The last trolley buses built for the HSR, these 16 buses were delivered in 1978. None were repainted into the later white, blue, and yellow colours of the 1980’s. In 1988 auxillary engines were installed on all 16 buses, allowing for access to the new Wentworth garage without the need to add electric overhead wires.
In 1992 the HSR decided not to renew the provincial licenses for the E-800Bs, and on December 30, 1992 the entire fleet was put into mothballs for two years, to wait for a new trolley bus fleet which would revitalize trolley bus service in Hamilton in 1995. Instead, on March 1, 1994 the regional council voted to get rid of trolley buses and instead invest in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses.
Three of these buses survived. HSR #7801 and #7802 went to the Halton County Radial Railway. #7802 was scrapped in September 2020 due to deteriorating condition, but the front of the bus was saved. HSR #7809 was sold to Mexico City, becoming Servicio de Transportes Eléctricos (Electric Transport Service) #3250.
Tom's North American Trolley Bus Pictures has a large number of HSR trolley bus pictures, well worth a look.
Some of the dates for these photos are unknown, and the locations are often just a guess. If you know either date or location, email me!
(All photos © Tom Luton, except where noted)
HSR #7801 on display at the Halton County Radial Railway, August 25, 2002.
HSR #7802 on display at the Halton County Radial Railway, August 25, 2002. The bus is signed for the BARTON-TALBOT 2C route.
HSR #7805 on the 2 BARTON route. (From Dave’s Electric Railroads.)
HSR #7806 on James north of King, Dec 12 1992. (Photo by Ted Wickson, used with permission)
HSR #7808 also on the 2 BARTON, at Walter and Melvin, date unknown. (From Dave’s Electric Railroads.)
HSR #7811 and #787 at Sanford yard, 15 Apr 1989 (Photo by Paul A. Bateson, used with permission.)
HSR #7813 at Sanford yard, 27 Nov 1982 (Photo by Paul A. Bateson, used with permission.)
HSR #7815 at Barton & Bell Manor, date unknown. (Photo from the Mitchell Libby collection, used with permission.)
An unknown E-800B, next to Mahony park on Barton, date unknown. (From Dave’s Electric Railroads.)
An unknown E-800B on the 2 BARTON, possibly heading eastbound on Melvin near Osbourne, Date unknown. (From Dave’s Electric Railroads.)
The remains of an HSR E-800B, at the Nebo Rd Scrap Yard, Oct 5, 1999. The other two buses are ex-Mississauga Transit #2038 and #2056, both T6H-5307Ns (Photographer unknown)
