County Indexes Yorkshire Museums and Arts The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft 
The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft |
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Apart from trolleybuses and transport, the Museum now features 1950/ 60's memorabilia. Over the years, many bits and pieces related to this era (which fits in nicely with he heyday of the trolleybus) have been donated. A 1950/ 60's street scene features shop windows, complete with displays, whilst the prefab utility bungalow, previously used as the Museum's souvenir shop, has now been fitted out as a "home" so as to show even more of these period artefacts. Over its 35 years of existence, many people associated with the museum have come and gone. Likewise, the groups associated with the Museum have changed with only the Doncaster Omnibus and Light Railway Society remaining basically unchanged. The Reading Transport Society became the British Trolleybus Society in 1970, and still has very strong links with the Museum, but the West Riding Transport Society went through some changes and eventually wound up, with its assets passing to the British Trolleybus Society. The Notts. & Derbys. Transport Society had some very enthusiastic members, but was never very big and it ceased as such in the mid 'seventies. On the plus side, the end of trolleybuses in Bradford in 1972 and the large influx of Bradford trolleybuses into preservation led to the Bradford Trolleybus Association being formed, and they became one of Sandtoft's supporting groups. Many vehicles that have been kept at Sandtoft have moved on - some to the scrapyard (a choice sadly made by their individual owners), some to other collections and for restoration by others elsewhere, but some have gone away and returned. The Trolleybus Museum at Sandtoft, as it is now called, is operated by a company - Sandtoft Transport Centre Limited - which replaced the Sandtoft Transport Centre Association in 1982. The company is also a registered charity. The Museum houses the World's largest collection of historic trolleybuses - including two chassis, there are 46 examples currently kept at the Museum. Everything that has been achieved over the years has been done by volunteers and, with the exception of the Axholme Stores building, the children's play area and the upgrading of the toilet block - which received a high percentage of its funding from the EU, the Rural Development Commission and the erstwhile Boothferry Borough Council - has been entirely privately funded through the efforts of these volunteers. A significant advance came in February 2003 when the Museum achieved Registered Museum status - recognition that the Museum reaches the national standards required in collection care, public services and museum management. A lot has happened in 35 years - and a lot is planned for the future !
Opening Days for 2008 Easter Trolleydays - featuring Morris Minor Car Rally (Sunday Only) Saturday 22 March, Sunday 23 March, Monday 24 March Trolley Weekend - Saturday 12 April, Sunday 13 April Trolleybus Extravaganza Weekend, featuring the largest selection of trolleybus we have ever operated. - Saturday 3 May, Sunday 4 May, Monday 5 May Telephone 01724 711391
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The Museum first opened its gates to the public in September 1971 when the forerunner to the present annual Sandtoft Gathering was held. The Museum is now open on selected days between Easter and November for trolleybuses to operate and carry visitors. Visitors are welcome to come and look around at other times.Featured Attraction
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