Routes

[Owensd]

I have recently completed a book about my family history on the buses in Manchester from 1926 to the present day.
Welcome To My Homepage is my web page. It includes photos and newspaper articles.

[Phil Blinkhorn]

I suppose I should say welcome aboard!! I've known about the bus fire for many years and it was fascinating to see the contemporary clippings rather than reading reports in books.

The accident brought about a number of changes to the thinking of MCTD in terms of bus design. Having ordered diesel vehicles and not been convinced due to problems in the first two years of operation, the rupturing of the petrol tank and autovac in the accident followed so swiftly by an overwhelming fire convinced the Department that diesel would be a safer fuel and efforts at Crossley Motors were redoubled to solve the problems with diesel power which had thus far prevented its total adoption.

Fire extinguishers were thereafter fitted in both the cabs and platforms of all MCTD buses - something that became a legal requirement. MCTD also decided to order no more wood framed bodies and this led directly to the Department designing and ordering its own body designs between 1934 and 1951.

The vehicle concerned, 150, was one of a batch of Crossley Sixes with a Crossley 32 seat rear entrance body which entered service in 1929. Stuart Pilcher had intended the batch to be AECs but was overruled by the Transport Committee who wanted to support the local manufacturer. Eventually repaired it took to the road again as 7 with a Car Works body which resembled the bodies fitted to the second half of the batch. It survived until December 1939.

[Owensd]

Phil, you really do have a knowledge! It is surprising just how few people I have come across who knew anything of the incident.
Even my grandfather didn't really discuss it much and the majority of my knowledge came from Manchester central library, going through the archives of old newspaper clippings. We still have the original letters from MCTD which commend my grandfther for his bravery.
Its of particular interest to me, being in the bus industry and having an interest in accident investigation and safety.Thanks for the additional information. I am beggining to appreciate the power of the internet in expanding the mind and knowledge base.

[mr angry]

Owensd,

Good luck with the book will get hold of a copy. My period of interest in buses is the 60s and 70s, the municipal and early days of Selnec/GMT