Subject: Portsmouth C. T. 22 (RV 6380)
Chassis: AEC 661T
Body: English Electric H26/24R
Location: North End, London Road
Date: 1936/37

22 is on the 4A which in normal Portsmouth style was unidirectional, running at this time from South Parade Pier to Cosham Railway Station. It operated from 3rd November 1935 until 25th September 1948 when it was renumbered 4.

It will carry on northbound along London Road, bearing right. The road to the left is Gladys Avenue and North End depot is on the left hand side just a short distance down there.

It's difficult to tell whether the tram rails have been touched up by the photographer or filled with tarmac. These tracks, latterly used just for access to North End depot, ceased to be used on 31st October 1936, with the city's last tram running but a short while later on 10th November 1936.

Notably the tramway overhead is still in position, as trolleybus conversion progressed when trams still used the same road they used the trolleybus positive wire which meant fitting swivel trolley heads instead of the fixed type previously fitted, as the wire was no longer aligned correctly for the fixed heads.

Photograph from the GEC archive