Producer: Charles Smiley
Timeframe: 1950s
Locations: Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, more
Length: 1 hour 11 minutes
Sources: William Warrick, William Whittaker, Bentley Salkeld, Lloyd Salkeld, Richard Pratt
Charles Smiley takes us back in time. The decade of the 1950s. Five Electric lines in Canada. Always said that Charles would have made a great History Instructor. Here is an opportunity to see and learn!
A single, factory pressed DVD. Detailed Chapter Menu. A 20 minute bonus section of previews. All the usual CSP extras. On-screen graphics. Custom made reference maps.
Let’s look at the five individually.
Predominantly, a color film program. Small segments, of black and white footage. All restored to best appearance. PBS style program. Period photographs. Meticulous attention; to a recreation of trolley/ streetcar sounds and environment. Background music that is appropriate. Everything is first class. Full narration by Charles Smiley.
London & Port Stanley
This electrified line ran from Port Stanley to London. Recreational passenger service, and local service.
Station @St. Thomas, Ontario.
BX Tower. The Interurban lines had facilities similar to regular railroads. Yards, Towers, Stations and some a turntable. Specialized equipment too.
Niagara, St. Catherine’s & Toronto
The largest Company. Controlled by Canadian National. Served Niagara Falls, amoung other areas. Commonly known as the NS&T.
One of many custom made maps.
Charles will use still photographs to augment discussions. NS&T freight motors here. Maintenance of way and various passenger cars, are some additional subjects. Valuable information.
Toronto Transit
Original, 1938 built streetcar. You will learn much about the history of the Toronto system. Excellent city scenes!
1954 Stop with PCC car. What is PCC? Inquire within…
Before the Internet… Newspapers were vital. Big cities offered Morning and Evening editions. A Newspaper truck!
This was the first Toronto Subway. Some sections ran above ground. Many scenes are long gone.
Montreal & Southern Counties
Scenes from the early 1950s to about 1958.
A more involved map. Green line is M&SC. This line ran 47 miles, to Granby.
Connecting the city to countryside. Before, the advent of common automobile travel, with good roads.
Montreal street scene, with a classic 1950s work vehicle. A panel truck. Makes my day!
Quebec Railway Light & Power
The most interesting streetcar line, to myself. This turntable was used at Quebec City.
Served a huge textile mill. Scenic Montmorency Falls, as well. Also, the substantial Cathedral at St. Anne’s.
Another Canadian National line. Yes, there are several CN Steam locomotives. Brief appearances, in this show.
This is an intriguing journey into the past Interurban history of Eastern Canada. Never considered that they had trolley service. Charles Smiley has a class on this subject. Learned quite a bit. Viewed another world, that has long since passed.
Rating: 5 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 