RT-1 Rail Maintenance Car Car (1952-????)

RT-1 (the numbrs may have been assigned in order of the equipment being called into use) began life as a Toronto Railway Company streetcar, and was rebuilt five times. It once served as a LAKE SIMCOE line express car. Converted for use on the YONGE SUBWAY, it operated off of the third rail and served for decades before finally being retired. The deck and trucks were sent over to the Halton County Radial Railway. This photograph shows RT-1 and one of the original subway rail grinders at Davisville Yards on August 28, 1963. This photo is courtesy the Edward Gibbs collection.

This photo shows RT-1 at Greenwood Shops on July 3, 1974. The photograph is by J. Bryce Lee.

RT-2 Flat Car (1953-197?)

This version of TTC RT-2 was a construction car with cab controls, similar to RT-3. It entered service in 1953, while the Toronto subway was still being built, to help with construction. It was built out of former supply car RS-3, a surface car built by the TTC in 1926. RT-2 is seen here in a tunnel, possibly near St. George station, in the early 1960s. The car was still active in the early 1970s, but probably scrapped soon after that. The photographer is unknown and this photo is courtesy the Eric Binns collection.

RT-3 Overhead Maintenance Car (1922-date)

Photo donated by Jim Blair.

RT-3 was formerly Differential Dump Car W-18 on the TTC's streetcar network before being converted to subway use. In this shot, taken on an unknown day in 1953, RT-3 is seen at Davisville, helping to finish work on the Yonge subway. Photo by James Victor Salmon, courtesy the Toronto Public Library.

TTC RT-03 shows up for work at St. George station in 1963, likely days before the opening of the UNIVERSITY SUBWAY. Note that the station name is still being sandblasted into the wall. The photographer is unknown.

Here, we see TTC work car RT-3 posing outside at Greenwood Yards on March 17, 1970. The photographer is unknown.

RT-4 - Platform Maintenance Car (1954-1974)

Before Tokyo Rose, the garbage train duties was handled by RT-4, a rebuilt ex-Witt 2528. This was just one of a number of ex streetcars which found new life working under the ground after the subway was built. When RT-10 was purchased from Japan in 1967, RT-4 was placed on standby duty, and scrapped a few years afterward. It was still listed on standby duty in 1975.

TTC garbage collection car RT-4 (formerly Peter Witt #2528) rests at Davisville Yard along with another work car on July 5, 1954. Photo by Richard Glaze.

TTC subway garbage car RT4 is seen at Greenwood Yards on March 17, 1970. The photographer is unknown the picture is from the John Knight collection.

RT-5 - Rail Grinding Car (1953-1971)

The TTC's first subway rail grinding car, RT-5, is seen behind the TTC's first garbage train, RT-4, and a yard shunter at Davisville yard in the early days of the Yonge subway line. This photo is by James Victor Salmon and is courtesy the Toronto Public Library.

RT-5 - The Tunnel grout car (1997-date)

Tunnel grout car photographs supplied by George Davidson.

Click here for a video of RT-5 running through Yorkdale station.

RT-6 - Vacuum Cleaning Car (1922-2009)

The TTC built RT-6 originally as a snow blower in 1922 before converting it for use in the subway in 1954. It's seen here at Davisville yards on April 17, 1954. Although referred to as a vacuum cleaning car in some records, it does look like it would be more effective blowing snow. The photo is by L. Swanson and is from the John Knight collection.

TTC subway snow blower RT6 is seen in inside the Greenwood shops on July 6, 1974. Photo by R. McMann, from the John Knight collection.

RT-7 Rail Grinder (1954-1976)

This car, formerly Preston-built Toronto Civic Railway #53 (built in 1915) spent life on the TTC as a passenger car, a snow scraper, streetcar rail grinder W-27 and, finally subway rail grinder RT-7. It served on the subway until replaced by the PCC rail grinders in 1970 (seen behind RT-7, on the left of the picture), and was finally retired in 1976. It now resides at the Halton County Railway Museum. This photo, taken at Greenwood yards in the early 1970s, was donated by Jim Blair.

TTC subway rail grinder RT7 is seen at Greenwood Yards on March 17, 1970. The photographer is unknown, but is from the John Knight collection.

