Blackpool Electric Tramway

The first tramway in Britain operated by electricity, carried in a conduit between the tracks, based on the design of Michael Holroyd Smith

1884 Plans were produced for an electric tramway that would connect North and South Shore in Blackpool. The Corporation paid for and maintained the infrastructure, whilst the Blackpool Electric Tramway Company, formed in January 1885, provided the electrical equipment, depot and tramcars. It used the patented system of Mr. M. Holroyd Smith, of Halifax. A 2 mile service was commissioned along the promenade from Claremont Park to South Shore for Blackpool Corporation. This was the first electric tramway for public use in Britain, powered by a conduit in the track

The Blackpool Electric Tramway Co had ten directors, six of whom were from Halifax, including the chairman, Richard Horsfall; the tramway was constructed by Halifax engineers.

1885 The tramway opened on the 29th September. The trams collected electrical current from a slot in the centre of the track but the operation was somewhat haphazard due to salt water and sand regularly filling the slot. Nevertheless the system was a commercial success.

1892 the Corporation took over the running of the tramway - see Blackpool, St Annes and Lytham Tramways

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