Glasgow Tramway & Omnibus Company

The "Glasgow Street Tramways Act" was enacted by Parliament in 1869. A separate act was necessary as there existed no "standing orders" for tramways, a recent invention. The British and Foreign Tramway Company Limited, the Corporation of Glasgow, and the Glasgow Tramway and Omnibus Company Limited (GTOCL) partnered for Glasgow's tramway network. The GTOCL was a necessity, because the Glasgow Street Tramway Act did not allow the city to be the operator of the Tramways. It could only own the rails network. The act stipulated that a private company be given the operating lease of the tramways for a period of 22 years. GTOCL issued its prospectus on 21st November, 1871. The first line, from St George's Cross via New City Road, Cambridge Street, Sauchiehall Street, Renfield Street and Jamaica Bridge to Eglinton Toll, was opened for traffic on 19th August, 1872. Mr. Menzies was chosen as managing director for five years. GTOCL bought stables in Risk Street and North Street, 500 horses and 50 omnibuses from Mr. Menzies. He resigned in the spring of 1873, though.

In 1894 the lease for the Glasgow tramways expired and Glasgow Corporation did not renew the lease. Following a bitter dispute where Glasgow Corporation refused to buy the GTLOC stock, Glasgow Corporation took over the Glasgow tramways, forming Glasgow Corporation Tramways. Glasgow Corporation then started a process of mechanising the tramways, completing this process in 1902.

GTLOC took over the Govan and Ibrox Tramway in 1891 and Vale of Clyde Tramway in 1893. In 1896 GTLOC sold the lease of these tramways to Glasgow Corporation and ceased to operate trams. It continued to operate omnibuses across the Scottish midlands. However by 1902 it was in financial difficulty and the shareholders agreed to wind up the company. It was formally wound up in 1908.

Glasgow Tramway & Omnibus Company
	Source	(Smith 420/I)
	Filename	GTO.001
	Value
	Add Desc.	Letter carrier in Uniform
	Size (mm)	28x19
	Manufacture	Copper
	Notes
	Source	(Smith 420/J)
	Filename	GTO.002
	Value
	Add Desc.	Telegraph Boy in Uniform
	Size (mm)	28x19
	Manufacture	Copper
	Notes	Image from the RB Breingan collection auction 17/03/21, courtesy of Simmons Gallery.
	Source	(Breingan)
	Filename	GTO.003
	Value
	Add Desc.	(cross pattee with lozenges)
	Size (mm)
	Manufacture	Brass
	Notes	Image from the RB Breingan collection auction 17/03/21, courtesy of Simmons Gallery.
	Source	(Breingan)
	Filename	GTO.004
	Value
	Add Desc.	Sand Ticket
	Size (mm)	25
	Manufacture	Brass
	Notes	Image from the RB Breingan collection auction 17/03/21, courtesy of Simmons Gallery.
File:GTO.005.jpg
	Source	(Smith)
	Filename	GTO.005
	Value	1d
	Add Desc.	Tramway Check One Penny Fare
	Size (mm)	23
	Manufacture	Red Plastic
	Notes
	Source	(Smith)
	Filename	GTO.006
	Value	1d
	Add Desc.	Tramway Check One Penny Fare
	Size (mm)	23
	Manufacture	Carmine Plastic
	Notes