Trolleybuses

A trolleybus (also known as trolley bus) is an electric bus powered by two overhead wires, from which it draws electricity using two trolley poles. Two poles are needed to accommodate the return current, which cannot pass to the ground since trolleybuses use rubber tyres.

Derby's first trolleybus

The world’s first trolleybus was the "Elektromote” which was developed by Dr. Ernst Werner von Siemens in Berlin in 1882.

Leeds and Bradford were the first cities to run passenger-carrying trolleybuses in Britain in 1911. Bradford was also the last to operate trolleybuses in this country, closing its system in 1972.

Guy trolleybus Derby Market Place 1952

Derby replaced its trams with trolleybuses in 1932. They in turn gave way to motorbuses in 1967, but there are still trolleybuses in many other cities around the world.

Final trolleybus journey to Burton Road October 3 1964

Note: Trolleybuses only began to replace the trams in 1932. Trams actually ran until July 1934. Motorbuses ran alongside trams and trolleybuses, the first petrol vehicles arriving in 1924.

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