Birney Route Map (1928)

Birney Route Map (1928)

This 1928 route map shows a tram line leading into Point Pleasant Park. Used with permission of authors of The Halifax Street Railway (Nimbus).

HALIFAX — The fabled Birney tram cars ran these routes until just after the Second World War. The 1928 route map updates the diagram from a year before. The updated version shows new tracks serving Point Pleasant Park, and connecting the Armdale route to the now-demolished Simpsons store at the bottom of Chebucto Road. Also of note is the cheerful electrically-charged running man.

Thanks again to Don Artz and Don Cunningham, authors of The Halifax Street Railway (Nimbus), for this image.

Detail from the 1928 map.

2 Responses to “Birney Route Map (1928)”


  1. 1 Katie Guitton April 12, 2010 at 11:01 am

    Wow! Just seeing this map of the old tramways of Halifax is powerful. My respect to those that went before the advent of the car.
    Out family has given up the car this year and joined CarShare. Mostly we bike since spring is here. But a tramway would be great! I would love to roll up to Almon along Agricola. it would not only lower pollution and transport costs,but it would unite our city!
    The visual is catalytic, I hope. Thanks for this post Dave!

  2. 2 David April 12, 2010 at 12:21 pm

    Don Cunningham just wrote in to clarify the origins of the electric running man:

    “The electric charged man you refer to on your web was called Reddy-Kilowatt. He was used extensively by the Nova Scotia Light and Power company and other electric companies as a mascot. He was created by the Alabama Power Company in 1926. He was made up of lightning bolts for body, arms, and legs. His nose was a light bulb and ears were plugs. His body was bright red.”

    Thanks, Don!


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