Glencairn Subway

Glencairn Subway

Glencairn Subway station is on the Yonge – University-Spadina line of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).  It was opened to the public in January 1978 and serves only 5,000 people a day, making it one of the least used stations of the system.  

Glencairn station is situated in a low density zone, mostly residential houses and few apartments.   It overpasses Allen Road at Glen Park Avenue.   

Solar panels on roof of Glencairn

One of the features that make Glencairn station so unique is the solar powered panels located on the roof at a cost of about $ 15,000 for two of them.  This is a pilot project that started back in April 2010.  The solar panels have to be flexible to conform to the roofing design, and apparently they’re not quite as efficient as the flat panels but at least they ward off vandals.  These panels will also be equipped in 52 bus shelters as well as about 5 stations are being fitted with screens to let riders know when to expect the next train/bus/streetcar.  Most shelters around the world contain some solar component, so it’s really nothing new, but at least it’s a step in the right direction.

Eglinton West Subway

Eglinton West Subway station is on the Yonge – University-Spadina line of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).  It was opened to the public in 1978 and serves about 20,000 people a day.  It is situated in the neighbourhood of Little Jamaica.

 

Back in the mid 90’s Eglinton West subway station was to become an interchange station but due to the Harris government, the Eglinton subway project was put to a halt and the partial tunnel was refilled.  Up until recently the idea of Eglinton west becoming a interchange had been re-addressed once again in the Eglinton Crosstown LRT (Light rail line) proposal.  This too has been put on hold by the new mayor elect Rob Ford.  (see LRT lines) on my blog for more details. 

Dundas West Subway

Dundas West Station

Vincent Yard

Dundas West Subway (not to be confused with Dundas), is on the Bloor-Danforth line of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).  It was opened to the public in 1966 and serves about 25,000 people a day.  Located between Dundas West station and Keele is a small rail yard, used to store only about 6 cars, making it the smallest yard on the system.  It’s called Vincent yard.

Blue Bay Cafe-Cajun Food

A unique feature of Dundas West station is a McDonald’s restaurant located directly beside the TTC collector booth.  It’s accessible from both in or outside the station.  So if you are in a hurry and having a Mac attack, it’s a great location.   If you are looking to dine at a classier establishment, the Blue Bay Café, located 2243 Dundas St. West is a spike-heeled running distance from the Dundas West subway station.  It’s a vegetarian restaurant that serves up spicy hot food and I must admit, I am partial to samosas, but forced myself to try an okra-based dished with tomatoes and onions.  This place can turn a meat lover into a vegetarian! 

Christie Subway Station

The Christie subway station is located on the Bloor / Danforth line of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).  It was opened in February 1966 and serves about 12,000 people a day.

Christie subway

Christie station is located in the neighbourhood called, “Koreatown”  Like most cultural neighbourhoods in Toronto, they evolve and develop over time.  By 1967, the Canadian government changed their immigration policy to open its doors more liberally to immigrants.  Today , there are over 70,000 Koreans living in the city with the vast majority working in and around the area of Bloor and Manning Avenue in restaurants, bakeries, gift shops and grocery stores.

Koreatown

Today many of them do not live in Koreatown, but in North York in the area of Yonge and Steeles, Thornhill and the town of Markham.

A new era in café’s, Toronto’s Koreatown has just opened its doors to “Snakes & Lattes”.  You will notice the difference the moment you walk in the front door, the social warmth of the room packed with groups of people having fun drinking beer and coffee and enjoying hours of fun playing board games!

Snakes & Lattes

There is a wall with shelving that is full of board games for you to take your pick.  Just a twist on an old pastime.

Dupont Subway station

The beautiful Dupont Subway station

The Dupont subway station is located on the Yonge/University/Spadina line of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).  It was opened in January 1978 and serves about 16,000 people a day.

Nearby Casa Loma

Located in the neighbourhood of “The Annex” Dupont subway station is very close to the Spadina station.  In fact it’s so close you can actually see the next station through the tunnel.  It is also a very attractive station, with its orange tiles and rounded architecture including benches which were made uniquely in keeping with the station’s design.   Even the entrance to the station is a rounded glass cage with orange metal frames.   

