America's Trolleybuses Dwindling
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IT has been the custom of the Omnibus Society for some years now to mark their Presidential Weekend by publishing a booklet of articles on road passenger transport subjects, and this year was no exception. The weekend was held in Barnsley, and consequently the booklet has a rather ' Northern" flavour, but is no less interesting because of that. Subjects range from recollections of the erstwhile Darhngton Triumph Services and a description of present-day activities of Hehble Motor Services Ltd. to an article about Plaxtons (Scarborough) Ltd., the well-known luxury coach builders.
Articles on subjects in other quarters include a useful record of trolleybus operations in the United States, where the position is much the same as this country. Only 14 trolIcybus systems still
operate, out of a former 50, and all of these seem doomed, although it will he some years before the fast trolleys go. possibly those of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, which first introduced them as recently as 1951. Incidentally, Johnstown is perhaps more suited tO trolleybus operation, as the town is situated in an industrial valley, resulting in only a few routes which are, however, long, and there is a heavy concentration of population. Furthermore, they do not give off smoke or odour to add to the already overtaxed atmosphere of this industrial The booklet, entitled " Bus Fare ". contains nine articles altogether, and is available from the Omnibus Society. Publications Dept., 103A Streatham Hill. London, S.W.2, price 6s. 4d., including postage.