1858 was one of 101 powerful bogie cars, of class HR2 design, designed for use on routes with steep hills such as Highgate, Dog Kennel Hill and East Dulwich. They had steel framed bodies, were equipped with EMB heavy duty equal wheel trucks and metrovick controllers, they weighed a heavy 17 tons 7 cwt. This car originally had open drivers platforms when built but were later enclosed in June 1938. Ownership of the London County Council Tramways passed to London Transport upon its formation in July 1933 and 1858 ran with them latterly from the new cross depot until the last day of tram operation in the capital in July 1952. Purchased for preservation by Peter Davis, 1858 spent several years in outside storage at Chessington Zoo before coming to the museum in 1964.