List of vehicles at the Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester is a fantastic place to explore the history of how people traveled around Greater Manchester. It's home to a huge collection of old buses, trams, and other special vehicles. Imagine stepping back in time and seeing the very first horse-drawn buses or the sleek, modern buses of today! This museum helps us understand how transport has changed over the years, making our journeys faster and more comfortable.

A Journey Through Transport History
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A Journey Through Transport History

The museum's collection shows how transport has evolved. From horse-drawn carriages to electric trams and powerful buses, each vehicle tells a story. Let's take a look at some of the amazing machines you can find there.

Early Ways to Travel

Long ago, before cars and buses were common, people used different methods to get around. The museum has some cool examples of these early vehicles.

Horse-Powered Journeys

Horse bus (1890): One of the oldest vehicles is a horse bus from 1890. It was operated by the Manchester Carriage and Tramways Company. Imagine a bus pulled by horses! This was a common way to travel in cities back then.

A horse bus from 1890, showing early public transport.

Electric Trams

Tram (1906): Trams were a big step forward. They ran on tracks and were powered by electricity, making them much faster than horse buses. The museum has a tram from 1906, used by South Lancashire Tramways. Trams were a popular way to get around towns and cities for many decades.

Buses Through the Decades

Buses have changed a lot over time. The museum has many examples, from single-deckers to the iconic double-deckers.

Single Deck Buses

Single deck buses were often used for longer routes or in areas where double-deckers couldn't fit.

Ribble Motor Services (1927): This bus, C295, was an early single deck model. It was operated by Ribble Motor Services, a major company in the region.

A single deck bus from Ribble Motor Services, 1927.

Manchester Corporation Transport (1930): Bus 28, from Manchester Corporation Transport, shows how city buses looked in the 1930s.

Manchester Corporation Transport's single deck bus from 1930.

North Western Road Car Company (1946): Bus 270, operated by North Western Road Car Company (1923), represents post-World War II transport.

A single deck bus from North Western Road Car Company, 1946.

Double Deck Buses

Double deck buses are famous, especially in the UK. They can carry many passengers, making them perfect for busy city routes.

North Western Road Car Company (1939): Bus 432, from North Western Road Car Company (1923), is an example of a double decker from just before World War II.

A double deck bus from North Western Road Car Company, 1939.

Manchester Corporation Transport (1949): Bus 2150 was a common sight in Manchester after the war.

Manchester Corporation Transport's double deck bus from 1949.

Stockport Corporation Transport (1951): Buses 308 and 321 show the style of double deckers in the early 1950s.

Stockport Corporation Transport bus 308, from 1951.

Stockport Corporation Transport bus 321, also from 1951.

Manchester Corporation Transport (1958): Buses 3496 and 3520 represent the late 1950s.

Manchester Corporation Transport bus 3496, 1958.

Manchester Corporation Transport bus 3520, 1958.

Manchester Corporation Transport (1968): Bus 1001 was a very modern design for its time, known as an Atlantean.

Manchester Corporation Transport's Atlantean bus 1001, 1968.

SELNEC Passenger Transport Executive (1972): Bus 7001 was one of the first buses for the new SELNEC transport group, which brought together many smaller companies. It could carry 75 passengers!

SELNEC Passenger Transport Executive bus 7001, 1972.

Trolleybuses

Trolleybuses were like a mix between a bus and a tram. They ran on rubber tires but got their power from overhead electric lines.

Ashton-under-Lyne Corporation (1950): Trolleybus 80 was used in Ashton-under-Lyne.

An Ashton-under-Lyne Corporation trolleybus from 1950.

Manchester Corporation Transport (1951): Trolleybus 1250 was part of Manchester's electric fleet.

Manchester Corporation Transport's trolleybus 1250, 1951.

Coaches

Coaches are designed for longer journeys, often with more comfortable seats and space for luggage.

Warburton Bros (1947): This single deck coach, HTF 586, was operated by a company called Warburton Bros.

A single deck coach from Warburton Bros, 1947.

Yelloway (1961): Yelloway was a well-known coach company. This coach, YDK 590, shows their style from the 1960s.

A Yelloway single deck coach from 1961.

Special Purpose Vehicles

Not all vehicles are for carrying passengers. Some are built for specific jobs, like helping other vehicles or keeping the streets clean.

Recovery Vehicles

These powerful vehicles are used to tow or rescue broken-down buses and other large vehicles.

Stockport Corporation Transport (1926): This early recovery vehicle, 106, was essential for keeping the bus fleet running.