RT-7 Diesel Locomotive Work Car (1997- )

James Bow caught this image of TTC Arva Industries diesel locomotive RT-7 in the southbound tracks just north of Yorkdale Station on June 5, 2022, during trackwork that partially shut down the subway between Lawrence West and Wilson stations.

RT-9 and the 2nd RT-10 - Work Service Cars
(formerly Garbage Train cars) (1997-2013)

In this photo, taken by Roman Fomin on December 19, 2011, RT-9 car (ex H1 5351) sits on track #9 at Davisville Yard. See more details about its life here. These were eventually retired and scraped, replaced with a purpose-built motorized flatcar (RT-9) and an ex-H4 car (RT-10).

Here is a picture of its companion RT-10 car (ex H1 5374) snapped on the same day.

RT-9 and RT-10 took over from the Gloucester Garbage Train and continued to haul away the subway's garbage. A photo essay of their life can be found by clicking here. RT-9 was burned on December 8, 2000 due to a fire that started on the car. Photo by Aaron Adel.

RT-10 - Tokyo Rose (1967-1999)

Tokyo Rose was the immediate predecessor to the Gloucester Garbage Train. A photo essay of its life can be found by clicking here. Photo by Brad O'Brien.

RT-10(III) - Asbestos Abatement Car (2013-date)

Former H4-class subway car 5626 was converted in 2013 to the third version of work car RT-10, pulling flatcar RT-9 in asbestos abatement service. Chris Edwards took this photograph late on June 8, 2018, on the third platform of Davisville station.

A rear view of RT-1o #3, taken by Chris Edwards at Davisville station on June 8, 2018.

RT-11 - Tunnel Gauge Car (19??-????)

This unique vehicle was designed to test whether subway tunnels were large enough to accept Toronto's subway cars. In this photograph, TTC battery-electric locomotive RT-12 pulls tunnel gauge car RT-11 northbound on the SPADINA SUBWAY just north of Glencairn, while workers build the line. This shot was taken on July 13, 1977 by R. McMann and is from the John Knight collection.

TTC locomotive RT-12 pulls tunnel gauge car RT-11 northbound on the Spadina subway across the 401 bridge on July 13, 1977. Photo by R. McMann, from the John Knight collection.

RT-12 - Battery/Electric Locomotive (1968-2009)

In 1968, the TTC purchased an electric locomotive from Nippon-Sharyo for pulling work train equipment. Able to operate off of the third rail, it could also pull equipment through un-powered sections of the line using its battery. The locomotive provided service for the TTC until December 2009 when it was retired and sold for scrap. It was replaced by Arva Industries tri-mode locomotive RT-71. In this shot, R. McMann captured RT-12 at Union station on February 4, 1969. This photo is from the John Knight collection.

TTC Battery/Electric locomotive RT-12 poses with Tunnel Washing cars RT-16 and RT-17 in Greenwood Yard on February 6, 1974. Photograph by Stephen M. Scalzo.

TTC battery/electric locomotive RT-12 sits in Davisville Yards on November 17, 1979. The photographer is unknown.

RT-13 - Subway Crane Car (1968-date)

This subway crane car was built by Nippon Sharyo and acquired new in 1968, making it a contemporary of Tokyo Rose RT-10. Thanks to Thomas Robinson for this information.

TTC work car RT-13 pulls past the westbound platform of Yonge subway station late on February 4, 1969. This photograph is by Robert McMann and is courtesy the John Knight collection.

TTC crane car RT-13 sits in the Greenwood Shops on February 8, 1969. Photo by R. McMann, from the John Knight collection.

TTC Subway Crane Car RT-13 poses at Davisville Yards in the snow on January 24, 1970. This photograph was taken by Robert McMann and is courtesy the John Knight collection.

TTC Nippon-Sharyo crane car RT13 sits on the tracks leading to Warden station on September 15, 1974, helping to lay down concrete ties. Photo by R. McMann, courtesy the John Knight collection.

TTC centre-cab crane car RT13 and lays down concrete ties near Warden station on September 15, 1974. Photo by R. McMann, from the John Knight collection.

