Trolleybuses in Birmingham
Encyclopedia
The Birmingham trolleybus system once served the city
of Birmingham
, in the West Midlands region of England
. Opened on , it supplemented Birmingham's original tramway network
.
By the standards of the various now-defunct trolleybus
systems in the United Kingdom
, the Birmingham system was a medium-sized one, even though Birmingham was then, and still is, the most populous British city outside London
. With a total of only five routes, and a maximum fleet of 78 trolleybuses, it was closed relatively early, on .
None of the former Birmingham trolleybuses is recorded as having survived.
City status in the United Kingdom
City status in the United Kingdom is granted by the British monarch to a select group of communities. The holding of city status gives a settlement no special rights other than that of calling itself a "city". Nonetheless, this appellation carries its own prestige and, consequently, competitions...
of Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, in the West Midlands region of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Opened on , it supplemented Birmingham's original tramway network
Birmingham Corporation Tramways
Birmingham Corporation Tramways operated a network of tramways in Birmingham from 1904 until 1953. It was the largest narrow-gauge tramway network in the UK, built to a gauge of 3 ft 6 inches...
.
By the standards of the various now-defunct trolleybus
Trolleybus
A trolleybus is an electric bus that draws its electricity from overhead wires using spring-loaded trolley poles. Two wires and poles are required to complete the electrical circuit...
systems in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, the Birmingham system was a medium-sized one, even though Birmingham was then, and still is, the most populous British city outside London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. With a total of only five routes, and a maximum fleet of 78 trolleybuses, it was closed relatively early, on .
None of the former Birmingham trolleybuses is recorded as having survived.
See also
- History of BirminghamHistory of BirminghamThe history of Birmingham in England spans 1400 years of growth, during which time it has evolved from a small 7th century Anglo Saxon hamlet on the edge of the Forest of Arden at the fringe of early Mercia to become a major city through a combination of immigration, innovation and civic pride that...
- Transport in BirminghamTransport in BirminghamBirmingham is a major transport hub, due in part to its location in central England. Public transport in the city is overseen by the West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive whose public brand is Centro/Network West Midlands.-Railways:-History:...
- List of trolleybus systems in the United Kingdom
External links
- SCT'61 website - photos and descriptions of early Birmingham motorbuses
- British Trolleybus Society, based in Reading
- National Trolleybus Association, based in London