CLRVs and ALRVs that should have been saved:

 

            While 16 CLRVs and 2 ALRVs were saved from scrap, there are a few notable CLRVs and ALRVs that were sadly scrapped. This list shows the cars I think have significance that were scrapped.

 

            CLRV 4000 was the first CLRV built. The car was retired in 2017 due to poor wheels. A number of CLRVs had body work done due to delays in delivering the new streetcars however 4000 was not one of them.

 

            TTC shop personnel knew of 4000’s significance and tried keeping it around Leslie carhouse, but the car was scrapped at the end of 2017. There is a video on Youtube of 4000 being loaded onto a truck to take it for scrap.

 

            If 4000 had been preserved the most ironic place for it to have gone would be the Halton County Radial railway Museum as they have PCC #4000. Interestingly enough, PCC 4000 narrowly avoided getting scrapped itself.

 

            This photo was taken in 2017 just before 4000 was retired.

 

 

            CLRV #4002 was the first CLRV to be delivered to TTC. This was due to cars 4000 and 4001 were still undergoing testing in Switzerland. In late 2017 to commemorate 40 years after it first was delivered, a charter was organized on the car. However after, the car was damaged in an accident. The TTC looked into repairing the car due to its historical significance but was deemed too expensive and car 4001 became a historic car instead sending 4002 to scrap.

 

            If the accident had happened a few years earlier, there’s little doubt the TTC would have repaired 4002 and put it back on the road. They have repaired CLRVs that collided with a cement truck and a Greyhound bus in the past.

 

 

            I put the CLRVs 4027, 4029, and 4031 in one group as in the early 1980s, they had been leased to Boston for them to evaluate the CLRV design as Boston was having problems with their Boeing LRVs. The cars were reliable but in the end Boston didn’t buy any and the three cars returned to Toronto. #4031 was one of the first CLRVs to retire with #4029 being the last active Boston car. Sadly all three cars were scrapped.

 

            It would have been nice if one of the three had been preserved at Seashore as it would compliment their Boeing LRV. By the time the Boeing LRVs were all retired in Boston, only a single CLRV had been retired from TTC.

 

 

 

 

            CLRV #4041 was unique as in the early 2000s it had received an air conditioning unit. It was the only CLRV to have air conditioning. I rode the car a few times. However the car was retired and subsequently scrapped.

 

            The air conditioning unit is similar to ones used on buses so it was removed as a spare for the bus fleet.

 

 

            Although it’s not the most significant reason, CLRV #4069 had older style fleet numbers. That set it apart. While #4069 did make it to a day or two before the end of CLRV service in Toronto, it was put up for action with other CLRVs including 4040, 4053, and 4187. The first two of those cars were acquired by the Halton County Radial Railway Museum as parts cars for their CLRV fleet while #4187 was preserved on a farm in Priceville.

 

            #4069 and other CLRVs on the list were scrapped instead.

 

 

            While the last day of CLRVs was December 29, 2019, the cars that were in service that day were free to ride. The last CLRV in which passengers had to pay to ride was #4193. As in the case of CLRV #4069, #4193 was put up for action with other CLRVs including 4040, 4053, and 4187. The first two of those cars were acquired by the Halton County Radial Railway Museum as parts cars for their CLRV fleet while #4187 was preserved on a farm in Priceville.

 

 

            #4199 is the last CLRV so that would be considered somewhat significant. When the Scarborough RT was first built, the TTC intended to run CLRVs on the line but the province made them buy the trains that currently run on the line.

           

            A number of CLRVs were equipped with pantographs for use on the Scarborough RT, but were changed to trolley poles for use on the existing streetcar network. Presumably #4199 would have been one of the cars assigned to the RT.

 

 

            ALRV #4200 is the first production ALRV after the prototype #4900. #4900 was scrapped in 2018 or 2019.

 

 

            Lastly is ALRV #4251. For about 25 years, #4251 was the youngest streetcar on the TTC roster.

 

 

 

            I don’t have a picture of it, but the prototype ALRV #4900 was scrapped in the early 1980s. It was the first streetcar to have an electronic destination sign. It was unique compared to the 52 production ALRVs. Where the CLRVs were red, #4900 was reddish-orange. It also had CLRV style trucks and hand controls. #4900 also was delivered with a pantograph but was changed to a trolley pole.

 

            #4900 was removed from TTC property before #4200 was delivered. It sat at the factory for awhile and was damaged in a collision with production ALRV #4211. #4900 was eventually scrapped. It would have been interesting if it made it into preservation

 

            I don’t have any photos of #4900 but there’s a few on the internet. There’s also a postcard of #4900. If I can find it, I’ll buy it and put a picture of the postcard on here.

 

            As I previously stated, these cars are cars I would have liked to have seen preserved. I’ll let you decide if you agree with me or any other CLRVs or ALRVs you would have liked to have seen preserved.