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.