NS VIA Fan
Conductor
Amtrak's Adirondack arrives at CN Central Station (Gare Centrale) in downtown Montreal. The station concourse is the centre of an underground network of shopping malls linking hotels, office buildings and the Metro (subway system). The Queen Elizabeth (a former CN Hotel, now a Fairmont) is located directly above the station with elevators dropping right to the concourse level. The Hilton Bonaventure is across the street. If you stay at the Hilton……ask for a S-E facing room which will give you an excellent view of the elevated approach into the station.
http://www.canmarc.c...station-complex
http://www.vieux.mon...eng/gare_3a.htm
http://www.vieux.mon...eng/gare_5a.htm
Another Hotel directly connected underground is the Marriot Chateau Champlain…..a former CPR Hotel and across the street from Windsor Station. Trains no longer enter Windsor but the concourse is nicely restored and used for receptions. Trains (AMT Commuter only) now stop at Gare Lucien L'allier just to the west on the other side of the Bell Centre which was built above the truncated tracks into Windsor.
Montreal is a very safe city and no need to fear walking around at night. Unlike other cities where downtown closes at 5pm…….On a warm summer evening, St. Catherines St., two blocks up from Gare Centrale can be just a busy at 12 mid-night as it is at 12 noon with all the bars, and restaurants.
Don't speak French……no problem…..just about anyone you would be dealing with in hotels, restaurants and transportation is bi-lingual.
For the railfan, plan for a couple of hours at the VIA Station in Dorval. You can take an AMT commuter train there……12 miles west of downtown. Two CN tracks run parallel with two CP tracks providing what is essentially a four track mainline busy with freight, VIA (on CN) and AMT (on CP) and there's also the occasional CSX train on CN.
Another interesting AMT route is the electric Deux-Montagnes line running north out of Central through the 3 mile Mount Royal Tunnel. This is a scenic route, doing some island hopping in Laval. It also has the most frequent service of the several AMT routes so it easy to make a quick round-trip.
To sample some VIA trains, Ottawa is 115 miles away and Quebec City, 180 miles. Each city has several trains per day so a quick round trip is easily accomplished. I would recommend Quebec City for its history and architecture. Buildings dating from the 1600's, lining narrow streets located within the old walled, gated city. In summer, outdoor bars and cafes……and very European.
http://www.canmarc.c...station-complex
http://www.vieux.mon...eng/gare_3a.htm
http://www.vieux.mon...eng/gare_5a.htm
Another Hotel directly connected underground is the Marriot Chateau Champlain…..a former CPR Hotel and across the street from Windsor Station. Trains no longer enter Windsor but the concourse is nicely restored and used for receptions. Trains (AMT Commuter only) now stop at Gare Lucien L'allier just to the west on the other side of the Bell Centre which was built above the truncated tracks into Windsor.
Montreal is a very safe city and no need to fear walking around at night. Unlike other cities where downtown closes at 5pm…….On a warm summer evening, St. Catherines St., two blocks up from Gare Centrale can be just a busy at 12 mid-night as it is at 12 noon with all the bars, and restaurants.
Don't speak French……no problem…..just about anyone you would be dealing with in hotels, restaurants and transportation is bi-lingual.
For the railfan, plan for a couple of hours at the VIA Station in Dorval. You can take an AMT commuter train there……12 miles west of downtown. Two CN tracks run parallel with two CP tracks providing what is essentially a four track mainline busy with freight, VIA (on CN) and AMT (on CP) and there's also the occasional CSX train on CN.
Another interesting AMT route is the electric Deux-Montagnes line running north out of Central through the 3 mile Mount Royal Tunnel. This is a scenic route, doing some island hopping in Laval. It also has the most frequent service of the several AMT routes so it easy to make a quick round-trip.
To sample some VIA trains, Ottawa is 115 miles away and Quebec City, 180 miles. Each city has several trains per day so a quick round trip is easily accomplished. I would recommend Quebec City for its history and architecture. Buildings dating from the 1600's, lining narrow streets located within the old walled, gated city. In summer, outdoor bars and cafes……and very European.
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