The Edmonton Radial Railway, later known as Edmonton Transit Service, operated electric streetcars in Edmonton from 1908 until 1951. After the abandonment of streetcar service, only Streetcar #1 was retained. In 1964 it was partially restored and later was part of the 1967 Centennial Parade. During Thanksgiving weekend 1979, Streetcar #1 gave trips across the High Level bridge to celebrate Edmonton's 75th anniversary. Following this successful operation, the Edmonton Radial Railway Society was founded in 1980.
During the development of Fort Edmonton Park an agreement was reached to build streetcar tracks there. In 1981 the streetcar began running in the park. By 1984 the members of the ERRS had established regular service in the park.[1]
Edmonton Radial Railway Streetcar #1, which started service in 1908, was the first to be restored by Edmonton Radial Railway Society volunteers. Later, Edmonton streetcars #42 and #33 were also restored.[1] During the 100th anniversary of public transportation in Edmonton ceremonies in 2008, Edmonton Streetcar #1 was the centre piece of Churchill Square.
Heritage routesEdit
High Level Bridge StreetcarEdit
Nankai Electric Railway (Osaka, Japan) tram 247 on High Level Bridge line
The High Level Bridge Streetcar is a historic streetcar ride over the High Level Bridge in Edmonton, Alberta. It travels from the Strathcona Streetcar Barn & Museum, just north of the Strathcona Farmers Market along Gateway Boulevard to Jasper Plaza (south of Jasper Avenue, between 109 Street and 110 Street) in downtown, with three intermediate stops. It operates between the Victoria Day weekend in May, and Thanksgiving weekend in October.[2] It is operated by the Edmonton Radial Railway Society.
Starting from its southern terminus at Whyte Ave, which opened in 2022, the streetcar travels on the former CP Rail line in a north west direction. After crossing Gateway Boulevard, it stops at the Old Strathcona Streetcar Barn & Museum. Next, it passes the Calgary & Edmonton Railway Station Museum at present-day 105 Street; this is a replica of the station that was the northern anchor of the Calgary and Edmonton Railway from 1891 to 1908. After a level crossing stop at 107 Street, the streetcar goes under the Saskatchewan Drive, 109 Street, and Walterdale Hill intersection. While turning north, the middle stop is in the neighbourhood of Garneau at 90 Avenue, before getting on the High Level Bridge.
After travelling high over the surface of the North Saskatchewan River, it continues over River Valley Road, and 97 Avenue, entering the Ribbon of Steel multi-use corridor. The Ribbon of Steel is a corridor designated by Alberta Infrastructure and the City of Edmonton for the preservation of streetcar rail in Edmonton, and to provide a running/cycling path between 109 Street and 110 Street, from 97 Avenue to Jasper Avenue. The first stop on the Ribbon of Steel is the Government Centre stop, with walking access to the Government Centre station, and the Legislature grounds. The northern terminus of the High Level Bridge Streetcar ride is at Jasper Plaza, just south of Jasper Avenue. The streetcar system that existed in Edmonton until 1951 ran through the downtown core, including down Jasper Avenue. The former rail line continued north, where 110 Street is now, to the Old CN Rail yard (north of 104 Avenue).
During summer festivals, such as the Fringe, service is extended to accommodate the increase in crowds.
