Ipswich Corporation Tramways 20 was a Brush 24/26 seat car on a Brush AA truck, dating from 1903. Although the Corporation obtained tramway powers to take over the horse tramways in 1900, electric service did not commence until November 1903 and the full extent of electric operations was not completed until June 1904.
This card, posted in 1906, shows the car at the Great Eastern Railway bridge on Norwich Road on the route to Whitton. It is possible that this obviously staged shot - with driver, conductor and inspector - was on a staff training run prior to opening on 23rd November 1903. To confirm this was an early view, the following wording was later painted across the middle two panels of the bridge. "Passengers are requested to keep their seats while the car is passing under the bridge".

We also see Great Eastern Railway 4-4-0 loco 1884, dating from 1901, posing on the bridge.

Photo from Commercial postcard, Paul Haywood collection, taken c.November 1903, Norwich Road, Ipswich

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