National Trolleybus Association

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part 15

This week, one of our French members, Philippe Némery, has sent us this delightful view from Limoges.

Number 20, a Vetra CB 60, is seen here near the Central Post Office, rue Jean Jaurès, working route 4/7 towards Georges Pompidou terminus, in July 1987. It is crossing the overhead of route 6 (Aristide Briand - Armand Dutreix). 1987 was the last year of service for this vehicle and the overhead had not yet been modernised.

Today route 4 still exists (Limoges never had a trolleybus line withdrawn) but was diverted in 1997 from Montjovis to run through the central point of the network, Place Winston Churchill.
More recently it has been diverted again and is using the same overhead as the 6 as rue jean Jaurès is being pedestrianised.

Thank you for your contribution, Philippe. If you wish to join in, please send one of your favourite trolleybus photos, with a caption, to: [email protected]

To join the NTA, visit our website
www.nationaltrolleybus.org

Trolleybus Weekend at Carlton Colville - 28/29 September. The annual event will see plenty of trolleybuses operating over the two days, including after-dark running on the Saturday, in addition to all the museum’s usual attractions.

We hope everyone enjoyed our 999 day? Our next event is Trolleybus weekend on 28th and 29th September, where we run until 9pm on the Saturday for a chance to see our vehicles and site by twilight.

part 14

This week, we are off to Arnhem, with this view from Harry Sanders.

Hess SwissTrolley 4, number 5244, was delivered in 2013. It is seen here at Lange Wal, arriving at the Keulse Slag stop, heading towards Presikhaaf (line 5).

We would love to see the photos you have taken and are most proud of. If you wish to contribute to this weekly series, send your favourite trolleybus photos, with a caption, to: [email protected]

To join the NTA and receive six issues of Trolleybus Magazine per year, visit our website - www.nationaltrolleybus.org

part 13

The diminutive Italian system which ran from the Adriatic coast at Civitanova Porto up the hill to Civitanova Alta, a distance of 6.7 km, had a fleet of just three trolleybuses. They were FIAT type 2405 vehicles, with Casaro “Tubocar” bodies and TIBB electrical equipment, built in 1956 and numbered 4, 5 and 6. The overhead line equipment was also supplied by TIBB. The line was single-track apart from a longish one-way section which incorporated the turning-loop at the Porto end and a smaller turning loop at the Alta terminus. Additionally, it crossed the electrified Bologna – Bari railway line at a level-crossing, requiring the vehicles to be de-poled and to use the power of their traction batteries for this short section.
Paul Nicholson visited the system in June1974, not long before the system closed, and recorded this view of two trolleybuses meeting on the single-track section; one has been de-poled to allow the other to pass.

To join the NTA and receive six issues of Trolleybus Magazine per year, visit our website - www.nationaltrolleybus.org

part 12

This week, another fantastic photo from the late Ian Hill - his interesting collection is cared for by fellow enthusiasts David Pearson and Jonathan Ward.

Leoben 7, Gräf und Stift EOII with bodywork by Gräf und Stift and BBC electrical equipment, built 1956, arrives at the Lerchenfeld terminus of the last remaining trolleybus route on the system. 18th February 1972.

Help to keep this series going - send your favourite trolleybus photos, with captions, to - [email protected]

To join the NTA and receive six issues of Trolleybus Magazine per year, visit our website - www.nationaltrolleybus.org

The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft will be holding their annual ‘Sandtoft Gathering’ tomorrow, Sunday 28th July. See their website or page for details. The NTA’s Huddersfield 541 should be in service.

The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft Home Perfect for a family day out… There’s lots to do, making the Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft a great family day out for all ages! It’s not just old buses – we have a Toy Museum, a Cycle Shop Museum, a replica pre-fab home, play areas for the youngsters, a Lecture Theatre/Cinema showing....

part 11

We are off to Uzbekistan for this week’s post. David Lawrence has sent this view of Urgench 012, taken on 4 October 2023. It is seen departing the layover point in Khiva, with the city walls in the background. Nine of these Škoda 24Tr were delivered in 2013 for this interesting system, which consists of one route, linking Khiva with Urgench.

