Category Archives: Looking Back

Looking Back: Restoring the Peter Witt Cars 2766 and 2894

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Steve

1973 was quite a year for the streetcar system in Toronto.  The TTC had just decided to keep its fleet, and embarked on the rebuilding of its PCCs.  At the same time, an interest in TTC heritage led to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Looking Back, Transit, Urban Affairs | 24 Comments

Looking Back: Toronto By Night I

Posted on December 25, 2012 by Steve

As a holiday present for my faithful readers, a selection of photos taken at nights on the streets of Toronto. This set begins in 1967 and runs through to early 1972.  During this period, a friend and I spent a … Continue reading →

Posted in Looking Back, Transit, Urban Affairs | 30 Comments

Forty Years On, Still Waiting For a Suburban LRT Network

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Steve

Forty years ago today, the TTC decided to retain its streetcar system. My comments are on the Torontist website.

Posted in A Grand Plan, Looking Back, Scarborough RT/LRT, Transit, Urban Affairs | 25 Comments

Looking Back: Services to the CNE

Posted on August 4, 2012 by Steve

With all the recent talk about Ontario Place, and with Exhibition season almost upon us, I thought this would be a good excuse for photos of streetcar services to the Ex.  Decades ago, the CNE raised much bigger crowds and … Continue reading →

Posted in Bathurst Car, Dundas Car, King Car, Looking Back, Transit | 33 Comments

Looking Back: Moving House on a Grand Scale

Posted on May 19, 2012 by Steve

March 31, 1972, brought an unusual sight to downtown Toronto.  An 1822 house, originally the home of Sir William Campbell, sixth Chief Justice of Upper Canada, moved from Adelaide and Frederick Streets in the old Town of York to its … Continue reading →

Posted in Looking Back, Urban Affairs | 7 Comments

A Look Back: Rail Grinder W28

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Steve

There was a time when the TTC had a fleet of surface work cars:  rail grinders, flat cars, cranes, a sand car, snow ploughs and sweepers.  They’re all gone (a few survive in museums), and maintenance of the surface system … Continue reading →

Posted in Looking Back | 30 Comments

A Look Back: Dundas Cars Near City Hall

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Steve

One section of the city that has changed immensely is Dundas Street through the heart of downtown, and the area around City Hall. Here we are at Bay and Dundas looking east with the Ford Hotel on the north side … Continue reading →

Posted in Looking Back, Urban Affairs | 37 Comments

A Look Back: July 1967

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Steve

Danforth and Woodbine looking west. No, it’s not an experimental train of air-electric multiple unit cars, and these are certainly not Bloor streetcars given that the subway had been open for over a year when this was taken. Russell Carhouse … Continue reading →

Posted in Looking Back, Transit | 31 Comments

A Look Back: February 1966

Posted on December 27, 2011 by Steve

Bloor and Bathurst looking east. The brand new subway will open in about one week, and the Bloor streetcar is about to vanish into history.  Much else in this photo would disappear as well.  The buildings are still there, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Looking Back, Transit | 23 Comments