TOASTRACK TRAVEL ~ TOM DETHRIDGE

During the eight decades in which it operated public passenger transport, Portsmouth Corporation deployed six vehicles of
the toastrack type, electric tram No.104 and five motorbuses No.11-15. Toastracks were opensided with crosswise seating
and from their construction were suitable for operation only in reasonably good weather. They were not used on the normal
everyday routes.

Car No 104 was acquired second-hand in May 1919 from Southampton Corporation, in whose fleet it had been No.2. Mounted
on the standard 4-wheel Brill truck it had started life as an open-top double-decker but was one of two converted in 1914
with new body by Dick Kerr of Preston (later to become part of the English Electric group). In its new guise it had 42 seats
and the externally sprung trolleypole was mounted on a centrally located metal column about ten feet high. The column also
carried a pair of destination blind boxes facing outwards each side. It had twin running boards with deep grab handles on the
ends of each set of seats. PCT repainted the car in its lined-out crimson lake livery with the number in the usual gold block
shaded transfer numerals above the headlamp in the centre of the apron at each end.

The car was first used in Portsmouth during the Peace Celebrations in June-July 1919 and in 1920 was run on a tour of the
town for a shilling fare but this did not prove a success. During the 1920s it was turned out for special occasions, festooned
with lights and decorations, usually displaying an appropriate slogan and often with a model suspended from the top end of
the trolleypole. When it came to evolving schemes of decoration, North End never stinted in enthusiasm! For example in
1929 when the Schneider Trophy Air Races were conducted over Spithead, No.104 carried a large shield with the city arms
each end, a large circular plaque depicting the competing RAF aeroplane, the slogan PROGRESS IN THE AIR and a model
airship slung from the pole - among other ornamentation. On another occasion in 1932 to mark a cap-tie, the perennial PLAY
UP POMPEY was displayed and a model flying-boat carried on the pole.

An overall roof or canopy was fitted in 1932 with a destination blind box each end, the roof supported by five ornate
stanchions each side. In this form it looked more modern but in a further modification, North End fitted a wooden boat-
shaped body in 1933 bearing the name POMPEY. Its final appearance came in the summer of 1935 to participate in the
celebrations for the Silver Jubilee of King George V and Queen Mary, with crowns, the royal names and dates, the name
BRITANNIA and slogan LONG MAY THEY REIGN among other embellishments. Sadly the next year was to bring the death of the
King - and of our trams, including No 104.

The illuminated car when travelling in the dusk along the rails of Portsmouth and Southsea with 1,000 lights blazing was a
quite unforgettable apparition. It was later succeeded in its role by AEC/English Electric trolleybus No 204.

Incidentally, the Schneider Trophy was won for Britain in 1929 by the RAF in a Super-marine S6 seaplane averaging 328 mph
and again outright in 1931 in an S6B at 340 mph, phenomenal speeds in those days. These aircraft are regarded as the
forerunners of the Spitfire. Both events were witnessed by dense crowds packed on Southsea Beach - myself included - and
neighbouring vantage points. Oh, and Pompey lost to Arsenal 2-0!

In June 1924 the Corporation put its second batch of motor buses into service, Nos 11-15, TP 115/7/9/8/6, on Guy chassis.
The Tramways Committee had visited Bournemouth where similar vehicles were being run along the sea-front and they
decided to follow suit. The bodies built by Wadhams at Waterlooville had four banks of four seats and an early picture of
No.11 (possibly posed) shows the driver and 15 passengers, one lady sitting outboard of the driver, which subsequently
became disallowed. The sides were completely open and using the running boards, passengers could alight or board on
either side, but in the 1930s a leather strap was secured along the offside to close off this access.
















The buses were usually known as "runabouts" and from first to last they were invariably employed in the o.m.o. mode. The
roof was curved with three supports each side. A notable feature was the very small wheels with solid rubber tyres. There
were two headlamps at waist level on the front scuttle, through which also penetrated a bulb horn and a single rear lamp
which also served to illuminate the number plate, and of course a starting handle.
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