Incline Railway - 1892

In the month of June, 1892, the construction of Hamilton’s first incline railway was completed.

          On the first of June, 1892, the Hamilton Spectator carried a detailed description of what was formally known as The Hamilton and Barton Incline Railway, which the reporter claimed was “better equipped than most roads of the kind in America.”¹

¹ “The Incline Railway : The First Car to Run Up the Steep Little Road” Hamilton Spectator. June 1, 1892.

          The roadway for the James Street incline railway was placed on massive iron girders, which were sunk into a base of solid masonry. The cars, designed to carry passengers as well as teams of horses and wagons, each weighed ten tons unloaded and could carry another ten tons when loaded:

          “The cars are constructed on a peculiar fashion, having a closed and handsomely furnished compartment for passengers, and beside it, an open space for vehicles.” ²

² “Climbed up by Steam : The First Car Sent to the Top of the Incline Railway.” Hamilton Spectator. June 2, 1892.

          Two steel cables fastened to iron girders drew the cars up the face of the escarpment. Each cable alone was capable of sustaining four or five times the maximum weight allowed on each car.

          At the top of the incline railway was a large, brick building which contained the engine room, living quarters for the engineer of the incline railway and his family, a cable room, ticket office and waiting room. A 125 horsepower steam engine supplied the power for the incline railway, and a 1,500 gallon tank was built to supply water for the steam engine, and for firefighting purposes, if required.

          On June 2, 1892, everything was in readiness to test the operation of the Hamilton and Barton Incline Railway. About 6:30 p.m., word was given, and “after a few preliminary creaks as the new apparatus became tart, the big car commenced trundling up the steep incline. It proceeded steadily without the slightest hitch, occupying about a minute in making the ascent.”³

³ “The First Car up : Railway Communication With the Mountain Top Established” Hamilton Spectator. June 3, 1892

                After the successful completion of the test, the Hamilton and Barton Railway Company directors held a meeting in which it was decided that the date for the public opening of the incline railway would be Saturday June 11, 1892.

          The Hamilton Times, on the day of incline opening to the public published an extensive article which traced the history of “the public scheme for making it possible for the ascent of the mountain to be accomplished with more comfort and ease than the weary toiling up the steep and seemingly never-ending stairs has hitherto been.” ⁴

⁴ “The Mountain Railroad : Completion of the Hamilton and Barton Incline Railway” Hamilton Times. June 11, 1892

          Between 2 and 3 o’clock on Saturday afternoon, June 11, 1892, all roads in the city seemed to lead to the head of James street south :

          “Large crowds assembled in the neighborhood of the lower station long before 3 o’clock, and several policemen were required to keep them back before the time arrived for the cars to start. Meantime, scores of spectators lined the steps on the mountainside, and everywhere along the top of the escarpment were groups of interested individuals, anxiously watching the scene.”⁵

⁵ “The H. and B. Incline Railway : the Road Formally Opened on Saturday” Hamilton Spectator. June 13, 1892.

          At 2:45 p.m., an “unofficial” car, carrying about 50 people ascended the mountain, followed shortly thereafter by the “official” car carrying aldermen, county councilors, and directors of the incline railway company:

          “The car went up with the greatest steadiness, the official time being seventy-five seconds. As it rose above the surrounding trees and rolled out upon the high iron work of the road, the magnificent view of the city, bay and surrounding country was unfolded and involuntary ejaculations of admiration were heard from the passengers. The scene is a pretty one at all times, but on Saturday it was particularly lovely, the blue waters of the bay dotted with steamers and the white sails of yachts and other craft.” ⁶

⁶ “The H. and B. Incline Railway : Auspicious Opening of the Line on Saturday Afternoon.” Hamilton Times. June 13, 1892.

