Notts & Derby 353
(NNU 234)
| Chassis: | BUT 9611T |
| Chassis No: | 9611T126 |
| Motor: | English Electric EE410, 120hp |
| Bodywork: | Weymann H32/26R |
| Body No: | M4039 |
| Length: | 26ft |
| Width: | 7ft 6in |
| Unladen Weight: | 8t 7cwt 2qrs |
| Entered Service: | 1 May 1949 |
| Withdrawn: | 31 October 1963 |
| Owner: | The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft |
Brief History
The Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Traction Company Ltd (commonly known as Notts & Derby) was a member of the Balfour Beatty Group. As well as owning its own electricity generating station it operated an interurban tramway system which it started to replace with trolleybuses on 7 January 1932. When the electricity industry was nationalised in 1948 Balfour Beatty sold out to the British Transport Commission. The BTC was also in Government ownership and although its subsidiaries ran thousands of motorbuses its only other trolleybus interests were the 11 vehicle Brighton, Hove & District fleet.
The replacement of the original Notts & Derby fleet had been completed in 1949 with the delivery of 15 Weymann 56-seat BUT 9611Ts numbered 343 to 357. Their life with N&D was brief: the system closed on 25 April 1953. The entire fleet of 32 trolleybuses (the balance consisted of basically similar Weymann-bodied AEC 661Ts new in 1938 and 1942) had been sold to Bradford Corporation prior to the closure, and 353 re-entered service as Bradford 770 on 1 July 1953.
In the mid 1950s 770's seating capacity was increased by two, making it H32/26R, and it was fitted with automatic acceleration control. Withdrawal took place in October 1963 and the bus was placed in store until it was sold for preservation in June 1967.
353 was kept in under-cover accommodation near Bournemouth where much restoration was undertaken, although not completed. Subsequently being acquired by and moved to the Trolleybus Museum, when funds and manpower become available this work will be finished.
The vehicle is available to view at the Museum if accompanied by a member of Staff.
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