Canadian Railroads > Montreal West Commuter Trains

We had some discussion recently about locations to view passenger trains in Montreal Quebec City and Halifax, and coincidentally I was just finishing up the processing on some pictures taken one morning at Montreal West during the morning rush hour.  These were all taken on May 23, 2025, and although the weather was less than stunning, and least I didn't need to worry about shooting the dark side of the train.  It was definitely an ISO 400 day.

The first train we shot was EXO 70 from Candiac, coming up the ramp from the Adirondack Sub at 06:22.  These trains usually have an F59PHI or regular F59 and only 3 or 4 cars,  At 06:33 EXO 10 appeared on the south track of the Vaudreuil Sub, powered by a dual mode, but always diesel, ALP-45DP.  Both these trains had the newer Bombardier multi-level cars.

GTD

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At this point I moved to the east end of the station to get a some different shots from Elmhurst Ave.  

The next Vaudreuil line train, EXO 12, showed up at 07:14.  It had just started to move and the gates were coming down on Elmhurst Ave.

Moving to the other side of the tracks, I caught a westbound move, EXO 11 on the middle track coming into the station as 12 disappeared under the signal bridge in the background .  EXO hires a Montreal policeman, on overtime, to keep the pedestrians at bay at the crossing here.  He was friendly enough, as long as you don't do anything stupid.  We didn't get any warnings about "You're not allowed to take pictures here".  We stuck to sidewalks of the public streets, and didn't try to venture onto the platform itself.

Next up was a St-Jerome train, EXO 172 on the connection from North Jct., at 07:19.  This another ALP-45DP, but with a set of CRRC coaches.

GTD

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At 07:35 EXO 114, also a Vaudreuil train, made an appearance with 7 Bombardier coaches.

At 07:39, F59PHI 1327 was shoving what I think was a deadhead move of train 72 through the station on the way to Sortin Yard where the equipment is maintained.  This was another short train from Candiac.

Another St-Jerome train, EXO 174 was pulling out of the Station at 07:49.  This was the only train I saw with the old "lozenge" cars, which may now be retired.

GTD

 

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At this point we took a break and went to breakfast at McD's, a short walk away, and then returned to the west end, Westminster Ave., for a few more trains.

EXO 20 showed up at 08:58, but came to a stop at the signal just before the crossing.  After a few minutes the reason for them holding back became apparent when a set of CRRC cars came through the station on the north track at 08:59.  I had missed the eastbound move of this equipment, but I think it was St-Jerome train 178, deadheading to Sortin.  It still has Lucien-L'Allier in the destination board of cab car 2052.  Once 178 occupied the crossing, 20 got a light and started moving again for its station stop at 09:00.

There was a private security guard posted at this crossing, but no trouble from him either.  We stayed behind the gates and/or fences and had no problems.

GTD

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Nice series, Geoff, and well-documented. I have to say the newer rolling stock is singularly unattractive, but maybe that's just me.
Fred

Great photo work. Even though the ALP-45 units might not be the most glamorous to photograph, what I really like about EXO is that they do a great job painting over the body of the motive power. Here where I live in NJ, I just don't understand why NJT couldn't have the sides of the dual modes be colored with the logo. All of that empty space on the side of our dual mode locomotives in the regular NJT colors makes the 4500 series engines boring to photograph. Now the wrapped 4500 series engines are often fine to photograph. 

And the reason EXO has DP engines is???? 

I thought the Deux-Mont line was all MU's and was being converted to a subway line anyway.  Have no idea what present or future use of the tunnel north out of the Cn station is...... 

Last time i was in montreal, i was quite a while ago..

pdt Wrote:
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> And the reason EXO has DP engines is???? 
>
> I thought the Deux-Mont line was all MU's and was
> being converted to a subway line anyway.  Have no
> idea what present or future use of the tunnel
> north out of the Cn station is...... 
>
> Last time i was in montreal, i was quite a while
> ago..

The Mt Royal tunnel is now REM, severed from the railway network. Central Station tracks 7 to 12 and the lines leading south out of the station have a heavy steel fence separating REM from VIA.  There is no longer any AC catenary railroad electrification in Canada. The dual powered engines now run only in diesel mode.

Any future HSR/Alto service will call Laval to be Montreal. There is no way for it to enter downtown. 
 



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/08/26 05:44 by joemvcnj.

Very nice photos and you survived crossing that street! :-)

Nice photos and narrative.

Interesting that security or police are required to keep people off the tracks. Maybe those pedestrians migrate to Florida in the winter.

Posted from Android

Nice shots!!

Lackawanna484 Wrote:
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> Nice photos and narrative.
>
> Interesting that security or police are required
> to keep people off the tracks. Maybe those
> pedestrians migrate to Florida in the winter.

No comment from me about the denizens of Florida. :-)

I suspect the guards/police are there to prevent pedestrians from making a fatal mistake because of the number of tracks and frequent movements of the trains, rather than using the right of way as a personal pathway.  People who are in a hurry for work or school tend not to have a very good situational awareness and have been known to get whacked by a train on another track.

GTD

cn6218 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Lackawanna484 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Nice photos and narrative.
> >
> > Interesting that security or police are
> required
> > to keep people off the tracks. Maybe those
> > pedestrians migrate to Florida in the winter.
>
> No comment from me about the denizens of Florida.
> :-)
>
> I suspect the guards/police are there to prevent
> pedestrians from making a fatal mistake because of
> the number of tracks and frequent movements of the
> trains, rather than using the right of way as a
> personal pathway.  People who are in a hurry for
> work or school tend not to have a very good
> situational awareness and have been known to get
> whacked by a train on another track.
>
> GTD

The pedestrians are a minor problem compared with the cars, especially at rush hour.

Ray