          The level of activity at the top of the James street incline was high all afternoon, as described by the Times reporter:

          “The scene at the summit, on the pavilion of the Mountain View Hotel, and in the beautiful park to the rear, were especially animated.”⁶

                Each car up the mountain carried a full load of sightseers. After several car loads had been hauled up, the scene around the Mountain View Hotel had the appearance of a fair:

          “Booths and auxiliary bars were erected on the ground, and even the Italian peanutta and banana man was out in force.”⁵

                Nelligan’s brass band, which had earlier performed a selection of light tunes while marching from Gore Park to the base of the incline, continued to provide the musical entertainment for the rest of the afternoon.

          Mr. John Clark, the amiable proprietor of the Mountain View Hotel, with his small army of assistants, had a busy afternoon keeping everyone supplied with refreshments:

          “A very large quantity of ice cream, lemonade, lager, etc., was disposed of, the weather  being particularly hot.”⁶

                At 4 p.m., the dining room of the Mountain View Hotel was the location of a luncheon to which over 100 guests had been invited. After the food had been served, a series of toasts were proposed but, as the hour was getting late, short speeches were the order of the day.

          Mr. Alex. McKay, M.P., made a few remarks in which he congratulated the H. and B. Incline Railway Company on the opening of the venture:

          “(He said) today would be a red letter day in the history of Hamilton and Barton. The event had been looked forward to by hundreds who would take advantage of the easy mode of ascent provided in order to see the beautiful sights to be seen from the top.”⁶

                Mr. Awrey, M.P.P., representing the Ontario legislature, congratulated the directors of the company who, he felt, had “exhibited a great deal of pluck, energy and perseverance, for which they were entitled to great praise.”⁶

                Mr. Awrey pointed out that there was an upper and lower town in Edinburgh, Scotland, and he aw no reason why Hamilton could not have the same arrangement:

“The enterprising merchants and manufacturers of the city would doubtless see it to their interest to build their residences on the mountain top and South Wentworth would give them a hearty welcome. They would find lower taxes, a purer atmosphere and have lying before them scenery unequalled in the continent.” ⁶

The toast to the city of Hamilton was responded to by Mayor Blaicher who noted that, as the railway was an important connecting link between the city and the country lying south of it, the company deserved to make a fair financial return on their investment.

In a few complimentary sentences, Mayor Blaicher proposed a toast to the Hamilton and Barton Incline Railway company. Responding to the toast, the company president, W. G. Walton, replied by tracing the history of the difficulties faced in constructing the road. He then concluded by saying:

“The public must not expect too much yet. It is a new thing and it will take a few days before everything is running as we would like, but all may rest assured that it is safe in every way. Hamilton cannot have a better advertisement. We expect to bring visitors from all parts of Canada and show them the beautiful view from our mountain.”⁶

Mayor R. T. Wilson, of Dundas, told the guests at the luncheon that it was his hope to see “the Hamilton mountain top so built up that the residences would extend to the high lands overlooking Dundas.”⁶

Mayor Wilson then drew attention to the Hamilton and Dundas Street Railway:

“Before the dummy line was built between Hamilton and Dundas, a stage coach making two trips a day carried all the passengers. Now the H. and D. line conveys nearly 100,000 people yearly between the two places. The facilities for travel when provided would always be taken advantage of.”⁶

                Mr. A. F. Pirie, correspondent of the Dundas Star, replied to the toast to “The Press.” In a humorous speech, Mr. Pirie said that “millions of people would come from all parts of the universe to the top of the incline plane to look down – on Dundas!” ⁶

Late in the meeting, an urgent announcement was made. The machinery of the incline railway, which performed well all afternoon, had run into difficulties “owing to the ‘foaming’ of the boiler and some other slight derangement of the machinery”⁶ It would be necessary for the gentlemen to walk back to the city as the railway was being closed down for the day.

It was a somewhat frustrating, and tiring, end to the day’s proceedings for all involved in the ceremonial opening events of the Hamilton and Barton Incline Railway.

However, the boilers were soon cleaned out and the machinery fixed completely. Staring the next day, the sounds of the incline railway cars merrily being pulled up and down the 300 foot distance between the mountain and the lower city, would be familiar to all.