RT-14 and RT-15 - The Subway Rail Grinders (1970-1989)

In 1970, PCCs 4446 and 4410 were converted into this train designed to smooth the rails of Toronto's subway. They replaced two single-truck grinders in the form of RT-5 and RT-7. The two PCCs were coupled back to back and modified to allow users to access both cars from inside the train, as well as from the high-level platforms. They were replaced by more conventional equipment some time afterward and have since been scrapped. The shot on the left, taken by John Bromley on May 26, 1974, shows rail grinders RT-14/15 at Davisville station.

Richard Glaze caught this image of the RT-15 end of the RT-14/15 subway rail grinding train at Greenwood Yards, beside Montrealer train car #5307 and Hawker Siddeley #5480. This photo was taken circa March 1971.

Here's a view of the RT-14 end of the TTC's RT14/15 subway rail grinding train, taken outdoors at Greenwood Yards circa March 1971 by Richard Glaze.

TTC PCC subway rail grinder RT-14 poses with Gloucester car 5027 at Greenwood Shops in this November 1973 shot. Todd Lange took this photograph.

Here we see RT-14 and RT-15 posing at Greenwood Yards on July 6, 1974. This photograph was taken by Frank Szachacz.

TTC rail grinders RT14 and RT15 wait for the start of the working night at Greenwood yards on June 3, 1980. The photographer is unknown, but the image is from the John Knight collection.

RT-14 and RT-15 (IV) - Work Service Cars (2012- )

TTC ex-H4 class car #5609 was converted to work service car RT-14 (mark IV) in 2012, and mated with RT-15 (mark IV), which was previously RT-46 and, before that, H1 service car #5336. RT-14 replaced RT-45, which was retired and scrapped in June 2012. RT-14 is seen here in the maintenance of way track at Greenwood Yards alongside RT-83 during Doors Open 2015 on May 23, 2015. Photo by Chris Edwards.

Chris Edwards snapped this shot of Work Service car RT-14 on the third platform of Davisville station on June 8, 2018.

RT-16 (I) - Tunnel Washing Car (1973-2001)

The first RT-16 was built in 1973 by Nippon-Sharyo as a tunnel washing car. You can tell from the tank that it held a lot of water. The car operated until 2001, when it was rebuilt as a flat car, and renumbered RT-54. Here, we see RT-16 at Greenwood Yard on July 8, 1974. The photo is by R. Short and is from the John Knight collection.

RT-16 and RT-17 (II) Tunnel Washer Train (1996-date)

This self-propelled wall washer train was built by ARVA of St. Thomas, Ontario. In June 2009, Joe Dimech took this picture of TTC tunnel washer RT16 alongside an unidentified work train at Keele Yard.

RT-16 car awaits its job as a tunnel washer on one of the tale tracks at Davisville . Photo by Roman Fomin on June 19, 2012.

RT-18 - Diesel Hydraulic Locomotive (1977-date)

Click here for photos and a history of this unique vehicle.

Chris Edwards captured this image of locomotive RT-18 and a flat car assisting with the construction of the second platform at Union Station in 2013.

RT-19 Diesel-Electric Flat Car with Crane (1980-date)

This photograph of RT-19 flat car / crane was taken during TTC public tour at Greenwood Yard on February 26, 2011. Photo by Roman Fomin.

RT-20 Flat Car With Crane (1980-date)

RT-20 is a flat car/crane. It has a flat bed for carrying things and a diesel hydraulic crane, making it doubly useful at construction sites. The car was acquired new from the Japanese builder named Niigata in 1980. Photo by George Davidson.

RT-22 Non-motored Flat Car (1973-date)

RT-22 is an non-motored flat car, formerly wall washer car RT-17, built by Nippon Sharyo and acquired by the TTC in 1973 and rebuilt in 1996. Photo by George Davidson.

RT-28 (I) Motorized Flat Car (1987-2001)

Rob McMann caught this image of the first version of RT-28 during a construction project at Davisville Yards on June 9, 1991. This flatcar was built by Ecolaire in 1987, and was eventually retired and donated to the Halton County Railway Museum in 2001.

Another shot of TTC RT-28 helping out with work at Davisville yard on June 9, 1991. The photographer is Robert McMann and the image is courtesy the John Knight collection.

RT-28 (II) Flat Car with Crane (2000-date)

RT-28 is seen here with RT-19 and RT-55 (not pictured) working on the crossover at Warden station on September 15, 2007. Photo by Ross Wright.

