Trolleybus 50 Open Day supports Teddington Memorial Hospital

A free Open Day, called Trolleybus 50 will be held at Fulwell Depot to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of London's last Trolleybuses this month.  The event is in aid of The League of Friends of Teddington Memorial Hospital and SOS SEN, the local Independent Helpline for Special Educational Needs.

Some readers may remember the trolleybuses, if not, you can take the family along to see the classic London buses which stopped running back in 1962.  

In the meantime you can watch the classic film 'Twickenham to Teddington by Trolleybus' made on 16th May 1931.  Have you seen this video?  It's incredible – you get some great footage of Stanley Road, Broad Street, the Railway Bridge, the 'turning circle' and then back along Broad Street.  The sound track too is amazing and the amount of cars!  What stands out for you in the film?

As part of the celebrations a brilliant re-make of the original film has been shot this year by local cameraman Alan Benns and you can see the dual footage here, with an introduction from The Mayor of Richmond and Teddington resident Clare Head.

Trolleybus 50 is a free event organised by London United Busways in association with the London Transport Museum, the London Bus Museum at Brooklands, the East Anglia Transport Museum at Carlton Colville, the London Trolleybus Preservation Society and enthusiastic private bus owners.  It has been sponsored by London United Busways, The Friends of the London Transport Museum and the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. 

Alex Juniper, Senior General Manager of London United Busways said, "Fulwell Depot has played a key role in the history and evolution of London's trams, trolleybuses and now buses. I am delighted to be hosting 'Trolleybus 50'. We look forward to seeing lots of people, showing them the vehicles and telling them about their fascinating history." 

Bob Bird, Senior Curator at London Transport Museum said, "It is so appropriate for this historic event to be staged at Fulwell. We are taking two trolleybuses and a tower wagon from the Museum's collection at Acton. Towing the trolleybuses there and back will be a challenge but I'm confident they're up to it!"

Trolleybus 50 is open on Saturday, 12th May from 10am until 5pm.