Built at Montreal, Quebec Entered service 1962 Number built 36 | Constructed 1961–1962 Scrapped May 1999 | |
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Manufacturer Montreal Locomotive Works | ||
The M-series, also known as M1, was a rolling stock of rapid transit trains used in the Toronto subway system. They were built by Montreal Locomotive Works in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 1961-62.
Contents
History
By 1960, the Toronto Transit Commission was preparing to expand its subway system to include the University line. The TTC wanted subway cars with a larger 75-foot (22.86 m) design and also wished to expand upon some of the experimental features in the existing G-Series cars. The new design was pushed forward by GM John G. Inglis.
A total of only 36 M-series cars were built. As the subway expanded and more vehicles were necessary, the TTC turned to Hawker Siddeley to build the next series of subway cars.
Design
The TTC performed testing at St. Clair and Union stations with a 75-foot test vehicle known as the Duncan Dragon. Built at the Duncan Shops by Len Bardsley and the D&D Equipment, the test car consisted of two trucks with three panels and was designed to test the size of train that could successfully navigate the tunnels. A steel girder with railings allowed workers to walk and ride the car during tests.
After specifications for the new cars were finalized, Alco's Montreal Locomotive Works was contracted to build the new cars, dubbed "M1". The cars are historically notable as the first Canadian-built subway cars and, at the time of their construction, were the longest subway cars in the world.
All subsequent TTC cars have followed the size and length specifications of the M-series (though the Toronto Rocket deviates from the 2 car married pair formation) and influenced several other transit authorities to examine the use of longer cars.
Retirement
The M1 trains were decommissioned and scrapped in 1999, with cars 5300 & 5301 given to the Halton County Radial Railway museum for preservation.