Notts & Derby Traction Company
Trolleybuses
By 1928, Notts & Derby was given power to operate a trolleybus system in the area. The first part of the system opened between Bridge Street, Cotmanhay and Hallam Fields, Ilkeston on 7 January 1932. On 5 October 1933 the last tram ran on the Nottingham to Ripley route.
The trolleybus system was very efficient and reliable, the journey from Ripley to Nottingham taking 90 minutes, with some 230 stops along the way. When the electricity industry was mostly nationalised in 1948, Balfour Beatty sold the Midland General Group to the British Transport Commission.
Trolleybuses continued until 25 April 1953, when they too gave way to the increased versatility of the bus. The fleet of trolleybuses was sold to Bradford Corporation.
The trolleybus system was very efficient and reliable, the journey from Ripley to Nottingham taking 90 minutes, with some 230 stops along the way. When the electricity industry was mostly nationalised in 1948, Balfour Beatty sold the Midland General Group to the British Transport Commission.
Trolleybuses continued until 25 April 1953, when they too gave way to the increased versatility of the bus. The fleet of trolleybuses was sold to Bradford Corporation.
1932
The first Notts & Derby trolleybuses were a batch of six smart and streamlined English Electric single-deckers with forward-entrance bodywork seating 32 passengers.
Numbers 300 - 305 (RB 5568 - RB 5573) entered service in 1932, operating in the Ilkeston area.
This vehicle was photographed at the English Electric works before receiving its registration plate and fleet number.
The 'Notts & Derby Traction Company' logo was very short-lived and was soon replaced by the more familiar 'NDT' letters enclosed in a circular belt.
Numbers 300 - 305 (RB 5568 - RB 5573) entered service in 1932, operating in the Ilkeston area.
This vehicle was photographed at the English Electric works before receiving its registration plate and fleet number.
The 'Notts & Derby Traction Company' logo was very short-lived and was soon replaced by the more familiar 'NDT' letters enclosed in a circular belt.
Notts & Derby English Electric trolleybus RB 5570, fleet number 302, pictured on Nottingham Road, Ilkeston in May 1935.
Now repainted in a darker blue livery with the familiar 'NDT' letters enclosed in a circular belt logo.
Now repainted in a darker blue livery with the familiar 'NDT' letters enclosed in a circular belt logo.
1932, The new fleet of ten Notts & Derby Traction Company AEC 662T-English Electric B32F trolleybuses are posed for a publicity photograph outside Langley Mill Depot. Registration Numbers were RB 6613 to RB 6622 and Fleet Numbers ran from 306 to 315 respectively.
These vehicles were withdrawn between 1941 and 1948.
These vehicles were withdrawn between 1941 and 1948.
Notts & Derby RB 6613 AEC 662T-English Electric B32F trolleybus, fleet number 306, pictured in 1933 on Gregory Boulevard, Sherwood, Nottingham.
Note the Nottingham City tram in the background.
Note the Nottingham City tram in the background.
1933
Notts & Derby RB 8954 AEC 661T-EEC / MCCW H31/24R trolleybus, fleet number 320, in original fully lined-out livery pictured in Trinity Square, Nottingham; circa 1933-1935. Destination reads: Ripley. In the background can be seen the Victoria Station Hotel.
A spotless condition Notts & Derby RB 8961 AEC 661T-EEC / MCCW H31/24R trolleybus, fleet number 327, in early unlined livery (with no white bands immediately above and below the lower windows). Pictured at the trolleybus terminus at the junction of King Street and Queen Street, Nottingham. Destination: A1 Ripley.
1937
Notts & Derby DRB 616 AEC 661T-EEC / Weymann H30/26R trolleybus, fleet number 300.
1937, official Associated Equipment Co. Ltd. photograph 00357.
The first of the AEC-English Electric Company Weymann-bodied trolleybuses operated by Notts & Derby Traction Company.
1937, official Associated Equipment Co. Ltd. photograph 00357.
The first of the AEC-English Electric Company Weymann-bodied trolleybuses operated by Notts & Derby Traction Company.
Notts & Derby DRB 617 AEC 661T-EEC / Weymann H30/26R trolleybus, fleet number 301, on the Ripley to Nottingham service.
The location is probably Basford, Nottingham. Destination reads: A1 Nottingham King Street via Heanor, Eastwood, Basford.
The location is probably Basford, Nottingham. Destination reads: A1 Nottingham King Street via Heanor, Eastwood, Basford.
1949
1949, The new fleet of 15 Notts & Derby BUT 9611T-EEC / Weymann H30/26R trolleybuses (NNU 224-238, fleet numbers 343-357) replaces all the remaining single decker and AEC 661T-EEC / MCCW H31/24R (RB 8951, fleet number 317, etc.) half-cab double decker trolleybuses.
The new trolleybus destinations display: A1 Nottingham (King St.) via Heanor Eastwood Basford
The now withdrawn 1933 period AEC 661T-EEC / MCCW trolleybus destinations show: A2 Garage
The new trolleybus destinations display: A1 Nottingham (King St.) via Heanor Eastwood Basford
The now withdrawn 1933 period AEC 661T-EEC / MCCW trolleybus destinations show: A2 Garage
Notts & Derby BUT 9611T-EEC / Weymann H30/26R trolleybus NNU 224, fleet number 343, at Hallam Fields Terminus. The signpost post fixed to the traction pole reads 'STANTON VILLAGE AND IRONWORKS', which is off to the left along Crompton Road just in front of where the tram is waiting.
The destination reads: Private - indicating that the trolleybus is currently out of service. The crew are probably taking a break at the shop on the other side of the road !
The destination reads: Private - indicating that the trolleybus is currently out of service. The crew are probably taking a break at the shop on the other side of the road !
Notts & Derby BUT 9611T-EEC / Weymann H30/26R trolleybus NNU 225, fleet number 344, is temporarily parked on Mansfield Road opposite the Langley Mill Depot awaiting service on the Langley Mill ('Garage' as it says in the timetable) to Nottingham route. Destination reads A1 Nottingham (King St.) via Eastwood and Basford.
1953, 25th April - the end of an era
9.50 pm: two Notts & Derby BUT 9611T-EEC / Weymann H30/26R trolleybuses wait at the trolleybus terminus at the junction of King Street and Queen Street, Nottingham on the last day of service. The A1 Langley Mill service via Heanor, Eastwood, Basford departed first leaving the A1 Ripley trolleybus the honour of being the last Notts & Derby trolleybus service from Nottingham.
9.55 pm: the last Notts & Derby trolleybus service from Nottingham waits to leave for Ripley. The location is the trolleybus terminus at the junction of King Street and Queen Street; less than 100 yards from the Council House and Old Market Square.
Pictured is NNU 228 BUT 9611T-EEC / Weymann H30/26R trolleybus, fleet number 347, with (left to right) the conductor and driver are K. Laing (Traffic Manager of the Group) and K. Wellman.
Pictured is NNU 228 BUT 9611T-EEC / Weymann H30/26R trolleybus, fleet number 347, with (left to right) the conductor and driver are K. Laing (Traffic Manager of the Group) and K. Wellman.