If you would like to take part in the series, please send one of your favourite trolleybus photos, with a caption, to: [email protected]

To join the NTA and receive six issues of Trolleybus Magazine per year, visit our website - www.nationaltrolleybus.org

part 10

This week, David Pearson takes us to China.

A number of coal mines in China built trolleybus lines to transport miners to and from work. No fares were charged and although intended for staff, anyone who wished to travel could do so. One of the more remote installations was near Jixi in the north-east of the country, not far from the Russian border, and only about 140 miles (230 kilometres) north of Vladivostok. It served the Henshan coal mine.

In August 2012 a small party of English trolleybus enthusiasts, trying to visit as many of these coal-mine lines as possible, arrived at the trolleybus depot totally un-announced, but the depot Manager was very helpful; he offered a trip to and from the coal mine on a trolleybus which had been withdrawn from normal service but which was still available for use in emergencies. It was built by the Beijing Trolleybus factory and was probably not much more than ten years old, as 8 - 10 years seems to be the normal lifespan for Chinese trolleybuses.

At the end of the trip, before turning into the depot, the trolleybus is seen basking in the sun while our parasol-carrying interpreter walks by. Although she lived in Jixi, she was not previously aware of the existance of the trolleybus line!

The mine closed in the spring of 2017, apparently because it produced poor-quality coal, and the approximately 1½ mile (2.5 kilometres) long trolleybus line closed with it.

If you wish to contribute to this series, please send one of your favourite trolleybus photos, with a caption to [email protected]

To join the NTA and receive six issues of Trolleybus Magazine per year, visit our website - www.nationaltrolleybus.org

part 9

This week, Alan Murray takes us to Spain, with this view of a fascinating vehicle.

Cádiz 24, a Daimler CTC6 with Icarsa bodywork from c1965 and Crompton Parkinson – Allen West electrics, which had originally been a Rotherham trolleybus fitted with East Lancs bodywork. Its original fleet number is unknown, but would have been in the series 1-5/19-23/86-90. The vehicle is pictured on Sunday 5th September 1969 in Plaza Loro on the local service in San Fernando to Ardila, with the old railway station behind. Remarkably much of this short local route is now covered by a street-running tram-train.

Like everyone involved with the NTA, Alan is a volunteer, who has held various posts within the Society in the past. Alan joined the NTA in 1966, becoming Trolleybus Magazine Editor in 1978, until 1985, then Chairman and News Editor from 1986 to 1996. He continues to proofread each issue of Trolleybus Magazine before it is printed.

Thank you for your contribution, Alan. If you would like to submit one of your favourite trolleybus photographs for this series, please send it, with a caption, to [email protected]

To join the NTA and receive six issues of Trolleybus Magazine per year, visit our website - www.nationaltrolleybus.org

Solingen 1 and 59 at the depot this evening after a busy day - Obus-Museum Solingen e.V. celebrating their 25th anniversary

Solingen - 7 July 2024. Obus-Museum Solingen e.V. celebrate their 25th anniversary - Solingen 1 is visiting for the event.

part 8

The July-August issue of Trolleybus Magazine includes an account by Carl Isgar, the Editor, of two visits he made to Athína in 1981 and 1982 in which he describes his travels around the system, the routes and the vehicles. Perhaps the most interesting vehicle in the fleet at that time was 1127, a Lancia Esatau two-axle trolleybus with a locally built Viamach body and CGE electrical equipment delivered in 1968. It was unique in that although Athína already had a fleet of 46 Lancias delivered in 1960, 1127 was the only one to receive a locally built body. According to reports at the time it was unreliable but despite this reputation it was noted in service in both visits in 1981 and 1982. The picture was taken at Neo Pangrati on 28th November 1982.

Carl joined the NTA in 1973 and has been the Editor of Trolleybus Magazine since March 2007.

If you would like to contribute to this weekly series, please send one of your favourite trolleybus photos, with a caption, to: [email protected]

To join the NTA and receive six issues of Trolleybus Magazine per year, visit our website - www.nationaltrolleybus.org

The July - August Issue of Trolleybus Magazine has been sent to members. Features in this issue include:

• Accross the fields to Šlapanice.
• Arnhem line 352.
• Hradec Kralove at 75.
• Spotlight on Chieti.
• Looking back on Athína in the Eighties.
• Reviews of recently published books.
• Trolleynews.

