Streets of Dundee - Full

The Streets of Dundee Trams and Buses in the 1950s

Brian J. Dickson

The Streets of Dundee Trams and Buses in the 1950s

Brian J. Dickson

© Images and design: Transport Treasury 2025 Text: Brian J. Dickson ISBN 978-1-913893-71-2 First published in 2025 by Transport Treasury Publishing Limited. 16 Highworth Close, High Wycombe, HP13 7PJ. Totem Publishing an imprint of Transport Treasury Publishing.

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Front Cover: Summer 1956. Standing in the ‘waiting siding’ in the High Street is car No 43, she had been constructed by Hurst, Nelson & Co in 1920 and originally numbered 79, becoming No 43 during 1928. She had also been rebuilt in the form seen here in 1932/3 and would be running until the abandonment of the system in October 1956. The bumper sticker is promoting the re-opening of the Ice Rink on Wednesday 26 September. In the background is Daimler CVG6 registration ETS967, Dundee Number 187 that had been purchased during 1955 as part of a batch of twenty-five vehicles. (GCB772) Frontispiece: Saturday 7 May 1955. With an example of a Dundee tenement block in the background, car No 44, operating a service 21 to West Park, is about to pass the garden at the top of Seabraes Park in the Perth Road. (TR127) Rear Cover: October 1958. Daimler CVD6 registration CTS638, Dundee number 79 is seen in Dock Street working a No 16 service for Linlathen.

Purchased by the Corporation during 1953 as an example of a batch of ten vehicles, she would be withdrawn from service by 1973. (GCB1311)

INTRODUCTION With the horse trams commencing operation during 1877 and the steam tramways beginning in 1885, it is very possible that William McGonagall would have experienced their operation while also witnessing the aftermath of the railway bridge catastrophe of 28 December 1879 which he would immortalise in his famous poem.

It would be 1900 before the electric trams started to replace the steam workings by which time McGonagall had departed Dundee to reside in Perth and finally Edinburgh, dying there in 1902.

With the growth of the city and its industries the tram routes expanded to feed from the increasing traffic; eventually, by the beginning of the 20th Century all the main routes were in existence and had been electrified. These extended from the city centre to Ninewells and Blackness in the west, Downfield in the north, Lochee in the north-west and Maryfield in the north-east. During 1905 the route from the city boundary to Broughty Ferry and Monifieth was opened by the Dundee, Broughty Ferry and District Tramway Co with through running agreed with the Corporation into the city centre. This route saw much competition from both the adjoining railway and fledgling bus services with the consequence that by 1931 the city Corporation had purchased the company and abandoned the tramway, substituting buses.

The first electric cars purchased by the Corporation had a long working life with Nos 1 - 10 being constructed by Dick, Kerr & Co and delivered in 1900, these were open-topped, open-canopy double deck vehicles that would be rebuilt on several occasions over a period of years with the top deck and end canopies becoming covered and enclosed. A number of photographs in the book show several of these cars still in service during 1955. Further batches of both open-top and enclosed top cars were purchased between 1901 and 1921, these coming from a number of manufacturers. Between 1923 and 1926 the Corporation undertook the construction of further batches of cars at its own works, the last batch of ten new cars being delivered from Brush in 1930, these were numbered 19 - 28 and would remain in service until the system closed in October 1956.

Motor bus operation in Dundee was, until the mid-1920s, in the hands of private operators with the Corporation finally purchasing small numbers of Leyland and Thornycroft single deckers in 1926 and 1927. By the 1930s they had commenced purchasing double deckers, these were mainly Daimler and AEC vehicles all acquired prior to the commencement of the Second World War. Immediately after the end of the war, the Corporation settled on the use of both AEC and Daimler vehicles with large numbers of vehicles from both manufacturers being purchased between 1946 and 1953.

By 1954, with the decision having been made by the Corporation to abandon their tram system, a large number of second-hand AEC Regent double deckers were purchased from London Transport and their London Country subsidiary in 1955 and 1956 with the aim of quickly increasing the fleet. Further purchases were made between 1956 and 1960 of modern Daimler double deckers that continued in service well into the 1970s.

