Welcome to the the Brunswick Line

I spent the week riding MARC, which I thought would feel like old times.  Yet, for my new MARC commute I ride the Brunswick line rather than the Penn line, which may not seem like a big difference, but trust me it is.  First, you have to stand in line to get on the Brunswick train, and if you don't get in line, people will get mad at you (I'm speaking from experience).  Second, the train cars on the Brunswick line are much older with ripped seats and hard to operate doors.  Third, the people are much louder (unless of course if you're in the quiet car then people get mad if you make too much noise (again, I'm speaking from experience)).  And it's not happy-hour loud, it's loud like someone yelling, "what was 5-down on today's crossword puzzle" loud.  This is really annoying too when you're trying to do the exact puzzle they're yelling about.  Still, my commute is now only 45 minutes so these few distractions seem a small price to pay for having more of my life back.  And frankly, I'm willing to pay it.

Gone But Not Forgotten

It's been ages since I've posted.  The break was due to lots of upheaval -- both personal and professional.  First, I moved, which actually has shortened my commut quite a bit.  Second, I started a new job, which also shortened my commute.  The end result is I now have about an hour ride to work and I can take all forms of public transportation -- Metro, MARC and bus.  So when I get back into a routine, I will be posting more often. In the meantime, I hope all is going well with everyone.

Dog Days

What do heat, humidity and train malfunctions mean in Washington, DC?  Summer, of course.  The 97 -degree temperature this week meant substantial delays as one train after another succumbed to the heat.  And if that's not enough, an unusually large number of tourists decided to travel during rush hour.  Now, don't get me wrong, those of us who live and work in DC actually like tourists, just not at rush hour.  As we are rushing to catch the next train, we don't want to be stopped by someone who thinks the architecture is especially nice at a particular station or by someone who doesn't know how to use the ticket machines.  Save that for after 9 am and before 4 pm.  On the other hand, if you want to get an insider glimpse as to what it's really like to be a city commuter, try hitting Union Station at about 7:30 am or 4: 30 pm. 

One Year

Today marks my one-year anniversary for riding the train and writing this blog.  I've learned a lot of tips and tricks in the past year that make such a lengthy commute a bit more tolerable and , at times, even enjoyable.  And what does the next year have in store?  Who knows.  But you can be certain that I will be right here blogging about it.

Sweltering

The record high temperatures are wreaking havoc on MARC.  About two minutes after we departed Union Station this evening, we stopped and all power quit.  Not a good sign when temperatures are pleasant but it's especially bad when the mercury is up into triple digits.  Fortunately, a technician aboard the train was able to fix the problem and we are now back on track with the air conditioning blowing.  It doesn't look good though.  MARC is already announcing that a number of trains are running 10 to 15 minutes late, and the domino effect would seem to suggest that the train I'm on will get backed up too.  Still, I hope it doesn't just stop -- AC and all -- it's just too darn hot!

Mechanical Problems

This morning's delay is being blamed on mechanical problems and not switch problems as I expected.  The problems caused a delay of at least 15 minutes.  In order to make up for the delay, MARC decided to "operate express" from Baltimore's Penn Station to BWI Airport.  Ordinarily there are two stops between these two stations.  So I guess there's a chance I can still get to work on time.

On the Move

We're on the move again but still no explanation as to what caused the stop.  A Norfolk & Southern engine with two cars passed by on the other track so one could speculate that there was some "switch problems", which seems to be an oft-quoted reason for delays.  Let's hope everything is back on track now and it will be smooth sailing the rest of the way this morning.

Stopped

Bells began ringing not long after boarding the train this morning and we are now stopped somewhere outside Baltimore.  No power and no explanation as to what's causing the delay; if it weren't for the gentleman behind me tapping his feet to the beat of whatever is  playing on his IPod, there would be no noise on the train at all.  I guess people are using the delay to catch a few more minutes of sleep.

Another Month

I received yet another month's rail pass in the mail this weekend, just in time to start the June commute.  And it certainly is going to be a hot one.  Temperatures on Tuesday and Wednesday hit the high 90s.  Last year when the mercury hit that level trains were regularly breaking down.  This year MARC seems to have taken some preventative measures to keep the trains running smoothly.  The trains have fewer cars so the diesel engines don/t have as much of load to pull in the sweltering heat.  Fewer cars means more people standing, though.  And let me just say a train car filled with hot, sweaty, and standing people is not a very pleasant place.  Fortunately it's early enough in the season for people to have a sense of humor about the situation.  Also fortunate for us riders is that the air conditioning appears to be working well.  Who knows, however, what July will bring.

