The Avenue Eddy Tram Returns

That’s Shanghai tells me that there is to be a new tram running the length of Yan’an Road (the old Avenue Edward VII, or the Avenue Eddy) – the former border between the International Settlement and Frenchtown. Great, but nothing new – a tram always ran along the Avenue Eddy.

J.G. Ballard recalled the Avenue Eddy tram in his novel Empire of the Sun as Jim rides through town on his bicycle as the Japanese encirclement of the foreign concessions tightens:

‘Pedaling fiercely, Jim followed a heavily laden tram that clanked along the Avenue Edward VII. Morose Chinese clung to its sides, and a cop-headed youth in a black mandarin suit spat at Jim, then leaped down and ran into the crowd, nervous that even this small act would set off a train of retribution.’

As well as along Avenue Edward VII Route 8 from the Garden Bridge along the Bund and crossing Nanking Road then crossed the Avenue Eddy whereupon any passengers continuing on their journey were required to buy a new ticket for travel in the French Concession. On the image below you can clearly see the tramlines on the Avenue Eddy…

and here’s the tram stop on the Bund, just before the tram turned up the Avenue Eddy…