21 October, 2005 • Express Train
A Train ~ Nassau St ~ 9:45am - Click for next Image

Photography © Travis Rusephotoblogs.orglisted












A Train ~ Nassau St ~ 9:45am

Left for work early today in the hopes of getting an early start on the day. Didn't work out so well. Halfway between Jay St. and Broadway/Nassau the train came to halt. For those not familiar with the route that means you’re sitting under the East River. So there we sat and sat. For about an hour. We did move about 20 feet at one point. I think that was a gesture of concern from the conductor since he knew we were parked on a banking of about 25 degrees. It was sort of like hanging on the side of a small hill. It sucked.

Finally they were able to get the first cars into the station. All the passengers of a packed rush hour train had to walk the entire length of the train exit. To add insult to injury the doors were broken and we had to squeeze through 1/2 a door. Turns out a fire at a switching station (West 4th St?) shut down all west side trains. You could suddenly tell who at work lived in Brooklyn.

Needless to say I thought twice about getting on the train on the way home.

8 Comments

  1. Travis,
    sorry to hear that. Sounds like an awful experience. I recently moved back into Manhattan from Jersey and now walk to work. I don't really miss the PATH train/subway commute. However, the whole thing did make for a very unusual scene/picture. I'd love to see a shot of people's faces to see if they look frustrated.

  2. All lined up and no place to go. Funny that with all the people nobody was looking backwards.

  3. I dont tend to look back when there are so many people behind me either.

    That certainly doesnt sound like much fun at all. Being stuck in a stationary train for so long just staring at the people infront of and around you.

  4. I always try to discern the "story" in the photo before I read the text. At first this looked so strange - nobody sitting and everyone with their backs to you. After a moment I realized it was a "everybody jump up and stand in the aisles to exit the airplane even though the doors haven't opened yet" kind of shot.

    It's very difficult some times to depend on mechanical equipment that sometimes has a mind of its own.

    Sitting UNDER the river? Got goosebumps just thinking about.

  5. Wow. It is odd that no one is looking backwards. Anyways, sorry to hear that you got stuck in all of that mess, Travis.

    Nonetheless, it's a good picture.

  6. I was saw some NY news footage online and it looked like a huge mess. W. 4th St is one of the worst stations for a major problem to happen at. Glad you were safe. Great picture.

  7. The good news is you ended with a great photo!!!!

  8. yeah, a seriously screwed up commute. i managed to get into work by transferring to the R train at 4th ave but it took 40 minutes longer than usual. great pic!

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Photography © Travis Rusephotoblogs.orglisted