I have to aknowledge the following which have been sources of reference material in the creation of this book:Tramways of the Tay Valley by Alan W. Brotchie, published by Dundee Museums and Art Gallery in 1965.

The Dundee Museum of Transport.

The Light Rail Transit Association, formerly The Light Railway Transport League.

The Classic British Isles Buses website.

Photographs are from the collections of A R Gault (TR), WAC Smith (WS), and George Bett (GCB).

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Saturday 10 June 1950. With what looks like a full complement of passengers, Car 39 is working a service, No 21, to West Park via the High Street and is seen in the Perth Road adjacent to the small garden that is part of Seabraes Park. Constructed by Hurst, Nelson & Co during 1921, and numbered 88 and later 52, she would become No 39 in 1936 and continue working until the system closed in 1956. (TR124)

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Wednesday 16 August 1950. At the Downfield terminus, car No 27 is operating a private service for the Light Railway Transport League (LRTL).

The product of Brush during 1930 as part of a batch of ten vehicles delivered by them in that year, she continued in service until the system was abandoned. The LRTL had been formed during 1937 and in 1979 changed its name to the Light Rail Transit Association. (TR1553)

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Wednesday 16 August 1950. Seen in the High Street in Dundee, looking west toward the Nethergate, car No 14, at the head of a queue of trams, is waiting to depart with a No 22 service to Balgay Road. Constructed by G. F. Milnes & Co of Birkenhead during 1902 as part of a batch of eight open-top vehicles and initially numbered 44, she would be rebuilt on several occasions and be re-numbered 14 in 1927. (TR1554)

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Wednesday 16 August 1950. Standing in the ‘waiting siding’ in the High Street is car No 1 waiting to depart with a No 22 service to Downfield.

She had been constructed by Dick, Kerr & Co in 1900 as an open-top car that would be rebuilt a number of times. Car 38 is standing in the rear waiting to depart with a No 21 service to Maryfield. (TR1557)

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Thursday 18 September 1952. At the Downfield terminus, car No 3 is waiting to depart to Blackness via Hilltown with a No 22 service whilst ahead of her is car No 29. Car No 3 had been the product of Dick, Kerr & Co in 1900 as part of a batch of ten vehicles purchased by the Corporation that year; originally open-topped, she would be rebuilt on several occasions. Car No 29 had been constructed by the Corporation’s own works during 1925 and originally numbered 95 and later 81, becoming No 29 in 1936. The terminus at Downfield was equipped with a waiting shelter seen on the right, which also incorporated a small shop. (TR724)

Thursday 18 September 1952. Standing in Lochee High Street at the Lochee terminus is car No 21 which is waiting to depart with a No 23 service to Reform Street via the High Street. Constructed by Brush in 1930 as part of a batch of ten cars delivered that year, they were the last new trams purchased by the Corporation which ran until the system was abandoned. (TR725)

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Thursday 18 September 1952. At the Maryfield depot, car No 32 is parked at the entrance, constructed at their own works during 1926 and originally numbered 98, later becoming No 84 and finally No 32 in 1936. Seen in the background from left to right are two double deck Daimler CWA6 vehicles, registrations YJ8007 and YJ7996, Dundee numbers 84 and 87, which entered service in 1945 and 1944 respectively. To the right of the tram is Daimler CWA6 registration YJ7983, Dundee Number 92 that had been purchased by the Corporation in 1944, all three buses would be withdrawn in 1965. (TR727)

Thursday 18 September 1952. At the Maryfield depot the well balanced design of car No 44 is seen looking in sparkling condition in this side-on view. The product of Hurst, Nelson & Co in 1920 as part of a batch of six vehicles, she would originally be numbered 80, becoming No 44 towards the end of the 1920s. Rebuilt as seen here during the early 1930s, she would continue running until the system was abandoned in 1956. (TR729)

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Thursday 18 September 1952. Standing in Lochee works is Repair Wagon No 1 which had originally been constructed by Brush during 1907 as a double deck car numbered 56. In 1935 she had been rebuilt to a single deck and fitted with an extended Fischer bow collector. (TR731)

