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The Darwen Route

Blackburn to Darwen Trams

The Darwen Route

This is a Blackburn tram turning round at Branch Road, taken in about 1946. Some trams carried out short workings on this route, going only as far as Branch Road. The conductor is in the act of changing the trolley round by means of a long bamboo pole with a hook on the end, which was carried on all trams.

This view from Bolton Road shows Branch Road on the left and Cravens Brow to the right. Taken in about 1948, it shows a 36-75 class tram loading up on its return journey to Blackburn. Note EWS on wall. This was a leftover from the war and indicated emergency water supply.

A Blackburn tram going up Cravens Brow towards the boundary. The headlight is masked, so it is during the war, probably about 1945. Note the lattice gate which was pulled across at the driver's end when he was driving. In the background can be seen the coaling stage at Lower Darwen engine sheds.

A Blackburn tram at the top of Cravens Brow approaching the boundary. The building in the distance is Ravenscroft, subsequently the Red House and now called the Bear Hotel. This shot was taken in about 1938. Note how Darwen and Blackburn were separated by a green belt in those days. Now new housing estates link the two towns.

This Darwen tram has just crossed the boundary into Darwen. The date is about 1938. Note the concrete phone box on the left with the reversed colours.

The date of this is about 1946. This is a Blackburn tram arriving at the boundary. Note that the tramlines have been removed from the road into Darwen. Passengers had to transfer to a Darwen bus to continue their journey. Tickets were issued as far as the boundary and exchanged for another for the rest of the journey to Darwen.

This was taken on the 18th April 1949. It shows a Blackburn tram arriving at the boundary laden with tram enthusiasts on a special tour.

Taken in about 1948, this shows the Blackburn tram arriving and the Darwen bus waiting to take the passengers on board to complete their journey.

Another photograph taken about 1948 showing Blackburn tram arriving at boundary with Darwen bus waiting.

This is one of the first batch of electric trams numbers 28-35 in about 1901. Note the open top; a pleasant experience on fine days, but on wet or cold days passengers would wait for the next tram rather than travel up there. These trams were originally furnished with cushions and curtains, but these were abandoned because of the workers' dirty clothes.

This shot was taken around 1911 and shows a Blackburn open top tram class 36-75 at Lynwood travelling towards Darwen. The Co-op on the left is now Johnson's Swimming School. Hollins Grove Congregational Church is visible in the distance. Notice how the children feel safe to wander in and out of the road. Not something they could do today.

This is one of the first batch of electric trams numbers 28-35 in about 1901. Note the open top; a pleasant experience on fine days, but on wet or cold days, passengers would wait for the next tram rather than travel up there. These trams were originally furnished with cushions and curtains, but these were abandoned because of the workers' dirty clothes.

The 'Streamliners' were built to the Blackpool design, but were a shortened version. This one is at Hollins Grove travelling towards the town centre. The headlamps are blacked out, so it's during the war, probably about 1945. Note the tram stop on the left and the road studs and Belisha beacon, the forerunner of the zebra crossing.

The Darwen Route

​​ ​​​​Blackburn to Darwen Trams

Blackburn to Darwen Trams