Two original Edinburgh tram cable wheels dating back to the Victorian era are to be put on permanent public display.
The City of Edinburgh Council recently announced that the wheels, discovered on the historic boundary between Leith and Edinburgh will be available to view.
Dating back to 1898, the wheels were used in the underground cable-winding mechanism for Edinburgh's original cable operated tram network. They were discovered at the Pilrig Street junction with Leith Walk in August 2021 during the Trams to Newhaven excavations.
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Work will now begin to install the wheels on the opposite side of Leith Walk, at its junction with Iona Street, which has been closed to traffic at its west end. As part of improvements to the newly pedestrianised area, the Trams to Newhaven team will also add benches, planters and an information board.
The wheels’ location was chosen in consultation with the local community and their placement side by side will reflect their arrangement when in use up until the early 1920s, when Edinburgh and District Tramways Company introduced an electric system.
Councillor Scott Arthur, transport and environment convener, said: "The presence of trams in Leith is part of its heritage, so it’s fantastic that we’ll be able to return these historic wheels to their home, for the community to enjoy and learn about.
"As we approach the completion of Trams to Newhaven, it’s touches like these that demonstrate that, as well as delivering a sustainable, high-capacity transport link between the city centre and the north, the project is transforming spaces along the route."
Created in 1905, Leith Corporation Tramways pioneered electric trams, prior to Edinburgh switching from a cable-operated tram system.
During this time passengers travelling between Edinburgh and Leith would have to alight a cable-operated tram and board an electrified tram at the Edinburgh-Leith border. This became known locally as the ‘Pilrig Muddle’ and lasted nearly 20 years.
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