1962
SK3536 : Derby Corporation trolleybus no. 187, Market Place, Derby
taken 62 years ago, near to Derby, England
Derby Corporation trolleybus no. 187, Market Place, Derby
Derby Corporation introduced a trolleybus system (electric buses taking their power by twin booms from overhead cables) in 1932 to replace trams. In the 1950's their operating costs were less than a third per mile of the Corporation's motor buses. Consequently it was proposed to extend the system but this meant crossing the municipal boundary. This was vigorously opposed by some residents and a rival bus company. A Public Enquiry in 1955 ruled against the extensions. So motor buses were put on the proposed routes instead and this probably sealed the fate of the trolleybus system which closed in 1967.
The trolleybus stands outside 7 Market Place, which was a National Provincial Bank branch. To the left at no. 5 is Martins Bank which later was absorbed by Barclays. The vehicle dates from 1948 and is a Sunbeam F4 (registration ARC 487) with Brush H30/26R body. It was on Route 11 to Kedleston Road and Allestree Lane. Also seen is a Pearts Bakeries van. This area is now pedestrianised.
Technical note: I have done my best to restore the colours to reflect Derby's unusual almost kharki green & cream livery. The scanned negative is 55 years old and was taken on Agfacolor CN17. This is an unmasked type which doesn't help in accurately reproducing colours all these years later.
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