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Thursday 18 September 1952. Sister Repair Wagon No 2 is at the Maryfield depot, another 1907 Brush constructed double deck car numbered 57, she would also be rebuilt in the form seen here during 1935. (TR733)

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Friday 17 September 1954. Daimler COG5 registration YJ5902, Dundee number 23 is seen in Crichton Street whilst operating a No 4 service to Johnston Avenue, in the north of the city, via Hilltown. She had been purchased during 1938 as part of a batch of four of these vehicles and would be withdrawn from service in 1958. (GCB844)

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Saturday 7 May 1955. With the River Tay and the northern coast of Fife in the background, car No 51 is seen passing the garden that is part of Seabraes Park in the Perth Road whilst operating a No 21 service to West Park. This car, which appears to have a full complement of passengers, had been constructed by Hurst, Nelson & Co during 1921 and had originally been numbered 90, later becoming No 54 and finally No 51 in 1936.

(TR129)

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1955. On the Perth Road near Ninewells, car No 50 is waiting to move away in one of the loops in the road.

The product of Hurst, Nelson & Co as part of a batch of four cars in 1916 she had originally been numbered 76, becoming No 50 during 1936. Rebuilt in the form seen here during 1932, she would work until the system closed. (GCB1132)

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Left: Sunday 11 June 1955. At the Blackness Road terminus, car No 5 is waiting to return to Downfield with a No 22 service via Hilltown. Constructed by Dick, Kerr & Co of Preston during 1900, she had originally been an open-top car that would be rebuilt on several occasions, finally appearing as seen here in 1931. Note the bumper advert, Dundee Ice Rink - Full Ice Skating every Afternoon and Evening. (GCB1000B)

Right: 1955. At the corner of Commercial Street and the High Street, car No 9 is operating a service No 22 to Blackness via Hilltown and is being followed by a Daimler double deck bus. No 9 had been the product of Dick, Kerr & Co during 1900 as part of a batch of ten open-topped cars. She would be rebuilt on a couple of occasions and by 1931 would be seen in her final form as here. In the background is seen the Albert Institute designed by Sir Gilbert Scott and opened in 1867, it is now known as The McManus: Dundee‘s Art Gallery and Museum. (GCB1002)

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Tuesday 19 July 1955. In 1955 Dundee Corporation purchased a batch of ten AEC Regent STL double deckers from London Transport and four of these vehicles are seen here at the Market Street storage area still wearing their London Country green livery. From left to right are registration numbers HGC231, HGC217, HGC220 and HGC218, all of which had been constructed during 1945 or 1946; they would become Dundee numbers 178,170, 172 and 171 respectively, all four vehicles would be sold on in 1965. (GCB862)

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Sunday 31 July 1955. At the Blackness terminus, car No 16 is waiting to leave with a No 22 service to Downfield. Constructed during 1902 as an open -topped car by G. F. Milnes & Co of Birkenhead and originally numbered 46, she would undergo several rebuilds and be numbered 16 by the late 1920s. Note the bumper advert - Gussie Park Carnival open from Thursday 28 July. (WS2713)

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1955. In South Tay Street, between the Nethergate and the West Port, car No 10 is operating a No 22 service to Downfield via Hilltown. Constructed

by Dick, Kerr & Co in 1900 as an example of a batch of ten open-top cars delivered by them during that year, she would be rebuilt on a number of occasions and by 1931 be completed in the form seen here. (GCB1003)

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Saturday 22 October 1955. Seen in the Dock Park storage area are, from left to right, a group of five Daimler CVG6 vehicles all purchased by the Corporation during 1955. Registration numbers ETS966, DYJ439, ETS983, DYJ437 and DYJ432 respectively, Dundee numbers 186, 168, 203, 166 and 161. All would be withdrawn from service in the late 1970s. (GCB997)

