Three films featuring Glasgow Corporation Transport between 1959 and 1962, originally published on YouTube by Ron Windward on March 23, 2013. Ron is famous for his entertaining “Toffs in the Tenement” series of novels.
- Glasgow Trolley Buses 1966
This film opens with a trolleybus heading south on Victoria Bridge and into the Gorbals, passing Gorbals Cross with the clock, then past the Palace when it was a bingo hall, followed by Alexander “Greek” Thomson’s Caledonia Road Church, and latterly St. Ninian’s Wynd Church at the junction of Crown Street and Cathcart Road, before the trolleybus continues southward into Govanhill. At least two of the trolleybuses featured in these scenes are on route 105 from Queen’s Cross in Maryhill. One is heading for Clarkston and the other for the short stop at Mount Florida. The film is accompanied by the song “Bell, Book and Candle” performed by the excellent Eddi Reader.
2. Glasgow Trams 1959
Glasgow Corporation trams and motorbuses were filmed in 1959 at various central locations including Argyle Street, George Square, Glasgow Bridge, Jamaica Street, Queen Street, Renfield Street and Sauchiehall Street. It was around this time that they started to change the livery on the buses. This film is also accompanied by “Bell, Book and Candle” performed by Eddi Reader.
3. The last day on the Glasgow Trams, September 1962 – City Centre to Auchenshuggle
A moving film of scenes on probably Glasgow’s most famous tram route and the last one to run; Service 9, Dalmuir West to Auchenshuggle, and including an attractive female driver. At the beginning of the Great War in August 1914, Glasgow Magistrates asked the Corporation employees to form two battalions to help in the war effort and many of those who volunteered were Tramway motormen and conductors. So in order to keep the trams running in their absence, the Corporation encouraged women to train as drivers and conductresses, and this practice continued after the war and right up until the time the trams were withdrawn. The scene with the two clippies waving goodbye as they leave the depot is an absolute classic. This film is accompanied by the incomparable Billy Connolly singing “I Wish I was in Glasgow”.
The music copyrights belong to the artists.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I remember back in the 1940/50s, travelling anywhere the trams went during the school summer holidays for a reduced fare.
Can anyone remember exactly how much it was?
Harry
Hi Harry,
Thank you very much for your question and in the late 1950’s/early 1960’s, a child could travel all the way on a tram service for 1d, a penny. If a tram route was subsequently replaced by a trolleybus service, the same arrangement carried over. Inspired by your question, I have now written a chapter on it, entitled “Ride All the Way for a Penny”.
Best wishes,
Chris