"Well known trolleybus fleets - Manchester" - advert issued by Metropolitan Vickers, Trafford Park, 1946
Manchester Corporation Transport did indeed have quite a sizable trolleybus fleet, in UK terms, that operated from 1938 until closure on the last day of 1966. The netwrok replaced several important tramway corridors - and is probably as 'well known' due to the fact the Transport Department (and in particular its General Manager) never wanted the system! Manchester was an early convert to buses from trams and would cheerfully have scrapped all electric traction - however, as the City Council was a major producer of electricity itself municipal pressure was brought to bear and - Manchester got its fleet. Another 'argument' was that between the Manchester based company of Crossley Motors (who built many of their trolleybuses) and Manchester based MetroVick (who produced the electric equipment for them) the City was 'buying local'. The advert shows the buses in their wonderful streamlined red and cream livery that the Transport Department used in the 1930s.
"Well known trolleybus fleets - Manchester" - advert issued by Metropolitan Vickers, Trafford Park, 1946
Manchester Corporation Transport did indeed have quite a sizable trolleybus fleet, in UK terms, that operated from 1938 until closure on the last day of 1966. The netwrok replaced several important tramway corridors - and is probably as 'well known' due to the fact the Transport Department (and in particular its General Manager) never wanted the system! Manchester was an early convert to buses from trams and would cheerfully have scrapped all electric traction - however, as the City Council was a major producer of electricity itself municipal pressure was brought to bear and - Manchester got its fleet. Another 'argument' was that between the Manchester based company of Crossley Motors (who built many of their trolleybuses) and Manchester based MetroVick (who produced the electric equipment for them) the City was 'buying local'. The advert shows the buses in their wonderful streamlined red and cream livery that the Transport Department used in the 1930s.