TTC Trolley Buses at Eglinton Subway Station 1980 Toronto

#toronto #ttc #bus
Please forgive the error - Coach 9339 resides at the Illinois Railway Museum - Not Illinois Trolley Museum.
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Welcome to Transit Rewind, where we explore vintage film and video of transportation in different cities in the past.
This video explores Toronto's Trolley Bus network at the Eglinton Subway Station. The film was shot by David Williams in 1980, when he was in town for a National Railroad Historical Association convention in the city.
Toronto's trolley buses ran from 1947-1993 out of the Lansdowne and Eglinton Divisions.

[@nickrocca8203]

What a blast from the past, like you I remember the sound of the trolleys pasting by. Wow

[@fares-please]

Thanks Nick, I love old Toronto memories. These films definitely brought back the thoughts of many happy days!

[@TakeTimeToTravel]

That's a step back in time. Brings back great memories of riding on the trolley buses. Yonge and Eglinton has really changed so much since then!

[@fares-please]

It certainly has, especially with all the new condo buildings. It still is one of my favourite areas of the city. It will be nice once the new line 5 construction is finally completed and they get the area all cleaned up. Lots of great places to eat and shop there.

[@TakeTimeToTravel]

@@fares-please We lived there for a few years, up until last year. The non-stop construction does get to you after a while though. It is a great area for restaurants!

[@keironforbes9512]

And the movie theatre.

[@DwainRichardson]

Now you’ve hit my soft spot. I remember travelling aboard the 6 BAY and 47 LANSDOWNE trolleybuses when I was a child. LOVED the quiet ride heading to and from the Toronto islands, school, or church. Such a shame these electric buddies are no longer in service.

[@fares-please]

The trolleys were an awesome ride. Growing up out east didn’t get to ride them often, but did a few times. Thanks for sharing your trolley bus memories. Awesome!

[@SharingtheRoad]

It's always so fun seeing how iconic and beautiful some of the old forms of transit are. Really pretty ways to get around!

[@fares-please]

Thank you! We love to travel by transit and rail ❤️❤️

[@yvonneacosta2539]

Enjoy watching videos from past times. You can see how much things have changed but also what has stayed the same.

[@fares-please]

Thank you Yvonne. I love seeing the old cars and the way people used to dress back then. It was funny seeing the guy with the shorter shorts and socks up to his knees - that definitely screams 80s! Hahaha .

[@goblinintelligence8395]

I love how well the new wave soundtrack suits the 1980s vintage video!

[@fares-please]

Thank you! I figured an 80s sound would go well with a 80s film! Haha 😆. Thank you for watching.

[@motoshiDo]

It’s fascinating how much things have changed especially in the yonge and eg area but yet still the same! Ps. loving the ttc photo behind you 😉

[@fares-please]

All the cars, the people and some buildings look different but you’re right you can sort of still recognize it! Yes we got the lovely artwork from some lovely family ❤️

[@lvalledor3440]

Fortunately, I do remember taking a Trolley Bus back in 2018 in Vancouver as they still have them. Unfortunately, I never got the chance to ride the ones here in Toronto as I don't recall taking TTC that much as a toddler. I was only 2 years old when Trolley Bus Service discontinued. Fortunately, I was around enough to be able to have experience with the old Eglinton Bus Bays on the GM New Looks, Orion 5s & New Flyer D40HFs. Oh the nostalgia! Since those buses had engine sounds I found pleasing to my ears, it was always nice to hear those buses move to the departure portion of the platform as you go downstairs to the subway. Eglinton Station will never be the same especially from late 2022 onwards Eglinton will have I believe only 5 bus routes. Routes 13, 34 (which will be modified to serve bus stops in between Line 5 Stations from Mt. Dennis to Science Centre Stations), 61, 74 (which will be extended to terminate at Eglinton Station from it's original Mt. Pleasant & Eglinton loop) & 103. Where as 51, 54 & 100 will terminate at Science Centre Station. 56 I believe will be discontinued & be replaced by 51 going to Donlands Station. With the new Ontario Line under construction I don't think Route 100 will be around after the next 10 years as the Ontario Line will practically replace both Routes 100 & 81 as people can go to Thorncliffe Park, Science Centre & Eglintion Station from Pape Station by LRT.

