Trolleybuses to return to museum's streets

Electric trolleybuses are to return to the Black Country Living Museum on an extended route, showing visitors a "defining part" of the region's transport history.

The museum has been awarded £272,000 in funding for three locally-built trolleybuses to operate on the museum's new 1940s–60s high street.

The vehicles were in public use in several areas in Wolverhampton, Dudley and Walsall until the 1960s, historians said.

"This is what the museum does best - bringing history to life in a way people can really experience," Tim Shields, transport manager at the museum said.

The vehicles stopped running at the museum three years ago during the construction of the 1940s-60s area, with the funding - from the government and Wolfson Museums and Galleries - ensuring the trolleys' long-term future, according to the venue.

The trolleys were once a familiar sight on the streets of Wolverhampton and parts of the surrounding area for more than 40 years, Wolverhampton Heritage Society said.

A route was started in Wednesfield in the 1920s, with the trolleys replacing trams and proving popular with the public, the society said, before the vehicles were ultimately replaced by motor buses in the 1960s.

The museum said their return to the area coincided with the town of Dudley becoming connected to the national rail and tram network, linking it to Wolverhampton and Birmingham later this year.

Richard Parker, mayor of the West Midlands, said: "This is a great example of how we're connecting the Black Country's proud industrial past with its future.

"As we bring the Metro to Dudley, improving access and creating new opportunities, it's fantastic to see the museum bringing historic electric transport back to life for visitors."

Shields added: "Seeing these trolleybuses back on the streets, hearing them, travelling on them - it's going to be something special for our visitors and something our team is incredibly proud to deliver."

Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.