If you’re looking for something interesting to do over the holidays, Casa Loma is within walking distance of the Dupont subway station and features activities to enjoy with the whole family.  Info on Events at the Castle

St. Patricks subway

University Avenue

St. Patricks station

St. Patrick subway station is on the Yonge – University Spadina line of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).  It was opened in February 1963 and serves about 31,000 people a day.

On street level St. Patrick intersects University Avenue and Dundas Street (west of Yonge). Other than Yonge street, University Avenue is another north/south alternative in downtown Toronto.   It is probably one of the more noble and picturesque streets in Toronto.  For one thing the street is unusually wide, covering an expanse of 6 lanes.  A median down the centre of the avenue contains various statues, water fountains, shrubbery and seasonal flowers.   

It runs from Union Station (Front Street) up until College street where it forks into Queens Park.  Surprisingly, despite the name, there are no Universities on University Avenue. There are however several corporate offices and government buildings.  Hospital Row is closer to the Osgoode (College Park) subway station, however Mount Sinai hospital is directly outside the St. Patrick station.  

If you happen to pass St. Patrick station during the evening hours, make a point to go out and take a look at the festive lights on the trees and shrubs.  Its really quite pretty.  Oh and one more thing: Yes, St. Patrick's station is green. 

Bay Subway station

Bay Station - Lost Articles branch

The Bay subway station is located on the Bloor / Danforth line of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).  It was opened in February 1966 and serves about 28,000 people a day.  

It is located in the Toronto neighbourhood called “Yorkville”.  Yorkville is the other side of the tracks to bargain shopping.  Many high society shops and restaurants are located at Hazelton lanes.  Though I couldn't afford most of what is around me there, but a high priced flavoured coffee won’t break my budget.

Hazelton Lanes

the Pens?

We did some window shopping and came into one shop called "Laywines."  They sold pens and organizers.  Entering the store I was amazed to see it was full of people looking for high priced, high quality pens with names such as “Montblanc”, “Parker” and “Waterman”; my friend spoke to one of 4 salesmen behind the pen counters and looking down through the glass I saw such a colorful and stylized array of pens with price tags up to $550!  For a pen?  The salemen told me they can go up into the thousands.  I imagine you could really write a good story with that!

Bathurst Subway station

Inside Station

The Bathurst Subway is located on the Bloor / Danforth line of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).  It was opened in February 1966 and serves about 28,000 people a day.

In the western part of the “Annex” neighbourhood, Bathurst subway station is home to many bargain shopping stores.  The most popular site is Honest Ed’s, owned by Ed Mirvish who opened its doors in 1948 and operated the store for almost 60 years until his death a few years ago.

Honest Ed is known by his marketing strategies, bringing merchandise at a low cost.  This time of year Honest Ed’s is giving away free turkeys just before Christmas!

Bargain shopping

Every year until just before he died he used to throw birthday parties for himself on July 24 that featured free cakes and hot dogs, candies and prizes.  Even now after his death the store continues each year in this tradition and marks it as a yearly anniversary celebrated with balloons and live music. 

TTC residents with shared privileges 

Oh, and while you exit the Bathurst station, you may have to slow down on your way out, as there are permanent residents that share the space with the TTC.

King Subway station

King station

The King subway station is located on the Yonge-University-Spadina line of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).  It was opened in March 1954 and serves about 60,000 people a day. 

On "the PATH" 

King subway is one of several stations (others are Dundas, Queen, Union and St. Andrew) connected to the underground mall system called “The Path”.  The Path is the largest underground mall in the world covering an area of 4 million square feet! In the heart of the Financial district, the Path connects major office towers underground.  In 1987 they developed a new signage system that would assist pedestrians to find their way around.

P (red/for south); A (orange/for west) T (blue/for north) H (yellow/for east).

Underground Shopping

It really is like an underground city with over 50 buildings, 20 parking garages, 6 hotels, 2 department stores, 2 major shopping malls and a rail and bus terminal.  Even the CN Tower and Rogers Centre further extends the linkage through a closed in walkway called the Skywalk.

