Monthly Archives: September 2007

Word of the Week: PERISHING SQUARE

Posted on September 12, 2007 by TJ

PERISHING SQUARE \PARE ish shing SKWAYR\ noun: The site at 42nd and Park where bad and often fatal decisions are made to dash through traffic for a soon-to-be departing train in Grand Central. Usage: Like Napoleon at Waterloo, Frank met … Continue reading →

Posted in Word of the Week | 1 Comment

Your Sept. 11 Stories

Posted on September 11, 2007 by TJ

Lots of people have chilling, heart-warming and altogether unforgettable stories about how a slight tweak to their morning commute on 9/11/2001–a jam on the Bronx River Parkway, a line at Dunkin’ Donuts–likely saved their lives. If you or a loved … Continue reading →

Posted in Sept. 11 | Leave a comment

Thanks, But I’ll Stand

Posted on September 11, 2007 by TJ

Awkward situation on the 5:46 yesterday. I was cutting it pretty close and had to take part in the ignominious group sprint down the ramp to the platform. I jumped on the train just ahead of the blinking lights and … Continue reading →

Posted in Folding Seats | Leave a comment

Never Too Early to Start Thinking About Ice On Your Catenary Wires

Posted on September 10, 2007 by TJ

Since most commuters I know are well versed in the ways of catenary wires and pantograph shoes, perhaps one of y’all can help this gentleman that we found in the Trainjotting mailbag. I was wondering what different methods you might … Continue reading →

Posted in Catenary, Pantograph Shoes | Leave a comment

Times Salutes the Quickest Way to Harlem

Posted on September 10, 2007 by TJ

There’s a nice piece in the NY Times today about the A train turning 75. In a nod to the Duke Ellington jazz standard, one rider quoted in the story mentions the song’s “cultural significance”: “There’s no 6 train song … Continue reading →

Posted in A-Train | Leave a comment

Something’s Bugging Straphanger Joe

Posted on September 10, 2007 by TJ

The Dirty Dozen  Back third of the F train, orange and tan car, cruising under the East River, 4:38 p.m.   From left to right:   * Black woman in her 40s or 50s, reading a Bible with a worn … Continue reading →

Posted in F Train, Straphanger Joe | Leave a comment

Unanswered Questions on the 8:16

Posted on September 7, 2007 by TJ

She was a young Latina, maybe 30. She had two boys in tow–a Hispanic kid of about 11, a black kid who was a little older. She went over the train schedule with the Hispanic boy over and over–get off … Continue reading →

Posted in Mount Vernon, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

CTRider Wants His $308 Back

Posted on September 6, 2007 by TJ

[Continuation of CTRider's Miserable Commute]    So I thought we’d just be a little bit delayed. They got the train off and running with 6 cars. Then we stopped. And sat. After 5 minutes, the announcement proclaimed that there is … Continue reading →

Posted in CTRider | Leave a comment

Update On New Haven Line: Still Sucks

Posted on September 6, 2007 by TJ

CTRider did not enjoy his ride home last night. Fun & Games on the 5:01….  Last week (or was it the week before?) we were still inside GCT, and there were a series of LOUD noises (I hesitate to use … Continue reading →

Posted in CTRider, New Haven Line | Leave a comment

Thanks to the Kind Man on the 6:33…And the Other Nice People Too

Posted on September 6, 2007 by TJ

It was quite a refreshing display of generosity on the 6:33 to Mt. Kisco yesterday. The Missus was checking out the Arctic Monkeys in Central Park (if you’re over 40 and/or reside in a flyover state, you may think that … Continue reading →

Posted in 6:33, Arctic Monkeys | Leave a comment