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May 2013
Dave Hall concludes his series of articles on the history of the Reading Transport Society.
Hugh Taylor recalls the antics of a Huddersfield trolleybus driver on the last week of operations in the town in July 1968.
Dave Chick reports on events at Sandtoft over the Easter bank holiday weekend.
Gunter Mackinger congratulates operator TCL on 70 years of trolleybus operations in Limoges.
David Lawrence brings us the latest Museum & Preservation news whilst Bruce Lake reports on the latest Trolleybus World News.
April 2013
Fifty years on, Colin Allen reflects on the classic book Trolleybus Trails by James Joyce, which was published by Ian Allen in 1963.
Tony Belton markes the end of the BBC Television Centre with a remarkable photo!
A selection of previously unknown photos of St Helens Garrett Trolleybuses dating from the 1930s was found in the North West Museum of Road Transport and are reproduced with additional information from Geoff Sandford.
There is an update on the Leeds Trolleybus Project
Gunter Mackinger provides a brief look at the Beograd system in Serbia with a centre page spread of colour photos.
March 2013
John Zebedee reports on his recent visit to the Gdynia trolleybus system in Poland.
The site of the former Hampden trolleybus garage in Glasgow is now a park and ride facility. Brian Deans tells us all about it.
There is a centre page spread of colour photos of trolleybuses operating in the snow.
Tony Belton reports on the demise of the Plovdiv system in Bulgaria.
Dave Chick reports on the final conference held in Hungary organised by the TROLLEY Project.
Dave Lawrence brings us up to date with Museum & Preservation News and Bruce Lake reports on the latest World News
February 2013
Tony Belton, assisted by Steve Lockwood, tells the story of Huddersdield trolleybus 592 which received a second hand body in the early 1960s.
David Beach tells the story of a Trolleybus nightmare in Huddersfield.
Dave Chick reviews both the Portsmouth Corporation Transport history written by Bob Rowe and also Trolleybus miniatures, models and the real things by Ashley Bruce and Gotfried Kuře.
There is a colour centre page spread featuing Argentinian trolleybuses.
David Lawrence reports on the latest developments in Museum & Preservation News and Bruce Lake updates us on the latest World News.
January 2013
Tony Belton tells the story of 15 Graf & Stift trolleybuses in the Eberswalde fleet which were sold to Budapest.
Dave Hall continues the history of the RTS/BTS, looking at the years 1969 and 1970.
The BTS has some exciting plans for 2013 and these are reviewed in this issue.
Tony Belton reports on his visit to the West Of England Transport Collection to see the five preserved trolleybuses in their care.
David Lawrence reports the latest Museum & Preservation news whilst Bruce Lake brings us up to date with the latest World News.
December 2012
Tony Belton looks at some London Trolleybus advertisement oddities
Dave Chick reviews the latest in the Trolleybus Classics series, Southend by Colin Barker and South Lancs by Stepen Lockwood and also interviews both authors.
There is a report on the funeral of the late Stanley King and also news of the death of Wayne Little, who took over the running of the Foxton Trolleybus Museum in New Zealand when his father Ian passed away in 2008.
David Lawrence reports on the latest Museum & Preservation News and Bruce Lake brings us up to date with the latest World News.
November 2012
David Bowler reviews 100 years of Trolleybus operations in Switzerland.
Dave Chick tells the story of two preserved Athens trolleybuses that accidentally nearly went for scrap!
There is an Obituary for Stanley King, the President of Sandtoft who sadly passed away recently.
John Zebedee reports on the Trolleybus Gala Weekend at Carlton Colville in September 2012.
Dave Chick reports on the recent Rotherham Centenary Weekend at Sandtoft.
October 2012
Dave Hall's history of the RTS/BTS continues with the birth of Sandtoft.
Dave Chick reports on the London weekend at Sandtoft over the August bank holiday which saw the relaunch of London 1348 into service. There is also a centre page spread of colour photos showing the three London trolleybuses in service that weekend.
Preserved 1924 Keighley trolleybus No. 5, which has a Straker Clouigh Chassis and Brush bodywork, made a rare public appearance in September to commemorate both the 80th anniversary since the trolleybus system was abandoned and the end of municipal transport in the West Yorkshire town. Dave Chick tells us the story.
David Lawrence reports on the latest Museum & Preservation News whilst Bruce Lake brings us up to date with the latest World News.
September 2012
John Shearman tells the story about a batch of 60 BUT 9641T trolleybuses built for the Johannesburg trolleybus system in 1948.
