Check out this post by Steve Munro on the TTC testing out the pantograph on their new streetcars. What’s the big deal Chris?
1) It’s looks cool;
2) It’ll improve reliability – the pole tends to pop off at intersections and during turns; and
3) What about the historic look of the pole? No problem – visit Halton County Radial Railway. It’s a museum. They have ice cream. It’s fun.
On Tuesday, September 12, 2017, the TTC began operation of its new Flexity streetcars with pantograph power collection on the 509 Harbourfront route. This is a short, comparatively isolated route running entirely with Flexitys where problems, if any, can be ironed out on a small piece of the network. Any off route moves including carhouse trips are done with trolley poles, and the normal changeover point between modes is at Exhibition Loop.
Here is a small set of photos of the route.
Chris James Drew 