Horse trams 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.

The first generation of trams in London was introduced by a colorful and controversial American entrepreneur named George Francis Train in March 1861. After successfully establishing a tram line in Birkenhead, Train brought the concept to the capital, opening an "experimental" horse-drawn tramway that ran along Bayswater Road from Marble Arch to Notting Hill Gate. His tramcars utilized iron tracks laid on top of the existing road surface, which unfortunately proved to be a major design flaw; the protruding rails were a significant hazard for other horse-drawn carriages and often caused accidents, leading to intense public and legal opposition. Because of these safety issues and Train's somewhat abrasive personality, the local authorities ordered the tracks to be removed only a few months later. It wasn't until the Tramways Act of 1870 that a second, more successful generation of trams—using recessed tracks that were flush with the road—was established by companies like the North Metropolitan Tramways. While Train's initial venture was a financial and logistical failure, he is historically recognized as the pioneer who brought the very first "street railway" technology to the world's largest city.