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A Very Spooky Story: The 506 To Hell

It may have reeked of death and been engulfed in fire, but it still had plenty of seats available.

By • Illustration by Brett Lamb

Relief Line is your not-so-serious glance at the city we love.

This week, we bring you a very special Halloween-themed Relief Line.

Lucy Jenkins was an ordinary young Torontonian. She lived in the west end and commuted downtown to her job every day. Like many people, she took the 506 streetcar to work, eastbound along College and, like many people, she often found herself waiting out in the cold for it to arrive. Until one day everything changed.

It was crisp, grey Halloween morn and after a particularly long wait for the 506, Lucy finally lost her patience. She shook her fist at the heavens and exclaimed, “I would sell my soul to Satan himself if a streetcar arrived right now.”

Then, as if on cue, the 506 eastbound glided up. Not believing her luck, Lucy hurried on.

Keep reading: A Very Spooky Story: The 506 To Hell

culture

Remembering the Russell Hill Disaster, Toronto’s Deadliest Subway Crash

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Now and Then explores the stories behind Toronto’s historical plaques and monuments.

one of the subway trains involved in the crash, after the two were separated by TTC workers. Photo from the Toronto Star, August 14, 1995.

One of the trains involved in the accident, after the two were separated by TTC workers. Photo from the Toronto Star, August 14, 1995.

On August 11, 1995, around 6 p.m., Torontonians were heading home from work, like any other day. But that evening commute would not end normally.

Just after 6 p.m., a subway train—Run 35—travelling southbound from St. Clair West station collided with another train—Run 34—in the tunnel between St. Clair and Dupont. Three riders were killed, dozens were injured, and about 40 people were sent to hospital.

The Russell Hill disaster, so named because the tunnel between the two stations runs under Russell Hill, is Toronto’s worst subway crash.

Keep reading: Remembering the Russell Hill Disaster, Toronto’s Deadliest Subway Crash

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Why You Should Get a Casper

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In a buzzing city like Toronto, quality sleep (even if it’s usually a little shorter than we’d like) is key to keeping up with all the fun. While a great mattress is one of the most important purchases Torontonians make, shopping for one is an incredibly outdated experience, complete with tired product lines, inflated prices and high-pressure, commission-driven service.

Enter sleep startup Casper to turn the archaic industry on its head: the company has developed a patent-pending mattress that’s perfect for everyone—yes, even those weird sleepers who prefer extra-hard or extra-soft surfaces. It’s made with a carefully balanced combination of hypoallergenic latex foam, which keeps you cool and adds a bit of spring, and high-density memory foam, which provides just the right amount of pressure relief. Surrounding it all is a surprisingly chic cover woven from super-breathable, durable textiles.
Keep reading: Why You Should Get a Casper