ERRS operates a double-tracked 1 km (0.62 mi) long streetcar line within the living history museum at Fort Edmonton Park, with stops on 1905 and 1920 streets. There are turning loops at each terminus, near the park entrance and at Egge's barn.[3]
Within the park, a replica of the south side streetcar barn has been constructed to house restored streetcars and the ERRS maintenance and restoration workshop.[3]
CollectionEdit
The ERRS service operates its services using a collection of heritage streetcars. Some have been fully restored while most are in various stages of restoration.[4]
Subsequently renumbered CNR 15702 in 1923; donated to Canadian Railway Museum in the 1960s and leased to ERRS in 1987, who have restored it to operational status.[9]
All-steel car; sole survivor of five from its class. After retirement, repurposed as a diner (Dawson Creek, BC) and farm building (Buick Creek, BC) before being acquired and restored by ERRS. In limited service, primarily used for private charters.[12]
Prototypes TW 600 and TW 601 [de] were used to test the Hannover Stadtbahn in 1970 prior to the regular production of Düwag TW 6000 LRVs. TW 600 was scrapped in 1978; TW 601 was purchased by Vancouver in 1975 but never used, and was sold to ERRS in 1988. After restoration, it ran on the High Level Bridge Line from 2005 until it was returned to Hannover in 2016.[16][17]
1895
unknown
streetcar
Saskatoon Municipal Railway
35
1951
Awaiting restoration. Originally built for Charlotte Street Railway Company; purchased by Saskatoon in 1920 and acquired by ERRS in 1999 from a farm in Cut Knife, SK.[18]
Only known survivor of the "Small Preston" class, but in poor condition and being preserved as a potential pattern for a future replica car.[22]
1913
Preston
streetcar
ERR
53
1951
Awaiting restoration; "Big Preston" sister car 52 was the last Edmonton streetcar in revenue service.[23]
65
73
1912
Preston
streetcar
Regina municipal railway
8
1947
Awaiting restoration; after retirement, served as an information booth and garden shed before being acquired by ERRS in 2013.[24]
1929
OCC
streetcar
Saskatoon Municipal Railway
62
1951
Awaiting restoration; steel frame with steel (No. 54) and aluminum (No. 62) bodies. The two cars will be used to reconstruct a single working car.[25]
1928
54
1918
CCC
streetcar
Saskatoon Municipal Railway
202
1951
Awaiting restoration. One of several Peter Witt streetcars originally built for Rochester that instead served in Cleveland until five were sold in 1923 to the London Street Railway. No. 202 retired in 1935 and was subsequently sold to Saskatoon in 1941.[26]
Originally built for OER as No. 21; sold to BCER and renumbered No. 961 in 1946, then sold to ETS in 1980 and renumbered No. 2001, serving until 1998. After service with ERRS, No. 2001 was donated to the Fraser Valley Historical Railway Society in 2016. Funds were raised by the OERHS and the locomotive was moved to Oregon Electric Railway Museum on March 1, 2017.[27]
^"Saskatoon 202". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
^"Bring it home to Oregon - The Oregon Electric #21". Oregon Electric Railway Historical Society. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
^"Toronto 4349". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
^"Toronto 4367". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
External linksEdit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Edmonton Radial Railway Society.
Edmonton Radial Railway Society
October 22, 2023
edmonton, radial, railway, society, confused, with, edmonton, radial, railway, errs, restores, operates, historic, streetcars, fort, edmonton, park, across, high, level, bridge, named, after, edmonton, radial, railway, which, began, service, 1908, later, becam. Not to be confused with Edmonton Radial Railway The Edmonton Radial Railway Society ERRS restores and operates historic streetcars in Fort Edmonton Park and across the High Level Bridge It is named after the Edmonton Radial Railway which began service in 1908 and later became Edmonton Transit Service Edmonton Radial Railway SocietyFrom left to right Osaka 247 Melbourne 930 and Edmonton 33 lined up outside of the ERRS Old Strathcona streetcar barn and