Bournemouth Trolleybus Route

[Nij]

Hi

I have started modelling Bournemouth Town Centre for a trolleybus route.

Here are some screenies, I hope you like them - If you have any other trolleybus routes please feel free to add them here.

Nij

Bournemouth Square overlook

Gervis Place

Westover Road outside Pavilion Car Park and Ice Rink

Bournemouth Gardens

Bournemouth Square looking North West

Bournemouth Square looking West

The scenery is based on a late sixties look of the town but I have had to use a bit of "licence" to recreate the style. Sorry, some modern cars appear!

 

[mezzoprezzo]

That’s very nicely done Nij!

I recognised The Square before I read the caption. Great work.

It’s instantly brought back some memories from the 50s & 60s (at the Boscombe end). I can remember the problems when the pickups (or whatever you call them) became derailed from the overhead double wires – usually on corners.

Someone had to re-engage them with a long pole before the trolley bus could move again. I cannot remember whether a pole was carried on the bus, or if a depot crew had to be despatched. Either way the passengers were never too happy – it was never a quick solution!

Cheers
Casper

 

[stagecoach]

I can just recall them from when i visited the area but the streets are very good. Was the depot close to the square? as I seem to recall one somewhere around the town area but not sure. Most of my memories are from 1975 onwards when I was at Poole.

 

[Nij]

Thanks for your kind comments guys

I was terribly upset as a youngster when the trolleybuses stopped running.

I also recall the poles coming off from time to time and, yes, a long bamboo pole was carried on the underside of the bus in a long tube - the conductor used to have to pull it out from the rear of the bus and "catch" the wayward trolley arm with the hook and guide it back into place.

Regards depots - There was one in Southcote Road which was close to the Lansdowne and there was additional bus parking at the triangle in the centre of town.

The main bus stops were along Gervis Place and Avenue Road.

I will post some more shots, to feed the memories, as I progress.

Nij

 

[durhamlass]

Looking good. I recognised it straight away as well.

Regards depots - There was one in Southcote Road which was close to the Lansdowne and there was additional bus parking at the triangle in the centre of town.

Where on Southcote Rd? Just curious - I know that area reasonably well as it's where our local chippie is....

 

[Nij]

Hi Durhamlass

There is a large council depot on the site now where the bus garage was.

The road was notable in it's day for a triple overhead line running along to the depot to allow for heavy trolleybus traffic.

Of course, the major depot and works was later at Castle Lane (Mallard Road) and there was another smaller bus garage at Pokesdown (almost opposite the railway station)

Bournemouth was one of the last towns to give up the use of trolleybuses in 1969 and had one of the largest operations in it's heydey. I was always thrilled that I got to ride them on the way to school!

regards

Nij

 

[durhamlass]

Hi Nij,

Ah - I know exactly where that is! Thanks for the info.