your comments
Terry Morgan ex Nevill St., Riverside
As a child born in The City Lodge in 1946 I attended Severn Road School from 1951 to 1957 - I think the number 5b would stop at Clare Gardens before carrying on down Nevill Street and along Cowbridge Road East. The turning by St Davids Hospital was a notorious spot for the overhead electric arms jumping out and the long hook arm would be taken out from underneath the trolleybus to fix the problem. Bring the trolleybuses back - they were ahead of their time. Just visit Florence or many European cities and see how efficient/effective they are.
Edith Welsher, Risca
I remember the number 9 and number 1 that used to run up to the Regal in Gabalfa - it was the terminus. I used to catch it every day to go to work in town and there was a very nice conductor who didn't always take my fare which was brill. Bring back the trolley I say.
Paul from Newport
I used to live in Cardiff in the 60s (although it was only for 6 months). I remember the trolleys well and used to like riding in them, in particular the terminus at the end of Whitchurch Road before Gabalfa crossing. The trolleybus would turn off into what is now called St Marks Gardens, and then go back the same way. Happy days! I had look at the area on Google's camera map - it's full of cars now!
Barry Coward, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire
I well remember the last week of Cardiff trolleys in 1970 as I manned an exhibition in Newport Road library with a working model trolleybus. For lunch we would take the trolley to the depot at Roath where the canteen displayed a large notice warning staff that gambling would result in dismissal. I am currently writing an article for a national magazine that will feature the restoration of Cardiff's last trolleybus, no 262. Cardiff is an ideal city to re-introduce electric traction on the city streets. It is not big enough for a tram network, but trolleybuses on trunk routes and hybrid or battery powered buses on city centre and feeder routes could enable the capital of Wales lead the way in the UK in clean, green and efficient public transport. I am not sure if Cardiff City Council and the Welsh Assembly has the will to devise such a bold solution to the city's transport needs.
Bill Lloyd, Monmouthshire
Seeing Doug Barrow's mention of acquiring Cardiff 262 from Way's scrapyard reminded me that 50 London trolleys were scrapped in 1954 by Thomson's of Dumballs Road. Sorry this is only a very loose Cardiff connection but ALL British trolleybuses were fascinating vehicles well ahead of their time, and very eco-friendly.
Terry Lee, Bristol
Trolleybus Trundle
Those old trolleybuses were loved by me
With a high pitch whine they trundled along
From Llandaff's green fields right down to the sea
Or over to church for my evening song.
Those trundling trolleys they got me about
They got me to where I wanted to be
I trundled to school for near next to nowt
And trundled back at hometime for my tea.
I cried when those trolleys all got the sack
The last one I caught I was about ten
And if those old trolleys ever come back
I'll trundle up to Llandaff once again.
For in my old age I'm happy to learn
There's young folk around who want their return.
Keith Walker, Cardiff
Just to wish all those contributors to this site seasons greetings and all the best for 2009. The project hopes to make good progress in its restoration of its vehicles in the coming months, and again invite readers to arrange a visit to the ONLY trolleybus restoration workshop in Wales - you will be assured of a warm welcome. Write to 211 Hillrise, Llanedeyrn, Cardiff CF23 6UQ.
Doug Barrow, Rainham, (Kent)
I remember well the trolleybuses in Cardiff, a fine system, and since 1999 I've been one of the Trolleybus Drivers at Sandtoft in North Lincolnshire. My first association with trolleybuses was in the 1940's when I lived in Middlesex and London's Route 607 was my local route - and I've always had an affection for the "Silent Servants" which served so well on the London, Cardiff and other systems. Many years ago I was one of the crew which collected Cardiff trolleybus 262, for preservation, from Way's Scrapyard.We used a modified former Crosville Bristol L5G motorbus - always enjoyable to drive - as the towing vehicle. On another occasion I was part of the crew which collected (using a modified former 1941-built Scammell tractor unit as the towing vehicle) preserved single-decker trolleybus 243 from a site in the West Midlands. We stopped overnight in Oxford, where City of Oxford Motor Services Ltd kindly allowed us to park the Scammell and trolleybus on part of the Bus Garage premises, and the following day we delivered 243 to premises in Fareham (Hampshire) where a friend of ours was leading a small team of people who were planning to restore the vehicle and got the project under way... but in time his work location changed to somewhere many miles away. It's good to know that 243 and 262 are still in existence and are being looked after in their home city. Good Luck with the restoration project; I look forward to visting Cardiff (and seeing these fine vehicles!) again one day.
