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By Rob Hutch.
On May 27, 2001, railfans from the USA (mostly New Jersey) and the UK met in Toronto to charter a PCC for a seven hour tour of the system. This was largely the same group that chartered 4549 two years ago (see By Invitation Only for that report). These photographs tell the story:
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As 4549 was already out on tour duty, we boarded 4500 at Russell carhouse. Randall Loss Photo. |
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As is the charter custom, we started at Russell carhouse with our first stop and optional pick up point at Dundas and Victoria. Photo by Rob Hutch. |
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Our next photostop was on Adelaide at Church. The Motts billboard says "Bloody Easy" - which was ironic since the PCC had a tough time with this turn due to the track being very rarely used. Photo by Rob Hutch. |
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A classic Toronto shot with the Flatiron building and the skyscrapers behind. If only Wellington ran the other way... Photo by Rob Hutch. |
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Heading west from Wellington and Church we met a camera crew at Yonge who were waiting for us. They taped the PCC running side by side with a cyclist for a 2008 Olympic Bid promo. We then turned on to York and then King westbound where we were stalled for another TV shoot (this time non-streetcar related). After a few minutes we were allowed to pass and turned up Bathurst to Wolseley loop. Photo by Rob Hutch. |
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Just as we were about to leave Wolseley, 4549 entered the loop on Toronto Tour duty. Photo by Rob Hutch. |
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We then headed down to Fleet Loop and caught this shot of the PCC in front of the Princes' Gates. Photo by Rob Hutch. |
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At the Fleet / Lakeshore / Bathurst intersection, 4500 is followed by a service 509 car. Photo by Rob Hutch. |
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After the 509 route we made our way up to Bathurst station, then on to St. Clair and Townsley loop, Earlscourt loop and Oakwood loop where we stopped for lunch. After lunch we headed into St. Clair West stn before returning downtown. Randall Loss Photo. |
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On Adelaide at Charlotte street, the car is collecting raindrops as the weather had turned quite ugly by this point. Photo by Rob Hutch. |
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A PCC at MLG. Photo by Rob Hutch. |
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On Church south of Carlton, we stopped under the Ryerson U underpass for this shot. At least the wet weather made for nice reflections in the pavement. Photo by Rob Hutch. |
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Heading out to the East end, we made our way up to Bingham loop and met a 22A bus there. Photo by Rob Hutch |
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Our final photostop before returning to Russell was in Woodbine Loop. 4500 turns into the loop off Kingson Road. Photo by Rob Hutch |
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4500 rests in the loop. Randall Loss photo. |
Special thanks go to Bill and Jerry for organizing and financing the charter and to Mike for doing such a great job driving us around.
