Red Rocket number 4133 arrives at High Park Loop about 500m inside High Park itself on the western boundaries of the old City of Toronto. On the far side of the loop "wrapped" CLRV 4123, advertising the virtues of another Bud Light, is leaving on its return trip to Main Street Subway Station on the Bloor-Danforth Subway Line in the eastern suburbs of that same old city. For the western terminus of the heavily used Carlton Line (Route 506), High Park Loop is something of a surreal experience. Crossing Parkside Drive in the background, the streetcars suddenly slip into an urban forest. Branches scrape up against the car and poke their way into open windows like one were pulling up the narrow driveway of some old Muskoka Cottage. The temperature noticeably drops as century old trees suddenly block out most of the sun with their green maple leaves. The omnipresent city sound of the internal combustion engine fades away and the soft electric whir of the tram now seems loud. And there is the chirping of birds, something most people do not get to notice when riding a transit vehicle. As the photo shows the local trees encroach upon the entire circle. What is more, the loop is nowhere near the main public section of the park. Riders have a quiet five minute hike ahead of them along a reclaimed road bed to get to the playgrounds, picnic tables and other attractions - including a petting zoo. Why a loop? TTC streetcars are all single ended. A legacy standard from the long dominance of the PCC's - finally retired in 1994. This means that, like buses, TTC streetcars have to turn around when they reach the end of their route. As opposed to simply reversing directions when they reach the end of the line like in most other cities. There are no turn outs, nor are there time consuming Ys, all TTC streetcars use loops either on street or off street as is the case of the High Park Loop. High Park is also serviced at its south end by the passage of the Queen Line (Route 501) on its way to Long Branch in modern Toronto's west end or Neville Park in the Beaches District. The Queen Line brings passengers to what is considered the main public entrance to the park at the south end close to the lake front. This was my first visit to High Park in over 30 years. But more about that when I post some photos from the High Park Zoo. And don't let anyone tell you otherwise, I was just petting that lama. "Until you've been arrested for public indecency at the petting zoo, don't talk to me about shame." - Butch Patterson, Private Dic. Notes: TTC - Toronto Transit Commission CLRV - Canadian Light Rail Vehicle PCC - Presidents' Conference Car