The only operating trolleybus line in NZ - Ferrymead Park

Ferrymead Park near Christchurch has the honour to operate the only trolleybus line in Down Under (Australia and New Zealand)since the great system in Wellington closed in 2017.The Ferrymead Heritage Park is an open air museum showing how to live and work and even transport during the 19. and 20 century, with old buildings, shops, workshops and even transport systems.
The historic trolleybusline runs down a public street (Ferrymead Park Drive) for about one km, having even a depot and a workshop. The trolleybuses turn at each end via a loop. Trolleybuses operate every first Sunday a month and on special event days. The collection houses 10 historic trolleybuses from 5 NZ systems. hIghlight of the collection is Christchurch 210 dating back to 1934 and beeing beautiful restaurated to operating conditions. Ferrymead trolleybus collection together with it`s line on public streets is one of the most important collections of trolleybuses –speacialy in the southern hamisphere, alwais worth visting !

Busy trolleybus service down Ferrymead Park Drive – Christchurch 210 (English Electric/1934) meets Wellington 103(BUT/1964)


Dunedin 1 (BUT/1950) in 2016 was handed over to Otago Heritage Bus Society in it´s original home town


Dunedin 79 (RETB/1962) on a test ride during restauration work served it`s home system until closure in 1979




Wellington 103( BUT/1964) served it`s home city until 1988 and is now operating the regulare shuttles at Ferrymead



Wellington 103 at the turning loop near Ferrymead Event Center


The pride of Ferrymead trolleybus collection is one of the oldes operatable trolleybuses in the world – Christchurch 210 (English Electric/1934) operating until 1956 and splendid restaurated inside as well as outside






Christchurch trolleybus 210 (English Electric/1934) meets Christchurch tram 1 built in 1905 operating on Ferrymead historic tram line


New Plymouth 3 (Crossley/1950) operating until 1967


Auckland 105 ( BUT/1958) awaiting restauration


Christchurch 209 ( English Electric/1931) still needs some help


Auckland 4 (Leyland/1938) ; Auckland 4 and Auckland 105 only served a shopping area with free ride – they never transported one fare paying passenger


Christchurch Ford V8 tower wagon from 1938


Wellington 103 (BUT/1964) followed by Christchurch 210 (English Electric/1934) in the depot loop meeting stored Wellington 258 (Volvo/1986)



Wellington 103 (BUT/1964) in service down Ferrymead Park Drive crossing the tram line


Dunedin 79 (RETB/1962) standing in front of Ferrymead trolleybus depot



Photos: Gunter Mackinger 12.3. 2016