Tram tracks have been uncovered in Alexandria after almost 100 years

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Forgotten tram tracks uncovered after almost 100 years have offered a fascinating window into Alexandria’s past.The hidden piece of history was revealed last month by workers digging up Main Street as part of ongoing regeneration works.The Vale of Leven History Project posted images on social media of the unearthed tramlines, which sparked plenty of interest from locals – some of whom didn’t know tram cars once made their way through the town.Local historian, Bryan Weir, who runs the website and Facebook page, said: “The tramcars were very short-lived.“My friend Harry Summers had the idea for the website, and I did the web design for it.“The reason for it was to keep the stories of the Vale alive when all the old timers passed on, like that of the trams.”Posting underneath the pictures, residents told of their interest in getting a glimpse into the Vale’s past.One person said: “How cool.

I had no idea there used to be trams there in the first place”.Another person added: “Better than the shocking mess we have now.

The Vale back then seemed so much nicer”.It’s not the first time the town’s tramlines have been uncovered – with resident Tom Dennett taking a picture in 2012 of a crossover in the tram lines, which are still buried under the road between Alexandria and Balloch.It was photographed when the road was being excavated during the installation of the services for the new medical centre.Historian, Graham Lappin, who was born and raised in Bonhill before moving to the USA, is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, who wrote a detailed article on the Vale of Leven History Project’s website about the story behind the trams.He told how the origins of the trams in the Vale owe much to their