We figured since we have a static Metro-North Schedule like the ones on the little station-specific leaflets at GCT, that we would do like MTA and wait until Monday to do the schedule change to avoid confusion.

Check the MTA Schedule form for next’s weeks schedule changes or download the appropriate confusing PDF to see if your trains have changed until we update our schedules at StationStops.

Originally appeared on: StationStops - Metro-North Train Schedules and NYC Commuting Blog See the original post here: Metro-North Schedule Changes : Metro-North Schedule Changes This Sunday, April 5th

We were all a little puzzled about why someone would voluntarily walk *towards* two rush hour trains which had just opened their doors.

As we got closer, he started looking straight ahead and screaming, at the top of his lungs:

“I’M DYING!!!”

He didn’t appear to be in any physical distress at all, and never broke his pace. He didnt seem to be trying to get anyone to help him, as he kept walking straight past everyone, not looking anyone in the eye.

That’s it, nothing else, and he repeated it about 3 times, until he got about 10 feet into the sea of oncoming commuters. At that point he kind of gave up and turned around, fell into line with everyone else and behaved perfectly normally like nothing had ever happened.

I’m guessing major panic attack, Bear Sterns shareholder, maybe both.

Its one of those special types of crazy, where you really wish you had taken the extra 2 minutes out of your day to stop and ask him what was up, maybe give him to a cop to get him services, etc. Because now you’ll never know. But seriously, stopping in the middle of the platform during a 2-train arrival – not a good idea.

At the very least, he qualified my creation of the ‘Aberrant Passengers’ category the other day.

Originally appeared on: StationStops - Metro-North Train Schedules and NYC Commuting Blog See the original post here: Man Screaming “I’m Dying!” At Grand Central Terminal

Its not an entirely new issue, its just that 9/11 made it a hell of a lot worse, creating this overreaching pretense that any photographer could be an Al-Quaida operative, taking that all-important snapshot which, if not obtained, would make some logistically complex attack impossible.

This has been an issue for MTA, which has had to consistently remind its staff on multiple occasions, in writing, to stop harassing photographers on MTA rail lines as MTA specifically does not have any restrictions regarding public photography. This after being reminded repeatedly by the ACLU in response to numerous MTA employee incidents with videographers and photographers.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18K 8.1MP Digital Camera with 18x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)

Today, I had a few minutes before my train, so I snapped a few file photos of Grand Central Terminal (along with about 100 tourists) before I boarded my train. The conductor in the picture came over to me and insisted that there is no reason anyone should be taking a picture of an empty length of train track, and insisted I tell him why I was doing that.

Tonight I will be attending his Cub Scout meeting where I will be personally presenting him with his ‘See Anything Say Something’ badge.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ18K 8.1MP Digital Camera with 18x Wide Angle MEGA Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Black)

BTW The following story just got frontpaged on digg today and is directly relevant to this story – its the Ten Legal Commandments Of Photography .

Also, photographers might want to check out a post on the Railroad.net forums regarding MTA Rules of conduct. Citing the relevant section:

” Photography, filming or video recording in any facility or conveyance is permitted except that ancillary equipment such as lights, reflectors or tripods may not be used. Members of the press holding valid identification issued by the New York City Police Department are hereby authorized to use necessary ancillary equipment. All photographic activity must be conducted in accordance with the provisions of this Part.”

Here is a direct link to the MTA’s Rules Of Conduct.

It also suggests that MTA photographers print out and carry a copy of this pdf which documents the exchange between the ACLU, MTA, in which the MTA notifies its employees in writing that photography is not prohibited.

Originally appeared on: StationStops - Metro-North Train Schedules and NYC Commuting Blog See the original post here: Photographer Harrassed By MTA Employee For Taking Pictures at Grand Central

And yes, I have had a little bit to drink.

So thanks for this:

Originally appeared on: StationStops - Metro-North Train Schedules and NYC Commuting Blog See the original post here: Super Helpful Metro-North Schedule Screen

METRO-NORTH NEW HAVEN LINE COMMUTERS SLOWLY MAKE THEIR WAY HOME.

