Trolleybuses in Launceston, Tasmania
| Launceston trolleybus system | |
|---|---|
| Operation | |
| Locale | Launceston, Tasmania, Australia |
| Open | 24 December 1951 |
| Close | 26 July 1968 |
| Status | Closed |
| Operator(s) | Launceston City Council Metropolitan Transport Trust |
| Statistics | |
| Route length | 24 km (15 mi) |
The Launceston trolleybus system operated in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia from 1951 until 1968.
History
After a protracted conversion with multiple delays in delivery of buses and other infrastructure, the Launceston trolleybus system opened on 24 December 1951 from the Launceston city centre to Quarantine Road via Wellington Street replacing a tram service.[1][2] A second line opened to Mowbray Heights on 13 September 1952, being extended to Newnham Park on 21 November 1952. On 1 July 1955, operation of the network passed from the Launceston City Council to the Metropolitan Transport Trust.[3][4][5][6][7]
Further lines opened to Basin Road and Quarantine Road via Talbot Road, both on 24 February 1957 to form a cross-city service, followed by Norwood on 27 November 1961. The network closed in stages in 1968.[3][5][7][8]
Services
Launceston's trolleybus routes were as follows:
| Route | Extension | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launceston - Quarantine Road via Wellington Street |
24 December 1951 | 26 July 1968 | |
| Launceston - Mowbray Heights | 13 September 1952 | 26 July 1968 | |
| Mowbray Heights - Newnham Park | 21 November 1952 | 26 July 1968 | |
| Launceston - Basin Road | 24 February 1957 | 15 July 1968 | |
| Launceston - Quarantine Road via Talbot Road |
24 February 1957 | 13 July 1968 | |
| Launceston - Norwood | 27 November 1961 | 28 June 1968 |
Fleet
The fleet comprised 30 BUT RETB/1s.[9] These were bodied in Adelaide by JA Lawnton & Sons, each being trialled on the Adelaide network before being sent to Launceston.[6] In 1964, five were sold for further use on the Hobart system.[3][4][7]
Depot
The Howick Street tram depot was doubled in size to accommodate the trolleybus fleet.[7]
References
- ^ New Trolleybus System: Launceston System Inaugurated Electric Traction December 1951 page 4
- ^ First Stage in Launceston Trolleybus Conversion Truck & Bus Transportation February 1952 page 8
- ^ a b c Cooper, Ian (1979). Trolley Buses of Tasmania. Sydney: Australian Electric Traction Association. pp. 52–73. ISBN 0-909459-05-3.
- ^ a b Lynas, Ian (1983). Buses & Trams of Australia's Government & Municipal Operators. pp. 58, 63. ISBN 0-9592580-0-0.
- ^ a b Jones, David (2000). Australian Trolley Buses. City Tramway Publications. p. 15-17. ISBN 0 473 07118 5.
- ^ a b Cooper, Ian (2006). Launceston Municipal Transport 1911-1955. Rozelle: Transit Australia Publishing. pp. 110–128. ISBN 978-0-909459-20-8.
- ^ a b c d Cooper, Ian (2010). Tasmania's Trolley Buses. Rozelle: Transit Australia Publishing. pp. 129–182. ISBN 978-0-909459-22-2.
- ^ That Curiosity - the trolley bus Trolley Wire issue 171 August 1977 pages 12-17
- ^ 40 per cent of BUT output for overseas Commercial Motor 22 July 1949
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