RT-29 - Motorized Flat Car (1987-2001)

RT-29 was a motorized flatcar built by Ecolaire in 1987 specifically for the TTC alongside the first iteration of RT-28. It was retired in 2001 and donated to the Halton County Railway Museum and is seen here stored behind the Sir Adam Beck carbarn on October 12, 2015. Photo by James Bow. RT-29 is currently operational, equipped with trucks and components from retired Gloucester subway cars. RT-28 is also at HCRY, used as a trailer.

RT 34-36 (III) - Platform Car and Motive Units (2019-date)

TTC RT-36 is a new platform car purchased circa 2019 to be used on asbestos abatement work. It's paired with cars RT-34 and RT-35, former H4-class cars 5648 and 5651 respectively. This photograph was taken by Gordon Webster at Davisville Yards on January 30, 2020.

RT-37 - Tunnel Washer Car Power Unit (1988-1989)

Ex-G2 class Gloucester car #5105 was converted to the power unit of a tunnel washing train in 1988. The car was renumbered RT-15 in 1989, before being retired in 1999. Robert Lubinski snapped this photograph in 1988. The car is posing outside Greenwood Yard during an open house.

RT-38 and RT-39 - The Gloucester Garbage Cars (1991-1998)

RT-38 and RT-39 were old Gloucester cars which were renovated to replace Tokyo Rose. A photo essay of their life and death can be found by clicking here. This photo of RT-38/39 at Davisville Yard is by George Davidson.

RT38 and RT39(III) - Work Car Train (2011/13-date)

In June 2013, the TTC converted an H4-class car into a general work car, numbered RT-38 (purchased in 2011). It was mated with Arva Industries flatcar RT-39. Chris Edwards took this photograph at Davisville station on June 8, 2018.

RT-41 - Tie Tamper Car (1993-date)

RT-41 is used to tamp ballast between the rails, and so can be seen on those sections of the TTC subway which still use wooden ties and ballast when those sections need maintenance. This vehicle was built by Plasser American and acquired new by the TTC in 1993. In this shot, taken by James Bow on July 17, 2014, RT-41 has finished a job at one end of Vincent Yard and is pulling into the tunnel at the yard's western end.

RT-41 tie tamper seems to be a heavy duty workhorse for Toronto Transit Commission. This photo was taken at Greenwood Yard on February 26, 2011 by Roman Fomin.

Here is a shot of the driver controls of RT-41. Photo by George Davidson.

RT-47 Flat Car (1999-date)

A picture of RT-47 flat car at Davisville Yard (Roman Fomin, June 19, 2012).

RT-48 Snow Thrower Car (2001-date)

ARVA subway track maintenance car RT-48 sits on a flat trailer #T368 that was hauled to Hillcrest Complex for an unclear purpose by TTC truck #387. Photo by Roman Fomin on September 19, 2015.

RT-49 Motored Snow Blower (2001-date)

RT-49 snow thrower car rests at Greenwood Yard on February 26, 2011. This car is also equipped with brush blower. Photo by Roman Fomin.

RT 50-53 - Push Snow Thrower (1999-date)

TTC Push snow-blower rests at Davisville Yard, minus RT50-52, the power units. This piece of equipment was purchased from Arva Industries in 1999, following the massive snowstorm that shut down subway service for days. George Webster caught this image along with RT-38 and RT-29 at Davisville station on January 30, 2020.

RT-55 - Flat car with crane

This picture contains a shot of three TTC work cars: RT-55, RT-28 and RT-19, all lending assistance to TTC workers rebuilding the crossover to the west of Warden Station, on September 15, 2007. Ross Wright took this photograph.

RT-56 Vacuum Rodder (2006-date)

Close look at RT-56 vacuum rodder car. On top of its own weight of 52 tones this car is equipped with a huge water tank capable to carry 7.6 tones of clean water. Photo by Roman Fomin on February 26, 2011 (Greenwood Yard).

RT-60 Work Service Car

RT-60 car (ex H4 5637) in a train set with two flat cars at Davisville Yard. This car can also be seen coupled with RT-61 work service car of the same model.

RT-61 Flat Car (200?-date)

This powered flat car, built by Arva Industries, sits at the south side of Davisville Yard's main building on February 22, 2017, ahead of Work Service car RT-60 (former Hawker Siddley car #5637. This photo was taken by Damian Baranowski.

