TORONTO - MAY 7, 1987 - A Trip Downtown on "The Underground Railroad"

[@Steve-x5o9m]

Love it. Growing up in Toronto as a young kid was magical. Thanks for sharing awesome videos.

[@t-dot416scartown4]

Thanks for for this, brings back so many memories

[@suzyturnovers5010]

Thank you so much.

[@missj2045]

Cool to see those subway cars again! They didn't have air conditioning, but the seats were comfy.

[@JamesH-wv9uw]

Awesome video, Brian! It’s so rare to find videos of TTC’s H-2 subway cars in service, especially ones inside. I can almost smell their distinct naugahyde interior just watching this video. You recorded a true gem of Toronto’s transit history here, thanks so much for posting it!

[@JamesH-wv9uw]

I always get goosebumps of excitement at 3:08 when that #h2subway is seen and heard rumbling and roaring down the tunnel, with it’s golden glow from the headlights right before it bursts into the station! Just can’t beat a retro TTC moment like that, almost like having travelled back in time.👍

[@hardyboy1959]

Thanks for the comment James! Here's my favourite TTC tunnel shot, from 1988... kzbin.info/www/bejne/q53KfZmin9-Yl9Usi=esGYkRskEoc_GA98&t=530

[@JamesH-wv9uw]

@@hardyboy1959 Oh nice, those H5s were fun to ride too! I don’t remember much of the 4 car only subway trains TTC had during off peak hours as I was born in 1989. One thing I do remember however was the whistles on all trains until ’94 when the chimes were installed on all of Toronto’s subway cars (excluding the M1s of course). Only H series subway cars still in the TTC today are the H4s and they’re for maintenance duties only. At least the Halton County Radial Railway museum in Milton, ON has a pair of TTC’s M1 and Gloucester subway cars preserved. I also believe there’s one H5 car (5707) still in existence as a film prop for movies somewhere in the GTA…

[@TheGreatMoonFrog]

This video makes me feel a sad nostalgia. These times are gone forever.

[@DaydreamingTrack]

Was born in this year amazing to see Toronto like this the subway hasn't changed at all just time has passed

[@Lightsngear]

Subways are annoying now, with the constant "chatter" from "bots" issuing warnings and alerting passengers of upcoming stations every few seconds. Plus, all the electronic tones.

[@Neville60001]

@@Lightsngear, the announcements are needed for visually impaired passengers and for visitors from outside Toronto who've never ridden on a subway before. There's _nothing_ wrong with them.

[@johnmcgarry3335]

You know what this video captures? Aside from great nostalgia also one of the last times whistles were used as door warnings before chimes!!

[@BillLionaire12]

thanks so much for posting these videos!! as a kid in 1987 Toronto was amazing!!!!....what the hell happened to our city?..anyways I'll just sit back and enjoys these gems!

[@showdown2006]

Way cool to see this video. Lived at Jarvis and Charles from 2010-2018. Giant parking lot at Mt Pleasant and Ted Rogers Way bend, now sits the Rogers head office. It's funny you mention at the time of this video the site (110 charles I think) was the soon to be former police headquarters, did it sit vacant until the area was revamped with condos?

[@arthurgordon2358]

The second the video started playing I knew exactly what street you were on. My mother and step father lived on kippendavie when I was growing up. As a young kid I loved that area. Summerville pool and the high diving boards. The big playground behind the school right on the corner of queen st, renting movies from video 99 and even shinny hockey at the rinks by the lake in the winter. I'm pretty sure the first Licks burger joint was in the beaches. What a great time to be alive.

[@kevinfisher5492]

That brings back some real memories. Remember what the subway station SMELLED like back then? Just seeing this video...I can smell it again. So clean, civilized and fun. I remember riding these trains in the 70's when they still had the old red ones.

[@Lightsngear]

Only the Yonge St line ran the "Gloucester" (red) cars...which remained in service well into the 80's. There's a YT video on those too.

[@TheJlee28]

You live by the beach and your house of just by the water. Very cool.

[@WayneStump]

Hello Brian, Thank you for posting this video! Great to look back and remember what Toronto looked like when I lived downtown in the 1980's. Just wondering about the person whose apartment (at 77 Huntley Street) you entered just before the end, because the man looks like someone I knew back then, but who unfortunately passed away in late 1988. His first name was "Brian," like yours. I also remember the apartment and the cat. I remember that Brian liked to feed his cat baby food out of the little jars. If the person is indeed Brian, then small world!

[@hardyboy1959]

Yes, that sounds like Brian Swindell. He died October 31, 1988.

