The Métro de Montréal is the third busiest municipal train system in North America, behind New York and Mexico City. But their stations are architectural wonders -works of art, even. After all, there’s no reason something functional can’t have a beautiful format well. One of the reasons is because it was only built in 1966, with a grand overall plan to make traveling as nice as possible. While daily commuters probably don’t even see the details anymore, Juergen Horn and Mike Powell certainly did, and give us plenty to look at in their post at For 91 Days.
Most of Montreal's Metro is based on a roller coaster concept.
The track dips down to pick up speed then ascends to use gravity to slow the train as it nears the next station.
It uses neumatic/bus tires on wood "tracks" instead of train wheels, providing a smoother ride.
As the train slows to a station, it engages flywheels located in the walls of the train to slow the train to a stop. You can hear them spinning! The flywheels are re-engaged to get the car rolling again with the downhill supplying the speed.
It's an extremely energy efficient system.
Not only that, but it's computer controlled so you can stand at one particular spot every time and the doors will stop and open there. Every time.
TTC should be taking notes....