TTC retires their PCC streetcars
Friday, 8 December 1995 was the last day of revenue service
for the 19 remaining PCC streetcars in Toronto. PCCs were first
acquired for service in Toronto in 1938, and most remained in
service until the 1980's. The Toronto Transit Commission is
reportedly planning on keeping two PCCs and selling or scrapping
the rest.
Could they be used here?
This may be a golden opportunity for Vancouver. The Toronto
PCCs are likely in very good shape, all having been rebuilt
within the last 10 years. If only scrap dealers are interested in
the PCCs, then it is likely Vancouver can acquire them for very
little cost. They could make a ready-made fleet to service a
False Creek heritage streetcar route, should one ever open. It
may be a good idea to paint the streetcars in the same colours
that PCCs used to have when BC Electric operated them.
There is, of course, one problem that would have to be
addressed: Toronto's streetcar and subway track gauge is unique,
being just slightly wider than standard gauge.
Constructing a Toronto gauge line would not be a wise solution,
for many reasons.
Light rail "showcase"
One of the best reasons, I think, is that a standard gauge
False Creek streetcar line (with curb level platforms) could be
used to showcase the latest in
European low floor light rail vehicles. Vehicle manufacturers
could be invited to supply a demonstrator light rail vehicle to
operate on the heritage streetcar line, as a precursor to
obtaining a fleet of vehicles for the Broadway-Lougheed light
rail line. Operating the vehicles here would give the public a
chance to see what low floor light rail vehicles are all about,
and to voice their opinions on the attractiveness of various
designs.
James Strickland
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