Last Day Run 8 May 1962

A pictorial record of Diddler #1's last run in South West London

"Diddlers" were the first trolleybuses in London and the only ones with a half cab. They were originally built for London United and were used on the South West London services plying Kingston, Teddington, Surbiton and Wimbledon. Introduced in 1931, the 'A' class began service between Twickenham and Teddington and lasted until 1952 when they were replaced by 'Q' class trolleybuses.

Diddler No.1 was preserved on retirement but ran again on 8 May 1962, the last day of trolleybus operation and is now to be found in the London Transport Museum Depot at Acton Town.

The term "Diddler" was never in general use, and only applied to the 'A' class by the LUT staff.

Visitor Feedback     Diddler Blind Detail for 1937

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Picture 337 Fullwell Depot	Picture 338 Fullwell Depot Memories	Picture 339 Fullwell Depot	Picture 340 Fullwell Depot
Picture 341 Hampton Road near its junction with Fifth Cross Road Personal Observation	Picture 342 Heath Road, Twickenham	Picture 344 The Nelson Pub 601 & 667 split here	Picture 345 By Teddington Station, just before 605 Terminus
Picture 347 Near Hampton Wick, about ½ mile from the station	Picture 348 Teddington High Street	Picture 349 In Kingston Centre	Picture 350 King's Road, Kingston More Information
Picture 351 Richmond Road, Kingston	Picture 352 Journeys end for No.1 in Kingston LT Poster advertising the start of services	Picture 353 Under wires, under tow	Picture 354 Bushey Road, Merton on the way back to Clapham Museum. More Information
Picture 355 Finally entering Clapham Museum [now closed]. Now located within the LT Museum at Acton but found under power at Carlton Colville in 2000.	Pictures GR1 and GR1a I was able to take the 'Last Day Run' pictures because of the flexibility of having a scooter, and the ability to park when ever, and where ever, my fancy took me without the problems of parking restrictions that are present today. However, most pictures were taken simply sitting astride the machine while the veteran vehicle passed by. On pages 24/25 in the book 'London Buses in Colour: 1960s' [by Kevin McCormack (pub Ian Allan)], I am caught by Geoff Rixon's camera about to continue my hot pursuit after taking Picture 344 - shown on this page. Due acknowledgements made to the copyright owner of this picture. [Right hand corner enlarged].
Picture LDR The LTPS video "Farewell to London's Trolleybus - Part Two [The Final Months]" captures my 'scooter chase' several times, and here I am seen desperately trying to get significantly far ahead of #1 to take the final pictures of her under power on the London system. Sadly I failed.

Acknowledgements to "Ken Tuddenham" <kentudd@trolleybus.net>
[Driver of 1521 following No.1] for most of the caption information