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Friday 11 November 1955. In the Dock Park storage area and parked on the left are single decker AEC Regal YJ9125, Dundee number 2 purchased by the Corporation in 1947 and withdrawn during 1960, Daimler COG5 YJ5893 and sister YJ5892 (Dundee numbers 26 and 25 respectively), both purchased in 1938, being withdrawn twenty years later during 1958. On the right are double deckers AEC Regent III CYJ253, Dundee number 138 bought in 1953 and withdrawn during 1974, Daimler CVD6 YJ9050 purchased during 1947 and sold in 1966, Daimler CVG6 DYJ434 and Daimler CVG6 DYJ440, both part of a batch of ten vehicles bought in 1955 and withdrawn during 1976, respectively Dundee numbers 46, 163 and 169. (GCB995)

Saturday 14 January 1956. Seen in the Lochee Road operating a No 23 service to Reform Street in the city is car No 26 which had been constructed

by Brush during 1930. The advertising hoarding in the background is promoting that well known Irish Stout, whilst below, Kitkat has a Crispy Centre, both products still being available today. (TR533)

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Left: July 1956. This busy scene is in Dock Street with Daimler CVG6 registration FTS213, Dundee number 209 arriving with a No 15 service probably from Douglas in the east of the city. She had been purchased by the Corporation earlier in this year as part of a batch of six vehicles, all of which would be withdrawn by 1977.

The track seen here is not part of the tramway system but that used by British Railways as access between Tay Bridge yard and Dundee East station yard with goods trains being worked through the streets between the two sites. (GCB971)

Right: Sunday 22 July 1956. Seen in the Dock Park are a pair of Daimler single deckers, on the left is a COG5 from 1938, registration YJ5897, Dundee number 30; she would be withdrawn in 1958. On the right is a CVD6 from 1948, registration YJ9636, Dundee number 6, which would be withdrawn during 1965, note the differences in the front bodywork. (GCB924)

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July 1956. One of only a pair purchased by the Corporation in 1944, Daimler CWA6 registration YJ7980, Dundee number 89 is seen in Dock Street displaying ‘Private’ on the destination blind. She would be sold out of service during 1965. (GCB853)

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July 1956. In Riverside Drive, operating a duplicate bus service, is Daimler CWA6 registration YJ7997, Dundee number 88, she had been one of a batch of three vehicles purchased during 1944 which would be withdrawn in 1965. In the background on the left are the carriage sidings forming part of the former Caledonian Railway line between Dundee and Perth. In the right background is part of the bridge structure at the former Esplanade station leading to the Tay Bridge. (GCB1062)

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Wednesday 25 July 1956. Standing in the Market Street storage area are three recently purchased AEC Regent RT double deckers from London Transport. Registration numbers JXC196, JXC186 and JXC184, all constructed in 1949 and acquired by the Corporation as part of a batch of thirty vehicles during 1956, these would become Dundee numbers 234, 228 and 224 respectively. All would be withdrawn from service in 1968. (GCB1163)

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August 1956. AEC Regent III registration CYJ254, Dundee number 139 is parked in the Dock Park; she had been purchased as part of a batch of seven vehicles by the Corporation during 1953 and would be withdrawn in 1974. (GCB953)

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Thursday 13 September 1956. Near the Maryfield terminus, car No 40 is operating a No 21 service to Ninewells via the High Street. The product of Hurst, Nelson & Co during 1921 she had originally been numbered 89, later becoming No 53 in 1928 and finally No 40 in 1936. (TR125)

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Monday 17 September 1956. Also seen near the Maryfield terminus is car No 49 arriving with a No 21 service from Ninewells. Another Hurst, Nelson & Co product from 1916 being numbered 75, originally becoming No 49 during 1936. Being rebuilt in 1932, she would continue her service until the end of the system in October. The advert on the bumper notifies the re-opening of the Ice Rink on Wednesday 26 September. (TR128)

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Left: Monday 17 September 1956. With only a month left of service, car No 38 is seen near the Maryfield terminus arriving with a No 21 service from Ninewells. Constructed

by Hurst, Nelson & Co in 1921 as part of a batch of eight vehicles and originally numbered 87, later becoming No 51, she would become No 38 during 1936. (TR122)

Right: September 1956. Having just turned into Main Street from Dens Road, Daimler CVG6 registration ETS975, Dundee number 195 is operating a No 23 service to Downfield. Purchased during 1955 as part of a batch of twenty-five vehicles, many were withdrawn from service during the mid-1970s with one example surviving into the preservation scene. (GCB968)

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Left: Wednesday 19 September 1956. Seen in the Perth Road with the building that is now part of Dundee University in the background, car No 33 is operating a service to Maryfield. Constructed by the Corporation’s own works during 1926 and initially numbered 99 and later 85, she would become No 33 during 1936 and continue working until the system closed a month later.

