Subway

A look at Foster Palmer, Lewis Swanson, Ivor Walsh, & stock films from the 1950‟s of the CSL & CTA lines. Foster Palmer took movies from 1952 to 1956 of the Green Hornets & the “L”.

In 1962, the TTC ordered 36 subway cars from the Montreal Locomotive Works. They were the first subway cars built in Canada. They were constructed of light weight aluminium and, at the time, were the longest transit car in North America. Originally purchased for the 6.7 mile long Yonge - University subway, they began service in 1963 from Eglington to St. George Station. 1999 marks the 36th year of these trains revenue service, and February 28th of that year, was the 40th Anniversary of the opening of the University Line. The Toronto Transporation Society organized a farewell charter on this date to commemorate the retirement of these cars. This video chronicles the charter plus the cars' final days of service.

Toronto's premier East-West streetcar line began service in 1921 and was extended in 1923 from Lansdowne to Luttrell Loop. Later the line was extended west to Jane Loop. In 1938 PCC service began and ran until the E-W subway was opened in 1966. Take a trip down the line with former motorman & author Bill Hood as he relates his memories.

The TTC's G1 subway cars carried transit enthusiasts on a final farewell trip on Sept 30, 1990.

GPS VIDEO highlights 100 years of trolley service on the Yonge line, featuring early 1920’s black and white film, as well as John Mills and Lewis Swanson’s 1950’s color 8mm film of the last days of the trailer trains. Also included is color film of the early days of Yonge subway service, and Toronto’s Gloucester subway cars are seen on a 1990 farewell charter. Ray Corley, transportation consultant and former motormen provides recollections of Toronto’s transportation history.