Trams

Tram route numbers were not introduced until about 1913. For identification purposes on the maps, routes existing before that time are given the numbers they were later aIlocated. This sometimes causes anomalies when routes were altered before being numbered. Reference in the pages listing tram route numbers should make this clear. All tram routes are MET (operated by Metropolitan Electric Tramways) unless otherwise indicated. An exception is the Highgate Hill cable tramway which was independent.

Also in the period from 1913 onwards a number of MET tramway routes were linked in through services with LCC tramway routes and they then took the LCC route numbers. Some MET numbers, therefore were used oniy briefly if at all. lt may be helpful to note that MET numbers are even numbers and LCC numbers (of the north London series in which we are interested) are odd numbers.

The lists are in number order. Where route numbers change reference is made to the new number. One- and two-digit numbers are tram routes. Trolleybus routes are numbered in the 500 to 800 series.

The picture shows a route 33 tram turning right from Mildmay Park into Balls Pond Road (not the other direction as the number 33 route never went that way in the other direction).. This type of tram ceased operation in 1952. The pub on the corner was called the Mildmay Tavern, long since demolished and replaced with nondescript shops and flats above. Hand-drawn digital illustration uses broad, painterly strokes and softened edges to break the scene into blocks of colour. Drawn by Dave Collier in Adobe Fresco on iPad and simplified to colour blocks with Adobe Illustrator.

You can blow this pic up to full size by viewing it on Flickr and can download a copy from there, as it is issued in the public domain.

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse