September 2, 2014 at 9:10 am
Scene: Toronto’s New Streetcars Roll Out at Last
Hundreds turned up at Spadina Station this weekend to ride the TTC's much-hyped new vehicle.
By
Graeme Bayliss • Photos by Giordano Ciampini
328809 The new vehicles got the kind of reception normally reserved for celebrities at TIFF. rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9469 https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9469-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9469.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9469.jpg 1000 667 {"aperture":4,"camera":"Canon EOS 5D","created_timestamp":1409477090,"focal_length":"85","iso":"1600","shutter_speed":"0.008"} https://torontoist.com/2014/09/scene-torontos-new-streetcars-roll-out-at-last/slide/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9469/ rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9469 0 0
328810 They should've rolled out a red carpet between the tracks. rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9480 https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9480-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9480.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9480.jpg 1000 667 {"aperture":4,"camera":"Canon EOS 5D","created_timestamp":1409477121,"focal_length":"24","iso":"1600","shutter_speed":"0.008"} https://torontoist.com/2014/09/scene-torontos-new-streetcars-roll-out-at-last/slide/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9480/ rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9480 0 0
328822 Believe the hype. rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9589 https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9589-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9589.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9589.jpg 1000 667 {"aperture":5,"camera":"Canon EOS 5D","created_timestamp":1409481174,"focal_length":"24","iso":"1600","shutter_speed":"0.02"} https://torontoist.com/2014/09/scene-torontos-new-streetcars-roll-out-at-last/slide/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9589/ rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9589 0 0
328808 TTC CEO Andy Byford was as excited about the new vehicles as anyone. rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9406 https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9406-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9406.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9406.jpg 1000 667 {"aperture":4,"camera":"Canon EOS 5D","created_timestamp":1409476220,"focal_length":"24","iso":"1600","shutter_speed":"0.008"} https://torontoist.com/2014/09/scene-torontos-new-streetcars-roll-out-at-last/slide/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9406/ rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9406 0 0
328811 The new vehicle has plenty of accessibility features. rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9496 https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9496-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9496.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9496.jpg 1000 667 {"aperture":4,"camera":"Canon EOS 5D","created_timestamp":1409477225,"focal_length":"24","iso":"1600","shutter_speed":"0.008"} https://torontoist.com/2014/09/scene-torontos-new-streetcars-roll-out-at-last/slide/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9496/ rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9496 0 0
328818 This lucky guy got to press the button that opens the door. rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9569 https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9569-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9569.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9569.jpg 1000 667 {"aperture":5,"camera":"Canon EOS 5D","created_timestamp":1409480913,"focal_length":"24","iso":"1600","shutter_speed":"0.0125"} https://torontoist.com/2014/09/scene-torontos-new-streetcars-roll-out-at-last/slide/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9569/ rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9569 0 0
328812 Ultimate Toronto transit geek Steve Munro (right) turned up to take a ride. rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9507 https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9507-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9507.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9507.jpg 1000 667 {"aperture":4,"camera":"Canon EOS 5D","created_timestamp":1409479057,"focal_length":"24","iso":"1600","shutter_speed":"0.008"} https://torontoist.com/2014/09/scene-torontos-new-streetcars-roll-out-at-last/slide/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9507/ rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9507 0 0
328813 The new transfer and proof of payment. rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9512 https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9512-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9512.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9512.jpg 1000 667 {"aperture":5.6,"camera":"Canon EOS 5D","created_timestamp":1409479180,"focal_length":"24","iso":"1600","shutter_speed":"0.008"} https://torontoist.com/2014/09/scene-torontos-new-streetcars-roll-out-at-last/slide/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9512/ rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9512 0 0
328815 Being packed in to the gills will be easier with air conditioning. rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9518 https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9518-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9518.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9518.jpg 1000 667 {"aperture":8,"camera":"Canon EOS 5D","created_timestamp":1409479294,"focal_length":"85","iso":"1600","shutter_speed":"0.008"} https://torontoist.com/2014/09/scene-torontos-new-streetcars-roll-out-at-last/slide/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9518/ rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9518 0 0
328816 It's not exactly a Venetian gondola, but Alex and Seth managed to enjoy a romantic ride at the back of the streetcar. rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9523 https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9523-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9523.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9523.jpg 1000 667 {"aperture":8,"camera":"Canon EOS 5D","created_timestamp":1409479387,"focal_length":"24","iso":"1600","shutter_speed":"0.008"} https://torontoist.com/2014/09/scene-torontos-new-streetcars-roll-out-at-last/slide/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9523/ rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9523 0 0
328807 This barbershop quartet was presumably intended to hearken back to the debut of Toronto's now-aging CLRV streetcars all those years ago. rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9377 https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9377-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9377.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9377.jpg 1000 667 {"aperture":5.6,"camera":"Canon EOS 5D","created_timestamp":1409475418,"focal_length":"28","iso":"1600","shutter_speed":"0.008"} https://torontoist.com/2014/09/scene-torontos-new-streetcars-roll-out-at-last/slide/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9377/ rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9377 0 0
328817 Rock and Finn had their cups autographed by Eddy Braga, the first streetcar driver trained, and they were pretty excited about it. rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9559 https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9559-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9559.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9559.jpg 1000 667 {"aperture":5,"camera":"Canon EOS 5D","created_timestamp":1409480526,"focal_length":"24","iso":"500","shutter_speed":"0.0125"} https://torontoist.com/2014/09/scene-torontos-new-streetcars-roll-out-at-last/slide/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9559/ rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9559 0 0
328819 The streetcars' huge windows will make mischief more difficult to conceal. rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9577 https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9577-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9577.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9577.jpg 1000 667 {"aperture":5,"camera":"Canon EOS 5D","created_timestamp":1409480995,"focal_length":"24","iso":"1600","shutter_speed":"0.016666666666667"} https://torontoist.com/2014/09/scene-torontos-new-streetcars-roll-out-at-last/slide/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9577/ rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9577 0 0
328820 The supremacy of the CN Tower selfie is officially at risk. rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9581 https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9581-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9581.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9581.jpg 1000 667 {"aperture":5,"camera":"Canon EOS 5D","created_timestamp":1409481012,"focal_length":"24","iso":"1600","shutter_speed":"0.016666666666667"} https://torontoist.com/2014/09/scene-torontos-new-streetcars-roll-out-at-last/slide/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9581/ rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9581 0 0
328821 rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9586 https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9586-100x100.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9586.jpg https://torontoist.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9586.jpg 1000 667 {"aperture":5,"camera":"Canon EOS 5D","created_timestamp":1409481050,"focal_length":"24","iso":"1600","shutter_speed":"0.016666666666667"} https://torontoist.com/2014/09/scene-torontos-new-streetcars-roll-out-at-last/slide/rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9586/ rsz_gciampini_newstreetcar-9586 0 0
WHERE: Spadina Station
WHEN: Sunday, August 31
WHAT: The long-awaited debut of Toronto’s new streetcars. Hundreds of transit enthusiasts cheered as one of the vehicles charged through a banner depicting an old PCC streetcar (to the strains of no less than Metallica’s “Enter Sandman “) and ushered in what TTC CEO Andy Byford called “the start of a new era.” For months the TTC has been touting the new vehicle’s improved accessibility and reliability (among other modern bells and whistles ), although riders on this day were more taken by the sheer novelty of the thing—these are, after all, the first new streetcars to ride Toronto’s rails in three decades. The 501 Spadina line is the first to run the new vehicles, which will roll out across the entire system over the next five years.