Here at the Hillcrest Complex, history intertwines with the daily grind of keeping Toronto moving. Opened in 1924, the Hillcrest Complex is the Toronto Transit Commission’s largest maintenance facility. It stands on the former Hillcrest Race Track land.
The Hillcrest Complex is vital. Most of the TTC’s surface vehicle maintenance occurs here. This includes heavy overhauls, repairs, and repainting. The Transit Control Centre is also located here. This is where all TTC operations are monitored, even surface routes.
During World War II, the Hillcrest Complex played a different role. It manufactured parts for military equipment. This highlights its adaptability and contribution beyond transit.
Imagine the first subway cars arriving here in 1953. While later deliveries went to Davisville Yard, Hillcrest marked the start. In the 1980s, the W.E.P. Duncan and H.C. Patten Buildings were added. These expansions show the complex’s growth.
Railway access was once crucial to the Hillcrest Complex. A network of tracks allowed for shipments of coal, gravel, and sand. The TTC even had its own switcher, Y-18, to shunt railway cars. Today, a railway siding delivers new Flexity Outlook streetcars. The last of these arrived in 2020.
Let’s talk about the buildings within the Hillcrest Complex. The D.W. Harvey Shops handles heavy maintenance. Buses and older streetcars are serviced here. The shops include sections for upholstery, blacksmithing, and carpentry. A transfer table accesses over 50 service bays. The Harvey Shops even rebuilds buses and older streetcars. They strip vehicles down to their frames and replace parts.
The W.E.P. Duncan Building is the heavy bus maintenance facility. It handles rebuilds and major power plant work. The H.C. Patten Building once handled fare media like cash and tokens. Now, with Presto cards, its role is changing. The J.G. Inglis Building houses administrative and employment offices. It honors John G. Inglis who pioneered the PCC streetcar. The David L. Gunn Building houses the Transit Control Centre. It is named after the TTC’s Chief General Manager from 1995 to 1999.
The Hillcrest Complex continues to evolve. Upgrades are planned to accommodate new streetcars. These upgrades will modernize facilities and reduce travel time. A carhouse may be set up to serve the 512 St. Clair route. The Davenport Garage might become a training center or transit museum.
As the Hillcrest Complex moves into its second century, it remains a vital hub. It supports Toronto’s transit system. The planned upgrades ensure it will continue to do so for years to come. This complex is more than just a maintenance facility. It is a living piece of Toronto’s history.