Archive 2010

Edmonton Trolleybus enters service

In November 2009 The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft, already home to the world’s largest collection of preserved trolleybuses, added a Canadian trolleybus to its collection. All the way from Edmonton, no. 189 was new in 1981 and, as well as being one of the rare 100 'fishbowl' trolleybuses, it is also one of 40 trolleybuses which operated in Toronto on-loan from Edmonton between 1990 and 1993. No. 189 was built by General Motors but the type became generally known as “BBC’s” after the company who supplied the electrical equipment.

After some minor electrical and bodywork repairs no. 189 became the first North American trolleybus to carry passengers in the UK when it was launched into service on Saturday 17 April 2010. After an initial run with invited guests, made up of those who had donated towards the preservation and transportation of the bus, the first public run carried a full load of passengers. No. 189 went on to operate for the rest of the weekend, proving popular with visitors, many of whom recognised the distinct North American bodywork style. This body type, also known as the 'fishbowl' design, has sloped windows synonymous with North America buses.

The trolleybus system in Edmonton closed suddenly on the 2nd May 2009 and The Trolleybus Museum began negotiations to preserve one straight away. No. 189 was selected as it was deemed to be in the most original and best condition of the remaining batch. The journey to The Museum from Edmonton took almost a month, traveling by low-loader and cargo ship. Read more about the journey, and see video here.

No. 189 will feature at more of The Museum’s opendays this year, including the Worldwide Weekend on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 October.

Click here to see a photograph.

Cardiff no. 203 re-enters public service

The city of Cardiff began running trolleybuses on 1st March 1942, replacing trams on the route between Wood Street and Clarence Road. On Sunday 30th May 2010, at 1403h (i.e. 2.03pm), one of these original Cardiff trolleybuses (no. 203) returned to passenger carrying service at The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft, following a long period of restoration.

London 1348 joins collection

Following agreement between the Transport Museum Society of Ireland and The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft, London K2 class trolleybus no 1348 returned to the UK on the evening of 1st July, arriving by ferry at Liverpool from Dublin. 1348 reached its new home at Sandtoft the following day. The Gathering event at the end of July will be the first occasion the vehicle has been seen in public since it was withdrawn from service in 1961. Much work needs to be done if it is to run again 50 years after the closure of the world's largest trolleybus system on 8th May 1962. Built by Leyland in 1939 it is an all metal construction with standard Metro-Vic electric's. A full assessment of the work that will be needed to completely restore this vehicle has yet to be completed but some cost such as new panels, window rubbers, glazing, upholstery, tyres will be unavoidable. The Trolleybus Museum has opened a fund for the restoration. Donations can be made online or by sending a cheque made payable to "The Trolleybus Museum" to 1348 Restoration Fund, 8 Woods Terrace, Gainsborough, DN21 2RP

Find out more here.

Huddersfield 541 re-enters public service

New to Huddersfield Corporation in 1947 as trolleybus number 541, it saw service in the West Yorkshire town until 1966 when it then entered into preservation. Restoration first began in 1993 and a full rewire has also been completed during the 17 year of work. On Sunday 29 August 2010 at 1400 a ceremony was held to reintroduce this bus back into passenger carrying service at The Trolleybus Museum.

The vehicle is owned by the National Trolleybus Association and the restoration has been funded by donations from members.

There were a record number of visitors for an August Bank Holiday weekend and it was the busiest of the 2010 bank holiday weekends.

Trolleybus Museum gains national quality standard

The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft has been officially ‘Accredited’ by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA).

The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft is home to the world’s largest collection of preserved trolleybuses, opening selected weekends throughout the year. Visitors on open days can take a journey back in time on one of many finely preserved working trolleybuses in the collection. Visitors can also wallow in the nostalgia of our 1950’s/60’s pre-fab bungalow and shop window displays and discover the various exhibits which extend well beyond the transport theme.

The MLA’s Museum Accreditation Scheme sets nationally agreed standards for all museums in the UK. The Trolleybus Museum’s award proves it measures up, meeting the guidelines on how it is run; how it looks after its collection and services it provides its visitors.

Graham Bilbé, Museum Chairman, said, “I was delighted to hear the news that we have been awarded Accreditation. It is a significant advance in the continued development of our museum and a hearty thank you to all those dedicated volunteers involved.”

Andrew Motion, Chair of MLA, said, “Being awarded Accreditation is an impressive achievement. It recognises the high standard and service that The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft provides and acknowledges the hard work of its volunteers.”