Trolleybuses in Bournemouth

{{Infobox trolleybus system

| color =

| name = Bournemouth trolleybus system

| system =

| logo =

| image = Iford roundabout - geograph.org.uk - 1450106.jpg

| caption = A Bournemouth trolleybus at the Iford roundabout, March 1966

| locale = Bournemouth, Hampshire
(now Dorset), England

| open = {{Start date|1933|05|13|df=y}}

| close = {{End date|1969|04|20|df=y}}

| status = Closed

| routes = 22

| owner =

| operator = Bournemouth Corporation Transport

| el =

| depot =

| stock = 104 (maximum)

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The Bournemouth trolleybus system once served the town of Bournemouth, then in Hampshire, but now in Dorset, England. Opened on {{Start date|1933|05|13|df=y}}, it gradually replaced the Bournemouth tramway network.

By the standards of the various now-defunct trolleybus systems in the United Kingdom, the Bournemouth system was a medium-sized one, with a total of 22 routes, and a maximum fleet of 104 trolleybuses. It was also the second largest trolleybus system in southern England, after the London system. It was closed on {{End date|1969|04|20|df=y}}.

Notable features

The most notable feature of the Bournemouth system was probably the Christchurch trolleybus turntable, which is said to be one of only five such turntables ever to have been constructed worldwide. It is now a Grade II listed building. The turntable was manually operated and was in use from 19 June 1936 until the closure of the system.

Also notable was the style of bodywork employed on most of the Bournemouth's trolleybuses. Many featured two staircases and the traditional open rear platform was supplemented with a front passenger exit fitted with folding doors.

Preservation

File:Bournemouth trollybus 301.jpg

Several of the former Bournemouth system trolleybuses are now preserved, in their distinctive yellow and maroon livery. Two are at the East Anglia Transport Museum (fleet numbers 282 and 286), and two Sunbeam MF2B trolleybuses plus one other (fleet numbers 99, 297 and 301) are at The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/14639571.Bournemouth__39_s_last_trolleybuses_saved___for_a_museum_250_miles_away/|title=Bournemouth's last trolleybuses saved – for a museum 250 miles away|website=Bournemouth Echo|language=en|access-date=2017-12-29}} One is in private ownership in England. One is in the National Transport Museum of Ireland.

References

=Notes=

{{reflist|refs=

Joyce, J.; King, J. S.; and Newman, A. G. (1986). British Trolleybus Systems, pp. 28–32, 159. London: Ian Allan Publishing. {{ISBN|0-7110-1647-X}}.

{{cite web|url=http://www.dorsetforyou.com/media.jsp?mediaid=138876&filetype=pdf |title=Grade II and II* listed buildings in Christchurch|publisher=Dorset For You|access-date=3 March 2011}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.britishtrolley.org.uk/former-uk-systems|title=Former UK systems|author=Short, Peter |work=British Trolleybus Society website |access-date=29 March 2011}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.britishtrolley.org.uk/preserved-trolleybuses|title=A List of Preserved Trolleybuses in the UK|author=Zebedee, John|date=30 November 2010 |work=British Trolleybus Society website|access-date=29 March 2011}}

}}

=Further reading=

{{cite book |last=Bowler |first=David R H |title=Bournemouth Trolleybuses |year=2001 |location=Yateley, Hampshire, UK |publisher=Trolleybooks |isbn=978-0-904235-19-7}}
{{cite book |last=Chalk |first=D L |title=Bournemouth Trolleybuses |year=1969 |location=Bournemouth, Hampshire, UK |publisher=Bournemouth Corporation }}
{{cite book |last=Pearce |first=Malcolm N |title=Bournemouth Trolleybuses |year=1998 |location=Midhurst, West Sussex, UK |publisher=Middleton Press |isbn=978-1-901706-10-9}}
{{cite book |last=Roberts |first=C G |title=Bournemouth Trams and Buses |year=1972 |location=Lingfield, UK |publisher=Oakwood Press }}
{{cite book |title=Yellow Buses, 85th Anniversary |year=1987 |location=Bournemouth, Dorset, UK |publisher=Bournemouth Transport Ltd }}

External links

[http://www.trolleybus.net/bournemouth.htm Bournemouth trolleybus picture gallery]
[http://www.sct61.org.uk/ixobm.htm SCT'61 website] – photos and descriptions of Bournemouth trolleybuses and early motorbuses

Category:History of Bournemouth

Bournemouth

Category:Transport in Bournemouth