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A Rogue's Gallery: The TTC's Subway Work Car Fleet

Text by James Bow.

See Also

After the crowds have left and most Torontonians are safe in bed, strange creatures emerge into the city’s subways at night. They are the maintenance cars. These vehicles clean walls, collect garbage, grind track and do all sorts of other work designed to keep the subway a safe and pleasant place to travel during the day. Because they are underground, these unsung heroes are rarely seen by the general public. This page gives them their due.


Current Fleet (As of May 1, 2015)

The information below is courtesy the Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board Wiki

Fleet #

Year Built

Manufacturer

Description

Propulsion type

Notes

RT-1 (II)

2014?

 

Motorized Flat Car

Electric

RT-2

1997

Arva Industries

Flat car

n/a (trailer)

RT-3

1922

TTC

Overhead maintenance car

Electric

Rebuilt many times, most recently from a differential ballast car

RT-5 (II)

1997

Arva Industries

Tunnel leak repair car

Electric

The “tunnel grout car” [1]

RT-7 (II)

1998

Plasser American

Locomotive

Diesel

RT-8

1997

Plasser American

Train of 13 rail delivery articulated bogies

n/a

RT-9 (III)

2013

?

Flatcar

Electric

  • Specially made flatcar with cab and generator.
  • Mated to RT-10(III)

RT-10(III)

1974-75
2013

Hawker Siddeley
Modified by TTC

Asbestos abayement

Electric

  • Former H4 5626 for asbestos abatement(2013)
  • Mated to RT-9(III)

RT-11 (III)

2000

CLN

Flatcar/crane

n/a

RT-13

1968

Nippon-Sharyo

Centre cab crane

RT-14 (IV)

1974-75
2012

Hawker Siddeley
Modified by TTC

Asbestos abatement

Electric

  • Former H4 5609 converted for asbestos abatement
  • Mated with ex RT-46 (ex-H1 5336) to create set RT-14/15 (replaced RT-45) (6/2012)

RT-15 (IV)

1964-65
2000

Hawker Siddeley
Modified by TTC

Asbestos Abatement

Electric

  • Renumbered from work car RT-46 (previously mated with RT-45) and mated with ex-H4 5609 to create set RT-14/15 (6/2012)
  • Originally converted from H1 5336 to RT-46 for asbestos abatement (7/2000)

RT-16, 17 (II)

1996

Arva Industries

Tunnel Washer

Diesel

RT-18

1996

Anbel Corp

Locomotive

Diesel-hydraulic

  • Model DH-700S

RT-19/20

1980

Niigata

Flatcar/crane

Diesel

RT-21

1980

Niigata

Flatcar

n/a

RT-22

1973

Nippon Sharyo

Flatcar

n/a

  • ex-tunnel washer RT-17(I) (1997)

RT-26

1980

TTC

Gauge car

RT-27

1986

GC&H/TTC

Beam transporter and crane

RT-28(:2), 55

2000

Arva Industries

Flatcar with crane

Electric

RT-29 (II)

2001

Arva Industries

Flatcar

Electric

RT-34 (III)

1974-5
2018

Hawker Siddeley
Modified by TTC

General utility

Electric

  • Converted from H4 5648. Paired with RT-35 and RT-36 for asbestos abatement work.

RT-35 (III)

1974-5
2018

Hawker Siddeley
Modified by TTC

General utility

Electric

  • Converted from H4 5651. Paired with RT-34 and RT-36 for asbestos abatement work.

RT-36 (III)

2018

Arva Industries

Platform cab car

Electric

  • Paired with RT-34 and RT-35 for asbestos abatement work.

RT-38 (II)

1964-65
1997, 2000

Hawker Siddeley
Modified by TTC

General utility (formerly garbage collection)

Electric

  • Converted from H1 5422 for garbage collection (4/1997)
  • To general utility service when garbage trains discontinued

RT-39 (III)

2011

Arva Industries

Flat Car

Electric

RT-40

1989

Dynex

Ballast car

n/a

RT-41

1993

Plasser American

Tie tamper

Diesel

RT-42

1999

Arva Industires

Tunnel maintenance scaffold car

n/a

For asbestos abatement and general maintenance

RT-43

1964-65
2000

Hawker Siddeley
Modified by TTC

Asbestos abatement crew car

Electric

  • Converted from H1 5459 for asbestos abatement (5/2000)

RT-44

1964-65
2000

Hawker Siddeley
Modified by TTC

Asbestos abatement crew car

Electric

  • Converted from H1 5458 for asbestos abatement (5/2000)

RT-47

1999

Arva Industries

Flat car

n/a (trailer)

RT-48/49

2001

Arva Industries

Snow thrower

Diesel

Self-propelled with snow thrower & brush blower.

