Editing Trams in London (section)

=== Horse trams ===
[[File:London Tramways Horse tram.jpg|thumb|A London Tramways horse tram, c 1890]]
The [[History of Trams|first generation]] of [[tram]]s in [[London]] started in March 1861 when a [[horse tramway]] began operating between [[Marble Arch]] and [[Notting Hill Gate]]. This was followed a month later by a route along [[Victoria Street, London|Victoria Street]] in [[City of Westminster|Westminster]].<ref>Barrett, B., The Inner Suburbs. The Evolution of an Industrial Area (Melbourne, 1971), p. 150</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Klapper |first1=Charles |title=The Golden Age of Tramways |date=1975 |publisher=David & Charles |isbn=0 7153 6458 8 |pages=20–22}}</ref>  
These first lines were operated by an American entrpreneur, [[George Francis Train]]. Initially, there was strong opposition as, although it was popular with its passengers, the first designs had rails that stood proud of the road surface and created an obstruction for other traffic. This came to a head in 1861 when Train was arrested for "breaking and injuring" the [[Uxbridge Road]] and his plans were put on hold.<ref>Police News, ''The Times'', 27 March 1861</ref>

Eventually Parliament passed legislation permitting tram services, on the condition that the rails were recessed into the carriageway and that the tramways were shared with other road users. Costs of maintenance of the tramway and its immediate neighbouring road carriageway would be borne by the tram companies, thus benefiting the ratepayers, who had been bearing the full cost of highway repairs since the abolition of [[Turnpike trust|turnpikes]]. Fares were set at 1d (1 penny) per mile, with half-price early and late workmen's services.<ref>Street Tramways, ''The Times'', 26 May 1869</ref> After a demonstration line was built at [[the Crystal Palace]], the first lines authorised by the [[Tramways Act 1870|Act of Parliament in 1870]] ran from:
* [[Blackheath, London|Blackheath]] to [[Vauxhall]] via [[Peckham]] and [[Camberwell]]
* [[Brixton]] joining the Camberwell line at [[Kennington]]
* [[Whitechapel]] to [[Bow, London|Bow]]
* [[Kensington]] to [[Oxford Street]]

The new tram companies all adopted the same standard gauge, with the intention of being able to link up services at later dates. Horse tram lines soon opened all over London, typically using two horses to pull a 60-person car. They proved popular as they were cheaper, smoother, roomier and safer than the competing [[Bus|Omnibus]] or [[Hackney carriage]]s. Replacement by electric vehicles commenced in 1901; the last horse-drawn trams were withdrawn in 1915.