Streetcar Museum

Jon Dalton · #1 Posted **Aug 21, 2008, 5:10 PM**

Train and transit fans, check this out: www.hcry.org
These guys restore all kinds of vintage equipment from urban transit systems and interurban lines. They have an operational track though the woods on which you can ride real, old school streetcars. I'm going this sunday (in my big bad automobile of course) This looks awesome.

astroblaster · #2 Posted **Aug 21, 2008, 5:46 PM**

looks awesome, let us know how it is

matt602 · #3 Posted **Aug 21, 2008, 7:32 PM**

Yep, that place is awesome. You might want to note they have an extensive collection of Hamilton trolleys, buses and one or two streetcars.

SteelTown · #4 Posted **Aug 21, 2008, 7:38 PM**

I would absolutely love to have replica streetcars along Barton St.

Jon Dalton · #5 Posted **Aug 25, 2008, 1:33 AM**

It was indeed awesome. Mostly TTC stuff including 1890's open cars. They have a couple HSR cars in the barn in pretty rough shape. My favourite was an interurban car from the London & Port Stanley railway with stained glass in the windows. The level of decor and quality put into those vehicles is unbelievable.

Aside from seeing and riding the equipment, most of the volunteers there are old timers and are full of great stories about the operations back in the day. Once these guys are gone there won't be anyone who truly remembers this stuff and you have to wonder how long these preservation efforts will continue.

This was also the first successful road trip of the Durand neighbourhood amateur photo club - pictures are forthcoming. Unfortunately it's hard to get people moving on a sunday morning and we had just short of 2 hours there, so we're going back again this season.

Highly reccommended.

MsMe · #6 Posted **Aug 25, 2008, 2:01 AM**

I have always wanted to see those, but haven't had a chance yet. My chiropractor always takes his kids to this on halloween and they just love it there.

DHLawrence · #7 Posted **Aug 25, 2008, 3:33 AM**

I've been a couple times in my younger days, but not recently--haven't seen it since they expanded their storage site. It's short, but still a fun trip.

Jon Dalton · #8 Posted **Sep 2, 2008, 2:28 PM**

Photos by Peter Michael Wilson

Jon Dalton · #9 Posted **Sep 29, 2008, 5:02 PM**

Just added my pictures

matt602 · #10 Posted **Sep 30, 2008, 2:10 AM**

Look closely, theres a picture of the only remaining (that I have heard of) HSR streetcar in existence. Unfortunately it's in horrible condition. I wish more had been saved, but the HSR was very hasty to scrap them all, it seems.

MsMe · #11 Posted **Sep 30, 2008, 2:40 AM**

Does anyone know if they plan on restoring all the ones that are in this place?

matt602 · #12 Posted **Sep 30, 2008, 9:42 AM**

My understanding is that they get to the ones that they can, but a lot of them are just sitting there because the money isn't available. It's all volunteer and donation work I think, so a lot of stuff just can't be afforded.

MsMe · #13 Posted **Oct 11, 2008, 9:17 PM**

Haunted Halloween coming soon at the streetcar barn.

http://www.hcry.org/specialEvents.html

FairHamilton · #14 Posted **Sep 14, 2009, 5:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt602

Look closely, theres a picture of the only remaining (that I have heard of) HSR streetcar in existence. Unfortunately it's in horrible condition. I wish more had been saved, but the HSR was very hasty to scrap them all, it seems.

I'm resurrecting this thread because I found a friend likes old trains, and sent her the link with a suggestion we should plan a day there sometime.

When I read this I couldn't help but think that wouldn't it make more sense for Hamilton to fund the restoration of this streetcar over retaining rights and spending money on The Hamilton and The Scourge? Two American Warships with an at best tenuous connection to Hamilton.

Jon Dalton · #15 Posted **Sep 14, 2009, 6:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by FairHamilton

I'm resurrecting this thread because I found a friend likes old trains, and sent her the link with a suggestion we should plan a day there sometime.

When I read this I couldn't help but think that wouldn't it make more sense for Hamilton to fund the restoration of this streetcar over retaining rights and spending money on The Hamilton and The Scourge? Two American Warships with an at best tenuous connection to Hamilton.

I've been planning to go back this year. Last time I didn't get much time as we got there like 2 hours before closing, too much booze the night before if I recall.

I've always thought heritage streetcars along the Chedoke trail would be a good idea. In Edmonton where I was recently they have an old streetcar runing a few miles from downtown to the commercial area of Old Strathcona and a few more in Fort Edmonton Park. It was packed both times I rode it.

highwater · #16 Posted **Sep 14, 2009, 6:41 PM**

Jon, Jon, Jon. Life is all about choices. You can't be a party animal and a transit history buff. Something's gotta give.

astroblaster · #17 Posted **Sep 15, 2009, 3:54 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by highwater

Jon, Jon, Jon. Life is all about choices. You can't be a party animal and a transit history buff. Something's gotta give.

I disagree. Keep chasing your dreams, Jon. We can do both. We will do both.

Jon Dalton · #18 Posted **Oct 23, 2009, 11:38 PM**

I'm planning to go this weekend, saturday or sunday weather permitting. My usual transit / photo geek companions are away on a bike trip and I hate to drive (!) by myself but I have to see this before the end of the season. Anyone want to catch a ride with me? It should be spectacular with the colours right now.

FairHamilton · #19 Posted **Oct 24, 2009, 12:57 AM**

Jon,

I'd be interested but (there's usually a but), we just tore out our upstairs bathroom and wall in the staircase, so I've got a good number of weekends already planned for the next few weeks......

Put Deborah and I down for a spring trip.