Accrington on Rails - The Tramways: A Complete History - Robert Kenyon

To W. J. Newton,

September

24 th , 1906 Borough Engineer’s and Surveyor’s Offices. ACCRINGTON.

Dear Sir, With further reference to your conversation with our Engineer of Friday last, we now understand there will be altogether about 10 miles of single track to construct, and if, under these circumstances you are able to grant us an order for a minimum of 1,500 portions, we would be prepared to meet you - to allow for a discount of 10% in free portions, that is to say for every 100 ordered we would supply 110. We further understand that this work will, in all probability be carried through as rapidly as possible, and will not exceed 6 months duration. Under these circumstances we would be prepared to reduce our charge for the loan of two sets of rail clamps to £7 - 10s - 0d per set, and for the drying oven to £15. Should time exceed 6 months however, we would have to charge the rates quoted to you in our tender of August 18 th . We shall be glad if you will add to our quotation of the 18 th instant, 1 - ½ pattern and 2 - ½ mould cases, the price of which will be £1 - 15s - 0d. Should you require us to do this work ourselves, we would undertake the welding of 1,500 joints at 22/6d each, net, complete, including all labour and materials, plus filling where necessary so as to leave a smooth rolling surface. The lines are to be laid by you to true and level alignment, and, on curves, the rails to be roughly crowed before welding is executed. We would undertake to maintain these joints for a period of 12 months, that is to say, we would repair any joint that might break during that time without any charge to you. In the event of our doing this work, it must be understood that you will allow us the storage necessary for our materials, and that you will supply sand for the making of the moulds etc., free of all charge. Trusting that this offer will enable you to place your esteemed order with us. ( The second letter) September 26 th , 1906 Dear Sir, Re - Tramways. In reply to your letter of the 25 th instant, we note that - should your order be placed with us, you are rather inclined to allow us to do this work ourselves. We are afraid that 22/6d per joint is absolutely the lowest figure we can quote, but we believe that there may be a way out of this difficulty, if you are prepared to consider the following proposals including you to purchase our materials and appliances as per our tender. We dispatch to you one of our trained welders, whose wages are met by you, and who will be left in charge of the welding work during the entire time of the construction. For all the joints made by him, we are responsible in exactly the same way as if we had carried out this work ourselves.

119