These are a collection of the odds & ends of the early HSR buses that are in my photo collection.
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!
HSR #31 on King St E, circa 1934. Very little is known about this vehicle, other than that it was made by Ford.
HSR #260 and #272 at the Sanford yard, sometime in the 1950s. These are both White Motor Company 798s, built for the Canada Coach Lines in 1944 and originally numbered 903 and 927. They were sold to the HSR and served for a while under their original numbers before being numbered 210 and 222, and then receiving their final numbers in 1951. (From Alan Gryfe’s collection, used with permission)
HSR #492 at the Sanford yard, 1956. This is a Twin Coach 41-S, originally built as Erie Coach Lines #42 in 1947. The ECL was bought by the Canada Coach Lines on Dec 10, 1948, and ECL #42 became CCL #825. In 1955 it was transferred to the HSR, becoming #492. At some point it went back to the CCL, but kept its HSR number. Note the rollsign for 'Galt Hospital.' During the 1950s, CCL not only operated intercity bus service, but ran the public transit services under contract in Galt and in other Ontario communities. At first glance, I would guess that this HSR bus has been borrowed and fitted with a rollsign for service in Galt, before the CCL acquires it for a second time. (Photo from mbernero's Flickr page, used with permission.)
HSR #2207 at the Travelodge Hotel in Burlington, on charter service in April 1996 during the World Curling Championships. This is a Motor Coach Industries TC40-102A, originally built for the Canada Coach Lines in 1989 as CCL 2207. It was transfered to the HSR in 1993 when the City of Hamilton sold the CCL. It was leased to Greater Hamilton Tours around 2000. (Photo by Kevin Nichol, used with permission. From Esbdave's Fotki Page)
Ex HSR #8251 at Hamilton Airport in June 2004. This is a Flxible Metro, originally built for the Central Ohio Transit Authority (Columbus, OH) in 1982 as COTA 8165. In the early 1990s the HSR was suffering vehicle shortages due to aging buses, delays at Orion Bus Industries (HSR 9901-9925 were orginally to be delivered in 1993) and government requirements that all new buses be low floor. In an attempt to try and solve the bus shortage, the HSR bought COTA 8165 in 1993 and spent a year rebuilding the bus. The cost of the rebuilding and deliveries of new buses from New Flyer meant that the HSR did not repeat the attempt, leaving HSR 8251 as a one of a kind bus. It remained in service with the HSR until 1999, when it was retired. The engine was removed and used in the rebuilding of one of the TA60-102Ns, and the body was sold to the Hamilton Airport, which uses it as a training unit for the airport fire department. (Photo by Kevin_N, used with permission)
