Javits Center shuttle bus gets a parking ticket

Posted on May 17, 2010 by brian

I came across this shuttle bus earlier today. As is not uncommon, it was part of a shuttle bus route connecting Penn Station with the Javits Center. However what was surprising was that this bus was displaying a NYC parking ticket on its windshield!

I don’t like when people park illegally, but come on, ticketing this operation is only going to hurt NYC in the long run. I don’t know where the bus was when it got the ticket, or anything at all about the incident, but it just seems ridiculous. And the fact that the ticket is still sitting there behind the windshield wiper while the driver is present inside the bus means that the driver is probably trying to avoid getting any more tickets by showing that he already has one! That’s a common tactic by delivery truck drivers.

Posted in bus | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Amtrak’s National Train Day at New York Penn Station

Posted on May 7, 2010 by brian

Fun giveaways, model trains, and more

Amtrak will be kicking off their 2010 National Train Day celebration with special events at New York Penn Station today beginning at 12:30 PM.

Hopefully the celebration won’t be ruined by things that make the Big Board look like this:

DELAYED...DELAYED...DELAYED... (May 5, 2010)

Posted in giveaways and freebies, railfanning | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Amtrak’s National Train Day at New York Penn Station

Megabus driver gets lost and drives in circles

Posted on May 6, 2010 by brian

a megabus like this one got lost in Jersey City for an hour and a half

A story on Consumerist.com describes how a 4.5 hour Megabus ride from D.C. to NYC turned into a 7 hour nightmare. Read it here.

Posted in bus | Tagged | Comments Off on Megabus driver gets lost and drives in circles

Photos of Weeks Marine Crane 552 under Broadway Bridge

Posted on May 4, 2010 by brian

Weeks Marine Crane 552 in the Harlem River Ship Canal today

As I reported earlier today, the Weeks Marine crane 552 departed the 207 St subway yard after serving there for about nine years. The crane loaded all the reef-ready subway cars onto the Barge of Death. It also loaded the scrap trucks onto another barge for delivery to a scrap dealer. Here are some photos of the crane being pushed by Weeks tug Elizabeth through the canal and towards the Hudson River at around 1:20 PM today.

Photos taken by my wife. Thanks!!

Posted in railfanning, service alert, subway | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Reefing Crane Leaves 207 Street Yard

Posted on May 4, 2010 by brian

The Weeks Marine crane has left the yard. Looks like reefing is pretty “over” for the time being. Pics forthcoming.

Posted in railfanning | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

351 Meadowlands Express Bus Service to be provided by CoachUSA

Posted on April 29, 2010 by brian

Whereas in previous years I believe the Route 351 Meadowlands Express Bus Service was half run by NJ Transit and half contracted out, this year it will be completely run by CoachUSA. The 351 bus takes you from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in midtown Manhattan to the Meadowlands Sports Complex for major events. It’s $5 each way, exact change required.

And many people love to take this bus to Giants and Jets NFL football games. Sure, some people have defected to the train, but the 351 has its true believers.

Posted in bus | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 351 Meadowlands Express Bus Service to be provided by CoachUSA

Chicago’s Metra decides against providing Wi-Fi

Posted on April 27, 2010 by brian

Metra, a commuter railroad in the Chicago area, has decided not to implement Wi-Fi service on-board its trains at this time.

Source: Metro Magazine Industry News
Posted in commuter rail | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Chicago’s Metra decides against providing Wi-Fi

34th Street Transitway Open House TODAY

Posted on April 21, 2010 by brian

Announcement on MTA.info

MTA New York City Transit and the New York City Department of Transportation will be holding a Planning Open House on April 21st to give you an opportunity to:

* Learn about the 34 St Transitway project and proposed station locations

* View design plans for the corridor

* Give us your suggestions and comments

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

5:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Science, Industry & Business Library

188 Madison Av at 34 St

There will be no formal presentation. Please stop by at a time most convenient for you.

Posted in bus | Tagged , , | Comments Off on 34th Street Transitway Open House TODAY

Dancer hit by Amtrak train when CN crossing lights and gates fail

Posted on April 21, 2010 by brian

Katie Lunn

From: CN warning system failed in fatal crossing collision

With no safety gates or lights to warn her, Katie Lunn had no chance as a speeding Amtrak train approached her SUV Friday.

The young Naperville dance teacher died after the train rammed into her vehicle as she headed home after a performance at Governor’s State University.

The Canadian National Railway confirmed Monday that the warning system was not functioning properly at the Stuenkel Road crossing in University Park when the accident occurred. A CN crew had been working at the crossing that day, but officials would not comment on reports they had deactivated the warning system and not turned it back on.

Source: Transportation Communications Newsletter

Posted in safety | Comments Off on Dancer hit by Amtrak train when CN crossing lights and gates fail

Barge of Death Departed Today

Posted on April 17, 2010 by brian

Left around noon on Saturday. Redbird R-33WF 9339 and Yellowbird former R-22 Revenue car 0R722 (ex-7490). Trucks went out too. Weeks Marine tugs: Virginia, Elizabeth, and Robert.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments