Tramlink route 2
Encyclopedia
Tramlink route 2 is one of three tram routes operated as part of the Tramlink network in south London. The route is operated by London Tramlink
, part of Transport for London
(TfL) under the Tramlink
brand.
Route 2 is perhaps the most innovative of the three Tramlink routes, from the town centre, trams follow route 1 as far as Arena
, the section from Addiscombe
to Elmers End
is along the former alignment of the Mid Kent Line
, as explained on the route 1 page.
After Arena, route 2 branches off, taking a sharp left across the South Norwood Country Park
to reach Harrington Road
, a residential stop at the back of South Norwood
. Then after a hard right trams once again use a railway alignment to take the tracks to Beckenham Junction
, although in this case it is not a ‘former’ railway alignment, as it is still used by Southern
services to London Bridge
.
The established line is a branch off the line from Crystal Palace
to Croydon, serving an intermediate stop at Birkbeck
before terminating at Beckenham Junction. This route does not really fit in with the South London network map, and has seen many changes and cutbacks to the service provided, with a complicated and not very useful service structure.
The line was singled some years ago, and this provided Tramlink with an opportunity to use the other half of the alignment to put in a single track line into Beckenham Junction. There are passing places at Avenue Road
and just north of Beckenham Road
, these two being additional stops served by Tramlink. At Beckenham Junction there is a twin track tram terminus although this is not used to its full potential.
As on route 1, the single track sections can play havoc with reliability. Beckenham Road and Birkbeck
stops are actually on the single track sections, thus unusually having only one platform (Birkbeck being opposite the single platform on the heavy rail line). An anomaly is that trams on the 2 are timed to leave Beckenham Road stop at the same times in opposite directions — which is clearly not possible. In practice trams are rarely exactly on time anyway though, so this is not too much of a problem.
Route 2 is a likely springboard for often-mooted extensions of the Tramlink system to Crystal Palace. If Southern
were to close the Birkbeck/Beckenham Junction branch, Tramlink could take over the other track, and by installing a new curve where the line from Harrington Road meets the branch, trams could run along the railway alignment at least as far as Bromley Junction where it joins the main line to Crystal Palace.
to route 2 - Beckenham Junction and do the same when coming from Beckenham Junction.
London Tramlink
London Tramlink is an arm of Transport for London, which manages the second generation of tram services within London, UK. Current and planned tram systems are:*Tramlink operates a three-route system in the area of South London around Croydon...
, part of Transport for London
Transport for London
Transport for London is the local government body responsible for most aspects of the transport system in Greater London in England. Its role is to implement the transport strategy and to manage transport services across London...
(TfL) under the Tramlink
Tramlink
Tramlink is a tramway system in south London in the United Kingdom which began operation in May 2000...
brand.
History
The whole idea of trams is that they can run along streets with other traffic in areas where there is not enough space for designated track. However, on Croydon’s tram system, there is relatively little street running, this being confined to the town centre area.Route 2 is perhaps the most innovative of the three Tramlink routes, from the town centre, trams follow route 1 as far as Arena
Arena tram stop
Arena tram stop is a light rail stop in the Woodside area of South Norwood in the London Borough of Croydon in the southern suburbs of London. The stop is located by the Croydon Sports Arena and serves the council estates of Longheath Gardens Estate and Tollgate Estate.The tram stop is served by...
, the section from Addiscombe
Addiscombe tram stop
Addiscombe tram stop is a light rail stop in the London Borough of Croydon in the southern suburbs of London.The tram stop is served by Tramlink routes:* 1 * 2...
to Elmers End
Elmers End station
Elmers End station is a railway station and tram terminus in Elmers End, South London, England. It is in the London Borough of Bromley, and Travelcard Zone 4 south of London Charing Cross....
is along the former alignment of the Mid Kent Line
North Kent Line
The North Kent Line is a railway line which connects central and south east London with Dartford and Medway.-Construction:The North Kent Line was the means by which the South Eastern Railway were able to connect its system to London at London Bridge...
, as explained on the route 1 page.
After Arena, route 2 branches off, taking a sharp left across the South Norwood Country Park
South Norwood Country Park
South Norwood Country Park is a park in South Norwood, close to Elmers End station, mainly in the London Borough of Croydon. It is a 47 hectare green space which opened in 1989...
to reach Harrington Road
Harrington Road tram stop
Harrington Road tram stop is a light rail stop in South Norwood in the London Borough of Croydon in the southern suburbs of London. Harrington Road is in a residential area, and along with Woodside tram stop is the nearest tram stop to the town of South Norwood...
, a residential stop at the back of South Norwood
South Norwood
South Norwood is an urban town and in south London, England, in the London Borough of Croydon. It is a suburban development 7.8 miles south-east of Charing Cross. South Norwood is an electoral with a resident population in 2001 of just over 14,000...
. Then after a hard right trams once again use a railway alignment to take the tracks to Beckenham Junction
Beckenham Junction station
Beckenham Junction is a railway station and a tram terminus in Beckenham, south east London. It is in the London Borough of Bromley and Travelcard Zone 4, 8.6 miles from London Victoria....
, although in this case it is not a ‘former’ railway alignment, as it is still used by Southern
Southern (train operating company)
Southern is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. Officially named Southern Railway Ltd., it is a subsidiary of Govia, a joint venture between transport groups Go-Ahead Group and Keolis, and has operated the South Central rail franchise since October 2000 and the Gatwick Express service...
services to London Bridge
London Bridge station
London Bridge railway station is a central London railway terminus and London Underground complex in the London Borough of Southwark, occupying a large area on two levels immediately south-east of London Bridge and 1.6 miles east of Charing Cross. It is one of the oldest railway stations in the...
.
The established line is a branch off the line from Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace railway station
Crystal Palace railway station is in the London Borough of Bromley in south London. It is located in the Anerley area between the town centres of Crystal Palace and Penge...
to Croydon, serving an intermediate stop at Birkbeck
Birkbeck station
Birkbeck station is a railway station and light rail stop in the London Borough of Bromley in the southern suburbs of London. It is located on Elmers End Road and alongside Beckenham Crematorium.- Network rail :...
before terminating at Beckenham Junction. This route does not really fit in with the South London network map, and has seen many changes and cutbacks to the service provided, with a complicated and not very useful service structure.
The line was singled some years ago, and this provided Tramlink with an opportunity to use the other half of the alignment to put in a single track line into Beckenham Junction. There are passing places at Avenue Road
Avenue Road tram stop
Avenue Road tram stop is a light rail stop in the London Borough of Bromley in the southern suburbs of London. It is located on Avenue Road in a mainly residential area between Penge and Beckenham....
and just north of Beckenham Road
Beckenham Road tram stop
Beckenham Road tram stop is a light rail stop in the London Borough of Bromley in the southern suburbs of London. The stop is located on an embankment above Beckenham Road which connects Beckenham with Crystal Palace and Penge on the site of the short-lived West End of London & Crystal Palace...
, these two being additional stops served by Tramlink. At Beckenham Junction there is a twin track tram terminus although this is not used to its full potential.
As on route 1, the single track sections can play havoc with reliability. Beckenham Road and Birkbeck
Birkbeck station
Birkbeck station is a railway station and light rail stop in the London Borough of Bromley in the southern suburbs of London. It is located on Elmers End Road and alongside Beckenham Crematorium.- Network rail :...
stops are actually on the single track sections, thus unusually having only one platform (Birkbeck being opposite the single platform on the heavy rail line). An anomaly is that trams on the 2 are timed to leave Beckenham Road stop at the same times in opposite directions — which is clearly not possible. In practice trams are rarely exactly on time anyway though, so this is not too much of a problem.
Route 2 is a likely springboard for often-mooted extensions of the Tramlink system to Crystal Palace. If Southern
Southern (train operating company)
Southern is a train operating company in the United Kingdom. Officially named Southern Railway Ltd., it is a subsidiary of Govia, a joint venture between transport groups Go-Ahead Group and Keolis, and has operated the South Central rail franchise since October 2000 and the Gatwick Express service...
were to close the Birkbeck/Beckenham Junction branch, Tramlink could take over the other track, and by installing a new curve where the line from Harrington Road meets the branch, trams could run along the railway alignment at least as far as Bromley Junction where it joins the main line to Crystal Palace.
Change in Route Colours
Since Transport for London took over operation and ownership, a new network map was put inplace, changing routes 1 and 2 to lime and showing them as one route, but trams still show on route displays three routes, as trams from Elmers End change numbers in central CroydonCroydon
Croydon is a town in South London, England, located within the London Borough of Croydon to which it gives its name. It is situated south of Charing Cross...
to route 2 - Beckenham Junction and do the same when coming from Beckenham Junction.
Then to East Croydon and as route 1 to Elmers End |
