NO TROLLEYS TO PICCADILLY

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE MANCHESTER TROLLEY BUS.

[@boring5619]

I used to catch the 218 trolleybus to Openshaw College in the mid-late 60's and this sent shivers down my spine. I was there, and didn't Manchester look grim and manky? Took it for granted at the time. BUT I loved it, I recognized so many locations, roads, buildings, some I haven't seen for - I dunno, 50 years?- the cars, the vans, even the motorbike and sidecar- don't see them anymore! GPO Morris Minor vans, Ford Anglias, those pale blue glass-fibre "invalid carriages", a different world. The ribbed wooden flooring on the trolleybusses, the whine as they smoothly accelerated, the smell, I loved them.

[@48firefox]

Wonderful stuff, It amazes me how the trolley booms stayed on the wires they must have had a tremendous upward spring pressure to prevent dewirements at the junctions. I bet many cities had wished they had kept theirs , with the current car and bus pollution. Thanks for uploading for a view into the past.

[@Heath-Gallagher]

yeah they had quite strong springs to keep the traction booms on the wires. a frog handle was pulled to enable the bus to turn corners and was quite a skill for the conductor who had to get off the bus to pull the handle and then get back on and remember where he/she was.

[@mixwizard2310]

Watching this was a pleasure that brought back many wonderful recollections on how things used to be, it was a great video presentation and worth all the hard work.......Bring back the Trolleys to Piccadilly!!!!..

[@juliesmith5567]

Loverly video all black and white are loverly to see and that tune was good to hear thanks for ifo

[@Hunter-gq9er]

Brilliant video. Brings back memories. I live in Ashton and remember them. Thank you fir sharing 👍

[@DaveBriffa]

fantastic , 1 of the best films ive found on youtube. thank you

[@nigelduckworth406]

A bit late to comment now on this film but I have only today come across it. I had only one Manchester trolleybus ride and I think it must have been to Ben Brierley because I lived in Middleton. I would be about 11 or 12, but all the boys my age at school were bus spotters so we had a big interest. What amazed me was the acceleration. Twice as quick as the motor buses, even the Rochdale AECs. And so smooth and quiet.. Now, no doubt, a big loss to the environment.. Thank you for posting this fascinating film.

[@davidroberts7425]

Quite amazing footage and narration. Brings back memories on travelling the trolly to my grand parents on Ashton Old Road.

[@user-jr3eb5oo3g]

From 1957 to 1963 I traveled from Harpurhey to school in Ardwick green needing 4 bus journeys each day. Although I had choices of buses I loved the trollies the best.

[@td370]

Thanks for uploading this amazing documentary footage

[@mbak7801]

Scuffed shoes, long grey socks, shorts to above the knees, and a grey shirt and pullover. I remember walking to school in the freezing cold. Strangely we never felt cold. So full of 'get up and go' we had blue knees (usually scraped and with scabs) but otherwise were healthy and boisterous. Happy times.

[@dermotological4486]

Lived just off Ashton New Road, got the Trolley bus to the City centre for 2d and when I started work used to go into Stevie Square and then off into Deansgate at Washingtons. I loved the city and the bustle, good times, night out and change out of 10/-bob.

[@matttredrea1758]

NO TROLLEYS TO PICCADILLY

[@playpaulbee]

I can remember seeing trolley busses on I think Portland Street as a child, I don't recall riding on one, interesting to see Stevenson Square which in outline at least looks pretty much the same today

[@ericrowland1851]

I worked on the trolleys, out of Hyde Road Depot, in the mid fifties. Wonderful vehicles. Quiet and powerful.

[@user-jr3eb5oo3g]

Eat your heart out Musk. This was real electric utopia.

[@sahilandonkar]

Thank you

[@MistressValkress]

Strange that we all look towards electric vehicles now and yet... we had them in the past... once again the Human Race proves it's trait for "One step forward - 3 steps back!"

[@Rosetheromani]

Just listen at 1:35, It was the coal lobby, that advocated for trolleybuses over diesel/petrol buses because the electricity was produced in coal-burning power stations.

[@48firefox]

Would it be possible to digitally re-master this onto dvd and sharpen the picture up? and is there a present dvd available?

[@hjp1hjp22]

There were only three trolleybus routes in Manchester, going east to Tameside along Hyde Road, and Ashton Old and New Roads, and finished at the end of 1966.

[@poppasmurf]

There were lots more than three trolleybus routes in the city. In addition to the ones you mention there were several cross city routes. I can't remember their numbers but they ran down Brunswick Street past the University, Moston and Haughton Green.

[@Fonziedaz1]

Voice of martin Jenkins

[@dermotological4486]

That sign should read Grey Mare Lane, not Mark!

[@mrangry1960]

How did it work on points? Was there some means of switching the trolley poles from one pair of wires to another?

[@johnedwards2537]

i

[@johnedwards2537]

I was a new Constable in the Manchester City Police in 1960. I often did point duty at Oxford Road and Brunswick street outside the University. The trick was if you saw a 213 Trolley bus coming down Brunswick Street from Ardwick Green, you gave it a free run. This allowed it to turn left onto Oxford Road and then turn immediately right into Burlington Street without any problems. The route was then through Moss Side to the Platt Lane 'turn round' behind Platt Lane Police Station and the adjoining school before going back into the City.

[@jhvoojh]

I honestly thought this was a Partridge piss take!!