(via TTC’s new streetcar spotted in the Junction - thestar.com)

The first test vehicle of the Toronto Transit Commission’s new streetcar fleet has arrived in the city, sending ripples of excitement through Toronto’s transit-hungry trainspotting community.

Bombardier shipped the new streetcar to the Canadian Pacific rail yard near Runnymede Rd. and Dundas St. on Tuesday, where it will stand until it’s lifted onto a flatbed and trucked overnight to the TTC’s Hillcrest yard at Bathurst St. and Davenport Rd.

TTC officials aren’t saying when that will happen.

Not surprisingly, reports and photos of sightings hit the internet almost immediately.

“We are a streetcar city and at the TTC we’re very excited to be receiving this test vehicle and we’re looking forward to get the vehicles out in service,” said TTC spokesman Brad Ross.

The vehicle, still officially owned by Bombardier, is the first of three test vehicles. Unlike previous prototypes that have been shown off in Toronto, this one is a working model and will be put through its paces, first at the TTC’s Hillcrest facility near Davenport Rd. and Bathurst St., then next year, across the entire streetcar network.

It will be 2014 before the first cars of the new fleet go into revenue service.

(via whosecityisthis)