Subways on the brain
May 14, 2008 in Uncategorized
Two interesting things about subways that I found online. The first is an amazing piece of reportage from New York magazine on subway trackworkers in that city:
That Old Feeling trailer Repairing and maintaining the city’s 660 miles of subway tracks—while avoiding the third rail and dodging 400-ton trains—is not an easy task. There have been at least 230 employee fatalities since 1946. In the last decade alone, ten subway workers have been killed. Thomas DeStefano and Samuel McPhaul were electrocuted by the third rail. The A train slammed into Christopher Bonaparte; a 3 train killed Joy Antony while he was testing a signal light north of 96th Street; an E train came around a curve and plowed into Kurien Baby, who was trying to put a warning light in a tunnel near Canal Street. In 2004, Harold Dozier was retrieving flags that had been set up to warn motormen about workers on the tracks when the B train slammed into him.
That’s one a year folks! I know the NYC system is huge but… wow!
The second odd subway thing I found is this twisted ad campaign from Washington D.C.’s subway that tries to discourage jumpers.
Dead Air divx Exit10′s “Life is Fun” campaign for Washington, DC METRO gives commuters games like hopscotch and I Spy to pass the time. The message: “Life is fun. Keep on living. Use caution around the tracks.”
Yes, because when I’m completely ready to give up on life because of my shitty job and my soul-crushing loneliness, a little hopscoth will totally help.
Addendum: OK, I have to admit the ‘I Spy’ game is quite adorable. Gawker has it here and I’m gonna steal it.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
If you’re curious #7 (Takes Karaoke too seriously) and #4 (Secretly loves kittens) are totally about me.
Although I kind of think #20 (Is too old to be living with their parents) will totally push some sullen 20-something over the edge and on to the tracks. Good going DC Metro, good going.
