Subject: London Transport 63 (AXU 189)
Chassis: AEC 661T
Body: English Electric H32/28R
Location: Preston, Dick, Kerr Works
Date: 1934

63 was probably London's most 'provincial' trolleybus, being ordered at the same time as six-wheeler 62 for quick evaluation to determine the best vehicle to meet London's future needs. Six-wheelers became the choice which led to 63 having a quieter life.

Its early years were eventful as they saw several changes. It was used for experiments with destination displays, the rear mudguard was modified to cover much of the rear wheel in a style that was fashionable at the time. It rapidly lost the upper cream band it carries in this photo although the mouldings, unusually, remained in place.

One final modification just before the war saw it lose the two inward-facing seats at the front, facing the driver. A full width bulkhead was fitted and the seating capacity consequently reduced by two.

Arriving as it did in the very early days of London Transport the 'Trolleybus' roundel had not been developed and it carries plain lettering split into two words.

It operated from Fulwell until 1949 when it moved to Hounslow from where it was withdrawn in 1952, at least being replaced by new trolleybuses in the form of the last batch of Q1s. It served a long time in London given that it was the only four-wheel trolleybus in a fleet of around 1800.

Photograph from the GEC archive