(TR121)

Right: Friday 28 September 1956. This rare night shot was taken less than a month prior to the closure of the system, car No 49 is seen at the Maryfield terminus operating a No 21 service to West Park. The product of Hurst, Nelson & Co during 1916 and rebuilt in the form seen here in 1932, she had originally been numbered 75, becoming No 49 in 1936. (GCB1060)

Far Right: Summer 1956. In the High Street looking east, car No 44 is operating a No 21 service to Ninewells; constructed by Hurst, Nelson & Co in 1920 and originally numbered 80, she would become No 44 during 1928 and remain in service until the system closed. The bumper sticker tells us, again, that the Ice Rink will re-open on Wednesday 26 September. (GCB773)

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Summer 1956. In the Perth Road working a No 21 service from Ninewells to Maryfield is car No 47 which had been the product of Hurst, Nelson & Co during 1916, originally being numbered 77 and later 73, becoming No 47 in 1936.

The bumper sticker is advertising ‘The Ladykillers’ film starring Alec Guinness, Cecil Parker, Herbert Lom and Peter Sellers. (GCB774)

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Left: Saturday 20 October 1956. With the magnificent spire of the Lochee Parish Church in the High Street overlooking the scene, on this last day of normal services car Nos 27, 26 and 22 are seen at the Lochee terminus.

On the left, one of the conductors is seen ‘clocking in’.

(WS2710)

Right: Saturday 20 October 1956. Car No 48 is seen coming off the loop at West Park on the Perth Road whilst operating a No 21 service to Maryfield.

The product of Hurst, Nelson & Co in 1916, she would be rebuilt as seen here during 1932 and had originally been numbered 78 and later No 74, becoming No 48 in 1936.

(WS2705)

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Saturday 20 October 1956. On the final day of tram services, this busy scene sees car No 44 in the Nethergate operating a service to Ninewells, whilst in the background car No 36 is heading toward Maryfield.

(WS2706)

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Saturday 20 October 1956. Seen in the Lochee Road just passing Brown Street, car No 25 is working a service to Lochee. Part of a batch of ten cars purchased by the Corporation from Brush during 1930, these were the last new cars bought by them. She had the privilege, along with five other cars, to make their last movements during the early morning of Sunday 21 October. The building immediately behind the car is still extant. (WS2712)

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Left: Saturday 10 November 1956. AEC Regent RT registration KGK722, Dundee number 215, an ex-London Transport vehicle constructed in 1949 and purchased earlier in 1956, is seen in the Perth Road, with University College in the background, operating a No 19 service to Grosvenor Road. She would be sold out of service in 1969. (GCB975)

Right Top: Sunday 11 November 1956. Standing in the Dock Park area are, from left to right, single deck AEC Regal registration YJ9124, Dundee number 1, purchased during 1947 and sold in 1960, Daimler CVD6 also bought in 1947, registration YJ9045, Dundee number 41, would be sold on in 1966, AEC Regent RT registration KGK780, Dundee number 239 built in 1950, purchased by the Corporation from London Transport earlier in 1956 and withdrawn in 1969, Daimler CVD6, registration YJ9049, Dundee number 45, bought during 1947 as part of a batch of twenty vehicles and sold on during 1966.

