The Aldershot & District Bus Interest Group
has been active in collecting anecdotes from staff employed by the "TRACCO".
The audio tapes that have so far been produced are:-
1. The "Tracco" at War
..........Stories
(some amusing despite traumatic time) from numerous members of staff.
2. The "Tracco" and Animals
..........Staff
dealings with a goose, dogs, pigeons, cockroaches, goats, horses, swan,
fox, etc.
3. The Main Road - Service 14
..........Stories
concerning the Aldershot -Winchester Service.
OTHER STORIES GLEANED:-
Where did the music come from on service 1?
--- Driver blowing trumpet in the cab!
Alton Depot fitter gave easy key to whether
journey was a '13' of a '13A' - 'A' for Anger (Oakhanger - 13A).
At one time, mainly due to Polish Army Camp
at Limbo on service 51 (Critchmere - Haslemere - Northchapel - Petworth)
duplication was necessary.
Regular Elstead outstation staff were met
on Friday night by passenger handing over sack of vegetables and bunch
of flowers.
Conductress who boiled sausages in a saucepan.
Conductor who got up late - still wore pyjamas
beneath his uniform.
Bus shelter at Chawton (near Jane Austens'
House) locked up each night.
Conductor who ran to passengers house to turn
gas off beneath kettle.
September 1968 floods experiences.
General Manager displeased if a bus remained
in the garage on peak day (Saturday).
Conductress needed to scrounge lift on a coal
lorry to catch own bus after driver left her behind.
Last journey on service 23 to Cranleigh and
Ewhurst from Guildford on Saturdays and Sundays was duplicated with six
buses to cater for passengers.
Speedometer reading "off clock"
on occasion from Hindhead to Thursley (service 24).
Passenger asked for 'Charlies Place' - jumped
from bus in dark upon arrival there.
Fortnightly dancers circle (2/6 entry) at
Traction Hall (Full sprung dance hall with bandstand).
Conductor on service 44 from Aldershot to
Woking late at night announced 'Blackdown' so that drunken soldiers would
alight - they did - but bus was actually only at Hospital Hill, Aldershot.
Many pranks played upon fitters at Woodbridge
Road Depot, Guildford.
Barrel of beer together with sandwiches funded
by the General Manager, to staff after Aldershot Tattoo duties.
Conductor forced to travel in boot of London
coach.
Why didn't conductress always announce location
of stops - BALLS CROSS - service 60.
Social club outing to London theatre - coach
stolen!
Learning to drive (unofficial) - conductor
put bus in ditch at Dockenfield.
Military police on horseback halted buses
exceeding 30MPH in Queens Avenue, Aldershot.
How staff had the time of their lives!!
SO - PERHAPS - YOU WOULD CARE TO
ADD YOUR REMINISCENCES! (OR YOU MAY BE ABLE TO TELL US OF YOUR FRIENDS OR
CONTACTS WHO COULD HELP TO BUILD OUR COLLECTION EVEN GREATER)
CONTACT: PETER TREVASKIS
1 THE OAKS, PIRBRIGHT ROAD, NORMANDY, GUILDFORD,
SURREY. GU3 2HT
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