[@dnapolren]

Nice to see the DVP between castlefrank and Broadview..

[@torontoguys]

I liked seeing the hood, i am still on church and isabella since 1986

[@Lightsngear]

That was one HELL of a view!!! I'll bet standing on that balcony today, only looks into the windows of some sky-reaching translucent monument of ugliness!

[@evan2635]

Wow, thanks for sharing this Brian. I love the incredible, rare footage you've captured of the Huntley and Bloor area. I currently live in the area, and work at Rogers there, so cool to see how it looked in 1987.

[@hardyboy1959]

Thanks for the comment! Here's a link to on of my other videos you might like... kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYnPkqutidWWgtk

[@evan2635]

Thanks for sharing these Brian. I love all your videos! What a clever idea to video capture various areas of Toronto during this era, the way it will never be again. I absolutely love one you did showing the development of the Confederation Life Bldg (Now Rogers). I shared that one with a bunch of work colleagues today (hope you don't mind). Its gained quite the popularity!

[@hardyboy1959]

Hey Evan, I appreciate the positive feedback! And do share away, that's why I put them out there!

[@wolfrosenberg6196]

Hi That looks like kippendavy , I lived there few years in late 70s early 80s. Went to Kew beach lived across from school. My golden retriever was born just s of buller. Nice to see it again from that time. Like to see more.

[@hardyboy1959]

Thanks for the comment, glad you like the video! Here's my 'Beaches' playlist, lots around the school, enjoy! kzbin.info/aero/PL-taphl4m69KxtEIzqmS85AR1tBVZ4aqv

[@fliptheswitchklipz9498]

Thanks for sharing! I’m just wowed by the fact that almost nothing chAnged in the subways except for the televisions. Didn’t know the yoga place used to be a house or garage. I love these clips, keep it coming if you have more thanks

[@atomspies]

i love these. thank you for sharing. so soothing

[@CinHalCedHerChance]

Back when things were normal and civilized. Sure we had the occasional problems with some people, BUT NOTHING like today, holy shit. Glad I grew up as a kid back then. I honestly don't recognize Toronto anymore.

[@valentinaamigo3621]

Hello Brian, Amazing video and quality! We would like to use some small portions of this video for a student documentary at Humber College if you agree. I would like you to know that we will give you credits by the name you preference. And share with you the final result if you would like. Please let me know if it's okay with you. Have a great week!😃

[@hardyboy1959]

Hi, thanks for asking, yes, you can use some small portions of my video 'Toronto - May 7, 1987. Yes, my youtube channel name would be good. I would also enjoy watching your final production. Best of luck with the project!

[@valentinaamigo3621]

Thank you so much Brian, I will share the final results with you when it's done, have a great week!@@hardyboy1959

[@placidpaddler]

Every weekend in the late 80’s there’d be a kid looking out the subway’s front left window just watching it go through the tunnels for hours and hours. That kid was me.

[@peteryeung111]

I grew up in the east end. At the beginning, I believe, that Street should lead you to Kew beach. As a kid, we used to ride our bikes around that area. Go times.

[@hardyboy1959]

Hi! Thanks for the comment! I lived over a store on Queen across from the old firehall from '85 to 2000 so I took a lot of video,! Here's my 'Beaches' playlist... kzbin.info/aero/PL-taphl4m69KxtEIzqmS85AR1tBVZ4aqv

[@peteryeung111]

Thank you Brian. I lived near dundas and broadview area from around that time too. And since moved north to Markham. I occasionally drove to downtown and passed around the beaches area. It's quite different now. These old footages/videos means a lot to me. I will check it out. Thanks again!

[@hardyboy1959]

@i huh?

[@at1212b]

Awesome video. 1987 was magical for me as a 7-8 year old. I lived at Bathurst and Bloor then (Seaton Village). So going around on transit was amazing to a kid then. The city was also much calmer. No Sunday Shopping. sure it was kind of boring but it was peaceful.

[@R3troGT500]

Great Video. My sister lived in the Beaches in 86/87. In Sep of 87 I bought a 79 GMC Sierra 15 in blue. Your Truck reminds me of it. People must have looked at you funny back then, walking around with a camcorder.

