Text by James Bow
In 1966, the TTC started to consider proposals to rebuild their 1940s generation of trolley buses, taking and restoring the electrical components and fitting them into a new modern bus body. Two companies stepped forward and received equipment to build prototypes for the TTC to test. Car 9144 was sent to Robin-Nodwell in the United Kingdom, never to be seen again after the contract to rebuild the vehicle fell through. Western Flyer received trolley coach 9020, and packed the electronics into its first E-700A model body. The vehicle was returned to Hillcrest Shops on July 22, 1968, after which the TTC spent a year running the vehicle 27,500 miles around the system.
On May 31, 1969, railfans chartered prototype 9020 for a jaunt throughout the network served by Lansdowne Garage. Railfan Richard Glaze was in attendance to capture images from this charter.
Western Flyer Trolley Bus 9020 Charter Image Archive
|
TTC Western Flyer trolley coach rebuild #9020 pauses westbound on Lanark Avenue, just past Oakwood, at the north end of the 63 OSSINGTON route. This photo was taken by Richard Glaze on May 31, 1969. |
|
TTC Western Flyer rebuilt trolley coach #9020 prepares to pull out of Dundas West station. This photo was taken by Richard Glaze on May 31, 1969. |
|
TTC Western Flyer trolley coach rebuild #9020 pauses at the north end of the S-curve on Lansdowne Avenue, between St. Clair and Davenport. This photo was taken by Richard Glaze on May 31, 1969. |
|
TTC Western Flyer rebuild trolley coach #9020 heads southbound on Ossington, having passed Northhumberland and heading towards Ossington station. This photo was taken by Richard Glaze on May 31, 1969. |
|
TTC Western Flyer rebuild poses behind coach #9117 at Junction Loop. Richard Glaze took this photo on May 31, 1969. |
|
TTC Western Flyer trolley coach #9020 pauses on Shaw Street, northbound near Adelaide, looking north to Queen. Richard Glaze took this photo on May 31, 1969. |
|
TTC Western Flyer trolley coach rebuild #9020 pauses southbound on Ossington, at Churchill. This shot was taken by Richard Glaze on May 31, 1969. |
