Monthly Archives: January 2007

Choo Choo Charlie Revealed

Posted on January 31, 2007 by TJ

With a big helping hand from Dan Brucker at the MTA press office, we found out the identity of the engineer named Charlie who’s retired after 39 years on the job. His full name is Charlie MacArthur. We’ll try to … Continue reading →

Posted in Engineer | Leave a comment

Charlie is Sleeping in Today

Posted on January 31, 2007 by TJ

The relative quietude of the outgoing 6:10 yesterday was broken by an announcement over the loudspeaker: “Ladies and gentlemen, our engineer is retiring after 39 years on the job. So Charlie, good luck, good health and have fun, my friend.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Grand Central | Comments Off

I Thought My Commute Sucked

Posted on January 31, 2007 by TJ

yesterday’s NY Times had an article about a poor guy in a wheelchair who traverses the city each day to go to college. Times Select has the link. Daunted by the Subway? Try It in a Wheelchair By CLYDE HABERMAN Published: … Continue reading →

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Overheard on the 8:43

Posted on January 30, 2007 by TJ

Asian woman, bleached blonde hair (roots), twentysomething. Sort of pretty. Enters at White Plains. Talking on cell. Sits. Still talking on cell.   “When’s the Super Bowl???”… “This Sunday or next???”…   “Duh! I can’t. I work on Sunday.”…   … Continue reading →

Posted in cell phone, White Plains | 1 Comment

It Takes a ‘ville

Posted on January 30, 2007 by TJ

People from out of town confuse Bronxville with the Bronx, but they couldn’t be more different. Today I rode the Metro-North from Bronxville to Grand Central. A mere thousand yards from Bronxville, a train village with Gilded Age charm, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Botanical Garden, Bronx Zoo, Bronxville | Leave a comment

Despite All My Rage, I Am Still Just a Rat on the Platform

Posted on January 30, 2007 by TJ

I’ve been riding the subways pretty regularly for 15 years, and never saw this until yesterday. I entered the 28th Street station just as the 6 was pulling away. There was a handful of people on the platform. Curiously, the … Continue reading →

Posted in 28th Street, 6 train | 1 Comment

Word of the Week: BOOZE IT OR LOSE IT

Posted on January 29, 2007 by TJ

BOOZE IT OR LOSE IT \BOOZ iht or LOOZ iht\noun: The dilemma facing commuters about whether they have time to purchase a beer without risking missing their train. Usage: Pondering the beer line with the 7:22 departing in less than … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Glossary, Word of the Week | 1 Comment

Best Monday Morning Ever

Posted on January 29, 2007 by TJ

It being a frigid-ass Monday and all (20 in the ‘burbs), I took the later train. The 8:43 was nearly empty. By White Plains, it was only half full. I had my own two-seater, and no one in the two-er … Continue reading →

Posted in Arrival time, Grand Central, White Plains | Leave a comment

Merely My Height

Posted on January 26, 2007 by TJ

Sprinted to catch the 7:52 after a long day at work. The train was jammed, and I eyed a two-seater occupied by a large man in the window seat. He gave me the look: Don’t do it. I did it, … Continue reading →

Posted in 125th Street, Armrest, North White Plains, White Plains, Window Seat | Leave a comment

Ask Engine Bob

Posted on January 26, 2007 by TJ

Q: Engine Bob, what would my commute have been like 50 years ago? A: In some ways, very similar—and in others, worlds different. Fifty years ago, you’d still be joining hundreds of thousands of trenchcoat-clad suburbanites at 5:15 p.m., pounding … Continue reading →

Posted in Ask Engine Bob, Engine Bob, Grand Central | 2 Comments