[@maddylush2356]

omg the beaches

[@GoOutTV]

OMG my birthday, thanks alot

[@TheTimeRocket]

I bought the first 3 Dune novels and The Lord of the Rings trilogy and several Arthur C. Clark's in the book store at the beginning. In 92

[@RandyDrayton]

What's crazy is I was born July 8th, 1987 just 2 months after this was filmed. I was born and raised in the Beaches at Woodbine and Kingston Road which your 92 bus would have passed right by on the way to the station. Then I lived 1 block east of Malvern Collegiate in '96. However, Queen and Woodbine is my old stomping grounds. What made it even more crazy was you went to my buddy's old Sherbourne apmt except he lived on the opposite side. You should have gone to the roof for the panoramic shot. 🙂 We'd comment on buildings too of course during ahem, 'smoke' breaks 😅🥴 Nothing has changed. 😐

[@hardyboy1959]

Thanks for the comment Randy! I lived at Woodbine and Queen from '85 to 2000, good times! You might enjoy my old Beaches playlist... kzbin.info/aero/PL-taphl4m69KxtEIzqmS85AR1tBVZ4aqv

[@RandyDrayton]

@@hardyboy1959 You're definitely welcome Brian. Local history is a big thing for me. Thank you for the extra browsing material. 🙂 Very important work.

[@srb_keepthechange]

That was a great city.

[@stevemino142]

If you don't mind me asking what kind of filming device were you using then? I had an rca vcr camcorder that I bought that year from radio shack paid $1200 for it good video

[@PiLipOppa]

When I saw the street view facing the lake then saw the intersection opposite was at Queen street, I had ahinch it was somewhere near Woodbine. The stn was woodbine stn! 😂 Awsome.

[@peteryeung111]

Thanks for the trip back in time. This is the equivalent to a vlog with a gopro.

[@IvansBikesBmws]

Huge thanks for the clip. Love it!

[@johnmcgahern3946]

The car at 01:54 was only about +/-20 years old at the time. 1987 is now 35 years old!

[@CelesteKTheNewWaveRevue]

I was 11 years old back then. What a time it was to be young?

[@thetransitgamer9379]

Wow nice video! I have never seen an h2 train in action until now.

[@simmerszalai9196]

Wow, 1987 am born in oct but very cool I don't remember the city in late 80ès glads got to see this.

[@mazdaman1982]

I lived at my grandparents place in Scarborough at Teesdale place we lived on the 14th floor it was a little high lol

[@ClintScottFischer]

You're a pioneer!

[@thevultrantransituniverse1487]

That's the Hawker Siddley H2.

[@hardyboy1959]

TOTransitGuy7755 I'm impressed you know that!

[@thevultrantransituniverse1487]

I like your old Toronto videos. It's classic!

[@CrazyPato1979]

Wow! Is this the 77 Huntley st building? Because I moved in there last year and it is amazing to see this!!!

[@incarnateTheGreat]

How would you rate 77 Huntley today?

[@CrazyPato1979]

@@incarnateTheGreat It could be better. Administration can't take care of everything they should. You don't feel as safe as it should. I feel that it's a deal for those that are arriving in the city, because it's near Downtown and you have Rosedale and Upper Jarvis that are cool neighbourhoods, and rentals are quite cheaper than the average. But once you start working and you know the city better, you are tempted to move to other neighbourhoods. It's sad, because I feel that this region's got lots of potential.

[@incarnateTheGreat]

@@CrazyPato1979 It does. I have lived across the street from 77 Huntley for 10 years. When it was being built, it was meant not to be a luxury pad, but decent enough. It just seems that it has dipped significantly over the years.

[@RandyDrayton]

@@incarnateTheGreat to be honest they cleaned it up nice recently with electric sliding doors entrances, an amazing pool that must have take like 5 years to build lol, but also an awesome rooftop area, though it could be modernized and maybe have some fake grass. But hey, this building has social housing and some sketchy characters in the building, so like you said isn't the bees nees or anything but is very decent now. No frills downstairs and several other key restaurants including the former swiss chalet truly does power the area. I also used to work in the building next to 77 Huntley for 5 years and now it has the Globe and Mail and a cool modern building. That area is nice still after considerable work.

[@FrankKnight8846]

I hated the old subways. In the summer it was like entering an oven. No A/C, but thanks for posting, brings a lot of memory's. Toronto was a much better city back in the days.

[@at1212b]

Hah, they were. I remember being soaked riding the subway... but the Streetcars and buses were bad too on a bright crowded, hot sunny day!

[@SRBAnimate]

And they had to use whistles to let people know that the doors are closing

[@fabezworld]

Livestreaming in 1987 lol 🤣

[@GodlessMartyr666]

in 6 years this footage will be 40 years old which doesn't seem that crazy but if you subtract 40 from 1987 you're all the way back in the late 1940s ..

