Text and photos by James Bow
Toronto’s first PCC cars were unveiled to the public at the 1938 edition of the Canadian National Exhibition. These sleek, modern cars would debut in public service on September 23, offering free rides on the ST. CLAIR route. Over the following 58 years, these streetcars would provide comfortable and reliable service to millions of Torontonians until their removal from regular service in 1996. Since then, the TTC retained two PCC cars for heritage purposes and for use in charter service. There were some hairy days when concerns over the cars’ wear and tear risked their removal from the system, but railfans rallied around these vehicles, convincing the TTC to provide needed maintenance.
So it was that the TTC continues to maintain two PCC cars seventy-five years after the model’s arrival on Toronto’s streets. Noting the milestone, the Toronto Transportation Society organized a special charter for railfans on Sunday, October 6. PCC 4500 was called to duty, and a good time was had by all.
TTS PCC 75th Anniversary Charter Image Archive
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Railfans gathered at Victoria Street, south of Richmond, around 10:30 a.m., as PCC 4500 turned off of Queen to gather attendees. |
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The PCC driver greets attendees at the start of the charter. It was a sold out event. |
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PCC 4500 headed south on Church and west on King, passing the glass towers of Toronto's financial centre. It was possible to get a shot of the car in reflection as it zoomed along. Unfortunately, sometimes street furniture got in the way. |
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The first stop was Dufferin loop, where PCC 4500 sidled in beside some service vehicles operating on 29 DUFFERIN, and passengers got out for a photo shoot. |
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PCC 4500 poses for photographs at Dufferin Loop. |
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After Dufferin Loop, PCC 4500 headed for Humber Loop and the next photo stop. |
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As a special treat for charter attendees, the charter organizers arranged to have PCC 4500 backed into the old 507 LONG BRANCH loop of the Humber loop interchange. A TTC lineman was there to ensure the manoeuvre proceeded safely. |
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After posing for photographs in the Long Branch portion of Humber Loop, PCC 4500 heads backwards to the loading platform to pick up attendees. |
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The next stop on the charter was further along Lake Shore Boulevard to Kipling Loop. There, PCC 4500 got its wheels wet. |
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Posing for photographs in front of PCC 4500 at Kipling loop. |
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PCC 4500 pulled forward to the edge of a puddle on the tracks of little-used Kipling loop, allowing railfans to catch some neat reflection shots. |
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After Kipling loop, PCC 4500 returned east along Lake Shore Boulevard and the Queensway before turning north on Roncesvalles to Dundas West station. After letting attendees off, PCC 4500 obliged video cameras by looping the loop. |
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After Dundas West station, PCC 4500 followed Dundas Street to Bathurst and headed north on Bathurst to St. Clair. The car bypassed Bathurst Station loop, which led to the only incident of the pole coming off the wire. After barrelling down St. Clair Avenue, there was time for another photo shoot at St. Clair station. |
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PCC 4500 leaves the unloading platform at St. Clair station and offers up its profile to photographers. |
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PCC 4500 heads towards the loading platform of St. Clair station, leaving railfans hurrying in its wake. |
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For some, it was getting late in the day, and some attendees (including yours truly) took their leave. The car would continue for a photo shoot at St. Clair West station before returning to the starting point at Richmond and Victoria. |
A great time was had by all on this charter. It was also interesting seeing the reaction of pedestrians as PCC 4500 ran past. Many would look startled, and some would pull out their cellphone cameras for a quick photo. Many smiled to see the elegant reminder of the TTC’s PCC history as it passed them on the streets of Toronto. It only goes to show how much of an impact the PCCs had on the cultural history of Toronto, and how well-loved these vehicles remain.
Thanks go to the Toronto Transportation Society and the organizers of this charter for putting together this great memorial run.
