TTC CLRV 4170 On St. Clair Avenue by KatesFriend
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Description
Greetings everyone, thanks for coming and having a view. I recently traveled down to Toronto again and indulged in a little more transit photography. It was a nice day after all and this was a special mission.
I mentioned in a previous photo that Toronto streetcars typically operate in mixed traffic. Over 80% of the revenue network runs with autos, trucks, bikes and everyone else. However, for over a decade, it has been the policy of the TTC to establish streetcar right-of-ways where ever possible. The most recent effort has been this segment of St. Clair Avenue which reopened for streetcar operations between Yonge Street and Bathurst Street two weeks ago. Without fanfare and on a cold Sunday morning when no one was looking - it's the TTC's way.
When the St. Clair right-of-way is fully completed late next year, the St. Clair line (Route 512) will become the TTC's third streetcar route to be fully separated from other traffic. The other two are the Harbourfront line (Route 509) and the Spadina line (Route 510).
Ironically, the St. Clair line was originally built with a right-of-way. St. Clair Avenue was actually planned, early in the last century, to be wide enough to accommodate a segregated streetcar line. But it was removed during the depression years as a make work project and as another concession to the automobile.
Later, during the abandonment era, the St. Clair line was also well on its way to becoming Toronto's answer to St. Charles line in New Orleans. Operation of the St. Clair streetcar line was a term of annexation for the working class districts north of St. Clair Avenue. The local residences were not pleased with the imposing of bus service over there long cherished streetcars. They pressed for the terms of annexation to be honoured. The city and the TTC might well have been compelled to retain the St. Clair line after all other lines had fallen to the bus. Fortunately it never came down to that.
This CLRV streetcar is traveling westbound to Keele Street. The uptown office buildings on Yonge Street are clearly visible in the background. Actually the western terminus for the St. Clair line is at Gunns Road, just a block west of Keele. Why the roll signs say Keele and not Gunns is unclear except that Keele has a sexier name and is a more important road than Gunns.
NOTES:
TTC: Toronto Transit Commission
CLRV: Canadian Light Rail Vehicle
Comments (17)
msebonyluv
Ahhhh the sweet site of the TTC Streetcar!! I live in Mississauga and the only TTC bus I see nowadays is the 58 Malton bus! Great shot!!
Biffowitz
You've done a fantastic job of capturing the mood, it looks like a fabulous brisk Toronto day. Great shot of the red rocket, and fabulous info too!!
Richardphotos
stunning capture. I recall those street names from my visit to your fair city
1010
There is a little town by us named St. Clair. I live in Pa, USA. A terrific, colorful shot!
drifterlee
We have a St. Clair in Michigan, too. On Lake St. Clair. On the Toronto streetcar, I road on those 20 years ago and wondered if they still had them. I must visit again. It's not that far away!!! Cool shot!
Burpee
The lure and romance of these almost forgotten vehicles makes this such an interesting image. This is the best shot of one yet! A wonderful solution to pollution :)
Surama
Great...Im always happy to see other parts of our world....! Thank you for sharing!
brubright
I grew up near a small town in PA named St. Clair that's amazing. Nice capture too. I haven't been back there to St. CLair since my parents who move had owned a home there for a short time left tio move to TN, gotta be 15 years now. I always enjoy seeing your work, there is almost always something in it to warm my heart.
Syrup
Lived in the greater TO area most of my life and yet I remain somewhat ignorant to some parts of the city.Nicely captured and thx for the added info. :B eaver !
RyverMyst
A beautiful, sunny, but brisk looking day in Toronto. Excellent shot.
cmaupin
Excellent scene.
2Loose2Trek
wonderful scene!
watifeye
Wonderful way to travel and nice to see them preserved. We got some trams left in this country UK but the only one I can think of is in Blackpool on the northwest coast. Thanks for all the info and excellent capture. Well done!
evielouise
I know a lot about street cars (giving away my age lol) I was born and grew up in Montreal: Love your photo as soon as I looked at it I got home sick(live in california since 1965)
lior
So wonderful image as always!!!!!!!!!!!
RG19
Super photo! Greeting from Central Illinois :)
Celtic_Lass
There is such a romance to these...