Monthly Archives: April 2007

Another One Rides the Bus

A co-worker relocated to Riverdale over the weekend, and started his new life as a commuter today. He has the option of taking Metro-North or an express bus. Today he took the bus. I asked him how it went. “Fun,” … Continue reading

Posted in New Commuter, Riverdale | Leave a comment

Ask Engine Bob

Q: If my Metro North train is on the underground level, why do I have to go to street level from the (underground) subway, only to descend again for my Metro North train? Shouldn’t I be able to stay underground … Continue reading

Posted in Ask Engine Bob, Engine Bob, Shuttle, William J. Wilgus | 3 Comments

An Old Commuting Veteran Shares

As promised, with Dad in town, we poked and prodded for a few tales from commuting into the city from decades past. Some highlights: * The woman who boarded the train with a crowbar in the summer to open those … Continue reading

Posted in Erie Lackawanna, M7, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

See You Next Year, Kiddies!

As Bring Your Child to Work Day wound to a close yesterday, one defining image of the day will stay with me. The 6:10 to Mount Kisco was somewhere between Valhalla and Hawthorne when a dad attempted to lead his … Continue reading

Posted in Bring Your Child To Work, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Straphanger Joe Ponders Train Delays While Stuck at O’Hare

O-Hairy   O’Hare Airport is not a happy place right now. Because of thunderstorms, all flights heading eastward have been cancelled. There were over 400 people on line at the American Airlines counter waiting to find out why they had … Continue reading

Posted in Ranchero, Starbucks Story, Straphanger Joe | Leave a comment

Explaining “Catenary Wires” To Your Kid

I spotted a few thigh-high tykes on the train this morning, and remembered it was Bring Your Kid To Work Day (formerly Bring Your Daughter To Work Day). That got me thinking: If yesterday’s Great New Haven Line Debacle had … Continue reading

Posted in Bring Your Child To Work, New Haven Line, Rye | 1 Comment

There but for the grace of God sit I

My first glimpse of the Mamaroneck platform this morning told me something was wrong. There were way too many people standing around looking even less happy than usual. While I’m used to standing on the ride home, not getting a … Continue reading

Posted in Catenary, delay, getting a seat, Mamaroneck, Metro North, New Haven Line, sleep | 1 Comment

Commuting on New Haven Line Back to Merely Irritating

After this morning’s full-tilt debacle, the MTA says commuters on the New Haven Line can expect a normal commute. The problems this morning, which involved 90 minute delays, stemmed from a catenary wire that runs above the train (The crummy … Continue reading

Posted in Catenary, New Haven Line | Leave a comment

The Church Witch

I see her maybe two days a week, climbing up a big hill as she mutters along to the rosary beads in her gnarled fingers. I see her when I’m walking to the train, and she’s walking to church, I presume. … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

No Haven on New Haven

As if a Noreaster turning Mamaroneck into a giant aquarium last week wasn’t enough, our sources tell us the New Haven Line is positively crawling along this morning. In fact, one beleagured (would-be) rider took it upon herself to seek … Continue reading

Posted in Mamaroneck, New Haven Line | 1 Comment