Montreal In Pictures

September 11 2012

A while back I came across some images of an abandoned tunnel that has been a magnet for graffiti artists both inside the tunnel and the walls approaching the north entrance.

The tunnel (actually there are 4 running parallel to each other) was built in 1931 to carry car traffic and streetcars under the Lachine Canal. The tunnels were closed in 1995 with the southern entrance being buried and the north entrances having locked gates to keep most people from exploring. I have heard though, that on occasion, the door has been left open and I was hoping I may be in luck, but it wasn’t to be. Probably not the best place to go venturing around on my own anyway. Even having my torch with me, the tunnels looked pretty spooky once you got a little way from the light of the entrance.

Luckily with long exposures and HDR processing I was able to get some fairly good pics of the inside of the tunnels up to the bend by poking the camera lens through the gate railings.

Graffiti and locked entrance to the Wellington tunnel
ISO 100 – 14mm – f5.6 – 1/30 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Graffiti and locked entrance to the Wellington tunnel
ISO 100 – 20mm – f5.6 – 1/125 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

The Wellington Tunnel entrances
ISO 100 – 16mm – f5.6 – 1/125 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

The Wellington Tunnel entrances
ISO 100 – 10mm – f11 – 1/45 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

The Wellington Tunnel entrance
ISO 100 – 22mm – f3.8 – 1/350 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Inside West Wellington Tunnel
ISO 100 – 40mm – f4.8 – 0.5 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Inside West Wellington Tunnel
ISO 100 – 40mm – f4.8 – 1.5 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Inside West Wellington Tunnel
ISO 100 – 10mm – f19 – 1 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Inside East Wellington Tunnel
ISO 100 – 10mm – f11 – 1/3 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Inside center East Wellington Tunnel
ISO 100 – 14mm – f11 – 1/10 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

If interested, there are a few videos on youtube and images on some local urban explorer sites posted by people who were able to venture inside. In 2009, there was even an artist Halloween art party inside the Wellington Tunnel which from the images looks to have been great fun.

I’ve been thinking of trying some light painting using wire wool and this would make a great location….one day/night perhaps 😉

After being surrounded by grunge, I was happy to take some pics of the more modern day Montreal.

rue University
ISO 100 – 14mm – f11 – 1/60 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

rue University
ISO 100 – 48mm – f11 – 1/180 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Rush hour on rue University
ISO 100 – 70mm – f8 – 1/125 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

It was around 4 – 4.30 and there were some great reflections on the office buildings along Unversity Street.

Office tower window reflections
ISO 100 – 105mm – f5.6 – 1/136 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Office tower window reflections
ISO 100 – 90mm – f5.6 – 1/250 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Corner or University and Sainte Catherine
ISO 100 – 58mm – f5 – 1/125 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Christ Church Cathedral
ISO 100 – 22mm – f11 – 1/20 sec (-2ev/0/+2ev)

Today, I was again surprised at the amount of construction that is going on in Griffintown. Although I worked in the area for around 7 years, this neighborhood is changing with each passing day. It made me think that I should make a determined effort to try and record every street in this old industrial neighborhood before many of the few remaining historic buildings are lost to the wreckers ball.

One great piece of news I heard today regarding Griffintown was that the Horse Palace has been saved from developers and although the old wooden stables will be modernized, at least the horses and the caleches are not going to have to find a new home – another place I need to try and get permission to photograph.

To view images in gallery format, simply click on one of the images below.