Life after Death A review of activities after the system was closed
Contributions for this page have come from: Geoff Bannister, Irvine Bell, John Hinson, Brian Maguire, Marco Montanarini, Roger Rettig, George Moon, Hugh Taylor, Terry Russell and Ian Smith. Other listings of preserved trolleybuses [and other vehicles] can be found within the Old Bus Garage site and also at the British Trolleybus Database site.

The last classes of trolleybuses operating in London were 'L3s' out of Fulwell Depot and 'K2s' based at Hounslow Depot, as all previous examples of other classes had either been scrapped, or exported aboard, by early 1962. The phased withdrawal programme came to its ultimate conclusion on the night of 8 May 1962, with the last service vehicle entering Fulwell Depot. The remaining infrastructure was removed in the months that followed, leaving almost no trace of what was once one of the world's largest trolleybus system. The Capital had lost 1811 environmentally friendly vehicles from its streets, together with the visual intrusion of 253 miles of overhead.

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Picture LTM1 Removing the overhead wire minutes after the last trolleybus had passed. Why the undue haste to remove the overhead?

Picture 146 All rather sad

Picture 147 Using the trolley pole as a wind direction indicator

Picture TMR9 Did it really have to end like this? Goodbye old friend

Some vehicles escaped destruction by an extra term of revenue earning duties with foreign operators while others were earmarked for preservation. The rest were broken up and were last seen in the breakers yard, pictured above.

Today few vehicles survive, and they are to be found scattered far and wide. Those used abroad have since been scrapped although three vehicles have been preserved in their last identities. The table below shows the current locations of all these vehicles and if in running order are shown on a white background. There is a plan to repatriate #1348 back to England with an appeal for funds for this new preservation project. If you wish to contribute. just click on the red square for details:

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1	HX 2756	Class A	Picture Gallery of Last Day Tour on 8 May 1962
260	CUL 260	Class C2	Picture Gallery of special tour in Reading Berkshire, 1967
796	ELB 796	Class H1	AMTUIR, association pour le Musée des transports urbains, interurbains et ruraux 60 avenue Sainte-Marie 94160 SAINT-MANDE
1201	EXV 201	Class K2	Picture shows 1201 while at the Black Country Museum, Dudley in May/June 1998 and is from the Irvine Bell collection. The vehicle's journey into preservation.
1253	EXV 253	Class K2	On display at Covent Garden Picture from the Raymond Winkinson Collection [March, 1990]
1348	EXV 348	Class K2	Currently stored securely with other vehicles at Castle Rudderey in Ireland. Its current condition is poor; complete, but with superficial vandalism. Restoration plans hinging on moving the vehicle to Sandtoft through a 12 year loan agreement. Please support the appeal for funds.
1521	FXH 521	Class L3	Pictured in the museum workshop, September 2000 Another picture of 1521 on the last day of London trolleybus operations
1768	HYM 768	Class Q1	Caught on camera while at the old Clapham museum site Another picture of 1768 while at the East Anglia Transport Museum
1812	HYM 812	Class Q1	There is also an enthusiast site at:	Background Story
1836	HYM 836	Class Q1	Private museum at Ejea de la Caballeros [north of Zaragoza].
1837	HYM 837	Class Q1	Ex-Zaragoza 73 preserved at Azpeitia. It is in immaculate condition in the beautiful San Sebastian livery [though it never ran there] and is a credit to the enthusiasts who restored it. Picture from the Asociacion Zaragozana Amigos dos Ferrocarriles y Tranvias [Zaragozan Association of Railways and Trams Enthusiasts] website at www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Hills/2928/
1839	HYM 839	Class Q1	Ex-Zaragoza 75 resides outside Tusza Bus Depot in Zaragoza. The heighten booms give the appearance of the trolleybus being ready to enter into service. Picture from the Asociacion Zaragozana Amigos dos Ferrocarriles y Tranvias [Zaragozan Association of Railways and Trams Enthusiasts] website at www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Hills/2928/
News of the London Trolleybuses at the East Anglia Transport Museum: 23 November 2005 260 is to be mechanically overhauled to deal with wear in the differentials and/or half shafts which has caused it to be used very little during the past couple of years. A suitable engineering company has been located. 1201 has performed reliably this year. Its remaining unrefurbished lower saloon seats have gone away for re-upholstering. 1521 had its springs retempered and reset, and now runs much better, without its previous lean. News of the London Trolleybuses preserved in London: 23 November 2005 1253 has joined No. 1 and 1768 at Acton Museum Depot following closure of the Museum itself for re-arrangement [yet again!]. News from Sandtoft 23 July 2006 1812 had its first test runs today, following very expensive differential replacement. All seemed to be well, so providing the full mechanical and electrical inspections go OK next week, it will be running at the Gathering at the weekend.

All information is given in good faith but should not be relied upon when planning a visit.