Archive for April, 2008
Thursday, April 10th, 2008
Now That I Have Your Attention…
From those demented souls over at Overheard in New York:
Guy: Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention for a second, please? [All the strap hangers look at him.] Thank you for your attention. [Gets off the train.]–6 train
No Comments » - Posted in 6 train, Overheard in New York by TJ
Thursday, April 10th, 2008
New Jersey Transit Opens Doors For Ghost Riders
Doors are opening on moving New Jersey Transit trains with alarming frequency, reports today’s NY Times. The doors have flown open, scaring the shit out of riders standing nearby, at least four times in the last two months–way more than happens on LIRR or Metro-North.
“I typically stand between the cars, and it could be very […]
1 Comment » - Posted in New Jersey Transit by TJ
Thursday, April 10th, 2008
The Great Train Revelry, Part II: New Haven Line
It’s the second of three installments of “The Great Train Revelry,” the Metro-North pub-crawl feature that appeared in the Journal News mag INTown. Part I focused on the Harlem Line, and Part II on the New Haven Line. Extra added bonus: A drag queen sighting!
The New Haven Line
Unlike on the Harlem and Hudson train lines, the […]
2 Comments » - Posted in Drag Queens, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Haven Line, New Rochelle by TJ
Wednesday, April 9th, 2008
LIRR Lunatic Goes Free
Former cop John Clifford, who seemingly terrorizes his fellow Long Island Railroad riders who talk on cellphones, apply makeup and invite friends to barbecues, had charges of assault, larceny and disorderly conduct thrown out against him yesterday at Manhattan Criminal Court, the NY Times reports.
Clifford has been arrested on the train several times for […]
3 Comments » - Posted in John Clifford, LIRR by TJ
Tuesday, April 8th, 2008
Old Subway Cars are “Luxury Condominiums For Fish”
Fascinating story in the NY Times about a reef made of old New York subway cars off the coast of Delaware.
Having planted a thriving community in what was once an underwater desert, state marine officials are faced with the sort of overcrowding, crime and traffic problems more common to terrestrial cities.
The summer flounder and […]
No Comments » - Posted in Redbirds by TJ
Tuesday, April 8th, 2008
How to Get 30 Seats to Yourself
The new 5:57 a.m. train rolling out of Waterbury, Conn. yesterday kicked off with much more of a whimper than a bang, reports the Hartford Courant. The good people of Waterbury petitioned the MTA for the early train (the earliest used to be the 6:40), and Metro-North obliged.
Only problem is, the petitioners don’t seem to […]
No Comments » - Posted in New Haven Line, StationStops by TJ
Tuesday, April 8th, 2008
Shea Stadium Namesake a Transit Guy
Today’s NY Times reports that William Shea, the high-powered New York lawyer for whom the Mets park Shea Stadium is named, dabbled a bit in some high-profile transit endeavors.
According to Richard Sandomir, Shea helped broker New York’s acquisition of the Long Island Railroad. He also served on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s board.
Shea also was an […]
No Comments » - Posted in 7 Train, Shea Stadium by TJ
Monday, April 7th, 2008
‘The Great Train Revelry’: A Metro-North Pub Crawl
Some boozy commuter has written a feature for the Journal News monthly mag INTown on doing a pub crawl via Metro-North. Called “The Great Train Revelry,” the feature is broken into three parts: The Hudson Line, the Harlem Line and the New Haven Line, covering a total of 12 pubs.
Of J. C. Fogarty’s, that cute […]
2 Comments » - Posted in JC Fogarty's, Valhalla Crossing by TJ
Friday, April 4th, 2008
Pole Hoggers Beware
It’s not just subway seat hogs that are officially on notice.
Continuing its expose on bad subway behavior, Gothamist reports that those who hog the poles in the subway are being called out as well.
Apparently it’s preferable to simply clutch the pole with your hand, as opposed to wrapping your body around it. Frankly I’m not sure why […]
3 Comments » - Posted in Mansitting, getting a seat by TJ
Friday, April 4th, 2008
Great Commuting Moments in Literary History
From Roddy Doyle’s Paula Spencer, about a woman’s struggles to cope–alcohol, strained relatioships with her children, abusive husband–in modern-day Dublin.
She’s on the Dart. She holds her mobile. She’s hungry. A man gets on at Connolly. Paula gets her knees out of his way. He sits across from her. He reads the Herald. He holds […]