Opening of Accrington Electric Tramways (1907)
Free 14-day trial, then just £6.99 per month.
Please enter a valid email address
By entering your email address you are indicating that you have read and agree to the terms of use and privacy policy.
Free 14-day trial, then just £6.99 per month.
Get 14 days free
Cheering crowds and much jubilation greet the launch of the Accrington to Oswaldtwistle electric tram service.
Shown at Ellison's Tenement fairground in August 1907, this particularly attractive film won glowing reports from the local press, who delighted at the novel sight of "ladies, prettily attired [driving] three fine, spick and span, gaily decorated Accrington cars [performing] the taxing duty with admirable skill and judgement... accomplishing the four miles' enjoyable run without a hitch."
The film features some cheeky examples of advertising by showmen and their operators, who cunningly place a "Relph and Pedley's the Best" card in a prominent position at the front of the cab to ensure that their name is captured by the camera.