Lowewood Museum
Trolleybus at Waltham Cross

Tramways and Buses

Created 21 June, 2008

The 79 tram at Waltham Cross in 1905.In 1904, the metropolitian tramway network reached Waltham Cross. One year earlier a Hertfordshire County Council Tramways Act was passed, with proposals to provide a service as far as Wormley. It was never put into effect - not, as some people supposed, because the Four Swans sign was in the way, but no doubt because it was considered uneconomic.

The last tram ran in 1938, and the service continued with trolleybuses until 1961. These vehicles were faster and more manoeuvrable, not being confined to rails, but they had one snag.Trolleybus at Waltham Cross in 1959 They could not negotiate sharp bends easily without de-wiring. When turning the corner at the Eleanor Cross they frequently de-wired. Routemaster diesel buses replaced the trolleybuses, and are the modern concept of road passenger transport for short distance services. Heated upstairs and down they are a far cry from the old solid tyred, open topped buses of the 1920s. Their flexibility enabled the metropolitain routes to be extended past Waltham Cross to Hammond Street and Flamstead End, and to South Mimms via Goffs Oak. It is interesting that the old route numbers remained - for example the 79 tram became the 679 trolleybus and then the 279 diesel bus.

Last updated: 19 July, 2008