An electrification and modernisation programme was undertaken, and until this was ready on 22 July 1909, steam trams continued to run.
Lastly, an extension to Water, from the Bacup line at Waterfoot opened on 21 January 1911.
For maximum electrical efficiency RCT used the regenerative brake system of Raworth’s Traction Patents Ltd., but following a serious accident in 1911 an embargo was placed on this form of traction; although reintroduced 20 years later.
In 1931 the tram service to Loveclough was withdrawn, and on 31 March 1932 the same happened to the route to Water.
Tramcar 23 from 1912 survives and is awaiting restoration at the Heaton Park Tramway.