[@416tash]

I miss those days

[@edwardbliss8931]

Interesting how people on the TTC subway in 1987 conduct themselves. They all seem content and lost in their thoughts. In 2023 people look down at their phones and avoid direct eye contact

[@fn-Jeff]

When Toronto was Canadian

[@picklepoppers8223]

Toronto was so much cleaner. Wow. Boy we have become pigs.

[@zochbuppet448]

Pure Gold!...How come you were filming this stuff? Where you new to the city? I miss those orange seats on the subway..and the older blue seats from the 1950's train that was still running at the time

[@hardyboy1959]

I'd just got my new video camera the month before and took to carrying it around with me all over town. Thanks for the comment!

[@MrDigitalman78]

In 1987 I was 9 years old, a kid back then. And the childhood fantasy of The Huggables would be popular this year the height of toy and cartoon series.

[@pinkbagels1]

Who else is here looking for old high school friends on the platforms?

[@vincentforonda7381]

31 years and still the subway exactly the same..

[@jrcmillard1985]

Nostalgia Toronto. 😎

[@Will87]

Trying to figure out the name of the song playing as you enter the apartment.

[@hardyboy1959]

Alison Moyet - Weak In The Presence Of Beauty

[@fredroper398]

for sure H2 the ceiling fans show it all and i also heard a H% coming from the other direction im quit sure i know the sound subways where better then and if that was 77 huntley wow it was nicer then

[@TheJlee28]

This was aweful subway

[@leopoldpoppenberger8692]

your voice is not understandable ,,under lake Ontario, from east to west

[@bb3ca201]

I was a young 'un back then (about 8) but great memories

[@bobsam7838]

man those times look peaceful and calm without those crackheads stabbing and assulting ppl but now all the crackheads are in those stations

[@sonicmoremusic1]

Very cool

[@bethanygoldstein5472]

I grew up in the beaches. I hate the recent misguided political movement to call it The Beach. Thanks for uploading.

[@hardyboy1959]

It's by no means recent. People have been trying to change the name for decades! It'll always be the beaches to me!

[@rileywestner]

Toronto 31 years ago

[@thespacemonkeyist]

Your old street? Either Kippendavie or Kenilworth. My first guess Kippendavie. I Lived on Wheeler in the 80s...The Chinese Laundry, Karasses' Steak House, The Honey Bee. The only thing that remains from my childhood is The Honey Bee. Hope you kept the house if you inherited it. Lower Beaches houses would fetch easily more than a million dollars nowadays...

[@hardyboy1959]

Yeah, 'my street' was Kippindavie, I lived at 1911 Queen E. over top of Kew Beach Auto Service for fifteen years, my landlord, Arnold sold the place back in 2000 so I had to move out, had a sweet deal, a 2 bedroom for under $400 a month. If you want to see some other old Beaches videos, I have a playlist, let me know what you think! kzbin.info/aero/PL-taphl4m69KxtEIzqmS85AR1tBVZ4aqv

[@aeroair4724]

Brian Hardy is the next 5ninthavenue project

[@AM-hh2jb]

subways still look the same . love this city

[@csp1977]

I was 9 years old living in Etobicoke at the time. There used to be a few older red trains that would run on the bloor line. The lights would always go off and on in them. One thing for sure is it was way less crowded and cleaner back then.

[@AM-hh2jb]

I'm going to work from etobicoke on the train right now :) kipling to king

[@mrrobot5963]

@@csp1977 they were called the Gloucesters. And the TTC is still pretty clean.

[@thevultrantransituniverse1487]

Cool!

[@TheOGDieselFanatic]

Sounds like an h4

[@bojanbogdanovic4273]

The ppl in the video young are prolly super only now :/

[@hardyboy1959]

I was in my late 20s, now I'm in my early 60s so... yeah!

[@hardyboy1959]

@i what slur?!

[@BaldBerlitzBoy]

Ah yes, the old TTC....... “Take the car”.

[@josephviola6832]

What camera did you use to film this??

[@hardyboy1959]

Hey Joe... sorry for the late reply, I just noticed this. I shot all my old video with a Kodak 8mm video camera built in '85 that I purchased in April of '87.

[@xtreme8797]

TTC H2 5541-5540

[@416tash]

I still hate going on that bridge to this day

[@stephenmurle8307]

I was 2

[@bashira1234]

Toronto is a shit hole now

[@BrianLatimersPage]

Where are all the meth addicts?

[@user-tl4fi6oy8d]

What an utterly miserable person you are