Doncaster's re-cycled trolleybus bodies

Doncaster Corporation where loyal customers of coachbuilders Charles H Roe Ltd of Crossgates, Leeds. Not surprisingly most of their buses and trolleybuses were fitted with sturdy and very pleasing Roe body work. Constructed from seasoned Teak timber, the post war Roe bodies were so durable, that when trolleybus operation ended in the town in early 1960s, the bodies were removed from redundant trolleybuses, refurbished by Roe and re-fitted on to both Leyland and Daimler motorbus chassiss.

 

The former trolleybus bodies were easy to identify, as the first window pillar in the upper saloon was much wider than the rest. This had been where the electrical cables had been channelled to carry the power from the roof-mounted overhead collection equipment down to the traction motors underneath the trolleybus.

 

Doncaster 186 was one of twelve Daimler CVG6s new to DCT in late 1962 - early 1963, and took the body from former Doncaster trolleybus 389. The picture shows 186 in the ownership of South Yorkshire PTE (re-numbered 1186), departing Doncaster's town centre on 1st June 1974.

 

The Daimler CVG6 rebodies were as follows:

 

Doncaster 168: Body ex Doncaster trolleybus 386

Doncaster 169: Body ex Doncaster trolleybus 384

Doncaster 170: Body ex Doncaster trolleybus 351

Doncaster 171: Body ex Doncaster trolleybus 352

Doncaster 172: Body ex Doncaster trolleybus 370

Doncaster 173: Body ex Doncaster trolleybus 392

Doncaster 182: Body ex Doncaster trolleybus 391

Doncaster 183: Body ex Doncaster trolleybus 390

Doncaster 184: Body ex Doncaster trolleybus 385

Doncaster 185: Body ex Doncaster trolleybus 387

Doncaster 186: Body ex Doncaster trolleybus 389

Doncaster 187: Body ex Doncaster trolleybus 388

 

Done