RT-50-53

1999

Arva Industries

Push snow thrower

n/a

RT-54

1973

Nippon Sharyo

Flat car

n/a (trailer)

Rebuilt 2001, former RT-16(:1) tunnel washer

RT-55

200x

Arva Industries

Flatcar

With crane.

RT-56

2006

Arva Industries

Vacuum Rodder

Diesel

  • Custom built, self-propelled subway drain vacuum & jetting workcar
  • Seats: 2x2 person operator cabs for bi-directional operation
  • Length: 65’
  • Width: 10’-4”
  • Height: 12’
  • Gross weight: 140,000 lbs
  • Water system:
  • Jetting mode: 8,000 psi @ 8 GPM
  • Flushing mode: 2,500 psi @ 32 GPM
  • Reservoir: 7,570 L (clean) water tank

RT-57 (II)

199x-200x?

Arva Industries

Flat car

N/A

Trailer

RT-58 (II)

199x-200x?

Arva Industries

Flat car

N/A

Trailer

RT-59

199x-200x?

Arva Industries

Flat car

N/A

Trailer

RT-60

1974-75
?

Hawker Siddeley
Modified by TTC

General utility

Electric

  • Converted from H4 5637

RT-61 (II)

200x

Arva Industires

Flat car

Electric

RT-62

1974-75
?

Hawker Siddeley
Modified by TTC

General utility

Electric

  • Converted from H4 5616

RT-63 (II)

200x

Arva Industries

Flat car

Electric

RT-64

1974-75
?

Hawker Siddeley
Modified by TTC

General utility

Electric

  • Converted from H4 5594

RT-65 (II)

200x

Arva Industries

Flat car

Electric

RT-66

1974-75
?

Hawker Siddeley
Modified by TTC

General utility

Electric

  • Former H4 5638, later renumbered.

RT-67

2013
?

Arva Industries

General utility

Trailer

 

RT-68 (II)

1974-75

Hawker Siddeley
Modified by TTC

General utility

Electric

Former H4 5622, later renumbered.

RT-69

2013
?

Arva Industries

General utility

Trailer

 

RT-70

2005

Arva Industries

Flat car

n/a (trailer)

RT-71

200x

Arva Industries

Self-propelled locomotive

Tri-Mode

  • Powered by third rail diesel-electric or battery power.
  • Genset: DDC 60 series 630hp engine & Letourneau generator.
  • 2 Letourneau switched reluctance electric motors connect to truck gearboxes via Spicer driveshafts.
  • Capable of pulling a six-car revenue train up a 3-1/2% grade.

RT-72

200x

Arva Industries

Flat car

Electric

RT-73

200x

Arva Industries

Flat car

Electric

RT-74

200x

Arva Industries

Flat car

Electric

RT-75

200x

Arva Industries

Flat car

Electric

RT-76

200x

Arva Industries

Flat car

Electric

RT-77

200x

Arva Industries

Ballast Car

N/A

Used with RT-78

RT-78

200x

Arva Industries

Ballast Car

N/A

Used with RT-77

RT-79

200x

Arva Industries

Ballast Car

N/A

Used with RT-80

RT-80

20xx

Arva Industries

Ballast car

Used with RT-79

RT-81

200x

Arva Industries

Flat car

Electric

RT-82

2012

Arva Industries

Flat car/crane

Diesel

RT-83

2011

Arva Industries

Flat car/crane

Diesel

RT-84

2011

Arva Industries

Vaccuum Rodder

Diesel

RT-85

2013

Arva Industries

Flat car

Electric

RT-86

201?

?

?

?

RT-87

2017

Arva Industries

Crane Car

Diesel and Electric

RT-90

1996, 2017

Bombardier

Track Inspection Car

Electric

Converted T1-car 5184

RT-91

1996, 2017

Bombardier

Track Inspection Car

Electric

Converted T1-car 5185

ST-1

1984

Locomotive

Diesel

ST-2

1984

Flatcar with crane

n/a

Used with ST-1

ST-3

1984

Grinding truck

n/a

Used with ST 1

ST-4

1986

Snow blower

n/a

Used with ST 1

ST-5

1987

Power rail cleaner and de-icer

n/a

Used with ST 1

ST-7

2011

Small unimog unit

n/a

Used with ST 1

Retired/Scrapped Work Vehicles

The information below is courtesy the Canadian Public Transit Discussion Board Wiki.

Fleet #

Year Built

Manufacturer

Description

Propulsion

Notes

RT-1

1909

TRC (Toronto Railway Company)

Anchor bolt drilling

Electric

  • Rebuilt 5 times
  • Formerly a Lake Simcoe express car
  • Retired. Deck and trucks sent to HCRY

RT-4 (I)

?

