Rossendale Valley Tramways



Owner Rossendale Valley Tramways Company
Opened 31st January 1889 (steam)
Operator Rossendale Valley Tramways Company
Taken over July 1898 (British Electric Traction Company Limited) - majority shareholding acquired
Taken over 1st October 1908 (Rawtenstall and Bacup Corporations, and thereafter worked by Rawtenstall Corporation Tramways)
Length 6.35 miles
Gauge 4ft 0ins

Button description Elaborate script initials (‘RVTC’)
Materials known Brass
Button Line reference [None]

Comment Although the BETCo-owned the RVTCo for approximately 8 years, staff do not ever appear to have been issued with the standard BETCo 'Magnet and Wheel' cap badge or buttons; this was very likely a conscious decision given the distinctive 'electrical' design that they bore. The BETCo did in fact push to electrify the line, but gave up in the face of concerted local authority opposition.

Photographs strongly suggest that uniforms were not worn prior to the BETCo takeover (see link). Whilst there is a possibility that the button shown could have been used on an inspectors uniforms (assuming the company employed them), it seems fairly unlikely.