(GCB1070) Right Bottom: Sunday 11 November 1956. Also seen in the Dock Park area on this day is Daimler COG5 registration YJ5893, Dundee number 26 purchased during 1938 as part of a batch of eight vehicles and be withdrawn in 1958. (GCB1071)

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Left: Sunday 6 January 1957. In the Dock Park area are, from left to right, Daimler CVD6/SD registration YJ9127, Dundee number 4 purchased in 1947, being withdrawn during 1965. Daimler CVD6/SD registration YJ9636, Dundee number 6, bought during 1948 and sold after being withdrawn in 1965. Daimler COG5 registration YJ5898, Dundee number 31, purchased ten years earlier in 1938, being withdrawn during 1958, and Daimler CVD6/ SD registration YJ9635, Dundee number 5 purchased by the Corporation in 1947 and sold in 1965. (GCB998)

Right: Saturday 2 February 1957. In Dock Street Daimler CVD6 is operating a No 6 service to Forthill, in the east of the city, via Strathern Road. She had been purchased during 1951 as part of a batch of ten vehicles, registered BTS471, Dundee number 131; she would be withdrawn in 1970. (GCB1155)

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Left: Saturday 2 February 1957. In the Dens Road Daimler CVD6 registration CTS631, Dundee number 72 is seen passing the junction with Main Street over the redundant tram lines whilst operating a No 1A service to Blackshade via Beechwood. She had been purchased during 1953 and would be withdrawn in 1975. (GCB1309)

Right: Saturday 2 February 1957. AEC Regent III registration YJ9131, Dundee number 58, which had been bought by the Corporation as part of a batch of ten vehicles in 1948, is seen in Dock Street operating a No 25 service to Kirkton, in the north of the city, via Victoria Road. She would be withdrawn and sold during 1968.

(GCB1143)

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Saturday 16 February 1957. Standing in Euclid Crescent waiting to operate a No 21 ‘Duplicate’ football match service is former London Country AEC Regent II STL registration HGC217, Dundee number 170 looking in particularly clean condition and devoid of any advertising. She had been constructed during 1945 and purchased as part of a batch of ten vehicles in 1955 and would be withdrawn from service during 1964. (GCB965)

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Saturday 16 February 1957. Also seen in Euclid Crescent on the same day is another vehicle waiting to operate a football match duplicate service.

Daimler COG6 registration YJ4120, Dundee number 156 had been purchased as part of a batch of eleven vehicles during 1936. She was destined to be withdrawn from service a few months after this photograph had been taken. (GCB958)

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Left: Sunday 17 February 1957. At the Blackness terminus Daimler CVG6 registration ETS961, Dundee number 181 is seen arriving with a No 22 service via Hilltown.

Purchased during 1955 as part of a batch of twenty-five vehicles, which by the mid-1970s had all been withdrawn from service. (GCB1073)

Right: Saturday 13 April 1957. In sparklingly clean condition AEC Regent III registration CYJ256, Dundee number 141 is working a No 14 service to Mid Craigie via Stobswell in the east of the city. Bought in 1953 as part of a batch of seven vehicles, all would be withdrawn by the early 1970s. (GCB1320)

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Saturday 13 April 1957. Parked in the Dock Park area are three double deckers; from left to right are Daimler COG6 registration YJ7047, Dundee number 96 purchased during 1939 as part of a batch of eight vehicles. Next a further Daimler COG6 from the same batch of eight, registration YJ7054, Dundee number 103, both these vehicles would be withdrawn later in 1957. Finally, on the right is AEC Regent II STL which had been constructed for London Transport in 1946 and which would work with the London Country system; purchased by the Corporation during 1955 registration HGC224, Dundee number 175, she would be disposed of in 1965. (GCB1330)

Sunday 14 April 1957. Standing at the Shore Terrace bus terminal in Dock Street is Daimler CVD6 registration CTS631, Dundee number 72. Purchased during 1953 as part of a batch of ten vehicles, all of which would be withdrawn from service in the early 1970s. Note the wonderful array of upper panel advertising on the vehicles from Dulux and Sunshine Paints to Players Please Cigarettes. (GCB1058)

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Sunday 14 April 1957. In Dock Street AEC Regal IV registration CYJ315, Dundee number 22 is displaying ‘Private’ on her destination blind. Purchased during 1954 as a single vehicle destined to operate a one-man flat-fare service, this was not successful and the vehicle was disposed of in 1974. The imposing building in the background belongs to David Winter & Son Ltd, a very old established printer and stationer that now trades from another site in Dundee. The building now houses a wine bar. (GCB1059)

