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See also:
Pictures by Scott Simpson, text by James Bow.
Scott Simpson of 680 News dropped me the following letter:
I went along on the Sheppard Subway Progress Tour today, and snapped dozens of photos, including what (I hope will turn out to be) some pretty nifty panoramas from inside the Sheppard-Yonge station and inside Don Mills station. I'd be happen to zip 'em up and send 'em to you for sharing with the world. Interested?
To which I replied "Oh, you betcha!"
And Scott was true to his word, supplying me with lots of photographs of his eye-opening preview of the Sheppard subway, due to open Labour Day 2002. I enclose them here.
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The tour begins at Sheppard-Yonge station, which is still the most unfinished because it is the biggest engineering challenge on the line. The station is located above Sheppard station on the Yonge line, very close to the surface. Care must be taken to build the station without significantly disrupting the operations in the line below. |
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Note the arched roof. Yonge Street is directly above the station at this point. |
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This photo illustrates how much earth still has to be moved at Sheppard-Yonge station... |
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The central platform of Sheppard-Yonge's unique three-platform setup. Construction materials are being stored here, for now... |
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One of the side platforms of Sheppard-Yonge, that passengers will initially use... |
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Guests use a temporary bridge over the subway tracks to cross from the central platform to one of the side platforms. |
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Reflective strips glow in the flashbulbs as TTC Chairman Rick Ducharme discusses the project and shows off a model of the site. |
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The track well sandwiched between centre and side platforms at Sheppard-Yonge station. |
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A subtle reminder of which construction company was behind the Sheppard-Yonge project... |
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A very small thumbnail of a very large picture: a 360' panorama shot of Sheppard-Yonge station. |
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Then the tour went to the Don Mills station, which was far closer to completion. Don Mills station will open with a large underground parking garage. The connection to the garage was shown off here. |
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The tilework in the mezzanine level of Don Mills station was a highlight. |
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Despite being built on a budget, the Sheppard subway boasts big spaces. Here is a magnificent stairwell leading from the mezzanine level to the platforms below... |
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The platform level of Don Mills station, where work continues. |
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Don Mills station platform, looking back at the stairs to the mezzanine level. |
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Every station on the Sheppard subway is accessible. Here is the platform entrance to the elevators at Don Mills station. |
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A worker puts the finishing touches to the collectors' booth at Don Mills station. |
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Another small thumbnail for a 360' panorama of Don Mills station's parking garage. |
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The tour ended at Don Mills station, and the guests made their way back along Sheppard Avenue, passing Leslie station, seen here. |
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Returning to Sheppard station, the rest of the subway seemed cramped and dated by comparision... |
Scott Simpson would like to thank the organizers of this media tour for putting together such a fascinating event. I would like to thank Scott Simpson for immortalizing this event in pictures.
