Caption: Taken from one of the centre streetcar loading platforms, TTC PCC 4647 (an ex-Cleveland A11-class car) operates on the Carlton route, heading eastbound through the intersection of College Street and Bay Street on a rainy Friday. One of the ever-present Volkswagen Beetles follows close behind (looking a little maimed from a fender-bender). Hiding behind the office building with the CIBC (whose branch is still there today!) is the old "Victoria Hospital for Sick Children" building at College & Elizabeth, built in 1891 (also still present today).
TTC 4647 was one of the A11-class of 50 PCC's built by Pullman in 1946 for the Cleveland Transit System and acquired secondhand by the TTC in 1952/53 (4647 was originally CTS 4222), and featured distinctive rooftop ventilators travelling the length of the cars. The last of this series were retired in the early 80's, and two cars survive at the Halton County Radial Museum (4631 and 4668, as work cars W-30 & W-31). 4647 had a notable ending to its career: while being towed one rainy night by a service truck from Wychwood carhouse to Hillcrest Shops for scrapping in November 1981, 4647 broke loose down the hill on Bathurst Street near Davenport and became a runaway car. It made its way on its own down Bathurst as far as King Street, where it derailed and smashed into the side of a building. Due to quick actions by police, there were no injuries or casualties.
Robert D. McMann photo, Dan Dell'Unto collection.
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