At the peak of Britain’s first-generation tramways, it was possible to travel by tram all the way from Pier Head at Liverpool to the Pennines in Rochdale by tram. Amongst the chain of tramways that formed these links were the services that operated in Bolton, St Helens, Wigan and the company lines controlled by South Lancashire Tramways. Each of these systems had a fascinating history but all were to suffer greatly as a result of lack of maintenance during and after World War I and from bus competition, with the result that only one – Bolton – survived into the post-World War II era.

Locations featured include: Farnworth, Dunscar, Tonge, Horwich, Halliwell, Montserrat, Bury, Huyton, Prescot, Worsley and Leigh.

The Lost Tramways series documents the tram networks which were at the heart of many of Britain’s growing towns and cities from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century. An informative, accessible and portable resource for the tram enthusiast as well as the general reader, and a superb souvenir or gift for visitors past and present.

Books in the Lost Tramways of England series:

• Birmingham North
• Birmingham South
• Bradford
• Brighton
• Bristol
• Coventry
• Leeds West
• Leeds East 
• Nottingham
• Southampton
• London North East
• London North West
• London South East
• London South West
• Bolton, SLT, Wigan and St Helens
• Manchester North and Salford
• Manchester South

Peter Waller's first book British and Irish Tramway Systems since 1945, was published in 1992 and since then he has written extensively on transport subjects. He is now a full-time author and editor as well as being a director and secretary of the Online Transport Archive.