Peter Witt car

Garbage collection

Electric

ex-TTC Peter Witt 2528, refurbished 1954, retired 1970’s.

RT-4 (II)

1997

Arva

Track re-insulation car

Electric

retired 2013

RT-5

1915, 1953

Preston

Rail Grinder

Electric

Ex-Civic car #53
TTC snow scraper 2206
retired 1971

RT-6

1922

TTC

Dump Car/Snow Blower

Electric

Retired, listed for disposal (12/2009)

RT-7

1915, 1953

Preston

Rail Grinder

Electric

Ex-Civic car #52
TTC rail grinder W-27
retired to HCRY

RT-9 (I)

1964-65
1997

Hawker Siddeley
Modified by TTC

Garbage collection

Electric

  • Converted from former H1’s 5375 for asbestos abatement/garbage collection (9/1997)
  • Originally mated to RT-10 (II)
  • Destroyed by fire (12/08/2000)

RT-9 (II)

1964-65
2001

Hawker Siddeley
Modified by TTC

Garbage collection

Electric

  • Formerly H1 5351 for garbage collection (7/2001)
  • Mated to RT-10(II), replaces RT-9(I) destroyed by fire
  • Retired (20??)

RT-10 (I)

1967

Nippon-Sharyo

Garbage collection

Electric

  • Purchased new for garbage collection
  • Nicknamed the “Tokyo Rose”
  • Replaced by RT-10 (II), ex-5374 H1
  • Renumbered RT-10a for continued service
  • Retired in 2000, to Future Enterprises for scrap (2002)

RT-10(II)

1964-65
1997

Hawker Siddeley
Modified by TTC

Garbage collection

Electric

  • Former H1 5374 for asbestos abatement/garbage collection (9/1997)
  • Originally mated to RT-9(I), later RT-9(II)
  • Retired (20??)

RT-11 (I)

195?

TTC?

Tunnel clearance test car

Unpowered

  • Built to test tunnel clearance for M-1 cars
  • Nicknamed “Duncan’s Dragon”
  • Spotted at Greenwood Yards in 2007
  • Status unknown; likely retired

RT-11 (II)

1967

Nippon-Sharyo

Flat Car

Unpowered

  • Always towed
  • Rode on depowered Gloucester trucks

RT-12 (I)

1968

Nippon-Sharyo

Locomotive

Electric/battery

  • Retired, listed for disposal (12/2009)
  • Replaced by RT-71

RT-14 & RT-15 (I)

1949
, 1970

Canadian Car and Foundry
Modified by TTC

Rail grinding trainset

Electric

  • Former PCC cars 4446 and 4410
  • Retired in ?
  • Replaced by RT-30 to 37 consists

RT-14 (II)

1988

Gloucester/TTC

Tunnel washer power unit

Electric

  • Former G2 car 5104
  • Converted to work car RT-36 (I) (1988)
  • Renumbered to RT-14 (II) for tunnel washing train (1989)
  • Retired 1999

RT-15 (II)

1988

Gloucester/TTC

Tunnel washer power unit

Electric

  • Former G2 car 5105
  • Converted to work car RT-37 (I) (1988)
  • Renumbered to RT-15 (II) for tunnel washing train (1989)
  • Retired 1999

RT-14, 15 (III)

2000

Arva Industries

Motorized snow throwers

Retired due to safety concerns

RT-23

1964-65
1980

Hawker Siddeley
modified by TTC

Asbestos abatement car

n/a

  • Converted from H1 5391
  • Non-motored ultra-sonic rail inspection & utility car (3/1984).
  • Retired, listed for disposal (12/2009)
  • Hauled away for scrap (4/2010).

RT-28 (I)

1987

Ecolaire

Motorized Flatcar

Motored

  • Retired 2001
  • Donated to HCRY

RT-29 (I)

1987

Ecolaire

Motorized Flatcar

Motored

  • Retired 2001
  • Donated to HCRY

RT-30, 31, 32, 33

1988

Ecolaire

Track grinding units

Non-motored

  • Pulled by work cars RT-34 to 37.
  • Used in consists: RT-35/33/30/36, 34/31/32/37
  • RT-31/32 retired 2004(?)
  • RT-30/33 retired 2008, listed for disposal (12/2009)

RT-34

1988

Gloucester/TTC

Rail grinder power units

Electric

  • Former G2 car 5102
  • Converted to work car RT-34 (1988)
  • Damaged in Greenwood Yard sideswipe, March 2004. Stored out of service.
  • Retired 2004

RT-35

1988

Gloucester/TTC

Rail grinder power units

Electric

  • Former G2 car 5103
  • Converted to work car RT-35 (1988)
  • Retired 2008, listed for disposal (12/2009)

