Forum Topic

How many of the few on here remember the TROLLEYBUSES

The Trolleybus could make a return in modern form.The old 607 route to Uxbridge. Clean, quiet,every two minutes or so in its heyday.Two hundred systems exist World wide. Maybe it could run all the way to Holborn, as the Night bus does. Boris wants a Tram up Oxford Street, this would be better and cheaper, but just as clean.

Colin Vaughan ● 6167d12 Comments

Wondered when someone would mention that Clive. Actually the pole was extracted fron a tube under the vehicle,to replace the Trolley Booms, usually when a 660/666 joined the route from Hammersmith. As an observer from the second floor of the shops opposite I can say that it did not happen all that often. I used the 607 service 4 times a day for years between there and Ealing Broadway without problems, plus trips to Brentford FC on the 657/655. Proper maintainace of the overhead plus careful driving at junctions would usually obviate most incidents. Modern Trolleybuses in many Cities throughout Europe and America have modern laser guided booms that eliminate most problems. Unfortunately the powers that be in London appear to prefer to asphixiate everyone with Diesel Buses

Colin Vaughan ● 6150d

I remember them well as they came round by the askew arms into askew rd more often than not the conductor had to yank a massive pole from the roof to reconnect the pylons to the overhead cable

Clive Lephard ● 6155d

Url, for Colin...                http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7a9oP_QwJNo

Hugh Telford ● 6158d

A sad and nostalgic clip Hugh.  I wonder if a new and "state-of-the-art" trolleybus system will ever grace the Uxbridge Road from Southall to Shepherds Bush again. Trolleybuses seem to be well liked and used in many European cities and they look very sexy too!  Ah well.  :-(

Gerry A. Tan ● 6159d

Can't open that Hugh!

Colin Vaughan ● 6159d

Scrapping London Trolleybuses 1960..SAD...                                               

Hugh Telford ● 6159d

Could be Gerry. It wouldn't be like the old ones, technology has moved on in Trolleybus design, just as anything else.The City of Leeds is debating about this.In Europe new systems have been installed in Rome, and Salzberg so we shall see.

Colin Vaughan ● 6160d

Thanks Colin.  Do you see a new trolleybus line running from say Southall, thru Hanwell, on to Ealing Bdy, Acton, Askew Corner and then on to the Bush?

Gerry A. Tan ● 6160d

The 607 ceased to operate in November 1960. The 657/667 ran on until late in 1962.Both these routes ran in common along the Chiswick High Road, the 657 joining at Youngs Corner.The two routes ran on through Brentford, the 667 diverging at Bush Corner, the 657, running on to Hounslow. The 667 itself ran from Hammersmith Broadway to Hampton Court.That Route was the first one to be convertted from Tram operation, and the last to run in London.

Colin Vaughan ● 6160d

I remember with joy the old 607 trolleybus from Ealing to Shepherds Bush - a lovely journey. When did it cease to operate?Was there a trolleybus service from Hounslow through Isleworth, Brentford and Chiswick and then on to Hammersmith?  ;-)

Gerry A. Tan ● 6160d

If you go on to UTube and search Trolleybuses, and in particular'More Trolleybuses, you can follow a 607 from Shepherds Bush Green all the way through Acton Ealing etc to Uxbridge. Nice and quiet, tears of nostalgia all round.

Colin Vaughan ● 6160d

Would be nice to see a new version of the 607, moving quietly along The Vale again.

Colin Vaughan ● 6166d