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Sunday 26 May 1957. Parked in the Dock Street depot are seen, from left to right, AEC Regent III registration YJ9133, Dundee number 60 and Daimler CVG6 registration DYJ434, Dundee number 163. The AEC had been acquired during 1948 as part of a batch of ten vehicles, all of which would be withdrawn by the late 1960s. The Daimler had been purchased in 1955 and would remain in service a little longer, being withdrawn in the late 1970s. (GCB855)

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Sunday 2 June 1957. Seen in the Dock Park area are two of the batch of thirty Daimler CVG6 vehicles purchased by the Corporation during 1957.

Registration FYJ792, Dundee number 252 on the left and registration FYJ790, Dundee number 250 on the right. Both would be withdrawn from service in 1977. (GCB980)

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Tuesday 18 June 1957. At the Maryfield depot, Daimler CWA6 registration YJ7997, Dundee number 88 is seen parked at the head of a line of vehicles.

Purchased during 1944 as part of a batch of three vehicles that would all be withdrawn from service in 1965. (GCB843)

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Tuesday 18 June 1957. Displaying a No 30 service destined for the City Centre, Daimler COG6 is standing at the Esplanade terminus with the railway bridge in the background. Purchased by the Corporation during 1940 and registered YJ7052, Dundee number 101 she would be withdrawn from service later in 1957. (GCB859)

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Left: Wednesday 24 July 1957. In Harrison Road in the north of the city, Daimler CVG6 registration FYJ801, Dundee number 261 is showing a ‘Pleasure Drive’ destination blind. Purchased earlier in this year as part of a batch of thirty vehicles all would be withdrawn from service by the late 1970’s. (GCB982)

Right: August 1957. Purchased as a single vehicle during 1940, AEC Regent 0661 registration YJ7586, Dundee number 69 had been constructed a year earlier in 1939.

She is seen here standing in the Market Street storage area after withdrawal from service. (GCB942)

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Sunday 1 September 1957. With the ‘Royal Gate’ glimpsed in the background, Daimler COG5 registration YJ5891, Dundee number 24 had been purchased by the Corporation in 1938 as part of a batch of eight vehicles, all destined to be withdrawn from service during 1958. (GCB1139)

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Thursday 12 September 1957. Daimler COG6 registration YJ2792, Dundee number 113 had been purchased during 1936 as part of a batch of three vehicles. By 1953 she had been rebuilt as seen here in East Dock Street, to operate as a Driver Training Bus and Tree Lopper. She would finally be withdrawn from service during 1966. (GCB949)

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Saturday 28 September 1957. Seen exiting Seymour Street and entering the Perth Road whilst operating a No 19 service to Fintry is AEC Regent RT registration JXC185, Dundee number 226. She is looking in newly painted condition having been purchased from London Transport in 1956; constructed for London Transport during 1949, she would be withdrawn in 1968. (GCB1076)

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Tuesday 22 October 1957. Daimler CVG6 registration FYJ810, Dundee number 270 is seen crossing the Kingsway whilst operating a No 26 service to the City Centre via Provost Road. Purchased earlier in 1957, the last numerically of a batch of thirty vehicles, they would all be withdrawn from service during the late 1970s. (GCB984)

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Far Left: Sunday 1 December 1957. Daimler CVG6 registration DYJ440, Dundee number 169 is seen in Panmure Street operating a No 1A service to the City Centre via Beechwood. Purchased in 1955 as part of a batch of ten vehicles, they would all be withdrawn from service during the later 1970s. In the background are the beautifully proportioned towers of the Panmure Street Congregational Church which is now called Trinity Hall and part of Dundee High School. (GCB964) Left: Sunday 1 December 1957. On the same day and captured at the same location as the previous photograph, Daimler CVG6 registration FTS209, Dundee number 205 is operating a No 15 service to Lochee via the Lochee Road. Bought by the Corporation during 1956 as part of a batch of six vehicles she would be withdrawn from service twenty years later in 1977. (GCB970)

