Our May program, Interurban Railways of Canada, will be presented by Ray DeGroote (ERA #1009). A native Chicagoan, Ray joined the ERA in 1946 at the age of 16 and is a board member of the Central Electric Railfans Association (CERA).
Ray will show a collection of rarely seen views, many in color, of seven Canadian interurban systems which continued service well into the 1950s, long after most comparable American operations had ceased operation. Favorites such as the London & Port Stanley with its former Milwaukee Electric cars, and the Montreal & Southern Counties Railway, will be covered. What little remains of these magnificent Canadian systems reside in transit museums, which we will also visit.
Throughout his career Ray travelled extensively visiting over 50 countries to observe and photograph their operations. He has written several articles for transit publications and collaborated on four Japanese light railway handbooks. Ray brings long years and extensive knowledge of passenger and freight transportation to tonight’s show. Don’t miss it!