Tramcars BridgetonX Sept1962

Photograph of the Last Tram Procession through Bridgeton Cross on
4th Sept.1962, heading out to the toon. I'm happy to say I was standing there at
Bridgeton Cross watching it all that day with my Granny, Ma and wee sister.
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see Tramcar Souvenir Tickets )

4th. Sept.1962

Dalmarnock Road is top of the picture with Bridgeton Main Street the top right opening.
And of course the famous Bridgeton Umbrella with its clock, erected in 1875.

Bridgeton Cross early in its history used to be a Toll point and to this day us locals still refer to it as "the Toll"

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Oct. 2021, 'Brigton Pals' Facebook member Kevin Robertson, Age 59:-
"The photo below of the last tram procession has appeared in many books and Facebook pages but I thought I'd let you know the story behind it.......

My parents, William & Jane Robertson, lived on the third floor of 611 London Road in the flat directly above Dr Kevin Barratt. They were watching the procession when there was a knock at the door. A press photographer asked if he could get a view from a window for some shots and my parents said yes.
So they let him in then he left saying he'd send them a photo. A week later this actual photograph came through the post and has been in the family now for 59 years.
The room the photo is taken from is the room directly above Dr Barratt's waiting room.
Technically I was there too because my mum was pregnant at the time the photo was taken and I was born in that same room three months later."

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Bridgeton Cross

An estimated 250,000 spectators lined the streets for the commemorative parade of trams on the evening of 4 September 1962. The heavy rain was regarded by many as the heavens weeping for the passing of the trams.
The procession of twenty trams, led by horse-drawn tram No 543 dating from 1894. The parade left Dalmarnock Depot in Ruby Street at 6.30pm and proceeded through Bridgeton Cross then headed into the city by way of Argyle Street, Hope Street, St Vincent Street and Renfield Street to Coplawhill, where a huge crowd watched the trams enter the Car Works for the last time.
Several of the trams which took part in the commemorative parade can still be seen in the Museum of Transport at the Kelvin Hall. Glasgow was the last major city in Britain to withdraw trams from service, although they have made a limited comeback elsewhere and their possible reintroduction in Glasgow remains a topic of debate.

Dec.2007, GlescaPals Webmaister

" .... ah lived in Fairbairn Street jist aroon the corner frae the Tram Caur Depot in Ruby Street, so the trams were very much part of my childhood. I remember as a 8½yr old in September 1962 standing at Brigton Cross opposite the Savings Bank, with my Mammy, Granny and wee sister Linda, watching the last trams wynd there way roon the toll. Folk were putting pennies oan the tram line for the trams to run over them - and create their own souvenirs. (there is a picture of one below). Its a long time ago but nice tae be able tae say 'I was there'

The picture shows folk with their brolly's up, aye the skies wept that day........ "

Dec.2007, GlescaPal Eddie, Irvine, Scotland
"....... I was 11yrs old in 1962 and was at the Ruby street depot watching the trams procession commin oot and turnin up taewards Brigton cross, it was just like a big party, wi hunners o' folk tryin tae catch a hudgy oan the very last tram, or awe the wains runnin tae keep up wi the caurs.
When yi put yur penny oan the caur line yi hud tae watch it like nuthin else, or sumbuddy wid steal it...Noo its jist a vague memory"

Dec.2007, GlescaPal Dazzle, England
"....... Shame they did away with them, just think of the great attraction that would be for Glasgow now if they had kept the trams. I was 14 in 1962 but I can remember getting the No. 18 tramcar home from school in Springburn, so it must have been one of the last routes still running."

Dec.2007, GlescaPal JeanC, Teeside, England
"I was 28 then, didnt see the last tram procession. my daddy was a tram driver for over 40 years working from possil depot. I dont think he could bear to watch that procession. he was offered job driving buses but couldn't hack it, he was 62 years old. he had to take job in cowcaddens subway, hated every minute of it. I can still see him off down the road to work, uniform immaculate, hat on straight, big chamois leather mitts under his arm. yes, the trams are sorely missed."

Dec.2007, GlescaPal Dorothy, Buckinghamshire
"I have a halfpenny that the last tramcar ran over it was the number 18 in springburn
my dad took me to see it ."

....and here it is !

Dec.2007, GlesgaPal HelenM, Glasgow
I too remember watching the procession and I remember that I felt really sad that day. I saw people putting coins on the tramrails but I didn't have any money to join in.......

Oct.2021 GlescaPal Willie Gibson,
I was at Dalmatnock Road and Dunn Street on that Sad Day ---- Ah Loved the Caurs .

Oct.2021 GlescaPal John Kennedy
I remember that day we where all out to say farewell I just stayed on Dalmarnock road No. 160 and round the corner was the Tram depot in Ruby street good memories

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