Morris Minor Owners Club

While looking on Facebook tonight I stumbled upon a photograph that was posted by the Leeds Branch. (Thanks guys). It shows another ex- Cardiff City/South Wales police Force Panda Car.[frame][/frame]

Interesting photo. Did they give a date?

I don't know anything about busses but from the conversation it looks like a "Trolley Bus" Possibly made by Sunbeam. and powered by electric.
Also taken from the conversation on facebook.
"A bit of web crawling has it as being Cardiff 220, an East Lancs-bodied BUT9641T which lasted from 1948 until 1970".

I had a look for it too, I couldn't find match but I did find this article (taken from the Newcastle Chronicle?), for those of you who might think trolley buses a safer means of transport..................

No 33 bus that fell on Friday 13th
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ITS human nature to be very wary on Friday the 13th you never known what might happen.

But once you settle down into your seat on a bus, in this case a trolley bus, you should at least feel quite safe.

But on Friday, February 13, 1959, passengers travelling on Newcastle trolley bus No 33A to Denton via Elswick Road, were in for a big shock and a very lucky escape when their bus struck a trolley standard and keeled over, sending passengers flying, glass breaking and engine parts careering across the road surface.

The driver had to be dragged semi-conscious from his cab and, along with the other five people on the bus, had to be taken to hospital but looking at the results of the accident, this was a minor miracle in itself.

The bus fell on its side opposite Benwell Towers, in Benwell Lane.

The front wheels were ripped from the chassis and the nearside of the drivers cab was a left a shattered mass of jagged metal.

The fact there were only a few passengers on board was because the bus had travelled only about 200 yards from the Delaval Road terminus on its way into the city.

The three passengers on the bus, all injured, were John Tinning, of Rachel Street, 11-year-old Dorothy Middleton, of Delaval Road, and 15-year-old Elizabeth Thompson, of Benwell Dene Terrace, all Newcastle.

The conductor, Jean Oliver, 32, of Brighton Grove, had a miraculous escape, as did the driver, William Spence. The sixth person hurt was George Robson, of Newcastle, who gashed his hand while helping to rescue the driver.

Luckily, all the passengers were on the bottom deck.

Joan Anderson was the first person to reach the wrecked bus.

She had just made herself a cup of tea when she heard a double bang and the sound of breaking glass.

I rushed out into the road and tried to get the driver out. But I couldnt move him. A man came to help and he forced the door open.

The dazed driver was carried into Mrs Andersons house.

When he came to all he was worrying about was his conductress and the passengers, Mrs Anderson said. Witnesses said George Robson, who gashed his hand, fainted just before he was put into an ambulance.

John Nisbet, of Haig Crescent, was standing at the opposite side of the road when the trolleybus crashed.

He said it seemed to go over a dip in the road just before the collision.

I saw it bang into the post and then saw it rolling over on to its side. It seemed to crash slowly to the ground.

We pulled the back door open to allow the passengers to get out and then I ran with another man to the front to get the driver out.

The driver was in his cab with the steering column across his body.

Witnesses said the driver was mumbling: Never mind about me. Get the passengers out.

Conductor Jean Oliver was sitting in the casualty department of the RVI when she talked to the Chronicle of her miraculous escape.

Her only injuries were a cut on the chin and mouth.

I had just left the front seat of the bus to start taking fares and as I looked out of the window I saw the pole coming towards us. I jumped to the other side of the bus. If I hadnt I would have been caught by the side which was smashed to smithereens.

Ive had a lucky escape. I cant remember passing out but when everything was quiet I found myself still standing on my feet.

If the accident had happened half a mile further down the road, the bus would have been packed with housewives going shopping.

Miss Oliver said: I hate to think what might have happened if we had been full.

Passenger John Tinning said: The seats were cracking and the glass was flying and the bus toppled over on its side.

Amazingly, in spite of the damage, the trolleybus was repaired and went back into service lasting until February, 1967.


I'm just glad everyone survived.

Ray
Not sure if the trolley bus still exists, but if it does it may be in a shed in Barry. I know of that a lot of trolley buses were rescued and they are being restored by volunteer enthusiasts.

Im trying to identify the area in the phot that you posted. The bridge probably still exists, it must be a bridge in cardiff and looks like a river bridge. There isnt that many river bridges in cardiff. Somethings telling me its either penarth road or clarence road.

Cheers

Steve

Always wondered why trolleybuses tended to be six wheelers whilst motor buses were on 4 wheeled chassis. No doubt theres a good reason.
Also, always wondered why with the resurgence of the tramway in many UK cities, why the trolleybus wasn't a prefered choice. Presumably much less investment of infrastructure -ie: only the overhead cables - no rails, platforms, junctions and traffic control to install and the same advantages in low noise, low pollution but with far more flexibility...
Again maybe theres a good reason.
Incidentally, Sandtoft Trolleybus museum near Doncaster is a worthwhile visit if you want to sample the trolleybus experience.

Thanks guys. a lot of info there......

Steve. I thought the photo could be on Cowbridge Rd just after the mini roundabout.....

Raymond

IaininTenbury wrote: Also, always wondered why with the resurgence of the tramway in many UK cities, why the trolleybus wasn't a prefered choice. Presumably much less investment of infrastructure -ie: only the overhead cables - no rails, platforms, junctions and traffic control to install and the same advantages in low noise, low pollution but with far more flexibility...
Again maybe theres a good reason.

I would imagine its to do with congestion. Tramways are dedicated routes, just for trams, whilst trolley buses would still have to use the public roads, hence held up in traffic etc. Not sure, but maybe this has something to do with it?

Trolley buses were called, 'Silent Death' due to the fact they were pretty quiet. caused a lot of accidents.

santadawes wrote:Thanks guys. a lot of info there......

Steve. I thought the photo could be on Cowbridge Rd just after the mini roundabout.....

Raymond

It is Ray, as I posted in your other thread about this. It's just down the road from where I live.

Steve. I thought the photo could be on Cowbridge Rd just after the mini roundabout.....

Raymond


It is Ray, as I posted in your other thread about this. It's just down the road from where I live.
Matt Coles

How different does the same view look today? I bet the 'Hancock Beers' sign is long gone...............

Well the sign is gone but the pubs still remain and the bridge has been rebuilt since...[frame][/frame]

If I knew you were going to take that photo I would have come down with my panda to make it more authentic.....

jagnut66 wrote:Pub's lost it's chimneys too, shame , the building has lost some of it's character in the process, plus you can't beat an open fire.
I think the bridge looked better in brick as well.................

The pub in the foreground has indeed lost the chimneys. The one in the background though (with the corner entrance, yes we have a few pubs here haha) has hardly changed in around 100 years though.

santadawes wrote:f I knew you were going to take that photo I would have come down with my panda to make it more authentic.....

I didn't quite have time to take the photo but luckily my friend Mr. G. Oogle did We should definitely recreate this shot when you come down and visit me next

Yep....But it won't be on Sunday for our Daffodil Run.

it was a trolly bus