Edmonton_Radial_Railway_Society

Edmonton Radial Railway Society

Edmonton Radial Railway Society

Heritage streetcar operator in Edmonton, Alberta


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.

Quick Facts Established, Location ...

History

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 routes

High Level Bridge Streetcar

Nankai Electric Railway (Osaka, Japan) tram 247 on High Level Bridge line
High Level Bridge Streetcar
former
CN
former
CN yard
km
former
Edmonton CPR Station
0.0
Jasper Plaza Terminal
0.5
Government Centre
0.6
97 Avenue
1.1
1.6
Garneau
1.9
2.2
107 Street
2.6
1891 Railway Station
Streetcar Barn & Museum
3.0
Strathcona
3.8
Whyte Ave Terminal
former
Strathcona CPR Station
CPR yard

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.

Fort Edmonton Park

Fort Edmonton
Park streetcar
Terminus
near Indigenous Peoples Experience
1905 Street
stop #1
1905 Street
stop #2
1920 Street
stop #1
1920 Street
stop #2
Steam train route
Terminus
near entrance/exit
Streetcar barn
Edmonton Radial Railway Streetcar #42 in Fort Edmonton Park

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]

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.[4]

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References

  1. "History". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Retrieved 3 March 2010.
  2. "High Level Bridge Streetcar Service". The City of Edmonton. Archived from the original on 26 November 2011. Retrieved 25 July 2011.
  3. "Fort Edmonton Park". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Retrieved 30 September 2019.
  4. "Streetcar Collection". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Retrieved 3 March 2010.
  5. "Saskatoon 200". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  6. "Edmonton 1". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  7. "Edmonton 33". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  8. "Edmonton 42". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  9. "Toronto Suburban 24". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  10. "Osaka 247". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  11. "Regina 42". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  12. "Edmonton 80". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  13. "Melbourne tram goes to Canada" Trolley Wire issue 296 February 2004 pages 10-16
  14. "Melbourne 930". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  15. "Toronto 4612". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  16. "TW 601". Förderverein Strassenbahn Hannover e.V. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  17. "Hannover 601". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Archived from the original on 4 October 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  18. "Saskatoon 35". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  19. "Brandon 6". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  20. "Calgary 60". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  21. "Edmonton 13". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  22. "Edmonton 31". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  23. "Edmonton 53, 65 & 73". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  24. "Regina 8". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  25. "Saskatoon 54 & 62". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  26. "Saskatoon 202". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  27. "Bring it home to Oregon - The Oregon Electric #21". Oregon Electric Railway Historical Society. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  28. "Toronto 4349". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  29. "Toronto 4367". Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Retrieved 31 May 2019.

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