South Yorkshire Times September 18, 1948
New Trolley Buses
M&S. Traction Co. Complete Replacement Scheme
A new stage in the forty years’ history of the Mexborough and Swinton Traction Co. has just been reached by the completion of a scheme for the replacement of their trolley buses by new vehicles.
First Stage
The first stage in the change from maroon to green was accomplished in 1943, but owing to production and supply difficulties, the scheme was not completed until last week some thirty-six of the new type of vehicle are now in operations between Rotherham and Mexborough.
The new vehicles, vehicles, which are distinguished by beauty of line and dimension, are fitted with central double manually-operated folding doors with tubular heaters in each of the two saloons, and also in the driver’s cabin. The company have also ‘ acquired ” luxury ” coaches for private hire work.
This undertaking began in 1907 with tramcars which picked up power by surface contact, but in the following year an overhead system was introduced. In 1928 the tram cars were withdrawn and substituted by trolley buses, and the system was extended to Conisbrough and Manvers. Last year 13,900,000 passengers were carried over a mileage of 1,020,000.
A remarkable running record has been established by vehicles recently withdrawn by replacement. Eight trolley buses now standing at the rear of the depot in Dale Road. Rawmarsh, have travelled an average of 660,000 miles each. This despite the fact that they have never been more than ten miles from ” home.” One vehicle has run up a mileage of 684,000 in ten years,
The managing engineer, Mr. T. P. O’Donnell (picture), who has carried out the scheme of replacement, says many of the old trolley buses have been sold for conversion to caravans and bungalows. To that extent they still have ” work ” to do.