May 2025 marks 25 years since the modern London trams network began serving communities across south London. đđ
But did you know trams predate the construction of the London Underground? đź
As we mark a milestone of modern service, here are 25 fascinating facts about London trams. đ
A Journey Through Time đ°ïž
1. Workers laid Londonâs first tram tracks in 1861. Thatâs nearly 160 years ago.
2. Horses pulled the earliest trams before the network was electrified in 1901.
3. In 1952, the original tram era ended, and the last service was Route 40 between Woolwich and New Cross.
4. That marked a 48-year break in tram services before they returned in 2000.
5. Todayâs network is fully electric.
The Modern Network đ
6. Modern London trams launched in May 2000, reconnecting south London with fast and reliable transport.
7. Engineers designed and built the network before Transport for London (TfL) existed.
8. TfL bought the system in 2008, integrating it into the wider transport network.
9. TfL renamed the network from Croydon Tramlink to London Trams to reflect its broader reach across south London.
10. East Croydon is the busiest stop with three platforms. Avenue Road is the quietest, with one shared platform serving both directions.
11. The network covers 28 kilometres, linking 39 stops across Merton, Sutton, Croydon and Bromley.
12. The longest direct journey runs from Wimbledon to Beckenham Junction, taking 52 minutes and covering 19.1 kilometres.
13. The furthest stop from Central London is New Addington, 19.5 kilometres from Aldgate.
London Trams By the Numbers đ
14. Around 17 million journeys take place on the trams each year.
15. Some carriages can carry up to 208 passengers.
16. The network covers 39 stops.
17. The network is 100% step-free, making it one of the most accessible transport options in London.
18. In 2005, TfL added Centrale in Croydon to serve the new shopping centre. One side is a tram stop and the other is a bus stop.
History Beneath the Tracks đ€ïž
19. Part of todayâs route follows the historic Surrey Iron Railway, one of the worldâs earliest railways, built in 1803.
20. South Norwood Country Park, near Arena and Harrington Road stops, was once a sewage treatment site. Itâs now a peaceful nature reserve with wildflowers, wetlands, and a fishing lake.
21. Coombe Lane is the highest tram stop, sitting at 148 metres above sea level.
22. The ramp at Woodside was originally built in the 1870s to help horses reach a nearby racecourse. They were brought in by train and walked up the ramp.
Design & Details đš
23. The current fleet includes 23 Bombardier CR4000 and 12 Stadler Variobahn trams.
24. The oldest tram arrived in September 1998 and was pulled through Croydon town centre on newly laid tracks.
25. The newest tram, number 2565, arrived in October 2016 on a specially designed lorry.
Celebrating 25 Years đ„ł
In 2025, weâre proud to celebrate 25 years of service, connecting communities across south London with reliability, accessibility and charm.Â
Take a Trip Down Memory Lane đ„ł
Discover our key milestones from the past 25 years.
Stay in the Loop đ
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