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

should ease the handbrake off a small amount when nearing a sanded part in order to avoid getting flats on the cars wheels. 20.Drivers should never drop sand on a greasy rail when the car is under power if the wheels are spinning or failing to get adhesion, as this causes a great strain on the motors and electrical equipment. Whenever the wheels lose adhesion the power must be shut off, the rails sanded and power gradually worked up. 21.Drivers should never use more sand than is absolutely necessary, and when applying sand the driver should use the sanding pedal as though it was the foot gong, forcing it down to its maximum and holding it there until the wheels have obtained a proper grip. By using this method an intermittent flow of sand will be applied with little chance of damaging the wheels or the motors. 22.Whenever possible the sanding equipment should be examined at each terminus in wet weather, but drivers should avoid testing them over moveable points and turnouts. 23.When filling the sand hoppers the driver should avoid spilling sand over the sides of the box, as an accumulation under this container will interfere with the proper working of the valve settings. 24.On descending an incline if the wheels should skid or ‘pick up’, drivers must release all pressure from the handbrake at once, get sand running and bring the car to a stand by using the electric brakes by working the car up from the first notch until the car comes under control again. 25.When cars are full of passengers the driver should run at a reduced speed in order to allow his conductor can collect all the fares before arriving at the next fare stage. 26.In using the graduated electric brake drivers must ensure that the reversing lever is pointing in the direct in which the car is moving, and then should bring the pointer of the power handle from zero to first braking notch and work up through the notches as speed is reducing until the car is at a standstill when the handbrake should then be applied to hold the car. 27.Drivers must slow down when passing another stationary car, restive horses, children who are in close proximity to the rails or coming out of schools, similarly when approaching a crowd of people, approaching pools of standing water, points where the track is under repair or where the lines have sunk or become loose and where there are main thoroughfares at right angles to the tracks. 28.When a stone or any other obstruction is observed in the grove or tread of the rail, the driver must stop his car and instruct the conductor to remove the obstruction. 29.Drivers must realise they do not have a monopoly of the roadways, and therefore must show tolerance to other road users especially those in control of horse-drawn vehicles, and should always allow heavily laden traffic to pass obstructions on a narrow section of the highway, rather than causing them to have to stop which could cause a horse to fail to start moving again. By exercising this consideration they will find that there is less desire by these persons to obstruct the passage of a car. 30.Any damage sustained by a car caused by a driver not allowing sufficient clearance when passing other vehicles, will have to pay for the damaged caused. 31.In any case of wilful obstruction drivers must appeal to the police for assistance and take down the details of any parties involved. 32.When driving care must be taken when approaching turnout and specified passing places, and should halt in a straight line when the approaching car has not arrived. Should either car miss the points, the brakes must be instantly applied to avoid any collision. Cars must not meet on a single line section, but if this should occur the one closest to a passing place must reverse back so as to allow the other car to pass. On these occasions a report must be made by both drivers to the Inspector on duty. 33.Drivers should always position their cars at the furthest end of a passing loop to await the approach of a car from the opposite direction but clear of any obstruction. This would

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