To ensure you receive every issue, join the NTA! Follow the link below:
nationaltrolleybus.org

part 7

This week, Mike Russell takes us to Newcastle.

Byker Junction, Newcastle upon Tyne, 28 September 1966. Trolleybuses 614 and 617 at the junction heading west, with 617 on the right on route 35 from Walker terminus and 614 on the left having come out of Byker Depot to take up service on route 35A to Denton Square - and another one lurking behind in the distance.

Mike joined the NTA in 1964 and has held several positions in the Society during that time, including ten years as Chairman.

If you would like to contribute to this weekly series, please send one of your favourite trolleybus photos, with a caption, to: [email protected]

To join the NTA and receive six issues of Trolleybus Magazine per year, visit our website - www.nationaltrolleybus.org

Solingen - 7 July 2024

part 6

This week, it’s Canada’s turn, but with a British link. James Race has sent this view of Edmonton 189 - a young James managed to catch it in service in 1999, when he was 12 years old. Today, James is involved with The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft.

James adds the following, with an appeal for help to return 189 to the road…

Edmonton 189, one of a batch of 100 trolleybuses from General Motors new in 1981, with Electrical Equipment supplied by Brown Boveri and Company. These were the only trolleybuses built with General Motors 'new look' body often referred to as 'Fishbowls'. When Edmonton found they had a surplus of trolleybuses in the 1990s, they were able to loan 40 of these vehicles to the Toronto Transit Commission, while a decision was made on the future of their own system. 189 was one of the 40 vehicles loaned out and eventually became 9189 in the TTC fleet. On its return to Edmonton the fleet was roughly double the operational requirement and for many years buses alternated between being 'in service' or 'in store' and by 2008 the number of surviving 'Fishbowl' trolleybuses had dwindled to 49.

On 18th June 2008 the city voted to discontinue trolleybus operation and the system closed suddenly on the 2nd May 2009. 189 was purchased for preservation for a 'Loonie', one Canadian dollar. Initially it ran occasionally at The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft however it has suffered a few issues preventing its operation. It has recently been taken into the care of the museum’s Overseas Trolleybus Group which hopes to have it operational in due course. Any assistance in this or with any of the Overseas Trolleybus Groups projects is gratefully received, please contact James Race at the Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft for details.

The second view shows 189 in service at Sandtoft.

If you would like to contribute to then please send a favourite trolleybus photograph with a caption to [email protected]

To join the NTA and receive six issues of Trolleybus Magazine per year, visit our website - www.nationaltrolleybus.org

part 5

This week we are off to Austria, with this lovely view by the late Ian Hill. Ian was an NTA member for many years and particularly enjoyed travelling around the Austrian, German and Swiss systems.

Innsbruck 17, one of four FIAT656F trolleybuses with FIAT bodies and CGE electrical equipment built for Livorno in 1935/6 and transferred to Innsbruck in 1943, waits in Maria-Teresen-Strasse on 20th June 1970 while working line C, bound for Arzl where the trolleybus depot was situated.

If you wish to take part in then please send your photo and caption to [email protected]

Visit our website to join us today - www.nationaltrolleybus.org

Zlin are celebrating 80 years of trolleybus operation. Škoda 9Tr, number 1, dating from 1979, is seen here departing Univerzitní park, with a Jelcz trailer.

All the latest news, photographs and articles can be found in Trolleybus Magazine, published bi-monthly.

Join today - www.nationaltrolleybus.org

part 4

Unique in the small Belfort trolleybus fleet was 10, a Vetra VBR of 1947 which was acquired second-hand from Strasbourg in 1963. It was photographed leaving Valdoie terminus on 20 September 1971.

Peter Haseldine has sent us this lovely view. Peter joined the NTA in 1966. In the 1970s, when Britain's trolleybus story was almost over, he had a particular interest in French and Italian systems. More recently this interest has covered the trolleybus systems of former Soviet Central Asia. Peter spends many hours every week researching the latest worldwide developments for Trolleybus Magazine in his role as News Editor.

Thank you for your contribution, Peter.

If you wish to be involved with this weekly series, please send your favourite photo and caption to [email protected]

To join the NTA and receive six issues of Trolleybus Magazine per year, simply visit our website and join online -
www.nationaltrolleybus.org

part 3

This week, one of our Australian members, Paul Nicholson, has sent this view of Auckland 81, taken on 19 December 1970. This BUT RETB1 with Saunders-Roe body was built in 1956.

