Caption: Toronto Transit Commission 2546, 2950, 2920, 2972, 2974, and 2958 are just some of the early 1920's Peter Witt streetcars stored in the TTC's temporary Harbour Yard on the harbourfront in downtown Toronto. These particular cars were "trailer train" consists with a "Large Witt" that hauled an unpowered trailer Witt, the extra capacity necessary for operation on the busy Yonge route between downtown and Glen Echo Loop.

Storage here was necessary due to construction of the new Yonge subway line's terminal facilities at Eglinton & Yonge, that interfering with streetcar storage and operation at the TTC's existing Eglinton Carhouse. The lack of space at Eglinton forced the TTC to store and operate its Yonge streetcars from this temporary 6-track yard, built on Toronto Harbour Commission lands at the south end of the busy Yonge streetcar route.

This lasted a few years (1951-1954) until subway construction was finished and the Yonge streetcar route was replaced with the new Yonge subway line (opened in March of the next year). Overnight, a lot of the old Peter Witt fleet suddenly became surplus, and they were rounded up and stored at Harbour Yard awaiting disposal for scrap or resale, including all of the trailers. After the Witts were cleared out, the temporary yard was removed. In the early 60's, streetcar tracks would return for a few years when Ferry Loop was relocated.

Newer more modern PCC streetcars handled most of Toronto's streetcar route demands going forward, but a handful of Peter Witt streetcars remained in service until the University subway line opened in 1963, and a final few saw limited use but were kept around until retirement in 1965.

The temporary TTC Harbour Yard was located on the parcel of THC land bordered by Harbour Street, Bay Street, York Street and Queen's Quay. Yardley's Perfumes is visible in the background along York (it had a rail siding from nearby Rees St. Yard). On the right is the brand new Workmen's Compensation Board Building at 90 Harbour Street (built 1953, demolished 2011). Downtown condos and modern office towers (and "Love Park") reside on the land here today.

Robert W. Gibson photo, Dan Dell'Unto collecton slide.