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The 8086 GM Fishbowl Charter (April 10, 1999)

On April 10, a group of bus enthusiasts, led by TTS president Ray Neilson, assembled to charter 1975 GM fishbowl 8086. This was one last chance to view a TTC bus with a roll sign before the 1975 GMs are rebuilt and fitted with electronic signs. We started our tour off at Eglinton Garage where 8086 is based.


8086

Here is picture of 8086 beside Nova LFS 1001. Rebuilt Flyer 6116 can be seen in Bay 9 picking up passengers for the Flemingdon Park route.

8086

From there, we proceeded to Holly avenue, one block east of Yonge St. 8086 is seen here at Holly and Berwick where the Avenue Rd 5C bus used to loop. When the Yonge 97 route was moved out of Eglinton Stn, a bus bay became available and Avenue Rd. buses took that bay.

8086

After a brief stop at Belsize Ave. where the Davisville bus loops, we were off to East York. Here is a shot of 8086 modeling her Don Mills express sign on Overlea Blvd.

8086

We then proceeded to Durant Ave. where the 87B Cosburn bus turns. Note the black and white roll sign.

8086

Just around the corner, we stopped on Mortimer for this shot, returning to the three colour signs.

8086

Then it was off to Parkview Hills where the 91A bus loops. This residential stop was made more interesting by one of the local residents who came over to the charter group and asked why anyone was interested in this bus or this neighbourhood.

8086

We headed south towards Danforth garage where things were pretty quiet. We then headed to the West end. On our way south to the Gardiner, we stopped at Coxwell loop at Queen. A short turn Carlton car was there to greet us.

8086

The trip on the Gardiner from the East end to Etobicoke was really something. The two speed was put to the max even only at 80 km/h. On arrival in Etobicoke, we headed for Sherway Gardens. In this shot, 8086 is passed by a MT Orion V on the #4 route.

8086

We then headed for Queensway garage. The folks at the TTC were kind enough to park 8480 and 8257 outside. 8257 is the last D800B Flyer left in service and 8480 is a former sightseeing bus with those oh so comfy seats.

8086

We then went up to Kipling station with a brief stop on Norseman, where the short lived 121 bus used to roam. At Kipling Stn we were treated to a number of good photo ops. Here is the 45C (now 45E Kipling express exposure).

8086

Here is 8086 signed for 124 Sherway with Kipling station in the background.

8086

This is a shot of 8086 on Bloor at Larwel. This photo stop was made more interesting by a passing MT bus and a motorist who yelled at us for standing in his way.

8086

Then it was up to the Westaway. This shot is taken one block west of Martin Grove where 8972 rests at the end of the 52 route.

8086

We then hopped on the 401 and took the bus to North end of the city via the Allen. We paralleled the old 55 SENLAC route to Steeles, stopping at the loop off east of Yonge, the current terminus for the Eastern branch of 98 WILLOWDALE-SENLAC. Until the 97 YONGE route started using an on street loop via Hilda Ave, it looped here as well.

We raced down Bayview and back to Eglinton Stn to end the charter. The last view photo op was the 99 Downtown express exposure. It was a most enjoyable charter and I would like to sincerely thank the organizers and the bus driver, Andrew, who accommodated an ambitious schedule.

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