Discussions

Early 1950s Drive-Inn Restaurant on Victoria Ave West approx. where CKX-TV was. Any Stories?

My sister was conceived in the backseat of my parents Studebaker in the parking lot.

There used to be a drive up A&W where petro Canada is now, on 26th & Vic. It featured individual menus and speakers to pull up to and the food would come on a tray that sat on the window ledge. I remember going there when I was a kid (around 1989). Is that maybe what you’re talking about?

Bill that is so cool. Too bad the picture wasn't taken in summer with people around.  
 
Cadbury, someone correct me if I'm wrong but I think the A & W was on the block east of the Petrocan and Munroe Car Wash was where the Petrocan is now.

Right about it not being at 26th and Vic. It was at 25th, but I don't remember which side. I think it was on the west, where the entrance to the car wash/ Petro-Canada is now. I do remember the car hops bring food to your car.

Lots of interesting stuff in Brandon's past.

It would be nice if they could have a drive inn with movies again,,not far out of the city though...or set it up in keystone area?

Brandon's Street Rail Cars operated from 1913 to 1932 when Bus Transit started run by MacArthur Trucking. Main Garage was on 1st Street south of Autopac . In approx. cars 1934 were moved and used as Tourist Automobile Cabins in the 1200 Block of 9th Street till 1949. Replaced by Twin Pines Motel and a Trailer Court in 1950. The Drive-Inn was on South Side Victoria Ave in 2900 Block. No record of business in Henderson Directories 1950 to 1955. Appears to be 6 Streetcars and mock diesel  
One car survives in Alberta Museum. Need to know name of Drive-inn.

I believe it was on 25th and Victoria. Where the strip mall is...

Yes, the A&W was directly east of the Petro-Canada just across 25th street. After it closed it became an independent drive-in (Sage I believe) before it was torn down for the strip mall.

Close-up on Street Car Drive-Inn

Edmonton Radical Railway Society has Brandon Streetcar No. 6 in storage and planning restoration. This car was saved when taken to farm south west of Brandon and stored in barn. Bill McGuire saw remaining Streetcars in gravel pit at auto wrecker near 34th Strret & Victoria Ave in late 1950s.

More Details:  
Called Train Drive-inn  
Located west in Victoria Ave.  
Approx. where Nissan Auto is now  
Operated by Ernie Ransom  
Does anyone remember working there?

Yes the building was on the sw corner of 25th and Victoria. My late bride was one of the original Carhops in 1958. Salary was .65 hour plus tips. A Papa Burger was 55 cents, Root Beer 10, 15 and 25 cents I believe. A gallon of Root Beer in a glass gallon jug ( you paid initial cost of 50 cents ) was about $1.50. Manager was named Jim but don’t remember last name.  
I remember the Train Drive In in photo.  
Seems to me that Hot Dogs were a specialty!

A&W Drive-in was at 25 & Victoria, later called Sage Drive-in.  
Latest put Train Drive Inn on Victoria ave. south from Clark Drive.

I remember the A&W at 26 and victoria. I was in grade 12 and we use to drive my dads 67 chev there for lunch. Yep frosty mugs delivered to your tray on the window of the truck. The good ole days!

I like how the OP keeps mentioning that he’s looking for info on the streetcar restaurant, but everyone keeps posting about the old A&W. BillChrest, see if you can get in touch with Bill Hillman; his email is at the bottom of this site:  
 
http://home.westman.wave.ca/~hillmans/brandon.html

Here is a documentary I was commissioned to do on the early days of the Brandon Street Railway system. This doc aired on Bell-MTS television a number of years ago.  
 
Enjoy!  
 
https://vimeo.com/60172931