 The company was initially known as the City of Hull Tramways until 1919, from then until 1931 the name Corporation Tramways was used, followed by Hull Corporation Transport until 1945.The official ceremony of laying of the first rail took place on 9 June 1898.Siemens supplied electrical equipment, the rails were from "Société Anonyme des Aciéries d'Angleur" (Belgium), and were an unusual centre groove profile which was supposed to wear better, and give a smoother ride with rail joints cut at a diagonal angle, additionally only one point blade was required for points with the centre groove system.