Flying Docksmen
PROGRESS report on the new scenic tramline, or Docklands Light Railway: its progress is fitful. The trams, like the rest of us, seem to be sensitive to the weather, and the automatic indicator boards are reduced to suggesting that passengers should look at the front of the trams. The contractors, riled by teasing comment, ring up to ask how they can be expected to sell their systems abroad. The response they get is predictable. It is now time to raise morale, as on British Railways, by giving the trams names (on handsome cast bronze name- plates) as well as numbers. The Flying Docksman? A class of local heroes — Ben Tillett, Jack Dash, Reggie Kray, G. Ware Travelstead? One for the great perpetual chairman of his city's Tramways and Fine Arts Committee, Alderman Foodbotham? I like the notices on the trams which show a thoughtful response to the line's floating population of journalists — urging: 'Please give up this seat to someone less able to stand than you.'
Previous page
