Working model of cable tramway as originally installed in Birmingham with Tramcar underframe, 1888-1911.

This model was built for the City of Birmingham Tramways Company Ltd to demonstrate the working of the cable haulage system installed on its Colmore Row to Handsworth (New Inns) route in 1888/9.

The system of cable haulage, although successfully used in mines and on railways for many years, was not tested on street tramways until 1873 when Mr A S Hallidie and others introduced it in San Francisco. The first line in Europe to work on this system was the Highgate Tramway started in 1884. The system applied in Birmingham ceased to operate in June 1911.