Nostalgia & History > Railfanning in the Snow on Montreal Commuter Trains

Railfanning in the Snow on Montreal Commuter Trains

Here is what Roger Patelski told me, "The date was Sunday, March 7, 1992  (several inches of snow).  I did a round trip from Montreal to Dorval over the former CPR Lakeshore service.   Departed Windsor Station on No. 51 at noon and detrained at Dorval (10 miles west) at 12:19 p.m.  The old wooden CPR Dorval station had been torn down replace by modern platforms across the main road to the airport.  Dorval is a good train watching spot with the VIA station on the south side of the CN tracks.  However, I only saw one VIA train (LRC) equipment while I was there.  I returned to Windsor Station on No. 52 with the same equipment as No. 51, which had continued on to Dorion before returning back to Montreal. It left Dorval at 1:31 p.m. and got back to Windsor at 1:50 p.m.

1. No.51 leaving Dorval (push mode) with CN tracks at left -- note speed limit sign.  AMT FP7 1303 was ex-CP 4073.  AMT is Agence Métropolitaine de Transport.

2. VIA LRC train at Dorval.

3. Train 52 arriving at Dorval, PQ on March 7, 1992   (pull mode).

4. Back at Windsor Station, Montreal.

Thanks Roger,
Marty Bernard



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/18/19 21:36 by MartyBernard.

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Speed limt sign is most likely in KPH, not MPH

RayH Wrote:
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> Speed limt sign is most likely in KPH, not MPH

Why?  Canadian railways don't use the metric system. Track distances are measured in miles and train speeds in mph.

railsmith Wrote:
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> RayH Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Speed limt sign is most likely in KPH, not MPH
>
> Why?  Canadian railways don't use the metric
> system. Track distances are measured in miles and
> train speeds in mph.

Yes, most defiantly. Those LRC’s would be permitted 95 ‘Miles’ per hour on this section of track through the west island.

VIA’s fastest LRC equipped train.....’The Metropolis’ did Montreal-Toronto, 335 miles in 3hrs and 59min.

railsmith Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> RayH Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Speed limt sign is most likely in KPH, not MPH
>
> Why?  Canadian railways don't use the metric
> system. Track distances are measured in miles and
> train speeds in mph.

I'd bet most Americans don't know this. I certainly didnt until I visited Canada recently. It really is suprising, but understandable considering the desire for consistency across the rail lines in North America

Posted from Android

P Wrote:
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> railsmith Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > RayH Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Speed limt sign is most likely in KPH, not
> MPH
> >
> > Why?  Canadian railways don't use the metric
> > system. Track distances are measured in miles
> and
> > train speeds in mph.
>
> I'd bet most Americans don't know this. I
> certainly didnt until I visited Canada recently.
> It really is suprising, but understandable
> considering the desire for consistency across the
> rail lines in North America
>
Guilty

Canadian railways were exempt from going metric for a variety of reasons.  Interchange with the US was one of the reasons.

The sheer cost was also factored it.

The Canadian Football League still requires 10 YARDS to be gained for a first down (with only 3 attempts).  The field is also 110 YARDS long.

One of the contributing factors of the "Gimli Glider" incident was a mix up over Metric vs. Imperial liquid measurements.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/19/19 17:20 by 4489.

I love the faded paint, and the third shot, with lights glinting on the wet platform, is really effective. It reminds me of a British cartoonist from years ago, Giles, who used to draw wet pavement so well.
Fred