At 7 PM a New Haven Line StationStops.com reader sent this photo from their train, just prior to stopping in Port Chester:

7 PM: Harlem Building Collapse / Metro-North Grand Central Station Delays TIMELINE:

• Earlier today, a building at 124th st began to partially collapse
• At 3:09, MTA shutdown all service into and out of Grand Central, as the building was a block from the 125th St station, through which all Metro-North lines pass – New Haven, Hudson, and Harlem.
• At 3:10 PM, the building collapsed
• At 4:45 PM, MTA Reports that Metro-North service was ‘fully restored’ but reccommended Metro-North Passengers use the subway to circumvent Grand Central / 125th St
• At 5:10 PM, 1010 Wins reported the tracks at Grand Central Terminal were empty, and there had not yet been any arrivals or departures.
• Sometime between 5:10 and 6PM, Metro-North trains began to arrive and leave at Grand Central
• 6PM Service gradually resumes
• 7PM 101 Wins is still reporting delays of 1 hr- 90 min depending on your line

6:38 PM I am getting reports from New Haven Line passengers that they have been able to get their trains and are on their way home.

6:33 PM reminder: MTA Service metro-North ALERTS (not to be confused with METRO-NORTH SERVICE ADVISORIES)

6:27 PM UPDATE: 1010 Wins reports that Grand Central is a mass of very confused people. It seems that since trains are not running at their regular times, and some trains have been *combined* behind the scenes, that some passengers are just staring at the boards in utter confusion and the information booth is packed.

6:15 PM: RECAP: Metro-North is back online with 30-60-minute residual delays after a vacant building collapsed in East Harlem near the 125th St station which caused MTA to shutdown Metro-North for about 2 hours. Grand Central Terminal is packed, MTA has suggested rerouting via subway, which will honor your metro north ticket.

On the Shoulders of Giants: My Journey Through the Harlem Renaissance

Hilariously, when you go to MTA’s website and select ‘Service Advisories’ and then ‘Metro-North Railroad’, there is absolutely no indication whatsoever that anything has gone wrong on Metro-North today!

It is only by going to the home page and clicking on the service alert icon that you get the latest service alert – gah!

photo: Gothamist WCBS880

Update 6PM: New MTA Service Advisory Reports delays are now reduced to 30-60 minutes from 90 minutes.

“Service on the Harlem, Hudson, and New Haven lines has been restored into and out of Grand Central Terminal.
Customers should expect delays of 30 to 60 minutes and crowded conditions on trains. Please be sure to listen for announcements in Grand Central Terminal and at outlying stations in the event of service changes.”

UPDATE 6PM: GRAND CENTRAL STATION IS A “SARDINE CAN” reports 1010 Wins…

photo: Sonia Rincon1010 Wins

UPDATED 5:06 PM: Kathleen Maloney of 1010 Wins reports people standing at tracks at Grand Central waiting for trains to arrive, there are no trains at the station and none have departed. At this point most people are suggesting you use the subway instructions in the previous MTA alert to get north of 125th St and skip Grand Central altogether, ignoring the last MTA service advisory:

• On the Hudson Line: Take the #1 subway to 225th Street to access Marble Hill Station.

• On the Harlem Line: Take the #2 subway to 241st Street to access Wakefield Station.

• On the New Haven Line: Take the #5 subway to 233rd Street to access Woodlawn Station.

UPDATED 5PM: GRAND CENTRAL STATION TERMINAL IS RESTORED, EXPECT HORRIFIC DELAYS:

MTA:

“Service on the Harlem, Hudson, and New Haven lines has been restored into and out of Grand Central Terminal.

Customers should expect extensive delays (of up to 90 minutes) and crowded conditions on trains as we resume service. Please be sure to listen for announcements in Grand Central Terminal and at outlying stations in the event of service changes. “

For the latest updates from your web browser, we reccommend you tune into 1010Wins on the Internet!

Just to be clear – there is absolutely no indication of any injuries or terrorism – just a decayed vacant building collapse and a bad commuting nightmare! 1010Wins reports neighbors have been complaining about he buildings decay for a while.

4:30 PM MTA Service Advisory Update:

Hudson, Harlem and New Haven Line train service continues to be suspended into and out of Grand Central Terminal.

