Looking East to Citadel
AssociatedAssociated with
Belmont Series Postcard
AssociatedAssociated with
Citadel
PublisherPublished by
G and W Fraser Ltd.
PhotographerPhotographed by
G and W Fraser Ltd.
DateC.1950
Object NameNegative
MediumGlass, paper
ClassificationsPhotography
Dimensions9.3 x 15cm
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDMS065300
About MeAberdeen's Castlegate, circa 1950. This view looking east to the Salvation Army Citadel captures a city transport system at a point of transition. In the immediate foreground is a streamlined English Electric/Pickering Corporation tram dating from the 1940s. This tram ran the Bridges route: Bridge of Dee to Bridge of Don. Immediately behind are two older trams of 1927 and 1931, much less "modern" looking. Right of this is a double decker bus. The first Corporation bus came into service in 1920. From the earliest days the bus challenged the dominance of the tram. Buses did not require that roads be dug up for tramlines. As more and more private motor cars (only a few visible in this photograph) and motor lorries came on the roads so there were increased complaints about trams impeding progress. The Corporation began to cut back on the maintenance of the tram system and gradually closed routes, replacing them with buses. In May 1958 trams were taking out of service finishing with a spectacular bonfire of them at the city's Queen's Links.
