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

March The Electrical Sub-Committee having considered again the request from the Tramway shedmen, resolved to grant them seven days paid holiday instead of the three at present, with the exception of six employees who were not required to work during the wakes weeks. This Sub-Committee then considered tenders for the supply of the following items for stock up until the 31 st of March 1912 - Pinion wheels - (British Westinghouse) @ 6/6d each.

Brake blocks - (H.E. Lupton & Sons) @ £7 – 15s – 0d per ton. Trolley wheels - (Tramways Supplies Ltd, Leeds) @ 2/- each. Journal bearings - (Phosphor Bronze, London) @ 10/8d per delivery. Motor suspension bearings - (Phosphor Bronze, London) @ 13/6d per pair. Trolley heads - (Fleming, Birkby & Goodhall) @ 14/- each. Polishing paste - (Messrs J.E. Sharp, London) @ 10/6 per 28lb tin. Track shoes - (British Westinghouse) @ 10/6d per pair. Suspension springs - (British Westinghouse) @ 1/3d each. Cloth waste - (C. E. Austin & Sons Ltd) @ 14/6d per cwt. Bleached wipes - (C. E. Austin & Sons Ltd) @ £1 – 8s – 0d per cwt. Sponges - (C. E. Austin & Sons Ltd) @ 6/9d per gross. Paraffin oil - (J. Peters & Co., Accrington) @ 4¾d per gallon. Bearing oil - (J. & T. Lonsdale & Co.) @ 1/- per gallon. Vaseline - (T. Moscrop & Co. Ltd) @ 17/6d per cwt. Gear grease - (T. Moscrop & Co. Ltd) @ 14/6d per cwt. Sand - (Mr J. Fish, Stanhill Quarry) @ 6/6d per ton delivered. Steel tyres - (Hadfield’s Ltd) @ £1 – 15s – 0d each. Steel axels - (Brown Bayley’s Ltd) @ £2 – 5s – 3d each. Insulating rubber strip - (Ms Andrew & Co. Manchester) @ 10/6d per pound. Insulating tapes - (Ms Andrew & Co. Manchester) @ 1/3d per pound. Paints - (Messrs Berger, Homerton) @ a price per schedule. Varnish - (Docker Bros, Birmingham) @ 16/- per gallon. Brushes - (Messrs Edsforth & Son) @ a price per schedule. Wash leathers - (Messrs Edsforth & Son) @ 16/6d per dozen. Wash sponges - (Messrs Edsforth & Son) @ 2/6d each.

The Tramway Manager was authorised to purchase ironmongery, coke and coal from ‘local’ suppliers as and when required. The Sub-Committee then examined samples of material and tenders for the supply of uniforms for employees of the Tramway Department, for the coming twelve month period. It was then resolved to accept those submitted as follows – 1. 8 Inspectors’ overcoats @ £1 -7s - 6d each, tunics @ £1 - 5s - 0d each, vests @ £0 - 6s - 0d each, trousers @ £0 - 14s - 0d per pair and aps @ £0 - 7s - 6d each. 2. 36 Drivers’ overcoats @ £1 - 2s - 6d each, tunics @ £0 - 18s - 6d each, trousers @ £0 - 10s - 0d per pair and caps @ £0 - 2s - 10p each. 3. 35 Conductors’ overcoats @ £1 - 2s - 6d each, tunics @ £0 - 18s - 6d each, trousers @ £0 - 10s - 0d per pair and caps @ £0 - 2s - 10d each. 4. Parcels youths’ overcoats @ £1 - 2s - 6d each, tunics @ £0 - 18s - 6d each, trousers @ £0 - 10s - 0d per pair and caps @ £0 - 2s - 10d each. A letter was received from the Light Railways Commission at a meeting of the Electrical & Parliamentary Committee. It intimated that the ‘provisional’ Clayton-le-Moors Light Railway Order which had been applied for recently would, if successful, be granted to the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Company, who would construct and operate the line. Then it was resolved that Mr Harry Pilling should have a handcart made for use in the Tramway depot, and that the Tramways Manager should purchase 8 mackintoshes for use by the Tramway Inspectors. The Borough Treasurer was authorised to take out a policy with the General Accident Insurance Corporation Ltd, to insure against any accidents to the Parcels Boys when engaged in their duties away from the tramway tracks. The Sub-Committee was then assigned to investigate the tramway tracks and to report on any repairs which might be required. Also a number of tenders for the installation

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