Hi! I would like to know if there are some people on this forum that would like to come with me and watch the trains? I don’t know where to find people in my area so feel free to reply.
I am a train newbie. I began scale models last year and I want to start a model railroad but first I need to watch trains moving, doing operations …
Nobody in Montreal area interested in watching trains?
Possibly just no one else in the Montreal area here on the forums. It’s a bit of a trip for me.
Thanks tree68. I think I will post another thread about how to do some train watching for newbie.
That would have been me 30 years ago. Lots of fond memories train watching in Montreal back in the 80s when I was a student. Favorite locations were at Ville St. Pierre, overlooking the CN tracks and CP’s line through Cote St. Luc. I’m through Montreal a few times a year and find Dorion a good spot to watch both CN and CP action these days. But sadly, gone forever are the first and second generation MLWs that dominated the rail scene in Montreal back then.
Come see us (ASRR) - We’ve got two MLW RS18u’s… [swg]
Where are you exactly tree68?
That’s a great idea Tree68… I’m going to do that.
Don’t forget the Ontario Southland, Ulrich. They have lots of MLWs, Geeps and SW1200RSs at work and even use an FP9 too.
I will have a lot of new places to take a look at 
Thanks guys!
I live a couple of hours from ASRR.
Adirondack Scenic usually runs the RS18u’s out of Utica, NY, although they do see “local” service in Thendara, NY from time to time.
The usual loco for the Thendara operation is NYC 8223, an RS-3. Fun engine to run.
The operation between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake has been using an ex-Pennsy GP9 for the past few years.
Also in residence at Thendara is S1 #9411, but it’s not operational at the moment.
We also have two F’s and an SW1 on the property, all running, but not seeing regular use.
Any other person interested in watching trains on the south shore of Montreal?
I get to Montreal once in a while. Best place for me is DORVAL adjacent to Montreal airport.
I stay at the Best Western Motel which is trackside, about a five minute walk to Dorval station. I always ask for a room facing the tracks. Front desk very obliging. Passing thru Dorval are CN and CP, VIA & the suburban line. Dorval is on the West Island of Montreal and a large English population. Take the Best Western shuttle bus to the airport and from there you can take the local bus which takes you direct to the Montreal CN station. A walk outside the station, you can watch VIA trains arriving and departing along with the local commuter trains.
I used to live in Montreal, Pine Beach to be exact, This was about 1-1/2 miles west from Dorval. I’m now in Ontario, 2 hours north of Toronto.
There are a lot of railfans in Montreal & I’ve always found several of them at Dorval station. I hope you can find someone to hook up with.
Thanks for your comment morseman. In fact, I live on the south shore of Montreal so Dorval is a bit far from where I live but if I go in the area, I will try to go at those spots you are talking about.
Thanks again
Hello guys! I am still searching for people that live on the south shore of Montreal that would be interested to introduce me to railfanning. I have never done that before and I would like to learn.
I don’t live in Montreal but what is important is to get yourself trackside. You need to get to the trains they won’t come to you. I do know that Dorval is a great train watching spot. It is accessible by commuter rail. Buy yourself a good map of the city that shows railways. If you don’t drive learn how to use public transit to get trackside. You might have bus service downtown from where you live. If you do drive get a good map of the Freeways(Autoroutes) and learn your way around town and where the yards are. Railfans will talk to you; everyone once was a rookie railfan. Even if you are all alone, being trackside is wonderful. You might even have to decide who is better; CN or CP someday or you might like both. Go Watch Trains!!!
Do you have tickets for Canadians - Bruins game 6 perhaps?
Ed
Thanks aricat for your help.
Best place in Montreal (IMHO): Take Sherbrooke Street West all the way to the end. Go left to St. Jacques and walk down the hill to Ville St. Pierre. Unless things have changed since the early 80s, there are usually people there at CN’s busy mainline. Best way to hookup is in person!
Thanks Ulrich.