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

use the Ellison Street depot in connection with these add-ons. It was this that brought the two sides into a conflict, which would not be resolved until 1888. April 6 th . It was determined following Major-General Hutchinson’s inspection made on Monday, April 5 th that the lines at the top of Peel Street and the top of Blackburn Road would have to be ‘slightly’ altered. The Borough Surveyor authorised these changes so that the points be taken out to facilitate single line working on the outer track only. The Borough Surveyor should then inspect these alterations to ensure that they were to the standards required by the Board of Trade. Also on April 6 th the Town Hall & Markets Committee arranged with Mr William Kitchen of the Commercial Hotel for the loan of 50 chairs, to be used at the banquet to celebrate the opening of the tramway. ( The Accrington Steam Tramway Company organised a parade to celebrate, and this was recorded by ‘OLD HAND’ who described the events of the day as follows) - “ Only two of the cars had been delivered but a third was due on the following day. I well remember taking part in a trial trip on Thursday, April 8 th 1886. The Tramway had been inspected by Major-General Hutchinson of the Royal Engineers from the Board of Trade on the previous Monday. Two engines and one car were run over the lines with the Inspector riding on the first engine to Church and then on to Baxenden, later to Clayton-le-Moors. He expressed himself satisfied with the levelness of the lines, but made some adverse observations on the lines at the top of ‘little’ Blackburn Road and on Peel Street. The party included Alderman Hindle, Chairman of the Corporation’s Committee, Mr Cramp, (Managing Director of the newly formed Tramway Company), Mr Rowley who represented Thomas Green & Sons of Leeds, (the makers of the engines), Mr Holt, Consulting Engineer and Mr Button, the Borough Surveyor. On Thursday the Tramway was formally opened. This ceremony created quite a stir amongst the public, the streets being lined by spectators. The first car, which departed the Town Hall, had on board Mr Cramp and Mr Cosh, who was one of the promoters of the Company, along with Mr Cubitt also representing the Company, Alderman Hindle and Councillors Haythornthwaite, Broughton, Maden and Woolley along with several tradesmen. At the Church boundary the car was met by the Mayor, Alderman Smith. On returning to Clayton-le-Moors it was met by Mr J. Hacking and Mr D. Towers, Council Members and Mr J. Smith, Clerk to the Local Board. The lines were all in good order, and the engine manipulated to a nicety. The greatest satisfaction was manifested on all hands. From all this it was clear that at their inception at any rate, the Baltic fleet was highly appreciated. They were then considered up-to-date, and the old horse drawn cars were ridiculed. But let the Mayor of the day speak. On the arrival of this procession in front of the Town Hall he declared, “That no duty during my Mayoralty has afforded me greater pleasure than formally opening this tramway. I have had the pleasure of riding from Church to Clayton and back, and I am sure that no lady or gentleman can ride in their carriage with greater comfort than that in

14