This web site is the result of many years of painstaking,
yet happy, research that was originally intended as the
definitive book on Blackburn trams and tramways. But as
the internet has come to the fore as a means communication
and information it is felt that by offering the history
in this way it is of better benefit to those interested
in the subject. In addition to which should further information
ever come to light or photos uncovered, then these can be
instantly included without the need to wait for a re-print
of a book. The whole project has now expanded to include
buses in the story, therefore giving a complete history
The subject of trams, and in particular those of Blackburn,
my home town, has always fascinated me, which is strange,
because I’m actually too young to remember them, being
born some 10 years after the last tram had clanged it’s
way along Blackburn’s cobbled streets. The information
contained within this web site simply started out as a collection
of facts, figures, stories and other bits and pieces, collected
simply to learn more about the subject, and from there the
germ of an idea to create a book arose. As mentioned below,
some bits of information about things that must have happened,
have not been found and probably never will now, nonetheless
the desire of the original concept for the ‘book’
of creating the definitive information on the subject, I
hope, has been achieved, and I hope it will not only evoke
memories for those who knew the trams, but for the young,
and future generations, give an insight into the flavour
of the tramway era in Blackburn, and that it will be of
interest to the tramway enthusiast.
Imagine, if you will, being a young person at the very
out set of tramway operations in Blackburn and deciding
to keep a diary of the trams, info would be entered as it
happened, events noted in a chronological way, and with
this in mind, I have attempted to create a ‘diary’
type effect to the text, a so-called as-it-happens feel,
and allow the photographs to produce their own nostalgia.
Unfortunately, as mentioned above, some information, especially
from the 2nd-World War period, has been lost forever and,
although this makes this an incomplete account, it is as
comprehensive as is now possible.
One of the most frustrating aspects of any research is when
‘loose ends’ can not be tidied up, and many of
these have come about. Such as the occasion when the Corporation
was threatened with legal action over alleged infringement
of Patent rights in 1899 when the ‘Siemens’ cars
were being built, though by whom and exactly why is not
known. Some ‘loose ends’ have been included for
the sake of the story, where I have been able to elaborate
further on the information.
Another problem from a research point of view is the facts
and figures. Many facts were either not recorded or have
been lost in the mists of time, all that remains is that
which history has left us. I have attempted to use as many
references as possible to confirm certain facts and figures,
and in most instances two or three independent sources have
been used. Where any discrepancies have occurred I have
either used the majority view or that of the Corporations
own accounts as being the most accurate.
Although I have listed all the relevant acknowledgements
on the sources of information
page, I feel two or three people deserve a special mention.
Firstly my thanks go to Jim Halsall who spent many a happy
hour plodding through reference library files and old newspapers,
his nose will never be the same again!!! Also to my good
friend Alan Williams, who not only encouraged me but also
proof read the original draft version of the book. Lastly
to my late father, Roland Holden, whose interest in many
forms of public transport first put me on the road, or should
I say tramtrack, to my interest
My apologies for any errors or omissions of fact....I have
done my best.
Duncan Holden - Blackburn 1999 |
