Historic Journey on the O-Bus in Solingen
In the heart of Germany, the city of Solingen took a significant step forward in urban transport modernization in the mid-1950s. The city bid farewell to its tram system and welcomed the arrival of trolleybuses, or O-Buses, as part of this transition.
The special trip, which took place on August 4, 1955, was a ceremonial event that marked this significant period. The O-Bus, number 59, built in 1955 and now in the care of the Obus Museum, was the star of the show. This historical "trolley taxi" offered passengers a glimpse into the past as they were transported back in time by about 70 years.
The departure for this special journey began at Graf-Wilhelm-Platz. Jürgen Lehmann, a member of the Obus Museum's board, shared many interesting facts about the transition from streetcars to O-Buses in Solingen during the trip.
The line to Hasten, where the special trip was headed, started operating in June of the same year. The inaugural trip to Hasten was celebrated with a large public festival organized by the Heimatverein Pfaffenberg-Hasten. The O-Bus was greeted with great joy in Hasten, with a children's choir and brass band present.
The Obus Museum's O-Bus, now retired, is still occasionally used on its line to Hasten. The special trip was an interesting Sunday spent reminiscing about the past, with many passengers and passersby taking photos of the O-Bus. At the Hasten stop, passengers took their own photos, capturing moments of this unique journey.
The transition from streetcars to trolleybuses in Solingen fits a broader pattern seen in German cities post-WWII. Many cities systematically replaced trams with bus or trolleybus systems as diesel buses became more common. Trolleybuses, which are battery-powered or directly electrically powered buses that use overhead wires, offered a cleaner and quieter alternative to diesel buses and replaced tramlines without needing tracks.
In Solingen, the O-Bus to Höhscheid initially operated every 10 minutes, and every 5 minutes during peak times. Streetcars were gradually replaced with O-Buses, with Ohligs already using O-Buses by 1954. The line to Höhscheid, where the special trip took place, was a testament to the success of this transition.
The Obus Museum's special trip with the O-Bus was a memorable event that allowed people to experience a piece of Solingen's transport history. As the city continues to evolve, events like these serve as a reminder of the city's rich past and the exciting journey it has taken to get to where it is today.
[1] Sources: [Tramways and Light Railways, Tramways and Urban Transit, and Wikipedia]