Dave Hall continues the RTS/BTS history, Chapter 11 records events in 1968 including the abandonment of the RTS's home trolleybus system.
The Sandtoft Gathering took place on 14 & 15 July 2012 and Dave Chick, with help from Bruce Lake and Stewart David, reports on events over that weekend.
David Lawrence presents the latest Museum & Preservation News and Bruce Lake brings us up to date with World News.
August 2012
Gavin Booth reports on his recent visit to the Budapest trolleybus system which includes some superb colour photos in the centre pages.
Tony Belton recalls a mishap involving London trolleybus 1054 which struck the arched bridge in Kentish Town causing extensive damage to the vehicle.
Dave Chick reports on his recent visit to Solingen, where the 60th anniversary of the trolleybus system was in June.
There is news on the recently approved project which will hopefully see Leeds re-introduce a trolleybus system to the UK.
The usual round up of Museum & Preservation News is provided by David Lawrence whilst Bruce Lake brings us up to date with the latest World News.
July 2012
Colin Allan marks the 75th anniversary of the Opening Ceremony of the Hull Trolleybus system on 23 July 1937 whilst Malcolm Wells has done more research on Hull's trolleybus routes that never were!
Dave Chick reports on the 60th anniversary celebrations in Ostrava with some excellent colour photos.
This being issue 612 of our journal, Fred Ivey recalls the last week of operation on London Trolleybus route 612.
There is an update on what the BTS is planning to do with Beryl Dare's Legacy.
Edgar Jordan, a founder member of the original Reading Transport Society, recently passed away and John Whitehead takes a look back at his life.
The back cover has some excellent colour views of Sandtoft celebrating the Queens Diamond Jubilee.
June 2012
This months edition is almost entirely devoted to the 50th anniversary of the London system closure.
Dave Chick reports on the wonderful London Trolleybus 50 event held at at Carlton Colville between the
6 and 8 May 2012.
Dave also reports on his visit to Fulwell depot in London where a day of celebration of the London Trolleybus was held on 12 May 2012.
Tony Belton explains how he became a trolleybus enthusiast and recalls his memories of London Trolleybus route 611 which ran from Highgate Village to Moorgate.
There is a selection of wonderful photos of London Trolleybuses covering route 611 and the two events mentioned above
May 2012
Tony Belton commemorates the 50th anniversary of the closure of the London Trolleybus system with a brief history and a selection of photographs of the nine trolleybuses that have survived in preservation.
The city of Valparaiso operates Chile's only current trolleybus system, which opened in 1952. The capital, Santiago, operated trolleybuses between 1947 and 1978 and again briefly between 1991 and 1994. David Lawrence reports.
Dave Chick reports on Sandtoft's first operational weekend of the 2012 season, held over Easter. Bradford was the themed event to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the closure of that system.
David Lawrence reports on the latest happenings in the world of trolleybus preservation whilst Bruce Lake brings us up to date with the latest World News.
April 2012
On our cover this month we have a striking view of modern architecture and public transport as Salzburg's latest trolleybus route extension is launched. More details are in World News.
Inside, Dave Hall continues his history of the Society, the latest chapter including the closure of the Reading trolleybus system and the LTPS securing London 1201 for preservation.
An article on Milano's trolleybuses by Bob Westaway is accompanied by a centre page colour spread.
Dave Chick reviews two new models of Beijing trolleybuses and Tony Belton rounds off the April edition (issue number 609) with a pair of 609-themed colour photos, showing Huddersfield 609 in Northgate in August 1963, and an unusual photo showing London trolleybus 1486 and Routemaster RM 580 sided by side at Moorgate, both on service 609. If you're not a member, to find out how this came about you'll have to buy Trolleybus from the BTS Sales stand, or better still, join the BTS!
March 2012
Dave Young recalls his last opportunity to travel on service trolleybuses
in the UK with a visit to Bradford nine days prior to the closure of that system.
Tony Belton explains why 50 years of taking colour slides has come to an end
A great way to help the work of the Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft is to join one of the regular working parties held over various weekends in the winter months .Dave Chick attended a working party at Sandtoft and reports on its success.
There are reviews of two recently published books on Trolleybuses. Dave Chick reviews the TRACKLESS TO TROLLEYBUS by Stephen Lockwood whist Tony Belton reviews the LONDON TROLLEYBUS WIRING NORTHEAST & EAST by Keith Farrow.
February 2012
Chapter 9 of Dave Hall's History of the RTS/BTS covering the year 1967 is included this month.
