trolleybuses

Very nostagic image for me. The year I left Newcastle for London. The trolley bus is of particular interest. This appears to be number 627 (NBB627); a 70seat monster, delivered in November 1950. The chassis and running gear was constructed by British United Traction and the bodywork was by Metro Camell Weymann of Birmingham. She was sold for scrap to a dealer in Bingley in February 1967. These vehicles were obtained for service on a joint venture with Gateshead & District Tramways Company. This company withdrew from the proposed arrangement and Newcastle Corporation found themselves with a surplus of trolleybuses. Sister vehicle number 628 was intended for preservation by the London Trolleybus Society, as the design was based upon one used by London Transport. (sic) This information is from the records of The PSV Circle, whose mission is to record the history of Public Service vehicles and Operators

The condition of the trolleybus is also worthy of comment. As my memory serves me the bright yellow livery of Newcastle Corporation was always kept spotless. Number 627 appears have missed a few baths!

The street looks so much better before pedestrianisation.

No 33 trolleybus for Osborne Road. Whenever I waited for a 33 to my grandparents a 31, 31A or 31B for Gosforth would come along, and usually they seemed to come in 3s! If I wanted a 31 for Gosforth it woud be a line of 33s.

Never mind the bus, look at the magnificent art deco building it is driving past! Pulled down and replaced with this, a building so ugly they've had to hide it behind plants to try and stop it making puppies cry!

WOW

It would be an experience to visit that time for a few hours, if only I had a time machine!

I'm afraid I can't supply a time machine but over the next few days I'm hoping to add another 10 views of Newcastle's streets as photographed by Turners in 1961. Hope you enjoy them!

I look forward to that, it's the next best thing :)

It's not the first trip, but indeed early in the life of this trolley bus system. Number 2 was the first to run under the wires in late 1933, but double decker number 3 did not enter sdervice until September 1934. -Ian MacCowan.

I suspect that this photo is taken in Darlinghurst Road, looking south, with Bayswater Road to the left. The tram track on the left appears to be swinging to merge with the other track, to form the Kings Cross tram terminus.

The perspective sounds correct. The buildings in front of the double decker are where the "Hyatt Kingsgate" was built. I seem to have hazy memories of the buildings from the early sixties as my Dad had an office just down the road at 146 William Street.

Another good photograph. Particularyliking the vehicles and dirt on the buildings - I can't imagine how dirty the air could be back then!

There are offices on the roof of this portico, since 1959.

The tram wires are still there, but no tram rails. When did they stop trams in Newcastle?

Good question. The last Newcastle tram ran in 1950. The wires in this picture were used for trolleybuses.

ahh, that makes more sense. Thanks!