Edinburgh Transport
The Last Tram
Conductors and Drivers
©
16 November 1956 |
Conductor and Drivers |
Conductor
The conductor on the last tram was Andrew Birrell.
It was reported that he "did a roaring trade in the sale of sets of
last tram tickets." |
Drivers
The driver of the last tram was James Kay. He was presented with
a suitably inscribed watch.
Wallets were presented to two other drivers:
- William Moffat , the driver of the decorated tram.
- James Pryde, the driver of the last No 28 tram.
These three drivers, together, had 123 years' service with the tramway. |
Edinburgh Evening News 17 November
1956 |
Request for Photo |
James Simpson who e-mailed me on 4 January 2006 with this message:
William Moffat, Driver
"I am trying to locate a picture of my
great uncle William Moffat who drove the decorated tram on the 16 Nov
1956. I have seen a picture of him in a book but have been unable to trace
it.
I thought your website might have the
picture but it does not appear in it. Any information would be useful."
James Simpson, January 4, 2006 |
If you know of the picture that James refers to, please
e-mail me so that I can pass on your comments to him.
Thank you. - Peter Stubbs |
Thank
you to Phil Wilson, Aberdeen, Scotland for his quick response. On 5
January 2006, Phil wrote:
Suggestions
With regard you your correspondent's query on
the last tram, there are three photos in 'Edinburgh since 1900'
(Plates 203 to 205 - pages
unnumbered) published by Archive Publications Limited in association
with Scotsman Publications
ISBN 0-948946-16-4,
1987
Whether his relative is actually in those
photos, I don't know, although there are one or two Transport
employees shown.
There are also 3 photos on the 'Scotsman'
photo gallery
website (enter 'last tram' into the search box) but again no obvious
photo of the driver:
Phil Wilson, Aberdeen, Scotland:
January 5, 2006 |
I have a copy of the book mentioned
above.
- Photo 203 shows a man in uniform
(driver?) standing beside the decorated tram. This may well be
the photo that James is looking for.
- Photo 204 shows a conductor serving
a customer with a tram ticket.
- Photo 205 is a night scene with
horse drawn tram and other trams.
Peter Stubbs: January 5, 2006
|
Update
Jan 8, 2006
James Simpson
e-mailed me today to say that he now has a copy of this book and
believes that the man in photo 203 is in fact his Uncle William.
Peter
Stubbs: January 8, 2006 |
Update
Jan 26, 2006
Thank you to Donald Grant for sending a further
message about the photograph discussed above.
Donald wrote:
"The photo that James Simpson is looking
for, of his uncle William Moffatt, the driver of the decorated tram
on the last day, is published in 'A Nostalgic Look At Edinburgh
Trams Since 1950' by Graham H.E. Twidale, published by Silver Link
Publishing Limited.
This book has been out of print
for several years. Its ISBN number is 0-947971-37-8. The
photo itself is from the LRT archive.
I can confirm that the photo in the book
that I have is of William Moffatt. He is named in the text. It
sounds like the same photo as in Phil's book. It was taken at
Shrubhill depot and William is standing to the left of the tram."
Donald Grant, Penicuik,
Midlothian, Scotland: January 26, 2006 |
NOTE: I don't know whether the name is 'Moffat' or 'Moffatt'
I have seen it written both ways. |
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