The following list was obtained from Intack depot during the 1960’s and gives a great deal of useful information regarding over hauling of the trams. Much of the details of this information has helped to compile the main text of this web site.

Unfortunately, a lot of the information from Intack depot has been lost. There were originally another three ‘volumes’ of this, but these disappeared, especially the information covering the very early years and from the late 1930’s onwards, this latter gave details of dates when each tram was withdrawn from service and why. Sadly, this is an incomplete list, nevertheless, I feel it is worth publishing, as it is all that is left.

The listing is word for word as written in the records.

'SIEMEN'S' CARS No.'s 28-35

Dec 1921 windscreens fitted and new staircases
Grid type resistance fitted
June 1929 trolley standard fitted in centre of roof
May 1934 Interior lighting increased

Aug 1913 Fitted with Siemens 250/19ct motors
Fitted with Siemens TH2 controllers
Fitted with Siemens electro mech.
Y.P.Type resistors
Apr 1920 Roof extended and windscreens fitted and new staircases
May 1928 Trolley standard put in centre of roof
Apr 1932 Outside painted only and trucks over hauled

Feb 1920 Roof extended and windscreens fitted and new staircases
Mar 1928 trolley standard placed in centre of roof
Feb 1933 interior lighting increased

Nov 1920 roof extended, windscreens fitted and staircases fitted
fitted with DK 31 motors
DB1-K3C controllers and type H form sl resistors fitted
Nov 1928 trolley standard placed in centre of roof
Mar 1933 interior lighting increased and complete over haul
May 1934 field coils reduced

Aug 1920 roof extended, windscreens and new staircases fitted
2 x DB K3C controllers fitted
July 1928 trolley standard placed in centre of roof
Feb 1932 interior lighting increased
Aug 1933 field coils reduced and interpoles fitted

Nov 1919 roof extended, windscreens and new staircases fitted
Oct 1927 trolley plank placed in centre of roof
June 1932 interior lighting increased
Aug 1933 field coils reduced and interpoles fitted

Jan 1921 roof extended, windscreens fitted and new staircases fitted
Jan 1929 trolley standard placed in centre of roof
Apr 1933 interior lighting increased
Feb 1935 Filed coils reduced and interpoles fitted

May 1919 roof extended, windscreens fitted and new staircase fitted
Mar 1927 trolley standard placed in centre of roof
Feb 1932 interior lighting increased
May 1933 filed coils reduced and interpoles fitted
Apr 1936 over haul and rebuild on a/c of damage to body

Mar 1932 Angle liners riveted to side channels
interior lighting increased

Dec 1925 New top cover fitted (Brush)
seating altered to 30/40
trucks lowered and 26inch wheels fitted
motors altered to suit
Sept 1929 Angle liners riveted to side channels
July 1933 New upholstered seating fitted
armatures converted to 4 turn and vent fans fitted

July 1926 New top cover fitted
seating reduced to 30/40
trucks lowered and 26inch wheels fitted- motors altered to suit
Apr 1930 Angle liners fitted to side channels
Jan 1934 New upholstered transverse seating fitted
armatures converted to 4 turn
field coils reduced and interpole coils fitted

Feb 1928 New top cover fitted
seating altered to 30/40
trucks lowered and 26inch wheels fitted
- motors altered to suit
Dec 1931 Angle liners riveted to side channels
Upholstered transverse seats fitted
Aug 1932 4 second hand BTH 265J type motors fitted (high-speed)

Dec 1929 Top cover fitted
seating altered to 30/40
trucks lowered and 26inch wheels
fitted
motors altered to suit
Oct 1933 upholstered transverse seating fitted
armatures altered to 4 turn - field coils
reduced and interpoles fitted
interior lighting altered

Jan 1926 top cover fitted (Brush)
seating altered to 30/40
trucks lowered and 26inch wheels fitted
motors altered to suit
Jan 1930 angle liners riveted to side channels
upholstered transverse seats fitted
armatures altered to 4 turn
field coils reduced and interpoles fitted

