrachee, Past, Present, Volume II and Future by Alexander F. Baillie
(2) Karachi Travel Guide, 2000 by Yasmeen Lari
(3) PTV Drama: Mirza Ghalib Bandar Road Par
(4) Title Photo is from
www.harrapa.com
(5) Pakistaniat.com