museumEstablished1980LocationStrathcona Streetcar Barn amp Museum 53 31 12 N 113 29 45 W 53 52000 N 113 49583 W 53 52000 113 49583 and Fort Edmonton Park Streetcar Barn53 30 7 N 113 34 30 W 53 50194 N 113 57500 W 53 50194 113 57500 Edmonton Alberta CanadaTypeStreetcar preservation societyPresidentChris AshdownWebsitehttps edmontonstreetcars ca Contents 1 History 2 Heritage routes 2 1 High Level Bridge Streetcar 2 2 Fort Edmonton Park 3 Collection 4 References 5 External linksHistory EditThe Edmonton Radial Railway later known as Edmonton Transit Service operated electric streetcars in Edmonton from 1908 until 1951 After the abandonment of streetcar service only Streetcar 1 was retained In 1964 it was partially restored and later was part of the 1967 Centennial Parade During Thanksgiving weekend 1979 Streetcar 1 gave trips across the High Level bridge to celebrate Edmonton s 75th anniversary Following this successful operation the Edmonton Radial Railway Society was founded in 1980 During the development of Fort Edmonton Park an agreement was reached to build streetcar tracks there In 1981 the streetcar began running in the park By 1984 the members of the ERRS had established regular service in the park 1 Edmonton Radial Railway Streetcar 1 which started service in 1908 was the first to be restored by Edmonton Radial Railway Society volunteers Later Edmonton streetcars 42 and 33 were also restored 1 During the 100th anniversary of public transportation in Edmonton ceremonies in 2008 Edmonton Streetcar 1 was the centre piece of Churchill Square Heritage routes EditHigh Level Bridge Streetcar Edit nbsp Nankai Electric Railway Osaka Japan tram 247 on High Level Bridge linevteHigh Level Bridge StreetcarLegend nbsp former CN nbsp former CN yard nbsp nbsp km nbsp nbsp former Edmonton CPR Station nbsp nbsp 0 0 Jasper Plaza Terminal nbsp 0 5 Government Centre nbsp 0 6 97 Avenue nbsp 1 1 North Saskatchewan River nbsp nbsp 1 6 Garneau nbsp 1 9 109 Street amp Saskatchewan Drive nbsp 2 2 107 Street nbsp nbsp 2 6 1891 Railway Station nbsp nbsp Streetcar Barn amp Museum nbsp 3 0 Strathcona nbsp nbsp 3 8 Whyte Ave Terminal nbsp former Strathcona CPR Station nbsp CPR yard nbsp Calgary and Edmonton RailwayMain article High Level Bridge Streetcar The High Level Bridge Streetcar is a historic streetcar ride over the High Level Bridge in Edmonton Alberta It travels from the Strathcona Streetcar Barn amp Museum just north of the Strathcona Farmers Market along Gateway Boulevard to Jasper Plaza south of Jasper Avenue between 109 Street and 110 Street in downtown with three intermediate stops It operates between the Victoria Day weekend in May and Thanksgiving weekend in October 2 It is operated by the Edmonton Radial Railway Society Starting from its southern terminus at Whyte Ave which opened in 2022 the streetcar travels on the former CP Rail line in a north west direction After crossing Gateway Boulevard it stops at the Old Strathcona Streetcar Barn amp Museum Next it passes the Calgary amp Edmonton Railway Station Museum at present day 105 Street this is a replica of the station that was the northern anchor of the Calgary and Edmonton Railway from 1891 to 1908 After a level crossing stop at 107 Street the streetcar goes under the Saskatchewan Drive 109 Street and Walterdale Hill intersection While turning north the middle stop is in the neighbourhood of Garneau at 90 Avenue before getting on the High Level Bridge After travelling high over the surface of the North Saskatchewan River it continues over River Valley Road and 97 Avenue entering the Ribbon of Steel multi use corridor The Ribbon of Steel is a corridor designated by Alberta Infrastructure and the City of Edmonton for the preservation of streetcar rail in Edmonton and to provide a running cycling path between 109 Street and 110 Street from 97 Avenue to Jasper Avenue The first stop on the Ribbon of Steel is the Government Centre stop with walking access to the Government Centre station and the Legislature grounds The northern terminus of the High Level Bridge Streetcar ride is at Jasper Plaza just south of Jasper Avenue The streetcar system that existed in Edmonton until 1951 ran through the downtown core including down Jasper Avenue The