Buck Tracks: 2008

Friday, December 19, 2008

TTC - Spadina Station - Yellow Line

Though the shot is a little blurry, it shows the northbound platform of Spadina Station on the Spadina Subway Line. December, 2008.

Next Stop, Spadina Station - Transit On Time?

In 1991, I was fortunate enough to travel to California and use the BART rapid transit system in the greater San Francisco and Oakland area. I remember seeing computer screens on some platforms showing the location of the trains on that line, and also indicating when the next train in each direction was expected. The BART system opened in the 1970s. Well, the TTC is not to be outdone. Now, in 2008, we have basically the same thing, using GPS technology. But the bugs have yet to be ironed out. While waiting on the streetcar platform at Union Station, the "Next Vehicle" sign indicated that the next car was due in 6 minutes, even though I could hear the next train approaching in the streetcar tunnel. When the streetcar actually opened its doors to allow boarding, the sign indicated: "next vehicle in 4 minutes". This particular photo was taken at Spadina Station, December, 2008.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

TTC - Interlined Subway Network - 1966

For a brief period in 1966, the Toronto subway routes were interlined. At the time, it was considered a feat of engineering, as there is an underground, freeway like interchange between the lines. Interlining was discontinued because when a single train broke down, it paralyzed the entire system.

The underground interchange still exits, and was pressed into revenue service for a brief period during track and tunnel construction (I'll have to look up the dates). During the period of construction, transfers between the Bloor and University-Spadina trains took place at Museum Station instead of the usual St. George Station. Source of the graphic image: Wikipedia, credit for the enhanced image to David Arthur.

TTC - Christie Station - Bloor Subway Line

These shots were taken on my cell. I did not expect to be there, and otherwise would have brought my camera. Always frustrating when you know you could have taken better shots, but at least these give the flavor of Christie Station, which opened in 1966.