CN L59621 18 is rolling over the Lachine Canal, on its way into the Old Port of Montreal. Coming from Pointe-Saint-Charles yard, CN 596 is going to the port light power, to pick up 107 cars to bring to Taschereau yard. In the background, we see Grain Elevator #5, which was completed in four stages (1906, 1913, 1924 and 1958). Construction on Grain Elevator #5 was begun by the Grand Trunk Railway in 1903. In the late 19th century and for several decades thereafter, grain was the main export product transiting through the Port of Montreal. Competition from U.S. ports was strong, so the decision was made to equip Montreal’s with grain elevators and make it the world’s leading grain port by 1928. The elevator, now owned by the Canada Lands Corporation, has stood abandoned since 1996, and is suffering from a lack of maintenance and has very limited public access.
