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Return to Main Page (1) of This SectionSection IndexWelcome AboardIntroduction To Saint JohnThe People's Street Railway CompanyLease of OperationSaint John City Railway CompanyStart of ElectrificationComplete RebuildingOttawa CarsTurn of the CenturyExpansion YearsThe StrikeOne Man CarRunawayModernizationDepressionWorld War IIEnd of EraEnd of LineChallengeCredits Page 15

Runaway!

Until two separate incidents in 1897 and 1898 the street railway's reputation was excellent.

Foot of the hill on aMain Street - Spring 1936.

The first incident occurred on January 15th 1897 as car no. 40 descended Indiantown hill. The car ran out of control off the end of the rails and onto the wharf when it's brake chain jammed. Car no. 40 stopped short of the end of the wharf causing no damage, and was pulled off the wharf by another car attached with a chain.

Crossing at union Station.On July 17th 1898, open car no. 41 lost control while descending Mill Street after crossing Union street. No. 41 ran across the CPR tracks at 30 miles per hour, stopping ten feet inside a saloon, scattering the saloon keeper's cash receipts far and wide. Damages of $25,000.00 were awarded to the injured persons as it was proven the car was known to have defective brakes.

A fender (pedestrian scoop) was installed on both ends of cars.A few cars had a double ratchet (works in both directions) emergency brake installed after these accidents, but the brake did not become standard until the use of one-man cars after 1920. About this time many non-fatal encounters with pedestrians prompted a new design of a new ‘fender'. A platform of bedspring construction projected four feet in front of the car, and rode three inches above the rail. A more elaborate folding design replaced this about 1906, and became the standard until 1948.


Return to Main Page (1) of This SectionTop of Page CreditsChallengeEnd of LineEnd of EraWorld War IIDepressionModernizationRunawayOne Man CarThe StrikeExpansion YearsTurn of the CenturyOttawa CarsComplete RebuildingStart of ElectrificationSaint John City Railway CompanyLease of OperationThe People's Street Railway CompanyIntroduction To Saint JohnWelcome AboardSection Index7 More
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