Author Archives: G. Francis

To bug or not to bug

Posted on April 15, 2008 by G. Francis

We all know the cars on the New Haven line are gross. To be honest though, as a regular on the “bloodline,” (named for the red motif used on the trains,) the squalor isn’t usually forefront on my mind. I … Continue reading →

Posted in filth, New Haven Line | 3 Comments

Word of the Week: SEATENFREUDE

Posted on May 14, 2007 by G. Francis

SEATENFREUDE: SEET en FROYD/noun/ The guilty pleasure one gets when sitting in a train packed with aisle surfers. (Note: seatenfreude is best enjoyed from the comfy confines of the object of one’s O. Seat D.) Usage: I missed the 5:56, … Continue reading →

Posted in Word of the Week | Leave a comment

There but for the grace of God sit I

Posted on April 25, 2007 by G. Francis

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

Why I didn’t commute Monday

Posted on April 18, 2007 by G. Francis

Well our fearless leader Malone5a has put out a call for all noreaster-themed commuter stories and as I’m a resident of storm-addled Mamaroneck he’s looking for me to come up with something. Having not gone into the office the day … Continue reading →

Posted in flooding, Mamaroneck, noreaster, weather | Leave a comment

G. Francis: Um, That Was My Stop

Posted on April 10, 2007 by G. Francis

Ever zone out while driving and miss an exit? Embarrassing, right? It’s bad enough if it’s just your wife and kids in the car, imagine what it might feel like if you were driving, say, several hundred commuters on their … Continue reading →

Posted in Harrison, Mamaroneck, mishaps, missed stop | 2 Comments

Dropping the ball in Times Square

Posted on March 2, 2007 by G. Francis

Amateurs. With their giant bags, lackadaisical meanderings, screaming children and other etiquette violations, they’re high on the list of commuter annoyances. Luckily however we professionals don’t often interact with rookies during the main leg of our rush hour travels. Once … Continue reading →

Posted in Annoyances, HEETs, Subway, Times Square | Leave a comment

Little Big Board

Posted on February 28, 2007 by G. Francis

Your guest editor is of a geekier bent than your regular virtual conductor, so here’s my favorite train-related tech tip. Did you know that the MTA’s Web site contains its own version of the Big Board — the Grand Central … Continue reading →

Posted in Beer, Beer guy, Blackberry, Departure time, Metro North, Tech, Tech Tips, treo | 3 Comments

Ask Engine Bob: The Secret Platform

Posted on February 27, 2007 by G. Francis

Q: Engine Bob, is there any truth to that old story about a secret train platform beneath the Waldorf-Astoria hotel that Andy Warhol gave a party on? Or is this just urban legend? A: Actually, the story’s true-a good portion … Continue reading →

Posted in Ask Engine Bob, Engine Bob, Grand Central, Secrets, Track 61 | Tagged | 14 Comments

Word of the Week: STENCHBENCH

Posted on February 26, 2007 by G. Francis

STENCHBENCH \STENNCH-bennch\noun: The almost always available trio of seats directly across from the toilet. Usage: I was a little late boarding the 7:22 to Southeast, so I had to sit on the f***ing stenchbench.

Posted in Word of the Week | 1 Comment