This Photo was taken just a couple of minutes after SdVar 001. Tram 36 has picked up its passengers and is heading away towards the town centre and then out to Fulwell. Tram 81 is coming towards us to reverse at the terminus at Ocean Road. The Corporation Road Sweeper has not long since crept up the street, leaving its wet trail along the gutter and round the 1937 Standard 12 saloon car parked on the right. Behind tram 81, a pre-war Ford Popular car is passing one of the Sunderland District double deck buses heading for Union Street on its journey in from Ryhope and Silksworth.
Photograph and caption from Malcolm Fraser
It is a dull day in Ryhope Road at Grangetown in August 1952 and tram 36 has just left the terminus at Ocean Road on its run to Fulwell. It is about to make its first stop and the people on the left are ready to meet it in the middle of the road. Northern General bus 1253, a 1949 Guy, is heading the other way for Ryhope and Dawdon. Marshall the Chemist has a large board above the shop showing that they dispense NHS prescriptions, introduced only four years ago. In the background, tram 81 is coming towards us to reverse at the terminus. There is a tram every three or four minutes - but not for much longer, because this tram route will close on Sunday 30th November. Caption from Malcolm Fraser
It is ‘knocking-off time’ at William Doxford & Sons shipyard as the gates are opened and the workmen flood out, hurrying for the buses. Those turning towards the left are going to Ford Estate or Humbledon, or maybe just going as far as Pallion. The lads coming towards us will be going over the Queen Alexandra bridge to Southwick, Marley Potts or further afield. Its probably the early fifties so they’ll all be earning about five or six pounds a week but Doxfords is a good steady job and its going to be there for ever …..
Caption from Malcolm Fraser
