Tripper Tuesday: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada



Good Afternoon:

Today on Tripper Tuesday, we head north of the border to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada and Hamilton Street Railway Transit System.

HSR has the distinction of being the only system in the United States and Canada to retain its name from its streetcar days and operate an all-bus system.

My visit was during the extended Toronto stay in May 2010. Below are 20 photos from the four hours I was there. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

The trip actually started in Burlington, which is served by HSR Route 11. Here is #0906 prior to departure in Downtown Burlington. 

As you will see, HSR was then almost exclusively New Flyer. Pictured is #0711 on Route 4 in Downtown Hamilton. 

HSR purchased two lots of New Flyer DE60LFRs for its 10-B service. The 10-B is an BRT-like express service that runs the entire length of their heaviest line, Route 1. 0612 is picking up passengers in this view, also in Downtown Hamilton.

HSR also dabbed in CNG technology. There were four lots of New Flyer C40LFs purchased. 0209 is part of the 2nd lot and pictured at the transit center in Downtown Hamilton.

In-Between C40LF orders was a batch of Orion VI CNGs purchased by HSR. Due to the rareness of parts, these were retired shortly after my visit. They were powered by Cummins L-10 engines

Newest on the street at the time were more D40LFs. 1007 is pictured on the 2 Barton line

0909, still fresh enough to not have ads, is pictured on line 5C, one of three branches of Route 5

When the LF model was introduced, they were all marked on the side with "Wheelchair Access" as there were still high floors in the fleet at the time. 0517 gives a demonstration of the scheme.

The second batch of DE60LFRs with the slim profile came in 2009. Pictured is #932, devoid of the leading 0 for some reason on Route 10-B

0301 represents the fourth batch of C40LFs and probably the last CNG series. 

Although mostly used on the 10-B, the DE60LFRs find their way onto other lines, especially in the rush hour. Here #921 on Route 27 in North Hamilton. 

Routes 21-27 operate on the upper end of major Hamilton streets and certain mountains, hence the "Upper" in the sign. 0204 is assigned to Route 22 Ottawa line

1001 is pictured on King, just outside of Downtown on Route 26

Outside of rush hour, Route 5 has one branch. 0410 is pictured operating on that branch. 

The standard rear end of a HSR D40LF

9908 on its last legs, operating on Route 34

0802 is pictured leaving Lime Ridge Mall puffing out a little smoke. 

0312 is also leaving Lime Ridge Mall on its return trip to Downtown Hamilton

0210 is pictured at the GO Transit Centre, the other major transfer point in Hamiliton

Speaking of GO Transit. MCI D4500CT #2444 is pictured before taking me back to Toronto. 

Hoped you enjoyed Hamilton. Next stop...The History of Metro Transit Archives Part VII (2012)

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