Musselburgh


				Trams at Levenhall Roundabout

(and rumours of a "phantom bus"?)

More accurately Levenhall in "pre roundabout" days. 1905 to be exact.

In those days the trams ran as far as Port Seton although it wasn't
Edinburgh Corporation which ran the 'cars along the coast.
It may have been an autonomous Musselburgh Town Council tramway dept.
which ran this service, but I'll gladly be corrected on that.

Can anyone shed light on the "phantom bus" which is apparently seen along
the B1348 which is a continuation of the road to the left above.
The old B1348 has largely been replaced but abandoned stretches
of it are still visible between Levenhall and Sam Burns
salvage yard at Prestonpans.

No cracks please about all "First Bus" vehicles being phantoms!
You're preaching to the converted.

This postcard is looking towards Portobello/Edinburgh.
To the right of the picture is where the present day water outfall
treatment plant is situated at Joppa/Eastfield
Portobello Promenade also begins here and stretches along to Seafield,
ending at the Edinburgh Dog & Cat home.

The caption makes a good point in that Edinburgh retained cable cars
for some time after the Musselburgh coast line (and Leith) had changed
to the more reliable electric trolley system.

The beginning of a "loop" system can be seen whereby Edinburgh Corporation
trams could change track for return journeys to the city.........
.......although a central "trough" which carried the cable is
strangely missing from this image.
When Edinburgh acquired electric trams I believe the terminus for their
'cars was moved out to Levenhall (above)

The motor car would have to be careful not
to get its wheels "stuck" in the tramlines!
Given that the passengers appear to be facing each other
I would hazard a guess that the car is a Daimler "Dogcart".

The same spot as seen from a different angle.