The story behind the person: Clang, Clang Goes the Trolley

by Jonathan van Bilsen

North Durham and Kawartha Lakes has welcomed a unique addition to its charming downtown, the Town Trolley. This nostalgic vehicle, run by Michael Bryant, is not a typical tourist attraction. It carries passengers through the town, offering a delightful experience for locals and visitors alike.

Michael, who has been involved in many ventures throughout his life, saw an opportunity in the trolley that others might have overlooked. He has transformed it into a thriving part of the community.

Born in Toronto, at St. Michael’s Hospital, Michael Bryant grew up in a family with strong work ethics. His mother worked in real estate, and his father was a mechanical engineer, who played a significant role in shaping Michael’s early life. At 12, he was already gaining practical experience working at Stroud’s market and a local nursery. Eager to make his own money, Michael later found a job with CN Rail, cleaning train cars, while still attending West Hill Collegiate. This early exposure to hard work set the foundation for his varied and ambitious career.

Michael’s entry into sales began when he was still in high school, selling driveway paving door to door for a large American company. His height, standing at an impressive 6 feet, 5 inches, made him a natural leader, and he captained his school basketball team. However, it was sales which truly captured his attention. Determined to hone his skills, he took several sales courses, preparing himself for a career in the business world.

After attending Ryerson, Michael joined a major American company which specialized in roofing and asphalt products. At just 25, he was promoted to General Manager of the company’s Canadian division, an impressive feat for someone so young. His entrepreneurial spirit, however, soon led him to branch out on his own.

By the mid-1970s, Michael had founded his own company, focusing on products for asphalt, concrete, and de-icing. One of his key innovations was a year-round pothole repair solution, addressing the frustrating issue of potholes only being fixed during warmer months. The product was a success, and Michael began selling franchises worldwide. His business travels took him to an astonishing number of countries, about 140, ranging from Siberia to Afghanistan, Kenya and Europe. This global success was just the beginning of his journey.

In addition to his work in the asphalt industry, Michael’s company, QPR, expanded into pharmaceuticals. His efforts to bring HIV medications to Botswana, in collaboration with SOS

Clang, Clang Goes the Trolley

by Jonathan van Bilsen

North Durham and Kawartha Lakes has welcomed a unique addition to its charming downtown, the Town Trolley. This nostalgic vehicle, run by Michael Bryant, is not a typical tourist attraction. It carries passengers through the town, offering a delightful experience for locals and visitors alike.

Michael, who has been involved in many ventures throughout his life, saw an opportunity in the trolley that others might have overlooked. He has transformed it into a thriving part of the community.

Born in Toronto, at St. Michael’s Hospital, Michael Bryant grew up in a family with strong work ethics. His mother worked in real estate, and his father was a mechanical engineer, who played a significant role in shaping Michael’s early life. At 12, he was already gaining practical experience working at Stroud’s market and a local nursery. Eager to make his own money, Michael later found a job with CN Rail, cleaning train cars, while still attending West Hill Collegiate. This early exposure to hard work set the foundation for his varied and ambitious career.

Michael’s entry into sales began when he was still in high school, selling driveway paving door to door for a large American company. His height, standing at an impressive 6 feet, 5 inches, made him a natural leader, and he captained his school basketball team. However, it was sales which truly captured his attention. Determined to hone his skills, he took several sales courses, preparing himself for a career in the business world.

After attending Ryerson, Michael joined a major American company which specialized in roofing and asphalt products. At just 25, he was promoted to General Manager of the company’s Canadian division, an impressive feat for someone so young. His entrepreneurial spirit, however, soon led him to branch out on his own.

By the mid-1970s, Michael had founded his own company, focusing on products for asphalt, concrete, and de-icing. One of his key innovations was a year-round pothole repair solution, addressing the frustrating issue of potholes only being fixed during warmer months. The product was a success, and Michael began selling franchises worldwide. His business travels took him to an astonishing number of countries, about 140, ranging from Siberia to Afghanistan, Kenya and Europe. This global success was just the beginning of his journey.

In addition to his work in the asphalt industry, Michael’s company, QPR, expanded into pharmaceuticals. His efforts to bring HIV medications to Botswana, in collaboration with SOS charities in Switzerland, showcased his desire to use his business acumen for good. Unfortunately, despite his hard work, the project faced insurmountable bureaucratic challenges, and was eventually put on hold.

After several successful years, Michael sold QPR and shifted his focus to another passion: music. He established a music company, manufacturing records for major labels, like Polygram and K-Tel. During this period, Michael rubbed shoulders with some of the industry’s biggest names, including Canadian rock legend Bryan Adams. The experience was a dream come true for someone with a deep love for music.

Michael’s inventive streak never faded. At one point, while stranded at the airport in Hong Kong, during the SARS outbreak, in 2002, Michael made a critical observation about the loss of smell being a key symptom of the disease. This sparked an idea, and during his quarantine back in Canada, he developed a spray which could detect the disease by testing for the loss of smell. Health Canada approved the product, and it was distributed widely, with major retailers, like Shoppers Drug Mart and Dr. Ho, picking it up. It became an international success, helping many people during a challenging time.

As the years passed, Michael and his wife, author Pauline Kiely, decided to slow down and focus on their property, Dromoland Orchard and Stable. They transformed their acreage into a peaceful venue for weddings, birthdays, and horse rides. The business quickly became a hit, earning top rankings on Trip Advisor. The couple enjoyed the tranquility of their new venture, but Michael’s entrepreneurial instincts were never far from the surface.

It was about eight years ago Michael’s next great idea came to life. Driving through Little Britain, he spotted a peculiar vehicle in a scrapyard: a dilapidated trolley. Where others might have seen rust and ruin, Michael saw potential. With the help of his friend and mechanic, John Jays, the trolley was outfitted with a powerful Corvette and Camaro engine. The once-abandoned vehicle was soon roaring to life.

Michael also enlisted the help of a local high school, in Lindsay, where the shop class undertook the trolley’s restoration. Their hard work paid off, and the trolley was soon back on the road. Its first major booking came from the Peterborough Business Improvement Area which used the trolley for a music festival. Since then, it has shuttled attendees to over 60 concerts and events.

The trolley is not just a fun ride. It is an environmentally friendly option for group transport. Instead of multiple cars clogging up the roads, the trolley can carry groups in style. On weekends, it is a familiar sight, shuttling people between local destinations, like the Old Flame Brewery and Two Blokes Cider, all for free (courtesy of the brewery). I recently had the chance to ride it myself, at the Scugog Chamber of Commerce Beer Fest, and it was an unforgettable experience.

The Town Trolley has become a beloved fixture in the area and has even made appearances in several films. Whether you are planning a special event or looking for a unique experience, the Town Trolley offers something distinctive. From historical tidbits shared during the ride, to thousands of sing-along tunes, the trolley turns any journey into an enjoyable adventure.

For those interested in booking the trolley for a group or event, Michael Bryant and his Town Trolley Tours are ready to roll. It is more than just a ride; it is a piece of local history brought back to life, offering fun, laughter, and memories to all who step aboard.

For more details, visit towntrolley.ca or check out Town Trolley Tours Durham on Facebook.

Jonathan van Bilsen is a television host, award winning photographer, published author, columnist and keynote speaker. His show, ‘The Jonathan van Bilsen Show’, on RogersTV, the Standard Website or YouTube, features many of the people included in this column.