TTC opens its doors to transit history
This Sat., May 27, the TTC is giving the public a unique chance to experience the inner workings of North America’s third largest transit system, when it opens the doors to its McCowan Carhouse and Danforth Garage as part of Doors Open Toronto.
At the McCowan Carhouse, TTC fans will have a chance to look behind the scenes before Line 3 Scarborough is decommissioned later this year. And, more than a century of Toronto public transit history will be on display at the Danforth Garage, a site rarely open to the public.
“Doors Open Toronto is a great opportunity for transit fans to get an inside look at two TTC sites,” said Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie. "Thank you to the TTC for working to open up the McCowan Carhouse and Danforth Garage. I encourage people to come out and explore this weekend."
“We are so pleased to once again host Doors Open Toronto events at the TTC,” said TTC Chair Jon Burnside. “We hope that visitors enjoy this unique opportunity to experience the size and complexity of TTC infrastructure and maintenance operations that keep Toronto moving every day.”
At the 4,146,000-square-foot McCowan Carhouse, Doors Open visitors will experience the full scale of TTC train maintenance operations, with an SRT car, wheels, axles, and snow-removal vehicles on display. The prefabricated metal maintenance facility was built for the Scarborough RT, the world's first intermediate-capacity transit system, and houses four tracks, including a giant train carwash.
At Danforth Garage, a vintage GM New Look bus and the all-new TTC e-bus will be on display, along with more than a century of public transit history. Originally called Danforth Carhouse, the Edwardian-style facility began servicing streetcars for Toronto Civic Railways in 1915, until 1921 when the TTC took over operations and introduced the new Peter Witt streetcars. After the Bloor-Danforth subway opened in 1966, the facility was converted to an all-bus garage, and it served in that capacity until 2002. Today, Danforth Garage is home to TTC heritage barns and serves as an office for subway operations.
“The TTC is proud to invite the public behind the scenes as part of Doors Open Toronto,” said TTC CEO Rick Leary. “We hope visitors will take the opportunity to explore Toronto’s transit history, and learn more about the evolution of transit, starting from the first streetcars and leading up to some of our newest eBuses that are on the road today.”
Doors Open visitors can go on self-guided tours and take photos of TTC trains and equipment. TTC staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and a BBQ lunch in support of the United Way will be held at both locations.
At Danforth Garage, there is one accessible entrance and no accessibility between levels. Accessible portable washrooms will be available. At McCowan Carhouse, everything is accessible at street level. There is no accessibility between levels and there are no public or accessible washrooms.
Date: Sat., May 27, 2023
Time: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (last admittance at 4:30 p.m.)
Where: McCowan Carhouse, 1720 Ellesmere Road, M1H 2V5
Danforth Garage, 1627 Danforth Avenue, M4C 1H7
Doors Open visitors are encouraged to share their experience on social media using #DOT23.