Mansfield
and District Light Railway
Motormen and Conductors wore single-breasted jackets with
five buttons (presumably brass - see link), two breast pockets,
epaulettes and upright collars; the latter each carried
a brass employee number.
Caps were of the railway type with a glossy peak, and bore
a one-piece, block-letter ‘M&DLR’ badge
(see below). White rain covers were usually worn. A small
number of photos show staff wearing what appear to be
pillbox style caps (see below), though it is unclear
exactly when they were in vogue.
Like many other tramways, the M&DLR employed women
during the First World War to cover the shortage in
manpower. The third photo below shows three ladies - two
‘Conductresses’ and a ‘Motorwoman’
- two of whom are wearing baggy hats. One lady sports a
‘Conductor’ cap badge, suggesting that the
company had run out of the standard cap badge and had
resorted to purchasing ‘off-the-shelf’ badges.
It is currently unclear what uniforms Inspectors wore.
Employee No 40, Charles Robert Walker. Mr Walker was at
various times, the tramway engineer (during construction),
the General Manager and Secretary. Given the seniority of
these grades, it is unclear why he is wearing a uniform in
this photo. With thanks to the Old Mansfield Society.
Cap badge - brass
Two conductresses and a Motorwoman - photo undated but
almost certainly taken during the First World War. Note
that the lady on the left has a ‘Conductor’ cap
badge, presumably because the tramway had run out of
M&DLR cap badges. With thanks to the National Tramway Museum.
Mr H Watts and Inspector Fred Stevens. Note that the latter
is wearing a pillbox-style hat with what appears to be a
regimental badge. WIth thanks to Tony Hurst.