RT-36 (I)

1988

Gloucester/TTC

Tunnel washer power unit

Electric

  • Former G2 car 5104
  • Converted to work car RT-36 (I) (1988)
  • Renumbered to RT-14 (II) for tunnel washing train (1989)
  • Retired 1999

RT-36 (II)

1988

Gloucester/TTC

Rail grinder power units

Electric

  • Former G1 car 5068
  • Converted to work car RT-36 (II) (1991)
  • Retired 2008, listed for disposal (12/2009)

RT-37 (I)

1988

Gloucester/TTC

Tunnel washer power unit

Electric

  • Former G2 car 5105
  • Converted to work car RT-37 (I) (1988)
  • Renumbered to RT-15 (II) for tunnel washing train (1989)
  • Retired 1999

RT-37 (II)

1988

Gloucester/TTC

Rail grinder power units

Electric

  • Former G1 car 5069
  • Converted to work car RT-37 (II) (1991)
  • Retired 2004

RT-38 (I)

1987

Gloucester/TTC

Garbage collection

Electric

  • Former G2 car 5100
  • Converted to work car RT-38 (1987)
  • Retired 4/1997 (replaced by H1 garbage train)

RT-39 (I)

1987

Gloucester/TTC

Garbage collection

Electric

  • Former G2 car 5101
  • Converted to work car RT-39 (1987)
  • Retired 4/1997 (replaced by H1 garbage train)

RT-39 (II)

1964-65
1997, 2000

Hawker Siddeley
Modified by TTC

General utility (formerly garbage collection)

Electric

  • Converted from H1 5423 for garbage collection (4/1997)
  • To general utility service when garbage trains discontinued
  • To Future Enterprises for scrap, Sep-2011.

RT-45

1964-65
2000

Hawker Siddeley
Modified by TTC

General utility

Electric

  • Converted from H1 5337 for asbestos abatement (7/2000)

RT-57 (I)

1974-75
?

Hawker Siddeley
Modified by TTC

General utility

Electric

  • Converted from H4 5634

RT-58 (I)

1974-75
?

Hawker Siddeley
Modified by TTC

General utility

Electric

  • Converted from H4 5635

RT-61 (I)

1974-75
?

Hawker Siddeley
Modified by TTC

General utility

Electric

  • Converted from H4 5637
  • Retired, listed for disposal (12/2009)

RT-63 (I)

1974-75
?

Hawker Siddeley
Modified by TTC

General utility

Electric

  • Converted from H4 5617

RT-65 (I)

1974-75
?

Hawker Siddeley
Modified by TTC

General utility

Electric

  • Converted from H4 5595

RT-66

1964-65
?

Hawker Siddeley
Modified by TTC

General utility

Electric

  • Former H1 5386, retained for fibre optic testing service, later renumbered

RT-67

1964-65
?

Hawker Siddeley
Modified by TTC

General utility

Electric

  • Former H1 5387, retained for fibre optic testing service, later renumbered. Retired

RT-68

1964-65
?

Hawker Siddeley
Modified by TTC

General utility

Electric

  • Former H1 5408, retained for fibre optic testing service, later renumbered. Retired.
  • Retired, scrapped at Future Enterprises Sep or Oct 2011

RT-69

1964-65
?

Hawker Siddeley
Modified by TTC

General utility

Electric

  • Former H1 5409, retained for fibre optic testing service, later renumbered. Retired

ST-6

1987

Grinding truck

n/a

Retired and scrapped in 2012

ST-7

2011

Mercedes Unimog

Hyrail Vehicle

Diesel


Subway Work Cars Image Archive


Off-Site Video Links

Some intrepid railfans prowling the TTC late at night have been lucky enough to capture some of these work vehicles on film. Below is a list of some videos of these vehicles in action:


References

  • Bromley, John F., and Jack May Fifty Years of Progressive Transit, Electric Railroaders’ Association, New York (New York), 1978.
  • Corley, Raymond F., ‘Subway Work Equipment Update’, Transfer Points, February 2000, p9, The Toronto Transportation Society, Toronto (Ontario).
  • Hood, J. William, The Toronto Civic Railways: An Illustrated History, The Upper Canada Railway Society, Toronto (Ontario), 1986.
  • Partridge, Larry, Mind the Doors, Please, The Boston Mills Press, Erin (Ontario), 1983.
  • Roschlau, Mike, ‘TTC Subway Locomotive Arrives’ Rail and Transit, Nov-Dec 1977, p31, The Upper Canada Railway Society, Toronto (Ontario).

Special thanks to Ray Corley for his corrections and additions to this web page.

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