BRITISH TROLLEYBUS SOCIETY
TROLLEYBUSES
Reading 113
(AEC 661T with Park Royal H56R bodywork built late 1938)
Entered service in Reading in May 1939, No 113 operated for
22 years before being purchased by the Reading Transport Society (now BTS) in September
1961. Kept in outside storage in Reading for 10 years the bodywork deteriorated badly. In
1971 No.113 was taken to Sandtoft and kept under cover until such time as she could be
restored. That time finally arrived in 1998 and she was magnificently restored and finally
entered service at Sandtoft in May 1999.
South Shields 204 (Karrier F4
with Weymann H55R bodywork built in 1937)
Entered service in 1937, one of South Shields first
trolleybuses. No. 204 survived in service until February 1963 when she was donated to the
Reading Transport Society. No. 204 was kept in outside storage in Reading during the early
years and like 113 the bodywork deteriorated badly. Following its transfer to Sandtoft in
1970 No. 204 has been kept under cover waiting patiently for her turn to be restored. This
will be a major job costing lots of money and is likely to be the next candidate for
restoration.
Cardiff 203 (AEC 664T with Northern
Counties H70R bodywork built in 1942)
One of the first batches of trolleybuses to enter service
following the inauguration of the Cardiff trolleybus system in 1942. No. 203 remained in
service until May 1963 whereupon she was presented to the Reading Transport Society. Later
in the 1960s 203 transferred into private membership and remained so until the early 1990s
when she was brought back into the care of the BTS once more. Painted in Cardiff’s
original grey livery No. 203 operated at both the Black Country Museum and Sandtoft in
recent years although she is currently out of service due to a defective motor and
awaiting some attention to the bodywork.
Bournemouth 99
(Sunbeam MS2 with Park Royal H56D bodywork built in 1935)
Entered service with Bournemouth in 1935. No 99 was
renumbered 212 in the late 1950s and the front end of the body was remodelled. Following
withdrawal in November 1963 the Reading Transport Society bought her for preservation.
Since then the bodywork was restored back to original Bournemouth condition and renumbered
99 again. It was recently electrically rewired which led to the discovery of a major
traction motor fault. A second hand motor has recently been purchased and will be fitted
in due course. Once the motor has been replaced and the bodywork tidied up she will then
be able to re-enter service at Sandtoft.
Glasgow TB78
(BUT 9613T with Crossley H71R bodywork built in 1958)
New to Glasgow in 1958, TB78 was only 9 years old when the
system was abandoned in 1967 following which she was purchased for preservation. TB78 was
a regular runner at Sandtoft over the years although more recently she was taken to the
Reading area to have the bodywork and mechanical gear restored. The bodywork was repainted
in 2000 and she returned to service at Sandtoft at the Spring Bank Holiday in 2001.
Huddersfield 631 (Sunbeam S7 with East Lancs
H72R bodywork built in 1959)
Entering service in Huddersfield in 1959, No. 631 remained
operational until the system was abandoned in 1968. Bought for preservation originally by
the West Yorkshire Transport Circle she was eventually transferred to Sandtoft. Following
the demise of WYTC No 631 was transferred to BTS ownership. Arguably No. 631 has been
Sandtoft's most reliable service trolleybus over the years and is kept in immaculate
condition.
Walsall 342 (Sunbeam F4 with Brush H65R bodywork
built in 1951)
Having entered service in 1951 No. 342s body was extended to
accommodate 65 seats in 1965. She survived in service until 1970 whereupon she was
purchased by the Reading Transport Society and taken straight to Sandtoft for storage.
Once trolleybus operation got underway at Sandtoft No. 342 was a regular service vehicle
in the early days. Although in a sound condition she needs some bodywork and mechanical
attention before re-entering service.
Walsall 872 (Sunbeam F4A with Willowbrook
H70RD bodywork built in 1956)
These type of vehicles were often referred to as ‘gold
fish bowls’ owing to their unusual bodywork design. Having entered service in 1956
No. 872 saw 14 years service and became Walsall’s last official trolleybus in 1970.
She was a regular runner at Sandtoft in the early years but is now awaiting attention to
the bodywork and braking system. No. 872 is currently a static exhibit at the Aston Manor
Road Transport Museum, Birmingham where it is hoped she will eventually get the attention
needed to bring her back to a serviceable condition.
London 1812 (BUT
9614T (Q1) with MCW H70R bodywork built in 1948)
Following entry into service with London Transport in 1948,
1812 remained in service until sold to Spanish operator Santander – Astillero in
1961. Following the demise of that system in 1977 the British Trolleybus Society bought
her and she was returned to England that year. Much restoration work needed to be carried
out, including conversion back from right-hand running, and this was eventually started in
1999. This major project was finally completed in 2001, in time for her re-launch into
service at the Spring Bank Holiday of that year.
Aachen 22 (Henschel 562E-SSW with Ludewig
RB61T bodywork built in 1956)
Entered service with Aachen in 1956 the vehicle found its way
by donation to the British Trolleybus Society in the 1970s. It is an interesting vehicle
in that it has one and a half decks and is the last survivor of its type. No. 22 is in
quite good condition but needs some work carried out before she can return to public
service at Sandtoft.
Mexborough & Swinton 34
(Garrett ‘O’ with Garrett BxxC bodywork built in 1927)
This single decker was found in a farmyard several years ago
and was used to store hay. Now stored at Sandtoft No. 34 is regarded as a major
restoration project which will involve substantial rebuilding of the bodywork when funds
and time permit.
MOTORBUS
Reading 47 (AEC Regent with Park Royal
L52R bodywork built in 1935)
The only motorbus in our preserved fleet. Having entered
service with R.C.T. in 1935, No 47 was rebuilt at the front end in the late 1940s and was
withdrawn from service in 1957. She was bought for further service by A.G. Lingfield
(Chesswood Mushrooms) and donated to the Reading Transport Society in 1963. Has been fully
operational in recent years although currently off the road awaiting mechanical repairs.
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