RT 1702
Tram Replacement Commemoration


On July 5 1952 the last of London's trams were withdrawn from service and replaced with motor buses.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.
Seen here at Grove Park Station on 5 July 2002.
Photograph. John King.

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.



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