I have been through the Montreal train station maybe ten times in my life, maybe fewer. Heading to or from the Maritimes for work, fun, to get myself married off in Ontario or take the kids to the grandparents. Above is the main hall above the trains and below some close-ups of the murals or rather friezes at each end, the eastern one over the French lyrics to the national anthem and the western over the English. The hall is a great post WWII space. The whole thing thing is so positive, prosperous and hopeful for the future. The panels, though large, are not really a centrepiece, especially as you do not pass them going in any direction really. You have to go to the quieter ends of the room and stare...and feel kinda like a weirdo as all the good looking Montreal folk go rushing by behind you, trying to catch their ride home. I love the look of the 1950s CFL punter in Wedgewood kicking the ball at the grape lady. Honestly, now perhaps 50 years on, I do not think the artist was off the mark.
Comments
mark - August 9, 2004 9:46 AM
I recall the explosion at the train station back in the 80s that caused great concern and the elimination of lockers. the renovations and new food services are amazing.
Alan - August 9, 2004 11:00 AM
In my family's tradition of just missing news worthy events, my bro was through the station the day before the blast and parked luggage in those lockers. Other examples are flying across the Persian gulf 24 hours before the US downed the jet, my missing the Kings's Cross fire by ten minutes and telephone calls from St. Pete's from my folks in their closet watching the funnel clouds approaching across the Gulf of Mexico. Oh yes, and granddad had three ships torpedoed out from under him on one day in the North Atlantic in WWI.
Alan - August 11, 2004 7:01 PM
Brief and anonymous praise from Montreal City Blog for this post:<blockquote class="smalltext">A blogger writes admiringly about Central Station, not a space that usually gets much praise locally. His verbal descriptions of the O Canada frieze around the ends of the station are better than most of his photos. </blockquote>
portland - August 15, 2004 12:56 AM
been through there 100 times. looks exactly the same. again thanks for the memories. was there ever a pop shop at that train station?