Appeal made to complete restoration of historic trolleybus

[Bradford Traveller]

Appeal made to complete restoration of historic trolleybus

A GROUP is urging people to get on board with a project to raise more than £35,000 to complete the restoration of an historic 1950s Bradford trolleybus.

Bradford 758, a double deck vehicle, was built in 1950 and first used by the public a year later.

It was the last rear-entrance, open platform trolleybus to operate, not only in Bradford, but also the UK before it was taken out of service in March 1972.

The project began earlier this year and has already seen the front of the vehicle re-panelled, painted blue and window pieces replaced.

It is estimated the restoration project will cost an estimated total of £60,000, with £35,000 of the work still to take place.

The bus' seats still need to be replaced and other electrical work on the vehicle are awaiting completion.

The restoration work is being carried out at Keighley Bus Museum.

758 was bought for preservation in June 1972 by Bradford Trolleybus Association, which has commissioned the full restoration of the vehicle back to operating condition.

Gary Wilkinson, chairman of Bradford Trolleybus Association, said:
"The trolleybus needs to be saved.

"It's a unique vehicle. That's why we need to do this. The restoration project has been going on for 15 years now.

"There is at least a year's worth of work to go on the restoration.

"We will probably need at least £35,000 more to get it going.

"We are also looking at applying for a lottery grant to help with the restoration work.

"We want it back and running at Sandtoft Museum."

To make a donation, email Mr Wilkinson at [e-mail]

[Bradford Traveller]

Update on the project in today's Telegraph & Argus

www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/18134169.peter-price-restoring-one-bradfords-758-trolleybuses/?ref=fbshr

It's been a rocky few years for the project as plans were scuppered by the revelation that a lot more work was needed than originally expected.

Peter Price on restoring one of Bradford's trolleybuses

By Natasha Meek  @natashakatemeek

A BUS enthusiast single-handedly renovating a historic Bradford trolleybus has told of its "beautiful" appearance following two more years of work.

Restorer, Peter Price feels a huge amount of progress has been made on the project which protects the district's transport heritage.
The Bradford 758 double-deck vehicle was built in 1950 and first used by the public a year later.
It was the last rear-entrance, open platform trolleybus to operate, not only in Bradford, but also the UK before it was taken out of service in March 1972.

It has been a rocky few years for the project as plans were scuppered by the revelation that a lot more work was needed than originally expected.
And, while the project adds another year to its tally, the top deck is almost complete apart from the floor covering, and the outside of the bus is now painted blue in full gloss.
The former bus worker is hoping to fit new windows and surrounding rubber this year as well as re-upholstering the seats with the new cloth.

Mr Price, who took on the challenge back in 2008, told the Telegraph & Argus: "It's interesting to look back on older photos. I was looking at some of the pictures in 2008 when I was doing the front and it was partly rotten then.
"I'm very proud of the work I've done, particularly the paint work.
"I really enjoy doing the paint, it's very satisfying to see the finish.
"There's a lot of fiddly preparation work to do. We've got to have careful preparation."
This year, the 75-year-old is hoping to finish the upper deck and fit the new seats.
The length of the renovation is in part due to his commitment to fixing up other buses at Keighley Bus Museum.
He stopped working on the Bradford vehicle to work on a 1949 Belfast trolleybus.
"I've tried to keep all my customers happy," Mr Price explained.
Members of the Bradford Trolleybus Association charity launched a £35,000 fundraiser back in 2016 for a restoration estimated to cost £60,000.

Once fully restored, the vehicle will then return to The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft in Doncaster, where it will be fully functioned and used to transport visitors around the attraction.

Restorer, Peter Price said: "The most important thing is to preserve our transport heritage. I love the work anyway. It's very satisfying.
"I’m doing it all by myself and I really enjoy it."

Anyone who wishes to contribute to the restoration project should contact the Bradford Trolleybus Association chairman, Gary Wilkinson, at [e-mail].