Bygone News - Downfield

Happy Days!

lynne.davidson — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:34:00 +0000

Way back in the 1950's, I was friendly with a girl who lived in the Downfield area of the city. When the last tram of the day was coming near the terminus at Downfield, the driver used to give quite a few rings on his bell to let everyone know, and you had to run like mad to get up to the terminus to catch it back to the city. Happy Days!

The Palladium Cinema

lynne.davidson — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 16:19:11 +0000

I was born in Perth but moved to Dundee when I was still very young. I lived in Dallfield Walk and went to 'The Rosie' (Rosebank Public School) in Tulloch Crescent.

My Dad was a wood turner. Once he made a 'piler' (cart) for my brother. It didn't last long though because he took it out and went flying down Dallfield Walk right under the legs of a horse! When dad found out about it he broke up the 'piler' right away! Read more......

Downfield Days

lynne.davidson — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 16:23:05 +0000

I read George MacDonald's story about his dad being a manager at Bonar Long. I worked in the office at Bonar Long and was office girl and then secretary for about 3 years to the works manager whose name was Roy MaCdonald, so I think it may have been his dad. I left in 1960 to go to another job but still have fond memories of my days at Bonar Long. As a teenager I remember going to Kidds dancing and to the Chalet at Broughty Ferry. I now live in rural Manitoba, Canada. I am 67 years old now but still have many happy memories of my time growing up in Dundee. Read more......

Tram Tricks

lynne.davidson — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:53:58 +0000

Missed the train to Blairgowrie by minutes?
Nae bother ... up the High Street for the Downfield tram and then wait until the train circled round by Liff, Lochee West etc, and get on it at Downfield at your leisure! Read more......

Tram Driver

lynne.davidson — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 14:34:07 +0000

I started off as a tram Conductor for two years, most of us always started here and then learned tram driving. An Inspector trained me. I began as a spare driver and was then given a steady line on the Blackie to Downfield line. I started in 1947, after leaving the army and worked until 1956 when the trams were taken out of service, any driver under the age of 50 could train as a bus driver.

My Favourite Route

lynne.davidson — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:48:14 +0000

My favourite route has to be Downfield. I travelled for many years to work and for pleasure on the Downfield tram. When we came back to Dundee, Downfield was almost a village before it extended as it is to-day. Monday morning many of us would get on the tram at School Road and for seating for us all, it would be the semi-circular seat at the back upstairs. There was much hilarity as the Saturday night at the Palais was recalled. The Conductors knew you and took an interest in the current boyfriends. You were greeted by most people who you met regularly. Read more......

Bank Avenue and Charlotte Street

lynne.davidson — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 16:42:25 +0000

The name Bank Avenue keeps alive Baldovan, owned by Scrimegours Viscounts of Dudhope and Baldovan. About 1680 it passed to one of the Nairne's of Sanford (now St Fort), Fife. David Wedderburn of that ilk was proprietor in 1710 and the estate was then called The Bank. Read more......

Nuts and Raisins Conductor

lynne.davidson — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 15:36:20 +0000

My favourite trams were the Lochee trams, as I lived in the West End of the city, and travelled on them daily. Where as on the East End of the city when I visited my relatives, I found the Downfield to Maryfield trams very uncomfortable, where the Lochee trams were very comfortable. I always remember our regular Conductor on the Lochee trams was always cracking jokes and was known as "nuts & raisins".

Post War Dundee

lynne.davidson — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 13:03:24 +0000

Saturday afternoons in the early 1950s for my sister Moyra and myself were very special. I was 6 years old in 1952 and my sister 12.

We boarded the Downfield tram at Fairmuir, rushed up the stairs to claim the 'J' shaped seat at the front window, and headed for the terminus at Downfield. Read more......

Tram Driver's Memories

lynne.davidson — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 15:17:32 +0000

I was employed with D.C.T Department as a tram driver and drove on the Downfield to Blackness, the Maryfield to Ninewells, Lochee to the Auld Steeple routes and the football trams to the Dens Park games. I enjoyed working on all these routes. Read more......