Paul Nicholson is an Australian trolleybus enthusiast who’s been a member of the NTA since 1967. Paul’s first real trolleybus experience was in Tasmania in 1967 but had previously ridden a trolleybus in Adelaide as a nine year old in 1959 and “saw the wires” in Sydney during a school holiday visit in 1958. Trolleybuses finished in Australia in 1969 (Perth) but Paul had the opportunity to visit many systems during a five-month grand adventure in 1974. Paul’s daughter lives and works in San Francisco so that’s been part of many overseas trolleybus experiences since he retired in 2003. Paul enjoys riding trolleybus routes “with the locals” usually in the company of his partner, Robyn.

Thanks for your contribution, Paul.

If you would like to join us with the series, please send a photo and caption to [email protected]

To join the society and receive Trolleybus Magazine, visit our website - www.nationaltrolleybus.org

A visit to the Ipswich Transport Museum is highly recommended. The collection is based in the old trolleybus depot at Priory Heath and will be of particular interest to trolleybus enthusiasts.

Looking for something to do this half term week?

We are open 11am - 4pm today, tomorrow and Bank Holiday Monday as well as 1pm - 4pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Have a look at our 100+ items, all built or used in Ipswich - climb aboard a bus, have a look at our restorations, have a go with the model railway or just relax with a cuppa and a snack in the Sunbeam Tearoom whilst the little ones play in the activity area.

Why not pay us a visit - we really are a hidden gem of Ipswich!

part 2

David Pearson sent this lovely view. David joined the NTA in 1963 and now sends out Trolleybus Magazine to our members. Like everyone else, he is a volunteer, and we appreciate his contribution very much.

It’s late morning on Tuesday 30th September 1975 outside the Clarens depot of Transport Publics Vevey – Montreux, and the lunch-time rush-hour will soon be in full swing. Trolleybus 8: ACMV/Berna / ACMV/Moser / SAAS, built 1957, on a journey from Villeneuve to Vevey, is guided back by depot staff to attach to 1966-built, Rochat / Moser trailer, 52.

If you wish to contribute to please contact us at [email protected]

To join us visit our website - www.nationaltrolleybus.org

If you are in Salzburg on 7 June…

It is lovely to see ‘Salzburg 123’ (Solingen 40) operating for another year - it is very popular with locals and visitors alike. We fully support operators with a heritage vehicle who are proud of their trolleybus history.

Lange Nacht der Kirchen am 07. Juni 2024

Pro Obus Salzburg lädt dieses Jahr wieder in Kooperation mit den Salzburg Linien zur Mitfahrt auf unserer kostenlosen Ringlinie ein.

Die Besucher haben die Möglichkeit, unseren historischen Obus 123 aus dem Jahr 1957 als Zubringer zu den Kirchen der Stadt Salzburg zu nutzen.

Die Mitfahrt ist kostenlos.

Weitere Informationen und Fahrplan unter www.proobus.at

New!

The internet allows us to keep in touch with fellow enthusiasts around the world. Join us for this new weekly feature - every Monday we will post favourite photos from NTA members, many of whom regularly contribute to Trolleybus Magazine.

David Lawrence has sent this view of Modena 42, a Solaris Trollino IV 12 built in 2020, taken in front of the beautiful railway station, on 25 March 2023.

If you would like your photo to appear here in the future, please send it, with a caption, to: [email protected]

The NTA is a registered charity and run entirely by volunteers, who are all trolleybus enthusiasts.

If you are not yet a member, you can join online, by visiting our website - www.nationaltrolleybus.org

Read by trolleybus enthusiasts around the world. Visit our website to join and receive Trolleybus Magazine.

www.nationaltrolleybus.org

The May - June edition of Trolleybus Magazine has been sent to members.
Items featured include:
• Mexico City elevated trolleybus route.
• Tribute to the Sanremo trolleybus system.
• Report on the opening of the trolleybus route to Prague Airport.
• Preservation Update.
• Trolleybus news from around the world.
To ensure you receive every copy, become a member! Follow the link: nationaltrolleybus.org