One interesting fact that I noticed is King Street, although extremely busy during the week, is one of the few stations that are virtually barren on weekends.  This includes the underground city which is asleep once businesses close.

Found this entry to 1 King West

Located right at the corner of King and Yonge streets is 1 King West which is a 51 storey elite residence/hotel with over 500 rooms and a 2 floor penthouse.  Rooms are located in either the old or new area of the building, since the tower was built on an existing TD Bank built in 1914.

If you’re curious click here for more info on One King West

Just imagine if you lived and worked there, you need never have to ever go outside again?

Queen Street Subway

Queen Street Subway

The Queen subway station is located on the Yonge-University-Spadina line of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).  It was opened in March 1954 and serves about 58,000 people a day.  

Took this one inside the Eatons centre

As you exit past the turnstiles from the Queen subway you are faced with a decision of entering the south end of the Eaton’s Centre or the Hudson’s Bay Queen Street store. 

On street level there is a glass bridge which connects the two stores.  The Hudson’s Bay building is made of sandstone and was built in 1896 for the Simpson’s department store to replace the original 6 storey store that burned down a year prior.  This was the site of the famous Christmas window displays many years ago.

Man playing Erhu

Hudson's Bay Main floor

Located just outside the Queen station, we stopped and listened to a Chinese man I thought was playing a piece of iron but as it turns out it was an erhu, which is otherwise known as a “Chinese violin”.  It only has 2 strings but it is an extremely versatile instrument and can make traditional and contemporary melodies.  Read about the Erhu

Other landmarks located at Queen street subway that deserve honorable mention is Toronto’s old and new city hall.  Old city hall is now utilized as a courthouse.  It was built in 1899 for city council and has since been designated an historical site.  It has a clock tower which can be seen along nearby Bay street.

Old and New City hall

Toronto’s current city hall has a distinctive design and was built in 1965 by a Finnish architect who won the competition.  City Hall has two towers of uneven height that surround a white dome which is city council.  Even years after, there is still a futuristic look and feel to look of City Hall.

Dundas Subway station

Dundas Subway station

Bob Dylan, Geddy Lee, Nickleback

The Dundas subway station is located on the Yonge-University-Spadina line of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).  It was opened in March 1954 and serves about 50,000 people a day.  Located in the downtown core of Toronto, Dundas square is a public place for music, film screenings and public forums and was created as a result of commercial building demolitions in the area in 2002. 

Dundas and Yonge was a popular spot for me when I was a teenager and I have great memories here.  Nothing much has changed, the Hard Rock Café is still alive and well and they allowed us to come in a take some photographs today, which I thought was nice of them considering we didn’t order from the menu!  Of course Dundas is also the entrance to part of the Eatons Centre.  A spectacular shopping arena that extends all the way through to Queen street subway to the south.

Great Rock paraphernalia

For the Christmas season, historically Simpson's store used to have the most amazing window displays (ever seen “A Christmas Story” ) the movie?  Nowadays some displays I just don’t get, but for the most part, you will find pretty much anything and everything you are looking for, including for those hard to buy for people on your list.

Islington Subway Station

Islington Subway

The Islington subway station is located on the Bloor / Danforth line of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).  It was opened in May 1968 and serves about 50,000 people a day.  Located in the Toronto neighbourhood called, "Islington".  The neighbourhood of Islington is the west end’s equivalent to “Financial District” of downtown Toronto.  Dundas Street West is the commercial street that runs through Islington and was once known as the Governors Road, which was the first highway that connected Toronto to London, Ontario along the escarpment.

Outside Islington Station

Montgomery Inn

There are plenty of places to eat around Islington subway station and historically many of the old meeting places still exist.  For example, Montgomery’s Inn, located on Dundas Street West, was built in 1832 and once served as a gathering place for the community.  It has been preserved and is now a museum and offers guided tours which includes many artifacts from that time period.  There is also a weekly farmer’s market there as well!

For details on the farmers market go here: Details to Montgomery Inn Market

Look at the size of those goldfish!

I ate at a Chinese buffet located off of Rexdale Blvd. which is a little younger than the Montgomery Inn, but hey the food is great! ;)