Edmonton Radial Railway
Encyclopedia
The Edmonton Radial Railway (ERR) was a streetcar
service that operated in Edmonton
, Alberta
from 1908
to 1951
.
In 1893 an ordinance was passed permitting Edmonton to construct and operate a tramway
. However, it wasn't until 1907 that the tracks for the first tramway line were laid, with service commencing in 1908.
In 1908, the Government of Alberta passed the Edmonton Radial Tramway Act, permitting the city to provide tramway service to communities located within 80 miles of the city. With this power, the city purchased the Strathcona Radial Tramway Company Ltd., and began providing streetcar service to the City of Strathcona
as well.
The radial railway reached its greatest extent in 1930. Two years later, in 1932, bus service replaced streetcar service on the 102 Avenue line. In the following years, trolley bus
service replaced streetcar service on most Edmonton Radial Railway routes, and streetcar service ended in 1951. Now Edmonton Transit System
, the trolleybus system was discontinued in 2009 because of increasing costs.
Today, the Edmonton Radial Railway Society
operates historic streetcars
on Edmonton's High Level Bridge
and in Fort Edmonton Park
.
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
service that operated in Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
from 1908
1908 in Canada
-Incumbents:*Prime Minister: Sir Wilfrid Laurier*Governor General: Earl Grey*Premier of Alberta: Alexander Rutherford*Premier of British Columbia: Richard McBride*Premier of Manitoba: R.P. Roblin*Premier of New Brunswick: Clifford Robinson then John Hazen...
to 1951
1951 in Canada
-Incumbents:*Monarch – King George VI*Governor General – Earl Alexander of Tunis*Prime Minister – Louis Saint Laurent*Premier of Alberta – Ernest Manning*Premier of British Columbia – Byron Johnson*Premier of Manitoba – Douglas Campbell...
.
In 1893 an ordinance was passed permitting Edmonton to construct and operate a tramway
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
. However, it wasn't until 1907 that the tracks for the first tramway line were laid, with service commencing in 1908.
In 1908, the Government of Alberta passed the Edmonton Radial Tramway Act, permitting the city to provide tramway service to communities located within 80 miles of the city. With this power, the city purchased the Strathcona Radial Tramway Company Ltd., and began providing streetcar service to the City of Strathcona
Strathcona, Alberta
Strathcona was a city in Alberta, Canada, located on the south of the North Saskatchewan River opposite of the City of Edmonton. It amalgamated with Edmonton on February 1, 1912....
as well.
The radial railway reached its greatest extent in 1930. Two years later, in 1932, bus service replaced streetcar service on the 102 Avenue line. In the following years, trolley bus
Trolleybus
A trolleybus is an electric bus that draws its electricity from overhead wires using spring-loaded trolley poles. Two wires and poles are required to complete the electrical circuit...
service replaced streetcar service on most Edmonton Radial Railway routes, and streetcar service ended in 1951. Now Edmonton Transit System
Edmonton Transit System
The Edmonton Transit System, also called ETS, is the public transit service owned and operated by the city of Edmonton, Alberta. It operates Edmonton's bus and light rail systems.-Service:...
, the trolleybus system was discontinued in 2009 because of increasing costs.
Today, the Edmonton Radial Railway Society
Edmonton Radial Railway Society
The Edmonton Radial Railway Society operates historic streetcars in Fort Edmonton Park and across the High Level Bridge.-History:Streetcars ran the streets of Edmonton from November 9, 1908 to September 2, 1951, by the Edmonton Radial Railway. In 1964 an old streetcar was restored and showed at...
operates historic streetcars
Heritage streetcar
Heritage streetcars or heritage trams are a development of the heritage railways that are becoming popular across the world. As with modern streetcar systems, the vehicles are referred to as trams or tramcars in the United Kingdom, Australasia and certain other places , but as streetcars or...
on Edmonton's High Level Bridge
High Level Bridge (Edmonton)
The High Level Bridge, opened in 1913, spans the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Located next to the Alberta Legislature Building, the bridge linked the separate communities of Edmonton and Strathcona, which became one city in 1912. It was designed from the outset to...
and in Fort Edmonton Park
Fort Edmonton Park
Fort Edmonton Park is an attraction in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Named for the first enduring European post in the area of modern-day Edmonton, the park is the largest living history museum in Canada by area...
.
See also
- Edmonton Light Rail TransitEdmonton Light Rail TransitEdmonton Light Rail Transit, more commonly referred to as the LRT, is a light rail system in Edmonton, Alberta. Part of the Edmonton Transit System , the 20.5-kilometre route starts in Edmonton's northeast suburbs and ends at Century Park in Edmonton's south end.The ETS designates the LRT as Route...
- Edmonton Radial Railway SocietyEdmonton Radial Railway SocietyThe Edmonton Radial Railway Society operates historic streetcars in Fort Edmonton Park and across the High Level Bridge.-History:Streetcars ran the streets of Edmonton from November 9, 1908 to September 2, 1951, by the Edmonton Radial Railway. In 1964 an old streetcar was restored and showed at...
- Edmonton Transit SystemEdmonton Transit SystemThe Edmonton Transit System, also called ETS, is the public transit service owned and operated by the city of Edmonton, Alberta. It operates Edmonton's bus and light rail systems.-Service:...
- High Level Bridge (Edmonton)High Level Bridge (Edmonton)The High Level Bridge, opened in 1913, spans the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Located next to the Alberta Legislature Building, the bridge linked the separate communities of Edmonton and Strathcona, which became one city in 1912. It was designed from the outset to...