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.
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