former rail line continued north where 110 Street is now to the Old CN Rail yard north of 104 Avenue During summer festivals such as the Fringe service is extended to accommodate the increase in crowds Fort Edmonton Park Edit vteFort EdmontonPark streetcarLegend nbsp nbsp Terminus near pond nbsp nbsp 1905 Street stop 1 nbsp 1905 Street stop 2 nbsp 1920 Street stop 1 nbsp 1920 Street stop 2 nbsp Steam train route nbsp nbsp Terminus near entrance exit nbsp Streetcar barn nbsp Edmonton Radial Railway Streetcar 42 in Fort Edmonton ParkERRS operates a double tracked 1 km 0 62 mi long streetcar line within the living history museum at Fort Edmonton Park with stops on 1905 and 1920 streets There are turning loops at each terminus near the park entrance and at Egge s barn 3 Within the park a replica of the south side streetcar barn has been constructed to house restored streetcars and the ERRS maintenance and restoration workshop 3 Collection EditThe ERRS service operates its services using a collection of heritage streetcars Some have been fully restored while most are in various stages of restoration 4 Image Date Builder Type Operator Withdrawn Service Notes1907 OCC combination sweeper overhead line car Saskatoon Municipal Railway 200 1951 Being restored Donated to Western Development Museum in 1951 later purchased and donated to ERRS in 1986 5 nbsp 1908 OCC streetcar Edmonton Radial Railway 1 1951 Fort Edmonton Park line Only survivor of its class Restored in time for the City s 75th anniversary 1979 but operates sparingly 6 nbsp 1912 StL streetcar Edmonton Radial Railway 33 1951 High Level Bridge line Refurbished from derelict status on a farm south of Willingdon over a period of 17 years returned to operation in 2010 7 nbsp 1912 StL streetcar Edmonton Radial Railway 42 1951 Fort Edmonton Park line Purchased by ERRS in 1981 and returned to service in 1984 8 1914 Preston streetcar Toronto Suburban Railway 24 1960s Fort Edmonton Park line Subsequently renumbered CNR 15702 in 1923 donated to Canadian Railway Museum in the 1960s and leased to ERRS in 1987 who have restored it to operational status 9 nbsp 1921 U S tram Nankai Electric Railway Osaka Japan 247 1990 High Level Bridge line Acquired by ERRS for parts in 1990 but was restored instead based on its fine condition returned to service in 1995 10 ca 1920s CC amp F streetcar Regina Municipal Railway 42 1950 Being restored all steel car 11 nbsp 1930 OCC streetcar Edmonton Radial Railway 80 1951 Fort Edmonton Park line All steel car sole survivor of five from its class After retirement repurposed as a diner Dawson Creek BC and farm building Buick Creek BC before being acquired and restored by ERRS In limited service primarily used for private charters 12 nbsp 1947 PTC W6 Class tram Melbourne amp Metropolitan Tramways Board 930 13 1997 High Level Bridge line Shipped to Edmonton as an ambassador for the City of Melbourne and the State of Victoria in 2004 overhauled and entered service in 2006 14 nbsp 1951 CC amp F PCC streetcar Toronto Transit Commission 4612 1995 Fort Edmonton Park line Donated by TTC to ERRS in 1995 and entered service in 1997 after re gauging 15 nbsp 1970 Duewag tram USTRA Hannover Germany 601 1975 returned to Hannover Prototypes TW 600 and TW 601 de were used to test the Hannover Stadtbahn in 1970 prior to the regular production of Duwag TW 6000 LRVs TW 600 was scrapped in 1978 TW 601 was purchased by Vancouver in 1975 but never used and was sold to ERRS in 1988 After restoration it ran on the High Level Bridge Line from 2005 until it was returned to Hannover in 2016 16 17 1895 unknown streetcar Saskatoon Municipal Railway 35 1951 Awaiting restoration Originally built for Charlotte Street Railway Company purchased by Saskatoon in 1920 and acquired by ERRS in 1999 from a farm in Cut Knife SK 18 1913 NCMC Streetcar Brandon municipal railway 6 1932 Awaiting restoration 19 1913 OCC streetcar Calgary Municipal Railway 60 1952 Awaiting restoration rebuilt in 1918 after a fire 20 1911 OCC streetcar Edmonton Radial Railway ERR 13 1948 Awaiting restoration 21 1911 Preston streetcar ERR 31 1948 Only known survivor of the Small Preston class but in poor condition and being preserved as a potential pattern