London 1348

Introduction

London no. 1348 is a Leyland built trolleybus new in 1939 to London Transport, the largest British trolleybus operator. Number 1348 is off an all metal construction with standard Metro-Vic electronics and was one of a batch of 100 similar vehicles better known as the K2 class.

No. 1348 survived in service until 1961 and was saved for preservation by the Transport Museum Society of Ireland (TMSI). It was transferred to Dublin where it had been stored until June 2010.

London Transport ceased trolleybus operation in May 1962, which means the 50th anniversary of this date is fast approaching. With this in mind The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft entered into negotiation with the TMSI in a bid to repatriate no. 1348 and begin restoration in time for a return to service in 2012. An agreement was reached in early June 2010 and a team from The Museum set off to Dublin to prepare 1348 for the journey to Sandtoft. No. 1348 travelled by ferry from Dublin to Liverpool on 1st July 2010, arriving at the Museum on suspended tow the next day.

Much work has been done to restore this vehicle but working condition. However, more work needs to be done if it is to run again for the anniversary event in 2012. The Trolleybus Museum has opened a fund for the restoration. Donations can be made here or by sending a cheque made payable to "The Trolleybus Museum" to 1348 Restoration Fund, 8 Woods Terrace, Gainsborough, DN21 2RP