Jan Spousta reports on his trip to the western part of Slovakia in November 2011 where he visited the systems at Bratislava, Banska Bystrica and Zilina. There are some superb colour photos of the Bratislava and Zilina systems on the centre pages.
Tony Belton visited Geneva and reports on a section of trolleybus route recently converted to tramway.
Dave Lawrence updates us with the latest events in the Museum & Preservation News whilst the latest World News is brought to us by Bruce Lake.
January 2012
Dave Hall looks at the history of the San Remo trolleybus system as well as reporting on a visit to the system he made in October 2011.
Reading 113 won an award at the Woodcote Rally back in July 2011 but until now we were unsure why. The mystery is now solved in this issue!!!
Part 8 of the RTS history by Dave Hall takes us through the year of 1967 when the Trolleybus Preservation Movement began to make some serious progress with its dreams.
John Zebedee's colourful photos of the St. Ledger Rally at Sandtoft are included on the centre pages
December 2011
Tony Belton presents a photographic tribute to Porto's double deck trolleybuses.
Dave Chick looks at the history of the Plzen trolleybus system which recently celebrated its 70th anniversary of trolleybus operation.
In the October 2011 issue a report appeared regarding the London Assembly Liberal Democrats' policy document "The Big Switch" which proposes conversion of London's buses, taxis and light goods vehicles to electric power by 2020. BTS member Irvine Bell responds to the invitation to submit comments on this policy.
Dave Lawrence updates us on the latest news from the world of trolleybus preservation whilst Bruce Lake updates on the latest World News.
November 2011
Gunter Mackinger looks at 60 years of trolleybus operation in Sevastopol
Dave Hall's RTS/BTS history now reaches chapter 7 covering the year 1966
David Beach reports on the latest position with SponsorTrolley
Dave Lawrence brings us the latest news in the trolleybus preservation movement whilst Bruce Lake reports on the latest World News.
Dave Chick reviews the latest Trolleybus Classics publication by Middleton Press on the Doncaster system.
October 2011
Gunter Mackinger reports on trolleybus modernisation in the Crimea together with some colour photos on the last days of the Skoda 9Tr in the Crimea.
There is a report on a policy document published by the Lonmdon Assembly Liberal Democrats who are proposing an ambitious programme to convert London's buses, taxis and light goods vehicles to electric power by 2020.
There is also an update on the Leeds Trolleybus Funding Bid.
Dave Hall continues the RTS/.BTS history for the period 1965/66
There are also some photos of Newcastle 501 and 628 operating at Carlton Colville and Ashton 87 operating at Sandtoft.
September 2011
John Zebedee reports on a trip last year to see the Ruse trolleybus system in Romania.
Dave Hall continues his history of the RTS/BTS covering the period 1964/65.
There is a report on the activities of the Cardiff & South Wales Trolleybus Project and an invitation for BTS members to see their preserved trolleybus collection.
Gunter Mackinger finds reminders of the trolleybuses of south-east Asia.
A centre page colour photo spread is included showing scenes at Sandtoft for the Centenary Weekend and also the Sandtoft Gathering.
August 2011
Tony Belton celebrates the 75th anniversary of London trolleybus 260 entering service and he also recalls a fire at Colindale Scrapyard in August 1960.
John Zebedee reports on the Centenary Trolleybus Tours held at Sandtoft this year.
Dave Hall reports on Reading 113s return to its home town to take part in Reading Buses Open Day and at the Woocote Rally in July. Dave also continues his history of the Reading Transport Society.
Martin Nimmo and Robin Symons try to untangle the the Hastings Guy BTX fleet numbers in order to try and identify the vehicle preserved at Sandtoft
There is a tribute to BTS member David Kaye, who recently passed away.
July 2011
This is a bumper 28 page edition celebrating the 600th issue of Trolleybus. Bob Rowe looks at Trolleybuses numbered 600 in the UK.
Dave Chick and Phil Jenkinson tells us about how Trolleybus is produced each month.
Dave Hall looks back at the BTS 50th annivbersary celebrations at Sandtoft including the recommissioning of Manchester 1344 back into service.
Tony Belton marks the 48th anniversary of the demise of the Portsmouth system and reviews a recent publication on the Belfast system with superb colour views of both operators.
Dave Lawrence & Gunter Mackinger report on the recent Trolleybus Festival in Landskrona.
June 2011
Dave Chick reflects on the Trolleybus Centenary being celebrated in the UK this year.
Dave Hall reports on the BTS's 50th anniversary celebrations held in Reading at the beginning of April 2011.
Andrew Henbest remembers the Brighton trolleybus system which was abandoned 50 years ago.
