HALTON COUNTRY RADIAL RAILWAY
So, we all know about Wythall and the other local bus and transport museums. Many of us will also have been to the various other museums up and down the country, all well documented in the magazines and journals. Now, how about we tell each other about overseas museums and the preservation movements that are not so well documented ?
I must confess that it is two years since I visited the Halton Country Radial Railway. The what? It is situated just outside Guelph in Ontario, Canada, roughly half way between Toronto and Niagara Falls. In all fairness, if it was not for relatives living in Guelph, I would probably not come across it, but I suspect that is true of any museum anywhere . Whereas in the UK, WH Smiths are full of Railway, and to a lesser extent Bus, magazines, the equivalent shops in Canada appear totally devoid of such publications. Are there any such enthusiasts I wondered.
Halton is actually run by the Ontario Electric Railway Historical Association and moved to its present site in 1971. It is a cross between Wythall/Crich and to a lesser extent, Sandtoft. It basically uses part of a disused railway line as a tram track that runs for about a mile through Woodlands. As with anything American, everything is vast. The parking 'lot' is one field alone.
Upon entering the grounds, stored at the bottom of the parking area are trolleybuses in withdrawn condition, just as say Bradford's appeared at Sandtoft when the system closed. Toronto's system closed in 1992, although there is a little quirk there as by mid 1991 all Torontos indigenous buses had become unroadworthy, but owing to pressure from the environmental lobby as the final date had already been earmarked the following year, had to hire in Trolleys from other operators! Lying next to the Toronto trolleys were two from the Hamilton Street Railway, this system only closing in 1995. All were built by 'Flyer Industries' in the 1970s at Winnipeg, although they are actually rebodied/remotored vehicles from possibly late 40s chassis.
The main attraction are the Trams, or street railway as it is called. These are run by a few ex-Toronto vehicles, some particularly well preserved examples. Around the site, absolutely anything can be found. There are ex Toronto underground units, sorry subway cars, a 1912 Montreal and Southern Counties train carriage, as well as one or two preserved buses, in addition to a larger collection of 'waiting to be preserved' buses. Again these are from Toronto, but also including a restored 1950s Brampton Transit GMC bus.
Like in the UK, such smaller operators have now been absorbed into large transport authorities, I think Brampton became part of the Toronto Transit Commission in the 1970s. When I enquired at the cafe/gift shop for a list of all the vehicles owned, I was met with a vague expression. Mm I thought, what is the American expression for this. Have you a rolling stock list? The cafe lady obviously did not comprehend either as I had not mentioned the words coke, fries, double fries, burger, whopper meal . Eventually, with a puzzled look I was given a very comprehensive two page A4 sheet of all vehicles/chassis nos etc/etc. "Do you really want that!", she asked with amazement.
Having said that , it is a typical museum run by volunteers. The old gentleman running the tram had a very broad Canadian accent. "Where abouts in Canada do you come from" I asked. With a wry smile, he admitted that he came from Reigate in Surrey but had never been back since 1948. A very friendly museum , well worth visiting if you are ever in that part of the world. For those of you on the internet, log on to www.hcry.org for a very informative web site.
Brian Dicks
Chapel Lane, Wythall, Worcs B47 6JX
Tel : 01564 826471 e-mail us
A registered educational charity no 507191
