Monthly Archives: December 2008

The Conductor, the Cop, and the Kid Riding Alone

A 10-year-old riding the Long Island Railroad all by himself Christmas Day met up with a concerned conductor and, eventually, a policeman. The kid happened to be Izzy Skenazy, whose mother enjoys writing newspaper columns (and even books) about how … Continue reading

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Reluctant Return to Riding

Gingerly, I climbed back on the bike this morning after a six-day break from the day-to-day grind. A fierce wind blew our recycleable garbage around the lawn. The stiff gears of the bike made an awkward clicking noise as I … Continue reading

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The Inevitable ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ Parody

Twas the night before Christmas, When all through the train Metro-North riders were shaking off sleet, snow and rain Their coats were slung on the racks high above Their laptops placed right up there with love   The riders pecked … Continue reading

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High Marks For Iron Horse

Ten years since turning the old Pleasantville station house into the Iron Horse Grill, the eatery still excels, says the New York Times. A decade before, writes M. H. Reed in “A Place That Still Has the Whistles and Bells,” … Continue reading

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Larchmont Troubadour Puts Metro-North on Album Cover

Westchester singer-songwriter Michael Nappi features a Metro-North train on the cover of his new CD, “Here We Go Again.” Nappi is described by the Journal News as a cross between James Taylor and John Mayer, who actually rank #s 1,334 … Continue reading

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Word of the Week Holiday Edition: MARCH OF THE PENGUINS

MARCH OF THE PENGUINS: \MAHRRCH uvv the PENG\ gwinz noun: The late-night stagger of drunken commuters, clad in tuxedoes and cocktail dresses, through Grand Central after holiday parties in December. Usage: Once December rolls around, I like to grab a … Continue reading

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The Weather Outside is Frightful

Yes, it was cold this morning. Very freakin’ cold. Thanks to the black ice, the gray ice, and the old-school silver ice, I left the bike in the garage this morning and set out on foot. I try to allow … Continue reading

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The Limping Conductor and the LIRR Disability Scam

I was on the 6:33 heading toward Hummerville last night. Our ticket-taker had the typical Metro-North conductor’s Irish-by-way-of-Brooklyn mug. He also had a pronounced limp–the sort of lurching gait associated with some sort of fairly serious ailment. I don’t know … Continue reading

Posted in Edward Koerber, Helena Williams, Hummerville, LIRR Scandal | Tagged | 2 Comments

The Man Behind ‘Mileposts’

Admit it. You see Mileposts, the Metro-North news rag you find on your seat each month, and you leaf through it. You check to see how your train line stacked up the previous month against the other two. You pump … Continue reading

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Obama Rides the Rails

While VP-elect Joe Biden famously schleps into the Beltway via Amtrak each day, his boss Barack will get a taste for the train to Washington next month. Continuing a long tradition of new presidents, the New York Times reports that … Continue reading

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