Edmonton Radial Railway Society


The Edmonton Radial Railway Society operates historic streetcars in Fort Edmonton Park and across the High Level Bridge.

History

The Edmonton Radial Railway, later known as Edmonton Transit, operated electric streetcars Edmonton from 1908 to 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.
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. During the 100th anniversary of public transportation in Edmonton ceremonies in 2008, Edmonton Streetcar #1 was the centre piece of Churchill Square.

Heritage routes

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 & Museum, just north of the Strathcona Farmers Market along Gateway Boulevard to Jasper Plaza in downtown, with three intermediate stops. It operates between the Victoria Day weekend in May, and Thanksgiving weekend in October. It is operated by the Edmonton Radial Railway Society.
Starting from the Strathcona Streetcar Barn & Museum it travels on the former CP Rail line in a north west direction. It first 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 Grandin stop, with walking access to the Grandin LRT 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.
In the near future, the Edmonton Radial Railway Society hopes to extend the line south towards Whyte Avenue for a new terminus. To do this, the rail crossing on Gateway Boulevard will have to be reconstructed; it was removed to separate the streetcar line from the active CP lines. During summer festivals, such as the Fringe, service is extended to accommodate the increase in crowds.

Fort Edmonton Park

ERRS operates a double-tracked 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.
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.

Collection

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.
ImageDateBuilderTypeOperator№WithdrawnServiceNotes
1907OCCcombination sweeper / overhead line carSaskatoon Municipal Railway2001951Being restored. Donated to Western Development Museum in 1951; later purchased and donated to ERRS in 1986.
1908OCCstreetcarEdmonton Radial Railway11951Fort Edmonton Park lineOnly survivor of its class. Restored in time for the City's 75th anniversary but operates sparingly.
1912StLstreetcarEdmonton Radial Railway331951High Level Bridge lineRefurbished from derelict status on a farm south of Willingdon over a period of 17 years; returned to operation in 2010.
1912StLstreetcarEdmonton Radial Railway421951Fort Edmonton Park linePurchased by ERRS in 1981 and returned to service in 1984.
1914PrestonstreetcarToronto Suburban Railway241960sFort Edmonton Park lineSubsequently 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.
1921U/StramNankai Electric Railway 2471990High Level Bridge lineAcquired by ERRS for parts in 1990, but was restored instead based on its fine condition; returned to service in 1995.
CC&FstreetcarRegina Municipal Railway421950Being restored; all-steel car.
1930OCCstreetcarEdmonton Radial Railway801951Fort Edmonton Park lineAll-steel car; sole survivor of five from its class. After retirement, repurposed as a diner and farm building before being acquired and restored by ERRS. In limited service, primarily used for private charters.
1947PTCW6 Class tramMelbourne & Metropolitan Tramways Board9301997High Level Bridge lineShipped to Edmonton as an ambassador for the City of Melbourne and the State of Victoria in 2004; overhauled and entered service in 2006.
1951CC&FPCC streetcarToronto Transit Commission46121995Fort Edmonton Park lineDonated by TTC to ERRS in 1995 and entered service in 1997 after re-gauging.
1970DüwagtramÜSTRA 6011975Prototypes TW 600 and 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.
1895unknownstreetcarSaskatoon Municipal Railway351951Awaiting 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.
1913NCMCStreetcarBrandon municipal railway61932Awaiting restoration.
1913OCCstreetcarCalgary Municipal Railway601952Awaiting restoration; rebuilt in 1918 after a fire.
1911OCCstreetcarEdmonton Radial Railway 131948Awaiting restoration.
1911PrestonstreetcarERR311948Only known survivor of the "Small Preston" class, but in poor condition and being preserved as a potential pattern for a future replica car.
1913PrestonstreetcarERR531951Awaiting restoration; "Big Preston" sister car 52 was the last Edmonton streetcar in revenue service.
1913PrestonstreetcarERR651951Awaiting restoration; "Big Preston" sister car 52 was the last Edmonton streetcar in revenue service.
1913PrestonstreetcarERR731951Awaiting restoration; "Big Preston" sister car 52 was the last Edmonton streetcar in revenue service.
1912PrestonstreetcarRegina municipal railway81947Awaiting restoration; after retirement, served as an information booth and garden shed before being acquired by ERRS in 2013.
1929OCCstreetcarSaskatoon Municipal Railway621951Awaiting restoration; steel frame with steel and aluminum bodies. The two cars will be used to reconstruct a single working car.
1928OCCstreetcarSaskatoon Municipal Railway541951Awaiting restoration; steel frame with steel and aluminum bodies. The two cars will be used to reconstruct a single working car.
1918CCCstreetcarSaskatoon Municipal Railway2021951Awaiting 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.
1912GEElectric locomotiveEdmonton Transit System20011998Originally 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.
1948StLPCC streetcarToronto Transit Commission43491982Awaiting re-gauging; acquired by Midwestern Rail Association after retirement, then sent to ERRS in 1995.
1947StLPCC streetcarToronto Transit Commission43671989Awaiting re-gauging; donated by TTC to ERRS in 1989.