The Path to Unification
4. The Works Cars Reorganised.
After the settling-in period with the passenger fleet, a review of the requirements of the motley works fleet was undertaken. By now the supplies/stores needs, including suppliers to the department had been evaluated. Much of the engineering work had been switched to motor vehicle and surplus work cars scrapped. As the 'company' works cars would only be required for a limited time they would remain in the LUT and MET number schemes. Those 'municipal' cars required would be renumbered into the former LCC scheme that had now became the main LPTB scheme. Remember the ex-LCC cars were conduit fitted; now a pre-requirement for survival.
The changes came into effect in 1935. With the change in the method of supplying sand to the ex-MET depots, Sand Van 05 (ex-MET) was fitted with a plough carrier to be able to work to Devons Road wharf, behind Poplar depot. It was also the only works car to have windscreens. The East London permanent way district now had its allocated vehicles renumbered to 055-057.
North London and in those days North of London, was still very much rural and open to the vagaries of winter weather. To provide cover for the 'company' depots serving Hertfordshire and Middlesex, conduit-only snowploughs 037, 040, 043 and 048 were converted into snowbrooms and fitted with single trolley poles. These cars started their lives as LCC C class passenger cars and their conversion to brooms was identical to the LCC conversion of the B class 016-036.
In LTE days, the Charlton CRD staff turned out some of the snowbrooms, on overhaul, carrying 'CLASS B' or 'CLASS C' as appropriate. A very nice gesture to these 'little old ladies' from 1903.
The full list of LPTB/LTE works cars is given on pages 164 - 5 of "London Transport Tramways".
By Colin Withey - Ed. J. Wills.
© Copyright John R. Prentice Software 2015-2023. Wills photo copyright TLRS.
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