Pete's Trolleybus Site

Site Index

To access the pages, click on the icon to the left of the description. The icons represent a tram, a trolleybus, a motor bus or a bus ticket and indicate the content of the page. The index is rather long, so please scroll down to see the complete contents.

Beginnings.
Why does a trolleybus have its power pedal on the left? A brief explanation of how the tram developed into the trolleybus.

More Beginnings and Endings.
The history of the trolleybus, starting with Elektromote, charting the demonstrations and pioneer systems through to the sad end in 1972 plus the near revivals.

First and Last
A list of all British trolleybus systems with their opening and closing dates.

Driving Trolleybuses
A piece of wistful prose on the joy of driving.

The Forgotten Trolleybuses
A brief history of Birmingham City Transport's trolleybuses. I've called this page "The Forgotten Trolleybuses" as not many people remember that Birmingham did operate trolleybuses.

Wolverhampton
A brief history of Wolverhampton Corporation Transport. Wolverhampton is my home town. I became fascinated by tramways on hearing my grandfathers tales of horses being electrocuted when stepping on the tram studs. The Lorain System was unique to Wolverhampton and it was due to Wolverhampton that trolleybuses became buses rather than trams running without rails.

Last Day at Walsall
Photos taken on Walsall's last day of operation.
I was only 15 and a grop of us went to have a last ride on a trolleybus. All the photos were taken on Kodachrome film with a Kodak Instamatic 33 camera.

Trolleybus Rally 2000
Every two years until 2008, the Black Country Museum held a trolleybus rally. This page shows some of the vehicles at the 2000 rally. It's also the start of my learning to drive trolleybuses.
The rally in June 2010 was cancelled and the new museum director does not want any more. Complaints direct to him, please.

Trolleybus Rally 2002
The 2002 rally. This was my first rally as a driver.

Black Country Living Museum
A tour of the world's only double deck trolleybus route. Some photos showing the entire route.

Langs Gouden Draden.
Trolleybuses may have disappeared from our streets, but abroad they are still very much alive, though a few cities are falling by the wayside. One such system, the city of Arnhem in The Netherlands has been a devotee of the trolleybus for over 50 years. The only system in the Netherlands, Arnhemmers are very proud of their trolleybuses.

Trolleybuses in Ghent
The Flemish city of Ghent was another such system. These are pictures taken in the Autumn of 2000, when I paid the city a brief visit. The system was suspended for roadworks, but re-opened in September 2005 only to be partially abandoned in late 2008 with trolleybuses then only appearing on special runs until the final closure on 14th June 2009.

The Ultimate Driving Experience.
The Tramway Museum at Crich offers a days tuition in tram driving, which they call "The Ultimate Driving Experience". I've always wanted to have a go, so booked myself on a course. I've even gone on to do their "Advanced" version.

Wolverhampton Trolleybus Gallery
I'm always pleased to receive feedback on the site and was delighted to be sent these photographs by Ian Slater, who has given me permission to reproduce them on the site. These photos give an excellent view of the last years of the Wolverhampton system.

BMMO
The Black Country tramways were replaced in the 1920's and 1930's by motor buses of the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus company.

Tickets Please!
Trams and buses have always issued tickets. Here's a brief history of the humble ticket machine.

About The Author

Visit my main site

Click here to mail me :-#)

Background is Wolverhampton trolleybus No 74, a Guy BTX with Guy bodywork, the Black Country Museum in Dudley has No 78, which is identical. It was discovered in a field in Ireland and returned to the museum for restoration.

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	Beginnings. Why does a trolleybus have its power pedal on the left? A brief explanation of how the tram developed into the trolleybus.
	More Beginnings and Endings. The history of the trolleybus, starting with Elektromote, charting the demonstrations and pioneer systems through to the sad end in 1972 plus the near revivals.
	First and Last A list of all British trolleybus systems with their opening and closing dates.
	Driving Trolleybuses A piece of wistful prose on the joy of driving.
	The Forgotten Trolleybuses A brief history of Birmingham City Transport's trolleybuses. I've called this page "The Forgotten Trolleybuses" as not many people remember that Birmingham did operate trolleybuses.
	Wolverhampton A brief history of Wolverhampton Corporation Transport. Wolverhampton is my home town. I became fascinated by tramways on hearing my grandfathers tales of horses being electrocuted when stepping on the tram studs. The Lorain System was unique to Wolverhampton and it was due to Wolverhampton that trolleybuses became buses rather than trams running without rails.
	Last Day at Walsall Photos taken on Walsall's last day of operation. I was only 15 and a grop of us went to have a last ride on a trolleybus. All the photos were taken on Kodachrome film with a Kodak Instamatic 33 camera.
	Trolleybus Rally 2000 Every two years until 2008, the Black Country Museum held a trolleybus rally. This page shows some of the vehicles at the 2000 rally. It's also the start of my learning to drive trolleybuses. The rally in June 2010 was cancelled and the new museum director does not want any more. Complaints direct to him, please.
	Trolleybus Rally 2002 The 2002 rally. This was my first rally as a driver.
	Black Country Living Museum A tour of the world's only double deck trolleybus route. Some photos showing the entire route.
	Langs Gouden Draden. Trolleybuses may have disappeared from our streets, but abroad they are still very much alive, though a few cities are falling by the wayside. One such system, the city of Arnhem in The Netherlands has been a devotee of the trolleybus for over 50 years. The only system in the Netherlands, Arnhemmers are very proud of their trolleybuses.
	Trolleybuses in Ghent The Flemish city of Ghent was another such system. These are pictures taken in the Autumn of 2000, when I paid the city a brief visit. The system was suspended for roadworks, but re-opened in September 2005 only to be partially abandoned in late 2008 with trolleybuses then only appearing on special runs until the final closure on 14th June 2009.
	The Ultimate Driving Experience. The Tramway Museum at Crich offers a days tuition in tram driving, which they call "The Ultimate Driving Experience". I've always wanted to have a go, so booked myself on a course. I've even gone on to do their "Advanced" version.
	Wolverhampton Trolleybus Gallery I'm always pleased to receive feedback on the site and was delighted to be sent these photographs by Ian Slater, who has given me permission to reproduce them on the site. These photos give an excellent view of the last years of the Wolverhampton system.
	BMMO The Black Country tramways were replaced in the 1920's and 1930's by motor buses of the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus company.
	Tickets Please! Trams and buses have always issued tickets. Here's a brief history of the humble ticket machine.