June 1906 top cover fitted
seats altered to 30/40
Dec 1926 top cover altered
trucks lowered and 26inch wheels fitted
motors altered to suit
May 1930 angle liners riveted to side channels
upholstered transverse seats
fitted (by 'Pierce')
4 second hand BTH 265J type motors
fitted (high speed)
June 1934 Complete over haul
fitted with GE 52 4-turn equipment
and mechanical run back sanders

Nov 1916 trucks altered for two motor
equipment and 2 x GE 249A motors
fitted (BTH)
Sep 1924 trucks altered to re-instate
GE 52 motors (4)
June 1928 Top cover fitted and 26inch wheels
fitted - motors altered to suit
Feb 1932 angle liners riveted to side channels
upholstered seats fitted - Siddall Hilton

Dec 1907 top cover fitted (Blackburn)
July 1927 New top cover fitted (Blackburn)
trucks lowered and 26inch wheels
fitted - motors altered to suit
seating altered to 30/40
Oct 1930 angle liners fitted to side channels
??? 1934 Upholstered seats fitted - Siddall Hilton
New mech. conductor bell fitted

Nov 1925 New top cover fitted (Brush 60)
trucks lowered and 26inch wheels
fitted - motors altered to suit
seating altered to 30/40
Nov 1929 angle liners riveted to side channels
Aug 1931 upholstered transverse seating fitted - Siddall Hilton

July 1931 angle liners riveted to side channels

Oct 1925 top cover fitted (Blackburn)
trucks lowered and 26inch wheels
fitted - motors altered to suit
seating altered to 30/40
July 1929 trucks over hauled and outside of car
only painted
July 1933 New angle liners riveted to side
channels
upholstered seating fitted -
Siddall Hilton
armatures altered to 4 turn
field coils reduced and interpoles fitted

June 1931 Angle liners riveted to side channels
trolley standard placed in centre of Roof
interior lighting increased - the six roof lights were removed and ten new type fitted

Oct 1931 angle liners riveted to side channels
trolley standard placed in centre of roof
interior lighting increased - the six
roof lights were removed and ten new type fitted

Aug 1931 angle liners riveted to side channels
trolley standard placed in centre of roof
interior lighting increased- the six
roof lights were removed and ten new type fitted

Mar 1925 top cover fitted (Brush 60)
trucks altered and 26inch wheels fitted
motors altered to suit
Aug 1932 angle liners riveted to side channels
interior lighting altered
Apr 1934 Upholstered transverse seating fitted
Mech. run back sanders fitted

Mar 1927 Top cover fitted "Blackburn"
trucks altered and 26inch wheels fitted
- motors altered to suit
seating altered to 30/40
4 x BTH 265D motors fitted
(high speed)
Oct 1930 angle liners riveted to side channels
interior lighting increased
upholstered transverse seating fitted -
"Siddall Hilton"

Feb 1927 top cover fitted
trucks lowered and 26inch wheels fitted
- motors altered to suit
seating altered to 30/40
Aug 1930 angle liners riveted to side channels
interior lighting altered
Nov 1934 New upholstered seating fitted
(Siddall Hilton)
Mech. run back sanders fitted

July 1927 New stairs fitted - 'Our make'
May 1932 angle liners riveted to side channels

Apr 1928 top cover fitted "Blackburn"
trucks lowered and 26inch wheels fitted
- motors altered to suit
seating altered to 30/40
Dec 1931 angle liner riveted to side channels
interior lighting altered
Oct 1932 4 second hand BTH 265J type motors
fitted (high speed)
new upholstered seats fitted

June 1906 top cover fitted "Blackburn"
Oct 1926 top cover altered to suit low bridges
and new roof out on
seating altered to 30/40
trucks lowered and 26inch wheels
fitted- motors altered to suit
May 1930 angle liners riveted to side channels
interior lighting altered

Dec 1927 new top cover fitted "Blackburn"
trucks lowered and 26inch wheels fitted
- motors altered to suit
seating altered to 30/40
Oct 1931 Angle liners riveted to side channels
interior lighting altered
July 1932 4 second hand BTH 265J type motors
fitted (high speed)
upholstered transverse seating fitted
'Siddall Hilton'

