British Insulated Cables Ltd., Prescot, Lancashire : catalogue C.2.M. : overhead equipment for tramways and railless traction : December 1932 : St. Helens Corporation Transport trolleybus installation
The British Insulated Cables Ltd, based at Prescot in Lancashire, were one of several UK cable and electrical equipment manufacturers who served the more specialist market for electric traction - primarily trams but also, at the time of this catalogue, the growing market for 'railless traction' better known as trolleybuses. This catalogue details the many components available for overhead line construction and includes cable ears, hangers, insulators and equipment for junctions such as frogs.
The company had its origins in the 1890 formation of the British Insulated Wire Company whose founders included the brilliant electrical engineer Sebastian Ziani de Ferranti. The name was changed to British Insulated & Helsby Cables following a merger in 1902; the Helsby was dropped in 1925. In 1945 they merged with Callender's to form BICC.
The photos show, interestingly, the 'newer' world of railless or trolleybus overhead and this looks to be at the 'older' standard of 1' 6" separation between the positive and negative wires that 'railless' required - there being no 'rail' for earth return. The second photo is, I think, of the same system that would have been local to Prescot - that of St. Helens. The vehicle seen being posed, along with the crew, is DJ 3245 - this being a 1927 Garrett single deck chassis with Ransomes bodywork. It is seen carrying fleet number 103, having been renumbered thus in 1929 and a year before withdrawal in 1938 it received fleet number 161.
I love the various people standing watching the photographer capture the scene - including the small child at far right, leaning on the overhead pole!
British Insulated Cables Ltd., Prescot, Lancashire : catalogue C.2.M. : overhead equipment for tramways and railless traction : December 1932 : St. Helens Corporation Transport trolleybus installation
The British Insulated Cables Ltd, based at Prescot in Lancashire, were one of several UK cable and electrical equipment manufacturers who served the more specialist market for electric traction - primarily trams but also, at the time of this catalogue, the growing market for 'railless traction' better known as trolleybuses. This catalogue details the many components available for overhead line construction and includes cable ears, hangers, insulators and equipment for junctions such as frogs.
The company had its origins in the 1890 formation of the British Insulated Wire Company whose founders included the brilliant electrical engineer Sebastian Ziani de Ferranti. The name was changed to British Insulated & Helsby Cables following a merger in 1902; the Helsby was dropped in 1925. In 1945 they merged with Callender's to form BICC.
The photos show, interestingly, the 'newer' world of railless or trolleybus overhead and this looks to be at the 'older' standard of 1' 6" separation between the positive and negative wires that 'railless' required - there being no 'rail' for earth return. The second photo is, I think, of the same system that would have been local to Prescot - that of St. Helens. The vehicle seen being posed, along with the crew, is DJ 3245 - this being a 1927 Garrett single deck chassis with Ransomes bodywork. It is seen carrying fleet number 103, having been renumbered thus in 1929 and a year before withdrawal in 1938 it received fleet number 161.
I love the various people standing watching the photographer capture the scene - including the small child at far right, leaning on the overhead pole!