Text by James Bow
In 2017, the City of Toronto and TTC construction work blocked 506 CARLTON streetcars from portions of its line. The first diversion was initially planned between Broadview and Coxwell, to replace aging overhead starting on March 26, 2017, but this was deferred due to a shortage of buses. Then, on Sunday, June 10, 2017, two diversions came into force, with 506 CARLTON cars diverting via Dundas Street between College and Bathurst, and via Parliament, Queen and Coxwell. At this time, 501 QUEEN streetcar service had been replaced with buses due to construction projects of its own, so 506 CARLTON service provided the bulk of streetcar service for Queen Street between Parliament and Coxwell.
In July 2017, service resumed on Gerrard Street East between Parliament and Coxwell, but new construction blocked streetcar service between Coxwell and Main, forcing 506 CARLTON cars to turn south on Coxwell and loop through the Queen/Coxwell loop, with shuttle buses providing replacement service. Construction on Gerrard Street East wrapped up and regular streetcar service restored on July 28, 2017. The final section of construction was scheduled to end in October 2017, with the 506 CARLTON car planned to return to its regular routing on Sunday, October 15, 2017.
These photographs were taken to show 506 CARLTON making these unusual diversions.
506 Carlton 2017 Diversions Image Archive
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TTC CLRV #4120 turns from southbound Bathurst onto westbound Dundas in 506 CARLTON diversion service on June 22, 2017. Photo by James Bow. |
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TTC CLRV #4038 turns from eastbound Dundas to northbound Bathurst in 506 CARLTON service. This photo was taken by James Bow on June 22, 2017. |
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TTC 506 CARLTON CLRV #4148 heads northbound on Parliament, crossing Dundas and passing CLRV 4040 on June 22, 2017. Photo by James Bow. |
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Another view of CLRV #4148 heading northbound on Parliament, crossing Dundas in 506 CARLTON diversion service, with other CLRVs behind it. This photo was taken by James Bow on June 22, 2017. |
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TTC CLRV #4038 heads westbound on Queen, approaching Broadview in 506 CARLTON service. This photo was taken by James Bow on June 22, 2017. |
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TTC CLRV #4157 heads westbound on Queen, approaching Jones in 506 CARLTON diversion service on June 22, 2017. Photo by James Bow. |
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TTC CLRV 4079 heads westbound along Queen, approaching Carlaw in 506 CARLTON diversion service. This photo was taken by James Bow on June 22, 2017. |
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TTC CLRV #4150 turns from eastbound Queen onto northbound Coxwell in 506 CARLTON diversion service on June 22, 2017. CLRV 4024, approaching from the east, is on a training mission. Photo by James Bow. |
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TTC CLRV #4182 turns from southbound Coxwell onto westbound Queen in 506 CARLTON diversion service on June 22, 2017. Photo by James Bow. |
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TTC CLRV #4111 heads southbound on Coxwell, approaching Queen in 506 CARLTON diversion service. This photo was taken by James Bow on June 22, 2017. |
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TTC CLRV #4047 prepares to turn from eastbound Queen onto northbound Coxwell in 506 CARLTON diversion service on June 22, 2017. Photo by James Bow. |
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An official TTC map showing the diversion of the 506 CARLTON streetcar effective July 2017. |
