 John Eades (designer of L53) was manager of the Manchester Carriage Company's coachbuilding works at Ford Lane, Pendleton, Salford from 1867 until 1903.By 1882 the company was offering services on more than of track, of which it had built itself, leased from Manchester Corporation, from Salford, and from Oldham.For the lease of the Manchester tramways alone, the Company paid Manchester Corporation £16,000 per annum (about £ as of 2014).