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

Tramway Manager’s comments thereon. This report highlighted a continuing improvement since the first round of tests. However, with a view to further reducing the amount of current consumed, the Tramway Manager submitted instructions for ‘coasting’ to be implemented by the motormen, which he proposed to have printed and a copy distributed to each driver. It was resolved that his suggestions should be adopted and in addition, a large letter ‘C’ should be painted upon the relevant tramway standards for the guidance of the motormen. It was further resolved that the Tramway Manager be authorised to purchase and have fixed in the tramway depot, a gas boiler for heating water to be used for cleaning the tramcars. He then emphasised the “urgent need” for a wheel lathe, a portable crane and various other items of equipment for the tram sheds. After a visit to the Ellison Street facility the Sub-Committee gave permission for the Tramway Manager to purchase these items. The Electrical, Legal & Parliamentary Committee met at the Ellison Street Tramway depot, to deal with these referred matters – 1) The Borough Surveyor was to prepare plans and obtain tenders for the fitting of wooden doors to the car sheds and depot. 2) The girder roof and timbers at the workshop end on the depot should be raised sufficiently to allow a car body to be lifted when repairs are required. 3) That another part at this end of the depot should be partitioned off for use as a paint and workshop. 4) That the Mayor should order a wheel turning lathe, following his inspection of a similar machine in use at the Oldham Corporation Tramway depot. 5) That the Borough Surveyor should prepare plans and obtain tenders for the construction of a Smith’s Shop, to be erected on a small plot of land adjoining Hyndburn Road at the north-west corner of the depot. 6) It was also resolved the doors at the entrance to the depot should be repaired and hung with spikes at the top in order to deter trespassers. 7) It was decided to put a cover over that which had previously been an open yard at the eastern side of the depot. 8) Finally, it was resolved to accept the tender of Messrs Lupton & Sons (Accrington), should be accepted for the sale of old scrap iron and brass at the depot at 6½d per pound in weight, and 55 shillings (£2 – 15s – 0d) per ton of scrap cast metals less 2½% discount. It was then resolved on the recommendation of the Tramway Manager to raise the pay of Inspectors G. E. Birtwistle and H. Pilkington from £1 – 10s – 0d to £1 – 12s – 0d per week. (This was still 1 shilling less than the fixed maximum.) It was also resolved to cover the cost of sending Inspector Benjamin Crabtree to a convalescent home. Mr Crabtree had been the victim recently of a serious assault, whilst in the course of carrying out his duties. The Borough Treasurer reported net profit of the Tramway undertaking totalling £1,145 – 16s – 8d, for the year ending March 31 st last (this included the sum of £486 – 2s – 11d, which was the Corporation’s share from the old tramway). This was after setting aside £562 to the sinking fund and allocating £300 the cost of ‘temporary’ lighting during the work of tramway reconstruction, plus £291 – 6s – 7d the cost of the overtime worked in this period. It was resolved to carry this profit over to the current year. July At a meeting of the Tramway Committee the Tramway Manager was authorised to obtain tenders for the supply of drivers’ and conductors’ uniforms for use in the spring, and to obtain whatever clothing in order to see them through to that season, also that a telephone should be installed in the new Tramway Offices in the Town Hall. It was also resolved the Electrical Engineer should obtain a supply of coal for the next twelve months. The Tramway Manager complained that several panels in the roof of the depot had been broken recently, causing some “narrow escapes” from accidents. It was resolved that galvanised wire netting would be fitted to protect the roof from further damage. The Borough Surveyor was instructed to carry out this work. A letter was received from the Accrington & District Billposting Company Ltd, offering to continue to pay £6 per annum, plus 5/- for access for the use of the exterior side wall of the Tramway depot for the purpose of posting bills. It was resolved to ask for an all-inclusive rental of £10 per year, failing which the privilege would be withdrawn.

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