Ashton-under-Lyne Corporation Tramways



Owner Ashton-under-Lyne Corporation
Opened 16th August 1902 (electric)
Operator Ashton-under-Lyne Corporation (including 1.35 miles leased from Hurst Urban District Council)
Took over 1st April 1903 (Manchester Carriage and Tramway Company Limited) - horse tramway lines within the municipal boundary
Operator (lessee) Manchester Corporation Tramways (horse)
Last horse service 14th October 1903
Took over (ownership) 24th May 1921 (lines and assets of the Oldham, Ashton and Hyde Electric Tramways, a subsidiary of the British Electric Traction Company Limited, within the municipal boundary)
Took over (operation) 2nd July 1921 (3.3 miles of the former OA&HET within the boundaries of Ashton Corporation, Waterloo UDC and Limehurst UDC)
Name changed 1925 (to Ashton-under-Lyne Corporation Tramways and Motors)
Took over 1st April 1926 (1.35 miles of track owned by Hurst UDC on absorption of the latter)
Name changed April 1932 (to Ashton-under-Lyne Corporation Passenger Transport Department)
Closed 1st March 1938
Length 6.92 miles (not including former OA&HET tracks)
Gauge 4ft 8½ins

Button description (Pattern 1) Title ('ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE CORPORATION TRAMWAYS') within in a border, surrounding the municipal arms (a shield with five-pointed star and crescent) with tower and griffin's head crest, all above the motto: ‘LABOR OMNIA VINCIT’.
Materials known Nickel
Button Line reference [113/5]

Button description (Pattern 2) Title ('ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE CORPORATION TRANSPORT') within in a border, surrounding the municipal arms (a shield with five-pointed star and crescent) with tower and griffin's head crest, all above the motto: ‘LABOR OMNIA VINCIT’.
Materials known Nickel; chrome
Button Line reference [None]

Comment The star is taken from the arms of a local family - the Asshetons - whilst the motto is a much used quote from the Roman poet and philosopher, Virgil, from a poem written around 29 B.C.

Given that the department was renamed in April 1932, it is highly likely that new uniform issues after this date would have borne the Pattern 2 button.