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.

December 2009

Dave Chick looks back on 1969 when the remaining UK trolleybus systems were in their final days and Sandtoft was about to become a reality. He makes good use of the photos taken with his trusty Instamatic.

There is a progress report on the proposed new trolleybus system for Leeds.

Bruce Lake tells the story of Edmonton 189's arrival in the UK and its subsequent journey to Sandtoft.

The Sandtoft Twilight Running Day is featured together with a atmospheric photo of Edmonton 189 on a demonstration run.

November 2009

Andrew Henbest reports on his brief encounter with Italian Trolleybuses in Ventimiglia.

There is news regarding the local funding approval for the proposed new Leeds Trolleybus System.

Edmonton 189s imminent arrival in this country is featured.

Martin Eady provides an introduction to current operation of Trolleybuses in St. Gallen, Switzerland.

October 2009

Bruce Lake reports on the celebrations and events that took place to mark the 60th anniversary of the opening of the Arnhem trolleybus system.

Gunter Mackinger recalls his visit in July 2009 to the small city of Pazardzhik (Bulgaria) which is a real heaven for lovers of Skoda 9Tr trolleybuses.

The Trolleybus Museum At Sandftoft held its annual Six-Wheeler Weekend over the August Bank Holiday and Stewart David tells us all about it.

SEPTEMBER 2009

Hastings Tramways Trolleybus No.3, a 1928 Guy BTX6 trolleybus, otherwise known as 'Happy Harold' made a trip to Belgium at the end of may 2009 for the Oostend Anker Festival. The trip was undertaken to promote Hastings. Ion Castro, Chair of the Hastings Trolleybus Restoration Group tells us the story.

John Zebedee reports on the 2009 Sandtoft Gathering whilst progress on the restoration of Cardiff 203 is also given.

Dave Lawrence reports on the latest Museum & Preservation news whilst Bruce Lake brings us up to date with the latest World News.

AUGUST 2009

Dave Chick reports on the last day of Trolleybus operation in Gent, which included the operation of preserved Bruxelles trolleybus 6023.

There is news of Tatra T400 trolleybus No. 26 which was presented at an Open day of Dopravni Podnik Ostrava, the city operator of Ostrava, Czech Republic, on 25 March 2009.

A report on Glasgow TB78's visit to Crich to take part in a 1950s weekend there is also included.

Dave Lawrence brings us up to date with Museum & Preservation News whilst Bruce Lake presents the latest World News.

JULY 2009

Dave Chick gives a comprehensive report on Sandtoft's 40th Anniversary Extravaganza which took place over the Spring Bank Holiday and also a brief look at the 65th anniversary of the Zlin system.

An appreciation of the life of John Gillham, a well known bus enthusiast who sadly passed away recently is also included as well as the latest round up of Museum & preservation News and also World News.

JUNE 2009

Peter Hirst comments on the possible impact of technological developments and the implications of the Siemens Sitras System to the Trolleybus.

There is a review of the 75 years of Trolleybuses in Milano.

Bruce Lake is looking for donations or persons to become involved in a project to ship a donated Edmonton Trolleybus to Sandtoft.

Details of the Gent Trolleybus system closure are given plus the usual Museum & Preservation news and World News brings us up to date with recent developments.

MAY 2009

Dave Chick reports on the anniversary tour held on the closed Belgian trolleybus system at Gent on 28 March 2009.

There is also news of Johannesburg trolleybus 589's arrival for preservation in England on 24 April 2009.

There is an extensive letters page on the subject of "Where next for the BTS" whilst an update is given on Richard Croudace's recent series of articles on London trolleybus route 607.

Dave Lawrence updates us on the latest Museum and Preservation News.

APRIL 2009

Dave Chick reports on his recent visit to the Czech Republic where he visited the new Techmania Science Museum in Plzen which includes a Skoda Historic Exhibition. One of the exhibits is Plzen 119, a 1947 Skoda 3Tr3 trolleybus.

Brian Deans reminds us of the 60th anniversary of the opening of the Glasgow trolleybus system and the 40th anniversary of the Bournemouth closure is also remembered.

The regular column on Museum and Preservation News is presented by Dave Lawrence and Bruce Lake updates us on the latest trolleybus news from around the world.

MARCH 2009

Our new Vice President, James Freeman, Chief Executive Officer of Reading Buses, tells us about himself as an introduction to the BTS membership whilst Dave Chick looks at the history of Skoda Trolleybuses and its present-day trolleybus production.

There are also book reviews on 'Beneath The Wires Of London' (the story of driving and conducting on London's trolleybuses) and also the latest book in the Middleton Press Trolleybus Classics series featuring Mexborough & Swinton.

Dave Lawrence gives an update on Museum & Preservation News and Bruce Lake gives us the latest World News.

FEBRUARY 2009

Colin Enticknap reports on his 2008 tour of the French trolleybus systems.

There is also a brief look at the La Spezia and Beograd trolleybus systems and John Zebedee reports on a recent visit to the London Transport Museum at Covent Garden.

Bruce Lake gives an update on trolleybus news worldwide and Dave Lawrence brings us up to date with the latest Museum & Preservation News.

JANUARY 2009

Simon Brown takes us east of the Urals to look at some of the Siberian trolleybus systems whilst Dave Hall reports on the events held to mark the 40th anniversary of the Reading trolleybus system closure.

There is a review on the recently published book about Stockport Corporation, one of the earliest trolleybus operators in the UK.

There is the usual Museum & Preservation News and also World News columns.