M series (Toronto subway)

The M series, also known as M1, was the second series of rapid transit rolling stock used in the subway system of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They were built by Montreal Locomotive Works in Montreal, Quebec, Canada from 1961 to 1962. They were the first Toronto subway cars to be manufactured in Canada, and only one of two series built outside Ontario.

M series
An M-series train at the Greenwood Subway Yard
Manufacturer	Montreal Locomotive Works
Built at	Montreal, Quebec
Constructed	1961–1962[1]
Entered service	1962
Scrapped	May 1999[1]
Number built	36
Number in service	None
Number preserved	2 (owned by private museum)[1]
Number scrapped	34
Formation	2 car mated pairs (operated as 3 pair (6 car) trains)
Fleet numbers	5300–5335
Capacity	83 (formerly 84) seated
Operator(s)	Toronto Transit Commission
Line(s) served	Yonge–University–Spadina line Bloor–Danforth line
Specifications
Car body construction	Aluminum
Car length	23.012 m (75 ft 6.0 in)
Width	3.14 m (10 ft 4 in)
Height	3.65 m (12 ft 0 in)
Floor height	1.1 m (3 ft 7 in)
Doors	8 sets (4 sets per side) per car
Maximum speed	89 km/h (55 mph)
Weight	27,215 kg (60,000 lb)
Traction motors	DC
Power output	120 hp (89 kW)
Auxiliaries	None (?)
Electric system(s)	600 V DC Third rail
Current collection method	Contact shoe
Braking system(s)	Westinghouse Brake & Signal Co. digital electro-pneumatic braking and Electro-dynamic reheostatic service brake
Track gauge	4 ft 10 ^7⁄8 in (1,495 mm)

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.[2] 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 trains 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".[1] The cars are historically notable as the first subway cars produced in Canada[2] and, at the time of their construction, the longest subway cars in the world.[1] All subsequent TTC cars have followed the size and length specifications of the M series (though the Toronto Rocket deviates from the two-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.[1]

References

1. "Halton County Radial Railway: Collection Roster". Halton County Radial Railway. 2010. Archived from the original on 2009-09-10. Retrieved 2010-01-15.
2. Aaron Adel and James Bow, revised by Robert Lubinski (2006). "The Montreal Series (M-1) Cars (1963-1999)". Transit Toronto.

External links

• M–series cars