On 9 August 1875, Charles Challenger boarded a tram outside the King David Inn on Perry Road and set off for the Redland terminus at St John's Church on Apsley Road. This was the first horse-drawn-tram journey in Bristol, a landmark event that attracted enormous crowds and Charles was the conductor. Horse-drawn trams were faster than horse-drawn buses, reduced traffic and provided affordable transport to the suburbs. The tram could carry up to 16 passengers inside and 16 outside and their suspension system of vulcanised India rubber provided a smoother ride on Bristol's hills. Each was pulled by two horses (by more on steep routes) and speeds of up to eight miles per hour could be achieved on the flat.

A Bristol Mercury reporter wrote about the new form of transport, 'The interior of the car is lofty, well ventilated and very commodious...The cushions of the seats are stuffed with hair, and covered with Utrecht velvet.' Unfortunately these early trams were not so popular with everyone. Residents of Clifton and Redland were concerned about the prospect of hoards of the 'lower classes' coming into the area, while traders worried about losing business to city centre shops. Others simply felt it was a cruel way to treat horses.

Charles Challenger worked his way up through the ranks, became General Manager of the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Co. Ltd, and invented a hinged seat-cover to keep top-deck seats dry in rainy weather.