Beginnings

Like many railways, both standard and narrow gauge, the Quend Tramway started life in the 19th century, amid great hopes and enthusiasm from its promoters - who probably also hoped to make lots of money!

And like many of the smaller lines, its history was dogged by disputes, lack of money, and finally death by automobile.

The official start date of the company that built the tramway, the Société Cavaux, was 18th May 1895. The company was registered in Paris and its starting capital was 700,000 francs. 

The main driving idea was to enable holidaymakers to travel from Paris via the newly opened mainline station of Quend which the Compagnie du Nord had opened in 1893, to the beach at Quend-Plage - and ideally stay in the Bellevue hotel, which was also owned by the company behind the tramway.