Bournemouth Trolleybuses

[@aussieanne5718]

My sister and I were born in Kinson Bournemouth in 1953-1954,we now live in Australia.what memories this brings back to us in our childhood but makes us feel old😭we moved to Southbourne in 1976 so we recognise so many streets Boscombe,Pokesdown,Lansdowne and of course Bournemouth Square but do you know what they were happy days and happy memories,thankyou so much for sharing this with us wish we could catch a bus back in ⏲ time.all the best stay safe🙏❤🇦🇺

[@darleytransportandtravel6353]

Absolutely brilliant! The Charles Williams music fits it perfectly. From a to b quickly and smoothly and silently. No hanging around at stops for passengers to pay the driver. I can't believe how on modern buses some people don't even raise from their seats until the bus has stopped.

[@graemehay5714]

Thank you for sharing this film of these trolly bus. It seems strange today to view them. They ran on the same road surface as everything else, they produced no CO2 or NOx emissions (at the point of use) being all electric. It seems so obvious to me, looking at this, that the trolley bus has much to offer the field of mass-public transport in towns during these times when we obsess over air quality issues and hydrocarbon fuel use? The same goes for noise: you don't have to spend long in close proximity to diesel engined busses to think that we could do better, if we looked afresh at the trolley bus concept? I know that everyone gets excited at the overhead category but it works okay in cities that have squandered hundreds of millions of pounds ripping up all of their main streets to re-instate Trams. Such a waste, when the trolly bus needed no such destruction/disruption.

[@nigelneedham8075]

I WAS ON YELLOW BUSES IN 1973 FIRST AS A CONDUCTOR AND THEN DRIVER,WE HAD A PROPER DEPOT AT MALLARD ROAD,A SOCIAL CLUB WITH A BAR,I MISSED THE TROLLY BUSES BY FOUR YEARS,SADLY THE JOB IS NOT WHAT IT ONCE WAS AND AM GLAD TO BE OUT OF IT,IN THOSE DAYS WE USED TO TAKE THE PISS OUT OF EACH OTHER MUCK ABOUT AND LAUGH ABOUT IT.MOST OF THE OLD DRIVERS HAVE NOW RETIRED OR DEAD BUT THESE WERE WONDERFUL TIMES AND WAS GLAD TO HAVE BEEN ON THERE,TED EDWARDS (MANAGER),COLIN BREWIN (VICE MANAGER),AND DENNIS BUXTON,(CHIEF INSPECTOR) AND OTHER KEY FIGURES AT THE TIME REST IN PEACE.

[@terrymurphy5586]

Fond memories of riding the trolley buses as a kid.

[@Alan_UK]

Like a lot of councils, Bournemouth got around Margaret Thatcher's Transport Act 1985 privatisation by setting up a "hands-off" limited company. But by 2005 they could not afford the money to modernise the fleet. When asking for bidders to take over the operation they stipulated that the new operator had to retain the yellow livery - presumably it reflected the colour of the sand on the beach. Despite a number of subsequent changes of ownership they still retain the yellow livery (according to Wikipedia). As a child my father would sometime take me to Bournemouth with his work and I would love to travel on the buses - so smooth and quiet. Nice memories. Thanks very much for uploading this film :)

[@MsBananasmel]

I wasn't around then (born 1978) but I recognise all the places here. Fab video. Thanks !

[@mekydro]

Wow, what great memories. I was at Mallard Road Depot that day - very sad indeed. I loved those trolleys, the town didn't seem the same without them.

[@dorsetlocalnetworking6022]

*Trolleybuses in Bournemouth* For over 60 years until 1969 you could catch a Trolleybus in Bournemouth. A fantastic nostalgic video showing these running around Bournemouth and Christchurch. Some recognisable street views, some not so recognisable after all these years! #Bournemouth #Trolleybus

[@simonhoyle]

Great film, thanks! I used to take the trolley bus to school from Boscombe to Southbourne every day, and then from Christchurch to Southbourne when we moved to Mudeford...change at Christchurch bus turntable. Trolley buses were quiet and clean with smooth acceleration, what's not to like? I remember hearing the propaganda favouring diesel when they were scrapped, and wondering who was making a killing out of those miles and miles of overhead copper rails that were taken down.

[@michaelhaywood8262]

I can just remember the Bournemouth trolleybuses from a holiday with my parents in October 1961. It is among my earliest memories. Due to the move away from petrol and diesel, is it possible that trolleybuses may make a comeback? A few areas have reintroduced trams.

[@123barriejohn]

I remember travelling on these as a boy, when we visited Bournemouth!

[@JamesPCroad]

Ah, the days when people were responsible for their own safety 👍 Such a more interesting time. I am old enough to remember using the outside opener rail carriages. I can only imagine what people would do when faced with this now 😂

[@sliperysid]

Just travelled on the Kingston flyer in NZ, all so I could enjoy that experience.

