Search Transit Toronto

The Second Sheppard Subway Media Preview (June 17, 2002)

Bayview

See also:

Pictures by Scott Simpson, text by James Bow.

Scott Simpson of 680 News, who supplied me with dozens of excellent pictures previewing the Sheppard subway, came back to me with another letter. On June 17, 2002, the TTC decided to show off its almost complete Sheppard subway to the media and various politicians. Scott was in attendance.

In his words: "We gathered at Don Mills station and walked down for a tour of the platform ... Westbound to Sheppard-Yonge for a look around ... eastbound to Bayview for a look around ... then back on the train to Don Mills. I may have some of that mixed up, but that's about all we saw. The mosaic murals were fantastic, and some of the effects at Bayview were cool, too. I noticed that the advertising stuff isn't up yet ... Brian Ashton didn't know why, but he called over one of the TTC fellas who said it'll be put up later .. and not as much advertising as on the other lines -- which makes sense, since it'd be a hard sell to get people to buy ads on a line with so little traffic. We noticed that the route maps inside the train didn't have the Sheppard line on 'em."

"In attendance were Transport Minister David Collenette, Rick Ducharme, some MPP, David Miller, Brian Ashton, the art director for the Sheppard line, ... a bunch more politicians .. TTC media relations types .. all the media ..."

Scott's photographs are below.


The Tour Begins

Dignitaries gathered at Don Mills station. Among them (pictured here): Federal Transport Minister David Collenette and Toronto City Councillor David Miller.

Being Briefed

Dignitaries briefed on the upcoming tour.

At the entrance to Fairview Mall

Gentlemen... start your cameras! Note the entrance to Fairview Mall behind.

Don Mills Mezzanine

The Don Mills station mezzanine level, basically complete.

Subway Waiting

As the dignitaries and the media trooped down to the platform level, they found a T-1 train waiting for them.

Empty Platform

Here's the empty track opposite. Note the sign covered in paper.

Sheppard-Yonge Station

From Don Mills, it's on the T1 and over to Sheppard-Yonge station (mostly complete). Everybody gets out to look around. Note the fenced off centre platform.

Mural

The mural art at Sheppard-Yonge station, up close...

Mural II

Another portion of the mural, further away. The art at Sheppard-Yonge station is meant to depict Yonge Street in an earlier country setting.

Posing for pictures

Then the dignitaries pose for more pictures...

Mural Across Platform

A shot across Sheppard-Yonge's central platform, to the mural on the other side.

All Done With Tile

A shot of more of the Sheppard-Yonge mural.

Elevator, Arch and Ellis Don

A shot of the elevator, the arched roof, and the Ellis Don contractor sign. The Yonge subway is directly beneath this spot, and Yonge Street just a few feet above.

Platform View

A final shot of the Sheppard-Yonge platform, showing mural, elevator and tailtrack.

Train Returns

After switching ends in the tail track, the T-1 train returns to Sheppard-Yonge station, ready to pick up the dignitaries who have moved to the eastbound platform.

Bayview

Then it was onto Bayview station...

Bayview Stairs

...Which still needed a bit of work.

Floor Show

Bayview station is perhaps the first subway station in Toronto to have a floor show. Through the use of tiles and other techniques, passengers will be walking on the art.

Floor Show

The art at Bayview station includes a few tricks in perspective.

Floor Show

Another trick of perspective.

Floor Show

Another art piece at Bayview station.

Collector's Booth

Scott Simpson managed to have a look inside a collector's booth under construction at the Bayview station mezzanine.

Addressing the Guests

Addressing the guests at the Bayview station mezzanine.

Back on the Train

Then it was back on the train to Don Mills station, where the tour came to an end.

Scott Simpson would like to thank the organizers of this media tour for putting together such a fascinating event. I would like to thank Scott Simpson for immortalizing this event in pictures.


Support us on Patreon Button

Welcome to Transit Toronto! This is an information site dedicated to public transportation in Toronto, maintained by transit enthusiasts for transit enthuasiasts. This is NOT the official website of the Toronto Transit Commission, Metrolinx or any other transit provider or government agency. To access the official websites of these agencies, consult this page here.