CRD Staff Cars 1931 - 1952

Up until January 1951 there had been a minimum requirement of three staff cars per day at CRD Charlton Works. The three cars spent the day at CRD doing any neccessary shunting of cars around the works. In particular, as wheel carriers 011 and 012 were only conduit fitted then a staff car would tow them from the change-pit at the gate and shunt them into the stores bay. Once loaded the wheel carriers would be towed and then propelled to the change-pit.

At the end of the day's shift the staff cars would be lined up out in the approach road for the staff to board. One car would proceed into the Woolwich Road (only a single trailing point) to the next crossover, reverse and go westwards to New Cross and on to Clapham depot. Another car would follow but continue eastwards to Abbey Wood depot. The third car would finish up at New Cross depot, but all we currently know is that it got there via Catford and Forest Hill. All cars spent the night at their respective depots where they were serviced before returning the staff back to CRD the following morning.

With the conversion of the Clapham tram services on 6th January, the "Clapham Omnibus" took over that duty. The run down of Charlton Works had by then commenced so that by the end of tram operation the works would only have limited amount of trolleybus overhauls. Thus Charlton virtually became an 'annex' to Hendon (Colindale) trolleybus works. From April, 52 there was only need for one staff car to do the Abbey Wood duty.

At times, staff cars laying-over at CRD were either in the way or went on other duties as became necessary. For instance, 1400 was photographed within Deptford Wharf. When on staff car duties, the destination boxes normally showed SPECIAL.

Staff Cars at Other Locations.

The usual practice at the depots (not operating night services) was to use a passenger car for early morning or late night runs, collecting or returning staff from/to their homes. However, from the LPTB/Cohen correspondence on cars available to scrap, there was mention of allocated staff cars elsewhere. 2412 was the only MET rebuilt Type A with a fully enclosed upper saloon. Because it was non-standard with high power motors (wanted for South London E/1s), it was scheduled for scrap in 35. However, a plea from the staff at Stonebridge Park that they wanted the car for staff runs was countenanced. By August, 35, its BTH 509c motors were replaced by BTH GE 67, whilst B 49 controllers superceded the B 18 ones. 2412 remained there until August, 36, where it was affectionately referred to as the "Silver Queen" because LPTB repainted all metal roofs in silver.

E 631 was shown as Wandsworth's staff car in the Purley scrapping list for 38.

If you have any further information please email us on the contact page.

© Copyright John R. Prentice Software 2015-2023. Wills photo copyright TLRS.

London Tramway Notes
Search for Photographs