Keith Walker from Cardiff
For visitors to the site a brief update on restoration progress by our stalwart group of members. Vehicle 262 is just about complete at the rear upper deck seat area above the platform, with the rear seat cushions about to be reupholstered. The emergency door has been refurbished and replaced along with new window rubbers. Vehicle 243 internal roof has taken all winter to clean,paint strip,undercoat and paint with the inspection panels at the trolleybase removed for inspections. Rechroming of the wheelhubs/nutguard rings now complete all the internal light fittings are now with the platers (all costly but worth the expense). The season for fundraising is underway, please look us out at shows or why not arrange a visit to the barn.
Gerald Holdham, Llanrumney, Cardiff
While looking through my drawer the other day I found two of my old driving licences, one as a trolleybus driver in the sixties, and one for trolleybus driver and a oil bus driver in the seventies. I thought I'd lost them. I remember when they introduced indicator lights on the 10a and 10b you felt so good with your indicator flashing it made you proud to drive. I was on the last number 3 going to Roath Park in the winter. When we got to the terminus it has been snowing for quite a while. When I tried tomove off we were stuck in the snow. I phoned Roath depot for help and it took them two hours before they pulled us out. Those were the days.
David Morgan, Louisiana USA
I remember my friends and I running up the back stairs and down the front to avoid the conducter. Anything to save that penny ride from Fine Fare in Canton, into town.
Ceri Matthews ex Loughor
During the 39-45 war, my mother Gwen and I would walk the mile from home to the western end of Loughor Bridge, the trolley turnaround, and catch the trolley to Llanelli market where we would buy day old chicks to raise to pullets. Why not catch a bus? Well the trolleys were quiet with a fast initial acceleration and not so smelly - I was never 'trolley sick'.
Leonard Day
I well remember the trolley buses in the 60's. My personal memories are of putting one's ear up against the lamp post that supported the cables. One could then hear the trolleys coming from miles away! Great fun. Our trolley bus was the 10b on Grand Avenue, Ely.
A Healey, Brixham, Devon
I remember when the number 6 service ran from the top of Hunter St where I lived,(that was before they ran to the Pier Head via Evelyn St, Stuart St, and came back up James St.) At that time when the penny in the slot system was operating, there was a conductor named Mr Beavan who used to ask you for your fares by calling out "penny on the drum please". They were the days when there were only 10 trolley buses operating. Their numbers were CKG 191 to CKG 200 inclusive, and 199 had a yellow glass between the driver and passenger saloon.
Keith Walker Cardiff
Just an update for all those people worldwide who kindly look out our website. Work on restoration of the Cardiff vehicles is progressing, with extensive rebuilding of the rear of 243 (doodlebug) and 262 (the last Bruce bodied trolleybus in the world) nearly complete. During the summer months members concentrate on attending shows to raise funds for rent and materials, which supplements our annual membership fee of £12.50. If anyone wishes to view the collection arrangements can be made via e-mail.
Frances Berry, Cardiff, now in Australia
The good old sixties - I was a clippie on the Victoria Park to city run, it was the greatest time of my life. People enjoyed a laugh and a joke which I always provided myself and the people I worked with knew how to laugh. It was much more personal in those days, as compared with today, where you get on a bus and the drivers give you a ticket without a smile or a good morning. I believe taking the clippies off these buses, was the worst thing any bus company could have done. Bring back the good old days.
Gerald Holdham, Llanrumney, Cardiff
While working as a trolleybus driver in the sixties we had two old trolleybuses - I think their numbers were 201 and 203. They were so crammed to drive, the brakes were not to good on them no matter how many times I put in adefault note about them they never seemed to change. There was a time when it was raining the passengers would get a shock getting on the trolleybus - I used to get alot just getting in the cab. The best laugh I had while working on the trolleybuses was when I was booked on the10a and 10b. So one day I was on the 10a going towards Ely bridge there was a oilbus in front of me and a 10b in front of him. So then the oilbus driver pulled up onthe side of the road and got out and started to do something to the engine. Then it clicked on me why - the Canton bingo was due out. So the driver of the oilbus got back in - he was just behind the 10b. When they came to the roundabout the 10b driver got out of the trolleybus, took the booms down, got back in the trolleybus, putit on battery and went around the roundabout. He ended up behind the oilbus - so the end of the story was the oilbus ended up with a full bus from the Canton bingo. When I got back to the depot they were laughing about their ordeal and they were best of mates after.
