Yesterday, I drove up to Montréal to catch the Canada 150 train that Canadian Pacific was touring, and to stop off at the Exporail train museum while in the area.
First stop was at the museum, which was a very nice, well presented and spacious arrangement. Not as much equipment as the larger US counterparts, but everything was nicely spaced, and there really wasn't any significant equipment falling apart waiting for restoration as seems to happen in the US (Steamtown being the worst, but not only, example of this). Highlights included the CP Royal Hudson, a CP Selkirk, a CN Northern, Hudson, and Boxcab electric, and the British A4 Pacific Dominion of Canada, back from its trip across the pond. Rolling stock included the first open-air 3 rack auto carrier that I've seen (well, it had fencing on the sides, but it still counts as open).
The CP 150 train was next, and although it was at a very scenic location at the old port, was a little bit of a let down after the museum. Led by three FP9A units, the train had a boxcar converted into a stage for a musical act, a baggage car while looked like additional HEP, a long boxcar decorated with the names of thousands of Canadian children, and an interesting amalgamation of passenger cars, with the most observation cars I've ever seen in a single site, never mind a single train. At least a half dozen, with there not being more than 3 cars without an observation, and the consist contained over 15 cars. The end of the train, which didn't quite fit in the park and rested on a bridge leading in, had three observation cars in the last 4 cars! CP was entertaining people, especially families, at the event, but I didn't take that much effort into following what was being provided since I was distracted by the train :-)
Just to finish things off, decided that since the Gare Central (Central Station) was near by, might as well look at it. Had trouble finding it since it is built into an relatively non-descript office building, but the waiting area was large and clean. I was surprised to see as many tracks as are in NY Penn Station. Even more surprising was the fact that CN has kept a presence at the station, and actually felt as an active participant in the community with all the advertising (including a bike cab with the logo on back!). I've gotten so used to the northeast America separation of passenger and freight traffic.
Attached are photos of most of what I just described. Hope you enjoy.
