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

( Although it did not involve any of Accrington’s tramcars, on the night of November 11 th , 1911, an accident occurred on Accrington’s metals involving two of Rawtenstall Corporation’s trams that would change the way trams were controlled. The circumstances of the accident were to sound the end of the then system of regenerative braking used on Rawtenstall’s cars. This was the finding of the Inspector of Tramways Col. Druitt, who revealed a failure of the armature winding of the electric motor had cancelled the brake application made by the driver, causing car number 14 to gain speed on its approach to the passing loop on Manchester Road at the junction with Harcourt Road. It was estimated that this tram had reached 25 mph when it derailed on the points and struck sideways against Rawtenstall car number 11 standing stationary in the loop and knocking it completely off the rails. It was something of a minor miracle that no one was killed or even seriously injured as car 14 with four passengers riding on the top deck, was completely de-roofed. Fourteen passengers received injuries of some sort or another, the worst being that of the driver of tram 11. Gangs were called out from Rawtenstall who worked through the night to re-rail the two cars for towing back to the Rawtenstall. The wreckage was stored for a time at the Bacup Road depot in order that the Board of Trade Inspector could carry out his investigations, before they were returned to the Preston factory of the United Electric Car Company by railway. Both cars were completely rebuilt and then returned to service with a system of magnetic braking supplemented by a hand-wheel brake which controlled a clasp on the wheels.) (In 1911 the first Manager of the tramway, Mr James Wilson retired, to be replaced by Mr Harry Pilling, who remained General Manager of the Corporation Transport Department until his retirement in 1944 due to ill health.)

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CHAPTER 7

ELECTRIC TRAMWAYS 1912 – 1915 (With operation of the tramway now settling down more mundane matters now took over, with adjustments to the services, modifications to the existing cars, advertising on cars and general administration to do with the everyday running of the system. The contentious issue of rating continued to be of concern to the Council.) With the increased demands placed on the system more cars were added to the stock during the period covered by this Chapter as follows - No . Type Seats In Out Disposal 26 Double-deck balcony 28 up 22 down 191 2 193 2 Dismantled by Accrington 27 Saloon 40 191 2 193 2 Dismantled by Accrington 28 Saloon 40 191 5 193 2 Llandudno & Colwyn Bay Electric Tramway 29 Saloon 40 191 193 Llandudno & Colwyn Bay Electric

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