RT-62 - General Utility Train (2011-date)

Another shot of a train set at Davisville with RT-62 car (ex H4 5616) at Davisville Yard. Photo by Roman Fomin on June 19, 2012.

Chris Edwards took this photograph of general utility vehicle RT-62 at Davisville station on June 8, 2018.

RT-63 Flat Car

Here, RT-63 flat car is followed by RT-62 work service car.

RT-64 & 65 Works Service Train (ex H4 5594-5)

Work cars RT64 and 65 sit quietly at Davisville Yard. Photo by Greg Northcott.

RT-66 & RT-67 (Mark II) - General Utility Cars

Former H4 subway car #5638, now renumbered RT-66, leads flat car RT67 northbound through Sheppard West station on November 22, 2017. This photo was taken by Transit Historian Trevor from Transit Bricks.

RT-71 - Self Propelled Locomotive

This self-propelled locomotive was bought from Arva Industries circa 2000 to pull work equipment. It can operate by the third rail, by battery power, or by diesel. This car is powerful enough to pull a six-car train of service cars up a 3.5% grade. It's seen here at Greenwood Yard during Doors Open Toronto on May 23, 2015. Photo by Chris Edwards.

RT-73 Flat Car

RT-73 flat car sits on the track #10 at Davisville. Photo by Roman Fomin on December 19, 2011.

RT-76 Flat Car

RT-76 flat car rests at Greenwood Yard. Photo by Roman Fomin on February 26, 2011.

TTC Workcar RT-76 lays over at College during a subway closure between Bloor-Yonge and St. Andrew, while crews install the new Automatic Train Control (ATC) system and do track maintenance. Photo taken by Marcus Danchuk in the early morning hours of March 27, 2019.

RT-81 Flat Car

This photograph was taken by Roman Fomin during TTC public tour at Greenwood Yard on February 26, 2011.

RT-87 Crane Car

TTC takes delivery of Arva Industries crane car RT-87 at Davisville Carhouse on March 30, 2017. This photo is from the TTC.

RT-90 & 91 Work Service Cars

TTC Bombardier T1 workcars RT-91 and RT-90 (ex-5184/5185) lay over at Kennedy Station while being tested. This pair was modified for work car duties in 2018, making them one of the very first T1 work cars. Photo taken on April 10th, 2019, by Marcus Danchuk.

A closer look into modified TTC Bombardier T1 work car RT-91 as it lays over at Kennedy Station on April 10th, 2019. Photo by Marcus Danchuk.

A number of the TTC's subway work equipment poses for fans outside at the Greenwood Yards on July 6, 1974, including RT 14-15, Tokyo Rose, RT7, and more. Photo by R. McMann, from the John Knight collection.

Patrick Yutiga captured this image of Rhomberg Sersa/LINSINGER SF02T-FS Rail Milling Train sitting at Davisville Yard. This contracted vehicle was delivered in January 2021 to target areas of track with high damage, high welds, and severely worn rails. The TTC will have the car on its property until June 2021.

ST-1 Diesel Locomotive (1984-date)

This picture of the only locomotive of Scarborough RT was snapped by Roman Fomin during Doors Open Toronto May 28, 2011. The diesel propelled locomotive was made in Japan in 1984 by Niigata company - note the plate near the cab door.

ST-3 Non-powered Rail Grinding Truck

Non-powered rail grinding truck ST-3, stored off to the side behind the gatehouse at McCowan Yard. Photo by James Bow.

ST-4 Non-Powered Snow Blower

Just behind the gatehouse of McCowan Yard, non-powered snow blower car ST-4 is stored off to the side. Photo by James Bow.

ST-7 - Hyrail Truck (2011- )

ST-7, the newest car in the Scarborough RT's work fleet, is a Mercedes Unimog hyrail truck. Purchased in 2011 to replace the aging SRT work locomotive ST-1, it operates with gasoline power but can ride the rails on the Scarborough RT used as the main vehicle in the SRT MOW fleet. It is primarily used to move personnel and small materials to work sites. It's seen here at Greenwood Yards for Doors Open 2015 on May 23, 2015. Photo by Chris Edwardss.