BBC - A History of the World - Object : Ipswich Trolleybus Number 2 of 1923

Ipswich Trolleybus number 2 copyright The Ipswich Transport Museum

Hide image caption
Show image caption

Believed to be the oldest complete and restored trolleybus on display in the worldBuilt by Railless Ltd and fitted with a 30 seat body by Shorts of Rochester, this trolleybus, registered DX 3988, entered service with Ipswich Corporation Tramways as number 2 in 1923. It ran on an experimental route from Ipswich Station to the Cornhill. It has hard tyres and a very old fashioned design reminiscent of an old tramcar. It was driven by two 20hp electric motors, each driving one rear wheel controlled via a hand operated controller. Originally it had an open smokers compartment at the rear! It was only used until 1934 and then became a caravan home at Flatford in Essex. It was acquired by the Museum in 1977 and eventually restored. It is believed to be the oldest restored and largely complete trolleybus or, electric bus, in the world. It shows us how people travelled by early electric buses in Ipswich, the county town of Suffolk.

Comments are closed for this object

Most of the content on A History of the World is created by the contributors, who are the museums and members of the public. The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not those of the BBC or the British Museum. The BBC is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site’s House Rules please Flag This Object.