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MONTREAL HEAVY RAIL
Rubber Tires to the North |
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The core portion of Montreal Métro was built in
anticipation of the city's Expo '67, and thus by now it is a fairly old
example of the "new" urban subway system. Some of the four lines
have seen moderate expansion during the ensuing decades.
One of the more unusual features of the Métro is its
use of rubber tires, in the fashion of much of the Paris system. The ride does indeed
seem different, and the guideways present an unusual appearance to those
used to more conventional technology. The rubber allows for better
negotiation of grades and quick acceleration and braking. It is
supposed to result in a quieter ride as well. Somewhat visible in
this photo taken at Berri-UQAM, standard steel rails, available for use in
emergency situations, also are present, inside the guideways.
Downtown stations are linked to an extensive system of passageways and
corridors, and a multitude of underground shops and services. |
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