Brantford and Hamilton Electric Railway

The Brantford and Hamilton Electric Railway (B&H, or BHER) was an interurban electric railway which operated Hamilton, Ontario. Construction was begun by the Von Echa syndicate of Harrisburg, but the railway was taken over by Dominion Power prior to its completion on June 1, 1908. According to Hilton & Due, this was the last radial (interurban) railway constructed in the Hamilton area and the only one built to a high standard.[1]

Brantford and Hamilton Electric Railway
In the earliest known photograph of the B&H in operation, an interurban car is seen at Ancaster during the winter of 1907-8.
Overview
Stations called atBrantford Market St (until late 1916)
Brantford Union Station (1916 onward)
Hamilton Terminal Station
Parent companyHamilton Electric Light and Cataract Power Company (1907–30)
Hydro-Electric Railways (1930–31)
HeadquartersHamilton, Ontario
Reporting markB&H
LocaleSouthern Ontario
Dates of operationMay 23, 1908 (1908-05-23Tdf) (full line)–1931 (1931)
Technical
Track gauge4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Electrification600 V overhead
Route map

 Hamilton Terminal Station
 Hamilton and Dundas Street Railway
 Ancaster
Murray Street electrical substation
Brantford Market Street
discontinued after 1916
Brantford union station
with Lake Erie and Northern Railway

The route of the Brantford-Hamilton Electric Railway from Dundas ran parallel to the present-day Chedoke Expressway and was depicted in numerous postcards of the early 20th century. This section is now operated by the City of Hamilton as the Chedoke Radial Multi-Use Trail.[2] The cut in the escarpment leaving a stone face on either side is a direct and physical reminder of the radial railway's importance in the city's history. The path of the former railway track is lost when crossing the Highway 403 and Mohawk West, but can be picked up again adjacent to Rousseau Drive. The trail terminates at Wilson St. in the former municipality of Ancaster.

The line gave an hourly service between Brantford and Hamilton. Freight traffic was negligible.

The railway passed, along with all Dominion Power's assets, to the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario in 1930. All services were abandoned on 30 June 1931.

See also

References
  1. Hilton, George W.; Due, John Fitzgerald (1960). The Electric Interurban Railways in America. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press. ISBN 978-0-8047-4014-2. OCLC 237973.
  2. "Chedoke Radial Trail". Ontario Trails Council. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
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