[RapidTransit]

The TTC has selected two 8000-series Orions to be set aside for preservation.

In addition, nine SRT cars will be set aside. I don’t think all are for historical preservation. My thinking is some of them will be repurposed like Montreal’s MR-63s.

9 SRT cars is excessive. Just persevere two or a pair and call it a day.

I don't see why two 8000s are being saved, are they really that significant? I would rather a GM in the maroon cream colours than an Orion bus.

Is there a bus museum in Canada? I know there's a bunch of rail equipment that's been save at various properties.

 

[81-717]

9 SRT cars is excessive. Just persevere two or a pair and call it a day.

Exactly.

 

[DSCToronto]

Exactly.

The posting noted that all 9 are NOT for preservation by TTC. Some for spares, some for Montreal (maybe) some for other rail museums. The TTC seldom keeps more than one example for itself.

 

[81-717]

The posting noted that all 9 are NOT for preservation by TTC. Some for spares, some for Montreal (maybe) some for other rail museums. The TTC seldom keeps more than one example for itself.

What on Earth does Montreal or other museums have to do with it? That makes as much sense as asking New York to save a TTC streetcar/subway (which of course they didn't do when the cars were in Buffalo, even though I suggested the idea to them).

 

[nfitz]

What on Earth does Montreal or other museums have to do with it?

Why not? It's by far the biggest railway museum in Canada, and bills itself as Canadian. They have other ex-Toronto equipment, and from across the nation.

A better question is why is there Chicago subway trains at Halton. I'd send these to the States, and replace them with an SRT car, with space for something else.

 

[JSF-1]

While not museum related, a recent pipe-dream of mine is if the TTC took back the 2 G1 and M1 cars and restored them to working order, and then paired them with either a set of H-Series cars or a set of T1's when they retire to form our own "Train of Many Colors/Metals" like in New York. It would be cool to have for special occasions and even the subways 100th anniversary in 2054 which is only 30 years away.

 

[81-717]

They have other ex-Toronto equipment, and from across the nation.

Of course, every museum in the world has every piece of Toronto equipment. Except one set of pieces.

A better question is why is there Chicago subway trains at Halton.

That too, yes.

While not museum related, a recent pipe-dream of mine is if the TTC took back the 2 G1 and M1 cars and restored them to working order, and then paired them with either a set of H-Series cars or a set of T1's when they retire to form our own "Train of Many Colors/Metals" like in New York. It would be cool to have for special occasions and even the subways 100th anniversary in 2054 which is only 30 years away.

A nice idea, but neither the Gs nor the T1s are compatible with anything else. If they don't keep any remaining H4s that are in vaguely preservable condition (even as work cars), I sure hope they never, ever do so with the T1s or worse, TRs.

 

[T3G]

I don't see why two 8000s are being saved, are they really that significant? I would rather a GM in the maroon cream colours than an Orion bus.

The Orion VII was the most numerous bus of the 2000s, it sounds pretty significant to me. That being said I find the notion of saving two 8000s to be fairly ridiculous - if they want two VIIs, an 8100 to complement an 8000 would make far more sense.

There is already a GM that is going to be painted in the maroon cream colours, 8058, but the completion of that project is contingent on funding. Maybe some of the money Toronto city council wants to use to show off what good people they are in renaming Dundas Square could be put to this infinitely more useful project.

 

[nfitz]

Perhaps one is for parts, and the intent is to keep only one operational.

 

[Northern Light]

Of course, every museum in the world has every piece of Toronto equipment. Except one set of pieces.

The Montrealer's?

There weren't many of those........how many still exist?

 

[81-717]

The Montrealer's?

There weren't many of those........how many still exist?

No, the Hawkers ofc, of which only 5707 and 8 or so H4s still exist.

 

[dowlingm]

In addition, nine SRT cars will be set aside. I don’t think all are for historical preservation. My thinking is some of them will be repurposed like Montreal’s MR-63s.

Is this in addition to what Detroit is taking, or just what Detroit is taking?

 

[dowlingm]

There is already a GM that is going to be painted in the maroon cream colours, 8058, but the completion of that project is contingent on funding. Maybe some of the money Toronto city council wants to use to show off what good people they are in renaming Dundas Square could be put to this infinitely more useful project.

Or we could turn that high floor no-emissions control no-AC lump into razors and build protected bike lanes with the proceeds. Useful!

 

[crs1026]

The TTC's historical collection will always be token or selective, if anyone wants to save "one of everything" they will need to develop a museum with its own freestanding revenue sustainability.
And even museums need to be selective, otherwise they may not be sustainable.

- Paul

 

[T3G]

I disagree that a museum is a solution to the problem of being unable to save everything. If you want anything resembling an extensive historical collection, it has to be done through the transit agency. I have every respect for HCRR, but the fact that they rely on volunteer donations and labour and don't have access to TTC facilities, for storage or maintenance, works against them. In some ways it feels like they've become victims of their own success. Contrast it against a city like New York , which has an extensive historical collection owned and maintained directly by the city. To rely on a museum would be akin to relying on a museum like Seashore or Shoreline to do the heavy lifting for preservation in New York; to say nothing of how woefully inaccessible HCRR is if you don't have a car.

What it needs is a culture of interest in history, and the will, both of which are sorely lacking in this city in general. There's been a bit of an attitude shift since the darker days, but is it enough, and is it sustainable, in the long term? Only time will tell.