This page originally appeared on the Toronto Transportation Society website and is reprinted here with permission. Minor modifications by James Bow.
In the late 1980s, the venerable Gloucester series of Toronto subway trains were nearing the end of their useful lives. By 1989, some sets had already been retired, or outshopped to become work cars. The Toronto Transportation Society, plus numerous other railfans, felt that after forty-five years, these distinctive red workhorses deserved a proper farewell, and they set about organizing one.
On Sunday, September 30, 1990, railfans gathered at Davisville station to board a train of Gloucesters comprised of cars 5099/5098, 5045/5044, 5115/5110 and 5075/5074. What followed was one of the most memorable charters in the history of Toronto railfanning. The photographs below capture some of what was experienced.
Gloucester Retirement Charter Image Archive
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The train started from the second southbound platform at the Davisville station. Due to asbestos removal work on the North Yonge extension, trains were being turned back at Davisville station using this platform. Despite the confusion of regular passengers boarding scheduled trains at this platform, all railfans were able to board the Gloucester without difficulty. Photo by Rob Lubinski. |
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The next stop on the charter was the abandoned Lower Bay Station. This was the highlight of the tour, as it was the first time this abandoned station had been seen by many on the charter. In Lower Bay the destination sign was changed to "WOODBINE" as it would have read in the 1960s when the interline subway was running. Rob Lubinski photo. |
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Another shot of the Gloucester at Lower Bay station, with station sign, and a kid at the controls. Alan Gryfe photo. |
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After Greenwood, the Gloucesters were run to Kennedy. In the open sections of the line, numerous railfans caught the passing train on camera from overpasses -- except for one unlucky person who discovered his lens cap was still on just as the train passed. At least he was able to get the train on its return trip. After Kennedy, it was over to Kipling (via Lower Bay Station, turning around via the Osgoode transfer track and rejoining Bloor West through the original interline connection west of St. George station), where this shot was taken. Rob Lubinski photo. |
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A short stop at Kipling to stretch, and we headed along the Bloor Danforth, through the interline connection to St. George, making use of the crossover south of St. George to head up the Spadina line to Wilson Yard. Again, railfans were treated to a run through the yard, where a number of retired Gloucesters were in view, along with many retired buses and trolley buses. The charter came to a close at Wilson. The shot here is taken at Yorkdale station, as the farewell train made its way back to Davisville. Rob Lubinski photo. |
About a week later, the remaining active Gloucesters were withdrawn, some being stored at Davisville, Keele and Wilson yards. All but two cars were scrapped from 1991-94. 5098 and 5099 have been preserved at the Halton County Radial Railway.
Special thanks goes to all those who helped to organise this wonderful charter.