[@petetocrete]

A BIG thank you for this. I was born in Bournemouth and as a lad I used to go and pull the track change into the Mallard Road for the depot on Castle Lane and I remember the Moordown depot ? and turnarounds.

[@BryanBurdettTOTbox]

OMG! You must be almost as ancient as me. The Moordown depot was quite close to my home. I can just remember it when the trams ran from there. Bryan Burdett

[@stereogrIm]

Wonderfully nostalgic, i can just about remember the old trolley buses, and it's great to 'car spot' all the old british cars. Bournemouth looked better in those days too!

[@bigtone1348]

I travelled on the 21 regularly. I remember the last day ot the Bournemouth and London trolley buses.

[@TanzaniteHayley]

I wonder if my parents remember these! They must do, my dad is 70 and been here all his life!

[@lindafisher3356]

Great memories, I remember the turn table at Christchurch. Bet they wish they'd kept the old Trollies now, less polluting and life looked pretty good then, thank you, great film.

[@msweeklys9277]

linda fisher fuck you, i live in christchurch now, its better without it you old dam

[@paulkemnater9216]

awesome vid ! So sad that this fine trolleybus system has disapered

[@2121Morgana]

Came across this after discussing trolley bus memories, and imagine my absolute amazement to see my sister trotting across Tuckton bridge on her way back from a gymkhana at 4 mins into film! She is the third rider on the coloured pony whose name was Treasure! Thanks so much for film, any idea of the year of clip at Tuckton bridge, my sister must have been 10 or 11 years old!

[@A60stock]

Filmed in 1968

[@ottodeacon303]

instaBlaster

[@VHKDK]

Many thanks for putting this video up.I can remember going to the Square that Saturday for one last look at the trolleybuses operating and taking a few b&w photos which I still have. Living at Bear Cross I didn't travel on the trolleys much. Fascinating looking at all the old cars too and trying to recognise the locations. Now living in Oz in country Victoria, didn't those 43 years go quickly!

[@tonyday3849]

What a great blast from the past thank you so much for sharing this film of Bournemouth's Trolleys

[@jerrydowse5061]

magnificent.!! I do remember these when very young.thank,s for the memories.great film.

[@PeterMackett]

I remember riding on these as a child from Boscombe to Christchurch,the turntable still survives.

[@thewiccaman]

I remember them well, having returned from living in Canada the year before and my Gran taking me on a trolleybus on their last day of operation. I kept the ticket for years though now sadly lost. As a boy of 12 they were amazing, now just very nostalgic. Loved seeing street scenes as they were 'back in the day!'

[@peetey249]

LOVED THIS. WISH THERE WHERE MORE OLD FILMS OF BOURNEMOUTH LIKE THIS. THANKS FOR SHARING WITH US.

[@christrinder1255]

Miss those lovely Trolley buses!

[@TheOctastar]

Lovely film clip thanks for sharing. I remember travelling on them with my mum to the dentist. I think the last time I rode on one I was about 7 years old when they were phased out. I was utterly fascinated with the turntable in the depot in Pokesdown and the somewhat dangerous looking job the man had that disconnected and reconnected the electric conductors ! .. On a different note at about 7:30 a brief view of the Pinecliffe Hotel on the left with its turret. In 1980 my chopper motorcycle would be frequently parked outside on a Saturday night 😀 (Sorry to bore you all with my fond reminiscing)

[@crompton33022]

Fantastic, really great so thank you regards Ian Swindon.

[@1950sBloke]

What a civilised world we lived in back then! I lived in Northbourne in Bournemouth and remember the trolley buses and a lot less cars.

[@1justice2012]

I like how they turn the bus around by hand, alsohow the streets looked back then, I dont think they look as good now!

[@martinmoxham6042]

One of my earliest memories is watching a trolleybus being turned on the turntable in Christchurch; I must have been 2 at the time as I was born in May 66 and the system stopped running in April 69. I recognise so many of the locations in this film, from growing up in the area in the 70s and early 80s.

[@two-countiesdashcam]

I too remember these as a (very) young lad. So happy I stumbled across this on you tube.

[@christrinder1255]

Loved riding from Westbourne to Bournemouth on the trolley buses in the 1960’s💖

[@kristinajendesen7111]

Ironically a very 'green' system we had in Bournemouth. Stupidly, Wellington in New Zealand has recently got rid of their yellow trolleybuses.

[@leach1527]

My parents took me on a holiday to Bournemouth in about 1959 and I remember the trolleybuses very clearly. I recall a trip to Christchurch and seeing the turntable, and I also remember seeing a trolleybus de-wire on a very wet day. Once you have seen a trolley boom flailing in the air it's an image you don't easily forget.

[@philnewstead5388]

My grandfather drove the trolley busses up to the last day, he retired the following week.

