Paisley Trams provide a trip down memory lane

Paisley Trams collectables are proving popular at Abbey Books, as manager Brian Hannan explains…

Paisley trams played an enormous role in the history of the town. This die cast model of an original Paisley 1919 open-topped double-decker four-wheeled tram formed part of a limited edition – each with an individually numbered certificate of authenticity – issued over three decades ago by renowned toymaker Corgi.

The electrified Paisley District Tramway opened in 1903 and became part of the wider Glasgow network in 1923. The tramway officially shut down in 1924 though some of the trams could still be found operating on Glasgow routes till as late as 1953.

Paisley Cross was the centre of the operation with trams departing for destinations like Barrhead, Elderslie and Renfrew. There were depots in Aurs Road, Barrhead, Main Road in Elderslie and Paisley Road in Renfrew.

Paisley trams, such as the one in the model, were unusual in having no top roof because on some of the routes the trams had to pass under low bridges. The tram shown was built in 1919 by Hurst Nelson of Motherwell and operated as No 68. After the system was taken over by Glasgow Corporation, this was remodelled to include a roof and an enclosed platform and being assigned the number 1068 in Glasgow.

It was seen in Paisley at the Golden Jubilee of the tramway and operated during the Glasgow Garden Festival of 1988 and was preserved at the National Tramway Museum at Crich in Derbyshire.

The model was produced in 1993 on a scale of 1:76. The Corgi brand has been going for nearly a century, originally founded by Mettoy in the 1930s, and initially producing pressed metal toys. In 1956 it switched to die cast models of British saloon cars such as the Ford Consul and the Austin Cambridge. All the cars had windows, an innovation at the time.

The company is best known for the James Bond Aston Martin DB5 in 1965 which featured an ejector seat and machine guns. The Batmobile in 1966 sold five million units.

These days old Corgi models collect amazing prices at auction. You could make £400 from the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally Mini Cooper S and £300 for the 1966 The Man from Uncle’s Thrustbuster Oldsmobile. Should you happen to be sitting on a 1969 Noddy car you could pocket £700.

While the Paisley Tram is unlikely to reach these levels, it is still a priceless heirloom for Paisley buddies and will make an ideal gift for Christmas.

The model is on sale at Abbey Books, 21 Wellmeadow Street, Paisley and comes complete with box and certificate.