RailPictures.Net Photo: STM 81-628 Société de transport de Montréal Canadian Vickers MR-63 at Montreal, Quebec, Canada by Marc Glucksman/River Rail Photo
Break Room. When STM MR-63 métro cars were being replaced by the MPM-10 "Azur", the Polytechnique Montréal and ALSTOM developed a unique plan to bring one of the retired cars to the campus for what would become Station Polytechnique-Alstom. The 369 that were produced between 1963-1967 were an iconic part of the city, their standard gauge 4 foot 8.5 inch trucks with rubber tires like that of Paris, France. The logistical challenges were numerous, as when the almost 29-ton 50-foot long car 81-628 was delivered to the campus, the glass wall had to be removed. The interior has been renovated into a place where students can de-stress as part of the school's effort to keep a positive mental health environment. The world's only other remaining accessible at this time MR-63, 81-502 is at Expo Rail in Saint-Constant, Quebec, both cars enjoying their retirement after having served Montreal's commuters for over 50 years.