Right: Sunday 20 April 1958. Quite clearly recently repainted and looking in excellent condition, Daimler CVD6 registration AYJ379, Dundee number 127 is parked in Dock Street. Purchased by the Corporation during 1951, she has managed to reach the preservation scene, originally being kept at the Scottish Vintage Bus Museum at Lathalmond and currently in store at the Dundee Museum of Transport. (GCB951)

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Left: Saturday 26 April 1958. The Royal Arch which allowed access to the Earl Grey and King William IV docks in Dundee fills the background of this shot of AEC Regent III registration CYJ254, Dundee number 139. Seen in Dock Street, she is working a No 16 service to Linlathen which lay in the east of the city; purchased during 1953 as part of a batch of seven vehicles, she would be withdrawn in 1974. The Royal Arch had been constructed between 1849 and 1853 and became known locally as the ’Victoria Arch’, it would be demolished in March 1964 as part of the preparatory work for the construction of the Tay Road Bridge, the two adjoining docks being filled in.

(GCB952)

Right: May 1958. With the tram tracks still in situ in Panmure Street, AEC Regent III registration AYJ373, Dundee number 143 is operating a No 23 service to Balgay Road. Purchased during 1950 as part of a batch of nine vehicles, all would be withdrawn by 1970. (GCB868)

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September 1958. Daimler CWD6 registration YJ8106, Dundee number 113 is in sparklingly clean condition as seen in the Dock Park storage area. Bought in 1946 as part of a batch of three vehicles, she would be withdrawn from service by the late 1960s. (GCB1079)

Monday 29 September 1958. In Albert Square AEC Regent II STL registration HGC224, Dundee number 175 is negotiating the works taking place to remove the tram tracks. Operating a No 23 service to Downfield, she had been purchased from the London Country system during 1955 as part of a batch of ten vehicles that would all be withdrawn from service during 1965. (GCB867)

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October 1958. Parked in the Dock Street storage area are seen a pair of AEC Regal IV single deckers. On the left is registration number CTS530, Dundee number 21 that had been purchased as part of a batch of four vehicles in 1953 and would be withdrawn during 1970. On the right is registration number CYJ315, Dundee number 22, bought in 1954 as a one-off vehicle and sold during 1974. Note the bodywork differences in the two vehicles. (GCB927)

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Saturday 11 October 1958. With the Dock Street terminus in the background, AEC Regal registration YJ9125, Dundee number 2 is waiting before working a No 3 ‘duplicate bus‘ service to Johnston Avenue in the north of the city. This single decker was one of a pair purchased by the Corporation during 1947 that would be withdrawn in 1960. (GCB1083)

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Left: Saturday 11 October 1958. Turning into the bus terminus in Dock Street is Daimler CVG6 registration HTS277, Dundee number 277 which is operating a No 13 service to Camperdown via Clepington Road. Purchased by the Corporation earlier in this year as part of a batch of ten vehicles, they would all be withdrawn from service by the end of the 1970s. (GCB987)

Right: October 1958. With the tram tracks still in situ at the corner of South Tay Street and the Nethergate, Daimler CVD6 registration YJ9057, Dundee number 53 is operating a No 7 service. Bought in 1947 as part of a batch of twenty vehicles, all would be withdrawn by the end of the 1960s. (GCB934)

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Sunday 15 March 1959. Seen in the High Street working a No 22 service to Blackness is Daimler CVG6 registration HTS278, Dundee number 278. She was part of a batch of ten vehicles purchased during 1958 that would all be withdrawn by the end of the 1970s. (GCB988)

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From the rattle of horse trams in 1877 to the final clang of electric cars in 1956, Dundee’s rich tramway history charts the city’s growth and industrial might. This compelling account explores the transition from steam to electric trams, the competition from emerging bus services, and the vehicles that kept the city moving for decades.

ISBN 978-1-913893-71-2 Featuring the poetic presence of William McGonagall, landmark expansions to Broughty Ferry, and the post-war influx of London double deckers, this narrative captures a bygone era of transport innovation and municipal ambition. Perfect for enthusiasts and historians alike.

£13.50