Trolleybuses in Glasgow
Encyclopedia
The Glasgow trolleybus
system operated in the City of Glasgow
, Scotland
, between 1949 and 1967, with the network reaching its largest extent in 1959.
The trolleybuses were owned and operated by Glasgow Corporation's Transport Department (along with the city's buses, trams
and the Subway
).
Glasgow's first trolleybuses were a fleet of 34 three axle (six-wheeled), double-deck B.U.T. vehicles with bodywork by Metro-Cammell of Birmingham. They were almost identical to those built for London Transport
, even briefly including London's distinctive trolleybus symbol (a "T" over the London Transport roundel). In 1950 Glasgow bought 30 Daimler
trolleybuses.
Between 1957 and 1959, a fleet of 90 B.U.T. type 9613T trolleybuses with Crossley
double-deck bodywork were built. Unlike the earlier vehicles, these trolleybuses had two axles.
. Following the closure of the tram system in 1962, the maintenance of the electrical supply system solely for the trolleybuses became impractically expensive.
Construction of approach roads to the Clyde Tunnel
led to the abandonment of trolleybus services to Linthouse and Shieldhall in 1964. In 1965 Glasgow Corporation agreed to purchase 150 new Leyland Atlantean
diesel buses to replace the remaining trolleybuses. Glasgow's last trolleybuses ran on 27 May 1967.
Trolleybus
A trolleybus is an electric bus that draws its electricity from overhead wires using spring-loaded trolley poles. Two wires and poles are required to complete the electrical circuit...
system operated in the City of Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, between 1949 and 1967, with the network reaching its largest extent in 1959.
The trolleybuses were owned and operated by Glasgow Corporation's Transport Department (along with the city's buses, trams
Glasgow Corporation Tramways
Glasgow Corporation Tramways were formerly one of the largest urban tramway systems in Europe. Over 1000 municipally-owned trams served the city of Glasgow, Scotland with over 100 route miles by 1922...
and the Subway
Glasgow Subway
The Glasgow Subway is an underground metro line in Glasgow, Scotland. Opened on 14 December 1896, it is the third-oldest underground metro system in the world after the London Underground and the Budapest Metro. Formerly a cable railway, the Subway was later electrified, but its twin circular lines...
).
Routes
All Glasgow's trolleybus routes were numbered from 101 onwards. Summary of services:- 101: Started on 6 November 1949, initially between Shawfield and Cathedral Street (replacing part of tram route 10). The route was eventually extended to run between RutherglenRutherglenRutherglen is a town in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. In 1975, it lost its own local council and administratively became a component of the City of Glasgow. In 1996 Rutherglen was reallocated to the South Lanarkshire council area.-History:...
and RiddrieRiddrieRiddrie is a north eastern district of Glasgow, Scotland. It lies on the A80 Cumbernauld Road.Riddrie is a residential area mainly consisting of 1930s semi-detached houses, originally built as council housing but now largely privately owned. The former Monkland Canal to the north was filled in the...
. Closed on 20 April 1966 and replaced by bus route 27.
- 102: Started on 3 April 1949, initially between PolmadiePolmadiePolmadie is a district of Glasgow, a city in Scotland. Polmadie is situated south of the River Clyde, and adjacent to the Gorbals....
and Riddrie (replacing tram route 2). Cut back from Riddrie to Royston Road on 2 September 1962. Withdrawn on 30 April 1966.
- 103: Southerly extension of route 102 to Hampden ParkHampden ParkHampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland...
, starting on 3 July 1949 (but not renumbered 103 until 6 August 1950). Withdrawn on 9 May 1959.
- 104: Started on 31 August 1952 between Muirend and Cathedral Street, replacing part of motorbus route 37. Withdrawn on 6 January 1962.
- 105: Started on 5 July 1953 between Queen's Cross and ClarkstonClarkstonClarkston may refer to:USA*Clarkston, Georgia*Clarkston, Michigan*Clarkston, Utah*Clarkston, WashingtonScotland, UK*Clarkston, East Renfrewshire, a small town in Greater Glasgow...
, replacing part of tram route 13. Withdrawn on 27 May 1967 and replaced by bus route 66. This was the last trolleybus route to operate in Scotland.
- 106: Started on 15 June 1958 between Millerston or Riddrie and BellahoustonBellahoustonBellahouston is a district in the southwest of the Scottish city of Glasgow. It is bordered by Ibrox, Dumbreck and Pollokshields.-History:...
, replacing tram route 7. Additional rush hour services to LinthouseLinthouseLinthouse is a district in the Scottish city of Glasgow. It is situated south of the River Clyde. It is immediately west of Govan, and although it is often referred to locally as 'Govan' due to its closeness, it is in fact a distinct area .Linthouse was home to the shipbuilder...
and Shieldhall were replaced by motorbus route 106 on 14 November 1964, due to the construction of the Clyde TunnelClyde TunnelThe Clyde Tunnel is a crossing beneath the River Clyde in Glasgow, Scotland. Two parallel tunnel tubes connect the districts of Whiteinch to the north and Govan to the south in the west of the city.-History:...
. Service withdrawn on 1 October 1966 and replaced by bus route 65.