Riding Rut

The train has been running along pretty much as scheduled for the last few days.  No one ever acknowledges when the train pulls out or arrives on time.  There for awhile it seemed like such a rare occurrence that it was news when departures and arrivals occurred as scheduled.  Now the riders have been lulled into thinking that the problems have been worked out and late arrivals and departures and breakdowns are things of the past.  I'm not so optimistic.  But I do appreciate the last week of uneventful commuting and I look forward to many more weeks like it.

Late Late Coffee Break

While I don't get on the morning train at the first stop, I do get on at the second and I am always amazed when the announcement is made that the train will arrive late to its second stop.  That's what happened this morning.  The announcement was made that the train would be arriving 10 to 12 minutes late with no explanation of the problem causing the delay.  That early in the morning I figure the delay is self-induced rather than caused by any technical malfunction.  After all, the train did arrive, it seems to be running smoothly, and all systems are a go.  Thus, I can only deduce that one of the crew was simply stuck in the drive thru at Dunkin' Donuts waiting to pick up coffee for the rest.  I just wish he or she would have grabbed an extra cup for me.

Chariot of Doom

As the train pulled up about 5 minutes late this morning, fellow rider L -- I don't want to use his full name -- announced loudly, "the chariot of doom arrives." It's the first time I heard our morning train so characterized but I kind of liked it, expecially today as we are getting progressively later with each stop we make.  No explanation for the cause of the lateness, but it is raining outside.  I guess rain and chariots don't mix.

Tea Time

I'm feeling rather British this morning, given all the hub bub about the royal wedding.  Therefore, to celebrate, I thought I would have a cup (or should I say spot) of tea on my train ride.  I must admit, it's a great way to start a Friday.  Enjoy your weekend.

Weather Report

Bad weather in Baltimore is affecting this morning's commute.  According to the conductor, lightening in the area is causing signal problems, which seems to be slowing the train down as the engineer has to wait for verbal signals to pass.  And while I haven't seen any lightening or rain for that matter, the clouds certainly look ominous.  I hope that signal malfunctions are the only problems this weather causes.

Another Monday

I usually work at home on Mondays, so Tuesday always feels a bit like Monday to me as I embark on the train ride to the city.  I catch up with my fellow passengers and try to get into the groove for the week ahead.  This week I have lots on my plate, so I've been silently reciting a mantra to be positive and productive.  Let's hope it works. 

Police Presence

The Aberdeen train station was teeming with police officers this morning.  There were at least six SUVs, a dozen  or so officers and even one canine.  I thought I had interrupted a major sting operation and was hoping I could regale my blog readers with a tale of intrigue today.  But alas, it is not to be.  As I began walking my morning laps and get a closer look at what was going on, one officer stopped me to hand me a card announcing the "See Something Say Something" campaign, encouraging people to report suspicious activity.  The card even contained "Seven Signs of Terrorism" to be on the look out for, including "elicitation, suspicious  persons out of place and deploying assets."  It was all very confusing because the very things I was supposed to report were the very things these police were guilty of.  I've never seen more than one officer at a time at the train station, and even that is a rare occurrence.  Today's officers were eliciting information about suspected terrorist activities and they had deployed a significant amount of assets to do it (did I mention the computer screens that appeared on the dashboards of the SUVs).  So I guess I need to say something.  I'm just not sure if anyone will take me seriously.  But the card reminded me to "report suspicious activity anytime or anywhere" because "if you think something is suspicious, it probably is." 

Reserved Seating

Okay, so there are no assigned seats on the MARC train.  But apparently appropriate train riding etiquette dictates that you don't sit in seats that are usually taken by regular riders.  I learned this lesson this morning.  I typically sit in the first car, and there is one seat that I especially like because it's a single seat (not a double) and it has a window from which I can watch the world pass by.  But, I don't sit in the seat every day because sometimes a rider from the stop before mine gets it.  It never really bothers me when this happens.  I just select another seat and continue on my way. 

