Brief History

In preparation for the opening of a new trolleybus service to Blakenall in 1955, Walsall purchased 15 F4 trolleybuses with Willowbrook bodywork which entered service between November 1954 and June 1955. A second batch of 7 similar trolleybuses entered service between June and October 1956 for the opening of a new trolleybus service to Beechdale and also to replace some of the early three axle trolleybuses. 872 was the highest numbered vehicle in the second batch and on the 14 October 1956 was the last new trolleybus of all to enter service with Walsall.

Special permission had to be obtained to operate these vehicles because they were 30 feet long on a two-axle chassis and therefore the first trolleybuses to be built to these specifications. They were also equipped with automatic acceleration equipment.

These type of vehicles were often referred to as ‘gold fish bowls’ owing to their unusual bodywork design. The design was an attempt to produce a streamlined appearance whilst at the same time keeping down both the costs and weight.

872 saw 14 years service and was decorated as Walsall’s last official trolleybus in 1970. Along with sister vehicles 862 and 864 she was purchased for preservation a regular runner at Sandtoft in the early years but is now awaiting attention to the bodywork and braking system. No. 872 is currently a static exhibit at the Aston Manor Road Transport Museum, Birmingham where she is receiving some of the attention needed to bring her back to a serviceable condition by local BTS members.