U.C.C. “Feltham” Class Tramcar
Built by Geoff Wright in September 2009
One hundred of this type were built for the Metropolitan Electric Tramways and London United Tramways in 1930–31 by the Union Construction Company of Feltham, Middlesex. Each car was fitted with two trolley poles, one for each direction of travel. This was necessary because of the great length of the car bodies — 40’ 6” over the fenders. The M. E. T. cars were fitted with plough carriers from the start, and the L.U.T. cars followed suit after the cars were absorbed into London Transport in 1933. For most of their life in London, the entire class operated from Streatham depot. In 1951 they were sold to Leeds, where they ran until the closure of that system in 1959.
Like my TD1 and ‘Q’ buses, the ‘Feltham’ model is built to 1:16 full size (¾" to 1’), and runs on a representation of tramway track of 3½” gauge. Likewise, it is built from the contents of a 1950s red/green № 9 set. The size and detail of the model make great demands on the set, and apart from using, as usual, every nut and bolt, it incorporates every single perforated strip. It is mounted on two ‘maximum traction’ trucks with prototypical unequal diameter wheels, bush wheels and wheel discs forming the very prominent axle boxes, and trunnions representing the magnetic track brakes.
The model features the two unusual driving cabs, which were raised to provide a seated driver the same level of vision as drivers standing in earlier classes of car. Fittings in them include speed controllers, air brake handles, handbrake wheels and drivers’ seats. I hope to motorise it by scheming out a method of drive from the inboard E20R motor (which is mounted where the plough was fitted in the prototype). Other work to be done is the fitting of side lifeguard gates, although the braced girder ‘cow catchers’ and front gates are in place.
The prototype cars originally featured front exit air-operated sliding doors, which were later sealed out of use. The main entrances were fitted with two-leaf doors which could be folded together and then slid back into a recess in the bodywork. I have modelled these as open one end, closed the other, but non-working.
Prototype information was gained from London Transport Tramways 1933–1952 by E.R.Oakley and C. E. Holland, published by The London Tramways History Group. Also, a very fine scale drawing, number LT/500, by F.J. Roche dated February 1948 was invaluable.