Category Archives: LIRR

In Defense of Penn Station. No, Really.

Posted on November 23, 2010 by TJ

A pair of bold writers has taken it upon themselves to defend the indefensible in today’s NY Times Op-Ed. No, they’re not defending Duane Reade stores, or the musical ouevre of Wham! But close. They’re defending Penn Station in their … Continue reading →

Posted in LIRR, New Jersey Transit, Penn Station | Tagged | Leave a comment

Karate Kid ‘Waxes On’ About Hamburger Choo Choo

Posted on November 10, 2010 by TJ

With The Missus, Little G and Little Miss C away over the weekend, I finally got to watch the PBS documentary “Hometown Huntington,” about the Long Island town where I was reared, that had been hogging up space on our … Continue reading →

Posted in Huntington, LIRR, Little G, Little Miss C | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

An Open Letter To:

Posted on September 30, 2010 by TJ

Trainjotting. I know, I know, it’s been several days since I’ve posted. I apologize. You’re mad, I know. Yes, there is that other blog. It’s late-model and attractive, I know, and commands a lot of attention. I know from experience … Continue reading →

Posted in 8:16, Don Draper, LIRR, Metro North, Monthly Pass, Open Letter, Slippery Rail | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Cape Crusader Back in the Saddle

Posted on August 30, 2010 by TJ

Back in the saddle after a ten-day break, a spell enhanced by our furloughed Fridays here at the salt mine. The break featured our annual summer block party, during which I chatted with a man who recently moved into the … Continue reading →

Posted in 1-3/4-Seater, LIRR, Little G | 1 Comment

The Case of the Quarter-Million Dollar Conductor

Posted on June 4, 2010 by TJ

Nearly a quarter of the L.I.R.R. employees make six figures, reports the NY Times, including one hale fellow who took in $239,000 last year, thanks to lots and lots of overtime. The MTA is under tremendous financial duress, as we … Continue reading →

Posted in LIRR, MTA | Leave a comment

The Work-From-Home Dilemma

Posted on May 5, 2010 by TJ

As companies cut costs and wireless technology improves, we’ve seen a handful of co-workers get pushed into permanent work-from-home status. The company shaves off some overhead, and the worker avoids commuting costs–and hassles–as he or she sets up the home … Continue reading →

Posted in LIRR, Metro North, New Jersey Transit, Stench Bench, Subway, Telecommuting | 6 Comments

Straphanger Joe Remembers When LIRR Guys Made Money the Old-Fashioned Way

Posted on April 8, 2010 by TJ

Old-School Disability There used to be a break room at Penn Station somewhere between track 15 and track 18, back before it was upgraded to a “modern” station. My grandfather worked as a conductor for the LIRR starting in the … Continue reading →

Posted in LIRR, LIRR Scandal, Penn Station, Straphanger Joe | Leave a comment

Cuomo Closes LIRR Disability Investigation

Posted on March 23, 2010 by admin

A year and a half after a giant NY Times investigative report on extraordinarily high disability claims among retiring LIRR employees, the New York attorney general has closed its investigation, reports the Times. Andrew Cuomo issued 108 subpoenas related to … Continue reading →

Posted in LIRR, LIRR Scandal | Leave a comment

SLATE: Why Penn Station’s Signs Suck

Posted on March 3, 2010 by admin

Slate.com has a a fun story penned by Julia Turner on yet another reason to dislike Penn Station–impossible-to-follow signs. Penn Station’s signage got 2.5 stars on Yelp.com (“Without a doubt, one of the poorest and most confusing arrangements for signage … Continue reading →

Posted in Amtrak, LIRR, New Jersey Transit, Penn Station | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

LIRR Disability Coach Kreuder Cleared of Most Charges

Posted on December 14, 2009 by TJ

Frederick Kreuder, charged with taking money from LIRR employees to help them get lucrative disability benefits, was cleared of most, not all, charges by a Long Island judge Friday. Kreuder reportedly got $1,000 for his services, which the NY Times … Continue reading →

Posted in Fred Kreuder, LIRR, LIRR Scandal | 2 Comments