Toodling Along On Car 23

 By Maryanna Gabriel

Not a good day. Source: Nelson Archives

Recently, a friend and I got to toodling about town. Quite literally, we tooted our way along the lake side of Nelson on Car 23.

Nelson was the smallest city in Canada, to have the smallest tram system "in the British Empire", from 1899 to 1939. Trolley car 23 was built in Cleveland, Ohio. When times changed the tram became alternately: a gift shop, a tool shed, and a dog kennel.

In 1982 it was donated to Selkirk College where The Nelson Electric Tramway Society and the college restored it with fresh paint, metal sheeting, the replaced floor beams and roof. 

It really is the cutest thing, and Nelsonites are rightly proud of it. Why are trains so much fun?

Source: Nelson Archives