Yesteryear Collection - 1931 AEC Trolleybus "Diddler"

This Trolleybus began London's first trolleybus service in May 1931. Based on AEC 663T chassis it has a 56 seater body. It is powered by an English Electric 86 h.p. motor that can accelerate the 8 ton (8130 kg) vehicle to a maximum 30 mph. It is nicknamed the "Diddler" due to the sound of the trolleybus on accelerating.
The model represents the trolleybus preserved by London Transport Museum, Covent Garden.
This is a Special Edition, produced as part of a worldwide issue - total production quantity = 60,000 units.

In 1931 the first AEC trolleybuses were put into service in London by LUT (London United Tramways) from Fulwell Bus Garage. It was 60 Trolleybuses that were nicknamed "Diddler". After the merger in 1933 into the London Passenger Transport Board, more and more trams were replaced by trolleybuses. Most were in service until 1948 when they were replaced by diesel-powered buses.

The (Y10-5) 1931 AEC Trolleybus "Diddler" was released in 1988. The Diddler was assembled from approximately 35 parts making it one of the most complex Yesteryears made to date.

Livery: (Tampo)
'LONDON TRANSPORT' in gold on both sides and Trolley Bus insignia in gold on black on left side only.
Right side: (Labels)
'JEYES' and 'GERMS' in blue, 'KILLS' in red and an insect in dark blue with red inset on cream.
Left side: (Labels)
'RONUK' in white on dark blue with gold edge. 'BY FAR THE BEST WAX POLISHES' and 'FOR FLOORS FURNITURE BOOTS & MOTOR CARS' in dark blue, at ends of light blue label.
Two Johnnie Walker advertising labels in black, red and yellow on white on both front upper deck quarter panels.
Two destination boards '604 HAMPTON CRT. VIA MALDEN & KINGSTON' in white on black on the front and left side.

Variations/Rarities: It was painted red with a cream upper deck window-frames and deck divide. The roof was light grey plastic and the pantograph was black plastic. It had solid mid-brown wheels. All but the downstairs rear window were glazed.

There were no rare variants of the Diddler.


1931 AEC Trolleybus "Diddler"				Matchbox Collectibles YET03; 1931 AEC Trolleybus "Diddler"; London United; Rt 4 Wimbledon via Raynes Park

Information as from "The Yesteryear Book 1956-2002"
Issue	Year of Release	Colour	Roof	Seats	Upper Deck Floor	Upper Deck Window Frames & Deck Divide	Single Headlamp	Wheels	Logo	Sidelights & Pantograph	Stairs & Lower Deck Floors	Baseplate	Rarity	Box
1	1988	London transport red body, black chassis	Light grey	Light brown	Light brown	Cream	Chrome	Solid mid brown	LONDON TRANSPORT	Black	Mid brown	MATCHBOX © 1988 SPECIAL LIMITED EDITION MACAU		O
Rarity: D - Difficult; S - Scarce; R - Rare; VR - Very Rare; ER - Extremely Rare
Box: O - Large red and gold 'Special Limited Edition'