On July 5 1952 the last of London's trams were withdrawn from service
and replaced with motor buses. Fifty years later on 5/6 July 2002 preserved
bus RT 1702 was used to duplicate some of the old routes.
Route 54 tram (Grove Park - Victoria) was replaced in January 1952 by
bus route 69. (Route 69 disappeared from the area to reappear in East London
replacing the 669 trolleybus route). RT 1702 only ran the route from Grove
Park to New Cross. The public were invited to ride and donations for charity
were collected on board.
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Tram route 72 (Woolwich - Victoria Embankment, Savoy Street via Westhorne
Avenue) was replaced on 6 July 1952 by bus route 186 from Woolwich
to Lewisham, it then went on the Crystal Palace. At the time route 122
was from Bexleyheath to Woolwich, at a later date both routes were merged
and became 122. Now the original 122 part of the route has been curtailed
and the 122 now does the original 186 part only.
Seen here in General Gordon Place, Woolwich on 6 July 2002. Photograph. John King. |
In General Gordon Place, Woolwich RT 1702 shows tram route and destination
for route 40 on the rear blind. The GB plate on the rear of this bus was
affixed when this bus with three others went four a tour of Europe in 1950
to publicise the Festival of Britain in 1951.
6 July 2002. Photograph. John King. |
Another picture of RT 1702 showing blinds for the 163, this time in
General Gordon Place, Woolwich.
6 July 2002. Photograph. John King. |
This page was designed and is maintained by Toby and John King, I would accept any comments or questions See Index Page