A recovery vehicle from Stockport Corporation Transport, 1926.

Lancashire United Transport (1943): This "Matador" recovery vehicle was a strong workhorse during World War II.

A recovery vehicle from Lancashire United Transport, 1943.

Fire Engines

Fire engines are always exciting to see! The museum has a classic example.

Salford Corporation Fire Brigade (1941): This fire engine, BRJ 333, helped protect Salford during World War II.

A fire engine from Salford Corporation Fire Brigade, 1941.

Lorries and Utility Vehicles

These vehicles were used for moving goods or maintaining infrastructure.

Beverley's Beers (1946): Lorry 6, AHL 622, was used by a brewery to deliver drinks.

A lorry from Beverley's Beers, 1946.

Road Sweeper (1948): This vehicle, 156, from Manchester Corporation Cleansing Department, helped keep Manchester's streets clean.

A road sweeper from Manchester Corporation Cleansing Department, 1948.

Cars

The museum also has examples of private transport.

AC Invacar (1966): This unique car, NPB 840D, was designed for people with disabilities, showing how transport adapted to different needs.

An AC Invacar Model 57 car from 1966.

Minibuses

Minibuses offer more flexible transport, especially for smaller groups or less busy routes.

The Bee Line Buzz Company (1986): Minibus 63, D63 NOF, was part of a new type of service in the 1980s.

A minibus from The Bee Line Buzz Company, 1986.

Ring and Ride (1994): Minibus W4, M939 XKA, shows how transport services became more accessible for everyone.

A Ring and Ride minibus from 1994.

Modern Transport Innovations

Transport continues to evolve, with new designs focusing on comfort, efficiency, and accessibility.

Light Rail Vehicles

Manchester Metrolink (1990): The Metrolink is Manchester's modern tram system. Vehicle 1000 was a prototype, helping to test the new system that changed city travel.

Manchester Metrolink's prototype light rail vehicle 1000, from 1990.

Low-Floor Buses

Modern buses are designed to be easy for everyone to use, including people with pushchairs or wheelchairs.

Stagecoach Manchester (1999): Bus 612, T612 MNF, is a low-floor double deck bus. This design makes it much easier to get on and off.

A low-floor double deck bus from Stagecoach Manchester, 1999.

Stagecoach Manchester (2006): Bus 19001, MX06 LUO, is another example of a modern low-floor double deck bus, showing the latest designs.

A low-floor double deck bus from Stagecoach Manchester, 2006.

Images for kids

Manchester Corporation Transport bus 3245, 1951.
A double deck bus from Rochdale Corporation Transport, 1951.
A single deck bus from Manchester Corporation Transport, 1953.
A double deck bus from SHMD Board, 1955.
A double deck bus from Bolton Corporation Transport, 1956.
A double deck bus from Manchester Corporation Transport, 1956.
A double deck bus from Rochdale Corporation Transport, 1956.
A double deck bus from Oldham Corporation Passenger Transport, 1957.
A double deck bus from Wigan Corporation Transport, 1958.
A double deck bus from Lancashire United Transport, 1959.
A double deck bus from Manchester Corporation Transport, 1960.
A double deck bus from Wigan Corporation Transport, 1961.
A double deck bus from Salford Corporation Transport, 1962.
A double deck bus from Bury Corporation Transport, 1963.
A double deck bus from London Transport, 1963.
A double deck bus from Manchester Corporation Transport, 1963.
A double deck bus from A Mayne & Son, 1964.
A double deck bus from Ashton-under-Lyne Corporation Passenger Transport, 1965.
A double deck bus from Leigh Corporation Motors, 1965.
A single deck bus from Manchester Corporation Transport, 1965.
A double deck bus from North Western Road Car Company, 1965.
A double deck bus from Salford Corporation Transport, 1965.
A double deck bus from Salford Corporation Transport, 1966.
A double deck bus from Stockport Corporation Transport, 1968.
A double deck bus from Ramsbottom Urban District Council Transport, 1969.
A double deck bus from Stockport Corporation Transport, 1969.
A double deck bus from Stockport Corporation Transport, 1969.
A double deck bus from SELNEC Passenger Transport Executive, 1970.
A single deck bus from SELNEC Passenger Transport Executive, 1972.
A midibus from Greater Manchester Transport, 1974.
A double deck bus from Greater Manchester Transport, 1981.
A double deck bus from GM Buses South, 1984.
A double deck bus from Greater Manchester Transport, 1984.
A minibus from GM Buses, 1987.

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List of vehicles at the Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.