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©1999-2007
S.J. Parascandolo

 
 

First Live Town Centre Test

Wednesday 16th June 1999 (0530 - 0900)

See photos below text: -

Large Crowds of Photographers, Camera Crews, Observers, Tramlink Managers, The HMRI and others gathered at the "Non-Existant" time of 0500 at the bottom of the Wandle Park Flyover. At 05:30, Tram 2535 decended the flyover into the centre under its own power for the first time.

After a long pause under Jubilee Bridge for Interviews with press, the Metropolitan Police Escort (4 bikes and 2 cars) got into position and with the tramlink Operations Manager driving, the tram set off slowly arround the loop. On board was almost the whole front car was full of people. Police, HMRI, Managers and Representatives of Bombardier were all there. The first run arround the loop stopped at almost every point of interest and caused some delay to following busses. Problems were encountered with tarmac and other materials on the rail heads causing some adhesion problems but generally the test went well.

On reaching Dingwall Rd, the tram reversed through the George St Crossover and down through the town. A Brake test was carried out on Crown Hill - The tram skidded somewhat! Plenty of staff were on hand to prevent cars from stopping in the path of the tram and the tram was preceded by the Tow-Away truck!

After turning right at Reeves Corner, the tram did a second loop - much faster this time before returning to sit under Jubilee bridge whilst staff got some breakfast (0830). At about 0900, the tram returned to the depot and news filtered through that the HMRI had refused further testing today and no more would take place tomorrow. I assume this is to enable the Rails to be cleaned thouroughly. One of the Staff on board was heard to say "Why didn't we think of cleaning off the tops of the rails?!".

The Event was attended by lots of Media and featured on Carltons London Today and BBC's Newsroom Southeast.

 
Photos
 

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre turns into George Street

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 346

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre at Church Street stop

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 306

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre to go round the loop at Reeves Corner

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 393

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre at Reeves Corner stop

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 390

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre at Dingwall Road

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 378

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre at George Street crossover

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 371

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre in George Street

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 362

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre at Dingwall Road

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 361

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre at Dingwall Road

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 360

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre at George Street stop

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 358

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre under Jubilee Bridge

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 397

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre at George Street crossover

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 348

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre under Jubilee Bridge before returning to the depot

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 413

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre at George Street stop

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 345

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre turns into George Street

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 344

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre at Crown Hill

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 324

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre at Crown Hill

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 318

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre at Church Street stop

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 317

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre at Crown Hill

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 316

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre at Church Street McDonalds

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 313

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre at Crown Hill

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 312

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre at Drummond Road

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 311

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre turns into George Street

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 349

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre in Tamworth Road

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 453

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre at Wellesley Road stop with a 130 bus

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 507

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre at Delta Point

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 503

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre at Delta Point

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 502

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre at Delta Point

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 495

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre passing the Whitgift Centre

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 494

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre in Tamworth Road

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 470

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre at West Croydon

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 465

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre at West Croydon

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 464

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre in Tamworth Road

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 461

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre under Jubilee Bridge

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 394

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre at West Croydon stop

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 454

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre at Delta Point

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 509

2535 - Heads turn at the first powered tram in the town centre at West Croydon

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 452

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre at West Croydon

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 450

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre in Waddon New Road

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 439

2535 - Crowds wait for the first powered tram to take to the streets

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 438

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre in Tamworth Road

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 434

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre at Reeves Corner stop

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 432

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre enters Tamworth Road

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 430

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre at Reeves Corner

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 426

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre to go round the loop at Reeves Corner

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 415

2535 - The first powered tram in the town centre in Tamworth Road

By: S.J.Parascandolo

Date: 16/06/1999

ID: 455

   
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