Darlington Corporation Light Railways
Owner Darlington Corporation
Took over 24th January 1902 (Darlington Tramways [horse], which were owned by the Imperial Tramways Company Limited)
Operator (lessee) C J O'Dowd
Last horse tram 18th August 1903
First electric route 2nd June 1904
Operator Darlington Corporation
Closed 10th April 1926
Length 4.87 miles
Gauge 3ft 6ins
Button description (Pattern 1) Title ('BOROUGH OF DARLINGTON') within a scalloped rim, surrounding the municipal device (a shield bearing a chevron, a bull's head, and a locomotive and waggons) with a crest comprising a miner's arm holding a pick, all above the motto: 'FLOREAT INDUSTRIA'
Materials known Brass; nickel (1-piece construction)
Button Line reference [None]
Button description (Pattern 2) Title (‘COUNTY BOROUGH OF DARLINGTON’) within a scalloped rim, surrounding the municipal device (a shield bearing a chevron, a bull's head, and a locomotive and waggons) with a crest comprising a miner's arm holding a pick, all above the motto: 'FLOREAT INDUSTRIA'
Materials known Brass; chrome
Button Line reference [None]
Comment A coat of arms was not officially granted to the Borough of Darlington until 1960, so the arms shown are unofficial and can therefore only be regarded as 'assumed'. The train (locomotive and waggons) refers of course to the Stockton and Darlington Railway, the bull's head to the local, pioneering work done in breeding shorthorn cattle, whilst the date (1867) refers to the founding of the municipal borough.
The Pattern 2 button post-dates the Pattern 1, reflecting an increase in the size of the borough (1915).
A surviving studio portrait strongly suggests that the above identification is correct.