Text by James Bow
Photos by Larry Batzakis
Larry Batzakis, realizing that the Orion V class of TTC buses were on the verge of retirement, decided at the end of 2014 to organize a farewell charter. On Sunday, December 28, 2014, Orion V bus #7106 picked up charter attendees at Don Mills station at 6 p.m. for an evening run around the system, focusing on stops in Scarborough, North York and East York. The early winter sunset proved ideal for composing some excellent night bus shots. A selection of these shots are included below.
Orion V 7106 Night Charter Image Archive
|
After picking up passengers, Orion V bus #7106 headed for its first photo stop on Finch Avenue East at Cherokee Boulevard, bearing a 308 FINCH EAST BLUE NIGHT exposure. Photo by Larry Batzakis. |
|
At Kennedy Road at Finch Avenue East, TTC Orion V bus 7106 poses with a 43A KENNEDY exposure. Photo by Larry Batzakis. |
|
At Warden loop on Steeles north of Warden, Orion V bus #7106 poses bearing a 324 VICTORIA PARK BLUE NIGHT exposure. |
|
At Middlefield Loop at Steeles and Middlefield, TTC Orion V bus #7106 poses with a 353 STEELES EAST BLUE NIGHT exposure. Photo by Larry Batzakis. |
|
After Middlefield Loop, Orion V bus #7106 headed to Midland RT station to pose outside the entrance. Photo by Larry Batzakis. |
|
Another shot of TTC Orion V bus #7106 at Midland RT station. Photo by Larry Batzakis. |
|
After Midland RT station, the charter proceeded to Lawrence East RT station, where it posed with a 354 LAWRENCE EAST NIGHT exposure. Photo by Larry Batzakis. |
|
|
After Midland RT station, the charter moved to the bus terminal of Lawrence East RT station, posing with a 354 LAWRENCE EAST BLUE NIGHT sign. Photo by Larry Batzakis. |
|
Another shot of TTC Orion V bus #7106 at Lawrence East RT station, bearing a 54E LAWRENCE EAST exposure. Photo by Larry Batzakis. |
|
A third shot of TTC Orion V bus #7106 at Lawrence East RT station, this time bearing a54E LAWRENCE EAST exposure. Photo by Larry Batzakis. |
|
After Lawrence East RT station, the charter headed to Kennedy station, where it posed with a 305 EGLINTON EAST BLUE NIGHT exposure. Photo by Larry Batzakis. |
|
Following Kennedy, the next stop was in front of Birchmount Garage, where bus #7106 poses with a 113 DANFORTH exposure. Photo by Larry Batzakis. |
|
At Danforth Avenue and Danforth Road, bus #7106 recreates the eastern end of the 300 BLOOR-DANFORTH night route. Photo by Larry Batzakis. |
|
After Danforth Road, the charter proceeded to Danforth garage where it posed bearing a 322 COXWELL BLUE NIGHT exposure. Photo by Larry Batzakis. |
|
TTC Orion V bus 7106 then headed to Coxwell Avenue and Cosburn to pose with a 70C O'CONNOR exposure. Photo by Larry Batzakis. |
|
At O'Connor Drive at Don Mills Road, TTC Orion V bus #7106 posed with an 8 BROADVIEW exposure. Photo by Larry Batzakis. |
|
Now it was time to head back towards Don Mills station. On the way, however, Orion V bus #7106 paused at Don Mills Road and Green Belt to pose with a 303 DON MILLS BLUE NIGHT exposure. Photo by Larry Batzakis. |
|
At Parkwoods Village Drive and Brookbanks drive, Orion V bus #7106 poses with a 321 YORK MILLS BLUE NIGHT exposure. Photo by Larry Batzakis. |
|
The last stop of the night was at Don Mills station, where Orion V bus #7106 bid farewell with a 385 SHEPPARD EAST NIGHT exposure. Photo by Larry Batzakis. |
|
Although it was farewell to Orion V #7106, it wasn't good-bye. Larry Batzakis caught bus 7106 a few days later, operating in service on 39A FINCH EAST. |
|
Another shot of Orion V #7106 in revenue service very early in 2015 at Finch station. Photo by Larry Batzakis. |
