Canadian Car & Foundry CD-44A (HSR 401-411, 421-434, 481-488)

Canadian Car & Foundry CD-44A (HSR #401-411, 421-434, 481-488)

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 at Chedoke Golf Course, 1956.

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 at the Rebecca Street Bus terminal in 1956.

HSR #482 (ex CCL #1603) at the Rebecca Street Bus terminal in 1956. (Photo from mbernero's Flickr page, used with permission.)

HSR #483 at the Rebecca Street Bus terminal in 1956.

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 at King St W & Ogilvie St in Dundas, date unknown.

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)