Replica streetcars promote Medicine Hat's history and (relatively) warm climate

It wasn’t clear trolleys would be a hit in Medicine Hat, but the Sunshine Trolley has wound its way into Hatters’ hearts.

This month, the motorized streetcars, which were named to promote the city’s generally climate, are traversing icy roads on trips to showcase Christmas lights.

It’s the latest in a growing number of sold-out events for the fleet of three trolleys as part of the southern Alberta city’s tourism initiative.

Lights are strung from brass handrails. Old favourites play over the loudspeaker. Houses' decorations glint through frosted arched windows.

And the wooden benches are full.

“The running joke was that we did 15 trips that first year [in 2019], and that was seen as a big success,” said Mo Cranker, the transportation manager for Tourism Medicine Hat.

“Now we’re easily doing over 300 a year. The demand is there, and every time we post a new tour — some fun idea we thought of — it almost always sells out.”

Medicine Hat resident Jordan Weimer booked tickets for an early December ride on the Twinkle Tour — a night out with his family before the holidays got too hectic.

“It was awesome. … I’d never been on it before but have seen it roll around town,” he said. “It’s got a good Christmas vibe.”

Tourism Medicine Hat operates a visitor centre, develops marketing campaigns, and now uses the trolleys to showcase the city's cafés, restaurants and shops. They're even available for family reunions.

The big idea for 2024 was the Holly Jolly Twinkle Tour, a 90-minute trip to the biggest yard displays in the city of 68,000. Each rider leaves with a commemorative air-fresher-style tree ornament.

This year, with less promotion, a month’s worth of dates sold out in days.

That’s thanks in part to a new winterized trolley car — a replica diesel bus in a 1930s style.

With the help of sponsors covering gas money and support from local service clubs, most of the revenue flows back into the tourism office’s budget.

Why trolleys?

The growing attraction has become a main thrust of Tourism Medicine Hat's offerings, but officials admit it wasn’t a sure thing at the outset.

“It was just asking six or seven years ago: why not? Not a lot of other communities in Canada that have trolleys," said Cranker, pointing to Kingston, Ont., and Moose Jaw, Sask., as examples.

Wisconsin-based trolley maker Hometown Manufacturing states its vintage models are operating in more than 300 U.S. cities, either by tourism offices, historic sites or theme parks.

Medicine Hat acquired its first bus in 2018. It was driven across the country from Newfoundland and Labrador, a trip that took eight days.

The latest was offered for sale last spring in Texas, where it shuttled football fans to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, but it didn't have a working engine. It arrived in Medicine Hat on a flatbed truck and had its diesel engine rebuilt at a local shop.

"It's not old, but it looks old. It's got wood benches, old windows that you push up and pinch your fingers under," said Cranker.

"It's not something you see anywhere you go."

Not just for Christmas lights

The Sunshine Trolley name is a nod to the city’s claim it has 330 days of sunshine each year — among the most in Canada.

Throughout the year, the trolleys ferry daycare and school kids to field trips at historic sites and shuttle convention-goers around town. They are part of wedding party photos, micro-brewery tours and local parades.

Ridership is about two-thirds locals and one-third visitors.

Tourism executive director Jace Anderson said a goal is have Hatters become “brand ambassadors” and talk up the city to out-of-towners.

“It’s just a really great way for locals to see the city in a bit of a different perspective and for visitors to see a lot,” said Cranker of the trolleys. “We’re on wheels. We can move.”