[@bus2birds]

I too lived in Craigmoor Ave as well (138) end prefab and worked on the buses from 66-69 as a conductor, in those days you had to be 21 to drive a bus (18 now) and used to work out of Pokesdown depot on the trolleys mostly, absolute great fun and for the last parade I seem to remember staff had trolleys for staff only. Film brings back wonderful memories.

[@noiselesspatient]

LOVE the bubblecar at 38'! And what superb music.

[@oldsyphilitic]

We went to Bournemouth on holiday and apart from the celebrated turntable at Christchurch one thing really stuck in my mind. The wiring in one road consisted of oly three wires, so trolleys in each direction shared one wire. Bournemouth trolleys were very classy compared with the ones from my home town of Bradford and I often wondered about this example of apparent stinginess.

[@ccp7054]

This oddity, with a shared positive wire, was used for running to or from depôt only - so practically all the TVs would be going in the same direction : out in the morning and in in the evening. It worked.

[@rondeco30]

Fantastic , bought a tear to my eye - thanks for posting

[@TheStevie54]

I remember having to get off the bus at the end of columbia road and kinson road junction at wonderholme parade ,as they terminated there ,and having to walk the rest of the way to coleman road , great times

[@johnpoets609]

Especially to Beulah ; thanks for a splendid film and for reviving memories of 40 + years ago. Worth mentioning the blue flashes that lit up on the wires on frosty days. To one or two of the guys from Craigmoor Avenue prefabs , we lived at 141 and Mike Bewley (now in Vancouver) lived about 4 doors away. They had a 'telly' and kindly let me watch England playing at Wembley ,etc. JC (BH8)

[@walthamstow6]

Three of us joined the corporation in May 1969 aged 19. The wires had not been completely removed. We still used the turntables and happy days being lads on the buses. We even played football for the corporation on the pitch at Mallard Road. Beat the Pembroke 3-2 I remember. Baz, Mace, Dave Mac and Chennell where are you now?

[@bestchilled]

Love this film! Thanks for sharing. 🚎

[@TheClockwise770]

Great nostalgic footage there , I used to visit my Aunt an can remember these just . Thanks for sharing

[@oldsyphilitic]

@2010Rayes Thanks for the information. I assumed it might be for depot trips or something like that. Bournemouth was a beautiful system that I came to admire during my short stay there in 1965. There was some talk of Bradford buying the Sunbeams in 1969 but nothing came of it. I believe that Walsall tried to convert one of them into a trolleybis with auxilliary diesel but the work ended when they were taken over by West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive.

[@A60stock]

Drivers were trained not to deviate from the wires more than the length of a trolley boom. If you did then you came off the wires and your conductor would have to re-wire you. At junctions the conductor would jump off and set the route by pulling a lever on an adjacent traction pole, or as was the case in Bournemouth the driver would select the route by either coasting or powering over a skate on the wires.

[@northstar1950]

Superb archive film thanks for uploading it.

[@mekydro]

@bigfoot3108 I remember my mum telling me about having to get off whilst the trolleybus was climbing Richmond Hill, when they were heavily loaded in the evening peak. I remember that there used to be a 'minimum fare' board put up on the rear platform at such times, in an attempt to discourage short-distance passengers. We lived just off Charminster Road and the bend near Hankinson Road was a frequent location for de-wiring; as a small boy it was fascinating to watch the conductor re-wiring!

[@johnjohn-ik9rw]

remember them well, was there at Castle Lane at the end of the road for trolly busses.

[@andysummersthxcinemaandmyc7748]

i vaguely recall when 1:06 just hop on to the back end of the bus . and those ticket guys that went around with was it wind the ticket comes out . gosh , that is decades ago . no more yellow buses now 😒 1902 2022 .

[@surumistry5318]

Watching Trolly bus, Tram also able to see old days atmosphere, vintage Cars Extectra.

[@MrSpreaderz]

I was 27 days old when this was made ,, they should have kept them buses;)..

[@MrAndybye]

@starstorm55522 No, trolley 290 was registered YLJ 290; the last batch were 297 - 303 LJ

[@samhad36]

I lived in Ensbury Park and remember the lines flashing blue in the wet as they drove through the crossing, I was about 10!

[@Isochest]

@A60stock I always thought there would be some guide to which direction the wires would switch, being two. Coasting or powering over a skate (isolated section) would give the opportunity to change direction.

[@smokeless7774]

The smell of warm traction motors!

[@JohnTurner-g7p]

If the pickup fell off the wires the conductor had to re-attach it with a long pole, which was fine in the dry. I remember watching a poor conductor trying to re-attach it in the rain. Of course, the wet pole conducted electricity. It took several attempts because each time he got a shock he dropped the pole. There was much swearing!

[@dstanl]

I can remember when they used to come off the wires and we had to wait until the conductor (or driver) put them back on.

