WHEN READING DEWIRED ITS TROLLEYS

DAVE HALL looks back 50 years to the closure of the last trolleybus system within striking distance of London, finds several significant traces that survive today — as the bus world rediscovers electric traction — and previews some events that will commemorate what happened in November 1968

Just under a year before the Reading trolleybus system closed, Burlingham-bodied Sunbeam F4A 193 (VRD 193) — which survives in preservation — descends Station Hill on 8 November 1967. These 12 were the last double-deckers that Burlingham bodied at its Blackpool factory. Thames Valley Bristol Lodekka FLFs and an LD are on the left while farther up the road a Reading Corporation Dennis Loline III awaits its departure time.
ALEC SWAIN

The timing of Reading Buses’ recent trial of a Yutong E12 battery electric single-decker (see Fleet News this month) could hardly be more significant, for 50 years ago Reading Corporation was preparing to close Britain’s sixth last trolleybus system. Saturday 3 November is the actual anniversary of the closure and various events are being planned to mark the occasion.

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