for a future replica car 22 1913 Preston streetcar ERR 53 1951 Awaiting restoration Big Preston sister car 52 was the last Edmonton streetcar in revenue service 23 65731912 Preston streetcar Regina municipal railway 8 1947 Awaiting restoration after retirement served as an information booth and garden shed before being acquired by ERRS in 2013 24 1929 OCC streetcar Saskatoon Municipal Railway 62 1951 Awaiting restoration steel frame with steel No 54 and aluminum No 62 bodies The two cars will be used to reconstruct a single working car 25 1928 541918 CCC streetcar Saskatoon Municipal Railway 202 1951 Awaiting restoration One of several Peter Witt streetcars originally built for Rochester that instead served in Cleveland until five were sold in 1923 to the London Street Railway No 202 retired in 1935 and was subsequently sold to Saskatoon in 1941 26 1912 GE Electric locomotive Edmonton Transit System 2001 1998 no longer on site Originally built for OER as No 21 sold to BCER and renumbered No 961 in 1946 then sold to ETS in 1980 and renumbered No 2001 serving until 1998 After service with ERRS No 2001 was donated to the Fraser Valley Historical Railway Society in 2016 Funds were raised by the OERHS and the locomotive was moved to Oregon Electric Railway Museum on March 1 2017 27 1948 StL PCC streetcar Toronto Transit Commission 4349 1982 Awaiting re gauging acquired by Midwestern Rail Association after retirement then sent to ERRS in 1995 28 1947 StL PCC streetcar Toronto Transit Commission 4367 1989 Awaiting re gauging donated by TTC to ERRS in 1989 29 BuildersCC amp F Canadian Car amp FoundryDuwag DuewagOCC Ottawa Car CompanyPreston Preston Car CompanyPTC Public Transport CorporationStL St Louis Car CompanyU S Umebachi SharyoNCMC Nile car and Manufacturing companyCCC Cincinnati car companyGE General ElectricReferences Edit a b History Edmonton Radial Railway Society Retrieved 3 March 2010 High Level Bridge Streetcar Service The City of Edmonton Archived from the original on 26 November 2011 Retrieved 25 July 2011 a b Fort Edmonton Park Edmonton Radial Railway Society Retrieved 30 September 2019 Streetcar Collection Edmonton Radial Railway Society Retrieved 3 March 2010 Saskatoon 200 Edmonton Radial Railway Society Retrieved 31 May 2019 Edmonton 1 Edmonton Radial Railway Society Retrieved 31 May 2019 Edmonton 33 Edmonton Radial Railway Society Retrieved 31 May 2019 Edmonton 42 Edmonton Radial Railway Society Retrieved 31 May 2019 Toronto Suburban 24 Edmonton Radial Railway Society Retrieved 31 May 2019 Osaka 247 Edmonton Radial Railway Society Retrieved 31 May 2019 Regina 42 Edmonton Radial Railway Society Retrieved 31 May 2019 Edmonton 80 Edmonton Radial Railway Society Retrieved 31 May 2019 Melbourne tram goes to Canada Trolley Wire issue 296 February 2004 pages 10 16 Melbourne 930 Edmonton Radial Railway Society Retrieved 31 May 2019 Toronto 4612 Edmonton Radial Railway Society Retrieved 31 May 2019 TW 601 Forderverein Strassenbahn Hannover e V Retrieved 31 May 2019 Hannover 601 Edmonton Radial Railway Society Retrieved 31 May 2019 Saskatoon 35 Edmonton Radial Railway Society Retrieved 31 May 2019 Brandon 6 Edmonton Radial Railway Society Retrieved 31 May 2019 Calgary 60 Edmonton Radial Railway Society Retrieved 31 May 2019 Edmonton 13 Edmonton Radial Railway Society Retrieved 31 May 2019 Edmonton 31 Edmonton Radial Railway Society Retrieved 31 May 2019 Edmonton 53 65 amp 73 Edmonton Radial Railway Society Retrieved 31 May 2019 Regina 8 Edmonton Radial Railway Society Retrieved 31 May 2019 Saskatoon 54 amp 62 Edmonton Radial Railway Society Retrieved 31 May 2019 Saskatoon 202 Edmonton Radial Railway Society Retrieved 31 May 2019 Bring it home to Oregon The Oregon Electric 21 Oregon Electric Railway Historical Society Retrieved 31 May 2019 Toronto 4349 Edmonton Radial Railway Society Retrieved 31 May 2019 Toronto 4367 Edmonton Radial Railway Society Retrieved 31 May 2019 External links Edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Edmonton Radial Railway Society Edmonton Radial Railway Society Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Edmonton Radial Railway Society amp oldid 1154860868, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
