Calgary's First C-Train is Retired & Stripped for Parts

[Redliner]

I commuted DT on the C-Train for years and at some point I started keeping a record of all the numbers of the cars I had ridden on. I checked it when I saw this thread and sure enough, 2001 appears with startling regularity. Always kind of sad to see old machines meet the torch, especially one with significance to the community.

[octothorp]

The downtown library did a great job repurposing a retired fire-engine as a kids' reading area. A similarly creative use for this C-Train would be great.

[para transit fellow]

Originally Posted by octothorp

The downtown library did a great job repurposing a retired fire-engine as a kids' reading area. A similarly creative use for this C-Train would be great.

If I recall correctly, that fire engine is not actually "retired" as it can be put back into service if needed. It was a big factor in how the truck was installed in the lobby. ( My source:the company that did the exhibit installation)

I don't see the allure of turning the first c train into the museum.I'm in the transit field and I don't find "the first" interesting...

I do find "the last of an era" worthy of museumship

[bc-chris]

Originally Posted by Locke

Theres no winning this.

If they strip it down for parts people want it preserved for posterity, if they dont people scream about the wastefulness.

I'd personally have preserved it, how valuable can parts from 1981 possibly be anyways?

Originally Posted by Northendzone

I'd assume that it may be hard to get some parts for c-trains of this vintage (35 yrs old)

when i got my 'new' truck (2014 silverado) this past summer i made a comment to the insurance guy that i was surprised that the cost of the insurance was almost the same as the cost to ensure my '89 chevy. i expected the cost to be much higher for the '14 becuz of all the newer tech in the truck. the insurance guy replied with, "do you know how tough/expensive it is to get parts for an '89?"


it would be cool if they kept/restored the train car. my first c-train memory was taking a train to game 2 of the final in 1989 with my dad. he somehow got 2 tickets to the game (remember kids, there wasn't always the internet) and we drove in from kelowna - great memories! (except that the habs won that game)

[Bigtime]

Another reason to keep the first one around, you could call the display 2001: A LRT Odyssey.

[Pizza]

While the first Ctrain car may not be interesting now, 20 or 30 years from now, I think people would like to see it displayed. Similar to how we see cars built in the 1920's and think it's great to see them in a place like gasoline alley

I'm disappointed too that they scrapped it for parts

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Put a C-train in a museum? Uh why? Am I missing something? What's the significance of the first C-train in Calgary?

I can't imagine someone walking through a museum and being fascinated by seeing a C-train.

Because everybody who has lived in Calgary for almost the past 40 years has probably had a ride in this car. Everybody knows this C-Train. It's part of our cultural memory. It's a part of Calgary history that has much more of a connection than say for example, a historic building that only a couple of people have ever been inside, etc. It's served everyone.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Pizza

While the first Ctrain car may not be interesting now, 20 or 30 years from now, I think people would like to see it displayed. Similar to how we see cars built in the 1920's and think it's great to see them in a place like gasoline alley

I'm disappointed too that they scrapped it for parts

That's why, like para transit fellow said, you put the last car of its era into a museum. The streetcar at Heritage Park was Calgary's last streetcar and they decided to preserve it as such.

When you go to Gasoline Alley, do you care that none of the vehicles there are serial number 1? In 30 years, would a kid who has never ridden on one of the original cars care if he's seeing 2001 or 2017?

This was "Calgary's first C-Train car" because it's the one that they stuck the "2001" number on. It's not like it was the only car on the line on opening day.

Here's a picture of Ralph Klein on opening day, and he's not even in car #2001...

Spoiler!

[sleepingmoose]

From what I've read, they are considering preserving one, but they're looking to choose one that's got a body that's in better condition. 2001 was pretty rusted out.

I agree with others that it doesn't really need to be the first one to be a really nice artifact down the road. Not like it's the first U2 ever built, just the first one assembled in Calgary.

[Barnet Flame]

I remember going downtown with my Mom and little brother just to ride on the train. It was a real buzz when it went underground. It felt like you were travelling far faster than you really were.

It is a piece of Calgary history and it is a shame it is not something that is being preserved.

[zamler]

Originally Posted by sleepingmoose

From what I've read, they are considering preserving one, but they're looking to choose one that's got a body that's in better condition. 2001 was pretty rusted out.

This actually makes it a better show piece.

[Reaper]

Originally Posted by zamler

This actually makes it a better show piece.

Not if you want the public to have the opportunity to physically interact with it. If the cars are too rusted down to be restored then the display would be out of commission quickly. Rust never sleeps.

[TheScorpion]

2001 and 2211 were the only two cars I ever recognized. The latter for its' awful speakers

[MRCboicgy]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Ridden in it? Damn think so old the majority of us have had atleast two urine soaked racist encounters. Obviously more if you're a visible minority.

I can't attest to on which C-train car it was, but there was that one time in 2004 that a down syndrome kid kept calling my boyfriend at the time and I 'f--s' through the free fare zone.

Let's just add it to the lore of 2001. It would fit.