Edinburgh Tram Service
By George Murray

This route was one of the longest lasting Edinburgh electric services being
one of the early through routes between Leith and Edinburgh on the
electrification of the latter's cable hauled system in 1922. Leith never
allowed the cable system within their Burgh boundaries and retained horse
operation until electrifying in 1905. Leith was unwillingly absorbed by the
City of Edinburgh in November 1920 paving the way for the tram services
to be united once the by then obsolete cable haulage in Edinburgh could be
converted to overhead electric operation.

Service 16 underwent more changes over its life than most other routes, starting off as a very short lived temporary service Abbeyhill (London Road) to St Andrew Street via York Place at the time of the Leith Walk electrification on 20 June 1922. Soon however the 16 became Stanley Road to St Andrew Street via Junction Street, Foot of Leith Walk and York Place. When Princes St was converted in October 1922 the service was extended to Shandwick Place. As the cable system was gradually superseded the 16 was extended to Tollcross and then to Morningside Station by 18 March 1923. In 1924 it was again extended to Braids. Whilst dealing with the southern section of the line, this was extended finally to Fairmilehead in April 1936 and the 16 mostly terminated there but some cars short worked to the Braids.

The northern part of the 16 was also subject to several changes; firstly in
October 1927 it was diverted from Stanley Road to run along Ferry Road to Granton Road Station. In July 1936 it was extended down to Granton
Square. After nearly 18 years remaining unchanged the 16 then swapped
northern termini with service 10 in January 1954 and thus ran to Bernard
Street Leith (from Foot of Leith Walk via Constitution Street). Later it was
destined to reach Granton once more but this time by N ewha ven and the
shore on 17 June 1956 when the 13 and 14 circle route was withdrawn.
Another change occurred in the city centre for a few months in 1956 when
16s were diverted via Leith St rather than York Place but the original route
was restored on 1 June 1956 as track lifting started in Leith St soon after.

The 16 service was finally withdrawn on Wednesday 12 September 1956
along with route 11 which then left only the 23s and 28s to soldier on to
Friday 16 November 1956. Unfortunately I was in hospital when the 11 and 16 were withdrawn and missed out on a last chance to travel to Granton and Fairmilehead. However before taking ill I was on an LRTA special which covered these locations and additionally travelled between Granton Square and Granton Road Station which having been out use for several weeks had rusty rails causing a trail of sparks at truck level!
The 16 was operated from Leith Depot throughout its life and as the photos show was mainly served by Shrubhill domed roof standard cars. However sometimes older wooden standards or streamliners were used.