On the mornings I do get my "regular" seat, I sit across from a man who pulls a blue pillow from his brief case, props it against the wall, and falls asleep.  We haven't seen much of each other this week, though, because it seems these seats have been occupied when we've boarded.  Not so today.  Both were vacant and we sat down in our "usual" spots.  As he was pulling out his blue pillow, the man looked at me and said, "Finally, the riders from Perryville have stayed out of our seats."

It's the first time this man has ever spoken to me despite our close proximity on a regular basis.  And for that matter, it's the first time I've considered where I sit as "my seat".  But, I guess it is. . . at least for today.

Leaves of Green

The record high temperatures these last few days, have made the buds on the trees burst and now as the sun rises on my morning commute, I also see the feathery green of new leaves.  It's a sure sign that spring is here.  Washington, DC is beautiful in the spring.  The cherry blossoms, tulips and daffodils are in bloom and the days are still cool enough that taking a walk at lunch to enjoy the foliage doesn't mean you'll be drenched in sweat.  So this week, I encourage everyone to get out there and enjoy spring.  I know I will.

New Train

A late morning meeting allowed me to take the Amtrak train into the city today.  And frankly, I could get use to these comfortable seats with tables to hold my laptop.  Not to mention the coffee available in the cafe car and that today's commute will take just over an hour rather than the nearly two it normally takes.  So why won't I be taking this train more often?  Unfortunately, it doesn't fit my work schedule.  I think that's by design.  If the schedule was a bit more convenient, I think more riders would skip MARC altogether and hop aboard Amtrak.  This is ironic given that Amtrak is responsible for operating the MARC trains along this route.  You'd think the company would want to pass along some of its best practices in order to establish some good will among riders.  That's just not so, though.  Which is why today I will simply sip my coffee, enjoy the shorter commute, and hope that I will have another late morning meeting soon.

Red in Morning

If, as the saying goes, red in morning is a sailor's warning, what does a red morning mean for train riders?  I think it means being able to watch a beautiful sunrise, which I am thoroughly enjoying.  Who knows, though, whether it may be an omen of things to come.  I shall keep you posted.

Holy Galoshes!

The soggy weather has put the latest commuter fashion trend in the forefront.  Galoshes of every shape, size and color have been everyday apparel for the last week or so.  MARC train riders (mostly women, but at least one man) have boarded wearing these shiny boots.  There are the conservative riders who wear the basic black versions and then those people who exhibit a bit more personality with their footwear.  The environmentalist, for example, wears an off-white pair with leaves imprinted on them. 
The Scot wears a tartan plaid pair.  I've seen fluorescent yellow, orange and green pairs too, which help to brighten up the cloudy, gray mornings. My favorite pair, however, had ducks from ankles to knees.  Perfect, I thought, for splashing in puddles.

New Time, New Train Schedule

MARC marked the time change by unveiling a new schedule.  The new schedule is the transit system's attempt to thwart the malfunctions and breakdowns that occurred during last summer's heat wave.  According to MARC officials, the new schedule means shorter trains running more often.   Those of us that ride the train from beginning to end are seeing little benefit from the move.  First, while the trains may be shorter, there aren't any more that run to Perryville, Aberdeen and Edgewood, the farthest stops from Washington, DC.  And, at least on the Southbound routes, these trains make every single stop so not only do they take longer to arrive at the final destination, fewer cars mean more people standing.  The Northbound trains are a bit better, at least for now.  I've actually been arriving home about five minutes earlier than under the old schedule.  The concern, however, is that with more trains operating when summer temperatures are on the rise, when one breaks down the end result could mean extra delays for all trains running after it.  It may take such an incident before MARC re-looks the schedule and attempts to revamp it yet again.

Going Away Party

It's 6 am, which may seem a bit early for partying, but MARC train folks are a die hard breed.  This morning a group of them (I'd say about eight) are celebrating the last ride of a fellow passenger.  I haven't been able to ascertain whether he got a job closer to where he lives or whether he is retiring, but despite the reason, the atmosphere, at least in this train car, is jovial.  Coffee and donuts are being served and even one of the conductors is joining the festivities.  I even scored a cup of java in the celebration.  Unless you've been a regular rider on these long morning commutes, you can't truly appreciate what it means when one of the "regulars" gives up the daily commute. Those of us that continue on, are a bit envious, and those that are leaving are bit sad to say good bye to their morning and evening social hour.  For now, though, we're just enjoying the coffee, donuts and commeraderie.

