^ A four-car train heads away from Kennedy station, turning down the sharp decline to the at-grade run to Lawrence East in this 2003 shot. Photo by E. Victor C.

The TTC is inviting you to* celebrate the end of a transit era* and say farewell to the Line 3 Scarborough rapid transit line (the SRT). This Saturday, September 23, the transit agency is hosting what it’s calling “a special event, filled with fun, memorabilia and special guests” at Scarborough Centre Station.

You’ll have a final opportunity to step on board one of the iconic blue SRT trains, which served millions of Scarborough residents and visitors for 38 years with automated rail cars and pioneering linear-induction propulsion technology.

According to a TTC news release, “the celebration promises to be a fun, nostalgic event that transports visitors back to 1985 when the SRT began operations. The day will feature two static SRT trains on the station platforms, memorabilia, music, local artists and a marketplace with Scarborough artisans.”

Here’s the formal programme for the day’s activities:

Schedule is as follows:

• 10:15 a.m.: Formal remarks and cake-cutting ceremony with TTC employees to celebrate Line 3’s retirement
• 10:30 a.m.: TTC newlywed Marc Tan, his wife Kelsey and their dog Viva will be taking wedding photos with the SRT - media are invited to capture this and speak with Marc and Kelsey ahead of their wedding reception later that afternoon.
• 11:30 a.m.: TTC welcomes the public to SRT farewell event.
• Noon: Formal remarks to the public
• 4 p.m.: Event ends.

The event raises money for the United Way, with a silent auction featuring authentic SRT parts and exclusive merchandise.

From the Transit Toronto archives, read:

• “The Rise and Fall of the Scarborough RT” by James Bow, here.

^ Rebuilt TTC ICTS trains (westbound led by #3024, eastbound rear brought up by #3020) pass each other at Midland Station on the afternoon of May 30, 2018. Photo by James Bow.