[@fares-please]

Thank you so much for sharing your memories. I’ve ridden the Vancouver trolley buses a few times, they have quite a impressive system there, which I will have to explore more next visit. Thanks for watching 👍🏼👍🏼

[@johnwoa]

Thanks for this video! My first "Toronto" trolley bus ride was in 1986 on the 63 OSSINGTON route coming from Eglinton West Station. The poles came off the wires at Oakwood and St. Clair going southbound which I later learned was a notorious location for that happening. It's fortunate that Toronto kept its streetcars as they also would have disappeared from Toronto streets had it not been for a stroke of luck intervention. I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and mourned the day that Cincinnati did away with their (Marmon-Herrington) trolley buses in the early-1960's, so I was walking on air when I first visited Toronto in 1986 and saw all the trolley buses AND the PCC streetcars that had also been done away with in 1951 in Cincinnati. Some of those old Cincinnati PCC streetcars were purchased by the TTC and were actually here in Toronto plying the routes! I was thrilled! I believe there are a few videos here on KZbin of the Toronto trolley buses WITH SOUND where you can hear the sound of the poles passing along the couplings on the overhead wires. Thanks to KZbin, these sounds are preserved forever! --- John

[@fares-please]

Thanks John! Really appreciate your comments . Thanks to KZbin for sure, for preserving a bit of history!

[@DGExplorers]

That's so cool you were able to get footage from 1980. It's amazing how the city has changed now. I enjoyed seeing what the people wore and the cars. So much is different now. Thanks for sharing

[@fares-please]

Thanks guys! These films are a treasure to me, it’s definitely like time travel! Thanks for watching ❤️❤️

[@hollye1641]

This is very cool. I am reluctant to call it vintage footage since I was in high school in 1980, but loved seeing all the old cars and what Toronto used to look like. I am really looking forward to seeing what else you come across.

[@fares-please]

The old cars and the people walking by in the 80s fashion was pretty neat. That is one of the best aspects of a film like this. Thanks to you both for watching!

[@argopunk]

Another nice trip down memory lane. My mom lived with her boyfriend nearby at Duplex and Montgomery when this was filmed. Eglinton station was part of my daily life for many years. Trolley buses also. I can even recall when they ran up Yonge to Glen Echo Loop, which is where Loblaws' parking lot has been for many years.

[@TheTrolleyPole]

I used to transfer between Yonge trolley buses and suburban buses at Glen Echo Loop which had a station building and a covered island platform. I never saw it used, but the trolley bus loop had a trolley bus siding to store a trolley bus. On the north side of the platform, one could see the remains of the rails of the North Yonge Railway, a radial line to Richmond Hill that closed in 1948. Along Avenue Road, Heart Park used to be the Otter Loop with a cute brick and glass shelter, and trolley bus wires that were rarely used. The Roe Loop still exists unused, with some of the poles that used to support the trolley bus wire. A few years ago, Roe Loop was put back in service when the 124 and 162 buses were temporarily forced out of Lawrence Station due to construction. There were a lot of sparks, when the trolley bus poles passed under an overhead switch on rainy or icy days.

[@fares-please]

I will have to visit Roe Loop some day, it’s been a while since I’ve been there. Thank you for sharing those memories of Glen Echo, interesting to note the trolley bus siding and the North Yonge Radial Rails. I have photos of Otter Loop somewhere. It’s a shame that the shelter was removed, I heard the locals were trying to preserve it.

[@PatreceSunflower]

Incredible I remember these as a kid!! Thanks Brad

[@warrior9923]

My favourite buses as a child growing up in the 80s 😎 I use to say to my mom "Mom can we go on the bone bus today " because as a child, I use to think the polls were 2 bones that ran off of overhead wires 🤣😂🤣😂🙈🤦🏾‍♂️

[@fares-please]

The bone bus 😆. That’s hilarious. Thanks for sharing that! ❤️

[@warrior9923]

@@fares-please 🤣😂🤣😂 My pleasure man 😁👍🏾

[@istanbuluseverim]

I drove those TCs out of the Old Eglinton Division many years from 1963 to the late 80s .. Great video thanx

[@fares-please]

Thank you Aram. I bet these scenes are very familiar to you then. A question from a viewer above, they we’re asking how did these buses perform in the snow? Any better or worse than diesels? Thank you!

[@istanbuluseverim]

@@fares-please thanx for the question: actually they were a bit worse than diesels in snow as the power pedal was not precise in feathering the torque to the wheels .. !! Trying to notch up the power transmitted to the wheels were direct and at times akin to a V8 with 4 barrel carburetor..😜

[@fares-please]

@@istanbuluseverim oh interesting! Haha thanks for the answer.

[@georges7340]

Love a good "before and after" story........ great history lesson! Loved seeing all the old cars, too! 😉

[@fares-please]

Thank you George. It’s fun seeing the old cars and people’s fashion sense back then!

[@jayvonnoelsmith8445]

I love to see your Channel beautiful we still have TTC trolleybuses

[@fares-please]

Thank you!!

[@wgp1]

I grew up In Toronto In the Keele and Eglington area, My memories Are of the Younge and Eglington station, also the Eglington West station. brings back some great times and places.

