Harry Piers: Museum Maker

Notes from Piers Accession Book: Photograph of No.11 open Summer-car of Richmond and Spring Garden Road line of Halifax Electric Tramways Ltd., with its conductor no.1, Duncan McDougall to right (standing on front platform), and motorman no.1, Gill Ring to left (standing on the [finder]); in front of Mulgrave Park on Campbell Road near Roome Street. (Isaac Creighton's house and grocery-shop in distance), Halifax. Another open car, the so-called "Greenbank Car," marked "Hotels and Depot" [above], and "Richmond and Point Pleasant on front board, is seen in distance at the end of the line. Photographed in summer of 1897; looking Northwest.

The sign over front of car, can be rotated so as to show various signs as to the route the car is running on. Below on the dash-board is the electric [hood-light], and below is a steel finder which can be [run]-in when at the rear of a car. The "pole" to the power-line can be shifted around. The long step running along the down side of car was called the "running-board." The side of the car (either side, according to the direction) could be protected by a long wooden bar which could be raised or lowered. The car contained 16 seats, [transverse], and facing each other in 8 pairs, and each seat would no doubt hold 5 persons, making a capacity of 80 persons seated, although many stood up in busy times. Smoking was allowed on the 3 rear seats of [these] open cars. The motorman was on the front platform, and the conductor on the rear platform, with a bell cord to signal [(gong)] to motorman when a passenger wanted to get off at a corner and when to start. Often the conductor was standing on the running-board, collecting the fares (5 cents).

View complete entry from the Harry Piers Accession Book

Date Accessioned: 1 November 1935

Photographer: Gauvin and Gentzel

Reference: Harry Piers number 8318  Nova Scotia Archives Photograph Collection Transportation and Communication: Street Cars