Accrington Corporation Tramways

History
Accrington Corporation became a tramway owner on the 5th April 1886, when services commenced on its newly built, 4ft 0ins-gauge steam tramway. Operation of the services was leased to the Accrington Corporation Steam Tramways Company (see link), a somewhat misleading name given that the corporation had no stake in it.

The steam-operated system eventually comprised a line out to Church in the west, a line to Clayton in the north, and a very steeply graded line to Baxenden in the south. The latter line was subsequently extended by Haslingden Corporation through to its boundary with Rawtenstall (at Lockwood) — who like Accrington leased the lines to the ACSTCo — and by the company itself from there through to Queens Square, Rawtenstall. Although the system was eventually connected to two other 4ft 0in-gauge steam tramways — at Church (Blackburn Corporation Tramways) and Rawtenstall (Rossendale Valley Steam Tramway Company) — other than the odd special working, no regular through running took place.

Rather than buying the ACSTCo out of its 21-year lease, Accrington Corporation chose to wait until it expired — in April 1907 — no doubt to ensure that they got the best deal possible. The down side of this was that conversion to electric traction came rather late in the day compared with Blackburn and Darwen, though Haslingden and Rawtenstall were later still, the latter becoming the last street tramway system in Britain to use steam traction on a regular basis.

Despite planning well ahead, the corporation were, however, not ready to take over operation of the system when the lease expired, so the ACSTCo continued to work the steam services until agreement could be reached. Accrington formally purchased the engines, trailers and assets necessary to work its lines on the 20th September 1907, with the ACSTCo agreeing to continue working the steam services until the end of the year. Long before a price was agreed, Accrington set about converting its tracks to electric traction, the first service running on the 2nd August 1907. The last steam tram — operated under contract by the ACSTCo — ran on the 31st December 1907. This may not, however, have been the last ever steam service over Accrington's tracks, as there is some circumstantial evidence to suggest that Haslingden Corporation, who also bought engines, trailers and assets from the ACSTCo, may have run a service to Accrington as late as the 4th or 5th of September 1908, though possibly just to celebrate the end of the steam working, or at least the end of steam working on the Haslingden-Baxenden route.

The corporation's electric system eventually extended to just over seven miles, with another 2.9 miles worked under lease from Haslingden Corporation. Connections were made with Blackburn Corporation Tramways in the west (at Church) and Rawtenstall Corporation Tramways in the southeast (at Lockgate), with inter-running agreements eventually being implemented. BCT and RCT trams therefore ran through to Accrington, whilst those of the ACT reached Blackburn and Bacup.

Bus competition started in earnest in 1922, with the corporation belatedly commencing its own bus services on the 12th of November 1928. This was followed in May 1929 by Rawtenstall's decision to abandon its tramways, which quickly led to an agreement between Accrington, Haslingden and Rawtenstall to replace the Accrington-Rawtenstall tram services with buses; this took place on the 1st April 1930. The writing was now clearly on the wall for the trams, as without the Accrington-Rawtenstall route, the rest of the system could not realistically be operated economically. Matters were soon accelerated by the poor state of the track and roadway in Oswaldtwistle, which led to a decision to abandon the tramway, services being withdrawn on the 26th August 1931; however, a shortage of buses saw a temporary reprieve, the final curtain falling on the 6th of January 1932.

Uniforms
Staff working the newly inaugurated electric services were provided with double-breasted, lancer-style tunics with five pairs of buttons (narrowing from top to bottom) and stand-up collars; the latter bore system initials ('A C T') on the bearer's right-hand side, and and an employee number on left-hand side. The tensioned-crown peaked caps bore standard, off-the -shelf', script-lettering grade badges, either 'Driver' or 'Conductor'; these were almost certainly made in nickel to match the buttons.

Tramcar crews were also issued with long, double-breasted greatcoats with five pairs of buttons and high, fold-over collars; the latter carried nickel system initials ('A C T') on both sides.

Inspectors were provided with typical single-breasted 'tramway inspector' jackets with hidden buttons (or more likely, hook and eye fasteners), all edged in a finer material than the main jacket, and with stand-up collars. The latter certainly bore insignia, though surviving photographs are unfortunately not of sufficient quality to discern what these were. Caps were initially of the drooping-peak type, which were eventually displaced by tensioned-crown peaked caps, the glossy peaks of which were embellished with braiding. Although the caps almost certainly bore a badge — more than likely the grade embroidered in script lettering — photographic evidence that would confirm this is so far yet to surface.

In common with the vast majority of UK tramway operators, Accrington employed the services of women during the Great War — both as conductresses and later on as motorwomen — to replace men lost to the armed services, though only from relatively late in proceedings (1917). Just a solitary photograph appears to have survived, which unfortunately only shows a conductress from a distance; the subject is wearing a single-breasted, tailored jacket with four pockets (the top two with button closures), a waist belt and lapels, and a long, matching skirt. It is currently unclear what insignia, if any, were carried on the jacket. Headgear appears to have taken the form of a close-fitting bonnet, possibly brimless.

Further reading
For more information on the system, see: 'The Tramways of Accrington 1886-1932' by R W Rush; The Light Railway Transport League (1961).

Images

Motormen and conductors
Accrington Corporation Tramways opening day
One of the ACT's new single-deck trams (Nos 1 to 4), decorated for the opening procession, which actually took place the day after the line was certified for use, i.e., on the 2nd August 1907. The motorman stands proprietorially to one side, whilst the Mayor and Mayoress pose for the cameraman on the platform.


