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

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.