Customers are advised to use the following subways to reach Metro-North stations in the Bronx, where they can take trains providing local service to outlying stations:

• On the Hudson Line: Take the #1 subway to 225th Street to access Marble Hill Station.

• On the Harlem Line: Take the #2 subway to 241st Street to access Wakefield Station.

• On the New Haven Line: Take the #5 subway to 233rd Street to access Woodlawn Station.

MTA New York City Transit will honor all Metro-North tickets for travel between Grand Central and these stations, and at 125th Street and Fordham stations.

UPDATE: The building was in East Harlem near the intersection of 124th st and park avenue. MTA has suspended all Metro-North service out of Grand Central Station – MSNBC reports that there was no service as of 3:09 PM, StationStops.com received its Metro-North Service advisory at 3:25 PM.

• The building was unoccupied
• There are no known injuries
• Most of the building is still standing, about 1/3 has collapsed
• 124th St is shutdown between Madison and Lex due to debris
• Park Avenue is closed between 122nd and 125th Sts due to debris

Its 4:36 PM on a Tuesday and Metro-North is completely shut down people – HAVE A GREAT COMMUTE HOME EVERYONE

MTA Service Advisory:

“Hudson, Harlem and New Haven Line train service has been temporarily suspended into and out of Grand Central Terminal because of a building collapse in the vicinity of 124 Street and Park Avenue.

We will continue to update you as the situation changes.”

I’m looking into it for more info…

UPDATE: I just scanned all the local news channels – nothing but Obama. Nothing on CNN or NYC paper sites…

reminder: Top Google results for Harlem building collapse is an OLD STORY – no one was reported injured today!

UPDATE: WNBC is on it:

Originally appeared on: StationStops - Metro-North Train Schedules and NYC Commuting Blog See the original post here: BREAKING NEWS: Harlem Building Collapse Shuts Down Grand Central Terminal – UPDATES

Tonight I watched the American Experience: Grand Central Terminal documentary on PBS – it was very informative and the photography was beautiful in HD.

They used a method of converting wonderfully detailed old photographs of the train yard into some sort of panning 3d-diorama to very impressive effect…

As for the history – originally the station was built by the Vanderbilt family as an above-ground steam locomotive terminal. It soon became unbearably congested, dangerous (killing people on 4th avenue regularly), and clouded upper Manhattan in smoke. Apparently the Vanderbilts didn’t really care.

Well, then there was a big fatal accident, the city villianized the Vanderbilts, and they were given an ultimatum to increase safety and switch to electric trains (a new technology) – or lose their rights to the train yard. This, and the competition from the Pennsylvania railroad’s brand new Penn Electric Train Station forced the Vanderbilts to completely overhaul Grand Central.

In response, they moved the tracks underground at unprecedented expense, which was recouped by leasing the massive amount of reclaimed topside land as prime real estate. They switched to electric trains, and contracted two outstanding architectural teams to develop the terminal itself, which is universally hailed as an amazingly thoughtful and inspired work – considered the most beautifully designed station in the world at the time.

Originally appeared on: StationStops - Metro-North Train Schedules and NYC Commuting Blog See the original post here: PBS Documentary on Grand Central Educational and Beautiful

Well, ImprovEverywhere.com, whose founders have its root in New York’s famous Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theatre, have stretched their definition of improv to a form which is arguably neither improvised nor entertainment. In fact, most people upon a review of their activities might agree that what they really are is a Flash Mob.

Apparently, this comparison is an affront to improv types, so they directly deny the label in their FAQ, albeit unconvincingly….

Their argument is that their organization pre-dates the term “flash mob“, and their appreciation of improvisational concepts separates them artistically from the unwashed hordes of Apple-store zombies etc.

Whatever. I say if it walks like a duck…

Their latest “improvisation” involved a group of about 200 volunteers who walked into Grand Central last Saturday, appearing as everyday travellers, and then simultaneously froze in place at exactly the same time. Exactly five minutes later to the second, they all resumed exactly what they were doing without skipping a beat, to the applause of bewildered onlookers around the main concourse.

Make of it what you will:

Originally appeared on: StationStops - Metro-North Train Schedules and NYC Commuting Blog See the original post here: Grand Central Terminal Comes to a Standstill (with video)