Des Lloyd, Penarth
I don't have the memories that most people have. I do remember Christmas decorations on a trolley in Crwys Road, long long time ago. But for me, a bus is just a bus and just like regular buses, trams and trains and other modes of transport, it's a way of getting lots of people across cities and towns etc. I would like the debate to open up to discuss ways that trolleys or other forms of transport could be effectively re-introduced and what the pros-cons would be. Would a solution be for more integration of public transport that would include trolleys?
Ray Nelson, Llanelli
I was working as a conductor on the SWT buses in Llanelli during my summer holidays as a student and one sunny August morning I travelled to Cardiff to film the trolleybuses on the 10A/B route. A young conductor even dropped the booms for me in Havelock Street. I filmed the trolleys all the way out to Ely but travelled back to the station on the bus. I still enjoy watching the film, now on DVD. A wonderful memory of a wonderful day. I just about remember the trolleybuses in Llanelli, and remember swinging on one of the booms in 1960 of one of the buses in the scrapyard where they had been covered by a mountain of scrap "tin" for about 7 years. They may have caused traffic jams now and then but no pollution, not even noise.
Jayne Thomas, King's Lynn
Being an ex-Cardiff girl living in England, it is lovely to read about the trolley buses. I remember going with my dad and sister to watch the last trolley return to the depot after its last journey. How great it would be to see them back on the road again.
Gerald Holdham, Llanrumney, Cardiff
I remembered working as a trolleybus driver in the sixties. Not all drivers came off the lines to lose a trip, and then it only took about three minutes to put back the booms back on. There were drivers though that would come off the rails because the bingo was coming out. So the next bus or trolleybus would pick up the bingo crowd - that was called swinging. I remembered One Arm - he was a great guy, he done most of the passenger ships in the summer and those trolleybuses were full up. I was a bit jealous of one arm because I drove the last but one dooglebus from the pier head, with all the cameras
flashing and the press there. They never even seen us go past.
Chris Walker, Budakeszi, Hungary
I'm so glad to see such a positive response to a project which has been a big part of so many peoples lives. Being the son of Keith Walker, I have always been proud of his efforts and other members who take the time trying to restore one of the trolleys they own. It hasn't been a smooth journey, but still they battle on. They have worked so hard to get where they are today. Good on you dad, hope you can all keep it up!
Mike Williams
I remember Ron the one armed Conductor. He was used primarily in rush hours to take fares before the punters boarded the trolley, This was because the bus would be too full and too fast for the trolleys' own conductor to get the fares in.
Cliff Parfitt, Melbourne, Australia
I well remember the trolley bus and was amazed when they were withdrawn from service. Here in Melbourne we have the tram which runs on metal rails embedded into the road which is a road hazard, unlike the trolley bus which uses overhead lines which are so much safer. Bring back the trolley bus and save the environment - I expect if you did the maths you would find that the changes in pollution levels between petrol driven or trolley bus transport would be quite significant. Keep up the pressure.
Keith Walker, Cardiff
Shameful I know but as co-ordinator/Secretary of the Cardiff & South Wales Trolleybus Project, it is the first real opportunity I've had to view the comments on our website. Many thanks to all those who took time 2 respond. The project's task is awesome and if you'd like to know more please get in touch. Trawl our website for membership details currently at £10 brings nine
newsletters a year and keeps you informed of our progress.
John Akers, Panama
I remember the trolleys - best way to get into the centre of town, and cheap. I also remember the Number 38 from St Mary Street to Whitchurch, but this was petrol driven - an extra 3p was a lot of money in those bad old days. Yes, bring back the trolleys.
Tony Styles from Peterborough
I was born in Cardiff in the late 40's and grew up with trolleybuses. We lived just off Crwys Road and so the No. 1 and 9 were our staple form of transport. Wouldn't it be wonderful to bring them back, especially if the energy of the tidal flow from the nearby (to Roath Depot) River Rhymney could provide or, at least, supplement the power.
