From our readers:

michael@viburnum-gardens.com.au (Australia) Comments : I worked as a conductor out of Duckworth Lane Depot from 1960 to 1962 and worked on the very first front entrance vehicle. My usual route, because I was 17, was the number 8 but also worked the 31 and 7 routes reguarily. If anyway one has any questions, please ask

Norman AM Bolton (Clayton) writes:  In the window of Butterfields' Opticians at the bottom of Sunbridge Road were a selection of magnetic compasses.  When the driver pressed the accelerator, causing a heavy current in the overhead, all the compass needles would swing in unison!

Judith Perry (née Jackman) is reminded of running to hop on the bus and buying a 4d fare to Duckworth Lane Co-op.  Trolleybuses were much better for the environment.  Bring back the trolley! 

Bradford Park Avenue pages

BCB 106.6 MHz presents 'Transported'

106.6 MHz also Broadband Internet and local Telewest cable 100 -  Every fourth Wednesday, ...etc  @ 6 pm, repeated the next day (Thursday) @ 1.30pm.

To listen to BCB 106.6FM on the internet you may need a player that supports m3u files such as iTunes or winamp. Once you have downloaded the Player then all you have to do is click on the "Listen Live !" link on Bradford Community Broadcasting.

Transported takes pride in being the only programme on BCB to always be out and about bringing you the sounds of the real world alongside commentary - we aim to cover all aspects of transport in a way which, while aimed at the enthusiast, is accessible to the general listener.

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BRADFORD has the unique distinction of being the most longstanding trolleybus user, having operated them for over 60 years. Along with Leeds, they commenced operation on the same day in June, 1911. The original idea was a "trackless tram" to save the cost of laying track, but having the advantages of electric traction. After various methods of current collection, the twin trolleyboom and twin overhead-wire system became the norm.

The very first trolleybuses were virtually tramcar bodies on a bus chassis. Many of the early ones had hand-operated controllers and those that didn't have a ratchet arrangement to operate the controller by the left foot. The tram layout of controller on the left, brake on the right was retained, because in legal terms, trolleybuses were trackless trams and not buses. Trolleybus drivers came from the ranks of tramcar drivers and they were familiar with that layout.

As the 1930's saw the trolleybus turn from a trackless tram into an electric bus, the controls stayed where they were. By 1930, the trolleybus was a clean swift and very modern looking vehicle.

 The system enjoyed an Indian Summer made possible by the skilful management of the undertaking between 1951 and 1961 by General Manager, Chaceley Humpidge, a devotee of electric traction, who made it possible for the system to survive until 1972, when the last two routes were withdrawn. That survival was largely ensured by the wholesale purchase and rebodying of surplus trolleybuses from other British systems as they closed down their networks. When Bradford's system closed on 26th March 1972, it was the last survivor of the fifty municipalities or companies who had used this efficient, economical and silent form of transport for its citizens.

The BRADFORD TROLLEYBUS ASSOCIATION was founded in 1972 upon closure of the trolleybus system in Bradford (March 26th). This was also the end of trolleybus operation in Great Britain. The Association's aims were to co-ordinate the preservation of the city's trolleybuses and, eventually, to restore vehicles to operational condition. 
The Association organises monthly Social Meetings in Bradford on the second Friday of the month (except August). The country's oldest working cable tramway - Shipley Glen Cable Tramway - was restored in 1982 by the BTA. The quarterly magazine "TRACKLESS" is distributed only to members and contains historical articles, local transport news, plus items from Sandtoft, Shipley Glen Tramway  and elsewhere.

If you would like to find out more about the B.T.A.,  please send a 9" x 6" (A5) SAE for a sample magazine and membership details to: -

Mr R. Kitson
BTA Membership Secretary,
31 Avery Tulip Court,
Edward Turner Close,
BRADFORD
BD12 0AT

The B.T.A.'s members hold a variety of ex-Bradford trolleys and itself owns one vehicle - the unique Bradford 758. 

At the moment, 746 is the only Bradford trolleybus with original body in restored condition. It was new in 1949 and carries period advertisements. 834 was originally in the Darlington fleet before being purchased by Doncaster. BRADFORD received it in 1959 and it rebodied in 1962 by East Lancs and lasted until 1971.