Rollsigns from the late John McDonnell
Custom Made, Each One of a Kind
This mylar side route sign is a
replica of an original
Kitchener
(Ontario) Public Utilities
Commission linen side rollsign
he used to own. The original
rollsign was from 1969 built
GMDD T6H-5305 "New Look"
#691. The original rollsign was
damaged by water. This
rollsign's tag is shown below.
John McDonnell was an avid collector of transit related
memorabilia among other things. Among his collection
were several custom made rollsigns. When he passed
away in 2019, his will stated that many rollsigns from
his collection including these custom made ones shown
here, were to be donated to Rollsign Gallery. He was a
big fan and supporter of the site, and knew they would
be in good hands and well preserved in my possession.
He was a good friend, and will be sorrowfully missed.
This mylar front rollsign is an extended replica of a Toronto Transit Commission electric trolley bus linen
designed for the TTC's 1970 built Western Flyer E700A #9210. Its sign tag is shown below. The original
rollsign made up the first section of this replica, up to the "SHORT TURN 89S WESTON" exposure.
The second "GARAGE" exposure is extra. The second section of exposures contains newer routes and
branches as well as the vintage "YONGE 97" trolley coach route.
The third section shows the coloured special exposures that diesel bus rollsigns had, as well as the
"Toronto The Better Way" exposure from the TTC's "InfoBus".
The final four exposures are ones personal to John McDonnell, featuring the 514 exposure with his wife's
name, the 51 and 4127 exposures with Kitchener area towns, and "DAYTONA EXPRESS" for Florida.
The original TTC rollsign was also donated to Rollsign Gallery by John McDonnell, and
can be seen here.
JOHN MCDONNELL
P
O 091592
D
1814-MA
1
2/5/92 TRANSIGN
TORONTO TRANSIT COMMISION        T14
P
.O.  E700A  9210
SGL. FRONT  CURTAIN
5/09                  TRANSIGN   LLC