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.
From 1893 to 1894, GTLOC leased the Glasgow and Ibrox Tramway and the Vale of Clyde Tramway. Glasgow Town Council did not renew the 22 year lease. Instead, it formed the Glasgow Corporation Tramways and started their own municipal tram service on 1 July 1894 under the name Glasgow Corporation Tramways. By that time, horses could be replaced by machines.
| Glasgow Tramway & Omnibus Company | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Source | (Smith) | |
| Filename | GTO.001 | |
| Value | ||
| Add Desc. | Letter carrier in Uniform | |
| Size (mm) | 28x19 | |
| Manufacture | Copper | |
| Notes | ||
| ||
| Source | (Smith) | |
| 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 | ||
