TTC Streetcars on King Street at the end of the Trolley Pole Era

Near the end of March 2023, the last piece of in service TTC streetcar overhead was converted to allow for pantograph operations. In this video from February 2023, watch Bombardier Flexity streetcars on King Street during some of the last trolley pole operations in Toronto. Subscribe ‪@orionviii‬ for more videos like this one and leave a comment below if you have noticed the change to full pantograph operations across the streetcar network.
Recorded in 4K on a Sony A7riv.
#ttc #streetcar #kingstreet #504 #bombardier #flexity #trolleypole

[@shanewalters2565]

Ngl, I still question whether the Pantagraph conversion was necessary or not, there's just something nostalgic about seeing trolley-poles on a modern streetcar

[@orionviii]

Time will tell if the added expense of equipping the streetcars with both, while building 3 different kinds of overhead, was worth it.

[@Junglejack91]

I agree with you. These modern streetcars look better with the trolley-pole and Pantagraph. In San Francisco, they use both the trolley-pole and pantagraph, which is a pleasure to see on streetcar lines. I don't understand the full reason to get completely get rid of the trolley-pole.

[@sjokomelk]

@@Junglejack91 Pantograph allows much higher current draw that the new trams need to be able to run on full power. They also eliminate dewiring issues with the trolley pole, saving many hours each year of holding up traffic and passengers. You also eliminate the daily maintenance in changing the carbon pad on the trolley pole. Pantographs only needs maintenance maybe once a year..? The TTC have spent quite some money now, but they (and the city in general) will save it all and then some in the long run.

[@metropolitantransit7276]

I should've paid attention to that.

[@orionviii]

It kind of just happened. We'll see if any upcoming construction brings us into a temporary trolley pole era, but I don't think it will happen.