GUNKO & I WENT ON THE LAST ONE OF THESE!!!!
Pictured below is a trolley bus. It ran on a route from Bexleyheath through Northumberland Heath, where we used to get on it, down to Erith and along the river to Woolwich. The journey took us along the outside wall of The Arsenal with its castellated gates. The tramlines were in the road and two antenna got power from overhead lines. The tramseats were made of wood and had glorious brass fittings everywhere and everything clanked away through the whole journey. We would go upstairs because it was cheaper and better. When we got to Woolwich we went across the Thames on the free paddle-steamer ferry to Silvertown. Our favourite boat was Will Crooks because you could watch the engines cranking from a gallery. It had a proper captain in a uniform and more amazing brasswork. It took a while to go over and dock. Tate & Lyle had a sugar factory that scented the air round the docks. Then back down under the river through the tiled pedestrian tunnel that leaked (scary) and had the best echo. We would get my mum some sprats from the open market, wrapped up in newspaper to take home for tea. We would be gone allday even though we were only nippers. What a shame the trolley buses are gone. I was part of the population explosion that rang their deathnell……. I cried when I found this picture.
3 years ago • 0 notes