Text and photos by James Bow.
On the final day of the Toronto Transportation Society's Transportation Weekend, the TTS commissioned a charter marking the retirement of the Orion Ikarus articulated buses. TTS President Ray Nielsen oversaw the charter, bringing the bus in from Malvern Garage and selecting our route. TTS Secretary Joe Chemerys supplied linen exposures to be used overtop of the electronic rollsign.
The Ikarus buses had been formally retired from service the day before, so this was truly the last trip for bus 6410.
Orion Ikarus Retirement Charter Image Archive
|
Charter attendees gathered outside the Famous Players theatre at the Scarborough Town Centre around 11 a.m. to board Ikarus 6410. Here, it rounds the access roadway, showing off its bend. |
|
From there, the bus went around to the Scarborough Centre RT Station bus platforms for a secondary pickup and for this photo shoot. |
|
At a stop on Wynford Drive, Orion Ikarus #6410 poses with a 100 FLEMINGDON PARK destination sign. |
|
After riding fast on Highway 401 and the Don Valley Parkway and making a brief stop at Flemingdon Park, we headed into the Ontario Science Centre grounds for a photo shoot. Here, a woman passer-by attempts to board the bus and is a little amused to find it chartered for fun. A charter attendee looks on. |
|
Still at the Science Centre, a charter attendee snaps a shot of 6410. |
|
Boarding Orion Ikarus #6410 to depart the Ontario Science Centre. |
|
After a brief lunch break and a stop in Thorncliffe Park, we got back on the Don Valley Parkway and went along the Gardiner to South Kingsway. From there, we made our way to Jane Station and then to Old Mill Station where these shots were taken. |
|
TTC Orion Ikarus bus #6410 pulls out of the Old Mill bus loop, while photographers snap pictures. |
|
From Old Mill, we proceeded to Islington Station. |
|
After Islington Station, we rode Islington Avenue to Dixon and made a stop on Dixon Road. |
|
After another stop near Dixon Road, it was a quick visit to Wilson Garage, where 6410 posed beside some 9400 series Orion V buses. |
From Wilson Garage, there was another photo stop near the crest of the Senlac route and then passengers were dropped off at Finch Station to end what had been a fun and memorable charter. Many thanks for the charter organizers for putting on such a good show.