Stuart from San Francisco
This city would grind to a halt without its trolley buses! The diesel powered things can't make it up the hills with a full load. The trolleys are silent, fast, don't pollute, and the poles don't seem to come off the wires any longer. They are all single deckers, some are articulated. I was a schoolboy in Penarth in the 60s. I loved the trolley buses. But if they ever come back, don't take nostalgia too far. We can do without the smoking upstairs. Jeez, it was so thick; I can remember choking up there!
Derek Winn from Hayle, Cornwall
I remember going on the trolley bus from town out to my grans in Rumney. Only thing was, you had to change to a conventional bus at Roath depot as the lines only went that far. So we then had to wait for the number 60, 61 or the 62. A 60 was best as that went up Cae Glas Road and we didn't have to walk so far home.
Alan Bennett ex Grangetown lad
As a Grangetown boy I would catch the No 6 or No 9 trolley from Grange Gardens to Town Centre. The No 6 would take me & my friends to Llandaff fields or Poncanna on a Saturday to play football. Very reliable transport very smooth ride, great Days. Bring them back - they could be used to take people to and from the Bay.
David Evans, Australia ex Canton Cardiff
I remember when the trolley buses first ran in Cardiff there was only a very small number of them (at the time I knew each of their numbers). The first route they ran was from Clarence Road to Llandaff Fields (Cathedral Road). You put your money, fares, in the slot that went into a glass square container and the conductor would flip the base so the money went into the cashbox. They also had a metal tube which you put your fare into - with that you could not see what amount that was put in. I can't remember which system came first.
All I know they were luxury after the bone shaking trams especialy going over the Taff bridge in Wood St.
The good thing about the old trams was as kids on our way home from school (Court Rd Grangetown)we would ride on the back of the tram, holding on to the big light in the centre at the back of the tram.
Terry Lee, Bristol
The trolley buses were removed to speed the
progress of private cars in Cardiff. They were classed as slow and cumbersome. Use them again and the private motorists will be the first to bellyache, like they did last time. Use them on 'trolley bus routes' only. Then Cardiff will have the best public transport system in the world.
Marilyn Phillips, Adelaide, Australia
During the years of 1966-1968 I was a 'clippie' on the old trolleybuses, working from the Roath Depot. With the leather money bag on one side and the ticket machine on the other. I was mostly on the the number 9 route, which terminated at the docks. I could drink a hot cup of tea down in half a minute when we had a few minutes to spare before leaving again, to Gabalfa. Overseas visitors would ask to take photos of us (and the trolleybus) at St Mary Street. The buses were old then but still reliable. Those winter days were the worst, multi layers of clothing and gloves with the fingers cut off, the open back platform became so cold I nearly got frostbite, but all in all, they were very happy memories and I agree that if some of those trolleybuses were reintroduced, it would be a good tourist attraction. Looking forward to visiting Cardiff again in May/June 2006.
Nigela
i remember them like yesterday , i cant belive they stopped running them, bring them back please.
EngiBenji, Pentwyn Massive
I remember the trollybus,a great form on transportation.Bring 'em back I say.
Steve Phillips, Cardiff.
I suppose, after 41 years, it's ok to come out and admit that I have the front number plate from Cardiff's first ever trolleybus - CKG 191. When bus no.201 was withdrawn from service in 1965, I somehow managed to persuade one of the staff at Roath depot to let me have this 'souvenir', which he gave me, wrapped in brown paper, accompanied by an earnest entreaty to scarper with it quickly. As the Corporation had the plate (along with the bus) for 24 years, and I've now had it for 41, they can't have it back!
Peter Brown from Cardiff
I remember the booms used to come off a lot on the turning from Wellfield Road into Albany Road. I think the trolleybuses would be a good tourist attraction similar to the trams of Blackpool. I know the Cardiff trolleys used to be decorated for Xmas.
Robert Heatley
To Paul Harley - re your question of whether there are any remains of Cardiff's trolleybuses i.e trolley standards etc. There are three remaining poles in Cardiff at present - one single pole at the old terminus in Llandaff Fields, Cathedral Road, and two in Bute Terrace opposite Churchill Way. There is a possibilty that one remains behind Kwik Save on Newport Road which was built on the site of Roath Depot.