Sept 1927 New top cover fitted
trucks lowered and 26inch wheels
fitted - motors altered to suit
seating altered to 30/40
Nov 1930 angle liners riveted to side channels
interior lighting altered
May 1934 upholstered transverse seating fitted

July 1929 angle liners riveted to side channels
Jan 1933 new top cover fitted
trucks lowered and 26inch wheels
fitted - motors altered to suit
interior lighting increased
upholstered transverse seating
'Siddall Hilton' fitted

Nov 1930 angle liners riveted to side channels
interior lighting altered

Apr 1929 top cover fitted
trucks lowered and 26inch wheels
fitted - motors altered to suit
seating altered to 30/40
angle liners riveted to side channels
interior lighting altered
May 1934 upholstered seating fitted
mech. run back sanders fitted

Mar 1931 angle liners riveted to side channels
interior lighting increased
Apr 1933 top cover fitted
trucks lowered and 26inch wheels fitted
motors altered to suit
new upholstered seating fitted
"Siddall Hilton"

June 1926 New top cover fitted "Blackburn"
trucks lowered and 26inch wheels
fitted - motors altered to suit
seating altered to 30/40
Feb 1930 angle liners fitted to side channels
interior lighting altered
Aug 1934 Upholstered seating fitted
mech. run back sanders fitted

Aug 1929 new top cover fitted
trucks lowered and 26inch wheels
- motors altered to suit
seating altered to 30/40
May 1933 new upholstered transverse seating
fitted
motors converted to 4-turn
Field coils reduced and interpole
chokes fitted
rectangular wire used for armatures
rectangular wire used for field coils

June 1929 new top cover fitted
trucks lowered and 26inch wheels
fitted - motors altered to suit
angle liners riveted to side channels
interior lighting altered
seating altered to 30/40
June 1933 upholstered seating fitted
motors altered to 4-turn
field coils reduced and interpoles fitted

July 1930 top cover fitted
trucks lowered and 26inch wheels
fitted - motors altered to suit
angle liners riveted to side channels
seating altered to 30/40
interior lighting altered
Apr 1934 upholstered transverse seating fitted
motors altered to 4-turn
field coils reduced and interpole chokes fitted

July 1925 new top cover fitted "Blackburn"
trucks lowered and 26inch wheels
fitted - motors altered to suit
seating altered to 30/40
Nov 1932 angle liners riveted to side channels
interior lighting increased
July 1934 upholstered seating fitted
mech. run back sanders fitted

Sept 1914 windscreen fitted and brake handle
replaced by brake wheel and bevel gears

July 1915 windscreen fitted and brake handle
replaced by brake wheel and bevel gears

Dec 1914 windscreen fitted and brake handle
replaced by brake wheel and bevel gears

Oct 1915 windscreen fitted and brake handle
replaced by brake wheel and bevel gears

Mar 1916 windscreen fitted and brake handle
replaced by brake wheel and bevel gears

Sept 1916 windscreen fitted and brake handle
replaced by brake wheel and bevel gears

Apr 1918 windscreen fitted and brake handle
replaced by brake wheel and bevel gears

Oct 1917 windscreen fitted and brake handle
replaced by brake wheel and bevel gears

Mar 1917 windscreen fitted and brake handle
replaced by brake wheel and bevel gears

Sep 1918 windscreen fitted and brake handle
replaced by brake wheel and bevel gears
Hoffmans roller bearings fitted

May 1914 windscreen fitted and brake handle
replaced by brake wheel and bevel
gears
May 1925 Fitted for one-man-operation by
installing compressor and reservoirs
to operate door and brakes by
G.D.Peters

Jan 1918 windscreen fitted and brake handle
replaced by brake wheel and bevel gears

??? 1912 withdrawn from public service
Sept 1918 converted to corrugation scrubber
July 1925 converted to Works Haulage Car

