Toronto Transit Commission Rapid Transit
The Toronto Transit Commission Rapid Transit network, is a series of subway and RT lines in Toronto. The network consists of four lines, and began with the construction of the Yonge Subway in 1954. In 2006-2007, around 1.2 million people used the network every day.
Track Guage
The TTC uses a very unique track guage of 4 ft 10⅞ in (1,495 mm), 60 mm (2⅜ inches) wider than the usual standard of 1,435 mm (4 ft 8½ in). Streetcars and Subways use this guage, while the Scarborough RT uses a standard guage as it was not designed to be run on other system trackage.
Hidden Features
The TTC Subway network has a number of features that have been hidden from public view. Perhaps the most famous is Lower Bay station, which exists below the standard Bay station. This is part of the ‘wye’ that is used to connect the Bloor-Danforth to the Yonge-University-Spadina subway lines.
Another station sometimes called Lower Queen is located under Queen station. Passengers unknowingly pass though part of the station which has been modernized and is used to connect both northbound and southbound subway platforms. In this area is a red wall with a door, behind that door lies the bulk of the remainder of the station. Lower Queen was designed to be an underground streetcar station, and while no track has been laid, a properly sized trench was dug and has been roughed out in the concrete. A popular misconception is there is a sister Lower Osgoode station. This is not true, however, work was done to make space in the event such a station ever need to be built.
There are other “Lost” areas of the subway. One is the old Vincent yard, which can be seen in the area outside between Dundas West and Keele stations. The yard was capable of storing 8 full-legnth cars. Part of its primary purpose was storing additional cars that could not be handled at Davisville Yard, so when the Spadina lined opened (and Wilson Yard opened with it) Vincent yard was no longer needed. Its last job was to hold retired Gloucester cars. It is no longer active or useable, as the rails inside the yard have been warped from being unused.
Routes
| Number | Route | Colour |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yonge-University-Spadina | Yellow |
| 2 | Bloor-Danforth | Green |
| 3 | Scarborough Rapid Transit | Blue |
| 4 | Sheppard | Magenta |