[@colinclarke4285]

A lot of cities around the world are reverting to trolley buses. . I've seen them in ghent in Belgium. . Judging by the cars in these clips I would estimate that it's around mid 1960s?

[@skyhi750]

I used to live in craighmoor ave , we used to play in the prefabs in mallard road while thay were taking them down , this was about 1967 as we maoved in 68 to west howe for them to knock ares down.

[@berlinmitte10117]

The overhead wires look hideously complex!

[@adolfhelmet6]

Not really. Look at Wolverhampton for some good wiring.

[@bigfoot3108]

@mekydro Hi, I and my parents plus brother and sister used to live in a prefab in Mallard Rd. Number 93 it was, this was before they built the bus depot. Does anyone remember having to get off the bus as it tried to get up Richmond Hill when snow was on the ground. I llive in Oz now but finding this website brought back lovely memories

[@Captain-Cardboard]

RIP to Bournemouth Yellow Buses 😢

[@raphaelfranks2339]

Hello, brothers and sisters from the original Christchurch! What is/was the population? How does it compare to the 400,000 we have in New Zealand. We don't have any double decker buses in Christchurch.

[@A60stock]

+Raphael Franks Christchurch Dorset has a population of 42,00 and forms the eastern part of Bournemouth a seaside resort town of 184,000.

[@fundsrecoveryau]

Thats not all you have missing in your second-hand Christchurch... :) And thankfully we lack your earthquakes here! Cheers Kiwi

[@simonhoyle]

Because trolleybuses can't overtake, they tended to group on busy roads. We used to say, why are Bournemouth buses like bananas?...because they're yellow and they come in bunches. The conductors carried a ticket machine on a strap that had a row of different coloured paper tickets according to the fare: red, grey, a lovely golden yellow, and purple (I think?). On the other shoulder they had a leather satchel for the change, which in idle moments they'd put in their hand and jingle the coins. Only the conductor was allowed to press the button to signal the driver to stop, and as the bus pulled away, the conductor would call "Hold tightly please!". I reckon trolley buses will be back soon with the death of diesel (hooray!)...but with batteries this time, so no wires needed!

[@razzinitup]

Fantastic. thanks for sharing

[@Jade-jg8hc]

The trolly bus system looked clumsy and inefficient as a system. Was it missed by the public when they stopped. I like the trams best.

[@robtyman4281]

Yes, it was. It may look ugly (with all the overhead wires) but trolleybuses were more practical than trams, as they didn't need their own tracks in the road. They could also turn quite on quite a tight circle (abit like black cabs now), which trams obviously can't. In places where the trolleybus network was extensive (like Reading) they were missed alot.

[@TheStevie54]

i quite aggree, it was a lovely time to be young

[@starstorm55522]

My wife has a private plate 290 LJ - was this also allocated to a trolley here?

[@4123jstein]

Very entertaining film

[@TransportGeekery]

Bet all those roads are chocker with parked cars and tail backs now. Progress?

[@nigelperyer9354]

So here we are about 60 years later and everyone is being told to buy electric cars ironic isn't it I remember the trolley buses from the mid 1960s getting on them at wallidown to the square

[@woodlandglade9]

A60 Stock heart warming clips, a little sad, as was young then-old now. Trolleys lack of speed a snag then, but wouldn't be now.....everyone forced to snail now, massively more vehicles on B'mouth roads

[@ccp7054]

Trolleybuses were easily capable of exceeding the 30 m.p.h. limit (and did) that was universally applicable on their routes, being almost entirely urban. Moreover with their rapid acceleration they outpaced buses running on diesel. The reality was that when they were replaced, the new diesels had great difficulty running to the previous trolleybus timetables.

[@billybellend1155]

Imagine getting around Bournemouth on electricity only.

[@dhtelevision]

Gavin Sharp Now that’s saving the environment.

[@christrinder1255]

We didn’t ! They also had Green Hants and Dorset petrol buses !!!!

[@asa1973100]

Wow ' love it xx

[@Darwinion]

8:20 Tricycle! Spotted!

[@laurenceskinnerton73]

Interesting.

[@bruceanderton1518]

Shame about the hair in the gate. Nice music, though!

[@loveispatientloveiskind2205]

So much money put into a system, that's not as convenient as the new bike and scooter systems

[@lucasedmund3600]

Now they're trying to reinvent electric vehicles,

[@cgisarecrap]

Councils : spending lots of YOUR money on things they got rid of a few years before. Progress?

[@adolfhelmet6]

Shame about the intrusive music.

[@alex_ob1]

It's a silent film. Turn your volume down if you don't like the music......

[@godfearingheathen]

All those empty yellow spaces crying out for advertising.

[@jerrydowse5061]

magnificent.!! I do remember these when very young.thank,s for the memories.great film.

[@regburgin8820]

P