[@fares-please]

Glad you enjoyed this video.❤️

[@monicac9256]

Great video, guys. It really takes me back. My hubby is a history buff and he loved it!!!!

[@fares-please]

I am a huge history buff as well, so coming across these films was like finding a treasure! I hope I can find more, especially of Toronto. I will keep an eye out. I am happy you and hubby enjoyed it!

[@robhsix]

Thank you for purchasing that film and sharing. Loved every second. Growing up near Avenue Road I was a frequent Nortown Trolleybus rider. Those scenes take me back to when I was seven years old and the world was a wonder. And yes I too remember the Harvey's and the Fran's and so many good times around there

[@fares-please]

Hey Rob, I thought you would enjoy this one. I stumbled across it and was very eager to post it. I have some more TTC ones and other cities to post, when I get a chance. Thanks for watching!

[@IGetFood]

So awesome, thanks for sharing this footage with us. I have a few vague memories of riding them. Overall it was nice to "time travel" for a moment there. Great choice with the tunes, btw!

[@fares-please]

Thank you! I l love epidemic sound, there is always a great selection of music on there. I'm quite happy that the vintage film turned out quite well!

[@robertfrankitaliano1894]

I used to LOVE watching them go by the streets! ESPECIALLY sitting by the fountain ⛲ at Nathan Phillips Square and watching them go along Bay Street across Queen Street! I NEVER ACTUALLY BEEN on them though! They got dismantled even before I EVER got a CHANCE to! I FINALLY got to ride on 1 in Belgrade Serbia 2 and a half years ago. The ONLY electric buses I ever rode on here in TORONTO, are the HYBRIDS AND the ALL BATTERY ELECTRIC powered buses that are now gradually taking over the streets over here!

[@fares-please]

Awesome memories from Nathan Phillips Square! The Bay bus was one of my favourite trolley routes. I bet you had great streetcar views there too! Never been to Serbia, but the trolley buses are definitely more commonplace in Europe. I will have to get out and ride a battery bus one of these days!

[@MindofMatter]

My grandma lived slightly east of Yonge and Eglington at Yonge and Mt Pleasant from around 1975 until her passing in the 2010s. Born in the early 80s, I have so many memories here and seeing these buses and the transit center as we would walk or ride by. There was a F1/racing/car shop nearby that sold race car models, posters, helmets, etc. Also, the fried chicken place and, oddly, seeing the garden behind the funeral home from my grandma's apartment all make me nostalgic for that area of Toronto. Check out the Mandarin restaurant nearby, its been around for decades and for good reason! Consider a story on the street car route out near The Beaches of Toronto. Its a cool strip of (rail)road. Thanks for posting this!

[@rolandjong9126]

What a great find Brad! It’s interesting how transit evolves over time. I do recall those trolley cars and may have ridden one or two when I was a student. And yes the snap snap is what I remember most! Great job with showing us this time capsule and love the synth music. So 80s and appropriate ☺️

[@fares-please]

Thanks Roland, I am happy you enjoyed the 80s music to go along with the film. With the cars and peoples fashion choices in the film, I felt it fit very well.

[@fitronald09]

I lived in Toronto until 1960 and I rode the GM Old Look, Twin Coach and New Look busses into that station.....

[@arthurscruises9310]

That's an awesome video. What a great find and what a great look at the by gone era of public transport. Looking forward for seeing more videos like this. Thanks for putting this together Brad 😁

[@fares-please]

Thank you Arthur! I came across some film of the Melbourne trams and also trains in Australia that I will have to get scanned and post in the future. Those will be fun to see!

[@arthurscruises9310]

@@fares-please they would be great to see

[@lenelynlifeingermany5511]

Wow this is great and awesome update. It's very imformative and datails. Nice

[@fares-please]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed!

[@anthonycbrown1952]

The 1980s does not seems like such a long time ago but the videos undeniably capture the moment. I look forward to riding the Line 5 Eglinton Crosstown tram. Do you know when it will be ready for general service?

[@fares-please]

It’s amazing how quickly time passes doesnt it? I myself can’t believe it. Line 5 is scheduled to open later this year, I believe in the fall. I am excited to finally see it as well!

[@code4forlife]

Fascinating Video Brad. Awesome History Lesson👍

[@fares-please]

Thank you guys. Are you on a cruise again?

[@code4forlife]

@@fares-please we go on the 26th of February on the Majestic Princess Love Boat Themed Cruise. We are also staying on for the next Cruise 🚢

[@fares-please]

@@code4forlife Awesome!

