The George Town trolleybus system was part of the public transport network in George Town, on the island of Penang (part of Malaysia since 1963), for more than 35 years in the mid-20th century.[1]
Opened in 1924, the system gradually replaced the George Town tramway network. It lasted until mid-1961, when it was closed and replaced by a network of motor bus routes. At its peak, the system had four routes.[1]
In 1923 a 24-seat Brush bodied Clough, Smith trolleybus was ordered as an experiment, entering service in 1925 on the Magazine Road to Jetty via Chulia Street service. It was followed by a 22-seat Strachans & Brown bodied Thornycroft. In 1926 three trolleybuses were purchased from Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, who supplied another five in March 1929. Two existing Thornycroft motor buses were converted to trolleybuses in 1929 and 1931, respectively.[2]
In 1934, two nine-seater trolleybuses were purchased specifically for the one mile Penang Hill Railway service from Lower station to the Air Itam main road. A further 18 Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies trolleybuses were delivered in 1935/36. Six more followed in 1938-1940.[2][3]
By the end of the Japanese occupation of Malaya, the entire fleet was out of service. All were gradually returned to service between 1946 and 1950 except two that were too badly damaged. In the 1950s the original fleet was replaced by 26 Sunbeams and five 1935 built AEC 664T double-deckers purchased second-hand from London.[4] The network closed on 31 July 1961.[2]
^ abMurray, Alan (2000). World Trolleybus Encyclopaedia. Yateley, Hampshire, UK: Trolleybooks. pp. 59, 84. ISBN0-904235-18-1.
^ abcFrancis, Ric; Ganley, Colin (2006). Penang Trams, Trolleybuses & Railways: Municipal Transport History 1880s–1963. Penang: Areca Books. ISBN9834283407.
^More British Trolleybuses for Penang Commercial Motor 26 July 1935 page 59
^More Sunbeam Trolleybuses for Penang Commercial Motor 6 March 1953 page 43
External linksEdit
Media related to Trolleybuses in George Town, Penang at Wikimedia Commons
David Bradley Online – Georgetown Trolleybus Fleet
trolleybuses, george, town, penang, george, town, trolleybus, system, part, public, transport, network, george, town, island, penang, part, malaysia, since, 1963, more, than, years, 20th, century, george, towntrolleybus, systemgeorge, town, trolleybus, 1926, o. The George Town trolleybus system was part of the public transport network in George Town on the island of Penang part of Malaysia since 1963 for more than 35 years in the mid 20th century 1 George Towntrolleybus systemGeorge Town trolleybus no 1 ca 1926 OperationLocaleGeorge Town Penang British Malaya Federation of MalayaOpen19 March 1924 1924 03 19 Close31 July 1961 1961 07 31 StatusClosedRoutes4Operator s George Town Municipal TransportOpened in 1924 the system gradually replaced the George Town tramway network It lasted until mid 1961 when it was closed and replaced by a network of motor bus routes At its peak the system had four routes 1 Contents 1 History 2 Fleet 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksHistory EditIn 1923 a 24 seat Brush bodied Clough Smith trolleybus was ordered as an experiment entering service in 1925 on the Magazine Road to Jetty via Chulia Street service It was followed by a 22 seat Strachans amp Brown bodied Thornycroft In 1926 three trolleybuses were purchased from Ransomes Sims amp Jefferies who supplied another five in March 1929 Two existing Thornycroft motor buses were converted to trolleybuses in 1929 and 1931 respectively 2 In 1934 two nine seater trolleybuses were purchased specifically for the one mile Penang Hill Railway service from Lower station to the Air Itam main road A further 18 Ransomes Sims amp Jefferies trolleybuses were delivered in 1935 36 Six more followed in 1938 1940 2 3 By the end of the Japanese occupation of Malaya the entire fleet was out of service All were gradually returned to service between 1946 and 1950 except two that were too badly damaged In the 1950s the original fleet was replaced by 26 Sunbeams and five 1935 built AEC 664T double deckers purchased second hand from London 4 The network closed on 31 July 1961 2 Fleet EditFleet numbers Quantity Chassis Body Configuration In service1 1 Clough Smith Brush Two axle single deck 1925 19522 1 Thornycroft Strachans amp Brown Two axle single deck 1925 19523 10 8 Ransomes Sims amp Jefferies C type George Town Municipal Transport Two axle single deck 1927 195911 12 2 Thornycroft George Town Municipal Transport Two axle single deck converted from motor buses 1929 195313 36 24 Ransomes Sims amp Jefferies George Town Municipal Transport Two axle single deck 1935 19591A 2A 2 Ransomes Sims amp Jefferies George Town Municipal Transport Two axle single deck 1937 19561 11 16 3 Sunbeam F4 George Town Municipal Transport Two axle single deck 1953 19602 12 15 17 19 25 26 51 55 13 Sunbeam MF2B George Town Municipal Transport Two axle single deck 1954 196120 24 5 AEC 664T Metro Cammell Weymann Three axle double deck ex London 1956 195927 36 10 Sunbeam MF2B George Town Municipal Transport Two axle single deck 1957 1961See also EditHistory of Malaysia List of trolleybus systems Transport in PenangReferences Edit a b Murray Alan 2000 World Trolleybus Encyclopaedia Yateley Hampshire UK Trolleybooks pp 59 84 ISBN 0 904235 18 1 a b c Francis Ric Ganley Colin 2006 Penang Trams Trolleybuses amp Railways Municipal Transport History 1880s 1963 Penang Areca Books ISBN 9834283407 More British Trolleybuses for Penang Commercial Motor 26 July 1935 page 59 More Sunbeam Trolleybuses for Penang Commercial Motor 6 March 1953 page 43External links Edit Media related to Trolleybuses in George Town Penang at Wikimedia Commons David Bradley Online Georgetown Trolleybus FleetPortals Buses Malaysia Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Trolleybuses in George Town Penang amp oldid 1167307633, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
