A total of 33 CC&F CD-44As were used by the HSR from the early 1950s to the mid 1970s. The buses arrived in Hamilton in 3 batches. 401-411, and 421-434 were built for the HSR in 1953 and 1955/56, respectively. 481-488 were originally built for the Canada Coach Lines in 1953, and were sold to the HSR in 1955.
| Original CCL number | New HSR number |
|---|---|
| 1601 | 481 |
| 1603 | 482 |
| 1605 | 483 |
| 1607 | 484 |
| 1611 | 485 |
| 1609 | 486 |
| 1613 | 487 |
| 1615 | 488 |
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, a large number of the HSR’s CD-44As were sold to Canada Coach Lines, as shown below.
| HSR number | CCL number and date sold |
|---|---|
| 401 | 1631 on Aug 15 1968, retired late Fall 1974 |
| 402 | 1632 on Aug 27 1968, retired late Fall 1974 |
| 403 | 1639 on May 15 1970, retired between Summer 1972 and Fall 1974 |
| 404 | 1640 on June 4 1970, retired late Fall 1974 |
| 405 | 1641 on June 18 1970, retired late Fall 1974 |
| 406 | 1636 on Oct 8 1968, retired late Fall 1974 |
| 407 | 1634 on Sept 25 1968, retired Oct 4 1972 |
| 408 | 1637 on Oct 22 1968, retired Sept 6 1972 |
| 409 | 1635 on Oct 2 1968, retired late Fall 1974 |
| 410 | 1638 on July 7 1969, retired late Fall 1974 |
| 411 | 1633 on Sept 13 1968, retired late Fall 1974 |
| 421 | 1661 on Sept 30 1971, retired late Fall 1974 |
| 425 | 1665 on Oct 17 1971, retired late Fall 1974 |
| 426 | 1666 on Jan 19 1972, retired late Fall 1974 |
| 427 | 1667 on Dec 5 1971, retired between Summer 1972 and Fall 1974 |
| 428 | 1668 on Feb 2 1972, retired late Fall 1974 |
| 429 | 1669 on Jan 3 1972, retired between Summer 1972 and Fall 1974 |
| 433 | 1652 on Apr 22 1969, retired between Summer 1972 and Fall 1974 |
| 434 | 1653 on July 8 1969, retired between Summer 1972 and Fall 1974 |
| 481 | 481, retired before Summer 1972 |
| 482 | 482, retired before Summer 1972 |
| 483 | 483, retired before Summer 1972 |
| 484 | 484, retired before Summer 1972 |
| 485 | 485, retired Sept 27 1971 |
| 486 | 486, retired Oct 16 1971 |
| 487 | 487 in 1966, retired between Summer 1972 and Fall 1974 |
| 488 | 488 in 1967, retired between Summer 1972 and Fall 1974 |
The remaining 6 HSR CD-44As were retired in spring 1974.
Some of the dates for these photos are unknown, and the locations are often just a guess. If you know either date or location, email me!
(All photos © Tom Luton, except where noted)
HSR #421 and #427, shown here chartered for a dignitaries’ day of golf at Chedoke Golf Course, 1956. The crowd in front are HSR bus drivers, anyone see a familiar face? (Photo by John Dowling, used with permission)
HSR #427 at Chedoke Golf Course, 1956. The two gentlemen in front are both HSR drivers, anyone recognize them? (Photo by John Dowling, used with permission)
HSR #430 at King & Hughson, 1958. (Photo courtesy of the Hamilton Public Library, Local History & Archives, used with permission)
HSR #431 at York & Locke, 1965. (Photo courtesy of the Hamilton Public Library, Local History & Archives, used with permission)
HSR #434 at Gore Park, February 19, 1960. (Photo courtesy of the Hamilton Public Library, used with permission)
HSR #482 (ex CCL #1603) at the Rebecca Street Bus terminal in 1956. (Photo from mbernero's Flickr page, used with permission.)
HSR #483 (ex CCL #1605) at the Rebecca Street Bus terminal in 1956. (Photo from mbernero's Flickr page, used with permission.)
HSR #484 (ex CCL #1607) at Sanford Yard in 1956. (Photo from mbernero's Flickr page, used with permission.)
HSR #486 (ex CCL #1609) at King St W & Ogilvie St in Dundas, date unknown. (Photo courtesy of the Hamilton Public Library, Local History & Archives, used with permission)
