There’s a long
tradition at the Canadian National Exhibition of showing off new
products -- from farm implements and kitchen gadgets to transit
vehicles. If you head down to the 129th edition of the Ex, look near
the Princes’ Gates for two life-size models of streetcars that might
carry passengers around Toronto as soon as 2012. Aptly placed across
from the popular Duelling Human Cannonballs show, these light-rail
“mock-ups” were shipped in by their manufacturers Bombardier and
Siemens to give fair-goers a firsthand look.
Siemens Canada
is obviously trying to get some attention for its new “Combino Plus”
vehicle. The subsidiary of the worldwide German firm is aiming at
transit users with big advertisements and a website showing videos
of their car travelling through Toronto (hypothetically) and
Melbourne, Australia (in an actual test). Some observers believe
rival Bombardier may already have a head start in reaching the
public -- not only because it has parked its “Flexity” model around
Toronto on several occasions, but because the company is
Canadian-based.
Streetcar
builders Vossloh Kiepe (which has a small display in the CNE’s Music
Building) and Skoda are the other two firms in the running to supply
over 200 low-floor trams to replace the TTC’s existing high-floor
fleet. I expect we’ll hear more from them, considering that
Toronto’s ambitious Transit City light-rail network could require
another 200-plus streetcars. Add in proposed LRT lines in
Mississauga and elsewhere in Ontario, and there is the prospect of
billions to be made selling modern-day trolleys.
Back in June
and July, thousands of TTC customers commented on what they’d like
to see in new streetcars for Toronto. People had a lot to say,
covering everything from paint schemes to the number and arrangement
of seats and doors.
Transit
officials are also preparing specific requirements so that new cars
can navigate Toronto’s unique street rails. TTC tracks are wider
than other cities and it seems we have the tightest curves anywhere.
A request for proposals would likely go out in October for a vehicle
that can handle not only our geography and climate but also the
particular tastes of TTC riders.
By taking the
time to walk through the mock-up vehicles, you’ll be following the
path of Torontonians who got sneak peeks of previous streetcars. TTC
models known as the Peter Witt, PCC Streamliner and the current
“CLRV” debuted at the CNE in 1921, 1938 and 1978.
Historian Mike
Filey confirms the TTC’s first subway cars were also showcased at
the fair in 1953. Those of you above the age of 35 may recall these
“Gloucester” trains -- they were painted red, had greenish interiors
and the windows even opened.
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View the
Siemens streetcar at combinoplus.ca and see theex.com for details on
the CNE.