Our series “Meet the Trams” continues as we take a closer look at those heritage trams which have run in passenger service during 2026. The National Tramway Museum remains the location and this week we feature London Transport 1622.
The E/1 was the largest class of a single tram type anywhere in the UK with over 1,000 constructed for use across London. 1622 is the sole remaining operational example with the tram having been restored to service at the National Tramway Museum, Crich in 1997.
1622 entered service in 1912 on the London County Council tramway system and unlike many of the trams we have featured in this series had the comfort of a top deck from the word go. It received modernisation in 1928 – the so-called “Pullmanisation” – and would remain in service into the London Passenger Transport Board years until being withdrawn in 1940.
Sold on for further use, both decks moved to Hayling Island in Hampshire with the lower deck later moving to Liss, also Hampshire. The lower deck had many purposes in its new life including accommodation for humans, chickens and dogs!
After being discovered again, the London County Council Tramways Trust took on the restoration which started off in London. With only the lower deck surviving, an upper deck from another tram was found and this was used to allow a new upper deck to be constructed.
1622 first entered service in preservation on the 45th anniversary of the closure of London’s last tram route – 5th July 1997. It has spent some time out of service since but is now firmly back in use following its last return in 2024.
In this photo we see 1622 on the depot fan awaiting its next duties at the National Tramway Museum. (Photograph by Kevin Bartolf, 23rd May 2026)