Ref. Editor

As Reading, now one of the most important regional centres in the south east of England expanded during the nineteenth century, so the need for local transport arose. The operations of the Reading Tramways Company, which ran horse trams from the 1870s, were taken over by Reading Corporation in 1901. The tramways were both extended and electrified. Trams survived in the town until 1939, by which date trolleybus operation had been introduced. Always popular in the town, Reading’s trolleybus network was to survive to become one of the last in the British Isles, not being finally converted to motorbus operation until 1968. The Corporation then became solely an operator of buses. Almost 40 years on, Reading Transport remains in municipal hands, one of a handful to survive in local authority ownership after nearly 20 years of deregulation and privatisation. This latest addition to our popular ‘Glory Days’ series, recounts the history of public transport in Reading from the late nineteenth century through to the years before deregulation. Alongside the well-researched text are many illustrations portraying the trams, trolleybuses and diesel buses, which have operated in Reading since 1879. This book will be essential reading both for residents of Reading and those interested in its history as well as road transport enthusiasts across the country