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

30.The exception to this rule would be when the Conductor is required to ‘jump’ cars at a particularly busy time, issue tickets on that particular car and then to return towards the town centre, in which case a separate Way Bill will be made out for each part of a route that he may be working. These Way Bills to be marked by the word ‘jumper’. 31.Conductors must endeavour to pay in their receipts as frequently as is possible on arrival at the Market terminus. The Conductor must hand in his cash bag to the Cash Clerk who will then count out the contents under observation by the Conductor, and will confirm the amount and issue a receipt for the same. Conductors however will not loiter in the Cash Office. 32.Conductors are forbidden to allow any person not in possession of a permit or wearing a uniform to travel without a ticket being issued to them. 33.Conductors must check that all seats are occupied before allowing any passenger to stand. 34. Passengers will not be allowed to travel on the Conductor’s platform. On the last day of the month a trial run was taken over the new system. August On the 1 st , Colonel Druitt of the Board of Trade passed the new Oswaldtwistle Section “as fit for purpose”. He, along with several dignitaries including the Mayor, Town Clerk, Borough Surveyor, Chief Constable and Tramway Manager travelled from the depot to the Black Dog terminus and return. En route the car halted to pick up members from both Church and Oswaldtwistle’s councils. Stating, “I am highly pleased with the standard of work”, he said that the route could commence operation with immediate effect. The Mayor intimated that subject to the approval of the Board of Trade, the trams would commence running between the Ellison Street depot, or the Railway Hotel on Blackburn Road, to Oswaldtwistle and back on Friday, August 2 nd . On this date it was suggested that members of the Council, officials of the Corporation and certain representatives from neighbouring boroughs and townships, should take part in the first formal running of the “highly decorated” cars, to and from Oswaldtwistle, also that the following ladies should be invited, under the supervision of motormen, to take the controls of the cars, - the Mayoress, the ex-Mayoress, Mrs A. S. Bury and Mrs Aitken, the wife of the Town Clerk. The Mayor, T. E. Higham, and his wife were to symbolically take control of the first car to Church (number 2). This was the first to arrive at the Black Dog terminus now driven by Mrs Alderman Rawson amidst a large crowd of onlookers. Other local dignitaries and council members made up the passenger list. On arrival back at Accrington Town Hall, the Mayor declared the tramway open to the public amid scenes of jubilation. Double-deck cars were also tested in pairs on the section between Accrington and Church on both the 17 th , and 18 th of September. At a meeting of the Electrical Sub-Committee it was reported that Mr Gilbert Kirk, who was Clerk of the Works overseeing the construction of the Tramway, was absent through sickness. The Chairman was concerned that a ‘competent man’ should be appointed for at least some months, to act under the supervision of the Car Shed Foreman in connection with the installation of the overhead equipment, also to attend to the controllers, motors and other electrical and mechanical equipment. This person would in addition generally assist with the work at the car sheds. This suggestion was adopted, and a previous interviewee Mr James Wilding, who had applied for a job, could be appointed to this post at a wage of £2 – 10s – 0d per week, plus removal costs. This agreement could be terminated at one month’s notice by either party. The Chairman stated that in his opinion some of the fittings in connection with the overhead lines should be replaced by heavier and stronger ones. It was resolved to adopt this course and the quotation from Brush Electrical Engineering for the supply of this superior equipment was accepted at - Double pull-offs @ 6/- each, single pull-offs @ 4/9d each and straight line hangers @ 4/9d each. The Electrical Engineer was then instructed to install meters which would measure the amount of current consumed on each section of the Tramway. He pointed out that nine arc-lamps would be required to illuminate the interior of the tramway depot, and suggested that those being replaced by a similar number of flame lamps on Abbey Street, might be put use for this purpose. It was agreed that subject to approval

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