Robert Heatley from Cardiff
Cardiff is definitely poorer for having lost a very green transport system. Being a coach driver I travel to cities on the continent which have very succesful trolleybus systems. Innsbruck in Austria decided early in 2000 to dismantle its system but public outcry meant they had to reinstate it very quickly and they are today a very modern form of public transport. I visit Innsbruck frequently having relations that live there and to see modern trolleybuses is a great pleasure.
Alan David Pena Brussels, Belgium
I was born on the first of March 1949 in St David's Hospital, Cardiff. We lived on Bute Street and I remember the "Trolley" very well, as they ran past our house on their way to the docks. There was a stop just across the street from our home, my Grandmother ran a grocery shop and the passengers would dissembark and come to shop and chat. Everybody who lived in the area knew my Grandmother. Although I now live in Belgium I think it would be a very good idea to bring back the trolley car as a tourist attraction. These days with advertising, I am sure they could be run for a profit; and it would be good for the bay area.
Paul Burgess, Caerphilly
No commercial investor would risk his money in a tram or trolleybus system under the present laws, where they would be constantly exposed to diesel bus competitors. Such a system can only work where all modes of transport supporting each other in a structured way. Frequent electric transport is ideally suited to busy urban areas, with motor buses working the less busy suburbs.
Sounds crazy?
Most major European Cities don't think so.
Paul Harley from Newport
In my youthful quest for speed, I always preferred the diesel buses to the "Trolleys", as the former were much faster.
It's good to know that two Cardiff vehicles survive. Are there any surviving traces of the overhead wiring system left in Cardiff e.g. a solitary wiring support column?
Roger Davies, Kent
My book, Streets of Cardiff, will be published in Jan 2006 by Ian Allan who have a book shop in Cardiff. There's lots of great pictures of trollies and other buses so I hope you enjoy it ! Roger.
Allan Morse , Pontypridd
I used to love travelling on the trolley buses. They were so fast and so quiet.
What did it matter if the booms came off, a quick fiddle with the bamboo pole and we were off again.
They should definitely be brought back. If people don't like the wires,then don't look up!
Modern trolley buses can now run for quite a way off the wires.
Come on, bring 'em back before OPEC raise the price of oil again.
Tony Stuart, Cardiff
Much has been said about the trollies. The best bit was when the poles came off the wires and you were able to cause chaos when you had to get the long bamboo pole out of its rack under the trolly. This happened quite regular at the junction of Grand Avenue and Cowbridge Road.
With regards to the single deckers on the Pier Head run, we had to do 16 trips in a shift. But we used to take the arms down and back into the laybye and sneak off for a quick cup of tea.
Anybody remember Ron who only had one arm and used to issue the tickets down the docks?
Derek Welbourne,now, Mangakino, N.Z.
My very first car, a used 1954 Standard 8, was picked up from a dealers between Clifton St.,and Newport Road and away to Cardiff I went.
First stop at the City Road lights.
First accident.....Rear ended by a trolley bus! "Sorry," said the driver, a neighbour from Rumney.
First traffic accident visit to Cardiff Royal Casuality.
Trolley buses....I remember them well!
Robin from Cardiff
I remember the trolleys in the 60's, always a good excuse for being late. "Sorry Sir, the trolley came off the wires, honest"... great fun.
Gwyneth (Mac) Jones, Newport
Yes bring back the trolley buses.
They were great especially when the poles came off the wires and caused mayhem.
Cardiff needs some more attractions.
Pat Hughes from Tonteg
I remember the trolley buses being introduced during the war. It was a novel experience as the old tram conductor disappeared, and everyone had to have the correct fare to put in the slot on entering the bus. They were a lovely smooth ride.
Tony Lloyd, Heath, Cardiff
I think that is a photo of mine, that I posted to the BBC photoboard. Yes, I was a schoolboy when trolleybuses last ran, and it would be fantastic to bring them back. In the early 70s, the City Council were horrified, I think, when petrol shot up in price soon after they dismantled the trolleybus system. Yes, bring them back, we need all the tourist attractions we can muster.
The Velos (free bike rides) around the city centre are great, too, though I rode one on Saturday, and the driver was saying that due to lack of sponsors they are no longer running and will be distributed to other cities - how sad !
Tone <><
Glenys Holmes, Caerphilly
Having been brought up in Splott I remember the Bruce Coach Works in Tremorfa. I loved the ride on the Trolley Bus and I remember how the conductor would get out to change the overhead arm for a return journey. Yes I think they should bring back the trolley bus.
