We continue to move towards the centre of Croydon as we take a journey on the London Trams system and this time we will be calling at East Croydon.
Last time we called at Lebanon Road and upon departure from that stop we continue with our journey along the suburban Addiscombe Road lined with housing on both sides. There is various different types of housing along this corridor including flats on one side and larger properties on the other. There are numerous side roads coming in which means the driver remains alert. On the approach to East Croydon there is a signalled junction as we pass Cherry Orchard Road and then we are segregated on the short section of approach to the stop.
When we arrive at East Croydon we find the first (and only) stop with three platforms. Heading westbound as we are there are two choices of platform which we will be directed to, ordinarily it will be the outer platform of an island, although sometimes if its busy it may the centre platform that we go into. For trams going the other way there is a platform just outside the entrance to East Croydon railway station.
The platforms here have all the usual things we have become used to seeing on the London Trams system. It also give excellent interchange with railway services at the adjacent station and the other side is a bus station.
2540 departs from the usual westbound platform with a service to Wimbledon on 22nd September 2025. This view shows the arrangement here with the three tracks soon becoming two again after the stop.
This photo shows 2533 at the eastbound platform. The CR4000 is running a service to Beckenham Junction. The entrance to the railway station is seen over the bench at the rear of the tram. This was 22nd September 2025 again.
And we then see a tram in the centre platform with 2541 calling on its way to Wimbledon on 4th May 2026. The tram had been routed here as it was close behind the previous tram which was already occupying the preferred platform. (All Photographs by Gareth Prior)