The popularity of the motor car in post-war Britain made the trams seem outdated and clunky, so they were removed - now, over 50 years later, they’ve returned to the streets of Edinburgh. Here’s a look back at the first generation of Edinburgh trams.
9. Tram line removal on Princes Street
The last of the tram lines can be seen here as they get removed from the road on Princes Street. Year: 1956 | JPIMedia Photo: Tram line removal on Princes Street
10. The trams reborn
Workers can be seen here investigating the feasibility of trams for Edinburgh's streets, creating trial holes in Leith Walk. Year: 2007 | Other 3rd Party Photo: Julie Bull
11. Princes street and the trams
Princes Street was closed to traffic for almost the majority of 2009 (a whopping 10 months) while construction on the trams commenced. Here, workers are pouring foam cement to bring the tarmac level with the trails. Year: 2009 | JPIMedia Photo: Ian Georgeson
12. The past and present
Former tram driver Mike Gargaro was a driver on one of the last trams in Edinburgh in 1956, and here we can see him checking out a demonstration tram that was opened to the public in 2009. Year: 2009 | JPIMedia Photo: Ian Rutherford