| London Street Railway | |
|---|---|
| Operation | |
| Locale | London, Ontario, Canada |
| Open | 1875; 149 years ago (1875) |
| Close | 1940; 84 years ago (1940) |
| Status | Defunct |
The London Street Railway (LSR) provided public transit to residents of London, Ontario, Canada, using streetcars from 1875 to 1940.[1][2]
Established in 1873, LSR (which later became London Transit) began operation in 1875 using horsecars, basic and small passenger wagons pulled by horses.[3] Like many street railway operators in Canada electrified routes began operation in closing years of the 19th century. LSR began electrification in 1895 using small cars similar to horsecars and gradually enlarged to full-size railcars.
After years of problems operating in winter, LSR switched over to diesel buses in 1940.
The city was also connected to Port Stanley, Ontario, via a series of luxury and larger interurban streetcars.[2]
But O'Neil, a local-history buff, has unearthed a document that suggests the proposed rail lines for London's rapid-transit proposal are perfectly placed. He found a map outlining London's streetcar lines in 1914, and notes the two lines earmarked today for light rail are where the old trolleys ran a century ago.
Incorporated 29 March 1873 (Ont.) Introduced electric streetcars in 1895 and buses in 1923. Discontinued electric streetcars 1940.
Media related to Streetcars in London, Ontario at Wikimedia Commons
