Walsall342

Fleet Details

WALSALL 342
(NDH 959)

Chassis: Sunbeam F4 (2 axle)
Chassis No. 50740
Motor : British Thomson Houston
             Type 209 (95 hp)
Bodywork (until 1965) : Brush
                   H30/26R
Bodywork (from 1965) : Brush
                   H34/31R
Entered Service : 1 November 1951
Withdrawn : 3 October 1970

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BRIEF HISTORY

342 was one of a batch of 10 Sunbeam F4s that entered service between October and December 1951 which replaced the 10 Sunbeam MS2’s (155 -164) dating from 1933. Between 1951 and 1959 these vehicles predominantly worked Walsall’s share of the joint service to Wolverhampton. However, in 1959 they were ousted from this route by eight second hand trolleybuses purchased from Hastings.

342 was originally a conventional rear-entrance double-deck trolleybus but in 1965 she was used in an experiment whereby the chassis was lengthened using motorbus components and the body was suitably adapted to become a 65 seat capacity vehicle. This was the only vehicle in this batch so treated.

Walsall Corporation Transport were amongst a number of municipal fleets amalgamated into the West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority in the early autumn of 1969. The future of 46 trolleybuses amidst a fleet of 2,000 motorbuses looked bleak and it was no surprise when the WMPTE announced plans to abandon the system.

342 survived in service until the last day of trolleybus operation on 3 October 1970 whereupon she was purchased by the Reading Transport Society and taken straight to Sandtoft for storage.

Once trolleybus operation got underway at Sandtoft, 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. It is intended that 342 will be transferred to undercover storage away from Sandtoft in 2006 until such time as funds are available to restore her up to a serviceable condition.