Hints of Spring

The cardinal was singing this morning as I walked laps around the train station.  It caught me a bit off guard because with all the cold weather we've been having, the birds have been rather quiet.  Conserving energy I assume.  But this morning they were singing loud and clear, marking what I believe to be the beginning of spring. There are other hints too.  Dawn's streaks of light I see now as I board the morning train speak to longer days ahead.  And for at least a full 30 minutes of my evening commute, I see sunshine and get to watch the sun set.  Pretty soon, it will be light for the entire evening commute.  I'm hoping that with this extra daylight will come a new-found energy. 

Snack Time

I was starving tonight as I boarded the train.  And apparently, I wasn't the only one.  The couple next to me was sharing a roast beef panini, while the woman behind me munched on cookies from a Nabisco 100-calorie pack.  Even the woman in front of me was scarfing down cheese curls.  I opted to drink a bottle of water because I read that oftentimes people feel hungry when, in fact, they are just thirsty.  It didn't work.  So a few minutes later I was diving into what I thought was a single serving bag of corn nuts.  Good thing I stopped to read the label though.  The bag actually contained four servings.  I think I stopped after finishing the second one.  Which means I will have enough to snack on again tomorrow.  I wonder what other people will have?

February Fog

February is almost over and I realize I have not posted this entire month.  It's not for lack of having anything to say though.  It's more because I simply lacked the motivation to say them.  February is always a hard month for me.  It's cold.  It's dark.  And, I'm always super busy at work.  The end result is that I'm exhausted when I leave for work in the morning and even more so when I come home at night.  But there is hope.  February is almost over.  The days are getting longer.  I'm seeing hints of spring (I saw my first robin yesterday).  And things are easing up a bit at work.  So let's hope that March will be a more prolific month in terms of blogging and Rail Writer gets back on track.

The Distinguished Gentleman

The silver-haired man next to me exuded success.  From the tasseled loafers to the cashmere overcoat he wore, I guessed he was an accountant, lawyer, or some political bigwig.  He traveled light.  He had one small briefcase and book which he immediately began to read after finding his seat next to me.  Always interested in what the most successful people are reading these days, I snuck a peak at the title thinking I might want to add it to my reading list.  Imagine my surprise when I discovered I had already read the book, though, and years ago too.  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows isn't a book I think of as on the reading lists of the most successful people but I'm glad I know it is.  I guess now all I need to do is buy some tasseled loafers and a cashmere coat.

Self Employed

If I had a notion to operate my own business, I'd seriously consider opening a liquor store in a train station.  If the liquor store at Union Station is any indication, it's a sure way to get rich.  I've noticed that especially on Fridays there is an endless line of customers stocking up on their favorite adult beverage for the evening commute.  And, I admit, I have contributed to the owner's retirement fund myself, occasionally purchasing a nice Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay for the evening ride.  The clerks are always helpful, suggesting options and adding plastic glasses to your bag so you can share your purchase with a friend, which isn't surprising since that's a great way to get repeat business.  I'll have to keep that in mind, if I actually do decide to seek self employment.

Snow Bound

The winter storm advisory didn't deter Marc from making its runs this morning.  The roughly three inches of snow was no match for the train.  Still, I've noticed a lighter-than-normal passenger load this a.m.  I'm not sure whether people just couldn't get to the train stations in time or they simply decided to telework today in order to avoid the mess of trudging through the ice and snow.  I noticed though that the parking lot was cleared and the walks salted at the Aberdeen train station.  In fact, it was cleaned up enough for me to walk a few extra laps as I waited for my ride.  Sure I did it in snow boots rather than sneakers, but I did it nonetheless.  So no guilt today.

It's A New Year

Happy New Year, everyone!  Yes, I realize that it's January 5, but extended travel and bit of procrastination has prevented me from sending this annual wish to everyone until now.  Nonetheless, the wish is just as sincere as if it had arrived in a timely fashion, and here on the train people are hunkering down for the beginning of cold, long winter of riding.  In fact, if I didn't know better I would think people are using the January commute as a form of mini hibernation.  I notice more  people wrapped in blankets and scarves, nestled in for the two hour commute to the city.  Sleep, however, still eludes me so I've decided to use my January commuting time just for me.  I'm going to delve into a new book, catch up on some magazine reading and just simply enjoy the peace and quiet as we rumble along on these dark, frosty mornings.  It doesn't seem like a bad way to start the year.  I just wonder how long it will last?