Created 11-Dec-14
Modified 8-Mar-24
This tour was run jointly by the Manchester Trolleybus Preservation Society and the newly-formed bus section of the Buckley Wells Railway Enthusiasts, which went on to become the Buckley Wells Bus Enthusiasts (BWBE) and later the Crossley Omnibus Society.
It was one of two tours run on the Manchester system the day after the end of public services, both of which were operated by private vehicles. It is not clear why Manchester took this unusual approach but the political relationship with the trolleybus in Manchester was always a little strained.
1344 had been a relatively early withdrawal and was almost certainly the most modern preserved bus at the time, being a mere ten years old. It had been stored in the Oldham Corporation garage at Wallshaw Street in Oldham and restoration work was carried out there. I believe it was actually repainted by Oldham Corporation but have been unable to confirm that. It moved from Oldham to Hyde Road garage on 19th December 1966.
1344 did a morning run from Hyde Road to Stevenson Square then via Pin Mill Brow to Grey Mare Lane, where it left the turning circle using batteries to continue to Audenshaw. From Audenshaw it continued inbound as far as Great Ancoats Street where it then turned onto Pollard Street to return to Audenshaw. From there 1344 returned to Hyde Road garage along Ashton Old Road.
In the afternoon the tour proper started in Stevenson Square and left along Great Ancoats Street. Instead of turning along Pollard Street a battery manoeuvre was made to turn into Every Street and run outbound on the inbound wiring (it was only wired in one direction). Another battery turn allowed 1344 to continue to Audenshaw before returning to Hyde Road for refreshments. Another run out followed with 1344 finally returning to Hyde Road at 1945, the final operation of a trolleybus in Manchester.
© David Beilby
