Toronto Zoo Domain Ride
 |
|
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Locale | Toronto Zoo |
| Transit type | Automated guideway transit |
| Number of lines | 1 |
| Number of stations | 3 |
| Operation | |
| Began operation | 1976 |
| Ended operation | 1994 |
| Operator(s) | Metro Toronto Zoo |
| Technical | |
| System length | 5.6 kilometres (3.5 mi) |
| Metro Toronto Zoo Domain Ride | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Status | Closed and partially dismantled |
| Locale | Scarborough, Ontario, Canada |
| Termini | Main Station |
| Stations | 3 (expanded to 5) |
| Services | 1 |
| Operation | |
| Opened | 1976 |
| Closed | 1994 |
| Owner | Metro Toronto Zoo |
| Operator(s) | Metro Toronto Zoo |
| Rolling stock | Bendix-Dashaveyor AGT |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 5.6 km (3.48 mi) |
| Highest elevation | Elevated |
The Toronto Zoo Domain Ride (also known as the Canadian Domain Ride) was an automated guideway transit (AGT) service used to carry visitors between sections, or "domains", of the Toronto Zoo. Though technologically closer to a simple rubber-tyred metro, it was almost universally referred to as a monorail.
The train began running in 1976, and closed in 1994, after a train lost power and rolled backwards down the track into a second train, injuring about 30 people. Parts of the line were subsequently taken over by the Zoomobile, an open-air tractor-drawn vehicle with five stations (Main Station, Canadian Domain Station, Africa Station, Americas Station) which had been operating since 1980.
The vehicle was a rubber-wheeled AGT prototype developed by American firm Bendix-Dashaveyor. The train operated on a concrete guideway with electricity supplied by rails located above one side of the guideway. Passengers entered and left via doors located at each double row of facing seats. A secondary set of controls was available in the last car of the train to allow it to be reversed into the strorage/service area located towards the north end of the zoo property.
In addition to being a quick way to travel between sections of the zoo, the ride provided the only way to view several animals, in remote areas of the zoo. Moose, white-tailed deer and several other exhibits were not accessible from walking paths. The ride operator would provide commentary on the animals visible from the train during the ride.
Plans to scrap the vehicle and tracks dragged well past 1999. Portions of the guideway have now been removed, while others remain in place (overgrown by vegetation in many areas), but the electrical supply rails have been removed from the remaining portions of the guideway. Three stations remain in place: the Americas station stands behind closed gates, and the Weston station is still accessible for washrooms—the crumbling station platform can be seen from behind the chain barriers
The Main Station still remains to this day and is now used for several purposes: the Peacock Cafe, and the Main Zoomobile station.
The current Zoomobile is a Chance Coach Sunliner tram with four cars set (carrying 103 passengers, 1 driver and 1 tour guide) that replaced the Domain Ride and vehicles have rubber tires running on along paved paths in the zoo. Unlike the Domain Ride, the Zoomobile uses open air cars.
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Wikipedia