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Click Here to go straight to the Membership Application Form
Click Here to see Current Rates.

What is a trolleybus?

A Trolleybus is a tram without rails or a bus driven by electricity collected from overhead wires, depending on your point of view. Originating in the tramway era as a cheaper option for lightly trafficked routes Britain had 50 operators between 1911 and 1972 running in many large towns & London suburbs. Modern trolleybuses still operate in many cities around the world and are an environmentally friendly solution to urban transport problems.

Who are we?

The BTS emerged in 1971 from the former Reading Transport Society, which had collected trolleybuses from all over Britain through the 1960’s.
We exist to preserve these vehicles and to educate the public about trolleybuses at home & abroad.
The organisation is run entirely by volunteers.
We are a Registered Charity No. 1033666.

What do we do?

BTS FLEETLIST

* indicates serviceable at Sandtoft.

• Bournemouth 99 - a classic 1935 Sunbeam MS2 with a Park Royal body.
• Cardiff 203 - a 1942 AEC 664T with Northern Counties body. Our next restoration project!
• Glasgow TB78 * - a BUT 9613T with Crossley body built in 1958.
• Huddersfield 631 * - a 1959 Sunbeam S7A with East Lancs. body.
• London 1812 * - one of the famous Q1’s built between 1948-52 sold to Spain in 1960 and returned in 1977.
• Mexborough & Swinton 34 - a 1927 Garrett O-type with centre entrance body. A long term project.
• Reading 113 * - a 1939 AEC 661T with Park Royal body.
• South Shields 204 *- a 1937 Karrier E4 with Weymann body.
• Walsall 342 - a 1951 Sunbeam F4 with Brush body, extensively rebuilt in 1965. Currently in store.
• Walsall 872 - a 1956 Sunbeam F4A. On loan to Aston Manor Museum.
• Aachen 22 - a massive 1956 three-axle Henschel 562E one and a half decker.
• Reading 47 - a 1935 AEC Regent with Park Royal body. Our only motorbus!
• ‘William’ - a 1902 horse drawn tower wagon from Reading.

More detailed information about all these vehicles is available on the Fleet Pages,
or from the secretary at 2 Josephine Court, Southcote Road, Reading RG30 2DG

Membership Rates (2008)

Cheques & Postal Orders should be payable to ‘British Trolleybus Society’ and must be in £ sterling.
Click Here to go to Membership Application Form.
Click Here to go to Gift Aid Application Form.
More details about Gift Aid and its importance to the BTS on the Gift Aid page.

How You can Help

We rely on the support of our members to achieve our aims, please indicate on the Membership Form if you can help in any of the following ways.

• Write an article or send in news items for the societies journals.
• Offer practical skills to assist in the maintenance & restoration of vehicles; training is available for skilled & technical work.
• Help run the Sales Stand at Rallies.
• Take leaflets and give them to people who share your interest in Trolleybuses & might become members.
• Participate in our monthly prize draw.
• Sponsor the Trolleybus of your choice with a regular monthly donation.

 Fill out a Gift Aid form if you are a UK taxpayer so we can claim back the tax.