When the STM began the process of replacing its old metro cars with the new Azur model, they also made a call to the public for ideas about what to do with the classic MR-63 vehicles. The first trains to service the tunnels of Montreal’s underground railway have ingrained themselves deeply in our collective imagination, and new projects are emerging to make sure that stays true for years to come!
One such project, one of the first to be approved by the STM, is called “Station F-MR”. It’s a small temporary village on the Lachine Canal in Griffintown, near where the C2 MTL conference is being held. Its name is a French play on words that captures the temporary nature of the village while referencing the “MR” moniker.
Station F-MR has four of the Montreal metro’s original cars in total.
The village also uses the trains’ original seats as furniture for use during events. Some cars have been converted into shops, others into snack bars or art galleries, and there’s even a conductor’s booth that you can visit!
Station F-MR is having its OPENING PARTY tonight event though its official opening was yesterday. Along with circus performers and visual artists, three DJs will take the stage for this special event!
Station F-MR will be open all summer from Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Because it’s a temporary installation, it’ll only be open between May and September, but its creators have bigger plans to create a permanent building using eight MR-63 cars they’ve already purchased.
Meanwhile, we get this awesome playground all summer long for Montreal! How awesome is that?