511-Bathurst

The Bathurst streetcar loops at Bathurst station on the Bloor/Danforth subway line, then travels down Bathurst to Fleet Street and along Fleet into the Canadian National Exhibition grounds where it loops beside the GO commuter platform. Bathurst street is a mixture of residential dwellings and businesses - but in general is not a street with heavy pedestrian traffic or lots of shoppers. Fleet Street features an old grocery warehouse that is now a food bank, an abandoned brewery and an armory, but it's not as bad as it sounds. The development boom is heading west from Queen's Quay and may soon hit Fleet Street. That's what planners were thinking when they designed the new 509 car line that will go along Queen's Quay and then Fleet Street.

From a railfan perspective, Bathurst is not the most interesting route - except when there is something big on at the Exhibition. When the Exhibition is on for three weeks in August, or the Molson Indy in July - the streetcar sights are spectacular. Often dozens of cars (both CLRVs and ALRVs) as well as some buses are lined up to handle the masses. At Exhibition loop (shared with the 509), its approach side the track splits into two, with crossovers, allowing many cars to be stored to clear special events at the Exhibition. On its departure side the track again splits into two, with crossovers, allowing two independent stopping points to be operated. In between the two sides are the pillars supporting the elevated Gardiner Expressway. And finally, turnstiles are provided so that at busy times (i.e. during the Ex) fares can be collected before passengers go to the loading area, and they can then board through all doors.

Another interesting point is that the 511's tracks cross those of 4 other streetcar routes within a few minutes' journey. (Also true of the 510.)

Ordinarily the service on 511 is not very good for a streetcar route - never better than 6 minute headways and 9 minutes in middays. Like the other street running routes, Bathurst is prone to delays at times. ALRVs are used for regular service (hence the wide headways).

Before the Spadina line was built, King and Bathurst had the only grand union in North America. There are two off street loops on Bathurst as well. Wolseley loop just north of Queen allows northbound cars to return to the Exhibition. It is used frequently as a short turn loop for 501 cars as well. Fleet (Lighthouse) loop in front of Fort York serves as turn back loop as well as a loop for the Exhibition. A trip from Bathurst station to the Exhibition is scheduled for 20 minutes even in rush hour.