The Ten Subway Commandments

If you’re in New York City and see a total hottie but can’t get up the nerve to say hi, Subway Crush may be just the site for you. By the looks of it, crushes can be posted anonymously but a login is required to respond. Some posts are overt and others
are just too effin’ funny.

Parkchester, Short 177 by FredoAlvarez/flickr

The signage at this subway station in the Bronx used to read "E 177 St - Parkchester." now it simply reads "Parkchester," though the lampposts at either end of the platform bear plaques that reference the former name.

The station opened in 1920 as "E 177 St" and sits above Hugh J. Grant Circle where Westchester Avenue and the Cross Bronx Expressway intersect. While East 177th Street still exists within the Bronx, the Cross Bronx replaced it in this neighborhood.

After 31 years of service, Metro finally rolled out rail cars with bench-like seating and carpetless flooring the other day. The carpetless cars are part of the 6000 series, while the car with bench seating is in the 3000 series. The cars were unveiled at the National Airport station, which sits on the Blue and Yellow lines. Akin to other subway systems in the country — New York City’s immediately comes to mind, natch — both designs feature stainless steel straps.

Even though these are just test cars, these changes were a long time coming in my mind, particularly the non-carpeted floors. After a spell of foul weather, and particularly in winter, the carpets get filthy and musty. I’m convinced that the mildew that develops contributes significantly to DC’s wintertime ailments. And considering the cost of upkeep, carpets are just not an economical option.

The bench seating looks a little half-assed, though. Those seats don’t match the originals, in fact they look like they’d be more appropriate on a bus, and it’s pretty obvious. As a proof of concept, though, it seems to work.

This morning, the mate pointed out a NY Daily News story about the Fordham Road station on the D line in New York City. It’s apparently very cruisy.

Personally, I would have thought that the Metro-North stop at Fordham Road would have been a better pick, seeing as it’s near a lightly wooded area, and conveniently located next door to Fordham University. If nothing else, it’s a nicer venue.

Just a thought.