TROLLEYBUSES
Page 1
The Greater Manchester area possessed a number of trolleybus systems over a fairly long period ranging from early 'Trackless' systems to the more modern equipment operated by Manchester itself from the mid 1930s.
Ashton-under-Lyne, Oldham, Stockport Ramsbottom and Wigan all operated 'Trackless' vehicles at various times and with varying degrees of success. Indeed Ashton and Oldham jointly converted the through tram route between the two towns to 'Trackless' operation. However Oldham fairly quickly reverted to using trams on its section between the Hathershaw boundary and Oldham town centre leaving Ashton to continue with the trolleybuses. Eventually the Ashton section was used as a proving ground for new trolleybuses for Manchester and Ashton when they converted the tram routes between Stalybridge, Ashton and Manchester to trolleybus operation in the mid 1930s.
(Photo MTMS archive)
A rare view of Ramsbottom 'Trackless' No. 2 at Edenfield showing the simple chassis frame and tram type body.
(Photo G. Hyde collection)
Ashton 'Trackless' no 51 on trial at Hathershaw with an Oldham tram behind. In later years Ashton trolleybuses would terminate here and connect with reinstated Oldham trams.
(Photo G. Hyde collection)
Ashton 'Trackless' No.50 at the Tramways Bureau at Ashton Market Place bound for Hathershaw
(Photo G. Hyde collection)
Ashton 'Trackless' No. 56 passes Manchester Crossley 1006 on Oldham Road Ashton during trials of the new Manchester trolleybuses on the Hathershaw route. The Manchester trolleybus shows the distinctive streamlined livery and styling adopted by the operator for its 'Mancunian' buses at the time.
(Photo G. Hyde collection)
Ashton Crossley No 58 outside the Ashton depot on Mossley Road. This was Crossley's first trolleybus and was used alongside the 'Trackless' trolleybuses on the Hathershaw route at first.
MANCHESTER TRANSPORT MUSEUM SOCIETY