CANADIAN NATIONAL

MONTREAL, QUEBEC

This page will cover the area in and around Montreal.  The CN operated a rather unique commuter rail system using electric motors built early in the 20th century.  Other motors were built later and some MU cars added in the 1950's.

  We will start at the outer limit of the commuter line at Deaux-Montagnes.  A simple run around track is here to turn trains.

  Here is a set of the MU cars at Laval sur le Lac.  The Montreal area is composed of several islands.

  A-Ma-Baie station.  The smaller stops along this line only had basic shelters for stations.

    Roxboro.  The MU cars were used beyond the Val Royal station.

                 Images of the Val Royal station area.

        Boxcab 6713 leads a train into the Val Royal station, around the reverse loop and back to the station for a return to downtown Montreal.

     Center-cab 6727 leads an inbound train at Eastern Junction.

   Eastern Junction. 1978

    Mount Royal station. 1976.

            Portal Heights station.

   1978.    1997.  Central Station, Montreal

     Below Central Station the electrification extended eastward, but is not currently used.

        A line up of retired MLW FP4 cab units in 1987.

        The main freight yard lies on the west side of town.  At the south end of the yard is a wye for trains to head east toward Quebec or west toward Toronto.  Here are three images of trains on the west leg of the wye.  1987.

  In 1976, the westbound 'Super Continental' pauses for passengers at Dorval station, the first stop enroute to Vancouver, BC.

  At the first light of day, FP4A 6762 leads the overnight Toronto-Montreal train # 58 to a stop at Dorval.

    FP4A 6768 leads an eastbound at Dorval in 1987.

        LRC trainsets were VIA's high speed entry running primarily between Montreal and Toronto.

    Dorval is a great and safe place for train watching in the area.  Lots of action here!

  In 1997, a rolling billboard better known as an FP40, passes through Dorval.

  F40 6405 heads for Toronto.  That old building on the left is the now gone CP station.  A local commuter service operates
over the CP from Windsor Station making this location easy to access.  A number of hotels within walking distance make this a great spot to
set up for railfaning the area.  On a brief over-night trip in May 2010, I stayed at the new Fairfield Marriott Hotel located directly adjacent to the
tracks.  As you can see below, the east side of the building (even number rooms!) have a great view.  Don't delay though, a new bridge will be going
in perhaps in 2010 that will block the view almost entirely.

    A late afternoon train to Toronto stops at Dorval.  With only three coaches and already a full train, I don't think
Via made to many customers happy.  Not even a snack bar?  May 14, 2010.

      Shortly after the Toronto train came this Ottawa bound train with three LRC coaches.

  Th e following morning another GE P42 leads a four car Toronto train.  May 15, 2010.

  A CN eastbound freight headed to the yard.  The second unit was a Guilford/Pan Am GP 40. 5-15-2010.

    The view from my 8th floor room resulted in these images of a CN westbound stack train roaring past a stopped CP train
loaded with windmill parts headed to the US midwest.  Alternative energy helps the rails.

  A big "M" 2310 rolls west through Beaconsfield, PQ.  

    A highway overpass west of the Beaconsfield station makes for a good railfan spot.  With the CP main directly paralleling the CN, this another good and safe place.

     On the small island of Ile Perot, two westbounds pass on the CN main. 

On to Toronto !! Click here

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