Trams are usually used to carry passengers, but across Europe there are a handful of tramway networks that also carry freight.
Pure freight
The best known in the English speaking world is the ‘CarGoTram‘ of Dresden, Germany.
The CarGoTram commenced operation in 2001, transporting car parts 4km to Volkswagen’s “Transparent Factory” located in central Dresden, from a road served logistics centre. Each bidirectional trams is made up of five units, with services operating along the same tracks used by passenger services.
Lesser known is the ‘Cargo-Tram‘ of Zurich, Switzerland:
This service commenced operation in 2003, travelling around the city collecting rubbish and recyclables from pick up points along the way. A retired passenger trams operates the service, towing two flat wagons loaded with rubbish containers.