Canadian Railroads > Montreal's new railfan observation post

The City of Montreal recently opened an observation "park" overlooking the railway junctions that lead to Central Station and the Victoria Bridge in Point St Charles. Exactly what the city's intent was is unclear. But for railfans it affords interesting views of passenger and freight trains. Photography is hampered by numerous fences and poles. But for simple train watching it is a fun location. It's on the south side of the tracks so one is never looking into the sun.

Here are three views taken this morning. The PSC switcher provided non-stop entertainment as it shuffled cars back and forth. Unfortuantely, neither VIA train had a Canada-150 wrapped locomotive which would have looked good against the city skyline.

The "park" is located on Sebastopol Street at what was the west throat of the former CNR Point St Charles Shops.

Ken Goslett

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Finally! Here is a view from that park looking towards Victoria Bridge, with a single AMT 'Go-Kart' (ex-GO Transit single level car built by Hawker Siddeley) and all nine gallery cars that Canadian Vickers built for CP in 1969 as the first bilevel cars in Canada (currently AMT 900-901 & AMT 920-926) astored at the fairly new Pointe-Saint-Charles Maintenance Centre.

Michael

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There appears to be another one in the making: a footbridge has been installed for access from the Acadie Metro station into the new UQAM campus being built on the site of the former Outremont yard. It goes over the combined tracks of the Parc sub and the (relocated) Outremont spur. It's not accessible yet, however.

Ray