Dave Hall continues his series of articles on the history of the Reading Transport Society.
David Lawrence brings us the latest Museum & Preservation News whilst Bruce Lake brings us up to date with the latest World News.
May 2011
John Zebedee reports on the first part of his trip to Romania and Bulgaria in May 2010 where he visited the trolleybus systems in Bucharest and also nearby Ploiesti.
Dave Hall continues his history of the RTS/BTS.
Robin Symons tries to solve the mystery of the identity of the Hastings single-deck trolleybus at The Trolleybus Museum At Sandtoft.
David Lawrence brings us the latest developments in Museum & Preservation News whilst Bruce Lake reports on the latest World News
April 2011
This is a special 28 page bumper edition to celebrate our 50th anniversary with 6 pages of colour photos included.
A comprehensive history of the Reading Transport Society (RTS) & British Trolleybus Society (BTS), written by Dave Hall, commences in this issue. There is also a copy of the first ever news sheet issued by the RTS in August 1961.
Tony Belton marks the 40th anniversary of the closure of the Teesside system with a selection of his superb photos.
Graham Bilbe informs us of the BTS plans for Walsall 342 & 872.
Museum & Preservation News updates are brought to you by Dave Lawrence and Bruce lake brings us the latest World News.
March 2011
This issue includes full details of events planned to mark the 50th anniversary of the BTS.
Tony Belton presents a selection of photographs to commemorate the
50th anniversary of the clourse of the Mexborough & Swinton system.
Hugh Taylor tells the story of how London 796 spent almost 50 years in France and why it returned to the UK again.
Graham Bilbe reports on Manchester 1344s restoration progress.
There are two pages of colour photos featuring trolleybuses in Lviv (Ukrain) and also a large colour photo taken by Tony Belton featuring a magnificent view of Bradford Trolleybuses which covers the centre pages.
February 2011
Our Chairman, Graham Bilbe, explains about a major development for the BTS in conjunction with the Trolleybus Museum At Sandtoft.
Martin Eady tells us about his visit to the Chinese trolleybus systems in Beijing and Shanhai in latye May early June 2010.
Gunter Mackinger reports on his visit to Hradec Kralove in the Czech Republic in July 2010.
The is also news of Plzen 119, a 1948 Skoda 3Tr3 trolleybus which is owned by the Techmania Science Centre. The vehicle is now undergoing restoration at Zamberk near Pardubice.
January 2011
This month sees the introduction of Trolleybus in the new A5 size format. Although smaller in size it has more pages and more content plus some colour photos. This months edition includes:-
Graham Bilbe reports on the return of Manchester 1344 to BTS ownership together with details of its journey to Swindon where it is now undergoing a complete restoration.
Phil Jenkinson recalls a traction pole with the 'Westgate Trigger' attached and the workings of a short conductress when operatring the trigger., The traction pole still exists to this day!
There is a look at the 60th anniversary of trolleybus operations in St. Gallen and also trolleybus developments in Salzburg.
December 2010
Michael Barratt reports on a tour of the former Walsall trolleybus system undertaken by a 1969 ex Walsall Daimler Fleetline on 3 October 2010 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the closure of that trolleybus system.
On the November 2010 the first of the new Solaris trolleybuses was launched into service at Eberswalde, a weekend which also saw the 70th anniversary of trolleybus operation in the town.
There is a report on the Worldwide Weekend event at Sandtoft which took place on 2 and 3 October 2010.
Dave Chick reviews the Manchester & Ashton Trolleybuses book, the latest in the Trolleybus Classics series published by Middleton Press.
November 2010
Tony Belton reports on London 796s journey from Noyon in Northern France to Carlton Colville.at the end of June 2010.
John Zebedee reports on the 'Six-Wheeler' event at Sandtoft held over the August Bank Holiday.
There is a report on a brand new fleet of Skoda 30Tr Trolleybuses for Banska Bystrica, the first of this type of trolleybus to enter service.
Jan Spousta reports on the opening of an unusual commemoration of Prague's trolleybuses.
October 2010
Alex MacMillan takes us on a trolleybus ride across 1950s Walsall and Wolverhampton.
Dave Chick looks at the history of trolleybus operation and the 70th anniversary celebrations in Eberswalde, Germany.
There is a report on Plzen’s New Trolleybus Service.
Dave Lawrence reports on the latest news from both Sandtoft and Carlton Colville.
Bruce Lake brings us the latest trolleybus news from around the world.
September 2010
Tony Belton looks at the history of London 1348 which has recently arrived at The Trolleybus Museum At Sandtoft. Included in the article are some very interesting photos.
