| Blackpool Electric Tramway Company | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Operation | |
| Locale | Blackpool |
| Open | 29 September 1885 |
| Close | 10 September 1892 |
| Status | Closed |
| Infrastructure | |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) |
| Propulsion system | Conduit electric |
| Depot(s) | Blundell Street |
| Statistics | |
| Route length | 1 mile (1.6 km) |
Blackpool Electric Tramway Company operated a tramway service inBlackpool between 1885 and 1893.[1] It was the first electric tramway in England.
On 3 December 1884, Blackpool Corporation agreed to useMichael Holroyd Smith's conduit tramway and granted him a seven-year concession.
The Blackpool Electric Tramway Company was formed in January 1885, and set up with capital[2] of £30,000 (equivalent to £4,093,092 in 2023).[3] The first rail was laid in March and the first test runs were made on 29 June. The tramway was officially opened on 29 September 1885. The chairman of the company was Alderman Richard Horsfall. The location caused many problems for the conduit system and the company employed horses to pull trams when the track was flooded.
With further extensions, the line ran from Cocker Street toDean Street nearSouth Pier[4] and fromManchester Square along Lytham Road.
The tramway was a financial success. In 1890 the profits of the year were £2,983 (equivalent to £414,675 in 2023),[3] out of which a dividend of 7 per cent was paid.
When the lease expired, the corporation took over the tramway on 18 September 1893, and it continued asBlackpool Corporation Tramway. The Blackpool Electric Tramway Company was wound up.[5]
Car 4 survived and is preserved at theNational Tramway Museum inCrich,Derbyshire.[6]