Jan 3rd, 1948 Sat. No.37 Bell rope broken No.2 end
Jan 4th, 1948 Sun No.42 Motor trouble (bucking on full power)
Jan 28th, 1948 Wed. No.42 Footbell No.2 end out of order
Jan 28th, 1948 Wed. No.50 Trolley head off
Feb 5th, 1948 Thurs. No.65 Blowing breakers No.1 end (hit something in track)
Feb 24th, 1948 Wed.No.63 under carriage catches setts at Kirby's Garage
March 3rd, 1948 Sun.No.72 Jumped points at Canal side (Church Bridge)
Oct 10th, 1948 Sun. No.49 jumped points in front of Palace Points(No.2 end)
Nov 4th, 1948 Thur. No.48 examine under carriage, been across two roads at Boundary. No.2 bogie jumped points while driving from No.1 end
Dec 3rd, 1948 Fri. No.68 taken off loop at Church. Hand rail live
Jan 12th, 1949 Wed. No.38 Examine trolley head (left wire at Boundary)
Jan 16th, 1949 Sun. No.48 Been off track at Redcap (facing point), also sand pipe broken
Jan 19th, 1949 Wed. No.63 Trolley knocked off wire by car No.72
Feb 7th, 1949 Mon. No.71 Buffer broken at No.1 end, also examine trolley head
Feb 10th, 1949 Thur. No.41 Trolley left wire coming down Craven's Brow, roundabout No.86 pillar
Feb 12th, 1949 Sat. No.64 Sizzling on 8th notch at No.2 end
Feb 13th, 1949 Sun. No.63 Inspect trolley head (carbon coming out)
Feb 25th, 1949 Fri. No.37 Trolley off wire at White Bull corner
March 8th, 1949 Tues. No.75 Examine trolley (left wire at cross-over, Darwen Street)
March 15th, 1949 Tues.No.70 Lifeguard catching setts at No.2 end
March 16th, 1949 Wed. No.70 Trolley flashing, also lifeguard catching setts at No.2 end
March 17th, 1949 Thur. No.65 Sand running away
March 19th, 1949 Sat. No.37 Trolley left wire proceeding round White Bull corner. No damage done
March 27th, 1949 Sun. No.41 Stops damaged
March 31st, 1949 Thur. No.45 Brought off loop (cabin damaged No.2 end)

It is interesting to note that in the above descriptions, the ends of the cars were called No.1 and No.2. Much confusion and debate had arisen over the years as regards to which is the front and back of a tramcar. Blackburn had each end numbered simply for maintenance and repair identification purposes.

Early in 1956, the Northern Daily Telegraph entered into the debate by answering the question posed by a reader as to "...which is the back of a tram?" by stating that there was no front or back, as the average tramcar is identical. However, another reader attempted to put the record straight by stating:

"Some time ago a friend of mine was sitting an examination for the Metropolitan Police, and one of the questions in a general knowledge test was 'Which is the back of a tramcar?'. His answer was '..the opposite end to where the driver is, or, to put it another way, where the driver isn't.' He got the answer wrong, and after, asked the officer how he failed on this question and was told that the rear of a tramcar was the end to which the number plate is attached, the implication being that the number plate is only attached to one end. If this is correct, imagine the complication if a motorist ran into the 'back' of a tramcar which was running in reverse. He would have run into the front although travelling in the same direction!"

In the same article another reader tried to throw new light on the subject by stating:

"May I relate an incident which will help to confuse the argument.....some time prior to the War, I was happened to be standing at the Bastwell tram stop on the Wilpshire route as a tram was about to depart for town, As the driver moved the control handle to set the tram in motion there was a loud report and a sheet of flame shot from the control box, which put the tram out of action. The driver escaped injury and without further ado, removed the control handle and key from the box, opened the sliding doors leading to the saloon, walked through to the conductors end and fitted the control handle and key into the box and the tram departed for town...
"In this case the Wilpshire end became the front end but, as the tram was travelling to town on it's correct track, and with the flow of traffic, the town end must have been the front end. Also, to drive in the direction of town from the Wilpshire end control box, the driver must have put his key in the reverse position. Furthermore, the driver was continually twisting his body half round, first one way to view the road ahead and back again to 'whirl' the handle. All this adds up to the fact that I have had the unique experience of seeing a tram with two front ends being driven forwards in reverse by a driver doing a contortionist act..."

