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Birmingham Trolly Bus No 50

The 50 Leyland Trolleybuses with Metro-Cammell bodies (17-66, OC 1117-1166) for the Coventry Road tram replacement in 1934 were at the time the biggest order for 'All Metal' bus bodies. These graceful 3-axle vehicles (the extra axle allowed longer length and therefore increased seating capacity, 58 in this case) ran the route until its closure in 1951, when they all, and the overhead wires, were sold for scrap to William Bird of Stratford-upon-Avon. Some of the stripped frames could still be seen in the scrapyard on Birmingham Road 14 years later. Sadly none survived.
Here's No 29.

29 & 73.jpg
 
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Inside the cab of one of the Coventry Road Leylands. Trolleybuses are much the same as motorbuses to drive, except the 'go' pedal is on the left, and the Brake pedal on the right.
The most important rule to remember in Trolleybus driving is 'Never overtake the one in front' - the poles get tied and it brings all the overhead wires crashing down!
 
Yes, all Birmingham buses. The first view is William Bird's scrapyard at Stratford, pre war Daimler 1077 with behind it one of the similar chassis given a body intended for Manchester to replace a bomb-damaged one during the war. Since Birmingham service that one had been running for the Chieftan company in Scotland, on lease from Bird's.
The second view is one of 100 post war Leyand PD2's, and the third one is former wartime bus 1345 as cut down by a showman.

Here's a couple more of the 'Manchester' bodied buses, 978 in a scrapyard in Cardiff having served with a local operator, and 1120 on the Hagley Road outside 'Bobbette', a ladies hairdressers opposite the King's Head on Hagley Road.

978 COX 978 Prance, Cardiff.jpg
1120 CVP 220 Hagley Road opp Kings Head.jpg
 
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Yes, £15-20 is about right for a model of this sort. They still can be found in model shops, or the souvenir shops at Aston Manor or Wythall museums.
 
OV 4015 - 8 briefly numbered 11, was delivered to BCOT dept. 1932 as were seen here in 1938 at Old Square. Bought for the Nechells tram replacement but they has short lives being retired from service - due to perceived wartime conditions - in 1940. They were stored at Sampson Road North until sold after WW2.

Mod: I feel the thread title should be changed as this is no longer specific to TB 50.
 
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