New: Montreal West train station
Sid Lee Architecture has produced an eye‑catching structure for Montreal West’s train stop. Gallery of photos shows the edicule from every angle.
One new building, one old: the Wall Street Journal admires the Orange Julep.
Anton 02:48 on 2024-07-01 Permalink
Not to trash the architect, And I know this is just a second entrance but this design is not very helpful, because what this station needs is four tracks and separation from the two level crossings before and after, and connection to those streets, as well as a roof over the platforms.
This station is at joining point of three rail lines merging into the city, a rail line that is parallel to a very highly served bus line (105) but a rail line that sees very little actual service.
It’s kind of typical AMT thinking to produce nice looking prestige buildings next to lines offering little service, rather than thinking about what’s needed to increase service.
Kate 08:17 on 2024-07-01 Permalink
Is it a second entrance? I don’t know that stop well, only having used it once, but used to be just a platform and a small shelter for the ticket machines, before they built this new thing. Most of the exo stops are no more than that.
H. John 09:56 on 2024-07-01 Permalink
The original station is still there and stands directly across the tracks from the new entrance which replaces a stairway (leading from Sherbrooke St to the platform).
The original building housed a ticket office, baggage room, and waiting room.
Lots of childhood memories of buying tickets, checking bags, and then heading to Quebec City (first stopping at Park Avenue Station and then Three Rivers).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montréal-Ouest_station#/media/File:Montreal_West_-_AMT_Train_Station.jpg
Kate 10:04 on 2024-07-01 Permalink
Is that building still in use, H. John?
There’s one in Westmount in a similar style that’s been out of use for decades.
H. John 10:38 on 2024-07-01 Permalink
@Kate I’m honestly not sure, but Wiki thinks it is:
“Along with Beaconsfield station, it is the only station on the line to retain its original station building (1889) in passenger use. In addition to ticketing facilities, the station building houses an underpass that connects to two headhouses on the island platform. Mechanical bells are still sounded as a signal when trains approach this station.”
Major Annoyance 11:06 on 2024-07-01 Permalink
The original Montreal West station is still in use. I’d love to see the Westmount station resurrected, but it’s landlocked now by the surrounding townhouses, and there’s no place left to put it around the Vendôme station.
Two more historic station buildings survive along the Vaudreuil train line. The one at Valois station is now the Pointe-Claire community resource centre. It doesn’t seem to have many visitors from the few times I get out to Delibee for smoked meat. The Beaconsfield station building is still used by passengers. The eastern part has a waiting room with a washroom and gives access to a tunnel underneath the tracks. I’m not sure what’s going on in the western (2-storey) part of the building.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valois_station
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaconsfield_station_(Exo)
Nicholas 17:47 on 2024-07-01 Permalink
When I went there in February, you could no longer walk from the platforms directly to Westminster, instead needing to take the tunnel to the old station building or the new entrance. This meant a longer walk for everyone going to Westminster, and since I think there are no elevators, it means needing to walk all the way to Elmhurst and back around on Sherbrooke. I’m sure it was done for “safety” reasons, but this whole thing is negative value.
Anton is also right, that it would be better with four tracks and more service. But no one at Exo or ARTM cares about trains, so we don’t use the resources we have.