‘Frenzied quest for a souvenir’

All the way through two world wars the trams took people to work, to the shops and to the football.

But by the 1950s they were starting to get old and their network of lines had been outgrown by the developing city.

Despite being profitable to run, the tram system was seen as outdated and the last tram ran from Maryfield to Lochee in October 1956.

Thousands of people turned out to bid the rattling, swaying old coaches farewell.

They witnessed Car No 23’s final journey to the Lochee depot.

It was supposed to set off from the city centre before midnight, but it was delayed by more than an hour on the way to Lochee by the crowds who turned out to see it.

Armed with little more than the occasional penknife, the onlookers ripped, tore, tugged and hewed the interior of the tram in their frenzied quest for a souvenir.

There were even stories of people getting on to the cars and removing the windscreen wipers while the tram was still trying to get up the hill.

Driver David Bates reportedly said: “Ah well, that’s that.

“Ready to start in the bus driving school in the morning.”

The Lochee tram route was one of the most interesting, partly because it was so hilly and partly because of the characters who either travelled the route or drove the trams.

The route, from Reform Street, via Ward Road and Lochee Road to Lochee High Street, was two miles long.

Drivers were allowed 18 minutes to get there and 14 minutes back.

Late at night, though – when there were no inspectors around – some of the drivers let rip and speeds of 45 miles an hour opposite Dudhope Park were achieved.

So successful was one of the drivers that he was nicknamed the Flying Scotsman.