Category Archives: Engine Bob

Riding in Style: Club Meeting in the Caboose

Our old friend Engine Bob, aka author Robert Klara, shared with us a photo, and a yarn, about the best commuter experience imaginable. Rob says that several decades ago, some rich commuters, dissatisfied with a new batch of commuter cars the … Continue reading

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TRAINJOTTING TURNS 5: Pride

Each day this week, to commemorate our fifth birthday, Trainjotting is publishing memorable posts from the past, grouped under a specific Seven Deadly Sin. Today’s sin is PRIDE. Pride. Hmmm. Gluttony and Sloth and Greed, and occasionally a little Wrath, … Continue reading

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Track 61 Revisited

Gothamist ventured into the famed Track 61 train platform under the Waldorf-Astoria over the weekend, snapping some pix at the sight that former Trainjotting contributor Engine Bob (a.k.a. “FDR’s Funeral Train” author Robert Klara) called “the holy grail” of urban … Continue reading

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Straphanger Joe Publishes a Novel

Seeing our talented Trainjotting correspondents publish books fills us with an extraordinary amount of pride. We were pumped when the brilliant Engine Bob (a.k.a./d.b.a. Robert Klara) published FDR’s Funeral Train, and if it’s possible to be even more psyched, then … Continue reading

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Straphanger Joe’s Book Hits Stores This Spring

It is with abundant pride that I announce the pending publication of yet another book from the Trainjotting correspondent family: Straphanger Joe’s brilliant novel Open Wounds. Open Wounds is a very unique book; it’s the life story of an aging … Continue reading

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TRAINJOTTING TURNS 4: Ask Engine Bob–The Secret Platform

Originally ran Feb. 2007 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 … Continue reading

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NJT Tests Quiet Cars

This is fairly revolutionary. New Jersey Transit began testing no-cellphone cars on some trains yesterday, reports the NY Times. Michael Grynbaum has the scoop: As part of a three-month pilot program, 29 express trains between Trenton and Manhattan have acquired … Continue reading

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THE TRAINJOTTING READER: FDR’s Funeral Train

I’m pleased–and mighty relieved–to report that Robert Klara’s FDR’s Funeral Train, which I finished last night, is very, very good. I’m relieved because ol’ Engine Bob is a pal (and former Trainjotting columnist!), and it would be really awkward if … Continue reading

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What Really Happened on FDR’s Funeral Train: An Interview With the Author

We’re pleased to report that our old pal Robert Klara–a.k.a. Trainjotting columnist “Engine Bob”–has his new book out today. FDR’s Funeral Train: A Betrayed Widow, a Soviet Spy, and a Presidency in the Balance looks at the train carrying the body … Continue reading

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We Three!

Three years ago today, Trainjotting was born. Yes, three years ago, we threw up a question and answer with Engine Bob, and Trainjotting had eked its way into the blogosphere. Thanks to Mayor Bloomberg and MTA chief Jay Walder and … Continue reading

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