Accrington Corporation Tramways motorman tram driver
An enlargement of the above photograph showing the motorman. He is wearing a double-breasted, lancer-style tunic and a tensioned-crown peaked cap bearing a script-lettering 'Driver' grade badge.


Accrington Corporation Tramways cap badges
General pattern script-lettering cap badges — 'Driver' and 'Conductor' — of the pattern used by the ACT; nickel. Author's Collection.


Accrington Corporation Tramways conductor
A studio portrait of an Accrington Corporation Tramways conductor, Employee No 49 — photo undated, but probably late-Edwardian era. The photograph clearly shows that system initials were carried on the right-hand collar, and an employee number on the left.


Accrington Corporation Tramways No 4
Tramcar No 4 pictured turning from Market Street in Church into Blackburn Road, with the link to Blackburn Corporation's Church line in the background — photo undated, but judging by the immaculate condition of the vehicle, almost certainly taken in August 1907. With thanks to the National Tramway Museum.


Accrington Corporation Tramways No 4 and motorman
An enlargement of the above photograph showing the motorman, who would appear to be the same individual pictured in the opening day procession photograph above. He is wearing a lancer-style tunic with stand-up collars and a tensioned-crown peaked cap.


Accrington Corporation Tramways No 11 first tram to Haslingden
A local postcard ostensibly commemorating the first electric tramcar (No 11) to Haslingden, which took place on the 28th September 1908. Photo courtesy of Jim Halsall.


Accrington Corporation Tramways conductor and inspector
An enlargement of the above photograph, which though of low resolution, does show some details of the conductor's (middle) and inspector's (right) uniforms.


Accrington Corporation Tramways Tramcar No 6 and crew
The crew of Tramcar No 6 pose for the camera at Oakleigh, Whalley Road — photo undated, but given that the vehicle looks to be in very good condition, probably taken in late 1908 when No 6 was delivered. Author's Collection.


Accrington Corporation Tramways Tramcar No 6 and crew
An enlargement of the above photograph, which though of poor quality, shows both men wearing lancer-style tunics and tensioned-crown peaked caps bearing script-lettering grade badges.


Accrington Corporation Tramways Tram No 5 and motorman
A motorman at the controls of Tramcar No 5, believed to have been taken in the vicinity of China and India Streets around 1910. The subject is wearing a 'Driver' script-lettering cap badge, and 'A C T' system initials on his greatcoat collar. Photo courtesy of Duncan Holden.


Accrington Corporation Tramways Tram No 12 and crew
A Clayton-bound Tramcar No 12 and crew — photo undated, but probably late Edwardian. Although difficult to make out, both men are wearing greatcoats with 'A C T' system initials on both collars. Photo courtesy of Duncan Holden.



Accrington Corporation Tramways Tram No 19 and conductor
A conductor poses for the photographer with Tramcar No 19 — photo undated, but probably taken in the 1920s. Photo courtesy of Duncan Holden.


Accrington Corporation Tramways decorated Great War tram and crew
A motorman and a conductor with a tram decorated to help raise funds for an extension to Victoria Hospital — August 1926. Photo courtesy of the Tramways and Light Railway Society, with thanks to David Voice.


Accrington Corporation Tramways decorated Great War tram and crew
An enlargement of the above photograph showing the crew, whose uniforms are unchanged, stylistically, from those provided at the commencement of services in 1907.


Accrington Corporation Trmaways Tram No 9 and motorman
A motorman stands with Tramcar No 9 in Peel Street in the centre of Accrington — photo undated, but probably taken in the early 1920s given that No 9 was refitted with its original roofed upper deck in 1924. Photo believed to have been taken by Walter Gratwicke, with thanks to the National Tramway Museum.


Accrington Corporation Trmaways Tram No 9 and motorman
An enlargement of the above photograph showing the motorman. Although on first glance he appears to be wearing a jacket with lapels, it is in fact a standard lancer-style tunic, half unbuttoned. With thanks to the National Tramway Museum.


Accrington Corporation Transport cap collar badge
An Accrington municipal-device badge — chrome. There is no evidence to suggest that this badge was ever worn during the tramway era.


Senior staff
Accrington Corporation Tramways Tram No 18 and crew 1907
An inspector (left) poses for the camera with the crew of Tramcar No 18 at Oakleigh, Whalley Road — photo undated, but given the pristine condition of the tram, very probably taken in late 1907. In contrast to the crew, the inspector is wearing a drooping-peak cap. Photo courtesy of Jim Halsall.


Accrington Corporation Tramways Tram No 5 and crew
An inspector (left), very possibly the same man as in the preceding image, with the crew of Accrington-bound Tramcar No 5 — photo undated, but probably taken in 1907/8. Photo courtesy of Duncan Holden.


Accrington Corporation Tramways crew
An inspector (with arms folded) stands with the crew of an Accrington-bound tramcar — photo undated, but probably taken in the 1920s. By this time, and probably from much earlier, inspectors' drooping-peak caps had been superseded by tensioned-crown peaked caps. Photo courtesy of Jim Halsall.


Female staff
Accrington Corporation Tramways Tram tank week and Great War conductress
A poor quality image, but the only one I am so far aware of that shows a Great War tram conductress (second from the left). The photo can be fairly accurately dated to the week of the 28th January 1918, which was 'Tank Week' in Accrington and Blackburn, the tram being decorated to support the fund raising. Photo courtesy of Duncan Holden.