Trolley Buses at Manor House, 1955

Comment by Grant on June 11, 2012 at 14:49

Electric buses? My how we've progressed!

Great photo by the way.

Comment by anna g on June 11, 2012 at 15:03

Just look at all the car traffic too! 

Could well be my Grandfather in the driving seat of one of those, although I think he tended to go up and down the Holloway Road. I wonder if my mum knows which routes he drove...

Comment by StephenBln on June 11, 2012 at 16:27

A plug: Trolleybuses in Harringay.. http://www.isarsteve.de/?p=845

and an enlarged 'electric transport only (Trams & Trolleybuses) ' map of the area (1950).

http://www.isarsteve.de/wp-content/uploads/isarsteve6129914524_a.jpg

Comment by anna g on June 11, 2012 at 16:34

Thanks Steve, the map of the area is particularly interesting. I think my Grandfather must have driven a 609!

Comment by StephenBln on June 11, 2012 at 17:06

If he was based at Highgate (HT) trolleybus & tram depot (now Holloway Bus Garage) then he would have done.

Along with routes 611, 513/613, 615, 627, 639 & 653 (and trams 33 & 35 until 1952).

Manor House junction, with nine trolleybus routes and one remaining tram route (1938-1952) had the second highest concentration of electric public transport in the country, with 270 trolleybus movements PER HOUR on Saturday mornings. The Nag's Head Junction at Holloway had the highest.

Until 1971, there was also a bus garage on Holloway Road, called Holloway with the code (J) whichwas responsible for running the 4, 19 & 27. When it was merged with the former Highgate Depot it took it's name with it making it t the time London's largest operating bus garage.

Comment by Elizabeth on June 29, 2012 at 10:25

does anyone know anything about the history of the building the 2 buses in the foreground, are parked outside?

Comment by Hugh on June 29, 2012 at 10:28

Yes, I think StephenBln will be able to give you chapter and verse. So, I will leave it to him.

Comment by Victor Farthing on August 9, 2024 at 12:10

As Grant mentioned,how we have progressed,gone full circle. It makes you wonder how the big article and Cranes never ripped those electrified cables down.

I remember the big trucks transporting the massive concrete pillars along Seven Sisters Rd towards Manor House when they were building the Chiswick Flyover,I'm sure it was sometime in the late 1950's so the cables would of been in position at that particular time.

No traffic at all in this photo,one must assume it's a Sunday perhaps. How time have changed and I'm not sure it's for the good.

Comment by Chris Barker on August 16, 2024 at 10:21

The building in the picture was the headquarters of Metropolitan Electric Tramways which, jointly with the LCC, ran the tram routes up to 1933 before the trolleybuses replaced them.

Comment by Roy aka Smiffy on August 16, 2024 at 14:59

The entrance to the building has the company initials in the pediment.

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