Hastings First Trolleybus

Hastings First Trolleybus

Filmed on 1st April 1928 for Guy Motors Ltd. Compiled by Barry Coward.

Hastings was at the forefront of technology with its new trolleybuses replacing the towns worn out tramway. At the time, a fleet of 50 single deck and 8 open-top Guy trolleybuses made it the largest operator of trolleybuses in Britain. Hastings was to remain unique in being the only system in the world to run purpose built open top trolleybuses. One of these survives to this day and is known locally as Happy Harold. When the trolleybus system closed it had a Commer two stroke diesel engine fitted.

Trolleybuses last operated in Britain in Bradford in 1972. However it was announced in March 2011 that a trolleybus system for Leeds, the city which introduced trolleybuses in Britain back in 1911, has government approval and once the bureaucratic hurdles have been overcome construction will start in 2014 with an opening planned by 2016. This should signal to all other large cities and conurbations to follow suit.