The story behind Edmonton’s historic High Level Bridge streetcar

The High Level Bridge’s streetcar has been running for decades, and we’re here to highlight the amazing work it’s been putting in.

A volunteer effort has been continuously keeping the streetcar system alive in Edmonton. High Level Bridge’s streetcar is the most famous one. While the streetcar system in Edmonton ended officially in the 1950s, the streetcars still live on.

Have any questions about the railway system? We’re here to answer them.

The history behind Edmonton’s streetcars

For context, a streetcar is a type of public transportation vehicle which runs on rails laid on the street. This could also be referred to as a trolley, trolley-car, tram or tram-car.

Streetcar service in Edmonton ended in September 1951, and all but one car were scrapped or sold for other uses.

The first efforts towards the restoration of the preserved car began in 1964, when the streetcar was going to be showcased in the 1967 Centennial Parade. Much more restoration was needed to make the first streetcar operational again.

In 1979, trips were organized across the High Level Bridge (with the help of a diesel generator). These trips were scheduled as a celebration for Edmonton’s 75th anniversary during Thanksgiving Weekend. Through this, the Edmonton Radial Railway Society was formed and incorporated as an Alberta Society in the early 1980s.

During the Fringe Festival in 1995, an opportunity arose to operate a former Japanese streetcar (which had originally been acquired for spare parts) on the old railway track between Strathcona and the tunnel underneath 109 Street.

Museum streetcar service across the bridge from Strathcona to the Government Centre started in 1997. An extension opened up to Jasper Avenue in 2005.

The High Level Bridge streetcar service runs from May to October and, as of 2019, carried over 90,000 passengers each year.

If you’re interested, before the service ends for 2025, visit one of the streetcars for a ride!

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