Today our archive photo series is head to Greater London for a view from the (as was then) Croydon Tramlink network. The tram we are looking at in this edition is the first built of the Bombardier CR4000s – 2530.
2530 was the first tram to be delivered to Tramlink arriving at the new Therapia Lane Depot on Sunday 13th September 1998 but it was to be almost two years before the first services would actually run. As with all deliveries 2530 was initially to be found in the standard London colours of Red and White and it is this livery which we see the tram in as it nears Lloyd Park bound for Sandilands as shown on its destination blind with the yellow background signifying this would be a shortworking from the normal service. The date is 17th November 1999 – 6 months before services would start on the New Addington line. The trackside vegetation is almost non-existent, something which couldn’t be said today with this view impossible to be seen today.
Photograph by Tony Sullivan