John Zebedee reports on an eventful Sandtoft Gathering which took place over the weekend of 24 and 25 July 2010.
David Beach brings us up to date with the latest position on Sponsortrolley, where members kindly donate money towards the rent and maintenance of the BTS fleet.
Dave Lawrence reports on the latest Museum & Preservation news whilst Bruce Lake brings us up to date with World News.
August 2010
Graham Bilbe looks back at the history of ''William,' our ex RCT 1902 horse drawn tower wagon, and the recent process of getting it back on its wheels.
John Zebedee recently visited the London Transport Museum Depot at Acton and reports on what he observed there.
Gunter Mackinger reports on a preserved Zlin Skoda-Sanos trolleybus that now resides in Pardubice.
Adelaide Addendum - After reading Graham Bilbé’s article on preserved Australian trolleybuses (Trolleybus 584,March 2010), Tony Pike conversed with Richard Horne who used to live in Adelaide and revisited Australia last year. Richard has kindly supplied some additional information.
July 2010
Dave Chick reports on Cardiff 203s re-launch into service at the Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft on Sunday 30 May 2010.
Dave Hall looks back on Cardiff 203s service history with Cardiff Corporation and also its history since joing the BTS fleet way back in 1963.
It was 40 years ago this month, on 27 July 1963 that Portsmouth’s trolleybus system closed, but Michael Barratt has found some reminders of electric traction that still survive.
On Saturday 19 June 2010 Stadtbus Winterthur held a celebration of the trolleybus network and the introduction into public service of the first two of their fleet of 21 SwissTrolley3 single-articulated low-floor trolleybuses. David Bowler was there to record the event.
June 2010
John Parkin reports on his recent visit to Spain's new trolleybus system at Castellon.
John Zebedee tells the tale of the trials and tribulations of getting Edmonton 189 ready for launching into service at The Trolleybus Museum At Sandtoft on 17 April 2010.
There is a brief look at the Grimsby-Cleethorpes trolleybuses to mark the 50th anniversary of the abandonment of that system.
Martin Eady visited Sardinia in April 2010 and gives a brief report on the trolleybuses there.
The usual round up of World News is provided by Bruce Lake whilst Dave Lawrence brings us up to date with the latest news on the trolleybus preservation scene.
May 2010
Dave Chick gives the latest news on the possibility of Leeds operating trolleybuses by 2016.
Graham Bilbe gives a comprehensive report on the second stage of his travels towards the end of 2009 when he reached New Zealand. He gives a brief account of each trolleybus system that has operated there and also reacps on what is in each museum.
There is a further update on the re-launch of Cardiff 203 at The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft on Sunday 30 May 2010.
The usual round up of World News is provided by Bruce Lake whilst Dave Lawrence brings us up to date with the latest news on the trolleybus preservation scene.
April 2010
Behind the Scenes at Techmania Science Centre - Dave Chick sneaks a look and takes some pictures!
Martin Eady and John Zebedee continue their report on a visit to Canada and USA, West Coast in May 2009. Part 2 - USA
There are tributes to Trisha Harrison, John Cooper and Peter Beaumont, all who have sadly recently passed away.
Details are included of the Re-launch of Cardiff 203 into service at The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft on Sunday 30 May 2010.
Dave Lawrence brings us the latest news on the Preservation Scene whilst Bruce lakes keeps us up to date with his World News Column.
March 2010
Australia abandoned the last of its trolleybus systems more than 40 years ago, but there are many interesting survivors, as Graham Bilbe found on a tour in late 2009. Graham gives a comprehensive report on what he found.
Trolleybuses featured on Pathe News and trolleybus connections on the big and small screen are also featured.
Dave Lawrence reports the latest Museum & Preservation News whilst Bruce Lake brings us the latest World News.
February 2010
Dave Chick recounts the history of Solingen's Vohwinkel - Burg trolleybus service
Gunter Mackinger reports on his visit to Marianske Lazne system in Western Bohemia
The recent publication on Walsall Trolleybuses by David Harvey is reviewed
Dave Lawrence brings us the latest news from the trolleybus preservation scene in the UK
Bruce Lake brings us up to date with World News
January 2010
Martin Eady & John Zebedee tell us about their visit to North America and Canada back in May 2009.
There are details of the revamped BTS website and also the Technical Museum Of Denmark.
Dave Lawrence brings us up to date with Museum & Preservation news from the Cardiff & South Wales Project, Carlton Colville, Sandtoft and New Zealand.
Bruce Lake gives the latest trolleybus news from around the world.