Electrification of the Montreal Tunnel Zone

The author describes the electrification of the tunnel through Mt. Royal at Montreal which was built to give the Canadian Northern Railway entrance into the heart of the city. The tunnel emerges from the mountain several feet above the level of the city and it is proposed to extend an elevated line at the same uniform grade to connect with the proposed viaduct on the lines of the Harbor Commission. The tunnel is 3.1 miles long and the method of construction is described in detail. The power is purchased and delivered to a substation near the west portal of the tunnel. The equipment of the substation is described. At present there are six electric locomotives in operation having a one-hour rating of 1280 h.p., and it is proposed to add multiple unit motor cars for handling the local traffic. Details of the equipment and dimensions of both the locomotives and motor cars are given. The catenary system, which is described in detail, has a number of unusual features due to special local conditions and the extremely low temperatures which sometimes prevail in Montreal.