Trading Card Project

Historical Hamilton Transit Cars

Abstract

Hamilton Street Railway, the city of Hamilton, Ontario’s public transportation system, has a long history. The system was first run by horse-drawn cars, but was electrified in 1892 — around the same time that innovation surrounding electricity transmission came to Hamilton. It consisted of various routes around the city, including the “Belt Line,” which connected the east and west ends of the city. The system, along with four interurban lines that went to Burlington, Beamsville, Dundas, and Brantford, were eventually purchased by the utility company, Dominion Power and Transmission. The street railway lasted until 1951, when it was no longer financially responsible to maintain. The author turned images of street cars that were used by Dominion Power and Transmission into trading cards that can be printed, cut out, shared, and traded, with the hope that they will spark excitement for public transportation! The cards can be used as a tool to learn about the history of public transportation in Hamilton, and invite investigation into its future.