An Accident

On the evening of the 26th of August 1895, Thomas Walsh, whilst cycling with a friend from Bushmills to Portrush, tried to turn his bicycle on the tramway, he fell unto the live rail landing on his chest. He shouted three times to his companion who was 100 yards behind. He rushed to help Thomas but could not get him off the live rail because of the electric shock. He then put his mackintosh around his chest and pulled him off. Thomas was then taken to the Bushmills station where he received treatment but died 1/2 and hour later.

After this incident the Board of Trade Inspection came to the Hydro-electric station in Bushmills to inspect it. They found that the voltage was far higher than it was supposed to be. It was at 290-310 volts and the company's own director stated that he had noticed the dial at 360 volts! The Board of Trade Inspector was also concerned that the dial which the volts were recorded was too small for the attendant to see while opening and shutting the turbines. As a direct result of this incident the Board of Trade said that the company were only allowed to keep the voltage at 200 volts. This meant that only one electric tram could run at a time.

The Overhead System

Mr Traill tried to get support for an overhead line. The amount of money he was trying to raise was (continued here)