Burlington in Halton Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The Hamilton Radial Electric Railway

Burlington’s First Public Transit System

Photographed by Tim Boyd, March 24, 2024

1. The Hamilton Radial Electric Railway Marker

Inscription. Before cars, buses and the Queen Elizabeth Way, Burlington residents could get around using a futuristic intercity streetcar system! The Hamilton Radial Electric Railway (HRER) started operating in 1896, with service to Burlington beginning in January 1898. By 1906, residents could travel to Oakville and the City of Hamilton for work, shopping or education.

The line operated for 31 years. In August 1925, the line saw its first closure when the track between Port Nelson, which is now the south end of Guelph Line, and Oakville shut down. The track between Port Nelson and Burlington was abandoned in 1927. The remainder of the HRER line closed in 1929.

In 1946, the last tracks of the railway line were removed from the Burlington Canal Bridge.

Erected by City of Burlington, Burlington Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.

Location. 43° 19.55′ N, 79° 47.846′ W. Marker is in Burlington, Ontario, in Halton Region. It is at the intersection of Brant Street and Elgin Street, on the right when traveling

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north on Brant Street. The marker is in the parking lot in between Brant Avenue and John Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 391 Brant Street, Burlington ON L7R 2E9, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto,

specifically on the Golden Horseshoe,

in the Hamilton-Halton-Brant Area,

and specifically in the Toronto Metropolitan Area.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 125th Anniversary Clock, 1999 (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Founding of Burlington (about 120 meters away); Burlington Cenotaph (about 120 meters away); Knox Presbyterian Church (about 120 meters away); William Bunton Esq. 1820-1881 (about 180 meters away); Spencer Smith Park (about 210 meters away); Spencer Smith (approx. 0.4 kilometers

Photographed by Tim Boyd, March 24, 2024

2. The Hamilton Radial Electric Railway Marker

away); Reverend Thomas Greene at St. Luke’s, Wellington Square (approx. half a kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Burlington.

Also see . . . Trainweb.org - The Hamilton Radial Electric Railway (HRER).

The Hamilton Radial Electric Railway was first announced on September 20, 1892. The originally announced plan was to run electric lines from Hamilton to Mount Forest (via Waterdown, Guelph, Fergus and Arthur) Elmira (via Dundas, Galt, Preston, Waterloo and St. Jacobs), Brantford (via Ancaster), Dunville and/or Welland, and Oakville (via the Beach and Burlington)

(Submitted on March 24, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

The Hamilton Radial Electric Railway marker photo detail image. Click for full size.

Museums of Burlington Collection

3. The Hamilton Radial Electric Railway marker photo detail

The Hamilton Radial Electric Railway marker photos detail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, March 24, 2024

4. The Hamilton Radial Electric Railway marker photos detail

Proposed route the Hamilton Radial Electric Railway, 1894 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Hamilton Spectator, 1894

5. Proposed route the Hamilton Radial Electric Railway, 1894

Credits. This page was last revised on March 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 506 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on March 24, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.