See also: Belfast Corporation Tramways.
| Belfast trolleybus system | |
| Locale: | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Status: | Closed |
| Routes: | 17 |
| Operator: | Belfast Corporation Tramways |
| El: | (?) V DC parallel overhead lines |
| Depot: | 3 |
| Stock: | 246 (maximum) |
| Route Length: | 37.5miles |
The Belfast trolleybus system served the city of Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was the only trolleybus system built in Ireland. Opened on, it gradually replaced the city’s tramway network.
The Belfast system was the second largest trolleybus system in the United Kingdom, after the London system. It had a total of 17 routes, and a maximum fleet of 245 trolleybuses. It closed on .
In 1936, Belfast Corporation's tramway committee recommended that an experimental trolleybus service be inaugurated after inspecting the Birmingham, Bournemouth, London, Nottingham, Portsmouth and Wolverhampton systems.[1] [2] Seven pairs of chassis from AEC, Crossley, Daimler, Guy, Karrier, Leyland and Sunbeam were acquired. These were fitted with six types of electric motor with coachwork by five different builders, and were supplied on the proviso that should the trial be a success, Belfast Corporation would purchase them, and should it fail they would be returned.[3] [4]
On 28 March 1938, operations commenced out of Falls Park depot along Falls Road. This was chosen as being a virtually stand-alone route.[5] [6] [7]
Judged a success, Belfast Corporation decided to replace the entire tramway network. An order was placed with AEC for 114 trolleybuses; however, wartime constraints resulted in only 88 being delivered.[3] [8]
| Fleet numbers | Quantity | Chassis | Body | In service | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | 2 | Harkness | 1938-1958 | ||
| 3 | 1 | Crossley TDD6 | 1938-1958 | ||
| 4 | 1 | Crossley TDD6 | Harkness | 1938-1958 | |
| 5-6 | 2 | Daimler CTM6 | Harkness | 1938-1958 | |
| 7 | 1 | Guy BTX | 1938-1958 | ||
| 8 | 1 | Guy BTX | Harkness | 1938-1958 | |
| 9-10 | 2 | Karrier E6A | Harkness | 1938-1958 | |
| 11-12 | 2 | Leyland TTB4 | 1938-1958 | ||
| 13-14 | 2 | Sunbeam MS2 | Cowieson | 1938-1958 | |
| 15-102 | 88 | AEC 664T | Harkness | 1940-1963 | |
| 103-128 | 26 | Guy BTX | Harkness | 1948-1963 | |
| 129-130 | 2 | Sunbeam W4 | Park Royal | 1941-1958 | |
| 131-142 | 12 | Sunbeam W4 | Harkness | 1946-1960 | |
| 143-186 | 44 | Guy BTX | Harkness | 1948-1965 | |
| 187-234 | 48 | Harkness | 1950-1968 | ||
| 235-240 | 6 | Sunbeam MF2 | Park Royal | 1952-1956 | ex Wolverhampton |
| 241-245 | 5 | Sunbeam MF2 | 1952-1956 | ex Wolverhampton | |
| 246 | 1 | Sunbeam F4A | Harkness | 1958-1968 | |
Trolleybuses were initially painted in a blue and white livery. After World War II this was changed to red and white with silver wheels.[3]
Five former Belfast trolleybuses have been preserved:[9]
Trolleybuses operated from three depots:[3]