- 107: Started 7 May 1958 between Maitland Street and Muirend, replacing parts of motorbus routes 18 and 43. Withdrawn 4 March 1967 and replaced by bus 67.
- 108: Started 15 November 1958 between Mount FloridaMount FloridaMount Florida is an area in the southeastern corner of the Scottish city of Glasgow.- Details :The origins of the name are uncertain. It has been stated that it derives from Mount Florida House, owned by a family from Florida, USA...
and Paisley Road Toll, replacing tram service 12. Rush hour services to Linthouse and Shieldhall withdrawn on 14 November 1964 (see route 106). Withdrawn 4 March 1967 and replaced by bus 68.
Vehicles
The majority of Glasgow's trolleybuses were double-deck vehicles, painted in Glasgow Corporation's orange, green and cream livery (though in a different style from the buses and trams). The destination blinds on the trolleybuses used white letters on a green background (unlike the trams and buses, with more conventional white lettering on a black background).Glasgow's first trolleybuses were a fleet of 34 three axle (six-wheeled), double-deck B.U.T. vehicles with bodywork by Metro-Cammell of Birmingham. They were almost identical to those built for London Transport
London Transport Executive
The London Transport Executive was the organisation responsible for public transport in the Greater London area, UK, between 1948-1962. In common with all London transport authorities from 1933 to 2000, the public name and operational brand of the organisation was London Transport.-Creation:On 1...
, even briefly including London's distinctive trolleybus symbol (a "T" over the London Transport roundel). In 1950 Glasgow bought 30 Daimler
Daimler Motor Company
The Daimler Motor Company Limited was an independent British motor vehicle manufacturer founded in London by H J Lawson in 1896, which set up its manufacturing base in Coventry. The right to the use of the name Daimler had been purchased simultaneously from Gottlieb Daimler and Daimler Motoren...
trolleybuses.
Between 1957 and 1959, a fleet of 90 B.U.T. type 9613T trolleybuses with Crossley
Crossley
Crossley, based in Manchester, United Kingdom, was a pioneering company in the production of internal combustion engines. Since 1988 it has been part of the Rolls-Royce Power Engineering group.More than 100,000 Crossley oil and gas engines have been built....
double-deck bodywork were built. Unlike the earlier vehicles, these trolleybuses had two axles.
Closure
The trolleybuses (as well as the city's much larger tram fleet) used electricity generated at Pinkston power station, later sold to the South of Scotland Electricity BoardSouth of Scotland Electricity Board
The South of Scotland Electricity Board , was formed as a result of the Electricity Reorganisation Act 1954. On 1 April 1955, the two southern Scottish Area Electricity Boards were merged into the South of Scotland Electricity Board...
. Following the closure of the tram system in 1962, the maintenance of the electrical supply system solely for the trolleybuses became impractically expensive.
Construction of approach roads to the Clyde Tunnel
Clyde Tunnel
The Clyde Tunnel is a crossing beneath the River Clyde in Glasgow, Scotland. Two parallel tunnel tubes connect the districts of Whiteinch to the north and Govan to the south in the west of the city.-History:...
led to the abandonment of trolleybus services to Linthouse and Shieldhall in 1964. In 1965 Glasgow Corporation agreed to purchase 150 new Leyland Atlantean
Leyland Atlantean
The Leyland Atlantean is a model of double-decker bus built by Leyland in the United Kingdom from 1958 to 1986....
diesel buses to replace the remaining trolleybuses. Glasgow's last trolleybuses ran on 27 May 1967.
Books
- Brian T. Deans, Glasgow's Trolleybuses, Scottish Tramway Museum Society, 1977 (2nd edn.), ISBN 0 900648 17 1
- G. Lumb, British Trolleybuses 1911-1972, Ian Allan Ltd, 1995, ISBN 0 7110 2347 6
See also
- Transport in GlasgowTransport in GlasgowThe city of Glasgow, Scotland has a transport system encompassing air, rail, road, and an underground rail circuit. Prior to 1962, the city was also served by trams.-Airports:Glasgow is served by two international airports and a seaplane terminal:...
- List of trolleybus systems in the United Kingdom
- Scottish Tramway and Transport SocietyScottish Tramway and Transport SocietyThe Scottish Tramway and Transport Society was founded on 27 June 1951. Until 1983 it was known as the Scottish Tramway Museum Society. The Society was originally formed by tramway enthusiasts, mainly living in the Glasgow area, with a view to preserve a Glasgow "Room and Kitchen" type single deck...
- The Trolleybus Museum at SandtoftThe Trolleybus Museum at SandtoftThe Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft is a transport museum which specialises in the preservation of trolleybuses. It is located by the village of Sandtoft, near Belton on the Isle of Axholme in the English county of Lincolnshire.-Description:...
External links
- Photograph of Glasgow trolleybus TB78 at the Trolleybus Museum
- Glasgow Transport Memorabilia - A website displaying many different items from Glasgow trams, buses and Subway
- John Walker's Glasgow trolleybus pages on the www.semple.biz website
- Web page featuring drawings of the TB and TG series of Glasgow trolleybuses
