Tram No. 21 in chocolate livery ; one of a hand-full of open-top, double-decked vehicles owned by Cardiff Tramways Company.

The route from the Hayes first opened in late 1872 and encompassed Queen Street, Newport Road and terminated at the Royal Infirmary.

This electric tram was built around 1902. At the end of WWII Cardiff still had 89 trams in service but times were changing. The tramway service in Cardiff survived until 1948, being superceded by trolley buses and motor vehicles. These open-topped trams were, however, all withdrawn from service by 1946. [651]

The National Tramway Museum at Crich, Derbyshire [652] has a No. 21 tram as an exhibit but this I believe to be the predecessor of the tram in the photograph (left). The museum website states that its predecessor was probably withdrawn from service on the 13th June 1902 having been built in 1890. It was an open topped, horse drawn vehicle with crosswise-seating on the upper deck. A sign painted on the upper deck suggested that it was best to remain seated whilst passing under bridges! Interestingly, after being taken out of service it was used as a tea-bar for over 60 years before being donated to the National Museum of Wales ; I have a distant childhood recollection of this tea-bar being on the Hayes market. Does anyone remember this more clearly than me?

◊ The Hayes, Cardiff - The clock at Morgan & Company shows us that the time is 2:38 in the afternoon as people hurry about their business. The signs in the window suggest that there is a sale at Morgan's department store and the Hayes Island beckons us for a cup of tea followed by a visit to the ornate Victorian public conveniences below street level! A fine postcard reminder and a Moment Captured in Time from the Penarth Dock Collection. [001] [20180928]

◊ The Hayes, Cardiff - Another view at just after 2:30 in the afternoon. That must be the best time for a photograph ; perhaps the pubs have just closed for the afternoon! Although, the clock at L. J. Aster's shop which sells Diamond Engagement Ring's across the road suggests that the time is 3:50! Morgan & Company is now David Morgan Limited.

Trams are still the mode of transport i.e. pre-trolley-bus era as there are no visible twin overhead wires, hence, this photograph was taken prior to 1942. Distant are three trams which appear to be in wartime grey livery and I can make out a group of service personnel standing in the roadway nearby the Hayes Island which suggests that the date of this photograph is most probably between 1939 and 1942.

Another fine postcard reminder and a Moment Captured in Time from the Penarth Dock Collection. [001] [20180928]