[2] Construction took nearly 18 months and the system was ready for opening on 10 June 1905.

The main route of the tramway ran from Grangetown via Herrington to Easington Lane, with branches to Fencehouses and Penshaw.

The Newcastle upon Tyne Electricity Supply Company built a power plant at Philadelphia, behind the Lambton, Hetton & Joicey Collieries power station.

On 3 January 1921 through running started between the Sunderland Corporation Tramways system at Grangetown.

The company disposed of some trams in 1924 to Bolton Corporation Tramways.