The wonders of modern technology

Ancient local puns

I came across these ancient puns recorde by Len Denham here.

Although it was many years ago I can still remember a couple of their witticisms. The trolleybus conductor who as the "trolley" approached Child's Hill would call out "Child's 'ill, call the doctor!" and the conductor on the 28 bus route who, as the stop for West Hampstead Cemetery loomed, would shout "West Hampstead Cemetery! Any more for the Underground!" And the terrifying noise of the trams as they passed under the railway at Cricklewood. As a four year old I hated them and was so pleased to see them replaced with the splendid new trolleybuses.

Bus roll

Saw this bus roll on sale on etsy.com at some crazy price. I've highlighted the most important place name. Looks like the old 28 to me but I could be wrong. It's from the seventies. If you go for all that try here.

Tower Bridge Leap

On the Duck tour we had some nice stories including a reminder of how in 1952, a number 78 double-decker bus was unlucky enough to be on the bridge when it opened. Back then, the lights would change to red, the gateman would ring bells to encourage the pedestrians to move off the bridge quickly and close the gates, and the head watchman would order the bridge to lift when it was clear. On this day in December, there was a relief watchman, and something went wrong. Albert Gunter, the driver, saw that the road ahead appeared to be sinking. In fact, his bus was perched on the end of an opening bascule, which was giving the illusion of a sinking road ahead. He realised that he would not be able to stop in time to prevent going into the water, and making a split second decision, decided he would go for it. He accelerated and jumped the three feet gap, landing on the north bascule, which had not started to rise. None of his dozen passengers were seriously hurt, and he received £10 for his bravery. He also appeared later on the TV programme What's my line?

Bus Driver School

There was something over at Alan's about buses and it made me think of this. It's slightly long and an audio rather than a visual thing really but very funny - and very accurate (in my limited experience).