British United Traction facts for kids

British United Traction (BUT) was a special company created by two big British vehicle makers: the Associated Equipment Company (AEC) and Leyland Motors. BUT's main job was to build parts for trains and also to make trolleybuses.

What Was British United Traction?

British United Traction, or BUT for short, was like a joint project between two well-known companies. They decided to work together to focus on specific types of vehicles. This partnership helped them combine their skills and resources to make important equipment for public transport.

The Companies Behind BUT

The two parent companies, AEC and Leyland Motors, were both very important in the history of British transport.

• Associated Equipment Company (AEC) was famous for making buses and trucks.
• Leyland Motors was another giant in the vehicle industry, known for its buses, trucks, and later, cars.

By teaming up, they created BUT to specialize in certain areas, especially for railway and electric public transport.

What Did BUT Make?

BUT focused on two main types of products:

Trolleybuses

A trolleybus is a type of electric bus that gets its power from overhead electric wires, similar to a tram. Instead of running on tracks, it runs on regular roads with rubber tires, just like a normal bus. BUT was a key manufacturer of these vehicles. They were popular in many cities because they were quieter and didn't produce pollution like buses with petrol or diesel engines. The electricity came from power stations, making them an early form of "green" transport.

Railway Equipment

Besides trolleybuses, BUT also made important parts for trains. This often included engines and other mechanical components for diesel multiple units (DMUs). A DMU is a type of train that can run on its own, without needing a separate locomotive to pull it. Each carriage has its own engine, making these trains flexible and efficient for passenger services. BUT's contributions helped power many of these trains across the railway network.

Images for kids

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  This is a historical BUT trolleybus, number 101, seen in Arnhem.