The very first tram delivered for Croydon Tramlink is the latest to feature in our archive series “Picture in Time” with a view of 2530 during the testing process during August 1999.
2530 was delivered to Therapia Lane Depot on Sunday 13th September 1998 and was the first of 24 Flexity trams manufactured in Vienna by Bombardier for the return of trams to the streets of the capital. They are very close cousins of the K4000 type tram operated in Cologne. When first delivered – and as show in this photo – 2530 carried the then standard fleet livery of Red and White but can today be seen running in the new house colours of Lime Green, Blue and White.
This photo shows 2530 during the test period at East Croydon. The stop looks very bare without shelters, ticket machines and other platform furniture with construction still ongoing ahead of opening which would still be a good nine months away.
Photograph by Ian Buck