Blackpool Corporation Tramways
Owner Blackpool Corporation
Opened 12th September 1885 (electrical conduit; horse)
Operator (lessee) Blackpool Electric Tramways Co
Took over (operation) 10th September 1892 (Blackpool Corporation)
Took over 1st January 1920 (Blackpool and Fleetwood Tramroad Company [electric])
Length 20.97 miles
Gauge 4ft 8½ins
Button description (Pattern 1) Title (‘Blackpool Corporation Tramways’) surrounding arms (shield with seagull in flight on a background of waves; beneath a fleur-de-lys, thunderbolt and lion; surmounted by helmet, garland, tower and windmill sails) above motto: ‘Progress’
Materials known Nickel; chrome
Button Line reference [113/10]
Button description (Pattern 2) Title (‘Corporation Tramways’) surrounding arms (shield with seagull in flight on a background of waves; beneath a fleur-de-lys, thunderbolt and lion; surmounted by helmet, garland, tower and windmill sails) above motto: ‘Progress’
Materials known Black horn; brass
Button Line reference [None]
Comment The brass Pattern 2 button came from a collection of mint J R Gaunt buttons that probably originated from a J R Gaunt pattern book. As I am only aware of a single example in brass, it would seem highly likely that this is a pattern book example that was never manufactured in quantity. Blackpool Corporation presumably preferred the black horn example for issue to tramway inspectors/senior grades.