[@JuliasCesar]

It’s one of the greatest shame that public transportation agencies across Canada decided to do away with Trolleybuses. The electric motors make such a unique noise and the ride is definitely smoother than a diesel! Edmonton definitely should have upgraded their system instead of replacing Trolleys for expensive Battery Electrics that are still proving unreliable compared to Trolleys. So glad my home city of Vancouver still has Canada’s last Trolleybus networks and Translink has done a fantastic job upgrading and expanding the network and state more expansion and upgrades will come. Thank you so much for sharing your past experiences watching these TTC Trolleys operate around Toronto and sharing this INCREDIBLE footage that is the TTC’s history! Peace and love from the west coast!

[@fares-please]

Thanks so much for the kind comments, it’s what makes doing this all very worthwhile. I love Vancouver and can’t wait to visit again, and one thing I love to do is ride the trolley buses! It’s sad that Edmonton, Toronto and Hamilton lost their systems but I’m proud that Vancouver soldiers on! Have a great weekend!!

[@michaelricco81]

I happened across this video today and am so happy I did. I do have memories of the Eglinton bus bays from back in the 1960s and early 1980s. I also have memories of the Yonge-Eglinton area, as my girlfriend had an apartment on Erskine Avenue. I recall a restaurant called Oliver's that served a great dish of Ravioli. Btw, do you have any film of the Gilbert Loop? If yes, could you send me a link or links? Many thanks.

[@railfanningstuff8333]

Use to take the Bay trolly from Queen street to Jesse Ketchum every day I remember the Polls always disconnecting on turns from the overhead wires it seemed like a constant nuisance, especially in the winter.

[@fares-please]

Awesome thanks for sharing your memories. Towards the end of trolley service the TTC performed less maintenance on the overhead lines and poles unfortunately causing them to fail more often.

[@fares-please]

Awesome!

[@johnburke1317]

Very nice video

[@fares-please]

Thank you, John!

[@hizokadarkwolf]

I like the current model. But the one from the video is still in use in my country of origin, Chile. Specifically in the city of Valparaiso

[@fares-please]

Oh interesting! I’d love to see that one day!

[@kccarrtheoregonhillbillyhi4803]

Wow.... I have so many questions... how did that bus driver nowhere he could go with the power lines, what happens if the bus driver drove where there wasn't any power lines is that auto disconnect?... do you know how those buses did in the snow?... I'll stop there great video thank you for sharing

[@fares-please]

Hi KC. Basically the overhead followed the bus route, so as long as the driver followed the correct route, they’d be fine. If they went past where the overhead wires went, the poles would come off and the bus would be without power. They’d have to wait for a service truck to push them back, or try to reconnect the poles if they were close enough. Modern trolley buses today have a backup battery or small engine which allows them to detour or go off route if needed.

[@fares-please]

I would have to chat with some driver friends about how they managed in the snow, but as far as I know they performed just as well as a diesel bus. Thanks for watching ❤️❤️

[@normcrawford3491]

I drove Bay bus from 89-92 !

[@entertain402]

i currently live near yonge/eglinton, and remember back to circa 1980 working at the 'PizzaPizza' call centre; i tried to search what the exact address was, evening emailing their head office, to no avail; i only lasted a few weeks because i refused to follow their instructions to ask customers after the pizza order was complete "would you like any soft drinks or cigarettes?"; i refused to mention 'cigarettes'; they fired me...i am sure i pass the building every day but can't for the life of me remember where exactly it was; maybe it was knocked down...

[@alexanderip1003]

they should have kept the Trolley Buses due to the zero emission function

[@fares-please]

100% agree!

[@donmorfeo8901]

There used to be a trolley bus route on Ossington and Rogers as well that I rode often as a kid. The Yonge and Eglinton area now is an absolute disgrace for obvious reasons.

[@Trainsbigandsmall]

He did not catch one dewiring surprised its been 30 years since they were discontinued.

[@fares-please]

Yes that would have been kind of cool to see a dewirement. Time passes so quickly, it seems like yesterday! Thanks for watching

[@Trainsbigandsmall]

@@fares-please Does not look like Halton at Rockwood would ever get theirs running, I know PJ Barns at Video Classic made a VHS about their last days as well as Ray Neilson, Ray was a great guy.

[@barbaracarr17]

This is so poignant to see these once lost films

[@fares-please]

Thank you. It’s definitely a throwback to a more simple time. ❤️

[@weserman95]

Sad they werent that great as a system! Better than batteries tbh But I am sure battery buses will improve over time!

[@fares-please]

Toronto’s trolley bus network never reached its full potential. Had more been invested and had it been better maintained I’m sure we would still see them here today. I am yet to take a ride on a battery bus here, but it’s on the to do list! Thanks for watching.

[@weserman95]

@@fares-please I want to ride these battery buses. I hope they have the same charm of those trolleybuses.

[@fares-please]

@@weserman95 That’s what I’m wondering too! I hope to catch them soon.