A bog standard trolleybus

Click on picture [PS1] for an enlarged version

Click on picture [TR10] for an enlarged version

From: "Paul Sharpe" <sharpo@lineone.net>

Many years ago, I went on a day trip from Bristol to Lundy Island. The coach which took us to Weston, departed from near the old Bristol Docks, where I noticed this very unusual "ladies loo". It was rare to see an old trolleybus in those days, whoever thought of converting it to a toilet, I wonder? If all the "seats" were taken downstairs, perhaps a voice would shout "plenty of room upstairs"!

From: "Timothy Runnacles" <timrunnacles@aol.com>

The trolley-bog was an ex-Portsmouth AEC/EE/Cravens vehicle. I saw it myself in Bristol in April 1965 and managed to obtain a colour slide of it.

From: "Dave Wilsher" <dwilsher@trolleybus.net>

They could have saved on sign writing cost and used a Maidstone blind!

From: "Chris 'fufas' Grace"

On Epsom Downs on Derby Day in 1963/4 there were some trolleybuses converted to public lavatories [I think they were four of them; I remember one of my school mates collecting the numbers]. They were of London outline. I later saw two of them at Southsea [or it might have been Brighton] in the early 1970s serving the same purpose.

I don't know whether they were actually London buses or from Newcastle, who bought some BUTs with LT style bodies which I seem to recall were identical to the Q1 class, although when I first saw them at Epsom the Newcastle-On-Tyne system was still running so that seems a little unlikely.

When I saw your picture of the trolleybus recovered from the car yard I was immediately struck by the resemblance since the colour is similar, however since one of your correspondents remarks that particular vehicle was still in LT livery on one side it obviously isn't a Trolleyloo.

Does anyone else remember these buses? What happened to them?

From: "David Bradley"

This conversion of a trolleybus to a toilet was certainly not unique as two further examples have been found on the web site of SCT61! Was there every a Gent's version for Percy to see?

From: From: "Andrew Hemming" <AndrewHemming@aol.com>

I have a copy of "The Trolleybuses of Portsmouth" by Janes and Funnell published by Reading Transport Society in 1968. This appears to identify the vehicle:-

258 RV9109 Withdrawn(10/52); stored at? ( /52) until sold (4/57) to City of Bristol Transport & Cleansing Department and converted to a mobile Ladies Convenience (5/57); still in use as such ( /68)

No other vehicle is reported of as being disposed of in this way.

From: From: "Richard Leaman" <ftm440@aol.com>

By total chance I came across your website tonight and was astonished to find something that I had filed in the back of my mind for over fifty years! It is the picture of Portsmouth trolleybus 258 RV 9109 after conversion to a Ladies toilet. I have lived around or near Bristol most of my life but it would be around 1957/8 that my parents took me to visit the recently acquired Ashton Court Mansion and Estate. It had become very run down and was bought by the Council with the intention of turning it into a park for use by the people of Bristol but, the mansion was effectively derelict and unsafe to visit. However, in those less Health & Safety restricted times, one could explore the overgrown and crumbling outbuildings and peer through the windows of the old house. It was there in the walled courtyard behind the house that we found RV 9109 set up as a Ladies convenience! I recall it being there for many years and I always felt sorry for it having ended up being used for such a purpose but then again, my mother and dare I say, my father and I found it handy when there was nobody around!

From memory I think it was painted cream with dark red wings/arch surrounds and I have always thought of it when visiting the now fully restored house. I guess it got scrapped around 1969 when no longer needed. It is a strange recollection but I was so surprised to see it again after so many years!

Thank you!
Richard Leaman, Bristol