Painting the trams
Specifications for Painting Car Bodies ('Milnes' Cars Only)

Preparing the Body for painting
The drop windows, ventilators etc..will be removed by the coach builder before painting commences.

Removing old paint
All old paint shall be thoroughly scrapped, and if necessary, burnt off down to the iron and wood, and the panels worked up to a good surface. The Coat of Arms however, shall be left on and touched up if necessary.

Waist Panels
The waist panels shall be well stopped up and rubbed down, and shall receive two coats of lead color, one coat of oil green, one coat of dead color, and one coat of varnish color. They shall then be flatted down, after which they shall receive two coats of varnish, well flatted down after the first coat. Should it be necessary to burn the paint or rust off the waist panels, they should receive three coats of lead color and three coats of filling in addition to the above.

Rocker Panels
The rocker panels shall be well stopped up and rubbed down and shall receive three coats of oil cream color and one coat of Ripolin. They shall then be flatted down, and if necessary lining and lettering done, after which, they shall receive two coats of varnished, well flatted down after the first coat.

Stairways
The stringers shall be well rubbed down to a good surface and shall receive one coat of lead color, two coats of oil green, and one coat of varnish color. They shall then be flatted down and receive one coat of varnish color. The step risers and treads shall be thoroughly cleaned down and sand papered, and shall receive one coat of white lead, two coats of drab color, and one coat of brown varnish color. The riser then shall be stencilled in black and the whole given one coat of varnish.

Top Framing
The window and ventilator framing and top rail, after being well rubbed down, shall receive two coats of oil color, one coat of dead color, and one coat of varnish, after which it shall be well flatted down, lined up and given two coats of varnish.

Drop Frame and Ventilator Frames
These shall receive two coats of lead color, two coats of oil green, and one coat of varnish.

Platform Steps, Channel Iron Framing, Platform Gates, Controller Covers, Buffers, Top Deck Standards etc..
Shall receive two coats of oil green, one coat of varnish color, and one coat of varnish.

Top Deck Railing
Shall be cleaned off and well sand papered, and receive two coats of oil black, one coat of varnish and Japan mixed.

Top Deck Seats
The ironwork of the top deck seats shall receive two coats of Indian red and one coat of varnish.

Trolley Standard
Shall receive two coats of lead color, one coat of oil green, and one coat of varnish color and one coat of varnish.

Flooring
The inside platforms and top deck flooring shall receive one coat of lead color

Interior of Vestibule ends
Shall be washed down with soap and hot water, and receive one coat of varnish.

The above listings are from original notes from Intack depot Circa 1910. Note the spelling of the word 'color'.

In later years the trolley standard was painted black.

The 'Milnes' cars had more elaborate lining out than the 'Siemens' and U.E.C. single-deck cars. On the green panels of the lower deck of all cars they had the same ¾inch gold line with a fine 8th of an inch white line. On the ivory panels they had a ¾inch line with a 8th of an inch red piping line. The more elaborate 'Milnes' cars also carried on each lower deck window pillar a block lined in red and the three small panels immediately above the drivers windscreen, where the rear light was positioned, were lined in 8th of an inch Lemon Chrome. We are informed by one of the painters at Intack Depot Paint-Shop that there was over 1 mile of lining on each 'Milnes' car.

Prior to 1948 paint was supplied to the department in dry powder form and was mixed as required by the paintshop, after this date, ready-mixed tins of paint were supplied by 'Dockers Paints Limited'

Transfers used on 'Milnes' cars:

4 x Coat of Arms	10s. 4d.
2 x 'Blackburn Corporation Tramways'	7s. 6d.
2 x 'J H Cowell. General Manager'	9d.
2 x 'To Carry Passengers...etc'	6d.
2 x Board of Trade notices	2s. 7d.
2 x 'Passengers entering...etc'	11d.
2 x Large figures	3s. 2d.
8 x Small figures	4d.

Prices as at December 1933